PAUSE, REWIND, PLAY

A highly personal guide focuses on navigating the challenges of the modern world.

Among the world’s many stresses, Manfredi points out, is the Covid-19 pandemic—and the chaos it has created around the globe. But even in this latest case, there are positives for those who seek them. Covid-19 reminds people, the author writes, to appreciate what they have, not what they don’t have. In these pages, Manfredi sketches out a scheme for dealing with the contemporary world, a plan that rests on four pillars: hard work, integrity, gratitude, and perspective—with the emphasis on gratitude. He fleshes out these qualities in autobiographical terms, asking “How did you become who you are?” and taking readers through glimpses of his own past, including his parents and grandparents’ histories. He prompts readers to examine the deep foundations of their own personalities. One potent thread running through these reflections is the author’s support of an important, ongoing project—reaching out in the service of others. Manfredi symbolizes this by quoting American author Albert Pike: “What we do for ourselves dies with us, but what we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” In game and very personable prose, the author urges his readers to believe that, regardless of what they face, the underlying lesson is that they should make the best out of every situation while remaining confident that they’ll come through it better and sturdier than before. The author is winningly earnest even when presenting questionable sentiments in the “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” category. Even so, fans of this kind of self-help book will appreciate the uplifting, intimate tone of Manfredi’s encouragements. His consistent urging of readers to ruminate on their own pasts in order to create bright, new futures is thought-provoking.

A compact, upbeat, and engaging approach to overcoming obstacles.