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Be the Hero: Be the Change
Help be the change in healing our world. Now more than ever with the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, modern-day slavery, and other global issues that threaten the lives of millions of people, we need everyone to help.
Matt Friedman’s book, Be the Hero: Be the Change, will inspire and uplift readers with his stories of optimism, resilience, and redemption from over 30 years of frontline experience in Asia. In these times of hardship, this book offers a silver lining that each of us has the power to make a difference. Imagine when millions of small acts are multiplied – it could change our communities.
Friedman’s call to action is this: identify a cause that you are passionate about, accept responsibility for it, surrender, and then step up to get involved. This book will equip you to better understand the importance of these global issues and is a step-by-step guide to becoming an everyday hero.
www.BetheHeroCampaign.com
Matt Friedman’s book, Be the Hero: Be the Change, will inspire and uplift readers with his stories of optimism, resilience, and redemption from over 30 years of frontline experience in Asia. In these times of hardship, this book offers a silver lining that each of us has the power to make a difference. Imagine when millions of small acts are multiplied – it could change our communities.
Friedman’s call to action is this: identify a cause that you are passionate about, accept responsibility for it, surrender, and then step up to get involved. This book will equip you to better understand the importance of these global issues and is a step-by-step guide to becoming an everyday hero.
www.BetheHeroCampaign.com
170 pages, Paperback
Published March 22, 2020
3 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Matthew S. Friedman
10 books5 followersMatthew Friedman is a leading, internationally renowned global expert on modern slavery and human trafficking. An award-winning public speaker, author, filmmaker, and philanthropist, Matthew regularly advises heads of governments and intelligence agencies.
As the founder and CEO of The Mekong Club, Matthew is considered the leading catalyst of the anti-slavery movement in Asia’s business sector by captains of industry.
In 2017, Matthew received the prestigious “Asia Communicator of the Year Gold Award” for giving more than 800 presentations to 80,000 people including government leaders and the Vatican on the topic of modern slavery within a five-year period in different countries. Matthew has a unique and powerful speaking style that inspires people and helps them reach their fullest potential.
Each year he is cited at least 40 times in the news media (CNN, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, the Financial Times, the Economist, etc.) and invited to speak at major international conferences around the world.
He has managed and directed tens of millions of dollars to major humanitarian portfolios impacting millions of people for the World Bank, the U.S. State Department, and the United Nations. His work over the last 30 years of pioneering and managing international anti-human trafficking projects from Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand and Hong Kong has given him access to many influential networks in different countries throughout the world.
Matthew is the author of 12 books ranging from action novels, non-fiction accounts of his human rights work, to a book that outlines his unique philosophy of “time.” A long-time supporter of film and the media arts, Matthew was an executive producer and advisor on four award-winning films, one of which was nominated for an Emmy and another executive produced by Emma Thompson.
Matthew provides a range of inspirational keynote speeches to teach, mentor and motivate people from all walks of life to step up and take a stand in life. He has has an uncanny ability to take something as complicated and confusing as slavery and break it down into a series of simple messages that walk a person down a path to understanding. He has shifted the mindsets of many, even the most resistant detractors. His is always a message of hope.
As the founder and CEO of The Mekong Club, Matthew is considered the leading catalyst of the anti-slavery movement in Asia’s business sector by captains of industry.
In 2017, Matthew received the prestigious “Asia Communicator of the Year Gold Award” for giving more than 800 presentations to 80,000 people including government leaders and the Vatican on the topic of modern slavery within a five-year period in different countries. Matthew has a unique and powerful speaking style that inspires people and helps them reach their fullest potential.
Each year he is cited at least 40 times in the news media (CNN, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, the Financial Times, the Economist, etc.) and invited to speak at major international conferences around the world.
He has managed and directed tens of millions of dollars to major humanitarian portfolios impacting millions of people for the World Bank, the U.S. State Department, and the United Nations. His work over the last 30 years of pioneering and managing international anti-human trafficking projects from Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand and Hong Kong has given him access to many influential networks in different countries throughout the world.
