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Things Worth Dying For: Thoughts on a Life Worth Living
With a balance of wisdom, candor, and scholarly rigor the beloved archbishop emeritus of Philadelphia takes on life’s central questions: why are we here, and how can we live and die meaningfully?
In Things Worth Dying For, Chaput delves richly into our yearning for God, love, honor, beauty, truth, and immortality. He reflects on our modern appetite for consumption and individualism and offers a penetrating analysis of how we got here, and how we can look to our roots and our faith to find purpose each day amid the noise of competing desires.
Chaput examines the chronic questions of the human heart; the idols and false flags we create; and the nature of a life of authentic faith. He points to our longing to live and die with meaning as the key to our search for God, our loyalty to nation and kin, our conduct in war, and our service to others.
Ultimately, with compelling grace, he shows us that the things worth dying for reveal most powerfully the things worth living for.
In Things Worth Dying For, Chaput delves richly into our yearning for God, love, honor, beauty, truth, and immortality. He reflects on our modern appetite for consumption and individualism and offers a penetrating analysis of how we got here, and how we can look to our roots and our faith to find purpose each day amid the noise of competing desires.
Chaput examines the chronic questions of the human heart; the idols and false flags we create; and the nature of a life of authentic faith. He points to our longing to live and die with meaning as the key to our search for God, our loyalty to nation and kin, our conduct in war, and our service to others.
Ultimately, with compelling grace, he shows us that the things worth dying for reveal most powerfully the things worth living for.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published March 16, 2021
112 people are currently reading
1370 people want to read
About the author
Charles J. Chaput
22 books78 followersCharles J. Chaput was born September 26, 1944, in Concordia, Kansas, the son of Joseph and Marian DeMarais Chaput. He attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grade School in Concordia and Saint Francis Seminary High School in Victoria, Kansas. He joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, Saint Augustine province, in 1965.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Saint Fidelis college seminary in Herman, Pennsylvania in 1967, he earned a Master of Arts in religious education from Capuchin college in District of Columbia, in 1970. He was ordained to the priesthood on August 29, 1970.
Chaput received a Master of Arts in theology from the University of San Francisco in 1971. He served as an instructor in theology and spiritual director at Saint Fidelis from 1971-1974 and as executive secretary and director of communications for the Capuchin province of Saint Augustine in Pittsburgh from 1974 to 1977.
In 1977, he became pastor of Holy Cross parish in Thornton, Colorado, and vicar provincial for the Capuchin Province of Mid-America. He was named secretary and treasurer for the province in 1980. He became chief executive and provincial minister three years later.
Chaput was ordained bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota, on July 26, 1988. Pope Saint John Paul II appointed him archbishop of Denver on February 18, 1997, and he was installed on April 7 the same year. As a member of the prairie band Potawatomi tribe, Archbishop Chaput was the second Native American to be ordained bishop in the United States, and the first Native American archbishop. He chose as his episcopal motto: “As Christ Loved the Church” (Ephesians 5:25).
Pope Benedict XVI appointed him archbishop of Philadelphia on July 19, 2011. He was installed as the 13th bishop and ninth archbishop of Philadelphia on September 8, 2011. In 1999, building on the efforts of his predecessor in Denver, Archbishop Chaput founded Saint John Vianney theological seminary, an affiliate of the Pontifical Lateran University. From 1998 to 2011, Archbishop Chaput has ordained 71 men for the Archdiocese of Denver. He ordained nearly half of the diocesan priests in active duty for the archdiocese.
In 2002, assisted by his auxiliary bishop José Gomez, Chaput founded Centro San Juan Diego in response to the pastoral and educational needs of the growing Hispanic community in Colorado. He later co-founded the national Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL) and helped in the founding of ENDOW, a leadership initiative of Catholic women to “Educate on the Nature and Dignity of Women.” He was also instrumental in creating the Denver-based Augustine Institute, an independent, lay-run graduate school for the formation of lay Catholic leaders, catechists and evangelizers. Archbishop Chaput served on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, 2003-2006. Duties included religious freedom fact-finding missions to China and Turkey, and annual reports monitoring global trends in religious liberty mandated by 1998 federal law.
In 2005, he was named a member of the official U.S. delegation to Cordoba, Spain, for the “Conference on Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Intolerance,” sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The national Becket Fund for Religious Liberty awarded him the 2009 Canterbury Medal for his work in advancing religious freedom.
Archbishop Chaput served on the Board of Directors for The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. (1994 – 2009) and the National Catholic Bioethics Center (1993 – 2006). He serves on the board of directors for Eternal Word Television Network, Birmingham, Alabama (1996 – present); The Catholic Foundation of Northern Colorado (1998 – present); St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Northern Colorado (1999 – present); Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Northern Colorado (1998 – present); The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (2001
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Saint Fidelis college seminary in Herman, Pennsylvania in 1967, he earned a Master of Arts in religious education from Capuchin college in District of Columbia, in 1970. He was ordained to the priesthood on August 29, 1970.
Chaput received a Master of Arts in theology from the University of San Francisco in 1971. He served as an instructor in theology and spiritual director at Saint Fidelis from 1971-1974 and as executive secretary and director of communications for the Capuchin province of Saint Augustine in Pittsburgh from 1974 to 1977.
In 1977, he became pastor of Holy Cross parish in Thornton, Colorado, and vicar provincial for the Capuchin Province of Mid-America. He was named secretary and treasurer for the province in 1980. He became chief executive and provincial minister three years later.
Chaput was ordained bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota, on July 26, 1988. Pope Saint John Paul II appointed him archbishop of Denver on February 18, 1997, and he was installed on April 7 the same year. As a member of the prairie band Potawatomi tribe, Archbishop Chaput was the second Native American to be ordained bishop in the United States, and the first Native American archbishop. He chose as his episcopal motto: “As Christ Loved the Church” (Ephesians 5:25).
Pope Benedict XVI appointed him archbishop of Philadelphia on July 19, 2011. He was installed as the 13th bishop and ninth archbishop of Philadelphia on September 8, 2011. In 1999, building on the efforts of his predecessor in Denver, Archbishop Chaput founded Saint John Vianney theological seminary, an affiliate of the Pontifical Lateran University. From 1998 to 2011, Archbishop Chaput has ordained 71 men for the Archdiocese of Denver. He ordained nearly half of the diocesan priests in active duty for the archdiocese.
