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weeties's review
5.0
Interesting books that helped show me that I make a difference every day with what I do.
philippakmoore's review
4.0
I attended a class at the School of Life last week and John-Paul was the presenter. He was so funny, worldly, genuine and wise that I was inspired to buy his book afterwards. In a crowded marketplace of self help literature, this book is a real gem. Drawing on various philosophies, social theories, religious teachings and real life case studies (but never being preachy) it's a thoughtful, articulate and inspiring read for people who have often thought "there's so many things in the world that I wish were different....but the problems are so big. What can *I* do?"
A lot more than you'd think, according to this book. The key seems to be not discounting the importance of small things. Small steps, small gestures, small decisions. You don't have to be Gandhi or Martin Luther King. You just have to care about something and start doing something...however small it might be.
As warm and witty as its author was in person, this book will plant the seeds of hope in you and make you realise that the biggest question you can ever ask (and answer) is not "what is the meaning of life?" but rather "how can I make my life meaningful?"
A lot more than you'd think, according to this book. The key seems to be not discounting the importance of small things. Small steps, small gestures, small decisions. You don't have to be Gandhi or Martin Luther King. You just have to care about something and start doing something...however small it might be.
As warm and witty as its author was in person, this book will plant the seeds of hope in you and make you realise that the biggest question you can ever ask (and answer) is not "what is the meaning of life?" but rather "how can I make my life meaningful?"
pehall's review
3.0
I found the book a bit patchy. Some good inspirational stuff about how we can all make a difference but a bit waffly in places.
clss97's review
3.0
This was a book I stumbled across by accident in a small school of life shop set up in the Jordaan district of Amsterdam. There are many things I want to do in life and I guess I hadn't really thought up a way of putting it until I saw the title of this book. Reading it has been some what a mixed experience because it doesn't necessarily comply to the title and this is both what I like and dislike about it.
One thing that really struck me about this book was that it showed a lot of positive influence and it also showed the contrast of negative influence, things that have changed the world whether they be the words of someone speaking out and encouraging others to speak out for peaceful progress in civil rights as Rosa Parks did, or in a way which spurred gradual positive change such as those individuals who defied the Nazi's during the world war II in small ways such as refusing to sit next to them or posting leaflets disagreeing with their ideas. It got me thinking about the fact that small actions add together to create a bigger picture - like those impressionist paintings you see in galleries: One dot sparks a hundred other oil painted dots until suddenly you have a scene with ten boats and a light house. Life is funny that way I guess - it is what makes history such a fun filled topic because we can look back, see our error and know when to recognise the warning signs to stop it happening again in the future.
It was especially fun to read this little hand book of sorts alongside 'When to rob a bank' the new freakonomics book as I feel like they have narrators with a similar way of thinking. Both want to take a step back from the world and see how change occurs and how we ourselves can lead the world further in positive change.
One thing that really struck me about this book was that it showed a lot of positive influence and it also showed the contrast of negative influence, things that have changed the world whether they be the words of someone speaking out and encouraging others to speak out for peaceful progress in civil rights as Rosa Parks did, or in a way which spurred gradual positive change such as those individuals who defied the Nazi's during the world war II in small ways such as refusing to sit next to them or posting leaflets disagreeing with their ideas. It got me thinking about the fact that small actions add together to create a bigger picture - like those impressionist paintings you see in galleries: One dot sparks a hundred other oil painted dots until suddenly you have a scene with ten boats and a light house. Life is funny that way I guess - it is what makes history such a fun filled topic because we can look back, see our error and know when to recognise the warning signs to stop it happening again in the future.
It was especially fun to read this little hand book of sorts alongside 'When to rob a bank' the new freakonomics book as I feel like they have narrators with a similar way of thinking. Both want to take a step back from the world and see how change occurs and how we ourselves can lead the world further in positive change.
agnesinmn's review
5.0
This is the kind of book you want to carry with you / have it on your nightstand. A paragraph or two is enough to get you thinking (and hopefully acting). I like to read this book in small bites, as the book is dense with insights and parables. A real gem.
kawai's review
5.0
Concise, approachable, optimistic. Flitoff makes a convincing case for action (big and small) through straightforward guidelines and excellent examples. Rather than convincing the reader that this-or-that change MUST happen, or that there are major changes that need to be made in one's lifestyle to accommodate progress, Flintoff instead suggests it's entirely possible to do good works in the world without radical change in one's life.
Exercises are included in some chapters, as well as at the end of the book, to help readers start the change process.
An excellent guide to all those interested in making the world a better place (whatever the reader might consider that to be).
Exercises are included in some chapters, as well as at the end of the book, to help readers start the change process.
An excellent guide to all those interested in making the world a better place (whatever the reader might consider that to be).
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