Good People . . . from an Author's Life

Rating:
Summary: Too Much of a Good Thing
Review: If this book had only included chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, it would have had a better effect. The introduction ruined the book's power by pre-summing it all up (as well as by giving me the impression Hassler only wrote this book because Loyola Press asked him to). The last chapter, titled "Summing Up," does just that without much effor. And some of the later chapters literally read like a book review.
However, the five chapters on good people could stand alone. I especially enjoyed the short sketches, such as one about a Malaysian biker who relied on the kindness of others while traveling, and avoided thugs waiting further along the road when one women drove out of her way to warn him. Most of the other material in chapters 2-6 is drawn from Hassler's childhood memories, as the title of the book suggests. (This was an unglorified but disguised memoir.) His memories still make a worthwhile read.
Perhaps the best parts of the book are the quotes. Two of my favorites: "Good is the product of ethical and spiritual artistry of individuals; it cannot be mass-produced," Aldous Huxley; and "Goodness is the only investment that never fails," Henry David Thoreau. "Too much of a good thing" doesn't make an appearance, but that is what I was left thinking. If you read it, skip right to Chapter 2 and return it to the library after Chapter 6.