Book Review:
☆☆☆☆☆5 out of 5 stars.
· 2 months ago
Phenomenal Read
Dr. Sheldon A. Jacobs enlightens readers to the every day realities the homeless population faces in America. Each day is a test of survival under the blistering hot Las Vegas sun. Sheldon’s experience, vivid storytelling and introspective curiosity takes you on an empathetic journey. His story leaves you feeling inspired to be a more compassionate human being, to spread kindness and to acknowledge the seen and unseen suffering of people you encounter living on the streets. Through his 48 hours of living homeless he transcends through social barriers to live in the life of others & share their individual stories. It’s a heartwarming and heartbreaking book in which you feel like you are right along side him, experiencing his internal consciousness and thought process of it all.
It is an intimate, emotional, extraordinary, and inspirational read that will change your heart forever. It opens your eyes to a world most have been privileged to never walk in.
His words ignite your imagination to see through the world with a new perspective.
Dr. Sheldon A. Jacobs demonstrates the humanity that exists within all of us and allows us to see that we are all one. And that every human being deserves the right to a fulfilling life & the pursuit of happiness.
Sheldon encourages a call to action and to invest more into mental health services for the homeless population. The complex, multifaceted issue can feel quite daunting to tackle, but with collective efforts and individual experiences like Sheldon’s that bring awareness, problems like this can be solved. His book leads me to ponder how COVID-19 has affected the homeless population in drastic ways and how homelessness is increasing because of COVID.
I just couldn’t put the book down and stayed up till 5am the night I started reading it. It inspired me to have more conversations with people who experience homelessness and to volunteer in my local community. It left me hopeful for the future where homelessness isn’t a problem anymore and a future filled with more compassion.
- Review Contains Spoilers:
- No
- # Tags:
- Action Packed,
- Life Changing,
- Emotional,
- Couldn't Put It Down,
- Tear Jerker
Video and article about 48 hour homeless experience.
Archway Publishing
November 17, 2020·2 min read
Dr. Sheldon A. Jacobs aims to shine a light on a worldwide problem to increase understanding and empathy
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The new book “48: An Experiential Memoir on Homelessness” (published by Archway Publishing) shares Dr. Sheldon Jacobs’ decision and experience going undercover as a homeless man for 48 hours in Las Vegas.
“The way I was made to feel by humanity as a homeless man was as if I did not exist. I was treated as if I did not exist or that I was invisible, which is how the problem of homelessness is viewed by many,” Jacobs says. “The hope is that the book helps to change that narrative.”
Living in Las Vegas, Jacobs was alarmed by the growing problem of homelessness he saw daily. Although he helped them through handing out hygiene kits, water, and food, he felt it wasn’t enough. Inspired by a homeless woman he met at the gym, Jacobs resolved to go undercover as a homeless man for 48 hours. Despite his wife’s concern for his safety, he pushed forward. This book reveals what he learned risking his life and health while begging for money in the desert and trying to raise awareness of homelessness and mental health. Additionally, Jacobs includes stories in his book from homeless individuals he encountered during his 48 hour experience.
Jacobs wants his readers to know “that anyone could become homeless and us as a society, we need to treat the homeless with more dignity and respect.”
“48” is available for purchase at the Archway link above, Barnes & Noble and online from Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/48-Experiential-Homelessness-Sheldon-Jacobs/dp/1480896233.
“48”
By Dr. Sheldon A. Jacobs
Hardcover | 6 x 9 in | 138 pages | ISBN 9781480896246
Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 138 pages | ISBN 9781480896239
E-Book | 138 pages | ISBN 9781480896253
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Dr. Sheldon A. Jacobs, born and raised in Southern California, lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his wife, Nicole; his son, Jayden; and his daughter, Arianna. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist and an advocate for the homeless and those struggling with mental health issues. He has taught numerous courses at the university level, published articles on topics ranging from mental health to various social issues, and is an active practitioner providing individual, couples, family, and group counseling. “48” is Jacobs’ first published book.