The Compassionate Life: Book Review

The Compassionate Life by Marc Ian Barasch

The book is a story of one man’s quest to examine and foster the goodness in the human race. He wants to know what the homeless, war refugees, the saintly, murderers, social scientists, religious leaders, and philosophers can teach mankind about empathy and forgiveness.
Barasch gives up a trip to Cannes and goes on a retreat on the streets on the wintery streets of Denver. Taking only a tooth brush and a sleeping bag, he was forced to beg for food, find shelter, understand, and depend on the homeless. Barasch wants the world to develop loving communities. As such Barasch encourages people to remember Nine-Twelve when New Yorkers banned together. He doesn’t want to promote revenge by constantly reminding the population of Nine-Eleven. Barasch is scholar who writes, educates and entertains the average person. His presentation of philosophers and brain scientists is comprehensible, not boring. Being a scholar he includes copious end notes for each chapter plus a detailed bibliography and index. In addition his extensive vocabulary and beautiful phrases, alliterations, and uncommon verbs are a delight to read. Barasch is a Buddhist, but he sees the beauty of all faiths. He spends his life encouraging everyone to be more compassionate towards people and the environment.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.