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12 Simple Words
One of the things that drives John W. Kennedy the craziest and increases his personal cynicism is the fact that we do not communicate anymore. This sounds odd in a world full of communication devices, but 'talking at' is not 'talking with' others. We always look to find someone to blame instead of listening and trying to understand another's POV. Most of the time, blame is never the answer needed to act, but something to deal with after the solution is found. Debate and arguments have value when they do not become personal. He has changed his approach many times in life, when someone convinced him of a better solution. We must stop making broad assertions and assumptions based on factors out of one's own control. We need to decide that groups are made up of individuals that have differing life experiences. We can embrace and learn from many.
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Published October 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 10, 2025
John W. Kennedy’s 12 Simple Words is a heartfelt blend of memoir, philosophy, and community storytelling that reminds us how timeless values can shape a meaningful life. At first glance, the book seems rooted in the Boy Scout Law, with its familiar twelve virtues—trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. But Kennedy’s approach is far more expansive than a recitation of Scout principles. He uses these words as a framework to reflect on his own journey, the lessons of his parents, and the voices of others who have lived by similar ideals.
The book begins with Kennedy’s childhood struggles in the 1960s, when his restless energy and difficulty focusing might today be labeled ADHD. His mother, Jean, emerges as a quiet hero, using a chalkboard in the kitchen to give him both structure and flexibility: math problems to sharpen his focus, and new words to expand his imagination. These early lessons in order and language became the foundation for his later embrace of the Scout Law. Kennedy’s father also plays a central role, encouraging him through sports and introducing him to Scouting, where the values of discipline, teamwork, and resilience took root.
What makes 12 Simple Words compelling is Kennedy’s insistence that these values are not abstract ideals but lived practices. His stories of coaching baseball, mentoring hundreds of Eagle Scouts, and even wrestling with his own doubts about trust and loyalty show how virtues are tested in real life. He does not shy away from the complexity of relationships, acknowledging that trust can be broken, loyalty can be strained, and kindness can sometimes feel costly. Yet he argues that these words remain guideposts worth returning to, even when the path is difficult.
The book gains richness from the inclusion of other voices. Kennedy invites colleagues, educators, veterans, and leaders to share their reflections, weaving together a chorus of perspectives that highlight the universality of these values. A Girl Scout leader writes about commitment, communication, and confidence. A college president reflects on the philosophical tradition of virtue. A Navy veteran underscores the need for integrity and service in a fractured world. These contributions broaden the book’s scope, showing that the twelve words resonate far beyond Scouting.
Stylistically, Kennedy writes with warmth and sincerity. His anecdotes are often nostalgic, sometimes humorous, and occasionally raw in their honesty. The dedication to his family, especially his son, gives the book an emotional anchor. At times, the narrative meanders, circling back to themes already explored. Still, this repetition feels less like redundancy and more like the rhythm of oral storytelling, where lessons are reinforced through retelling.
Ultimately, 12 Simple Words is not just a book about Scouting. It is a meditation on character, community, and the choices that define us. Kennedy’s message is simple but powerful: values like loyalty, kindness, and reverence are not outdated relics but essential tools for navigating modern life. In a world that often feels chaotic and divided, his call to live by these words is both timely and timeless.
For readers who have worn a Scout uniform, the book will feel like a homecoming. For those who have not, it offers a window into a tradition that has shaped millions of lives, while also providing a broader reflection on what it means to live with integrity. Kennedy’s blend of personal narrative and collective wisdom makes 12 Simple Words a book that lingers, inviting us to ask not only what these words mean, but how we might embody them in our own lives.
The book begins with Kennedy’s childhood struggles in the 1960s, when his restless energy and difficulty focusing might today be labeled ADHD. His mother, Jean, emerges as a quiet hero, using a chalkboard in the kitchen to give him both structure and flexibility: math problems to sharpen his focus, and new words to expand his imagination. These early lessons in order and language became the foundation for his later embrace of the Scout Law. Kennedy’s father also plays a central role, encouraging him through sports and introducing him to Scouting, where the values of discipline, teamwork, and resilience took root.
What makes 12 Simple Words compelling is Kennedy’s insistence that these values are not abstract ideals but lived practices. His stories of coaching baseball, mentoring hundreds of Eagle Scouts, and even wrestling with his own doubts about trust and loyalty show how virtues are tested in real life. He does not shy away from the complexity of relationships, acknowledging that trust can be broken, loyalty can be strained, and kindness can sometimes feel costly. Yet he argues that these words remain guideposts worth returning to, even when the path is difficult.
The book gains richness from the inclusion of other voices. Kennedy invites colleagues, educators, veterans, and leaders to share their reflections, weaving together a chorus of perspectives that highlight the universality of these values. A Girl Scout leader writes about commitment, communication, and confidence. A college president reflects on the philosophical tradition of virtue. A Navy veteran underscores the need for integrity and service in a fractured world. These contributions broaden the book’s scope, showing that the twelve words resonate far beyond Scouting.
Stylistically, Kennedy writes with warmth and sincerity. His anecdotes are often nostalgic, sometimes humorous, and occasionally raw in their honesty. The dedication to his family, especially his son, gives the book an emotional anchor. At times, the narrative meanders, circling back to themes already explored. Still, this repetition feels less like redundancy and more like the rhythm of oral storytelling, where lessons are reinforced through retelling.
Ultimately, 12 Simple Words is not just a book about Scouting. It is a meditation on character, community, and the choices that define us. Kennedy’s message is simple but powerful: values like loyalty, kindness, and reverence are not outdated relics but essential tools for navigating modern life. In a world that often feels chaotic and divided, his call to live by these words is both timely and timeless.
