WHAT READERS SAY ABOUT THE BOOK
Calling all Angels
Mary Cox Garner has given us a very interesting read in Calling All Angels. She compiles different situations, seemingly making each chapter like a book within a book. She takes real-life scenarios where she finds herself in a situation with a service industry person (taxi drivers, food service workers) that is potentially disastrous, but the "Angel" service worker is able to diffuse the situation, and other stories along that theme. Calling All Angels really is a great, positive book! I found it very uplifting, it even put me in a better mood while reading it. Anybody looking for a feel good story book will enjoy this one! ~Crystal Lanham
Positive, good read for all
"Calling All Angels" by Mary Garner is a very positive, uplifting book. The book is first person form, in which she tells stories of taxi drivers and other people in service positions. Each chapter is like its own little book for each story, where you are briefed on the situation, then move into the conversation and/or altercations that arise, and the positive ways these are diffused.
The book almost reminds you of a self-help book, which it is, in a way. The book is very wholesome, and has strong religious roots. Each person who diffuses a situation, or helps someone without being thanked is known as an angel in the book.
I can not wait to see what Garner comes up with next. This book is family friendly, you can read together and to your children without worrying about coming across any scenes that might be inappropriate for children. ~Thomas Lawson
Paying It Forward
Mary Garner, early on in this radiant book states, `Our greatest strength is not in how much we differ from each other but in how much--how very much--we are the same.' She is an observer of humanity, watching for signs of human kindness, and having the faith that there is the possibility of a transformative spirit accessible to each of us. Garner comes to this book well prepared, holding degrees in religion, theology, clinical psychology, and international law. Reading her fine book, it becomes obvious that she maintains a strong desire to be of service in teaching, human rights advocacy, counseling, disarmament negotiating, dispute resolution, and global efforts of interfaith cooperation and peace-building.
Garner's introduction discusses the presence and the meaning of angels and how they appear at the most propitious times. `My life's continuing journey has evolved to envision a New Eden: a more loving, compassionate, and insightful way of living. This inner vision, when it is allowed to advance and move through us, can transform our individual lives - and, hopefully, the world around us.' Garner starts her many shared stories with a number of experiences with taxi drivers and how these men made a difference on many occasions in the lives of others. In each of the stories she shares, she focuses on how depending on our inner visions can keep us focused on the importance of the continuity of mankind - that string of instances that demonstrates how connected we all are if we only remain astute and aware of the positive flights of angels that hover over us. `There is something extraordinary about the sacredness associated with those who minister to us as nurses, doctors, hairdressers, wait staff, taxi drivers, and many other service-related professions.' Garner helps us open our eyes and minds to the little miracles and in dong so she provides an inordinate amount of hope in the future of our world - if we stay aware and care. ~Grady Harp
We all need angels, particularly the ones that are close by!
Mary Cox Garner has written a number of spiritual books that have introduced her very special quiet spirit to many, many people. The book is different in that she walks out of her home in Washington and purposefully meets people she has had no contact with before. This is particularly true of taxi drivers whom, with great skill and compassion, she draws into talking about their life and the lives of their families. Just by approaching taxi drivers with respect as normal people just like herself, she opens up whole dialogues that radically change her -- and our -- view of taxi drivers -- how educated they are, how devoted they are to their families, the frightening and dangerous stories of how they immigrated here from many of the "killing fields" around the world and the high aspirations they have for their children. The book is a joy to read: I smiled often and kept testing my own feelings against Mary's experiences. A seemingly simple reaching out to say "Hi" and what a rich world of experience and friendship came back -- an invitation to us all in our rapidly changing world! ~Jaan Whitehead
Simple and sophisticated
We don’t have, in my opinion, enough sources of inspiration through the day. Our lives are fast and without spirituality and human connection. We don’t make eye contact with our fellow humans. We don’t greet people on the street, in grocery store, and one of the taxi drivers in the book said how shocking it is now to see someone entering cab without looking at their phones, ipods, tablets, etc. This book is very inspirational and very easy to read. No preaching, no pulling you to the other, “better” side. It brings the reader back to humanity without heavy philosophical dissertation. It says stop, stop, stop and smell “the coffee”. Learn more about your fellow coworkers, neighbors, business acquaintances, and for most our family and friends. Learn to recognize all the angels around us. Read it right before bed time. You will sleep well afterwards. ~disappointedorange
Very uplifting book
Garner says that we all have the power in our own hands, an energy to promote healing and positive results. She refers to it as our life force or Tao, a benevolent peacekeeper of sorts. Her inspirational message reminds me of a pay-it-forward type of scenario, and she proves it by taking to the streets and using taxi drivers as examples. She has a subtle but strong message on how to become more enlightened or mindful of yourself and others. We can all become more receptive. She also talks about how to let go of negative tendencies and strengthen our inner journey. It is a very uplifting book. You will close the pages feeling very positive about yourself and all the new possibilities in your life. ~L.A. Howell