Matthew is the author of 12 books ranging from action novels, non-fiction accounts of his human rights work, to a book that outlines his unique philosophy of “time.” A long-time supporter of film and the media arts, Matthew was an executive producer and advisor on four award-winning films, one of which was nominated for an Emmy and another executive produced by Emma Thompson.
Matthew provides a range of inspirational keynote speeches to teach, mentor and motivate people from all walks of life to step up and take a stand in life. He has has an uncanny ability to take something as complicated and confusing as slavery and break it down into a series of simple messages that walk a person down a path to understanding. He has shifted the mindsets of many, even the most resistant detractors. His is always a message of hope.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 30, 2020
Deeply Moving, Inspiring, Motivating and Empowering
I've enjoyed reading "Be the Hero: Be the Change" and found it deeply moving, inspiring, motivating and empowering. In a world full of pressing issues leaving people feel rattled, helpless, or even distressed nowadays, reading this book will not just help us remain hopeful but also empower us to take collective actions to make our world a better place.
As a human trafficking and modern slavery activist with decades of solid field experience, Friedman humbly shares his personal journey and wealth of life experience as to how he was exposed to human trafficking and modern slavery, and why he feels compelled to fight these most heart-wrenching global issues for 35 years to date. We've often thought that slavery is an historical term and little do we know today, globally, it is estimated that more than 40 million men, women, and children are enslaved in brothels, factories, construction sites, fisheries for little or no pay, deprived of their freedom and often subjected to unimaginable suffering.
Reading true stories about Gita, Amulya, Jeana and the-like has had me shed a few tears time after time. I can only imagine, having interviewed countless innocent victims over the decades, the pain that the author has felt and internalised must be overwhelming, let alone the unbearable pain and dreadful torture that those victims had to endure year after year which were sheer beyond description.
Encouragingly, Friedman has turned his pain into strength, practical ideas and actions, and further inspired and empowered others to take kind and compassionate act for another. He considers everyone who steps up to help, no matter how big or small the gesture, to be a hero. Collective actions are crucial if we are to resolve complex global issues including not just human trafficking and modern slavery but also climate change, poverty, starvation, extinctions of species, to name a few.
The book well demonstrates plenty of real-life examples as to how small actions by each and every one of us can make a positive difference, bring hopes to the underprivileged, and sometimes even save lives. What's more, it highlights the practical steps needed to ignite the hero inside of all of us by adopting D.A.S.H. which the readers will learn more from the content with much insight, wisdom, and more importantly, big love to all.
I would highly recommend "Be the Hero: Be the Change" to every global citizen and young generations in particular.
I've enjoyed reading "Be the Hero: Be the Change" and found it deeply moving, inspiring, motivating and empowering. In a world full of pressing issues leaving people feel rattled, helpless, or even distressed nowadays, reading this book will not just help us remain hopeful but also empower us to take collective actions to make our world a better place.
As a human trafficking and modern slavery activist with decades of solid field experience, Friedman humbly shares his personal journey and wealth of life experience as to how he was exposed to human trafficking and modern slavery, and why he feels compelled to fight these most heart-wrenching global issues for 35 years to date. We've often thought that slavery is an historical term and little do we know today, globally, it is estimated that more than 40 million men, women, and children are enslaved in brothels, factories, construction sites, fisheries for little or no pay, deprived of their freedom and often subjected to unimaginable suffering.
Reading true stories about Gita, Amulya, Jeana and the-like has had me shed a few tears time after time. I can only imagine, having interviewed countless innocent victims over the decades, the pain that the author has felt and internalised must be overwhelming, let alone the unbearable pain and dreadful torture that those victims had to endure year after year which were sheer beyond description.
