An original, hope-filled story told well.
The Christian edition of Bombaci’s award-winning memoir (Hogan’s Hope: A Deaf Hero’s Inspirational Quest for Love and Acceptance, 2017) about a deaf dog with astounding abilities.
When Hogan the Dalmatian came into Bombaci’s life, the dog was battered, malnourished, and longing for a loving home. But at least the previous owners didn’t euthanize him, a disturbingly common practice with deaf Dalmatians. His life began a new and bright chapter when he was adopted by Bombaci, who saw his potential more than his limitations. She and her husband, Jim, began learning ASL, eventually teaching Hogan more than 70 words. They also underwent rigorous desensitization with him, counterconditioning the fearful reactions he learned during his abused youth. In addition to now having affectionate and dedicated owners, Hogan enjoyed the canine companionship of India, the family’s black Lab, and, later, Georgia, another adopted deaf Dalmatian. He also loved people of all ages, and the author includes a particularly touching account of an elderly man whose bitter heart was softened by Hogan’s “unwavering devotion and steadfast friendship.” Hogan’s fame quickly grew, and he and Bombaci were featured in numerous publications and television productions (including Oprah), spreading the vital message that pervades this book: “All God’s creations are worthy of receiving thoughtful consideration, good treatment, and genuine love. No matter the age, size, characteristics, or type, each is capable of living a wonderful, rewarding life.” Bombaci’s writing reads effortlessly, exploring themes that extend far beyond the canine world. She also ably demonstrates Hogan’s character development from a scared and scrawny pup to a handsome, highly intelligent dog full of energy and love—a life-affirming transformation. This Christian version is essentially the same as the original except garnished with Bible verses that bring a faith-filled ambience to the book. The book’s organization lacks nothing, taking readers on the step-by-step journey of Hogan’s life; its universal, empowering message gives it the potential to reach a much wider audience than just dog lovers.
An original, hope-filled story told well.Pub Date: March 29, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5320-4335-2
Page Count: 146
Publisher: iUniverse
Review Posted Online: Aug. 21, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2018
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
A very welcome instance of philosophy that can help readers live a good life.
A teacher and scholar of Buddhism offers a formally varied account of the available rewards of solitude.
“As Mother Ayahuasca takes me in her arms, I realize that last night I vomited up my attachment to Buddhism. In passing out, I died. In coming to, I was, so to speak, reborn. I no longer have to fight these battles, I repeat to myself. I am no longer a combatant in the dharma wars. It feels as if the course of my life has shifted onto another vector, like a train shunted off its familiar track onto a new trajectory.” Readers of Batchelor’s previous books (Secular Buddhism: Imagining the Dharma in an Uncertain World, 2017, etc.) will recognize in this passage the culmination of his decadeslong shift away from the religious commitments of Buddhism toward an ecumenical and homegrown philosophy of life. Writing in a variety of modes—memoir, history, collage, essay, biography, and meditation instruction—the author doesn’t argue for his approach to solitude as much as offer it for contemplation. Essentially, Batchelor implies that if you read what Buddha said here and what Montaigne said there, and if you consider something the author has noticed, and if you reflect on your own experience, you have the possibility to improve the quality of your life. For introspective readers, it’s easy to hear in this approach a direct response to Pascal’s claim that “all of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” Batchelor wants to relieve us of this inability by offering his example of how to do just that. “Solitude is an art. Mental training is needed to refine and stabilize it,” he writes. “When you practice solitude, you dedicate yourself to the care of the soul.” Whatever a soul is, the author goes a long way toward soothing it.
A very welcome instance of philosophy that can help readers live a good life.Pub Date: Feb. 18, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-300-25093-0
Page Count: 200
Publisher: Yale Univ.
Review Posted Online: Nov. 24, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2019
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