Personhood: The Art of Being Fully Human [Paperback]

Leo F. Buscaglia (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 12, 1986

In his warm, inviting, and inclusive, style, bestselling author Leo Buscaglia manages to bring a vision of the world together within his warm embrace. Sharing the stories of his travels and his encounters with people all over the world, Buscaglia reminds us that we are all people who have the potential to share ourselves with ourselves as well as others. A lover of life and people, Buscaglia's insight into our hearts and souls, his reassurance as to our essential good natures, is a much-needed reminder of our connectedness to one and all.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

In his warm, inviting, and inclusive, style, bestselling author Leo Buscaglia manages to bring a vision of the world together within his warm embrace. Sharing the stories of his travels and his encounters with people all over the world, Buscaglia reminds us that we are all people who have the potential to share ourselves with ourselves as well as others. A lover of life and people, Buscaglia's insight into our hearts and souls, his reassurance as to our essential good natures, is a much-needed reminder of our connectedness to one and all.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (April 12, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449901998
• ISBN-13: 978-0449901991
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #425,581 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!!!!, October 4, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Tucson, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Personhood: The Art of Being Fully Human (Paperback)

This was the first book I ever read on my own, cover to cover. It changed my entire philosophy about life. Of course, I was 18 and hadn't yet established a concrete philosophy to begin with, but I went on to read other Leo Buscaglia books and from there I built my foundation. I suggest this book for everyone but especially for those entering into adulthood with no clue where to begin.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good advice on the art of living, February 19, 2004

By 

L. Rephann "curious about everything" (Brooklyn, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Personhood: The Art of Being Fully Human (Paperback)

I rated this book three stars only because I wonder how effective it would be to someone who isn't already headed in the direction of living artfully. This book has a bit of the "preaching to the converted" about it, which doesn't detract from its value, but I believe any one who would pick up a book sub-titled "The Art of Being Fully Human" is probably already quite concerned with the topics touched on in this book (spirituality, the role of death, intimacy and connectedness, etc.), and is probably on the path of being "fully human."

Each chapter is like a meditation on the topic by Buscaglia. The chapters are short and have some wise and lovely details. The insights he makes feel familiar, and I wasn't as challenged as I'd expected to be. Nevertheless, this book helped me feel better about where I am in life, and reinforced my beliefs that I've come to have about what it is to "live artfully."

These days, a lot of "personal growth" literature is more acquisitive and seems to focus on personal growth as a means to an end rather than for the betterment of global society. "Personhood" thus feels like a relic in some ways, of the personal growth/spirituality movements of the 70s, where personal growth and global awareness were connected ideals. This idea is retained in "Personhood" and is perhaps the book's greatest asset.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buscaglia Had Courage, May 9, 2004

By 

J. McAndrew "Jeffrey C. McAndrew" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Personhood: The Art of Being Fully Human (Paperback)

Leo had the courage to look at the world how it could be instead of the way it is, one relationship at a time. I'm sure many people told him he was a "kook" because he always had his head in the clouds. He also showed us the way, a kinder and gentler way. He wasn't afraid to ask the questions, when many in conventional religion are sure they have all the answers.

Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"