In 2002, assisted by his auxiliary bishop José Gomez, Chaput founded Centro San Juan Diego in response to the pastoral and educational needs of the growing Hispanic community in Colorado. He later co-founded the national Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL) and helped in the founding of ENDOW, a leadership initiative of Catholic women to “Educate on the Nature and Dignity of Women.” He was also instrumental in creating the Denver-based Augustine Institute, an independent, lay-run graduate school for the formation of lay Catholic leaders, catechists and evangelizers. Archbishop Chaput served on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, 2003-2006. Duties included religious freedom fact-finding missions to China and Turkey, and annual reports monitoring global trends in religious liberty mandated by 1998 federal law.
In 2005, he was named a member of the official U.S. delegation to Cordoba, Spain, for the “Conference on Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Intolerance,” sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The national Becket Fund for Religious Liberty awarded him the 2009 Canterbury Medal for his work in advancing religious freedom.
Archbishop Chaput served on the Board of Directors for The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. (1994 – 2009) and the National Catholic Bioethics Center (1993 – 2006). He serves on the board of directors for Eternal Word Television Network, Birmingham, Alabama (1996 – present); The Catholic Foundation of Northern Colorado (1998 – present); St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Northern Colorado (1999 – present); Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Northern Colorado (1998 – present); The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (2001
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May 13, 2021
Let me say upfront that whatever I have to offer by way of solitary insight on this marvelous book, it will only be the thoughts of one reader. If you want to ‘go deeper’, there is an excellent and dedicated group over at Catholic Thought and they have done a chapter-by-chapter group examination of Things Worth Dying For which offers in-depth insights from the perspective of some extremely intelligent and faithful Catholic readers and writers.
However, if you are pressed for time or happen to be a friend of mine, you might read this scaled back version. Archbishop Emeritus Chaput has long been one of my favorite American senior clergy and I don’t have many. I love that he is so faithful, also a rarity these days. So, I was excited when I heard about this book and eager to read it.
I started Things Worth Dying For on the heels of a Lent already spent with Remember Your Death (Memento Mori): A Lenten Devotional, so you could say ‘death’ was a familiar topic even before beginning the Archbishop’s book. After six weeks reflection on my ultimate demise, I wondered what else there was to be said.
In Chapter 2, Chaput discusses different traditions about Death across cultures and time, but he also points out how those within the same time and religion can also be far apart in their understandings/ experiences of death. For example, there is a young monk dying of multiple sclerosis. As he moved toward God, he moved away from his fellow monks. Having walked four dear friends and my Mom to midnight* I have become accustomed—well as accustomed as you ever get in such a situation—to how the person who is dying changes, pulls away from those around him/her. This chapter is a significant reflection on Death, which prepares one for the rest of the book, yet could stand on its own if that were the reader’s purpose
Chapter 3 examines our current culture and the effect it has on our views of and approach to Death.
Chapter 4, one of my favorites, is about Our LORD and God. It briefly traces the history of our understanding of the Author of Creation from Revelation through church and human history. We have always flirted with idols, from the very beginning, preferring their easy manipulability to the steadfastness of the Almighty. There is nothing new under the sun…
Chapter 5 is about our country, war and patriotism. Having served in the armed forces for many years, this was another favorite chapter.
In Chapter 6, Chaput makes crucial points worth re: ideas and ideologies. He wants to warn us about our capacity to change what it means to be “human” at a biological level, especially since ‘we seem least willing to think morally and modestly about our own power.’
For me, family, comes right after God; it is definitely something ‘worth dying for’ to me. But it wasn’t always that way, I’m ashamed to admit. And based on Chapter 7, I can tell I am not alone. Our nation’s families are in serious trouble. Families are the building blocks of our society, so if they are not doing well, neither is the rest of the country. Chaput gives four factors working against the health of American families: 1) political system itself; 2) our consumer market economy and human nature; 3) the dark side of new technologies and scientific advances; and 4) hostility to the idea of the family itself, a unique feature of the modern era.
In Chapter 8, the Archbishop did something really classy; he gave the microphone to the laity, deacons and priests. He wrote to a number of people he knew and admired and asked them their opinions and thoughts about the church and then included them in the book. It was so refreshing and cosmopolitan! At the end Chaput included his own thoughts which were also timely, wise and relevant.
Chapter 9 ties things together and I realize this bare outline does not begin to give the wealth of quotes, references, stories, and extracts which enrich the text of Things Worth Dying For and make it so enjoyable to read. Again, check out the Catholic Thought group for more on that. Or for starters, get the book for yourself and read it. You will be blessed by it.
*The expression ‘Walk to Midnight’ is used by those who care for the dying and it means you stay with them until the end, which is midnight.
However, if you are pressed for time or happen to be a friend of mine, you might read this scaled back version. Archbishop Emeritus Chaput has long been one of my favorite American senior clergy and I don’t have many. I love that he is so faithful, also a rarity these days. So, I was excited when I heard about this book and eager to read it.
I started Things Worth Dying For on the heels of a Lent already spent with Remember Your Death (Memento Mori): A Lenten Devotional, so you could say ‘death’ was a familiar topic even before beginning the Archbishop’s book. After six weeks reflection on my ultimate demise, I wondered what else there was to be said.
In Chapter 2, Chaput discusses different traditions about Death across cultures and time, but he also points out how those within the same time and religion can also be far apart in their understandings/ experiences of death. For example, there is a young monk dying of multiple sclerosis. As he moved toward God, he moved away from his fellow monks. Having walked four dear friends and my Mom to midnight* I have become accustomed—well as accustomed as you ever get in such a situation—to how the person who is dying changes, pulls away from those around him/her. This chapter is a significant reflection on Death, which prepares one for the rest of the book, yet could stand on its own if that were the reader’s purpose
Chapter 3 examines our current culture and the effect it has on our views of and approach to Death.
Chapter 4, one of my favorites, is about Our LORD and God. It briefly traces the history of our understanding of the Author of Creation from Revelation through church and human history. We have always flirted with idols, from the very beginning, preferring their easy manipulability to the steadfastness of the Almighty. There is nothing new under the sun…
Chapter 5 is about our country, war and patriotism. Having served in the armed forces for many years, this was another favorite chapter.
