5.0 out of 5 stars Becoming Fully Alive!

R.V.T. · March 16, 2010

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Reading this inspiring book is like seeing a sunrise for the first time! Desmond Tutu, joined by his daughter Mpho, invite us to imagine a way of living that brings us fully alive; a way of being that says, "You matter" because your are loved by the Holy One for your existence. They invite us beyond the smallness of divisions and suspicion into the gladness of everyday life. Our own goodness has an impact way beyond anything we might imagine! Through it we remember that "I am because we are" - we are part of the oneness of the human family and Creation. No matter your religion or spirituality, this book invites a life of gladness in which love and compassion are not merely concepts, but part of our daily living. No wonder Tutu is the iconic spiritual voice of hope! The book is a keeper! This is spritual wisdom for being fully alive and engaged. Robert V. Taylor [...]

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Humanity

G.J. · December 5, 2022

Desmond Tutu shares so much truth and wisdom in this book, I found myself highlighting on every page! This is a great book that inspires discussion on how to treat each other and how to look for the good in ourselves and others.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Positive

P. · May 1, 2011

Archbishop Tutu and his daughter have written a wonderfully positive book that asserts that humans are good, and they provide wonderful examples supporting their assertion that are not "polyannish" but come out of the many horrors of the South African apartheid era. And for those who are religious, each chapter ends with elegant prayer/poems that are very moving. Finally, they write in such an enjoyable style that keeps the reader engaged with their stories. It is a great read!

4.0 out of 5 stars "Goodness" is great

J. · July 22, 2010

This book is a wonderful, gentle reminder that we all have goodness inside us; we just need to tune into it. Desmond and Mpho Tutu give many examples of goodness that has come from unexpected sources. Forgiveness is another important theme. The Tutus show that even the most heinous atrocities can be forgiven, and that forgiving the perpetrators actually benefits the victims of these atrocities. Most moving are the beautiful, meditative messages from God at the end of each chapter.

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational!

I.L. · August 5, 2010

'Made for Goodness'is the most inspirational book I have read in a long time. The message of love and forgiveness, supported by tales from many countries of people who were able to look beyond their own pain and find forgiveness for those who had harmed them, or their loved ones, is truly remarkable. South Africa has been so fortunate to have both a Desmond Tutu and a Mandela in their time of need. I will revisit this book time and again, especially in times of trouble, so that Tutu's and Mpho's messages of love and goodness can help me heal.

5.0 out of 5 stars I want to be like Desmond Tutu

R.B. · October 15, 2011

This is a great book for discussion groups. Many issues are presented that offer excellent, yet sometimes difficult, topics for group discussion and thought. I got this book for a group and I am learning so much, most of all that I want the joy for life and love of others that Desmond Tutu has and this book offers insight into his and his daughters lives that make them who they are. Desmond Tutu has witnessed some of the worlds worst horrors and yet he truly believes that we are all basically good and that we are made for goodness. His discussion is compelling and this book inspires myself--who has not witnessed the level of human evil that he has---to be a better person. A must read for all,that we all may one-by-one improve the world.

5.0 out of 5 stars How God brings hope and goodness from evil and oppression

C.B. · January 28, 2017

Bishop Tutu and his daughter offer an inspiring - and inspired - look at how God really does work through flawed humanity and brings grace and hope. The book is full of powerful stories of danger, oppression, sadness, and hope, grace, and goodness. It would be a great book for a book club or theology study group to read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Midwife to meaning

H.B.C. · June 1, 2010

For people unfamiliar with the struggle for liberation in South Africa this is a must read. Because some of the chapters contain sermon material of Desmond Tutu there tends to be some repetition of themes. The best part of every chapter is the concluding poem. These may well be Mpo's contributions as the rest seems to be written in his voice. It is a delightful book by one of the most important leaders of non-violent liberation, peace and reconciliation in the world.