Encouragingly, Friedman has turned his pain into strength, practical ideas and actions, and further inspired and empowered others to take kind and compassionate act for another. He considers everyone who steps up to help, no matter how big or small the gesture, to be a hero. Collective actions are crucial if we are to resolve complex global issues including not just human trafficking and modern slavery but also climate change, poverty, starvation, extinctions of species, to name a few.
The book well demonstrates plenty of real-life examples as to how small actions by each and every one of us can make a positive difference, bring hopes to the underprivileged, and sometimes even save lives. What's more, it highlights the practical steps needed to ignite the hero inside of all of us by adopting D.A.S.H. which the readers will learn more from the content with much insight, wisdom, and more importantly, big love to all.
I would highly recommend "Be the Hero: Be the Change" to every global citizen and young generations in particular.
May 18, 2020
Life long humanitarian, internationally renowned human trafficking expert Matthew Friedman, CEO of The Mekong Club, an NGO dedicated to fighting modern slavery, published his latest book to summarise his thinking on the most effective way to change our world for the better.
There could not have been a more fitting time for ‘Be the hero - Be the Change’ to be published than amidst this global pandemic. With investment for many social and environmental causes threatened and energies unduly focused on reestablishing a socio-economic norm that is long broken, we need to be reminded of the importance of our own choices and we need heroes.
But who are these heroes and what are they to do?
Part I of the book provides a matter of fact and kindly concise section on the problems of our time, such as climate change and poverty. In part II he redefines what it means to be a hero - every ordinary citizen who, at occasion, manages to transgress from apathy to action and from intent to impact. While readers could dismiss this as trifling, one must soon give credit to Friedman for effectively arguing that continuing to equate heroes with undeviating superhumans hovering above the ground in capes, is perhaps a convenient excuse for inaction and certainly detrimental to change.
Feeling needed, without needing to be perfect and potentially even earning recognition for our efforts is ultimately nothing but liberating for anyone who has ever considered supporting a cause beyond direct self-interest. Fittingly, the final section clearly outlines solutions and spells out a four step path to becoming an effective, accountable and fulfilled activist.
Part memoir, part campaign manifesto, readers become equipped with structure, encouragement, varied examples and even a self evaluation app while being rid of any excuse for inaction.
Fans of “An Inconvenient Truth’ will love this book, and Friedman’s endorsement of the ‘care point’ system will no doubt provide excellent content for a sequel.
https://www.amazon.com/Be-Hero-Matthe...
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May 17, 2020 Be The Hero – Be The Change
Be the Hero – Be the Change by Matthew Friedman is particularly suited to our times. Each new disaster leaves more vulnerable people in its wake. Families are separated, emotions are fractured and money is in short supply. This is the perfect climate for traffickers who care only for what they can put in their pockets.
This time of sheltering at home is a time for all of us to reflect on what is important in our lives: Our health, the well-being of our families and the security of our jobs. Certainly, those are of primary importance to us all, but they depend on larger factors. Our health is dependent upon that of the nation and the world. Our families are dependent on the well-being of the families of all our communities. Certainly our jobs are dependent on not only our local economies, but those of the other countries of our world. We do not live insulated from others.
Human trafficking impacts us all whether we realize it or not. We may be proud of the “good buys” we make without realizing the human costs involved in our bargains. We tend to turn blind eyes to what is happening all around us. Mathew Friedman suggests that simply opening our eyes to what is everywhere around us will allow us to take the small steps to make our world a better and safer place for us all. Yes, everyone can be a hero in the eyes of someone and, in so doing, become a hero in his or her own eyes and perhaps discover a new passion.
Read the book. Be the change. Be a hero.
Be the Hero – Be the Change by Matthew Friedman is particularly suited to our times. Each new disaster leaves more vulnerable people in its wake. Families are separated, emotions are fractured and money is in short supply. This is the perfect climate for traffickers who care only for what they can put in their pockets.