In Chapter 6, Chaput makes crucial points worth re: ideas and ideologies. He wants to warn us about our capacity to change what it means to be “human” at a biological level, especially since ‘we seem least willing to think morally and modestly about our own power.’
For me, family, comes right after God; it is definitely something ‘worth dying for’ to me. But it wasn’t always that way, I’m ashamed to admit. And based on Chapter 7, I can tell I am not alone. Our nation’s families are in serious trouble. Families are the building blocks of our society, so if they are not doing well, neither is the rest of the country. Chaput gives four factors working against the health of American families: 1) political system itself; 2) our consumer market economy and human nature; 3) the dark side of new technologies and scientific advances; and 4) hostility to the idea of the family itself, a unique feature of the modern era.
In Chapter 8, the Archbishop did something really classy; he gave the microphone to the laity, deacons and priests. He wrote to a number of people he knew and admired and asked them their opinions and thoughts about the church and then included them in the book. It was so refreshing and cosmopolitan! At the end Chaput included his own thoughts which were also timely, wise and relevant.
Chapter 9 ties things together and I realize this bare outline does not begin to give the wealth of quotes, references, stories, and extracts which enrich the text of Things Worth Dying For and make it so enjoyable to read. Again, check out the Catholic Thought group for more on that. Or for starters, get the book for yourself and read it. You will be blessed by it.
*The expression ‘Walk to Midnight’ is used by those who care for the dying and it means you stay with them until the end, which is midnight.
June 8, 2021
So what are we to make of this book? It seems to have covered a lot of ground, and frankly on the surface one chapter sometimes seems disconnected from either the whole or its predecessor. Chaput starts with memory and within the body of the book we hear of the movie Casablanca, we hear of Cistercian monks dying, of scientism, the bureaucratic nation state, the French Revolution, the decline of the modern family, a survey of what people think of the Church, the four last things, and the nature of friendship, all of which is supposed to wrap up into “things worth dying for.” The Archbishop states that the book is “less a methodical argument or work of scholarship, more a collection of thoughts on a theme that seems to grow in importance along with the years” (p. 8-9). Does this book hold together or is it just a rambling of sorts of things the Archbishop wants to get off his chest before he passes?
What I find is a subtle pattern of a journey, sometimes with diversions, but mostly with a focused trajectory. It starts from a question—are modern Catholics able to suffer and even accept martyrdom for their integrity of being? Chaput then shows us first what constitutes proper acceptance of such willingness as seen in the ancestral values of the Cistercian monks. From there he then identifies the root illness of modernity, culminating in the decline of the modern family. He then takes some sort of assessment of the current state of the Church, which, of course, is the home and guide of Catholics. And finally the Archbishop ends with the four last things and the nature of Christian friendship. It strikes me that the Archbishop never actually answers his question: Are contemporary Catholics willing to suffer and die for what they believe? Unless I missed it, I think it’s left as an open question.
But I do think in the two last movements of the book, one individualistic and one communal, Chaput provides his accumulated wisdom as to how to build this internal integrity. The first of these movements—meditating on the four last things—is an act that builds internal strength, that integrity of being he is questioning. Every individual is faced with death, judgement, and the fate of his soul in either hell or heaven. It is an individual destiny which comes from individual choices along one’s journey to the end. The Archbishop seems to be saying, focus on these four last things and you will build that integrity of being that will give you the fortitude to be a martyr if that choice comes upon you.
The second of the last movements is friendship, a communal act that in effect builds the integrity of the Catholic community. Through friendship we build a community, a society, a nation, and a universal Church. Through friendship we build a tradition, a culture, a city, a nation, a history, a memory, and that Holy Land we hold dear in our hearts. Through friendship we build what we are willing to suffer and die for. I don’t know if the Archbishop is optimistic—sometimes he seems exasperated with the current state of things—but he is pouring out his heart as to how to right the ship of society.
This is a fine and sober book that comes from a loving heart. Four and a half stars, and I rounded up to five.
What I find is a subtle pattern of a journey, sometimes with diversions, but mostly with a focused trajectory. It starts from a question—are modern Catholics able to suffer and even accept martyrdom for their integrity of being? Chaput then shows us first what constitutes proper acceptance of such willingness as seen in the ancestral values of the Cistercian monks. From there he then identifies the root illness of modernity, culminating in the decline of the modern family. He then takes some sort of assessment of the current state of the Church, which, of course, is the home and guide of Catholics. And finally the Archbishop ends with the four last things and the nature of Christian friendship. It strikes me that the Archbishop never actually answers his question: Are contemporary Catholics willing to suffer and die for what they believe? Unless I missed it, I think it’s left as an open question.
But I do think in the two last movements of the book, one individualistic and one communal, Chaput provides his accumulated wisdom as to how to build this internal integrity. The first of these movements—meditating on the four last things—is an act that builds internal strength, that integrity of being he is questioning. Every individual is faced with death, judgement, and the fate of his soul in either hell or heaven. It is an individual destiny which comes from individual choices along one’s journey to the end. The Archbishop seems to be saying, focus on these four last things and you will build that integrity of being that will give you the fortitude to be a martyr if that choice comes upon you.
The second of the last movements is friendship, a communal act that in effect builds the integrity of the Catholic community. Through friendship we build a community, a society, a nation, and a universal Church. Through friendship we build a tradition, a culture, a city, a nation, a history, a memory, and that Holy Land we hold dear in our hearts. Through friendship we build what we are willing to suffer and die for. I don’t know if the Archbishop is optimistic—sometimes he seems exasperated with the current state of things—but he is pouring out his heart as to how to right the ship of society.
This is a fine and sober book that comes from a loving heart. Four and a half stars, and I rounded up to five.
June 29, 2021
Time has a purpose. The meaning of a sentence becomes clear when we put a period at the end of it. The same applies to life. When we talk about things worth dying for, we're really talking about the things worth living for, the things that give life beauty and meaning. Thinking a little about our mortality puts the world in perspective. It helps us see what matters, and also the foolishness of things that, finally, don't matter.This was a good series of reflections on big questions of life (and death) written by Archbishop Charles Chaput after his resignation upon turning 75 was accepted by Pope Francis. He gives us the benefit of his years of experience as he comes close to the end of his own life.
