Dr. Donald De Marco, Virtue's Alphabet: From Amiability to Zeal.Dr. Donald De Marco, Virtue's Alphabet: From Amiability to Zeal Published by Central Bureau, Central Verein of America, 112 pp. ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m 1-887567-20-8, $10.00 U.S. Dr. Donald De Marco has described 26 virtues in this book, Virtue's Alphabet. In the preface, he refers to them as "gems in a jewelry case". Each virtue begins with a letter of the alphabet, and is described in a short chapter. The virtues are extolled and elaborated on in beautiful prose and with the imaginative use of episodes in the lives of many people, rich and poor, famous and obscure. Examples of virtue are found in the lives of Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II (Latin: Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Italian: Giovanni Paolo II, Polish: Jan Paweł II) born Karol Józef Wojtyła , President George W. Bush, Jermone Lejeune, King Leopold King Leopold usually refers to one of these Belgian kings:
. (354–430) patron saint of scholars; voluminous theological author. [Christian Hagiog.: Brewster, 384–385] See : Wisdom . Thomas Aquinas, and G.K. Chesterton illuminate the text. There are even two poems, written in an ironic vein, by Dr. De Marco, which clearly illustrate the problem which the modern world encounters because it mistakes love and honor for lust and "feeling secure". The author's purpose, as a professor of Philosophy, is to "awaken my students to reality". He succeeds admirably in doing this also for the reader. Each chapter, though brief, is worthy of reflection. One could profitably re-read this book and ponder each chapter in turn in order to benefit fully from its contents. The style is both lucid and artistic. Each virtue is distinct, but the connections between the virtues are mentioned. The role of grace in leading the virtues to transcendence is acknowledged. Lapidary lap·i·dar·y n. pl. lap·i·dar·ies 1. One who cuts, polishes, or engraves gems. 2. A dealer in precious or semiprecious stones. adj. 1. insights are provided which throw light on many virtues about which one rarely hears much comment. These include such fascinating subjects as the simple wonder of a child, civility, graciousness, resourcefulness, veracity veracity (v  ras´itē),n , unpretentiousness, and humor humor, according to ancient theory, any of four bodily fluids that determined man's health and temperament. Hippocrates postulated that an imbalance among the humors (blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile) resulted in pain and disease, and that good health was . Dr. De Marco likened these virtues to "gems in a jewelry case". In my opinion, he has shown that these 'gems' constitute a single unity, a beautiful crown to adorn the heart and mind. This book is a 'must read'. |
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