On Virtue


Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
194 Pages
Reviewed on 03/18/2016
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Author Biography

J.C. Augustus Lai Andurin is an Irish-American author and philosopher. Having spent much of his life traveling the U.S., Europe, and Asia, he has a fierce wanderlust and thirst for knowledge. Despite his adventurous spirit, he is a husband and father, first and foremost, with three wonderful children.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Eduardo Aduna for Readers' Favorite

It is a sad and terrifying fact that there is no universal blueprint on how to live a full and meaningful life. But if there is, it would probably be a lot like J.C. Augustus Lai Andurin's On Virtue. A philosophical treatise told in a very accessible manner, On Virtue is a must-read for anyone interested in discerning the meaning of the different facets that make up people's lives.

The greatest teachers in human history used parables and stories to lead their students towards the path of discovery. Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi and Schrodinger, all of them knew the power storytelling has in making people think deeper about a subject. J.C. Augustus Lai Andurin's On Virtue is full of rich content and the use of vividly told and interesting stories makes it easier for readers to digest the lessons within. This book is not some dusty philosophical tome. On Virtue is written in a flowing, almost elegant style that invites readers to come along and join the author's musings about the various aspects of life. By actually conversing with the reader instead of simply stating tenets, J.C. Augustus Lai Andurin manages to keep the reader engaged and more receptive to his views and philosophical thoughts.

The author dedicated this book to his children, and the way the book is written and the lessons, stories and views contained within is reminiscent of a father imparting his accumulated life knowledge to his children, in the hope that the lessons he is sharing would make them better individuals and help them lead a fulfilling life.

Faridah Nassozi

On Virtue by J.C. Augustus Lai Andurin is a self-help book that examines what it means to live life totally through faith, loyalty, honour, conviction, compassion and other important ideals. One by one, the author breaks down each of these concepts and the vital role they play in cultivating the virtue in oneself and in those around us. J.C. Augustus Lai Andurin draws lessons from the life and words of famous people from centuries ago whose wisdom has stood the test of time. These example will help you further comprehend the message as you see life and the choices it presents us through their stories. On faith, one must trust oneself, then trust others, and finally trust in ideas and concepts - it is through this and the other concepts that complete goals and purposes are achieved without prejudice.

There are endless lessons to take from this book but some stood out for me more than others. The book strongly advocates that whatever we want to see in others or get from them, we must achieve such in ourselves first. What you want to be, or what you ultimately become, is completely up to you and the importance of surrounding ourselves with positive people who fill us with positive energy instead of bringing us down is highlighted. Reading J.C. Augustus Lai Andurin's words made me take a moment to examine myself and see if what I am becoming and the path I am on are in line with what I really want to be. This is one of the most profound books you will read and it will have you reflecting on the journey you have traveled and that which you are yet to travel.

Janelle Fila

On Virtue by J.C. Augustus Lai Andurin is a self-help type book that talks about building a person’s self-esteem and character. The book’s goal is to enlightenment readers and help them achieve a happier life. The main concept of On Virtue is that a person’s mind set is the key to change in that person’s life. On Virtue talks a lot about positivity versus negativity, and there are a number of examples of how positive and negative responses can affect a situation’s outcome. Andurin also claims that your past impacts you because of the beliefs you grew up with. The things you learned as a child will greatly impact your past, present, and future, unless you can change your mind set to think in a new, positive manner.

On Virtue is a very well-written religious and philosophical book that talks about real, concrete changes a person can make in their life to create a better lifestyle. I enjoyed the real world analogies that Andurin included. I felt that these historical references made the concepts of the book seem very legitimate because the author tied what she wrote into real situations. I appreciated outside opinions and examples that supported her argument. I think many people will enjoy this book because it is informative, educational, and interesting. It seems like a lot of readers are interested in books about how to better themselves, and this is one of the best I have read.

JJ Phillips

J.C. Augustus Lai Andurin’s self-help book, On Virtue, starts with the idea that the way you think can affect the way your life unfolds. Every person has a choice — to be good, bad, happy or sad. It is up to the person and it starts with their mind set. Andurin talks about how self-doubt can sabotage a person and what to do to make changes to eliminate self-doubt. One of the suggestions is to eliminate negativity and to replace it with positivity, and these suggestions are backed up with historical figures and real world context to support Andurin’s argument that you can make a better life for yourself. You can overcome the way you were taught by your parents, teachers, and society. You can choose to think for yourself and become a happier and more satisfied person. All through simple changes in your thoughts and behavior.

On Virtue is a very interesting book that covers a concept many people are interested in and may have experience with. The idea of being positive to create a better life isn’t new, but Andurin does a great job of using examples of figures from history (that most people will recognize) to demonstrate the ideas of the book. This is fantastic because it backs up the book’s claims and makes them credible in the eyes of the reader. This was one of my favorite parts of the book and something I thought was a very smart addition by the author. I also really liked how the book read, which was smoother and easier than I anticipated an educational text might be.

Mamta Madhavan

On Virtue by J.C. Augustus Lai Andurin is an informative read that is helpful to readers in building up their confidence and self-worth. The book speaks about trust and faith in the truest light and how fundamental they are in taking control of one's life and also in resisting the ambitions of the people around us who want to take mastery of our lives. Readers will be encouraged to assess their strengths and weaknesses, not through the eyes of self-doubt but through the eyes of the universe. One's mindset is always the key to change and the book will make one more observant to self and surroundings.

The book is profound and the author's words are strong and powerful, and will help readers perceive things in a positive light. It will motivate everyone to get out of their negative spaces and channel their thoughts and energies towards more positive thinking. The book covers confidence, trust, faith, spirituality, devotion, and many other topics, and the references to the historical figure of Miyamoto Musashi is also inspirational for readers to understand some concepts.

It's well written and is encouraging to cultivate goodness in oneself and change in a positive way. The author's words will make one trust in their own self and not live in the shadow. It ignites the divine spark in all, making us worthy and noble souls.