Review of Passionate Purpose
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Michaela Vancura
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Review of Passionate Purpose
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Passionate Purpose" by Jack J. Schramm.]
The book "Passionate Purpose: A Global Governance Journey," authored by Jack J. Schramm, conveyed itself as a dialogue instead of a mere reading experience because it emerged from someone who devoted his life to public service. As soon as I saw the cover combining global landmarks with American flag imagery alongside the Constitution, I understood I was starting an enlightening expedition that Jack Schramm successfully guided me through.
The book presents itself as a memoir, yet it moves beyond conventional self-celebratory writings commonly found in this literary form. Schramm establishes his foundation by telling affecting stories about his Russian immigrant family history and both their struggles escaping and the essential values taught to him. His dedication, which honored his maternal grandfather, Abraham Goruch, deeply touched me from the start. "One fateful day in 1911, on his inhospitable home soil of Russia, he performed an extraordinary act of personal bravery in the face of a marauding Cossack band that threatened both him and the lives of his family". In so doing, "my grandfather changed the lives of his family and its descendants forever". This essential background helps readers understand Schramm's life mission as both a person who feels responsible and a seeker of meaningful change.
The book unfolds chronologically, tracing Schramm's journey from his early political stirrings in grade school—organizing "Bike Patrols" and "armies"—to" his impactful career in state, federal, and international governance. He openly reveals his successful moments plus his difficult experiences in life. Part 1 of the book held my attention most when Schramm described his youthful days in St. Louis during the Great Depression. Through his personal stories of his parents, he made their impact on his life more than historical background. He created portraits that showed his early years. His first experience with racial discrimination while visiting Blondie & Dick's Root Beer Stand deeply affected his sense of morality as a child. "Margaret paid for a large mug and I chugged most of it down but couldn't finish it, so I passed it over to Margaret and asked her to finish it for me... she put the mug to her lips, and no sooner had she done that, when Blondie appeared... and snatched the mug right out of Margaret's hands, saying, 'Sorry!'". This pivotal moment shaped his lifelong commitment to justice.
The book transforms into a discussion about governance as Schramm steps into his political life. Part 2 of his book describes how he served in the Missouri state legislature through an illuminating explanation of political development and ambition. I found his straightforward admission effective in "Moving Up" because he revealed his political failure to become Lieutenant Governor. However, he didn't share his feelings with anger, so he chose to switch his focus to different ways of serving.
Parts 3 and 4 about the federal rule of law and international government structure were what made the book stand out to me. Schramm effectively explained his EPA experience by showing how science and politics combine in environmental rulemaking. He showed readers how he dealt with global governance issues by explaining his work experiences across China, the Philippines, and Egypt. I focused strongly on his system for environmental management, which he introduced in Egypt to address complicated environmental challenges. "The concept of Systemic Environmental Management was developed in Egypt in an effort to create sustainable solutions.". In his chapter, he discussed how China demands a balanced approach between business deals and environmental protection without taking extreme positions.
Schramm presents his writing in an easy-to-understand way that readers can follow with ease. He prefers simple everyday language instead of formal technical terms as he talks about his personal experiences. His self-ridiculing humor made his voice warm and genuine to me. He explains bureaucratic problems in Istanbul motorcycle permits and shares his "naive bow" moment at college.
The author gives us a great and meaningful review, but I recommend the book would benefit from a deeper look at the emotional cost of serving the public. Since he mentioned his divorce in passing, the book would have gained more depth by showing how his professional focus impacted his personal life. This section would have been even stronger with a deeper reflection on the impact of his career on his relationships.
However, these are minor points. The editorial work on "Passionate Purpose" was highly polished, making readers fully experience Schramm's story without interruptions.
The book "Passionate Purpose" deserves a full 5 out of 5-star rating because it stands out as an exceptional memoir. The book provides both deep knowledge and emotional motivation to readers. Schramm tells his story honestly while excellent editing makes the book easy to follow. Through this book, readers learn essential leadership principles alongside the significance of tenacity and objectivity during public service.
I suggest "Passionate Purpose" to readers who want to learn about influential lives and professionals working in public service. This book helps people understand both local and global government workings and international cooperation.
******
Passionate Purpose
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The book "Passionate Purpose: A Global Governance Journey," authored by Jack J. Schramm, conveyed itself as a dialogue instead of a mere reading experience because it emerged from someone who devoted his life to public service. As soon as I saw the cover combining global landmarks with American flag imagery alongside the Constitution, I understood I was starting an enlightening expedition that Jack Schramm successfully guided me through.
