This is a slim volume with lots of white space and cartoons. Although I could identify with many, if not all, of the work situations portrayed, I didn't walk away with many "concrete, practical suggestions," as the back cover implied I would. Basically, Mr. Elwood recommends making prayer and scripture (or, I would add, spiritual) reading a part of your daily routine, which I highly recommend also: I find that starting my day by getting up early, reading a passage from the Bible and meditating on it, and attending daily Mass before work all help center my day and provide me with a spiritual foundation and focus--spiritual food for my mind for breakfast.

The notion that anyone might seek work--a commercially oriented enterprise--to fulfill spiritual needs in the first place perhaps suggests how work-oriented our culture truly is, as though work could provide one-stop shopping for us and we could obviate the need to center ourselves spiritually outside of work. "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, but give to God what belongs to God," Jesus said. Perhaps the focus should rather be on how we can enrich ourselves spiritually so that we can bring that spirituality to work with us and thereby enrich our work environment. For to be "spiritually aware" is to be a leader, and thus a giver and a cross-bearer--not a taker. Why should we expect that someone else--our boss or our coworkers or clients--should be providing for our spiritual needs, as though work were intended to provide this paternalistic function?

Mr. Elwood also recommends knowing who you are and simplifying your lifestyle. Certainly, by simplifying your lifestyle, you are less likely to become addicted to your work as a means of propping up a materialistic lifestyle. And indeed, learning to know who you are is an activity that must take place away from work; otherwise, you risk becoming addicted to your work and identifying yourself by your work alone. He does point out wisely that there is a difference between being passionate about work you love, work to which you bring your spirituality and that enriches your spirituality, and work that is addictive and drains you of your spirituality, that seems at cross-purposes with your spirituality.

If these suggestions are new to you, then I recommend reading the book as a starting point. If, however, you already practice these suggestions, you might seek something meatier, as it will only reinforce what you already know to be true and effective.

This is a "must read" book for anyone seeking a more meaninful life in this downsizing world. I have just been layed off after 26 years with a company. After reading this book I could see myself in many of the chapters. The book has shown me how lucky I am to be away from a job that I was never truly happy in. Thanks Murray for putting in to words what I had thought about for a long time.

Murray Elwood's book has many virtues. It is funny. It is full of wise thoughts. It is easy to understand. Read it. Your life just might be enriched.

There is nothing special about this "book". "Book" is in quotes because "The Perfect Legal Resume" is more like a glorified pamphlet that does not look professionally bound.

The content is okay. Generally, the "book" lays out some different types of legal resumes, which may be helpful if you don't already have a resume and are lacking direction. Otherwise, if you already have a resume and are looking for something that can substantially improve what you already have, I would suggest looking elsewhere.