Each chapter is a series of connected reflections which rather threw me off until I realized that it wasn't intended as one coherent narrative driving toward a goal at the end of each chapter. Each chapter has a single topic like friendship or memory or leadership. Each ties up nicely at the end but the middle leaves one time for reflections and pondering, just as the author intends.
I liked this a lot and was interested to see how many current happenings and cultural touchstones Archbishop Chaput incorporated from COVID-19 shut downs to The Lord of the Rings to Fortnite. As well he includes plenty of ancient wisdom from both pagans and Christians. It is an easy read and one that I recommend.
January 15, 2022
I've long loved Archbishop Charles Chaput's writing. His insightful articles never failed to convey unvarnished truth made relevant by Chaput's ability to incorporate appropriate cultural references.
Things Worth Dying For is a stellar book that does what those articles have done, but on a grander scale. The author draws upon scholars, philosophers, story tellers, historians, theologians, and more to present a cohesive understanding of contemporary American culture - how we got here, where we're headed, and most importantly, what really matters and why.
Despite drawing on a variety of intellectual sources - Christian and secular - the prose is never arcane or heady. In fact, it's eminently readable. And re-readable.
If the trajectory of the American experiment and world events have left you lost, confused, discouraged, or frightened, Things Worth Dying For offers a clear examination with a simple, life-changing remedy rooted in Love (e.g., God).
Things Worth Dying For is a stellar book that does what those articles have done, but on a grander scale. The author draws upon scholars, philosophers, story tellers, historians, theologians, and more to present a cohesive understanding of contemporary American culture - how we got here, where we're headed, and most importantly, what really matters and why.
Despite drawing on a variety of intellectual sources - Christian and secular - the prose is never arcane or heady. In fact, it's eminently readable. And re-readable.
If the trajectory of the American experiment and world events have left you lost, confused, discouraged, or frightened, Things Worth Dying For offers a clear examination with a simple, life-changing remedy rooted in Love (e.g., God).
June 26, 2021
Archbishop Chaput has not only identified what I should be willing to die for. He hs also asked me to realize that while our nation is a good nation, it is also one with chronic problems.
It was sometimes painful to be reminded of that fact.
My favorite chapters were
2. Gentle, Into the Night in which Chaput provides his insights on death. I was comforted by this quote:
"If the soul is immortal, as most human cultures seemed to hold and most philosophers believed, then death is a deliverance from the burdens of the material world."
Afterward: On Friendship
“Among all worldly things nothing seems worthy to be preferred to friendship. Friendship unites good men and preserves and promotes virtue.… It brings with it the greatest delight, to such an extent that all that pleases is changed to weariness when friends are absent, and all difficult things are made easy and as nothing by love.” Aquinas
4 stars
It was sometimes painful to be reminded of that fact.
My favorite chapters were
2. Gentle, Into the Night in which Chaput provides his insights on death. I was comforted by this quote:
"If the soul is immortal, as most human cultures seemed to hold and most philosophers believed, then death is a deliverance from the burdens of the material world."
Afterward: On Friendship
“Among all worldly things nothing seems worthy to be preferred to friendship. Friendship unites good men and preserves and promotes virtue.… It brings with it the greatest delight, to such an extent that all that pleases is changed to weariness when friends are absent, and all difficult things are made easy and as nothing by love.” Aquinas
4 stars
November 5, 2023
ENGLISH: Chapter 1 has the following quote: Fear of martyrdom is the start of an honest appraisal of our own spiritual mediocrity.
Chapter 2 deals with several views of death, along history and in our time.
Chapter 3 deals with irony, taking as an example the famous film Casablanca.
Chapter 4 deals with "idols" in our life and offers this quote: By their nature, false gods are vampires. They prey on, and draw their life from, the human spirit.
Chapters 5 to 8 deal with those things we may want to die for: a) My country. b) My ideology. c) My family. d) My faith.
There are many quotes from different books and famous films. Some of them I had read or watched: Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings"; C.S. Lewis's "Screwtape Letters," "The problem of pain," "The four loves" and "The last battle"; Joseph Ratzinger's "Introduction to Christianity" and "Jesus of Nazareth"; Nicolas Diat's "A time to die"; Ursula Le Guin's "A wizard of Earthsea"; Rémi Brague's "On the God of the Christians" and "The kingdom of man"; "The song of Roland"; Zamyatin's "We"; John Paul II's "Letter to families"; St. Augustine's "City of God"; Bunyan's "The prilgrim's progress"; Romano Guardini's "The Lord"; Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics"; and the film "Casablanca."
ESPAÑOL: El capítulo 1 contiene la siguiente cita: El miedo al martirio es el principio de una evaluación honrada de nuestra propia mediocridad espiritual.
El capítulo 2 aborda varias visiones de la muerte, a lo largo de la historia y en nuestro tiempo.
El capítulo 3 trata sobre la ironía, tomando como ejemplo la famosa película Casablanca.
El capítulo 4 trata sobre los "ídolos" de nuestra vida y ofrece esta cita: Por su naturaleza, los dioses falsos son vampiros. Predan sobre el espíritu humano y de él se alimentan.
Los capítulos 5 a 8 tratan sobre las cosas por las que estamos dispuestos a morir: a) Mi país. b) Mi ideología. c) Mi familia. d) Mi fe.
Hay muchas citas de diversos libros y películas famosas. Algunos los había leído o visto: "El señor de los anillos" de Tolkien; “Cartas del diablo a su sobrino”, “El problema del dolor”, “Los cuatro amores” y ���La última batalla” de C.S. Lewis; "Introducción al cristianismo" y "Jesús de Nazaret" de Joseph Ratzinger; "Un tiempo para morir", de Nicolas Diat; "Un mago de Terramar" de Ursula Le Guin; "Sobre el Dios de los cristianos" y "El reino del hombre" de Rémi Brague; "La canción de Roldán"; "Nosotros" de Zamyatin; la "Carta a las familias" de Juan Pablo II; "La Ciudad de Dios" de San Agustín; "El progreso del peregrino" de Bunyan; "El Señor" de Romano Guardini; la "Ética a Nicómaco" de Aristóteles; y la película "Casablanca".
Chapter 2 deals with several views of death, along history and in our time.
Chapter 3 deals with irony, taking as an example the famous film Casablanca.
