The Courage to Give

When Judy and Tamara interviewed Jackie Waldman for the article Finding the Courage to Give, Jackie was kind to bring us copies of four of her books. As there are four of us, we each took one to review. The only one missing is America, September 11: The Courage to Give: The Triumph of the Human Spirit. We have included the link to that book below, along with the others.

The Courage to Give: Inspiring Stories of People Who Triumphed over Tragedy to Make a Difference in the World  (Judy)

Jackie Waldman woke up from a dream with the mission to write a book. She wanted to tell the stories of people who had experienced difficulties in their lives and had conquered their own pain to help others. The thirty people she profiles in this, her first book, have overcome everything from losing children to battling drugs or diseases of their own. Their difficulties were so great and their ability to give back so generous that I confess to having cried through several of the stories. But these short narratives and the lives of the men and women profiled are ultimately and gloriously uplifting.

Teens with the Courage to Give: Young People Who Triumphed over Tragedy and Volunteered to Make a Difference (Karla)

The teens profiled in this book are strong willed, generous and enlightened.  If you have ever been discouraged by todays youth (in general or with a specific young person) reading this book will give you hope and inspiration.  Despite the obstacles of teen pregnancy, drugs, alcohol. poverty, chronic illness and family tragedy they have each overcome diversity and found their greatness by serving others.

Teachers with the Courage to Give: Everyday Heroes Making a Difference in our Classrooms (Harriet)

Teachers hold the future of our world in their hands and Jackie's teachers know it. They are creative, loving, giving, bold and yes, courageous. Their courage comes from their own vulnerability to what they hold most dear, their students. Each teacher steps up to the challenge to reach a student's heart and mind wherever they may reside as they gently coax it into the open air of passion to learn. These teachers love their profession and are courageous enough to know they are actually the students.

People with MS with the Courage to Give (Tamara)

Jackie's final book covers people with the same ailment as she has - Multiple Sclerosis.  As if her story isn't compelling enough, Jackie shares stories from 24 other amazing, wonderful, giving people.  Each story tells about the heartbreak following the diagnosis, and the effort it took to rise above the illness - one for which there is no cure - to focus on creating something that helps others. Their efforts include fundraising, raising awareness of MS, making gardens accessible for handicapped people, and above all, working toward a cure for this debilitating disease.