Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship

The book, "Barking to the Choir" is a spectacularly moving book. I wrote notes on many of the pages as I read the book. In fact, I was so mesmerized, I purchased five more copies to give to others. The messages of the book deeply reached me personally and for the work that I do.

Father G invented Homeboy Industries to integrate gang members into our larger society. We can all
see why in this new book that calls us all to higher things in our relationships to our fellow human beings.

A simple message, and one that is sorely needed in this time of great decisiveness. The wisdom and commitment of Father Boyle and the bravery and strength is something we need all strive for to find the self we are searching for.

This book shares many stories about Father G and his work with the gangs of LA. He is very committed and truly follows his God led works. It made me ponder many things as I read it and made me see again if it is God led anything is possible.

Father Boyle is the priest that renews my faith in faith. He does what Christians proclaim we should be doing.
Read about the trials and successes he has experienced doing what he can for the lost, forgotten, abuse, and condemned.
It's that book you race to the finish only to wish it hadn't ended. Thank you Father Boyle.

Love his style of story telling. felt the love he shares with the kids he mentors and helps integrate back to community everyone is called to live. Reminds us that we are all equally valued no matter who we are and that we must be the love to one another that helps heal the wounds that people have being raised in violence and dysfunction

I can hardly read the news anymore, it just makes me sick to my stomach. So much division and so many people left behind, I hardly know what to do. This book was so uplifting and inspiring. Much needed reminder of the power of “radical kinship”.

What a storyteller he is...Embodied in Father Greg’s pedagogy and his narrative style is his natural ability and mastery in creating these beautiful, poignant, loving, human snapshots of his Kinship and His Joyful Moments with his Homeboy family & extended family. As he casts his lot with the so-called “throwaway people” living on the margins, his vignettes in "Barking..." elicited tears of joy, hope, and love from my soul. As I continued on my journey with G-Dog, he drew me in, ever closer to this loving, noble Homeboy Family. His warmth and gentleness of spirit draws us all closer in so we may adjust our lenses and finally see the face of humanity and the face of Christ in others that initially appeared so distant from us.

NOTE: This is not a book review.

I am curious why the the store feature "Rated by customers interested in" lists one of the 3 categories as "Literary Fiction".

In the very near future, I will purchase this book if for no other reason than contributing to Father Boyle's wonderful outreach program. Father Boyle exemplifies the love and caring that we sorely need in this country and the world. Very inspirational.

This just may be the most wonderful book I've ever read! Definitely affects your heart and how you want to interact with everyone. I could read Father G's stories forever!! They are truly life-changing. I just started "Tatoos of the Heart" and am now following Homeboy Industries on Facebook. This is a cause I will support (and have). Father G is changing the world! He is certainly changing me.

It was a wonderful book. Greg is such compassionate person. I also read his first book and, it too, received 5 stars I heard him speak at Bellarmine Chapel at X.U. twice and I hope he come back again.

Do you want to know how to live an authentic life in union with Christ today? Live in family union with all God’s children, especially those who are living on the margins and rejected by popular judgment. By a simple and obvious replacement of “kingdom” with “kinship,” Fr. Boyle crafts a classic of contemporary mystical theology.

G has a beautiful gift of story telling and sharing a message that will change your way of thinking about the journey each one of us is taking. His insight into the gang community and how each of us can incorporate strategies to develop kinship with those on the fringe are inspiring.

Fr. Greg Boyle's stories of working with the homeboys and home girls of LA is a lived reminder that we are each looking for a place to be seen, heard, received and loved. We are each kin one to another. Helping someone to experience that is life-changing. Read this book to quench one's cycnial dryness and to reignite one's spirit.

This is Father's second book about the Homeboys. He is a gifted story teller and a humble, holy man. An excellent read for those of us looking for positive news in our challenging times. Full of hope, goodness and unconditional love.

You don't need to be Catholic or Christian or an adherent of any organized or disorganized religion to appreciate what Fr. Boyle wants you to know about the power of kindness, compassion and community to transform lives.

The writing is high energy, can jump from point to point and is packed with anecdotes about gang members who work in Homeboy Industries. I doubt Fr. Boyle "curates" his life, and there's not much editing here from a literary standpoint. But that's not why you should read the book.

This can be a quick, all-in-one-sitting read. Or you can read parts of chapters day by day. Or both. It is an experience of grace at its roughest.