Chapter 4 deals with "idols" in our life and offers this quote: By their nature, false gods are vampires. They prey on, and draw their life from, the human spirit.
Chapters 5 to 8 deal with those things we may want to die for: a) My country. b) My ideology. c) My family. d) My faith.
There are many quotes from different books and famous films. Some of them I had read or watched: Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings"; C.S. Lewis's "Screwtape Letters," "The problem of pain," "The four loves" and "The last battle"; Joseph Ratzinger's "Introduction to Christianity" and "Jesus of Nazareth"; Nicolas Diat's "A time to die"; Ursula Le Guin's "A wizard of Earthsea"; Rémi Brague's "On the God of the Christians" and "The kingdom of man"; "The song of Roland"; Zamyatin's "We"; John Paul II's "Letter to families"; St. Augustine's "City of God"; Bunyan's "The prilgrim's progress"; Romano Guardini's "The Lord"; Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics"; and the film "Casablanca."
ESPAÑOL: El capítulo 1 contiene la siguiente cita: El miedo al martirio es el principio de una evaluación honrada de nuestra propia mediocridad espiritual.
El capítulo 2 aborda varias visiones de la muerte, a lo largo de la historia y en nuestro tiempo.
El capítulo 3 trata sobre la ironía, tomando como ejemplo la famosa película Casablanca.
El capítulo 4 trata sobre los "ídolos" de nuestra vida y ofrece esta cita: Por su naturaleza, los dioses falsos son vampiros. Predan sobre el espíritu humano y de él se alimentan.
Los capítulos 5 a 8 tratan sobre las cosas por las que estamos dispuestos a morir: a) Mi país. b) Mi ideología. c) Mi familia. d) Mi fe.
Hay muchas citas de diversos libros y películas famosas. Algunos los había leído o visto: "El señor de los anillos" de Tolkien; “Cartas del diablo a su sobrino”, “El problema del dolor”, “Los cuatro amores” y ���La última batalla” de C.S. Lewis; "Introducción al cristianismo" y "Jesús de Nazaret" de Joseph Ratzinger; "Un tiempo para morir", de Nicolas Diat; "Un mago de Terramar" de Ursula Le Guin; "Sobre el Dios de los cristianos" y "El reino del hombre" de Rémi Brague; "La canción de Roldán"; "Nosotros" de Zamyatin; la "Carta a las familias" de Juan Pablo II; "La Ciudad de Dios" de San Agustín; "El progreso del peregrino" de Bunyan; "El Señor" de Romano Guardini; la "Ética a Nicómaco" de Aristóteles; y la película "Casablanca".
April 10, 2021
Abp. Chaput is a joy to read. Insightful, erudite, but plain-spoken. I cannot sum up the book better than the author does at the end of Chapter 1: "Chapter 2 speaks to how we should think about death and the verdict it passes on the lives we live. Chapter 3 examines the culture we have now -- a culture of irony soured into cynicism, a culture of deriding and refusing the questions that death raises, and the desert of meaning that results. Chapter 4 is about the Author of our lives, the true God and the source of meaning, and our chronic temptation to evade him. Chapters 5 through 8 examine the things -- sometimes ennobling, sometimes idolatrous -- that so many of us consider worth livig for and dying for: nation, ideas and ideologies, family and loved ones, and the Church herself. Chapter 9 speaks to the nature of our earthly pilgrimage and the 'four last things' we each inevitably face. And an afterword reflects on friendship: friendship with God and friendship with each other -- the essence of Christina life, and a foretaste of the life to come."
Chapter 9 is worth the price of the book, but there is so much food for thought here. After reading this latest effort, if you have not read his other books, I would encourage you to go there next.
I had fervently hoped Chaput would receive the red hat. Maybe he will yet, as an honorary gesture. In any case, he is a prince of the Church and would make a great pope (I can think of no American bishop who would be better suited). Alas.
Chapter 9 is worth the price of the book, but there is so much food for thought here. After reading this latest effort, if you have not read his other books, I would encourage you to go there next.
I had fervently hoped Chaput would receive the red hat. Maybe he will yet, as an honorary gesture. In any case, he is a prince of the Church and would make a great pope (I can think of no American bishop who would be better suited). Alas.
May 1, 2021
Ranging from Casa Blanca to The Pilgrims Progress, from the French Revolution to a childhood in small town America, from reflections on the significance of story to the meaning of friendship, Archbishop Chapup’s book embraces a wide breadth of topics in the attempt to convince the reader to embrace more intentionally their Catholic faith in every aspect of their life. I suspect that many readers will find themselves disagreeing with some of his observations, but I also suspect that every Catholic reader will find something to ponder and something that will challenge them.
November 15, 2023
This book is a short study about death in our culture and other cultures, and about things people throught history have been willing to die for: faith, family, country, ideals... It challenges us to think about what we value most and whether we would also be willing to die for it.
There is not much new in this book for someone who has read many Catholic authors (in fact, I have read several of the books he cites). However, Archbishop Chaput writing style is very clear and enjoyable, so I would recommend this book as an introduction.
There is not much new in this book for someone who has read many Catholic authors (in fact, I have read several of the books he cites). However, Archbishop Chaput writing style is very clear and enjoyable, so I would recommend this book as an introduction.
June 24, 2021
The book can be summed up by this quote:
When we talk about things worth dying for, we're really talking about the things worth living for, the things that give life beauty and meaning. Thinking a little about our mortality puts the world in perspective. It helps us see what matters, and also the foolishness of things, that ultimately don't matter.What follows are a series of thoughtful reflections on life, faith, and the Church within our current culture. Archbishop Emeritus Chaput has always been deeply rooted in our Western heritage, he will quote The Song of Roland or the The Screwtape Letters just as easily as Roger Scruton, Aristotle, or Augustine of Hippo. He dips into the wisdom of the ages and puts into words what we've always known in our heart of hearts: Nothing comes close to giving meaning to our lives than faith, family, and friendships.
May 12, 2021
I'm a little torn here, because I think Archbishop Chaput states his claims well but I also think he's a little harsher on modernity than Bishop Barron, and not always justifiably. I don't want to give him a bad rating because I disagree with him, but I suppose that is going to impact my enjoyment a little. It was nice to see his influences in thought and some of his ideas on what exactly the Church and its people should do at this moment in time and every day, and I'll take at least some of them to heart.
