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When Your Life Is on Fire: What Would You Save?
"In When Your Life Is On Fire Erik Kolbell listens, provokes, and most of all, shares with us the enduring lessons and insights of life and faith as realized by a diverse population of thoughtful people. It's a town hall of the soul." -- Tom Brokaw
If your life were on fire, what would be the one thing you save?
Progressive minister and psychotherapist Erik Kolbell asks that question of 13 remarkable and unique individuals. The answers are provided by such notable people as journalist Jane Pauley, actor Alan Alda, and jazz impresario Regina Carter, as well as Brenda Berkman, a New York City firefighter who responded to the World Trade Center attacks of 9/11, and Don Lange, a U.S. Veteran severely injured in the Iraq war. The insights of these and other ordinary people put into extraordinary situations, will help all of us consider what it is that we value most in life.
If your life were on fire, what would be the one thing you save?
Progressive minister and psychotherapist Erik Kolbell asks that question of 13 remarkable and unique individuals. The answers are provided by such notable people as journalist Jane Pauley, actor Alan Alda, and jazz impresario Regina Carter, as well as Brenda Berkman, a New York City firefighter who responded to the World Trade Center attacks of 9/11, and Don Lange, a U.S. Veteran severely injured in the Iraq war. The insights of these and other ordinary people put into extraordinary situations, will help all of us consider what it is that we value most in life.
- GenresNonfiction
230 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2014
1 person is currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Erik Kolbell
8 books3 followersErik Kolbell is a writer, psychotherapist, and ordained minister.
A Yale Divinity School graduate, Kolbell was the first Minister of Social Justice at Riverside Church in New York City where he worked on fair housing, racial equality, nuclear disarmament, prison reform and other issues. His work took him to Nicaragua as an official US observer for the first democratic elections, to Cuba with Pastors for Peace delivering medical supplies, and to South Africa on a fact finding mission during the apartheid years.
As a Congregational minister with a concentration in Judaic studies, Kolbell has a broad understanding of religious issues and where they intersect with American culture. Prior to his ministry at Riverside Church, Kolbell worked for several years as a college chaplain. His psychotherapy practice incorporates his expertise in family and couples counseling.
Kolbell has appeared on The Today Show and Dateline on NBC, The Early Show on CBS, The Charlie Rose Show on PBS, Morning Joe on MSNBC, The Jane Pauley Show, Your Total Health, local television, and numerous radio programs.
Kolbell's writing has covered a wide variety of topics, from the spiritual to the practical, with a common theme being that of tying ethical principles to everyday living.
A Yale Divinity School graduate, Kolbell was the first Minister of Social Justice at Riverside Church in New York City where he worked on fair housing, racial equality, nuclear disarmament, prison reform and other issues. His work took him to Nicaragua as an official US observer for the first democratic elections, to Cuba with Pastors for Peace delivering medical supplies, and to South Africa on a fact finding mission during the apartheid years.
As a Congregational minister with a concentration in Judaic studies, Kolbell has a broad understanding of religious issues and where they intersect with American culture. Prior to his ministry at Riverside Church, Kolbell worked for several years as a college chaplain. His psychotherapy practice incorporates his expertise in family and couples counseling.
Kolbell has appeared on The Today Show and Dateline on NBC, The Early Show on CBS, The Charlie Rose Show on PBS, Morning Joe on MSNBC, The Jane Pauley Show, Your Total Health, local television, and numerous radio programs.
Kolbell's writing has covered a wide variety of topics, from the spiritual to the practical, with a common theme being that of tying ethical principles to everyday living.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 17, 2014
Borrowed it from the library, got about a third of the way through, and returned it. Why? Because I needed to own it. Ordered it for my e-reader, because I was too impatient to wait the two days for it to arrive in print.
This is a profound book, and it's having a profound effect on me. I'm reading no more than one chapter a day and then taking time to reflect on it before moving on to the next. The thesis of the book is deceptively simple: if your life were on fire and you could save one thing, whether a physical object or something of value within yourself (e.g. an aspect of your intellect or your personality), what would you save? Each chapter comes in the form of an interview between the author (a Congregational minister with a concentration in Judaic studies) and various people--famous and "regular"--about the one thing that each of those people would save, and why. Each chapter is followed by a short group of discussion questions, which I've simply considered further topics for thought.
