The Whole Shebang is a collection of poetry by James R. Van Laan with weighty and profound themes and thoughts on life. It comprises four parts, each detailing different areas of the author's experiences. “A Railing Against the Night” deals with death, losing friends and family. He writes about suffering despair, but also honors those who have passed. “Survival As the Whole of Existence” shows his views on life and what he treasures that makes it all worthwhile. “Hymns Of a Would-Be Lover” chronicles his love interests throughout life, from his first love through to the love of his life, to whom the last part, “Nansong,” is dedicated. In “Nansong,” he shares poems that he wrote for his wife, notably on special occasions like Christmas and Valentine's Day.

James Van Laan uses elements from nature in relation to people and events, and frequently uses the seasons as metaphors for change and the nature of things. He touches on faith and religion, and his anthology reminded me of the wisdom in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes. 'There is a time for everything: a time to sow and a time to reap; a time to come and a time to go.' His musings are philosophical, and his perspective on life brims with wisdom. I enjoyed that although he shares his own perceptions, he is also inclusive, and I felt involved in his poetry by being able to relate to it. The Whole Shebang is an anthology that is unfettered, and each poem is an echo of the heart’s deepest yearnings.

The Whole Shebang is a collection of poignant poems by James R. Van Laan. They cover the duality of life that can be beautiful yet chaotic, love and relationships, and the pain of loss and grief. Van Laan writes straight from the heart. He remembers the people he’s lost and holds onto their memories, celebrating them and refusing to let them fade. He talks about survival and how we get through the hard days by leaning on the little moments that make us stronger. The poems also touch on faith and God’s guidance and protection. He reflects on the meaning of legacy and learning from the past and those who came before us. There is a really moving section where he opens up about his wife. He talks about her kindness, her ability to forgive, and how thankful he is for their time together. Some of the most tender moments are those of holiday memories—Christmases filled with gifts, warmth, and all the little things that make the season special.

The Whole Shebang covers real life’s pains and joys. James Van Laan jumps from stories of young love and marriage to the gut-wrenching reality of watching someone you love fight cancer. I love that the poems are divided into specific sections, as this makes it easy to follow them. Each poem feels personal, but there is something universal in his words. Anyone who has struggled with loss or chased after hope will find something that hits home. Some poems link together, like the 'Hymns of a Would-Be Lover.' This set really pulls you through all the youthful passion, heartbreak, regret, and, finally, redemption. Van Laan’s writing brings places and times to life, so you can almost feel yourself there with him. If you are looking for poetry that offers comfort, a bit of reflection, and inspiration to keep going through life’s ups and downs, this book is worth your time.