Customer Reviews

A Gift of Meaning

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Bill Tammeus notices things as one who participates widely in life. He asks you to notice the meaning of these things with him, even as he assumes you will interpret them yourself. His range of subjects is remarkable. And no matter his focus--family, the news, war, politics, sports, AIDS, celebrated heroes, the "soft underbelly" of the media, pop culture, and much more--he always is scratching at what it means to keep human life human.

Tammeus' seasoned writing, thoughtful organization of topics and column length pieces (about two pages each) make reading effortless and a joy. His wit and self-effacing humor jump out of almost every page. But just the moment you chuckle with him, he takes you through his own personal pain and your eyes well up. Whether he is graced and elated or is staggering under grief, he touches you deep inside, because he writes so honestly from his own inner depths. No matter the subject, he leaves you full and enriched.

The author opens with personal reflections on the burial of his mother in a muddy Illinois plot in 1996. In the Epilogue he writes poignantly about what the world lost with the senseless death of his beloved nephew Karleton (and of all the others) in the first plane to hit the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. From his first word to his last, Tammeus packs his 250 pages with life. Thus, "A Gift of Meaning" makes a wonderful gift. I have already given copies to several people I love.

Never in my life have I encountered an author with such colorful grace in describing life, and the way which Bill Tammeus writes is the same way that we'd each like to author our own. He is truly an artist of our time, working in words like others do in oils or clay. If you're willing to be caught reading a book cover to cover, than "A Gift of Meaning" is the literary genius to take you on your journey.

A superbly written book in which the author reveals and shares so many personal details of his life, making it most personal, inspiring, humorous and enjoyable. In a day when so many journalists have an agenda, it is delightful to read past essays from a journalist who does not have an agenda, is not to the right or to the left attempting to impose an attitude or set of beliegs on the reader. The author has compiled a second book of essays, which I have not been able to find...

To Kansas Citians and Presbyterians, Bill Tammeus is like a favorite uncle -- always ready with a dry, subversive, joke; always willing to listen respectfully and lovingly, and always wonderfully able to provide just the right wisdom and perspective.

Readers of The Kansas City Star have long cherished his wit and insights and the marvelous craftsmanship of his writing. As a reporter, editorial columnist, humorist, and commentator on matters of faith (he is an elder in the Presbyterian church), Bill has helped us know what to think and feel about some of the most difficult and perplexing issues of our time. He has helped us find meaning in some of the most meaningless tragedies, and mundane municipal government committee meetings.

This collection captures Bill's intellect, his heart, and his twinkle-in-the-eye. He deserves to be read and loved by an audience well beyond Kansas City and Presbyterianism.

I used this book for morning meditation. I would read one column each day and let my thoughts take me wherever they led me, almost always closing with prayer.

I highly recommend the book. --Joe Barone.

Bill Tammeus is journalist who, for some reason, has styled himself as something of an authority on theological issues, as long time readers of the Kansas City Star know.

This book tries to present some of the best of his work, but in that sense is quite unbalanced, as long time readers of the Kansas City Star also know that for years he has bashed Catholics and others who don't follow his Presbyterian leanings. (Of course, he would call the bashing "criticism" but just try criticizing HIM!)

Long time readers are also aware, although this book would not reflect it, that one of the detrimental points of his column...before the Star quit carrying it...was the COMMENT SECTION, which all through Dec. of 2007 to January of 2010 provided a base for some Militant Athesits in Kansas City to provide the most VILE REMARKS about Christians and believers in general that you can imagine.

These guys could tell people horrible things, and Bill was pretty much silent, but when someone remarked on his leaving the Star, he threw a fit!

Bill did nothing about their general attacks on others until he finally just shut down comments, for which we can all be thankful!