Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always been curious and passionate about how people overcame significant suffering in their lives. True stories of how people emerged stronger from traumatic events not only became an inspiration in my personal life but also my professional life as a therapist, where I became an agent of change. The ‘secret’ of these storytellers and their transformation became my focus. I only hope you find these stories as enjoyable as I did and also a challenge and an inspiration that makes a difference in your own life.


I wrote

Out of Latvia: The Son of a Latvian Immigrant Searches for his Roots

By David Kerr,

Book cover of Out of Latvia: The Son of a Latvian Immigrant Searches for his Roots

What is my book about?

Peter Jirgen’s story of courage and resilience emerges from the discrimination his father suffered as a Latvian refugee and its…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Unbroken

David Kerr Why did I love this book?

The author held me spellbound as she skilfully unpacked the remarkable story of Louis Zamperini, who survived a plane crash at sea only to be taken prisoner by the Japanese.

Zamperini’s life leapt from the page and swept me along a chilling pathway that bore witness to his physical and inner strength. Hillenbrand held me riveted to the last page of this remarkable true story.

By Laura Hillenbrand,

Why should I read it?

16 authors picked Unbroken as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From the author of the bestselling and much-loved Seabiscuit, an unforgettable story of one man's journey into extremity. On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane's bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War. The lieutenant's name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood,…


Book cover of An Evil Cradling

David Kerr Why did I love this book?

I loved this book because of the insight the author gives to his strategy of survival–kidnapped, imprisoned, and tortured for over four years in the hands of Shi’ite militia.

Beautifully written, Keenan’s artistry thrilled me with its almost spiritual air and testimony to rare human resilience and its transformative power.

By Brian Keenan,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked An Evil Cradling as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Brian Keenan's release from captivity was the first ray of hope for those hostages held in the Middle East. He describes the plight of his fellow hostages with first-hand knowledge. The language he uses reflects his past efforts as a poet in describing the pain and claustrophobia of imprisonment.


Book cover of Blood Brothers: The Dramatic Story of a Palestinian Christian Working for Peace in Israel

David Kerr Why did I love this book?

One of my favourite books of all time is the moving story of forgiveness by Palestinian cleric, Elias Chacour, Archbishop Emeritus of the Melkite church in Haifa.

I marvelled and wondered how Elias and his family chose to be non-violent and committed to promoting peace when Israelis seized their land in the 1948 war. Elias’ journey, for me, was heart-wrenching and gripping.

The integrity of his story is confirmed by my visits to Ibillin in northern Israel where I’ve spent time hearing more of his story and  experiencing the fruit of his influence in the school and Peace Centre he has established.

By Elias Chacour, David Hazard,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Blood Brothers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

As a child, Elias Chacour lived in a small Palestinian village in Galilee. When tens of thousands of Palestinians were killed and nearly one million forced into refugee camps in 1948, Elias began a long struggle with how to respond. In Blood Brothers, he blends his riveting life story with historical research to reveal a little-known side of the Arab-Israeli conflict, exploring whether bitter enemies can ever be reconciled. This book offers hope and insight to help each of us learn to live at peace in a world of tension and terror.


Book cover of Unveiled: How Western Liberals Empower Radical Islam

David Kerr Why did I love this book?

I read this book in two sittings. I couldn’t put it down.

The escape of Yasmine from a fundamentalist Muslim family is breathtaking, and it kept me turning the pages. I love her story of courage, resilience, betrayal, and hope. My emotions gyrated–anger–anxiety–sadness–hope.

I admire her passion to make a difference. Her sufferings have been transformed into energy that encourages me to confront any form of abuse, wherever it exists.

By Yasmine Mohammed,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Unveiled as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Infidel meets The Handmaid's Tale

Since September 11th, 2001, the Western world has been preoccupied with Islam and its role in terrorism. Yet public debate about the faith is polarized—one camp praises "the religion of peace" while the other claims all Muslims are terrorists. Canadian human rights activist Yasmine Mohammed believes both sides are dangerously wrong.

In Unveiled: How Western Liberals Empower Radical Islam, Yasmine speaks her truth as a woman born in the Western world who was forcefully married to a high-ranking member of Al Qaeda. Despite being a first-generation Canadian, she never felt at home…


Book cover of The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor

David Kerr Why did I love this book?

I love the late Eddie Jaku’s life-changing commitment to literally "survive." He turned 100 in 2020 and had remained silent for many years about the cruelty of his internment in Buchenwald and Auschwitz.

Initially, the title sat uneasily with me. How could a man describe himself that way after the terror and shocking treatment he endured–but then a miracle. I was blown away when he uncovered the secret of his survival which is only surpassed by the miracle of his decision to "make life beautiful."

By Eddie Jaku,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Happiest Man on Earth as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'Eddie looked evil in the eye and met it with joy and kindness . . . [his] philosophy is life-affirming' - Daily Express

Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku made a vow to smile every day and now believes he is the 'happiest man on earth'. In his inspirational memoir, he pays tribute to those who were lost by telling his story and sharing his wisdom.

Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. It is up to you.

Eddie Jaku always considered himself a German first, a Jew second. He was proud of his country. But all of that changed…


Explore my book 😀

Out of Latvia: The Son of a Latvian Immigrant Searches for his Roots

By David Kerr,

Book cover of Out of Latvia: The Son of a Latvian Immigrant Searches for his Roots

What is my book about?

Peter Jirgen’s story of courage and resilience emerges from the discrimination his father suffered as a Latvian refugee and its impact on him. Peter’s skill of surviving his early years equipped him for the greatest challenge of his life. To gain the love of his father, Peter suspended his rugby league career to enter Soviet-controlled Latvia in search of his missing family in 1980. If caught, he risked service in the Soviet army or time in Siberia. Cautioned by his family and the Australian Government not to go, he created cover as a "tourist" that took him on a hitchhiking adventure through Europe.

Peter’s remarkable story of overcoming suffering and his courage in facing extreme danger is a story that needs to be told.

Book cover of Unbroken
Book cover of An Evil Cradling
Book cover of Blood Brothers: The Dramatic Story of a Palestinian Christian Working for Peace in Israel

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Locked In Locked Out: Surviving a Brainstem Stroke

By Shawn Jennings,

Book cover of Locked In Locked Out: Surviving a Brainstem Stroke

Shawn Jennings Author Of Locked In Locked Out: Surviving a Brainstem Stroke

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Shawn's 3 favorite reads in 2024

What is my book about?

Can there be life after a brainstem stroke?

After Dr. Shawn Jennings, a busy family physician, suffered a brainstem stroke on May 13, 1999, he woke from a coma locked inside his body, aware and alert but unable to communicate or move. Once he regained limited movement in his left arm, he began typing his story, using one hand and a lot of patience. 

With unexpected humour and tender honesty, Shawn shares his experiences in his struggle for recovery and acceptance of his life after the stroke. He affirms that even without achieving a full recovery life is still worth…

Locked In Locked Out: Surviving a Brainstem Stroke

By Shawn Jennings,

What is this book about?

Can there be life after a brainstem stroke?

After Dr. Shawn Jennings, a busy family physician, suffered a brainstem stroke on May 13, 1999, he woke from a coma locked inside his body, aware and alert but unable to communicate or move. Once he regained limited movement in his left arm, he began typing his story, using one hand and a lot of patience.

With unexpected humour and tender honesty, Shawn shares his experiences in his struggle for recovery and acceptance of his life after the stroke. He affirms that even without achieving a full recovery life is still worth…


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Interested in Holocaust survivors, Beirut, and Islam?

Beirut 14 books
Islam 128 books