By Jim Heffernan
Two years ago, I reviewed a book with a similar title, “Human Kind-A Hopeful History.” That book was historical and philosophical in nature and was built around the concept that human progress was built around “survival of the kindest, not survival of the fittest.”
This book, ”HumanKind-Changing the World One Small Act at a Time” is a close cousin to the other book.
Brad Aronson starts the book as a young husband with a 5-year-old son and a wife named Mia. Mia is diagnosed with leukemia and has to enter a 2-and-half year treatment program. It involves in-patient and out-patient courses of chemotherapy.
Mia gets through her illness, thanks to medical science and numerous acts of kindness throughout her struggle. In between, the author talks about other programs and people who extend kindness to those in need. The theme is continuous, kindness benefits both the receiver and the giver.
The book was named “best inspirational book of the year” by the Independent Book Publishers Association. HumanKind is a heartwarming, feel-good book. I can’t think of anything this country needs now more than kindness.
The book is 243 pages divided into 10 chapters. It really doesn’t seem that long. A significant part of the book is filled with lists and addresses which suggest ways anyone can contribute to a better world. It is well-written and the author manages the transitions between subjects very well.
Here’s an excerpt from the beginning of the book that highlights the message and the style of the book:
“When my wife was sick with leukemia, we spent a lot of time at the hospital, and a patient advocate suggested we create projects to give us purpose and focus during such an emotionally draining experience. So I began writing about the friends, family members and complete strangers who rescued us from that dark time, often with the smallest gestures, and I found that I didn’t want to stop. I knew that like Girard College, the world was full of other people’s inspiring stories that didn’t make the news, so I sought them out. I scoured the Internet, I talked to people at countless nonprofits and I asked everyone I knew for their stories. And I found what I was looking for.
I found the story of the third-grade teacher who changed a boy’s life with a simple lesson in shoe-tying. The story about the band of seamstress grandmothers who descend on Philadelphia every week to patch clothes—and, in the process, mend hearts—for homeless people. The story of the woman whose decision to make an extra meal to feed someone in need led to a movement that’s provided more than sixteen million meals. And so many more about people whose love for others has made a difference in the world.
The heroes in HumanKind don’t command an army of helpers or have an abundance of free time. They’re everyday people who focus on what they can do to make a difference. Their acts of kindness change lives and even save them. These everyday heroes don’t just hope the world will get better—they make it better.”
As always, discussion is welcome at codger817@gmail.com