The importance of character in an age of image

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	• When No One Sees: The Importance of Character in an Age of Image Navpress Publishing Group, 2000 - 320 pages average customer review:based on 5 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

The importance of character in an age of image

Os Guinness has a knack for taking difficult and complex subjects and capturing and presenting information that allows small chunks of the philosophy to be grasped and pondered deeply. This book is no exception. The fact that it is also a study guide is even more effective in delivering the message while directing the reader to several key questions to consider in each section.

One of the best aspects of the book are the hundreds of quotes and essays, all around the central theme of the importance of character. While our culture often acts to create an "end justifies the means" behavioral set, never before has character been so important, or so difficult to really practice and live.

The book begins with some essays from famous leaders; from Plato to George Washington, Winston Churchill to Machiavelli, and compares and contrasts what each felt about the importance of character, and how it was to be demonstrated. Much of the material is pretty well known, yet the ability to so easily read and discuss different styles and approaches is well worth the effort.

My favorite sections were on the "Cultural Erosions of Character" in which the many examples of how society pushes and changes the definition and meaning in life impacts what we define as important at all. From advertising, to media, the pressure to conform is greater than ever, but in some ways has always existed.

One of the best essay's in my opinion is called the "Revenge of Failure" wherein Henry Fairlie rips the "legend of our times", as envy at its worst. No longer content to envy what others have and we do not, we now attempt to destroy in others that which we cannot achieve ourselves. This process degrades talent and is a poor attempt to "buy" our way into importance not through the achievement of something remarkable, but through the tearing down of the remarkable achievement into something attainable. Thus character becomes something that is no longer "earned".

The sections on plastic surgery and other shifts into a looks based culture further erode the importance of character. In this relentless and obsessed pursuit of the elusive perfection, the hunter becomes the hunted, and always loses in the battle to fight against aging and the myth of happiness in ones physical appearance. Powerful depictions of how this societal pressure has claimed far too many who sacrifice character for fleeting and shallow appearance, are depicted with a convicting clarity.

Overall, this is a very well done and thought provoking book. As a study guide it would be ideal for small groups, or even personal reflections. The book is so full of quotes and essays that it can be read at once, or in dozens of small bites with equal effectiveness. Highly recommended.

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Highly Recommended

As one who's been hiring and firing in the public and private sector for almost 40 years, I can tell you this book is a gift we ought to give every staffer. It's basically a highly readable workbook, a tool for understanding the true nature of human character and how to develop it. The reader will be greatly impacted if the material is treated as a personal devotional guide, reading it slowly, meditatively, contemplatively. Guinness touches the very essence of the subject. Who we are "when no one sees" is who we truly are.
Highly recommended.

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Deep, Thoughtful, and Stimulating

Five years ago, Pat Richie, former Chaplain of the Championship 49ers, pioneered a weekly executive development/fellowship program here in Danville, CA (San Francisco's famed "East Bay"). Participants meet on Friday morning for breakfast and discussion of an assigned reading assignment relating to leadership. With Pat facilitating, participants learn leadership fundamentals from one another's experience and observations. The discussions are faith-based, robust and enlightening.

Guiness' "When No One Sees" has been the book of choice this past year. It has been an excellent choice. It begins "by exploring the place of character in our Western Heritage, from the ideas of the Bible and Plato to Machiavelli and James Madison, and in real life, from Alexander the Great to Winston Churchill.

Guiness' "then looks at the uncomfortable but inspiring role of suffering in forging - and exposing - character and at modern examples of erosion of character today."

The discussion then moves on to "an essential point: the cultivation of character - a powerful theme for centuries in Western Civilization and a key component of the 'good life' and 'good society.'"

The author forces the reader (in our case, the group) to examine and self-determine whether or not character matters. If so, what are the correct practices, insights, and habits that lead to strong, value based character. And what are the underlying spiritual truths about character that are available to all - truths that are profound, practical, revolutionary, and timely.

"When No One Sees" is not light, bedtime reading. It is deep, thoughtful, and stimulating.

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A great teaser for in-depth character studies

This book is another in a long line of books that continue to feed my appetite for serious discussion on the movers and shakers of history. I would say that this book is like a wonderful appetizer to vital historical and philosophical studies. It's perfect for a small group and likely to cause some heated debate. It definitely causes reflection on the differences between cultural Chrisitanity and Christianity through conviction. In a climate where working life and decisions therein are a sort of stage and life behind that curtain is accepted as a completely different arena of actions and ideas, this book is a spark that will definitely light a flame in your soul. What is your source and where do you stand?

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The issue of personal character is hotly debated in our newspapers and on our airwaves today. When No One Sees is perfect for the reader of any denomination or spiritual standing who is seeking insight and direction on character development and why character counts. Presenting the truth of the Bible in the context of modern society, other faiths, and 3,000 years of history, Guinness offers a compelling analysis of current culture along with profiles of historic individuals of model character. Using both classical and modern examples, he illustrates how character is built and tested, presenting practical help for bringing about change in personal character. This is the first in a series of six Trinity Forum studies which combine classical and current readings with provocative discussion questions. They have been successfully using this format for over eight years in their private leadership forums.

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