A thoughtful book about being a better person that asks more questions than it answers.
An inquisitive guide to emotional and spiritual growth.
In this contemplative book, Anderson explores the formation of moral character and the practice of compassionate living. “Within the human heart lies so much,” the author states. “There is to be found so much power, so much potential, so much greatness.” The book is structured in 26 short chapters, each focused on a specific quality; the author reflects on the meaning of these qualities and explains why they are essential to emotional and spiritual well-being. Early chapters focus on traits like kindness, compassion, loyalty, and patience. According to Anderson, forgiveness doesn’t ignore harm but frees people from staying stuck in anger. In a chapter on perseverance, he observes, “If we never have the perseverance to endure the hard times, we will never get to experience, enjoy, and understand the good times.” The author grapples with the definition of morality, the ways in which it manifests differently in people, and the question of whether those who have “accepted their inner darkness” can be “saved.” The book concludes by emphasizing the importance of empathy, because “there is no greater thing in this world than to connect not only to your soul, but the soul[s] of others on a deeper level.” Anderson encourages readers to embody their highest selves in this introspective book. The simple structure is a strength; readers will easily follow along as the author introduces a virtue, explains its importance, contrasts it with its opposite, and encourages personal reflection through questions. The text contains wise and heartfelt observations such as “Compassion is the heart’s way of letting us know that we are not alone in our suffering.” However, the book includes too much filler, with entire paragraphs made up of rhetorical questions (“So, what then is simplicity? Is it a difference in perspective? Is it a state of mind? Is it an understanding of the soul?”) that slow the pacing rather than deepen the discussion.
A thoughtful book about being a better person that asks more questions than it answers.Pub Date: May 30, 2023
ISBN: 9798887598918
Page Count: 214
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 5, 2026
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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