CONQUERING FEAR Living Boldly in an Uncertain World

Harold Kushner shows both breadth and depth in understanding the fears that haunt people—natural disasters, loss of job or love, terrorism, aging, death. Sound overwhelming? Kushner's straightforward delivery assures listeners that while some fear is healthy, reacting to frightening situations by taking life-affirming actions signifies hope and faith and negates the overemphasis of fear in our lives. Kushner supports his views with religious references, quotations derived from the wisdom of bold thinkers, his own life experiences, and the thoughts of the many people he's counseled in his years as a rabbi. Even better than his words of reassurance is the way he utters them—with certainty, evenness, and a calmness that is comforting. S.W. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2009]