The book presents itself as a memoir, yet it moves beyond conventional self-celebratory writings commonly found in this literary form. Schramm establishes his foundation by telling affecting stories about his Russian immigrant family history and both their struggles escaping and the essential values taught to him. His dedication, which honored his maternal grandfather, Abraham Goruch, deeply touched me from the start. "One fateful day in 1911, on his inhospitable home soil of Russia, he performed an extraordinary act of personal bravery in the face of a marauding Cossack band that threatened both him and the lives of his family". In so doing, "my grandfather changed the lives of his family and its descendants forever". This essential background helps readers understand Schramm's life mission as both a person who feels responsible and a seeker of meaningful change.
The book unfolds chronologically, tracing Schramm's journey from his early political stirrings in grade school—organizing "Bike Patrols" and "armies"—to" his impactful career in state, federal, and international governance. He openly reveals his successful moments plus his difficult experiences in life. Part 1 of the book held my attention most when Schramm described his youthful days in St. Louis during the Great Depression. Through his personal stories of his parents, he made their impact on his life more than historical background. He created portraits that showed his early years. His first experience with racial discrimination while visiting Blondie & Dick's Root Beer Stand deeply affected his sense of morality as a child. "Margaret paid for a large mug and I chugged most of it down but couldn't finish it, so I passed it over to Margaret and asked her to finish it for me... she put the mug to her lips, and no sooner had she done that, when Blondie appeared... and snatched the mug right out of Margaret's hands, saying, 'Sorry!'". This pivotal moment shaped his lifelong commitment to justice.
The book transforms into a discussion about governance as Schramm steps into his political life. Part 2 of his book describes how he served in the Missouri state legislature through an illuminating explanation of political development and ambition. I found his straightforward admission effective in "Moving Up" because he revealed his political failure to become Lieutenant Governor. However, he didn't share his feelings with anger, so he chose to switch his focus to different ways of serving.
Parts 3 and 4 about the federal rule of law and international government structure were what made the book stand out to me. Schramm effectively explained his EPA experience by showing how science and politics combine in environmental rulemaking. He showed readers how he dealt with global governance issues by explaining his work experiences across China, the Philippines, and Egypt. I focused strongly on his system for environmental management, which he introduced in Egypt to address complicated environmental challenges. "The concept of Systemic Environmental Management was developed in Egypt in an effort to create sustainable solutions.". In his chapter, he discussed how China demands a balanced approach between business deals and environmental protection without taking extreme positions.
Schramm presents his writing in an easy-to-understand way that readers can follow with ease. He prefers simple everyday language instead of formal technical terms as he talks about his personal experiences. His self-ridiculing humor made his voice warm and genuine to me. He explains bureaucratic problems in Istanbul motorcycle permits and shares his "naive bow" moment at college.
The author gives us a great and meaningful review, but I recommend the book would benefit from a deeper look at the emotional cost of serving the public. Since he mentioned his divorce in passing, the book would have gained more depth by showing how his professional focus impacted his personal life. This section would have been even stronger with a deeper reflection on the impact of his career on his relationships.
However, these are minor points. The editorial work on "Passionate Purpose" was highly polished, making readers fully experience Schramm's story without interruptions.
The book "Passionate Purpose" deserves a full 5 out of 5-star rating because it stands out as an exceptional memoir. The book provides both deep knowledge and emotional motivation to readers. Schramm tells his story honestly while excellent editing makes the book easy to follow. Through this book, readers learn essential leadership principles alongside the significance of tenacity and objectivity during public service.
I suggest "Passionate Purpose" to readers who want to learn about influential lives and professionals working in public service. This book helps people understand both local and global government workings and international cooperation.
******
Passionate Purpose
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Shanghai'd by Curtis Stephen Burdick
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Mark Lazarus
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This memoir sounds like a powerful reflection on public service, leadership, and resilience. I like that the author offers both personal anecdotes and a broader perspective on governance, making it an insightful read. His ability to blend historical context with his career experiences adds depth, and the moments of vulnerability — like facing discrimination or coping with political loss — seem especially compelling. While the lack of deeper emotional reflection on his personal life might leave me wanting more, the genuine storytelling and honest perspective are appealing. I’d consider reading it to gain a better understanding of the sacrifices and rewards of a life dedicated to public service.
Latest Review: Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper
