The Emptiness of Our Hands: 47 Days on the Streets Paperback – March 6, 2018

This author's 45 days of experiencing homelessness (voluntarily) is so simply and articulately written that I could not put it down, even though it is a sad tale without a happy ending. I was both enamored of the artful writing, and troubled by the story that plays out in my own community and communities everywhere. Yes, she returns home, but the plights of those she writes of so eloquently are perpetual circumstances that are possibly more true today than when she lived it in 1999. It's an unfortunate and timeless subject matter, written poetically, with great presence and heart. The daily accounts shine a quiet and authentic light over those living on the streets. I am changed by seeing behind surface appearances of homeless people and their days and nights of achieving shelter, food, safety, warmth, dignity, friendship, respect, kindness, and integrity of values while in the direst of circumstances. I highly recommend this book for its spare and beautiful writing style, its factual account without sentimentality, criticism or judgment, for its highlighting a segment of humanity that grows larger and more visible by the day. In addition, the photographs made by her companion, from salvaged materials adds an extra element of beauty of the human spirit. It's an all-around great read.

This book is so descriptive. Every school should have to read this . Easy and short chapters but written gracefully. Came on time and great condition

Terrific book with colourful language.

Definitely gives A New Perspective to homelessness and how people are invisible when they're homeless at times. I recommend this book

It's hard for me to put into words all the ways this book has touched my heart and my soul. It has humbled me...and that is a very good thing for a Christian.I read this during Lent this year, along with the companion book, Practicing Presence. I wanted so much to read ahead, but didn't. It was much better walking with Phyllis and James thru Lent rather than running ahead of them.If there is one thing this book does, it dashes to pieces the idea that little things don't matter. Ignoring someone matters. Not looking at them, rushing by...matters. And it matters profoundly. Christians can't brush this away or pretend these small actions don't matter... the words "what you did to the least of these you do to me" will dog you, never leave you in peace until you repent and ask for humility.The lessons learned in this book don't begin or end with the homeless but can be applied to all our fellow human beings who, for one reason or another, we've stopped seeing as human...people we've decided don't fall under those who Jesus told us to love as He loves us.

Story brings the rigors of the street to the uninformed and illinformed with straightforward language. No glossy pictures, just the street as it is. A good read.

Great life lessons learned from through the eyes of the authors. A good reminder that everyone wants and deserves grace and dignity. Acknowledgement of their existence and worth can health someone's heart.

A beautiful story-account about two young adults who go out and live in the cold reality of homelessness. They each seem less clear about why or what they’re setting out to do, though completely clear that they feel pulled to do so. The results bring us closer to some understanding of our own connections to the streets and street people. We meet up with various characters who struggle on a daily basis and we meet ourselves, wanting at times to avoid looking. But through Phyllis and James eyes, we meet the harshness of a winters homelessness, we glimpse a community of souls caring for each other, and we somehow meet ourselves, as if we’ve ventured out into that world. Not always an easy journey, but somehow welcoming and perhaps needed.

I could not stop reading once I started this book, and I would recommend it to anyone. Many parts of it made me physically shudder, but from my safe place I explored the world of homelessness with Phyllis and James, too uncommonly courageous and spiritual people who answered so many of my questions about how life is really experienced by those who have no place to call home.

I enjoyed this book very much. It describes in detail the challenges and revelations of living on the streets with no money and nowhere to live. It also describes the mental spiritual and emotional challenges that come with the experience. Put like that it sounds a bit grim but I didn't find it a depressing read. Uplifting if anything.One outcome; I'll certainly look at,acknowledge and if I can,help homeless people or beggers when i see them next. At the end of the day we're all just people.

Obgleich vermutlich jede:r schon mal über die Thematik nachgedacht hat, macht die Beschreibung sehr deutlich, wie schwer es ist, auf der Straße zu leben und auch nur einfachste Alltäglichkeiten zu organisieren.

Humbly and compassionately written of a breath taking endeavor that could only change one forever.

Beautiful book. Wish they would make it into a film. Opened my eyes to what life on the streets is like. Very well written. I ended up feeling real affection for the characters and was sad to reach the end of the book. It offers a powerful insight into the challenges that street people face, and also a powerful lesson in how a little bit of loving kindness can go such a long way and make such a difference in people's lives.