Overall, though, there are some excellent sections here, especially Ecclesia Sua. Definitely a decent read.
Overall, though, there are some excellent sections here, especially Ecclesia Sua. Definitely a decent read.
August 16, 2021
Very timely and an excellent analysis of our current culture, the things we value and why, and ultimately a reminder of what we should be living for.
July 25, 2021
I wasn't sure what to make of this particular book before I started reading it. Honestly, I came across this book as I searched for a good philosophical / spiritual book that was hopefully not too "deep" and not too "fluffy" either. I think I found about as perfect a book as I could have - especially considering that I purchased it almost entirely based on it's title.
In my case I am not embarrassed to admit this. Truthfully, the reason I read books in this particular genre is primarily to learn the answer to the question: "What are the things worth dying for?"
Did I find the answers to that question in this book? I have to say yes I did. And no - not exactly. After all, life isn't that simple. But the book was a lovely read.
I found the chapters were not so much "chapters" as they were essays. Consequently, I was able to read one chapter and ponder it. Sometimes I would re-read the chapter at my leisure. I admit I enjoyed reading this book in good part because of the reading "pace" that resulted.
Other readers have noted the book tends to read a bit disjointed. I am okay with that. After all, my life is disjointed - I can handle it.
Also, I have to admit I had never heard of Archbishop Charles Chaput before purchasing his book. In the end I found my ignorance in this regard to be a blessing as I held no biases nor any preconceived notions of what to expect from the author. I took his words, thoughts and reflections to heart and pondered them with the same respect and introspection I would accord any other person in his position.
The Archbishop is obviously a scholar and a man of integrity and well versed in the theology of the church. I took his words and thoughts to heart. Profound thoughts ... for broken hearts and damaged souls. He points to our yearning for God, for truth, for honor and all the other virtues that one holds on to amid a world that obviously has gone off the rails.
This is an intelligent book of wisdom and hope ... truthful and honest hope. And a good read to boot.
In my case I am not embarrassed to admit this. Truthfully, the reason I read books in this particular genre is primarily to learn the answer to the question: "What are the things worth dying for?"
Did I find the answers to that question in this book? I have to say yes I did. And no - not exactly. After all, life isn't that simple. But the book was a lovely read.
I found the chapters were not so much "chapters" as they were essays. Consequently, I was able to read one chapter and ponder it. Sometimes I would re-read the chapter at my leisure. I admit I enjoyed reading this book in good part because of the reading "pace" that resulted.
Other readers have noted the book tends to read a bit disjointed. I am okay with that. After all, my life is disjointed - I can handle it.
Also, I have to admit I had never heard of Archbishop Charles Chaput before purchasing his book. In the end I found my ignorance in this regard to be a blessing as I held no biases nor any preconceived notions of what to expect from the author. I took his words, thoughts and reflections to heart and pondered them with the same respect and introspection I would accord any other person in his position.
The Archbishop is obviously a scholar and a man of integrity and well versed in the theology of the church. I took his words and thoughts to heart. Profound thoughts ... for broken hearts and damaged souls. He points to our yearning for God, for truth, for honor and all the other virtues that one holds on to amid a world that obviously has gone off the rails.
This is an intelligent book of wisdom and hope ... truthful and honest hope. And a good read to boot.
March 14, 2022
During the Fall of 2019, Archbishop Charles Chaput, then head of the Catholic Church in Philadelphia, tendered his resignation to the pope. All bishops do this at the age of seventy-five, regardless of their personal state. The resignation was accepted, giving Chaput time to reflect more on life and death. While he was writing this book, the Corona Virus lockdown began, giving him even more time, and possibly more urgency, with this topic.
He talks about our contemporary culture with a lot of insight. We are so focused on consumerism, technology, and freedom that we lose sense of our limits, including the amount of time we spend on the Earth. More valuable is the search for what's meaningful in our lives, things that we might die for. Chaput considers several possibilities. The first is God, who as creator has a big role in what's meaningful. He didn't leave us to figure it out on our own, He's been in constant touch and even sent His Son to help us out. Other things we might die for (because they give meaning to our lives) are our country, our ideas, our family, and the Church. Without the greater context that appreciates the "givenness" of these God-given things, each can become a false god and turn into a monster. We are pilgrims on our way to God's home. In this life, our acts and our attitudes should reflect that, we should use these goods to help us on the path, not become our destination. Chaput closes with a reflection on the importance of friendship.
The book is full of wonderful insights, drawing on history, Chaput's own life, literature, and film (he's a big movie fan). The style is very personable and easy to read.
Recommended.
He talks about our contemporary culture with a lot of insight. We are so focused on consumerism, technology, and freedom that we lose sense of our limits, including the amount of time we spend on the Earth. More valuable is the search for what's meaningful in our lives, things that we might die for. Chaput considers several possibilities. The first is God, who as creator has a big role in what's meaningful. He didn't leave us to figure it out on our own, He's been in constant touch and even sent His Son to help us out. Other things we might die for (because they give meaning to our lives) are our country, our ideas, our family, and the Church. Without the greater context that appreciates the "givenness" of these God-given things, each can become a false god and turn into a monster. We are pilgrims on our way to God's home. In this life, our acts and our attitudes should reflect that, we should use these goods to help us on the path, not become our destination. Chaput closes with a reflection on the importance of friendship.
The book is full of wonderful insights, drawing on history, Chaput's own life, literature, and film (he's a big movie fan). The style is very personable and easy to read.
Recommended.
May 30, 2021
If media bias is all you know of this author, definitely read “Things Worth Dying For: Thoughts on a Life Worth Living” by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. The book is an engaging series of essays that reveals the Archbishop as a seeker of truth.
Before reading this, I knew the Archbishop only from media reporting that painted him only as a culture warrior. In this book, though, I found a deeper, complex holy man who I’ve come to know, like, and respect. Yet, because of my preconceived notions, I wouldn’t have picked up the book on my own. I received it as a book club read and decided to give it my honest appraisal. I hope others will do the same. You may not agree with everything the Archbishop says - I know I didn’t - but you’ll understand where he’s coming from and appreciate the clarity of his thoughts.