This time of sheltering at home is a time for all of us to reflect on what is important in our lives: Our health, the well-being of our families and the security of our jobs. Certainly, those are of primary importance to us all, but they depend on larger factors. Our health is dependent upon that of the nation and the world. Our families are dependent on the well-being of the families of all our communities. Certainly our jobs are dependent on not only our local economies, but those of the other countries of our world. We do not live insulated from others.
Human trafficking impacts us all whether we realize it or not. We may be proud of the “good buys” we make without realizing the human costs involved in our bargains. We tend to turn blind eyes to what is happening all around us. Mathew Friedman suggests that simply opening our eyes to what is everywhere around us will allow us to take the small steps to make our world a better and safer place for us all. Yes, everyone can be a hero in the eyes of someone and, in so doing, become a hero in his or her own eyes and perhaps discover a new passion.
Read the book. Be the change. Be a hero.
Read
May 6, 2020Review: “Be the Hero: be the Change”
For those who have read Matthew Friedman’s earlier publications, like “Afghan Girl” and “Where were you?” it comes as no surprise that also his latest publication “Be the Hero, be the Change” is written in the clear, accessible language we know from him.
What makes this book different is the powerful invitation, to all and to each and everyone of us, to step up, to be that hero and the urgency to do so. But that is not all, the book reads as a handbook, a personalized workbook even, with many practical examples on how to make a difference in our world. The book is full of those examples, in which the author does not shy away from mentioning also painful and less positive characteristics and experiences. It is an honest book.
While reading it I remembered the famous words of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama who, in a commencement address at Wesleyan University on May 25th, 2008 mentioned the importance of noticing “… a world beyond yourself…”.
Each of us can notice that world and can become a hero. “Be the Hero, be the Change” gives you all the details on why and how.
This empowering book comes at the right time. When all of us on planet earth feel the impact on our lives of the Covid-19 crisis, “Be the Hero: be the Change” helps us, to not be victims, but to be an active part, of a “…world that thrives”.
I would call this 5 star book a Must Read in times of Covid-19.
For those who have read Matthew Friedman’s earlier publications, like “Afghan Girl” and “Where were you?” it comes as no surprise that also his latest publication “Be the Hero, be the Change” is written in the clear, accessible language we know from him.
What makes this book different is the powerful invitation, to all and to each and everyone of us, to step up, to be that hero and the urgency to do so. But that is not all, the book reads as a handbook, a personalized workbook even, with many practical examples on how to make a difference in our world. The book is full of those examples, in which the author does not shy away from mentioning also painful and less positive characteristics and experiences. It is an honest book.
While reading it I remembered the famous words of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama who, in a commencement address at Wesleyan University on May 25th, 2008 mentioned the importance of noticing “… a world beyond yourself…”.
Each of us can notice that world and can become a hero. “Be the Hero, be the Change” gives you all the details on why and how.
This empowering book comes at the right time. When all of us on planet earth feel the impact on our lives of the Covid-19 crisis, “Be the Hero: be the Change” helps us, to not be victims, but to be an active part, of a “…world that thrives”.
I would call this 5 star book a Must Read in times of Covid-19.
Read
May 10, 2020I strongly recommend this book. When I started reading it, I thought to myself that I would read only the beginning and the end. But the contents are so inspiring that it kept me reading from the beginning to the end. The book illustrates many vivid and touching personal stories of people who take action to help people or deal with problems. If you read this book and reflect, I am sure that you will discover that you are one of the heroes. Moreover, if you are indecisive in what you want to do to help the world to be a better place to live, I believe that you will make your decision and act after reading. Matt Friedman has given many real-life examples that a small act of many people could make a real difference.
May 15, 2021
Friedman writes with fluidity and compassion to deliver a compelling narrative drawing heavily from his decades of experience. I really enjoyed the down-to-earth reflections on the key factors underpinning our hesitancy to take action despite being so aware of the problem, as well as the linkages drawn between the various problems that the world faces today. Would highly recommend to a younger audience as well!
