Book Reviews:
Your Unfinished Life – Lawrence J. Danks
(ISBN: 978-061-524207-1)
Kirkus Discoveries
“A well-considered,compact guide to centuries of literature about kindness and happiness.”
Danks invites readers to contemplate the legacies and memories they will leave, sharing numerous passages and summaries from literature and self-help books that direct people to happiness through sharing and kindness...He argues that we all have time left to improve our quality of life by doing simple tasks. Urging generosity, compassion, selflessness and grace, the book compiles many sources of wisdom into a concise volume, with some tips for everyday behaviors that may guide pilgrims on this path. He believes that these positive changes will bring rewards to the giver as well as the recipients, including creating a sort of good karma feedback loop in which practicing kindness can make a person more thoughtful and aware of their surroundings...Danks also recognizes the largest argument that many people may have against improving their lives—not enough time—and provides references and examples to illustrate how space can be made for kindness. The book concludes with 40 simple actions a person might take to incorporate kindness into daily life.
Midwest Book Reviews
“Well worth reading for those who want to be the person they think they can be.”
Unless one is already a corpse, there is still time to change. "Your Unfinished Life: The Classic and Timeless Guide to Finding Happiness and Success Through Kindness" is a book encouraging readers to embrace change for the better and don't let something like age or obligations stand in one's way to finding true happiness in one's life. Saying that not doing so ends with one having countless regrets, "Your Unfinished Life" is well worth reading for those who want to be the person they think they can be.”
Tom Butler-Bowdon - Best Selling Author of: 50 Self-Help Classics
"This book shows that kindness is not 'soft', but a strength that makes life better and richer for all concerned. There can be few more important subjects to write on, and Danks elegantly and forcefully lays out the case for kindness with many great examples."
Gordon Livingston, M.D. - Author of The National Bestseller: Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart: Thirty True Things You Need To Know Now
"Larry Danks has kindly given us this valuable guide to the successful pursuit of happiness and meaning in our lives by suggesting many ways that we can cultivate the queen of virtues: kindness. All who read this book and reify its lessons will be ennobled thereby."
Reader Views
“One of the best gifts that you can give to yourself or loved ones is a copy of Your Unfinished Life by Lawrence J. Danks.”
“Your Unfinished Life offers both inspiration and insight into finding happiness and success. Danks has discovered that the best way to find this is through living a life filled with kindness...He came up with a variety of ideas I felt would be fun to incorporate into my life. Some were as simple as offering to take a group picture so that the cameraman in a group doesn’t get left out. Another one, which would bring an incredible amount of healing to me, would be to forgive others… The author points out that this is also healthier for us. His ideas really resonated with me…While reading Your Unfinished Life, I discovered that the more I thought about how I can be a kinder person, the less I thought about what I have missing from my life. I suspect that others will discover this as well. It makes sense, because I believe that the more that we are spiritually fulfilled the less need we will have to fill our lives with material things. I encourage you to challenge yourself with this book. It will offer you tons of inspiration for your journal.
Dr. Raman Kolluri, Professor of Laser Technology/Fulbright Scholar
“I will treasure this book and read it as often as possible to remind me constantly how to be kind to others and make my own life meaningful in the process.”
Often, we mistake kindness to be mere pity towards someone less fortunate than we are. But in this extraordinary book, Professor Danks has taken us through a fascinating journey of different faces of kindness. Quoting extensively from authors of different backgrounds, cultures and religions, he has made kindness into an art form…
On a cold winter morning, I was in the hospital waiting for the last moments of life of my wife. I was in such a shock that I did not even know what was happening. I had to come home briefly to make arrangements for the funeral. I found that my driveway and sidewalk were cleaned. Without saying a word, my neighbor has shown me what kindness is all about!...
There are so many examples in this book which show how to spread kindness like the fragrance from a flower garden. Professor Danks has done great service by bringing the concept of kindness in a lucid exposition. This book is a mirror of what life should be! It is well organized, easy to read and contains quotations which can guide us towards having a positive and fulfilling life.
Bill Cleary, Publisher Emeritus - Gloucester City News, Gloucester City NJ and Editor of ClearysNoteBook.com
“All of us have days that we go through life oblivious to our fellow man. I can honestly say after reading just a few chapters of “Your Unfinished Life” I found myself looking for acts of kindness to perform. I am more aware of the less fortunate.
A thought provoking book, Mr. Danks has compiled a number of encouraging quotes that will impact your life. A must read for young and old alike, I highly recommend “Your Unfinished Life.”
Joann Wright
“Excellent Advice”
This book offered timeless and meaningful advice of value to anyone who wishes to become a better person. The path of loving-kindness is part of the strategy of many religions, but this is a secular view. There are innumerable fascinating quotes by some of the best ethics and spiritual philosophers in Western culture. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in spiritual growth.
Thomas R. Carpenter - AB, MEd.
In "Your Unfinished Life", a banquet of inspirational philosophies are laid out by author Larry Danks for personal choice. Kindness is a quality in life that this world could and should employ a great deal more.
An analogy of what is presented here makes me think of a Parisian flower booth and picking out the blooms that are personally meaningful. You make up a bouquet that will have a positive affect on the rest of your life if practiced. Congratulations to Professor Danks offering the readers an enhancement to their lives of both giving and receiving.