What Does It Mean to Be Human?: Reverence for Life Reaffirmed by Responses from Around the World [Paperback]

Frederick Franck (Compiler), Richard Connolly (Compiler), Janis Roze (Compiler)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 3, 2001

In an inspirational act of faith and hope, nearly one hundred contributors--social activists, thinkers, artists and spiritual leaders--reflect with poignant candor on our shared human condition and attempt to define a core set of human values in our rapidly changing socity.

Contributors include:
* The Dalai Lama
* Wilma Mankiller
* Oscar Arias
* Jimmy Carter
* Cornel West
* Jack Miles
* Mother Teresa
* Nancy Willard
* Elie Wiesel
* James Earl Jones
* Joan Chittister
* Mary Evelyn Tucker
* Vaclav Havel
* Archbishop Desmund Tutu

What Does It Mean To Be Human? is a vital meditation on the endless possibilities of our humanity.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Frederick Franck is the author of twenty-seven books including the classic Zen of Seeing, My Days with Albert Schweitzer, and A Little Compendium on That Which Matters.

Richard Connolly is a communications art professor at SUNY.

Janis Roze teaches biology at CUNY.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (November 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312271018
• ISBN-13: 978-0312271015
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,218,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book to read again and again, April 24, 2002

By 

"sum01" - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Does It Mean to Be Human?: Reverence for Life Reaffirmed by Responses from Around the World (Paperback)

There are very few books I know I will ever go through the effort of rereading. This book is one which can be picked up time and time again, for a quick reconnection to our human condition. People from around the globe with differing backgrounds offer their opinions on what it means to them to be human. The overall message of this book is one that has been heard before but few people have heeded; namely that humanity needs to relinquish greed and reconnect with its spiritual nature to allow us to realize our full potential as a species. A very difficult task indeed in our consumer based economy. The writers realize this and demonstrate that it is possible to be true to our human nature. I continue to lend this book to anyone who can appreciate the meaning and depth behind the words.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Misses the Mark in so Many Ways, June 22, 2008

By 

Douglas Fairbanks "Doug" (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Does It Mean to Be Human?: Reverence for Life Reaffirmed by Responses from Around the World (Paperback)

The premise given in the introduction was the intent of the book was to put together a non-academic, personal credo on topics of importance on "that which matters" in being human. And it was obviously done with no balance of opinions nor do many of the contributions indicate the authors really gave it much thought.

It was also pointed out that the need for the book was due to the obvious slipping into "posthuman barbarism" seen in the current world context. The obvious question arises: just when do the editors and contributors feel we were at the apex of wonderful humanity? If we are slipping into posthuman barbarism when were the good ole golden days of human civilization?

The book then presents a series of superficial articles dripping with emotionalism only slightly offset by the bitter hatefulness of contributor Cornel West. Be prepared for lengthy strings of teen-type platitudes, strawmen, and sugary cliches. Do not read this book if you are diabetic or if you have a low gag reflex!

Most books will offer some points that offer some thoughts worth pondering and discussion but this one completely fails.