Kindness is All is what it purports to be - a presentation that suggests and says kindness is a terribly important, and, today, a too often missing factor in this culture's manifestation of the better values of its members' hearts, minds, and souls. In a series of essays, some written in the form of a memoir, some as short stories, and some presented as more academic arguments meant to inform and less to persuade, Mr.

Hogan takes a "kind" even gentle approach to his subject. And, yes, throughout, one will wonder how a book on kindness can also be laugh-out-loud funny, ostensibly brash, and a bit of fresh air to withstand the dark clouds of negativity and retribution.

Poignant, sad in parts, riveting, revelatory, and always accessible, this book is worthy of thought and discussion. Kindness is All suggests one way, an incredibly easy way, for the reader and everybody else to spread the more positive values, currently hard-pressed and battered by a world on fire.

Give this book a read, you won't be able to put it down. Mike Hogan is a writer and painter living in Lakewood, Ohio.

He's been a lawyer, a teacher and semi-permanent fixture in Hollywood, where he wrote and sold several screenplays to producers and directors. He's published three novels and a book of poems, with Random House, St.

Martins and Eastwood Road Press. Mr.

Hogan says he is a self-taught everyman, who is still learning what every man or woman will learn if they take the time to look. He lives with his wife, Lisa, one hundred feet from the shores of Lake Erie.

He admits that he watches too much TV. Take a moment and visit his website: www.

kindnessisall. com to see his paintings.

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