Customer Reviews

Open My Eyes, Open My Soul : Celebrating Our Common Humanity

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
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I read this incredible anthology in a day, and was moved beyond words -- especially for some of the book's masterful poetry. Two days later (on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day), I saw his daughter, Yolanda, appear on CBS' The Early Show. She was quite eloquent and gracious, and read her favorite poem from the book: "A Walk In The Clouds" by Steven Manchester. It was my favorite, too! If you haven't heard it, you definitely need to go out and buy the book!

Turn to any page and you will be inspired and touched by a wonderful story. This book makes you want to just go out and embrace all of humanity. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will definitely feel the need to appreciate and respect all people for simply who they are. This is one of those "Feel Good" books that you will want to read over and over again.

I met Ms. King at a booksigning in Queens this week to hear her read a selection from her 1st book and was in an awe of her poise and generosity. She was gracious and attentive and answered everyone's questions peacefully, eloquently and intelligently. I bought her book and started to read it almost immediately. It's the kind of book you can pick up and read out of order. Some stories made me smile and others made me want to cry. By the end of the night, I had gotten through half of the book. The selections are short, powerful and moving. We should celebrate our differences and honor each individual. This book makes a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys short, inspirational stories, packed with punch. Dr. King would be very proud of his daughter.

Of all of the compilations and anthologies on the market, this one rates as one of the best. As I read each story, I felt as though I had grasped the threads of humanity and woven them together, into a tight fabric of tolerance, peace, love, and commonality. It's hard to change the world, but I think this book will leave a lasting impression.

This book puts together a great collection of works that raise differeing issues of humanity, commonality, and the bringing together through, coincidently, commonality of humanity! Great inspiring works, some that create a tear, some that entertain as a success story, while others remind us of the triumphs we can all have and experience through lack of differentiation. These works are not only great stories from famous and public figures, but also from unknown and private people of the world. I greatly enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone, I am awaiting the sequil!

This book lifts up, acknowledges, rejoices in, and teaches us about our wonderful differences. We learn through this book that we all receive gifts of lessons and experiences handed down through our cultural ties. It shows us how strong, powerful and united we can be. Share this book with loved ones and those who need to hear the message.

Everyone has a story to share of a defining moment (or many!) when they see past the surface images to the humanity that connects us heart to heart. I think the best "media pairing" of the message would be this book with the movie, "Love Actually". Both clearly and often joyfully illustrate that no matter what your casual or even paranoid observations regarding the world may be, or your current loss of hope or elevated fears for the future, Love IS all around, and it is everywhere, within everyone, ever eager to burst into bloom. I highly recommend this book, a collection of personal "moments of awakening and realization" to anyone who needs an emotional lift and to anyone who loves and wishes to open their hearts even more. Blessings to you both, dear Yolanda King and Elodia Tate!!! Looking forward to more of the same soon!

This book leaves a lasting impression of love and commonality of the human spirit no matter the race, culture, or beliefs. We are one humanity, one world. Every story shows how people touch each other's lives in a positive way. Both celebrities' stories and "other author" stories remind us that we have so much in common.

Marie McBride

If everyone in the world read this book, all fighting would stop because people would see every other human being as a brother or sister--not someone "different" just because of the color of their skin or their religion or particular culture. This book is a wake-up call that spawns peaceful feelings and longings for a harmonious world. This book is for everyone--not just members of minority groups. I happen to be Caucasian, but reading these heartfelt stories makes me want to shake people who hate and remind them of what Dr. Martin Luther King sacrificed his life for.

Of all of the compilations and anthologies on the market, this one rates as one of the best. As I read each story, I felt as though I had grasped the threads of humanity and woven them together, into a tight fabric of tolerance, peace, love, and commonality. It's hard to change the world, but I think this book will leave a lasting impression.