Book review: 'The Kindness Revolution' by Hugh Mackay

Published 20 May 2022

Hugh Mackay encourages us to find the best in ourselves and in society in both good and troubled times.

The Kindness Revolution shares the vision that creating a kinder, more compassionate, more cooperative, more respectful, more inclusive, more egalitarian, more harmonious, less cynical society starts with us as individuals living as if this is the society of which we are already a part.

Following the ravages of the 2020 bushfires and pandemic on our mental and emotional health and on the economy, Hugh Mackay reflects on the challenges we faced during recent upheavals. and the questions many of us have asked ourselves. "What really matters to me? Am I living the kind of life I want? What sort of society do I want us to become?"

Urging us not to let those questions go, and pointing to our inspiring displays of kindness and consideration, our personal sacrifices for the common good and our heightened appreciation of the value of local neighbourhoods and communities, he asks in turn: "Could we become renowned as a loving country, rather than simply a 'lucky' one?"

Absorbing, wise and inspiring, The Kindness Revolution is a remarkable book that shows how crises and catastrophes can often turn out to be the making of us. 

Browse Hugh Mackay's books and reserve a copy: moretonbay.qld.gov.au/libraries