In Defense of Kindness: Why It Matters, How It Changes Our Lives, and How It Can Save the World

According to Presbyterian pastor and leadership coach Reyes-Chow, being kind and being nice are not synonymous actions. To be kind is to treat other people in such a way that will preserve their dignity, while choosing to be nice is a way to avoid conflict. Drawing inspiration from the late Fred Rogers, Reyes-Chow wrote this book to convince readers that showing genuine kindness can make a positive difference. After all, being kind has become the exception rather than the rule in the world today. The author argues eloquently for a subject that means a great deal to him, drawing from his own life experiences. One key argument is that a person should be kind to others without expecting the same treatment in return. At the end of each chapter, the author asks a question to encourage personal reflection and provides a challenge for readers to take action. Blending spirituality and self-help, this book is a masterly reinforcement of Dale Carnegie’s classic How To Win Friends and Influence People.