Obaze: Review of Adam Hamilton's Enough

KWENU! Our culture, our future

Book Review

Oseloka Obaze^*

selonnes@aol.com

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Enough:

Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity

Adam Hamilton

(ISBN-978-1-426-70233-4: Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN, USA, 2009, 110pp , Price $ $29.00

Available at: http://www.abingdonpress.com

In a casual discussion about the general and economic stresses of our times and the deleterious impact of the global economic downturn on families and individuals, a dear friend, Charles Anyidoho, offered to share with me a copy of a “small book” he was reading, which he admitted, had altered his perspectives about the “essence of simplicity, altruism, and contentment.” The next day he handed me a copy of Adam Hamilton’s book, Enough: Discovering the Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity. I, too, must admit here that being privy to the contents of this book has affected me in different ways, mostly positively.

Adam Hamilton opens his introduction with these all-too-familiar words: “Stress, Anxiety. Fear. These words capture well the state of mind of many in America today. We have witnessed dramatic market loses, the collapse of the world’s largest insurance company….Everyday seems to bring another piece of economic uncertainty.” Amidst, the global financial meltdown of 2009, the swathe of uncertainties that nations, states, and individuals faced, the overleveraging, over-borrowing and forfeitures, Adam Hamilton provides a soothing salve by recalibrating individual mindsets and lives. Essentially, Adam Hamilton offers captivating insights on how overcoming the challenges of our times must begin with the individual and values that they hold dear. There is a moral, philosophical, and religious angle to the book, which inevitably, uses quotations from the Bible to augment arguments, advice, and proposals.

This four-chapter book opens with an apt introduction, “Faith in the Midst of Financial Crisis.” The other chapters are about: “When Dreams Become Nightmare”; Wisdom and Finance”; Cultivating Contentment”; and “Defined Generosity.” It ends with an epilogue -- Overcoming Fear. Enough, is a guide, panacea, and “simple campaign that will transform how the church and individuals view the role of money in connection with their life’s purpose and the positive impact that transformation will have on the world.” As Brian McLaren rightly concluded after reading this book, “Enough comes like an antidote in the middle of a pandemic. I hope that classes, groups, couples, and individuals will use this book—and the economic crisis it addresses—as a challenge to get healthy again by deepening our discipleship in the vital area of money and possessions.” The many who continue to struggle, especially immigrants and those in Africa and other Third World countries, will find many redeeming values in this slim volume.

For me and I suspect for many others who have and will in time come read this book, Enough was exactly what the doctor or the pastor ordered. This slim book is power-packed and filled with life-redefining and enhancing insights of immense value that will serve many readers well, especially those facing grave challenges brought about by the economic downturn and the attendant loss of jobs, homes, and life savings. However, more than that, Enough -- without moralizing or proselytizing -- is a guide to everyday living for those who desire balance, equanimity, and seek to overcome anxiety and useless fears. What a pleasure and real joy it was, to take possession and indeed own a copy of this book.

The bottom-line of this book is about achieving the elusive but desirable goal of personal contentment and overcoming fear. In the midst of obvious global chaos and conflict, Hamilton reveals and reminds that there is “God and a divine calling for each of us.” In addition, he convinces that changes and progress begin with the individual. Life after all is what we make of it, but, inevitably, with a little help for our friends and unfailingly and with help from God. Get yourself a copy of Enough; read it and keep it handy. It may seem pricey for its size, but the message and contents are priceless.

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Mr. Oseloka Obaze is a founding member of the Kwenu.com Book Review Forum, which is dedicated to the promotion of books with Igbo and Afrocentric themes. He is also a supporting Member of the African Writers Endowment (AWE). From 1999 to 2005, he served on the editorial board of INYEAKA, the journal of Songhai Charities, Inc., a New Jersey community-based charity founded and run by Nigerians based in New York Tri-state area in the United States, first as its founding Publisher and later as the Editor-At-Large. He is also on the editorial board of The Amaka Gazette, the journal of the Christ the King College, Onitsha Alumni Association in America. His collection of poems, “Regarscent Past: A Collection of Poems” was second among the top three finalists in the poetry category in the African Writers Endowment Publishing Grant Program for 2004. He is working on a novel titled “Happy Eulogy”. He reviews books and arts strictly as a hobby.