Living Loving and Learning

I just discovered Leo Buscaglia and it has been like looking in the mirror and seeing someone just like me looking back - I don't mean physically, I mean in his heart and sould and my heart and soul. I come to this review with that energy - a whole hearted belief in the wisdom of Buscaglia's words, vision. It is my wholehearted desire that these messages and similar messages continue to grow. This book is a compilation of transcripts of many talks given by Dr. Buscaglia. In reading the words, you will feel as if he is addressing you personally. You will laugh (and cry) at his stories, be challenged by his insights and be inspired by his presence on the written page. One of my favorite chapters is "Teach Life" - where in his true form, he shares about his love for Valentine's Day, his most informative role models and how the truth of a sacred Sufi story still rings true in today's world. The chapter "Bridges, Not Barriers" is also excellent and rang so familiar, it was as if Buscaglia was walking around in my brain... and since he is no longer on the physical plane... well, you just never know! *wink* One of quotes from the book is found on page 73: "Knowledge is not wisdom! Learning alone is not wisdom. Wisdom is the application of knowledge and facts. Wisdom is realizing you know nothing. Wisdom is saying, "My mind is open. Wherever I am, I am just beginning. There is more to be realized by a hundred fold than what I know". That is the beginning of wisdom. This is a book you will be glad you own. You can literally open to any page and find a gold nugget. Buscaglia simply delivers love over and over and over again.

A friend loaned me this book in the mid to late eighties. I was stunned with Buscaglia's honesty. He stated my fears and observations of life and allowed me to rise above myself and live a life in love. I still have the copy my friend gave me, which fell apart long along, and purchased copies to keep around for reference. To this day, this book still outlines the way I believe life should be led and I can't think how miserable and confusing my life would have been had I not received this book. I owe my clarity and enjoyment of life to the fact I have read this book. This is the book I would take to my desert island.Thank you Leo.

I first learnt about Dr Leo Buscaglia and his works in May 1984 when I received the wonderful gift of the book, `Living, Loving and Learning' from my then boss and life-time mentor Fred Davis while working in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Although I studied and grew up in a culture which had given me some knowledge into all three concepts covered in the book, I found it to be a useful resource kit. I have read the book so many times since 1984 and still reading it again and again.In May 1984, I was young, strong, irrational and did not fully grasp the value of love and or human relations but I thought I knew about living and learning. I received the book just three months before our daughter was born and realised the important of `love' as a `behaviour modifier'. Ever since, I have learnt many other things from this book as well from other sources. Dr Buscaglia writes about love and the importance of giving as well as receiving this unexplainable desire from the time of our birth to death. Now I know that life is nothing but a journey of seeking, giving and rejection of love. A few months ago our daughter was very down, apparently due to the pains of growing up. Perhaps I would have been a major party in that process. May be she had peer pressure which she didn't want to communicate with me. Perhaps she thought that I was not listening to her needs (and I still do that mistake)!. When she was very down, I approached and `tactfully demanded' her (like many parents do) to read the book. I even highlighted the section that she should read. A few days later she returned the book and said: "Dad, this book has a lot of what you always talk about!". She smiled and thanked me. It was a very precious moment in my life. Then only I realised how much I have unconsciously acquired Dr Buscaglia's wisdom over the years despite still making mistakes as an adult as well as a parent.Now, getting closer to my mid-life, after having travelled round the world, up-rooted myself and my family from our country of origin, receiving and perhaps not receiving enough love as a behaviour modifier, I still read the book because I am still growing up. I am at a point in my life where love and affection as Dr Buscaglia defined in this book are much needed for my further growth and development. Now I am learning the need to care, respect and love everyone I live and work with, meet, talk or write sometimes even seeing them at all! Dr Buscaglia cites a good example in this book where he had not cared enough for a student who he thought was learning well in one of his undergraduate classes. He assumed that he was communicating well with this student because she sat in front of him, smiled when he emphasised something and took down notes carefully. He writes: "Then one day she stopped coming... and I kept looking for her... Finally, I checked with the Dean...and she said, `Haven't you heard?'" Dr Buscaglia learnt that the student had

When Leo Buscaglia died, the heading on his obituary in the newspaper read " Hug doctor dies". Leo would have had a good laugh on that one. Leo could sure make you laugh. I loved listening to him on PBS and have read most of his books. I remember on one show he was sharing how when he published his book "Love", he check out the published books and there was not one book called "Love". He was so amazed that he made this his life's work, to love and be loved. All teachers should be given his book "Living, Loving & Learning". It would put everything in the right perspective. You can't teach students without first giving them respect. To get respect you have to give respect. Thank you Leo Buscaglia for making this world a better place.

I read it six years ago. When I was reading I didn't want to it to end, I tried to elongate it, rationing it to myself. I was filled with such love, such light and such life while I was reading it. Now looking back, I've realised how much of my life has been shaped book. I now laugh more, live more and am exploring my humanity. I've been to more strange and wonderful places, such as China to teach during my Gap year. I've been striving to touch those around me, and love myself. My life now has more colour and joy because of this book.