Each chapter in the book is like a conversation. It reminded me how much we all need to sit down, talk, and above all, listen, to those we’ve become wary of because of media portrayals. The Catholic media - both right and left - can be as shrill and misleading as the secular media at times. “Things Worth Dying For” helped remind me how much we need to start looking beyond what all media sells us (and I include social media in that term). Remember - or learn - to think for yourself. You’ll find much to think about in these pages.
Before reading this, I knew the Archbishop only from media reporting that painted him only as a culture warrior. In this book, though, I found a deeper, complex holy man who I’ve come to know, like, and respect. Yet, because of my preconceived notions, I wouldn’t have picked up the book on my own. I received it as a book club read and decided to give it my honest appraisal. I hope others will do the same. You may not agree with everything the Archbishop says - I know I didn’t - but you’ll understand where he’s coming from and appreciate the clarity of his thoughts.
Each chapter in the book is like a conversation. It reminded me how much we all need to sit down, talk, and above all, listen, to those we’ve become wary of because of media portrayals. The Catholic media - both right and left - can be as shrill and misleading as the secular media at times. “Things Worth Dying For” helped remind me how much we need to start looking beyond what all media sells us (and I include social media in that term). Remember - or learn - to think for yourself. You’ll find much to think about in these pages.
June 12, 2021
Grew on me the more I read. The book ought to be approached as Kenny Rogers approached the Gambler. Give the author a taste of your whiskey and sit back to listen. If you listen well, you'll find an ace you can keep.
July 5, 2021
-4-
This book was pretty slow, and I didn’t agree with many of the statements made (especially later in the book, since I’m not Catholic), but I enjoyed it because it got me thinking. I found the last two chapter irrelevant, but it gets a 4 for its thought provoking nature.
This book was pretty slow, and I didn’t agree with many of the statements made (especially later in the book, since I’m not Catholic), but I enjoyed it because it got me thinking. I found the last two chapter irrelevant, but it gets a 4 for its thought provoking nature.
June 30, 2021
I’ve loved every book by Archbishop Chaput and this one is no exception. This book puts life into perspective.
November 1, 2020
I found a lot of passages to write down on my notebook about what really matters here on this earth. Curiously, even though it touches up on the inevitability of death, it provides comforting concepts to believers. For those who have tried everything, perhaps it's time to look at something that has endured for thousands of years and plumb it for some wisdom.
Thank you to the publisher for this advance reading copy access. I can't wait to purchase this for my personal library and for our public library collections.
Thank you to the publisher for this advance reading copy access. I can't wait to purchase this for my personal library and for our public library collections.
January 8, 2023
In this book, “Things Worth Dying For”, my attention unfortunately reached it’s own demise before getting to the finish. In other words, I only got to page 100 before skipping around to see what else lay ahead, eventually deciding to stop reading all together and donating the book. So take this with a grain of salt.
This book had some interesting parts and was clearly well researched; however, it never reached out and grabbed me. Perhaps it was because it felt disjointed. Perhaps it was because I don’t agree with some Catholic ideals. Perhaps it was because I never really felt the book grasping the essence of it’s title. I believe it starts off very well, but then trails off into a cloud of ambiguity. This is where I began to experience a little bit of literary turbulence and ultimately lost interest. It’s within this cloud of bumpy ambiguity that the author begins philosophizing and strays from the point of his immediate title. Im sure people could find this interesting, but I didn’t. I really felt no connection to the reason of why I bought the book in the first place. I read lots of history, and I’m very interested in philosophy, but the way it was presented just didn’t work for me. Also, if I buy a book about the economics of WW1, then that’s what I expect the book to be about. I didn’t get that here. Now in fairness to the author, this could have been a roundabout way of eventually getting back to the topic of death, 200 pages later, which I never got to. To me, it wasn’t worth sticking around.
If you tend to skew more towards a western liberal way of thinking, you will probably find your viewpoints clashing with the author’s. If you are of a Catholic view, then you may very well like this book.
This book had some interesting parts and was clearly well researched; however, it never reached out and grabbed me. Perhaps it was because it felt disjointed. Perhaps it was because I don’t agree with some Catholic ideals. Perhaps it was because I never really felt the book grasping the essence of it’s title. I believe it starts off very well, but then trails off into a cloud of ambiguity. This is where I began to experience a little bit of literary turbulence and ultimately lost interest. It’s within this cloud of bumpy ambiguity that the author begins philosophizing and strays from the point of his immediate title. Im sure people could find this interesting, but I didn’t. I really felt no connection to the reason of why I bought the book in the first place. I read lots of history, and I’m very interested in philosophy, but the way it was presented just didn’t work for me. Also, if I buy a book about the economics of WW1, then that’s what I expect the book to be about. I didn’t get that here. Now in fairness to the author, this could have been a roundabout way of eventually getting back to the topic of death, 200 pages later, which I never got to. To me, it wasn’t worth sticking around.
If you tend to skew more towards a western liberal way of thinking, you will probably find your viewpoints clashing with the author’s. If you are of a Catholic view, then you may very well like this book.
May 16, 2021
This is a fascinating contribution from the former Archbishop of Philadelphia as he sought to reflect on his five decades as a priest looking at the essential questions of how we can live and die meaningfully. While clearly from the conservative wing of the Catholic hierarchy, in keeping with canon law he submitted his resignation to Pope Francis upon turning 75 in 2019. While he covers a lot of ground in this short volume, his genuine introspection comes out in this scholarly and candid book. He wrestles with a changing America where Gallup found in 2020 that just 47% of U.S. adults belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque. He states "liberal society is good at many things, instilling moral coherence, and a shared sense of things worth living and dying for, is not one of them." He clearly acknowledges shortcomings in America, but he describes how when we visit Independence Hall in Philadelphia we should celebrate what has been a durable design of government and one we should be committed to. The Afterword is fittingly entitled "On Friendship" and reminds us of that essential message to remain hopeful.
April 23, 2021
I won this book through GoodReads First Read program.
This book is written by a Catholic priest in Philadelphia. I am not Catholic but I found from reading it you really don't have to be to enjoy it. Father Chaput sets out in 9 chapters the things that you should be willing to die for which include family, friends, your country, and Christ. In today's world, this can be pretty controversial. He uses today's social culture in many of his examples which is good.
He also uses God's Word to set out what is worth dying for. We are all going to die sometime. I personally have no issue with dying. Take away the pain and I think it would be great if it happened tomorrow. If you are going to be in paradise with Jesus and you really believe that why do we have so many issues with death.
