Richard Gunderman, We Come to Life with those we Serve, Indiana University Press (2017)
What do Victor Frankenstein, Ivan Ilyich, Albert Schweitzer, Rebecca, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, John Wooden, Bill Cook, Ebenezer Scrooge and Vincent van Gogh all have in common? Well in the case of We Come to Life with those we Serve they are all used as cases for different forms of service that are taken to define humanity.
Victor Frankenstein as the first example offers a useful platform for the cases that follow. The chapter that concerns Frankenstein has the subtitle of ‘The Life devoid of Service’, this serves as the starting point, if one lives not serving others then life is less meaningful and misses a key aspect of being human. The bulk of analysis in this book is literary in nature and addresses how characters or individuals acted in service and derived lessons for life.
The mixture of factual and fictional cases makes for a much more interesting book in addition to the short but complete analysis. The drive of the book as a whole is even clearer to see in the chapter discussing Albert Schweitzer as he is compared to Christina Onassis. Gunderman in effect continually searches for comparisons that point to the importance of service over materialism. Another key comparative that emerges and is especially significant in the case of Vincent van Gogh is the question of a short life engaged in service to an art or passion versus a long life merely lived. In the chapter on Schweitzer discussion of measuring the success of a human life takes a more prominent place. Throughout the cases the measure of fame is problematized, as well as, wealth and power. However, the thrust of Gunderman’s analysis is that these relatively superficial measures miss the most significant aspects of human life. Fame and wealth may bestow or have potential to indicate a significant life but far more people have a meaningful and fulfilled life without the trappings of wealth and fame.
Returning to the case of van Gogh, while now regarded as one of the greatest artists in history he died in obscurity at 37 having only sold one painting. While some may regard this as lost potential, the chapter ultimately shows the story of someone pursuing their gift and in this sense was there really a waste? Even while he died in obscurity the results of his labor was still spread around the world. In fulfilling his gift van Gogh undertook service to art and this service was redeemed as people appreciated the art, were inspired by the art and moved by the art.
Other forms of service noted through the book are more obvious forms such as ‘service to community’, ‘service through education’ and ‘service to family’. Similarly there are suggestions that might be surprising, ‘service through suffering’ and ‘service through commerce’. Therefore while volunteering time to educate others or coach a team may seem a evident form of service, there is also importance in serving while suffering. Alexander Solzhenitsyn is the case for ‘service through suffering’ and this is formulated on the basis of his battle with cancer and how suffering reveals ones true self. His writing Cancer Ward draws many important characteristics of this form of service and Gunderman identifies Elizaveta Anatolyvena as the key figure. She quietly and effectively does all the jobs otherwise rejected by others in the hospital and in the face of the suffering of patients simply engages in acts of service.
There are a number of lessons in all these case studies with many quotable sections largely about how one should live their life to help and elevate others. There is also a consistent presence of Christian faith and biblical messages. However, it is not overwhelming and the key message is the importance of helping others without the necessary expectation of return. This is essential in the case of Bill Cook. The idea of ‘service through commerce’ may seem antithetical in some ways, just as nonprofits and for profit organizations are sometimes placed at opposing ends of a spectrum. However, Gundeman does a great job through using Bill Cook as an example of why this dichotomy is at best inaccurate. The recent uptick in social enterprises and methods for corporate entities to give back is a reflection of some of these principles. Gunderman makes the accurate suggestion that in some cases the products, services and jobs provided are as much a public benefit than any nonprofit driven initiative. While there are motivational questions that could be asked of some corporate social responsibility progress it is difficult to question that some businesses provide services and products that do anything other than benefit society. In the case of Bill Cook and provision of medical devices there is an undoubted public benefit. Furthermore, the corporate culture is described in depth and effectively reduces a level of traditional corporate hierarchy and gives all employees a higher level of autonomy and independence. This is the most compelling chapter to me as it highlights that even in unexpected settings an individual can find a way to serve others.
This book is inspirational in the sense of trying to get the reader to rationalize their own lives and ways in which they either have served or could serve others. As it turns out, it can largely be in any setting and mostly just requires an individual to have a level of empathy that pushes them to want to help others. Further, it is through this service that in the cases described an individual can feel a greater sense of fulfillment. It is easy to find someone that has done volunteering work internationally and in some locations domestically that may suggest they learnt more from the experience than the hosts gained from them. Not a comprehensive analysis of development volunteering or philanthropy in general, this is simply a book that has the concise intention of motivating more individuals to live in service to others through any means. The argument is that through such service, stronger, healthier and more positive communities can be built.
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