Fabulous reading

R.N. · October 2, 2023

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } A recommended to anyone who wants to understand ourselves as human beings. At times we take it for granted that we are good and good hearted and we try to even divulge and be proud about ourselves' goodness.As human beings, we are created out of the goodness of God. Now, I know that the none believers will stop reading because I mention God. Since we are created out of that goodness, we tend to take it for granted that our bodies are automatically temples of God without even having our hearts and souls reconciled to God. Now the none believers have already left or stopped reading altogether, I know.When you talk about God's love for humanity it sounds to some like you are talking about some sort of alien life. They don't get it. They get it when they see wars, suicide attacks and bombers blowing themselves into pieces, they get it when they read about maniacs raping girls and women, they get it when they see some people killing each other on our streets, they get it when they see wars. And their response is: "some people are so evil".So easy to say, isn't it? They don't understand or even try to understand why they are so evil and why they are not good as 'themselves'. No, "some people are so evil" and as if "we are so good" because we don't blow ourselves into pieces so we aught to be good.Unless you understand the goodness of God, you will actually never understood the goodness that is before us and within us. That eternal gift of beauty that we are blessed with -- which many if us think we understand but still unfortunately don't.This book is a remarkable revelation to how good we can be towards one another and how we can not only develop beautiful, meaningful and loving relationships among ourselves but also nurture them and sustain them. A heart and a soul that is not fully reconciled and in union with God is still merely residing in the flesh that is ready to do evil at a mere stir of trials, storms, tribulations and temptations.Therefore, we are inherently good and we are created out of that goodness of God because our bodies are temples of God. Unfortunately,we are also inherently prone to be evil at the same time if our hearts and souls are not reconciled to God because we are not at peace nor in harmony inside ourselves.But since we are created out of that goodness of God, why don't work hard to enhance it and nurture it so that it may spread like flowerbeds of Rose's across the world? Why don't we create peaceful dialogues and negotiations why we see a looming situation that can develop into a protracted conflict or war? Why do we weaponise instead of de-weaponise. Why do some of us fight with police officers when we actually know that they are out there to guarantee our safety? Why do some girls and women go out on the streets as if they want to be looked at as if they are sex objects? Why are some of us disrespectful, hateful or even behave in a purely racist manner towards other people when we know that it is wrong? Why do some of us are so inclined to break the law rather than fall established laws and good conduct in a society?Are we better than suicide bombers or those who erect walls of apartheid among ourselves? If you think you knew what it means to be good, read this book, it will teach you far more about what it actually means. You might agree or disagree but know that there's a war that goes on in yourself and it is at conflict with your heart, mind and your souls.While your heart and soul seek peace and harmony, your flesh is always disturbed and disrupted by your mind because your mind is always in search of clues -- good and evil, suggestions -- good and evil , ideas -- good and evil; therefore, it is always not good ideas that you get in your head. Evil ones too. Only God helps us to filter out the bad ideas and suggestions and keeps us on the track of good and righteous ideas. He does that by helping us to retain self-control, hold on to discipline, keep us loving one another, gives us a soul that is repentant, reconciling, trusting and righteous so that we may not utter or do things that might stir up conflicts.Human evil spreads through an uncontrolled mind and uncontrolled tongue and out of a flesh that is intoxicated. It becomes a contagious disease that spreads like an uncontrollable wild fire that burns everything in it's way and leaves ashes in its wake. Everybody gets hurt or consumed. Read Exodus in the Holy Bible. Now image that the west created that contagious disease of racism, how are they going to extinguish that inferno when more and more people are going away from the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Christian church where church doctrines and good moral behaviours have been rejected and replaced with secularist principles that has no obligations to any moral authority but instead left to the an individual flesh?

Three Stars

G.C. · August 24, 2014

I found I could not agree theologically with the author.

pardon

t. · May 23, 2016

J’ai lu deux livres de Desmond Tutu. On se sent presque meilleur. Quel homme et quelle éloquence ! Des idées à penser et repenser !

Goodness is the norm!

M.L. · November 16, 2010

Whether you are of a religious persuasion or not here is a remarkably insight into human nature from one who has witnessed more human suffering and inhumanity than most of us, yet has recognized that there is a inner goodness that can rise to the surface and heal the most severe emotional and spiritual wounds. I have often marvelled at how relatively few mass atrocities are committed by individuals on others even when there must be millions of emotionally disturbed, angry, unstable people in our society with severe grievances, often with access to weapons or the means of mass injury. The USA alone with 300 million population, all with the right to carry a gun, a good proportion who are angry and bitter, many of these may be emotionally disturbed or on drugs, many of these may have a grudge against their community or families but thankfully mass murders are still a rarity. This only makes sense if we recognize we are all "made for goodness".

Predigt über Südafrika und Orientierung im Leben

O.V. · April 18, 2010

Vorweg: Die LLP-Ausgabe ist in extra großer Schrift für gedruckt, die Normalausgabe ist Made for Goodness: And Why This Makes All the DifferenceDesmond Tutu ist Nobelpreisträger und hat jahrzehntelang Widerstand gegen das Apartheidregime geleistet. Insbesondere die von im vertretenen Wahrheitskommissionen haben Bahnbrechendes zur Versöhnung in Südafrika geleistet. Dieses Buch hat er zusammen mit seiner Tochter Mpho geschrieben, wobei der Hauptbeitrag von Desmond stammt und er in Ich-Form schreibt.Das Buch ist in religiöser Sprache verfasst und ständig kommt das Wort "Gott" vor, aber dennoch hat Tutu klare Vorstellungen über die Welt. Seine Vorstellungen über den Sinn des Menschseins formuliert er anhand zahlreicher Beispiele insbesondere aus dem Antiapartheidkampf.Tutus Argument ist, dass Menschen ein natürliches Gefühl für Richtig und Falsch haben. Wir hätten die Wahl zwischen Gewalt und Hass einerseits und Versöhnung andererseits. Wer unter einem Terrorregime leidet, solle standhalten, denn früher oder später, vielleicht auch erst nach dem eigenen Tod, würde sich zeigen, wer auf der richtigen Seite stand.So berichtet Tutu von Dominique Green, der in den USA unter schrecklichen familiären Bedingungen kriminell und zum Tode verurteilt wurde. Er änderte sein Leben grundsätzlich und wurde religiös. Das half ihm jedoch nicht, denn das Todesurteil wurde dennoch 2004 trotz aller Proteste vollstreckt.Diese Moral klingt schön, unter verzweifelten Bedingungen kann sie auch Mut machen. Aber es ist fraglich, ob Gottesglaube und rechtschaffenes Handeln allein brutale Unterdrückung beenden können.