For readers who have worn a Scout uniform, the book will feel like a homecoming. For those who have not, it offers a window into a tradition that has shaped millions of lives, while also providing a broader reflection on what it means to live with integrity. Kennedy’s blend of personal narrative and collective wisdom makes 12 Simple Words a book that lingers, inviting us to ask not only what these words mean, but how we might embody them in our own lives.
September 30, 2025
Imagine for a moment a world rapidly becoming more technologically advanced. Where once there was a handful of ways for the inhabitants to communicate with each other, suddenly, there are seemingly infinite possibilities. However, instead of understanding each other better because of the myriad of communication forms available, each of the inhabitants only felt increasingly more misunderstood and frustrated. This scenario is a reality, and that’s what this book is about. It’s a lamentation that we seem to be talking “at” each other more while hearing each other less. However, rather than accepting this as the way things will inevitably be going forward, the author proposes some common-sense solutions to the problem.
12 Simple Words, by John W Kennedy, is a relatively short nonfiction book. It broadly falls into the self-help genre.
The premise of the book is a simple one. The author is describing how a lack of communication or poor communication between individuals is a pet peeve of his. It’s easy to agree with him that this is a genuine, pervasive issue in modern times. We can communicate through text message, email, phone calls, live chats via Skype or Zoom, etc. However, it seems like we get along less than ever. Everyone seems to be lost in their own individual experience that might be completely foreign to someone living right next to them.
The solution, according to Kennedy, is to relearn how to communicate, particularly be using a few simple words that clearly indicate to the other person that we are listening. Kennedy explains how we are meant to learn these words when you’re young. When we employ them in our vocabulary as adults, it’s a clear signal to the other person that we actually value what they’re saying, and we’re not just waiting for our turn to talk.
It’s a novel concept, and one that feels particularly timely in an era when communication seems to have largely broken down, and civil, productive discourse is a thing of the past. Better communication, rather than personal attacks, should help us all embrace diverse, disparate viewpoints. It’s hard to view that possibility as anything but beneficial.
12 Simple Words, by John W Kennedy, is a relatively short nonfiction book. It broadly falls into the self-help genre.
The premise of the book is a simple one. The author is describing how a lack of communication or poor communication between individuals is a pet peeve of his. It’s easy to agree with him that this is a genuine, pervasive issue in modern times. We can communicate through text message, email, phone calls, live chats via Skype or Zoom, etc. However, it seems like we get along less than ever. Everyone seems to be lost in their own individual experience that might be completely foreign to someone living right next to them.
The solution, according to Kennedy, is to relearn how to communicate, particularly be using a few simple words that clearly indicate to the other person that we are listening. Kennedy explains how we are meant to learn these words when you’re young. When we employ them in our vocabulary as adults, it’s a clear signal to the other person that we actually value what they’re saying, and we’re not just waiting for our turn to talk.
It’s a novel concept, and one that feels particularly timely in an era when communication seems to have largely broken down, and civil, productive discourse is a thing of the past. Better communication, rather than personal attacks, should help us all embrace diverse, disparate viewpoints. It’s hard to view that possibility as anything but beneficial.
October 7, 2025
A Reminder of How Communication Should Be
I found 12 Simple Words by John W. Kennedy engaging and insightful. The author discusses how communication often feels lacking despite the many tools we have, like text messages and video calls. He believes that simple words can enhance our communication and show that we’re truly listening.
Kennedy emphasizes the importance of these words, which we learn in childhood, in adult conversations. By using them, we demonstrate genuine care for what others say, helping to revive meaningful dialogue in an era where civil discourse is often neglected. Improving our communication can open us up to diverse perspectives, making it a beneficial approach.
The book was well-written and professionally edited and contains no grammatical errors. Moreover, no profanity or explicit language is making it suitable for readers across all age groups. I enjoyed reading 12 Simple Words and I highly recommend the book.
I found 12 Simple Words by John W. Kennedy engaging and insightful. The author discusses how communication often feels lacking despite the many tools we have, like text messages and video calls. He believes that simple words can enhance our communication and show that we’re truly listening.
Kennedy emphasizes the importance of these words, which we learn in childhood, in adult conversations. By using them, we demonstrate genuine care for what others say, helping to revive meaningful dialogue in an era where civil discourse is often neglected. Improving our communication can open us up to diverse perspectives, making it a beneficial approach.
The book was well-written and professionally edited and contains no grammatical errors. Moreover, no profanity or explicit language is making it suitable for readers across all age groups. I enjoyed reading 12 Simple Words and I highly recommend the book.
October 11, 2025
12 Simple Words' by John W.. Kennedy offers a fresh and thought-provoking view on the modern paradox of communication: despite many ways to connect, we often feel more isolated than ever. Kennedy’s main point—that we’ve shifted from “talking with” to “talking at” each other—resonates strongly in today’s divided world. His solution, emphasizing the use of simple, deliberate words to show genuine listening, is both practical and inspiring. The book’s clear yet powerful writing makes it easy to understand, while its message encourages readers to build empathy and understanding. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to rebuild meaningful dialogue in their personal or professional life.
October 11, 2025
This book is warm, thoughtful, and easy to connect with. John W. Kennedy takes twelve simple words like trustworthy, kind, and brave and shares how they shaped his life through personal stories from Scouting, family, and faith. The writing feels honest and down to earth, and the lessons stay with you after reading. You don’t need to be a Scout to appreciate it because the values he talks about truly apply to everyone. It’s a gentle reminder of what matters most in everyday life.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews