The Private Adam: Becoming a Hero in a Selfish Age

by Shmuley Boteach

Contemporary culture blasts us daily with dubious models of how we should behave -- from the strip club aesthetics of MTV teen idols to the clawing, hell-bent competitions of reality TV, it seems that every corner of our media-drenched society is Shed your dignity, exploit yourself and others, and you'll be on the path to glory. In The Private Adam , the noted rabbi and social commentator Shmuley Boteach reflects on the role of the hero in contemporary culture and contends that the media celebrates and rewards the values of the classical hero -- the aggressive macho warrior of ancient Rome who is motivated solely by self-promotion -- and that the glorification of this figure has rendered us a crueler, harsher, and more shallow society. In contrast, Boteach celebrates the Private Adam, the everyday men and women whose heroism stems from their lives of selfless actions and small sacrifices, even if an equestrian statue will not be erected in their honor. lluminated with inspiring examples from history and contemporary life and filled with valuable advice, The Private Adam is Boteach's most thoughtful book yet.

288 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2005

About the author

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, named by Talkers Magazine as one of the 100 most important radio hosts in America, is a nationally syndicated talk show host, the international best-selling author of 15 books, and an acclaimed syndicated columnist.

A winner of the London Times highly prestigious "Preacher of the Year" award, Rabbi Shmuley has lectured and appeared in print, radio, and TV all over the globe. His radio show, "Rabbi Shmuley's Passion," airs daily on Bonneville Broadcasting in afternoon drive-time.

He is the author of a number of books, including "Kosher Sex: A Recipe for Passion and Intimacy," "Dating Secrets of the Ten Commandments," "Why Can't I Fall in Love," "Judaism for Everyone: Renewing your Life through the Vibrant Lessons of the Jewish Faith," and most recently, "Hating Women: America's Hostile Campaign Against the Fairer Sex." A winner of the annual "preacher of the year" contest sponsored by the Times of London, he was formerly rabbi of Oxford University.


Shmuley—he is known universally by his first name, has marketed himself as a rabbi to the stars and an expert on Jewish attitudes toward relationships and marriage. ("Dr. Ruth with a yarmulke," the Washington Post called him.)

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise is compelling - how to become a "private hero" by being a decent human being and serving others, rather than a hollow "public hero". But the author has such an amazing gift for oversimplification to the point of inaccuracy that I couldn't stick with it. (A rabbi, particularly an Orthodox rabbi, shouldn't tell us that the Egyptians of Moses' day threw male Jewish babies into the Nile, for example.)

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so many quotes from this book written in my journal - this book was so inspirational for me!