Is this a religion book? Sort of, but not really. There are religious aspects to it, but each of the chosen saved "objects" is certainly not from that category. The prose has a spiritual quality, in the sense that what is considered is the essential nature of a person's life. Is it a philosophy book? Sort of, but not really. It is grounded in practical reality, in what the interviewed people do on a daily basis, rather than the theoretical constructs and possibilities that most readers would consider philosophy.
It is a thoughtful, readable book that is making me reconsider some things that I thought I knew about myself and my own life, and to look at my own values in a different way. And I've already pushed it into the hands of two of my favorite reader-friends, so they can do the same.
Very highly recommended.
This is a profound book, and it's having a profound effect on me. I'm reading no more than one chapter a day and then taking time to reflect on it before moving on to the next. The thesis of the book is deceptively simple: if your life were on fire and you could save one thing, whether a physical object or something of value within yourself (e.g. an aspect of your intellect or your personality), what would you save? Each chapter comes in the form of an interview between the author (a Congregational minister with a concentration in Judaic studies) and various people--famous and "regular"--about the one thing that each of those people would save, and why. Each chapter is followed by a short group of discussion questions, which I've simply considered further topics for thought.
Is this a religion book? Sort of, but not really. There are religious aspects to it, but each of the chosen saved "objects" is certainly not from that category. The prose has a spiritual quality, in the sense that what is considered is the essential nature of a person's life. Is it a philosophy book? Sort of, but not really. It is grounded in practical reality, in what the interviewed people do on a daily basis, rather than the theoretical constructs and possibilities that most readers would consider philosophy.
It is a thoughtful, readable book that is making me reconsider some things that I thought I knew about myself and my own life, and to look at my own values in a different way. And I've already pushed it into the hands of two of my favorite reader-friends, so they can do the same.
Very highly recommended.
April 18, 2014
Thirteen People Discuss the Most Precious Thing in Their Lives
Erik Kobell asked thirteen people what they would save from a fire. Some of the people are public figures; some are not. Each identified something precious. The most interesting thing about the responses was that the people identified qualities rather than objects.
One person, Regina Carter, at first identified an object, her violin, but as the interview continued it became clear that what she wanted to save was the sound from her violin. Her choice was one of the most interesting for me. She's a jazz violinist. Initially, she wanted fame and fortune, and she was lucky enough to have them come her way, but once she had them, she realized how much they had stolen her freedom to be the musician she wanted to be.
Kobell breaks the interviews into four sections: Seekers, who are primarily engaged in religious activities; Artists, which includes an interview with Alan Alda as well as one with Regina Carter; Iconoclasts, people who have done things in a non-traditional way; and survivors, which includes an interview with Jane Pauley. The book concludes with thoughts by the author. I enjoyed this chapter. It seemed only fair that the observer should take a turn in the spotlight.
I highly recommend this book. Although it has a spiritual component, it is not a religious book, per se. People of all faiths, or none, can read this book and take away something that could change their lives.
I reviewed this book for Net Galley.
Erik Kobell asked thirteen people what they would save from a fire. Some of the people are public figures; some are not. Each identified something precious. The most interesting thing about the responses was that the people identified qualities rather than objects.
One person, Regina Carter, at first identified an object, her violin, but as the interview continued it became clear that what she wanted to save was the sound from her violin. Her choice was one of the most interesting for me. She's a jazz violinist. Initially, she wanted fame and fortune, and she was lucky enough to have them come her way, but once she had them, she realized how much they had stolen her freedom to be the musician she wanted to be.
Kobell breaks the interviews into four sections: Seekers, who are primarily engaged in religious activities; Artists, which includes an interview with Alan Alda as well as one with Regina Carter; Iconoclasts, people who have done things in a non-traditional way; and survivors, which includes an interview with Jane Pauley. The book concludes with thoughts by the author. I enjoyed this chapter. It seemed only fair that the observer should take a turn in the spotlight.
I highly recommend this book. Although it has a spiritual component, it is not a religious book, per se. People of all faiths, or none, can read this book and take away something that could change their lives.
I reviewed this book for Net Galley.
July 2, 2014
We've all thought about it. In case of fire, what would you save? Pictures? Computer hard drive (probably)? Stocks and bonds? What we choose to save probably says something about who we are as individuals.
Erik Kobell, a psychotherapist and former minister of social justice at Riverside Church in New York, asked a similar question to a range of people -- from Alan Alda to former NYFD Captain Brenda Berkman. The question was posed in such a way that one could answer with a material object -- such as Regina Carter's violin (not because it is priceless, but because of the sound it produces for her) -- or something more intangible -- such as Alan Alda's choice of reality.
In each of the thirteen interviews, the question leads to a deeper conversation about values. Some are spiritual, but not all (at least not overtly). As Kobell began his work on the book, he approached people who had significant stories to tell -- such as Don Lange, a Marine Gunnery Sergeant who suffered traumatic brain injury while serving in Afghanistan. As a result of an RPG blast, he essentially has no memory of life before the incident -- at least no more than bits and pieces. As he has moved forward, he has had to begin again. Having that opportunity to recreate one's life is an intriguing concept.
It is an inspirational book. It will touch hearts. Preachers likely will find illustrative stories. Most of all it will invite us to consider what is most important in our lives.
Erik Kobell, a psychotherapist and former minister of social justice at Riverside Church in New York, asked a similar question to a range of people -- from Alan Alda to former NYFD Captain Brenda Berkman. The question was posed in such a way that one could answer with a material object -- such as Regina Carter's violin (not because it is priceless, but because of the sound it produces for her) -- or something more intangible -- such as Alan Alda's choice of reality.
In each of the thirteen interviews, the question leads to a deeper conversation about values. Some are spiritual, but not all (at least not overtly). As Kobell began his work on the book, he approached people who had significant stories to tell -- such as Don Lange, a Marine Gunnery Sergeant who suffered traumatic brain injury while serving in Afghanistan. As a result of an RPG blast, he essentially has no memory of life before the incident -- at least no more than bits and pieces. As he has moved forward, he has had to begin again. Having that opportunity to recreate one's life is an intriguing concept.
It is an inspirational book. It will touch hearts. Preachers likely will find illustrative stories. Most of all it will invite us to consider what is most important in our lives.
August 20, 2014
This is a fascinating book. Each chapter is a result of an interview with one individual about the one thing he or she would save of their lives, if it were on fire. It could be a physical item or a character quality. In every instance it is something that encapsulates what life means to that person. It is something that has a story and represents the person's life.
Erik Kolbell, the interviewer/editor/writer, is a Christian. In contrast, the interviewees are a diverse lot. Some are Christian, some from other faiths, and some with no professed faith at all. Yet for each one the things they would save is, in some way, represents the spiritual in their lives. Erik provides commentary throughout each chapter bringing the individuals' stories around to the Bible and its message. Each chapter ends with short discussions questions, making this book ideal for book clubs and group discussions.
Erik Kolbell, the interviewer/editor/writer, is a Christian. In contrast, the interviewees are a diverse lot. Some are Christian, some from other faiths, and some with no professed faith at all. Yet for each one the things they would save is, in some way, represents the spiritual in their lives. Erik provides commentary throughout each chapter bringing the individuals' stories around to the Bible and its message. Each chapter ends with short discussions questions, making this book ideal for book clubs and group discussions.
January 16, 2015
"What would you save if your life was on fire" is a question asked of thirteen people. They are celebrities, artists and ordinary people.. The answers are thoughtful and inspirational. The author also puts the people into four different categories. While I found the descriptions of the categories interesting, I was much more interested in the answers given.
This is an inspirational book. It makes you think about your own answer would be. It is an interesting and thoughtful book.
Disclaimer: I received a digital galley of this book free from the publisher from NetGalley. I was not obliged to write a favourable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
This is an inspirational book. It makes you think about your own answer would be. It is an interesting and thoughtful book.
Disclaimer: I received a digital galley of this book free from the publisher from NetGalley. I was not obliged to write a favourable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
September 24, 2014
Given To Me For An Honest Review
Erik Kolbell's book When Your Life Is On Fire: What Would You Save? Is a book the really will make you think and get your life into perspective. He asks 13 people from different walks of life this question and the responses where different yet the same. They give insight to what is the most precious in their lives. This book will have you looking deep into your soul to find your precious and your most important reason for being. I recommend this to all.
Erik Kolbell's book When Your Life Is On Fire: What Would You Save? Is a book the really will make you think and get your life into perspective. He asks 13 people from different walks of life this question and the responses where different yet the same. They give insight to what is the most precious in their lives. This book will have you looking deep into your soul to find your precious and your most important reason for being. I recommend this to all.
May 6, 2014
This is a wonderful book that everyone should read. The author interviews 13 people and asks them," What they would save from a fire." The answers are thought provoking and will make you wonder what you would save. I hope to read more from this author.
March 13, 2016
Great concept, book was a bit overwritten.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews