On Forgiveness: How Can We Forgive the Unforgivable?

Rating:
Summary: VALID idea but UNPOLISHED argument. MEDIOCRE book.
Review: One cannot possibly question Holloway's credentials. Nor his the basic idea of "releasing a victim from the BURDENS OF VICTIMHOOD, by forgiving even WITHOUT PROMPTING, by MOVING ON, is fine in itself.
But Holloway has evidently had limited chance to have his argument reEXAMINED, much less REFINED.
The book is peppered with interesting anecdotes and quotes, yes (which make it enjoyable reading).
But with all its weak points uncorrected, even its presentation unpolished, even the anecdotes' and quotes' very RELEVANCE to his point questionable, he ends up FAILING TO PERSUADE. In a way, it is these countless digressions into irrelevant points, HOWEVER ENJOYABLE, which further undermine his argument, therefore its very credibility.
A very short book of less than a hundred pages, which could have put the point forward in about ten.
The BOOK is enjoyable, the IDEA so-so, the PRESENTATION wanting.
Definitely mediocre. Not a total waste of time, but best read from a borrowed copy.

Rating:
Summary: A superlative read...
Review: Richard Holloway once again takes a difficult topic and applies it to life with remarkable clarity. He explains complex philosophy in understandble terms. This book is a wonderful treatise on forgiveness and the necessity of forgiveness for the future well-being of the person actively forgiving more so than the person being forgiven. In a society that clings to the victim role, this book delivers a very different, much healthier view - separate the offending act from the offender. Forgive the offender and move on. Whether applied to individuals or nations, this philosophy is a timely reminder in a world on the brink of war.