The Extraordinary Nature of Ordinary Things

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: A great book. Give it to someone special! They WILL thank you.

Rating:
Summary: Telephone Poles and Jumping Into Life
Review: It's an honor for me to write the first review of this remarkable book. I'll make no bones about it, I know the author. I'm proud to call him my Rabbi and my friend (and not necessarily in that order). But even were he a total stranger, I would have found this book a profound experience. The only difference is, I might not have found it at all, and I would be the poorer for that. The author is young, but as each page turns, insight is revealed that belies his youth. This is the book that so many others these days attempt to be: 'don't sweat the small stuff'.. 'everything i needed to know'...et. al., ad nauseum. The difference is that what you will learn is what we all should know, but pitifully few of us actually do. Things that seem like simple common sense are sometimes the most difficult to acknowledge and come to terms with. The author leads us to these basic truths with great sensitivity, emotion and a sense of humor that is often lacking in a work that deals with some of the most painful areas of our lives. Anyone who has experienced loss, and who among us has not, will find comfort. Anyone who has regrets, again, all of us, will find hope. Anyone who has forgotten the miracles and mystery that surround us in our everyday lives, will find them once again.

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Summary: A thought provoking, often funny look at life for all ages
Review: My 9 year old grandson raised with little Judaism, and 70 year old Orthodox brother enjoyed these stories, which they read together, in equal measure. It provided thought provoking insights into the extraordinary nature of everyday life in stories short enough for children raised on TV segments, and seniors with little time and patience for labored phliosophy.

Rating:
Summary: A thought provoking, often funny look at life for all ages
Review: Rabbi Leder has written a wonderful book that reminds us all that there is beauty and greatness in the everydayness of life. It is an uplifting and insightfull read. This book shows the reader that there is more to life and it is right in front of you. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

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Summary: Leder is Brilliant!
Review: Steven Leder's book, The Extraordinary Nature of Ordinary Things, is undoubtedly the best book I've ever read. He is realistic, optimistic and has a keen insight on how real life is. A must read for anyone of any age, Jew or non-Jew!

Rating:
Summary: Provocative and Nourishing
Review: This book is deceptively easy to consume. The chapters are relatively short, and dosed with just enough humor, perfect for reading in bed, no matter how tired you are -- or for reading aloud at the dinner table. However, there is more depth and complexity to Leder's writing than it may at first appear; I found myself thinking about and then re-reading many of the pieces. Among my favorites: his "Eleven Suggestions for Becoming A Mensch", and the calculations of how many diapers his mother changed and how many plates of food she served while raising him and his siblings (27,375 and 183,960). Rabbi Leder does not merely show us how extraordinary ordinary life is; he draws us a practical and inspiring map for our own journey.