April 19, 2022
This was supposed to be a HUM in Action book, so I guess I'm not thinking to read it? But I was over at my friend's house, and I began reading a very random book that turned out to be very intriguing. It's covering a topic of human reactions or how a person analyzes one thoughts, and so with an issue brought up of Human trafficking and Human Slavery so it's a really good book for me.
( I'm like in the first half of the book, so I will update along the way)
( I'm like in the first half of the book, so I will update along the way)
June 2, 2020
An inspirational read with real life experiences from a person who for decades has been striving to make a change and see it through to it's completion.
This book not only brings awareness to human trafficking, slavery and child exploitation, but also gives us the insight on how we can help the cause to bring about change for the well-being of others.
This book not only brings awareness to human trafficking, slavery and child exploitation, but also gives us the insight on how we can help the cause to bring about change for the well-being of others.
June 16, 2020
Be the Hero: Be the Change inspires everyone to be a voice of hope and a hero to participate in changing issues that confront society today. Instead of acknowledging that issues exist, this book convicts the reader to play a role in seeing injustice confronted. It is possible to be the change rather than to wait for someone else to be the change.
June 18, 2020
This book is written in a warm empathic non-judgemental form and it shows just how natural it can be to extend the unconditional endless love we have for our own children to all other children in the world. I love not only the way the message is sent, but also how empowering it is and how much I feel I can put my love to action
April 15, 2020
This book has helped me recognize my ability to contribute to the ongoing global issues in various ways and extents. It ignites the purpose behind volunteering and our potential to do so much more.
May 29, 2025
This book was given to me as a present, and unlike most books I receive, I finished it within a week. It was truly inspiring, and motivated me to do more volunteering work myself as well.
May 1, 2020
Be the Hero;Be the Change is the book that reminds us that we are part of the solution. From the first chapter, global issues are outlined and the problems they cause among humanity. Detailed and heart wrenching stories are used to create an immediate emotional connection to the issues.
Each chapter tells a compelling story and draws you in even further to want to make a change. Essentially this entire book is one huge inspiration to do what you have always wanted to do, take the next step to make change.
The title “Be the Hero; Be the change” is exactly what the entire premise of the book. Matt Friedman encourages us to awaken our inner hero inside. Whilst reading the book it feels exactly like that, as if your inner hero has been awakened. Clear and simple steps are outlined that everyday people can take in order to slowly progress to being committed to making a change in the world.
Each chapter tells a compelling story and draws you in even further to want to make a change. Essentially this entire book is one huge inspiration to do what you have always wanted to do, take the next step to make change.
The title “Be the Hero; Be the change” is exactly what the entire premise of the book. Matt Friedman encourages us to awaken our inner hero inside. Whilst reading the book it feels exactly like that, as if your inner hero has been awakened. Clear and simple steps are outlined that everyday people can take in order to slowly progress to being committed to making a change in the world.
June 7, 2020
I thought the book was an extremely well-written account of the importance of activism and did a great job of dissecting the topic into its individual components. The book did a great job breaking down the global issues we face, mixing in key testimonials from Matt's experience and those of many others he's interacted with, identifying the core reasons that people fail to participate, and offering unique solutions to inspire action. It's a welcome message in a time that the world faces such hardship, and I think its message is one that could inspire great change from everyday people that want to help their world.
February 21, 2021
Simple and touching
Thanks Matt for this great book, thanks for acknowledging all the world’s heroes. This is a book everybody should read. You will learn the real definition of hero and hopefully will see that we can all very easily do more heroic tasks everyday and live a life that matters
Thanks Matt for this great book, thanks for acknowledging all the world’s heroes. This is a book everybody should read. You will learn the real definition of hero and hopefully will see that we can all very easily do more heroic tasks everyday and live a life that matters
March 31, 2020
It's a powerful and inspiring book and I read it in one sitting. Super interesting stories from the author who's been on the frontlines for years. Anyone who has ever wanted to volunteer or make a difference should read it. You'll want to change the world.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews