Michael D Hamersky On Comics Presents 'My Take On': Wisdom from the Batcave How to Live a Super, Heroic Life!   By Cary A. Friedman & Published by Compass Books!

TODAY'S FEATURE IS BLOG #3600 -  I recently became acquainted with Cary A. Friedman via Facebook.   He asked if I had read one of his five published books, 'Wisdom from the Batcave', after seeing my contribution to the 'Gotham City 14 Miles' book which was published by Sequart Research & Literacy Organization.

I replied that I hadn't seen the book, that was first published back in 2006, and is still being sold via the Compass Books web site, which I'll link to at the end of this review blog.

First though... What is this book with such a catchy title all about? 

Here's the promo blurb at the web site for the book: 

"Wisdom from the Batcave analyzes the life philosophy that emerges from Batman comic books.  In 18 lighthearted chapters (such as How to Triumph over Adversity, the Value of Inspiring Others, A Better Definition of Victory), the Batman's example is used to teach profound truths.  Focusing on relationships with self, others, and the larger community, Wisdom from the Batcave uses the experience of the Batman and his allies to illustrate how to live a better life.

Wisdom from the Batcave will appeal to young and old alike.  It is both lighthearted and profound.  Adult readers of comic books or younger readers who like the Batman will enjoy this book."

Okay, that looked like a fun read to focus a day or two on... So I started reading it chapter by chapter, without skipping any pages.

I found that the first thirty pages consisted of Acknowledgments, Preface, Foreword, Introduction, and numerous quotes from comic book creators that had read a preview copy of this book.  I found that in presenting that many pages, that I came to understand Cary a bit better, before going into the body of text that was the 'Wisdom from the Batcave'.

I enjoyed that long introduction!  Which by the way, mentioned that the author is a rabbi, and a chaplain with experience in prisons, relates with law enforcement, and spoke at the FBI Academy as well!  Presenting all of this info at the beginning of the book set the stage as to where Cary arrived at his thoughts that were presented in the additional chapters in the book.

It didn't take me very long getting "into the book". There were 18 chapters, (some with only two pages), and they were meant to be short presentations for the most part.  I liked that!  The total number of pages in the book were 112 pages, but each chapter had a 'pearl of wisdom' to present to the reader!

You could almost read a chapter a day, as each chapter somewhat resembled a daily homily or 'lesson', and of course each chapter would tie in with a Batman panel!

Chapter titles included: 'The Blessing of Family', 'The Value of Willpower', 'The Value of Idealism', 'The Value of Friendship', and 'The Price of Greatness', just to name a few here!

I found that the book was presented in a straight forward way, telling 'The Values of' the chapter's topic in a very basic way.  That is the key to enjoying this book, IMO!  You don't have to be overly familiar with every aspect or comic book issue of the Batman to get the idea that is presented in each chapter. 

Each chapter is presented as food for thought, and an ideal place to stop and come back to finish the book. I found several of the chapters to be new ideas for me, and the use of Batman from the beginning of his published career to the date that this book was first printed to be a wide range of years to choose from to illustrate the idea behind each chapter.

I found this book to be a good guide on 'How to Live A Super, Heroic Life', period.  Much to read about, digest, and then use for my own life..

Thus my comic book grade for this book is a NEAR MINT (NM) 9.4 out of a possible 10.0 comic book grading scale!

The author, Cary A. Friedman, received an MSEE from ColumbiaUniversity and Rabbinic ordination from YeshivaUniversity.  He was a Chaplain at DukeUniversity and a Chaplain at the Federal Correction Institute in Butner, NC.

As mentioned above... He is the author of five books, including Spiritual Survival for Law Enforcement (Compass Books, 2005).  Spiritual Survival for Law Enforcement is based on his work as a spirituality consultant to the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit [BSU] in Quantico, VA and the law enforcement community in general.

You can see more about this book, AND currently order via a discounted price with FREE shipping at: Wisdom from the Batcave!

My thanks to Cary A. Friedman for bringing this book to my attention!

~Michael D Hamersky On Comics! 

NOTE FROM Michael D Hamersky On Comics:  My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,600 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

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Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!  If I have it, you'll find under the BIG TOP of Comics, at Comic Books Circus.com, including the book 'Gotham City 14 Miles' that I am shown holding to the left. I'm 1 of 14 essayists in that book! !     

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