Good title and good read.
This book is written by a Catholic priest in Philadelphia. I am not Catholic but I found from reading it you really don't have to be to enjoy it. Father Chaput sets out in 9 chapters the things that you should be willing to die for which include family, friends, your country, and Christ. In today's world, this can be pretty controversial. He uses today's social culture in many of his examples which is good.
He also uses God's Word to set out what is worth dying for. We are all going to die sometime. I personally have no issue with dying. Take away the pain and I think it would be great if it happened tomorrow. If you are going to be in paradise with Jesus and you really believe that why do we have so many issues with death.
Good title and good read.
May 19, 2022
This book is a thoughtful reflection on the importance of each of our lives and how those lives should be lived with love which is based in God and radiates out towards others. In light of the vitriol we seem to like to wallow in, Bishop Chaput presents the person of Christ and our relationship with him as the only solution. How we relate to others, not a vague humanity, has to be based in love, forgiveness, and in the truth. Cynicism and ideology have no place: "for the modern cynic, as much as thor the modern idealogue, contempt for the interior peace and convictions of others is the emotional equivalent of crack cocaine". We need to resist the high that feeds our pride and anger. This book is not for those who want the right answers, but for those who need to more fully embrace the Answer: Christ.
Read
March 22, 2025I was unfamiliar with Archbishop Chaput but noticed a writer I follow was reading this book. To categorize Chaput in Catholic circles, it's probably right to consider him in the camp of those who theologically traditional and culturally conservative. I'll leave it to the reader to decide whether or not that interests him or her.
As the title suggests, Chaput writes about the most profound questions of our existence and his themes include faith, love, honor, beauty and truth. Topics include our society's tendencies toward consumption and individualism, the family, education, and several other topics of interest. His section on idolatry could have come right out of a Tim Keller book.
At times it was a wandering essay - not always clear of the overarching topic of a chapter. Probably better to read it rather than listen to it. Pretty short book.
As the title suggests, Chaput writes about the most profound questions of our existence and his themes include faith, love, honor, beauty and truth. Topics include our society's tendencies toward consumption and individualism, the family, education, and several other topics of interest. His section on idolatry could have come right out of a Tim Keller book.
At times it was a wandering essay - not always clear of the overarching topic of a chapter. Probably better to read it rather than listen to it. Pretty short book.
July 16, 2022
Excellent and uplifting reflections here from one of the Church’s brightest luminaries. It didn’t feel quite as connected and coherent as his other recent works, but he’s always insightful and full of wisdom.
Personally, I think he’s best when writing about religion, philosophy, and American political thought. My favorite essay here was “This Idea’s a Killer” on ideology, isms, and the unique difficulties facing contemporary American culture. His sources in this chapter are top-notch and the argument is incisive and illuminating.
I didn’t enjoy quite as much as Strangers in a Strange Land, but it’s definitely worth reading. I bought it for my father and then couldn’t resist borrowing it back.
Personally, I think he’s best when writing about religion, philosophy, and American political thought. My favorite essay here was “This Idea’s a Killer” on ideology, isms, and the unique difficulties facing contemporary American culture. His sources in this chapter are top-notch and the argument is incisive and illuminating.
I didn’t enjoy quite as much as Strangers in a Strange Land, but it’s definitely worth reading. I bought it for my father and then couldn’t resist borrowing it back.
July 24, 2022
“We rarely see the full effects of the good we do in this life. So much of what we do seems a tangle of frustrations and failures. We don’t see - on this side of [heaven] - the pattern of meaning that our faith weaves. But one day we’ll stand on the other side. And on that day, we’ll see the beauty that God has allowed us to add to the great story of his creation, the richness we’ve added to the lives of our family and friends, the mark for the better we’ve left on the world, and the revelation of his love that goes from age to age no matter how good or bad the times. We are each an unrepeatable, infinitely treasured part of that story. And that is why our lives matter.”
May 24, 2021
As always, Chaput has done us all a great service in sharing his wisdom and perfectly gleaned candor. There were many points in the book where I felt as though God was speaking to my soul and whispering to me “pray about that” and “ponder this more”. I love Chaput’s writing style and his ability to describe realities of our world in clear understandable English and subtly challenge the reader without making him feel completely overwhelmed but realistically hopeful. I definitely give it a strong five stars.
November 12, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up
The book all makes sense while not *quite* supporting the central thesis. I found it all thought provoking and pertinent, so I'm forgiving it for not attaining perfection. Archbishop Chaput challenges his readers to think about what makes a well formed life. I liked his references to various works ranging from the Song of Roland to Casablanca, reinforcing for myself that Truth is found in many places and I am of a mind to read works I had never considered prior to now.
The book all makes sense while not *quite* supporting the central thesis. I found it all thought provoking and pertinent, so I'm forgiving it for not attaining perfection. Archbishop Chaput challenges his readers to think about what makes a well formed life. I liked his references to various works ranging from the Song of Roland to Casablanca, reinforcing for myself that Truth is found in many places and I am of a mind to read works I had never considered prior to now.
September 3, 2023
The dangers of blind-buying a book. The title is rather opaque, and could perhaps be more usefully titled "reasons to die for your faith".
Charles has flashes of useful wisdom and real insight throughout the book, so it's a shame he was unable to write something more accessible as a man instead of as a Christian. This book is unfortunately rendered of little use to the irreligious and sometimes even stoops to the tired tropes of implying nonbelievers to be lacking the means or abilities to achieve the self-fulfilment that Charles wants his readers to aim for.
Charles has flashes of useful wisdom and real insight throughout the book, so it's a shame he was unable to write something more accessible as a man instead of as a Christian. This book is unfortunately rendered of little use to the irreligious and sometimes even stoops to the tired tropes of implying nonbelievers to be lacking the means or abilities to achieve the self-fulfilment that Charles wants his readers to aim for.
May 5, 2021
Sometimes it comes off as an opine of a grumpy old man in his general criticism of modernity (i.e., this generation is worse than the previous one). And other times, it is an on-point criticism of a time and place that is better off knowing what ails them. When it offers hope and mercy, the criticism is poignant and heartfelt. When it is simply critical, it appears a series of insensitive complaints yearning for a by-gone era.
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