Reverend Moon's Autobiography

Originally posted June 8, 2010

I will keep this post current and new posts will follow.
Reverend Moon's autobiography was a year long best seller in Korea and has now been translated into English.

Having read the second addition here is  my review.
It starts with a bit of altruism mixed into the events and people of Reverend Moon's early life before going into a more direct and detail telling of his childhood through young adulthood. It is a fascinating read, and understanding his family and background you can see well where the character and drive to become such an accomplished not only religious leader but world leader came from. Reverend Moon ripping a rail off a bridge walkway and using it to fight off Japanese police who were there to arrest him, as he was part of the Korean underground in his youth, one such memorable story.

Turning more to stories of how and why he developed particular organizations it again becomes more altruistic. You get an idea of Reverend Moon's vision and what he is working for. Some may find it odd, the continual calling for helping one's fellow man and resolving all the problems that divide man rather than any proclamations of Reverend Moon's own value or teachings, but it is not odd at all to anyone who has had any contact with Reverend Moon.

In parts Reverend Moon, now over ninety years old, seems to be addressing the Korean people directly with his vision. For those interested in the politics of the Far-East it might be informative in respect to North-South relations on the Korean peninsula, including relations with Japan. Several encounters with leaders such as Kim Il Sung and Mikhail Gorbachev are included in the book.

Reverend Moon speaks of the importance of Korea and ends with a message for the youth of the world. Calling them to always have the greater good in mind, thinking that whatever they desire to do with their lives they connect it to the public good and aim high to address the problems facing the world. Encouraging them to become global citizens. One passage being;

"If a person's goal in life is to graduate from a university, get a job with a company that will pay him a high salary, and lead a secure life, then that person will have the success of a puppy."

It concludes with Reverend Moon's call for a reform of the United Nations by creating a body of religious leaders and the call for completion of the International Highway, a project Reverend Moon has invested more than thirty years in, to bring down all the walls that divide mankind. To bring world peace.

When the book was first published by one of the most prestigious publishing companies in Korea they lost two of the top members of their company who resigned in protest to the books publication. One Catholic and one Protestant. The head of the company being Buddhist. It is not available in stores as of now in the United States. It is listed but not available on amazon.com. Religious bigotry is one of the most destructive forces in the world today.

This is my review of the second edition published by 'The Washington Times Foundation.' The third edition is now available and I have several copies. It has more content that I have not yet read and includes pictures and maps.

I have several copies. If anyone would like one I will send it to you for free. Contact me through the e-mail found in my blogger profile. (I have strange things happening with my e-mail. I can't say for sure I will receive it)

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