Barking to the Choir

The Power of Radical Kinship

By: Gregory Boyle

Narrated by: Gregory Boyle

Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

A moving example of unconditional love in difficult times, the best-selling author of Tattoos on the Heart, Father Gregory Boyle, shares what three decades of working with gangs in Los Angeles has taught him about faith, compassion, and the enduring power of radical kinship.

In his first book, Tattoos on the Heart, Father Gregory Boyle introduced us to Homeboy Industries, the largest and most successful gang-intervention program in the world. Critics hailed that book as an "astounding literary and spiritual feat" (Publishers Weekly) that is "destined to become a classic of both urban reportage and contemporary spirituality" (Los Angeles Times). Now, after the successful expansion of Homeboy Industries, Boyle returns with Barking to the Choir to reveal how compassion is transforming the neighborhood that boasts the highest concentration of murderous gang activity in Los Angeles.

In a nation deeply divided and a neighborhood plagued by poverty and violence, Barking to the Choir offers a snapshot into the challenges and joys of life in "the barrio". Jose, arrested at nine, in a gang by 12, and serving time shortly thereafter, now works with the substance-abuse team at Homeboy to help young boys find sobriety. Andre, abandoned by his family when he tried to attend school at age seven, gradually finds forgiveness for his schizophrenic mother. New father Hector, who never knew his own father, thinks of a daily adventure story to tell his four-year-old son. These former gang members uplift the soul and reveal how bright life can be when filled with unconditional love and kindness.

This collection is guaranteed to shake up our ideas about God and about people with a glimpse at a world defined by more compassion and fewer barriers. Gently and humorously, Barking to the Choir invites us to find kinship with one another and reconvinces us all of our own goodness.

©2017 Gregory Boyle (P)2017 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Beautiful

I was sad for it to end. Looking forward to the next book! As excellent as the first book. Must reads

My soul needed this

Just read it. Reset your ideas on kinship, Godliness, and purpose. Thank you Father G for putting this in ink (and vocals).

Gregory Boyle is a Storyteller for our time

Gregory Boyle has done it again by telling great stories of his shared life with the Homies and Home Girls of HomeBoy Industries. This is a great book full of moments where you will laugh and where you will cry. I highly recommend it to anyone I know.

Awaking

If you open your mind and listen most anyone should feel something,within themselves, in one of the chapters of this book. Not to feel sorry for any one individual Fr. G tells us about or ourselves, but to open your own heart and forgive yourself and others. It is not an easy road, but through compassion, hope and the realization that you are wonderful in the eyes of God.

Definitely made it to my "must" list

loved this book, if you are in between reading / listening this one or his first book tattoos on the heat do the latter. However, if you have time for both then do that!

MUST READ

Incredibly moving and inspiring piece describing love and God in a delightful, light, and humble manner.

What a wonderful message

So many tears as I listened to these stories. It left me with a renewed determination to do find a way to connect better in my community.

Best Book

This book moved me to my core. I can’t think of another book I would more highly recommend.

Deep, profound, soul-nourishing wisdom. Hilarious stories that had me laughing and laughing. Heart wrenching, moving tales from the barrio.

I was moved to tears so many times, just SO touched by the humanity of it all, and by Father Greg‘s wonderful and resonant perspective on the divine.

Please give yourself the gift of this amazing, heart transforming book. 🙏🏽

If you don’t want to be moved and cry….

Then don’t read this book. Father Boyle’s insights from years of working with former gang members inspire us all to kinship as a way of finding justice.

A must read and listen to book!

This book will transform your thinking about yourself and others. May you find “Radical Kinship” in your life! Thanks, Father Gregory Boyle for this masterpiece!