Chopped Liver for the Loving Spirit

Lou Carter Keay
Best-Seller Books and Casa Graphics, Inc. (2006)
ISBN I88147447X
Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (7/06)

 “Chopped Liver for the Loving Spirit” is a collection of stories written by ordinary and not so ordinary people who have done and seen extraordinary things.  The stories come from people who believe and prove that any obstacle in life can be overcome with persistence, patience and believing in one’s own ability. 

“Chopped Liver” starts with a wonderful introduction by Ivan G. Burnell who describes the loving spirit as:  “..it is accepting someone for who and what they are.  This includes not wanting or accepting them to be any different than they are.  Love is a condition of your thinking, your attitude and your behavior.”  From there he lays out 4 simple rules to follow:  First, Keep your promises.  Second, Salute the other person.  Third, Compliment people.  And fourth, DO IT!  Simple, yet powerful advice, the stories that follow encompass these rules. 

Some of the contributors to this book are famous, such as Dick Van Patten, who much to my pleasant surprise created the wonderful dog food Natural Balance with a few other loving spirits. (Thank you Dick, my 3 dogs are living testimony that canines can thrive on nutritious, healthy food).  Many contributors, however, have inspiring stories to tell about an event or person that best exemplifies the human spirit.  A story that immediately comes to mind is about the world’s last Bazooka player, the indubitable Ormly Gumfudgin.  Then there’s the story about the owner and creator of the world’s most famous spa, the Golden Door (a place that most of us only dream about going), the incredible Deborah Szekeley.   The stories are uplifting, written with a sense of humor that that give good, simple commonsense advice such as Terry Brewer’s “The World Goes ‘Round & Round”.  These are only a few examples of the stories that fill this book, that touch the heart and inspire people to live by the rules of a loving spirit. 

The audience that would find “Chopped Liver” most appealing would be the Baby Boomers and their parents as most stories relate to them.  Ernie and Patsy Weckbaugh deserve a standing ovation for their contributions to this book.  If you are looking for a pick me up, this book is for you. 

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