ORDINARY PEOPLE, EXTRAORDINARY LIVES
Naguib Sami Kerba
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GENRE: Non-fiction Photo Biographies
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BLURB:
Everyone
has a story. A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes one needs words
as well. ‘Ordinary people extraordinary lives,” does just that. I’ve combined a
portrait with asking people four thought provoking questions about themselves.
The portrait and their answers are a compelling read about life, its challenges
and each individual’s journey. At the end of each chapter, each person makes
one final observation learned from their journey.
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Excerpt
Three:
SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION:
Raised as a Roman Catholic and having spent time in the
seminary, I felt secure in my faith, armed with all the traditional Catholic
answers. However, during the May 24th weekend in 1976, I unexpectedly ran into
a relative on Yonge Street, someone I only knew from my grandmother's old
photographs. Three weeks later, he came for dinner and began discussing a book
he was passionate about. I dismissed his enthusiasm with a skeptical
“Bullshit,” and the conversation ended with him leaving me a copy of the book.
I started reading it, initially skimming the first fifty
pages, but then I called him to tell him he’d never get it back. I couldn’t put
it down, devouring 200, 500, then 800 pages. The book challenged me at every
turn, and I even wondered if it was demonic. However, as I reached the later
chapters, many early references were explained in greater detail. I finished
the 2096 pages in six months, finding it hard to set aside. Now, nearly fifty
years later, having read it multiple times, I find myself without the religion
I once practiced but with an unshakeable faith. The book transformed my
understanding of the divine and our relationship with it, revealing how current
religious thought often remains primitive.
Lynda: The year was 1966. As a teenager, I enjoyed going to
dances at Riverside Arena on Friday Nights. One night was extraordinary as I
met a new guy. He came into the dance after ice skating. My friend knew him and
introduced us. After the dance, my friend, her boyfriend, and this new guy and
I went to Roma Pizzeria. He walked me home and asked me out. Of course, I said
yes. Bob and I still go for pizza every November 18th to celebrate that night.
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Very sentimental and heartfelt. A fairly nice read.
Rating:
3 stars
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
While
studying photography at Sheridan College, the gender imbalance was striking:
125 male students compared to just five female students. In our small cohort of
eight, there were five men and three women. Summoning my courage, I asked one
of the female students, Shirley, out on a date. She kindly declined, saying,
“I’m not the girl for you, but I know the perfect one for you!”
Not
long after, on May 2, 1974, I met Donna, Shirley’s neighbour. I immediately
sensed that Donna was, in fact, the one, and my dating days had ended. We were
married on November 6, 1976. Our relationship has blended differences and
commonalities, with Donna being my harshest critic and greatest supporter.
Donna
and I have raised two wonderful children. Tara is a devoted mother and teacher,
while Christopher is a gifted musician. Their physical appearances and
intellectual abilities reflect a strange combination of Donna and me. They are
exceptional individuals who positively contribute to the world.
One
of my long-standing dreams has been to publish a book of my photographs. The
concept for this project has been developing for some time. Meeting individuals
who can help bring such dreams to fruition is rare, but I was fortunate to
forge a close friendship with Dan Bodanis, who has an impressive network. Dan
connected me with the NHL Alumni group, which set the stage for my encounters
with Paul Patskou, Graham McWaters, and Al Rose, all featured in this book. Dan
also introduced me to Jude Pitman, the publisher at BWL Publishing Inc. (BWL).
This
book is a heartfelt acknowledgment of the family and friends who have enriched
my journey as a person, photographer, and now author. If true wealth is
measured by the family, friends, and people we meet, I am indeed the wealthiest
man alive.
The
questions have been refined since the first “Essence portrait,” but the concept
remains unchanged. The primary purpose is to gain a more profound understanding
of the person by asking probing questions and encouraging people to share their
stories and the lessons they've gleaned from their journeys.
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GIVEAWAY
Naguib
Sami Kerba will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn
winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
We appreciate you hosting and reviewing today - thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting and reviewing today.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing book. This concept is one that I have always liked....On my TBR list for this coming fall...
ReplyDeleteThis reply is the author’s, Naguib Kerba’s reply, my apologies, I’m not sure how to get around the anonymous label.
DeleteThe review was spot on, in that these are indeed “ordinary people” but that’s the reason I’m telling their stories. Not many of the subjects thought they did anything special - when you look closely, EVERYONE HAS A STORY! My mission is to get people to tell their stories. Absolutely spot on observation by the reviewer, these are family, friends, clients and acquaintances - but where else am I going to start.
The way to read this book is one story at a time, this isn’t meant to be read as an action novel where you can’t put the book down. On the contrary, by all means put it down after a chapter. Savour each person’s journey and look inside yourself - what’s your story?
Looks like a unique book.
ReplyDeleteIt is different, this isn’t a book you want to pick up and speed through. Read each person’s story, go away from it, what would your answers be? Then go back. Everyone has a story! The author Naguib Kerba
DeleteLooks like a good book.
ReplyDeleteIt is a light easy read. In this case, it was designed to get people to reflect on their lives. My mission is to get everyone to share their stories and not a picture of the last meal they had. The author, Naguib Kerba
DeleteQuestion for author-What message or theme do you want readers to take away from this book?
ReplyDeleteLook inward, reflect more. We have a lot of blessings, reflecting on our challenges and journey will make you appreciate the good times. I would love for each reader to answer those questions on their own. The author, Naguib Kerba
DeleteIs there anything you wish readers knew about the book that they might not get from reading it?
ReplyDeleteThere is no hidden agenda. After working very closely with people as a financial planner for 33 years, I knew everyone has a story. Those stories were no longer being told.
DeleteThe book started out as an exercise in photography for my web site. I would do a portrait of someone, but I wanted more. I stated to ask more probing questions to be included with the portrait and I called them “the Essence of…” Before long it became a series. Then, good friend reached out to the BWL PUBLISHING people and asked them to have a look at those stories. The did, and reached out to me.
At the time, I had about a dozen. The book has 38 such portraits. As the reviewer accurately stated, these were friends, colleagues, clients and people I knew. But that’s it, isn’t it? This proves that you don’t need to be famous, a movie star or scientist who discovers some medicine that cures a disease to have a story worthy of sharing.
Finally, we all learn in many different ways - there are almost 3,000 years of life experiences. The wisdom shared from those 38 people is well worth the read.
What was the most surprising thing you learned during the writing process?
ReplyDeleteI discovered that I loved it! My background is 55 years of telling a story with the camera and capturing the images. This is a push in a different direction and an excellent challenge going forward. The author Naguib Kerba
Deletequestion for author-What personal experiences or observations influenced your writing?
ReplyDeleteAs usual it isn’t one thing - as I’ve gotten older, I was realizing that my parents and their parents had journeys that needed to be shared. When my parents passed away, I found that I wished I had asked more questions, AND LOGGED THOSE STORIES.
DeleteA second front was meeting with clients of my financial planning practice. The way I practiced, was by truly knowing my clients - the position of trust allowed me to have a deeper more profound access to what was truly important to them. In many cases we learn more about people than any other single person at times that even included children. The stories I heard of their journeys are truly engaging.
Finally, I’ve always been a sponge when it came to other’s stories. Meaningful conversations are so much more fulfilling than weather talk, politics or small talk.
Looks fabulous
ReplyDeleteI believe it is. You are even able to see more images at each person’s insight on my website - nkerba.com. The book needs to be read slowly, one chapter at a time and then inner reflection is the reward.
DeleteHow would you answer those questions?