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Hope and Other Superpowers: A Life-Affirming, Love-Defending, Butt-Kicking, World-Saving Manifesto Kindle Edition
by John Pavlovitz (Author)
Overwhelmed by the news cycle and the state of affairs in our world? Pastor, blogger, and powerful voice in the Resistance, John Pavlovitz has the answer: this rousing and inspirational guide, drawing from lessons of our favorite superheroes, for how we can band together, live more heroically (and meaningfully), and save the world.
It’s exhausting to give a damn these days, isn’t it? Perhaps you’re feeling anguished about what you see on the news or in your social media timeline, or by your personal circumstances, and are paralyzed waiting for political or religious leaders, or celebrities, to rescue us from it all.
But what if you didn’t have to wait for someone else?
What if you could be the hero?
This book—a spirited call to action—shows you how.
In these pages, John offers a path away from the vitriol and toward compassion, and a plan to transform our burdens into dreams and our outrage into activism. Drawing from lessons of beloved fictional superheroes, John shows us how to identify our origin story, build protective suits of armor, guard against our personal kryptonite, and vanquish our villains. He also identifies ten specific “superpowers” that we can enlist to make our lives and our world better. Along the way, he shares inspiring anecdotes and profiles about ordinary people who saw a gap in the world in empathy or kindness or gratitude and decided to fill it.
Hope and Other Superpowers is an invitation to anyone hoping to be the kind of person the world so desperately needs—the kind who can save it. In other words: it’s an invitation to you.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Pavlovitz asserts this is not a self-help book. Instead, “it’s a life-affirming, love-defending, butt-kicking manifesto.” Well, yes, but it’s also a 241-page pep talk with, as a leitmotif, generous references to superheroes whose character traits and powers epitomize those the author espouses. The result is high-energy, even perfervid...As for those superhero character traits, Pavlovitz writes eloquently about sacrifice, courage, humor...and more.” —Booklist
“More so than any other book on modern social and political activism, Hope and Other Superpowers should be required reading for anyone who wants to work against prejudice, hatred, and despair.” —Donovan's Literary Services
"[Pavlovitz] despairs about the state of the world and the values of the leaders tasked with repairing it. But he holds tightly to hope, and his new book is an impassioned plea for his followers to do the same." —Chicago Tribune
“In this enjoyable book…Pavlovitz’s honest examination of his own shortcomings is refreshing and reassures readers that mistakes and vulnerabilities can be seen as opportunities for positive transformation...Readers looking to channel distress into self-betterment will definitely want to pick this up.” —Publishers Weekly
About the Author
John Pavlovitz is a pastor and blogger from Wake Forest, North Carolina. In the past two years his blog, Stuff That Needs To Be Said, has reached a diverse audience of millions of people throughout the world, with an average monthly readership of over a million people. His home church, North Raleigh Community Church, is a growing, nontraditional Christian community dedicated to radical hospitality, mutual respect, and diversity of doctrine. John is a regular contributor to Huffington Post, Relevant Magazine, Scary Mommy, ChurchLeaders.com, and The Good Men Project.
4.3 out of 5 stars 81 ratings
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File Size: 4095 KB
Print Length: 257 pages
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Biography
John Pavlovitz is a pastor, writer, and activist from Wake Forest, North Carolina.
In the past four years his blog Stuff That Needs To Be Said has reached a diverse worldwide audience. A 20-year veteran in the trenches of local church ministry, John is committed to equality, diversity, and justice.
In 2017 he released his first book A Bigger Table: Building Messy, Authentic, and Hopeful Spiritual Community, and his forthcoming book Hope and Other Superpowers: A Life-Affirming, Love-Defending, Butt-Kicking, World-Saving Manifesto, arrives November 6th, 2018.
Customer reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
81 customer ratings
5 star 75%
4 star 8%
3 star 2%
2 star 3%
1 star 12%
Top Reviews
Gary Hennon
5.0 out of 5 stars Feel one with GodReviewed in the United States on November 7, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
It's like John is inside my head! I think a great deal like he does and he is fantastic in putting those thoughts down on paper! When I read his words it helps lift my spirit and makes me feel like I'm part of of the spiritual family that I left so long ago. I had to leave organized religion out of my life to feel the closeness i now have with God through the Holy Spirit! Thank you so much John for your insight and teaching people how loved they are by God. Keep the books coming!
25 people found this helpful
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Rogena
5.0 out of 5 stars A Call to Action - And I Shall RespondReviewed in the United States on November 24, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
"Yes, hope is a superpower, maybe the most important one, because of the way it sustains us." John's book has stirred a stronger sense of hope in me, and given me a call to action. Starting in January, I will be using his book as a basis for a study/support group for moms of LBGTQ+ individuals so we can make an impact on the world for our kiddos. With compassion, sacrifice, courage, humor, humility, honesty, kindness, creativity, persistence, wonder, and gratitutde may we be the change-makers in our familiies, communities and the world! Thanks, John. #HopeIsMyPower
19 people found this helpful
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Drew
5.0 out of 5 stars Something I need to sayReviewed in the United States on November 20, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
No matter where you are, mentally or spiritually, physically or otherwise, every word in this book reaches out and touches your very essence as a person.
