Help: The Original Human Dilemma

By Garret Keizer

     In Help: The Original Human Dilemma, Garrett Keizer writes about the many nuances of help. Keizer says, "Help cuts about as close to the bone of what it means to be human as any subject I can think of. We are, almost by definition and certainly from the beginning of our lives, creatures who require a lot of help." Keizer starts the book with an analysis of help in reference to the biblical passage about "The Good Samaritan." He then moves on to look at the dichotomy between our sense of obligation and our desire to be independent in the chapter "The Dream We No Longer Admit." Those that provide professional help are discussed in "Those Who Have Hands." Then Keizer turns to the struggle of those whose help is based from the home or "Domestic Samaritans." A particularly interesting section of the book is Keizer's look at the poor and the dehumanization that results from help.

     Garrett Keizer provides a thorough analysis of the varied perspectives of help in this book. He draws on his experiences as a former Episcopal priest to provide anecdotes and examples; from history, literature, and the Bible. This is an excellent book to read because it provides assurances that we are not alone in the struggle to understand not only how to help but how to accept help from others. I most highly recommend this book as a very insightful read.