Every single one of us has to walk in our own shoes. But, knowing we can walk near others is our biggest gift to them and ourselves.
Be you. Be your best you. That is your superpower. And when you walk in your own superhero confident self, the world will be better for every step you take.
I absolutely love this book.
20 people found this helpful
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Dana Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars We're all superReviewed in the United States on November 16, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This book was exactly what I needed! Between the uphill battle that the past two years in America have been, and the recent death of my grandmother, I was really struggling to find hope. When I got the book, I read the whole thing in 2 days and it really helped bring me out of my funk and help me find hope.
16 people found this helpful
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D.B. Moone
5.0 out of 5 stars Through Kindness, Compassion, and Persistence Everyone Can Be Caretakers of HopeReviewed in the United States on January 20, 2019
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
In HOPE AND OTHER SUPERPOWERS we find John Pavlovitz doing what John Pavlovitz does best; articulating the questions, anger, and helplessness millions are feeling today, and have felt since November 9, 2016. Pavlovitz offers hope, but more importantly, he provides feasible solutions. The majority of Americans have become adept at pointing out what is wrong with our country and its leadership. Everyone watches the news, reads the paper and books while crying out for someone to do something. Millions of Americans want Superman or Wonder Woman to swoop in and save the day from the villains who are robbing Americans of their security and peace of mind while instilling fear in the country’s population. Many are looking for someone with the prerequisite superpowers to right the ship and alter its course, sooner rather than later. It isn’t enough to point out the wrongs without offering a solution to the problem. In HOPE AND OTHER SUPERPOWERS, Pavlovitz provides the reader with many useful tools to recognize their innate superpowers and challenges the reader to begin using these superpowers.
For millions of Americans, November 9, 2016, was a day which significantly changed the world as they knew it to be. It was the day the unthinkable happened. Americans awoke to news that left them feeling as if the universe had shifted, and everything began to look and feel different. For so many, it felt as if all hope was gone. The question was the same then as to is today, “What do I do now?” In HOPE AND OTHER SUPERPOWERS, John Pavlovitz answers this pivotal question. If the past two years have left you wondering what happened to your country; to your church; to your friends and families? You must read this book. If you find yourself staring into an abyss of anger, fear, cynicism, and bigotry without knowing what you can do to make right so many wrongs, you must read this book. John Pavlovitz has become, to millions, the voice crying out in the wilderness of desperation, fear, and anger. He gives voice to the greatest need for civility and direction in a wasteland of ugliness in HOPE AND OTHER SUPERPOWERS.
“At the end of your time here, the world will either be more or less kind, compassionate, generous funny, creative and loving because of your presence in it – and you alone get to choose.”
- John Pavlovitz
Pavlovitz encourages us that when so many around us have given up, you must reach deep within, acknowledge your weaknesses and work around them to become fierce caretakers of hope for those who have lost all hope. Hope is a superpower as it sustains life. Through kindness, compassion, and persistence everyone can be caretakers of hope.
In HOPE AND OTHER SUPERPOWERS, Pavlovitz speaks to the traits, gifts, talents, and abilities everyone possesses in one form or another and provides examples of how the smallest gesture can have a substantial impact on others. No one has the responsibility to change the world in a day, but those who have more superpowers than others have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s world every day. All that is required is to “care” and” show up.”
There are hope and encouragement within the pages of HOPE AND OTHER SUPERPOWERS, as well as inspiration by the many ways millions of people are doing their part for change; this is part of the wonder of this book. Pavlovitz reminds his readers that there are multitudes of every day, ordinary superheroes among the population. You are not alone. You have to get out and look for them, connect with them and put your attitude to work.
If you are looking for hope; if you need encouragement; if you feel frozen and need direction as to what the next step is, I encourage you to get a copy of HOPE AND OTHER SUPERPOWERS. This book has launched. Get your copy, read the book, and reread it, don your superhero cape and “lift your head skyward, hero – and go save the world.”
Thank you John Pavlovitz, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this 5 Star book.
9 people found this helpful
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K.K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring ReadReviewed in the United States on November 25, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
John's message of hope is one we all need, especially in times like these. I loved how the book was organized with each chapter a different theme that contained short vingettes to give hope and encouragement. A great, inspiring read, just like his first book. I recommend it with utmost enthusiasm!
10 people found this helpful
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Kathy Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars Be a superhero!Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I've never been into superheroes, even as a kid, but John Pavlotitz has gotten me excited about discerning what my superpowers are, and what's in my toolbelt. Although written for adults, I see this book as an invaluable resource for anyone who works with kids and wants them to recognize their own strengths and opportunities for using their talents and interests to serve God and the world.
7 people found this helpful
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LeighTop Contributor: Pets
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for REAL Jesus followers!!Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I just love John Pavlovich and will always buy his books. A very needed breath of fresh air for Jesus followers who are unhappy with what the “evangelicals” are up to these days!
9 people found this helpful
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