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Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion Kindle Edition

by Gregory Boyle (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 6,033 ratings
Goodreads Choice Award nominee
See all formats and editions
“Destined to become a classic of both urban reportage and contemporary spirituality” (Los Angeles Times)—Tattoos on the Heart is a series of parables about kinship and redemption from pastor, activist, and renowned speaker, Father Gregory Boyle.

For twenty years, Father Gregory Boyle has run Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention program located in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles—also known as the gang capital of the world. In Tattoos on the Heart, he has distilled his experience working in the ghetto into a breathtaking series of parables inspired by faith.

From giant, tattooed Cesar, shopping at JC Penney fresh out of prison, you learn how to feel worthy of God’s love. From ten-year-old Pipi you learn the importance of being known and acknowledged. From Lulu you come to understand the kind of patience necessary to rescue someone from the dark—as Father Boyle phrases it, we can only shine a flashlight on a light switch in a darkened room.

This is a motivating look at how to stay faithful in spite of failure, how to meet the world with a loving heart, and how to conquer shame with boundless, restorative love.
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  1. Print length
    244 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Free Press
  5. Publication date
    February 14, 2010
  6. File size
    1871 KB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. In this artful, disquieting, yet surprisingly jubilant memoir, Jesuit priest Boyle recounts his two decades of working with homies in Los Angeles County, which contains 1,100 gangs with nearly 86,000 members. Boyle's Homeboy Industries is the largest gang intervention program in the country, offering job training, tattoo removal, and employment to members of enemy gangs. Effectively straddling the debate regarding where the responsibility for urban violence lies, Boyle both recounts the despair of watching the kids you love cooperate in their own demise and levels the challenge to readers to stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgment at how they carry it. From moving vignettes about gangsters breaking into tears or finding themselves worthy of love and affirmation, to moments of spiritual reflection and sidesplittingly funny banter between him and the homies, Boyle creates a convincing and even joyful treatise on the sacredness of every life. Considering that he has buried more than 150 young people from gang-related violence, the joyful tenor of the book remains an astounding literary and spiritual feat. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Incandescent, always hope-filled and often hilarious. Boyle somehow maintains an exuberant voice that celebrates the strength, compassion and humanity of people often demonized. He simply highlights charity and goodness wherever they are found. Boyle intersperses his narratives about gang members and his work with them with theological and spiritual reflections from a variety of theologians, poets and other writers. By introducing book-buying, highly educated readers to people we may never otherwise encounter, Boyle aspires to "broaden the parameters of our kinship.'"--The Christian Century

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0038A851U
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Free Press (February 14, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 14, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1871 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 244 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 6,033 ratings

About the author

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Gregory Boyle

Gregory Boyle

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Gregory Boyle is an American Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program in the world. He has received the California Peace Prize and been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. In 2014, the White House named Boyle a Champion of Change. He received the University of Notre Dame’s 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics. He is the acclaimed author of Tattoos on the Heart (2010). Barking to the Choir is his second book, and he will be donating all net proceeds to Homeboy Industries.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
6,033 global ratings
Tattoos of the Heart
5 Stars
Tattoos of the Heart
I order this on the book on the 7th and received the book on the 8th in very good condition along with the author signature even though it was signed under someone else name...Thank you
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Top reviews from the United States

Paul M Ibarra
5.0 out of 5 stars humanity, kindness, kinship and compassion
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2024
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What a beautiful read. Father Boyle is inspirational- he embodies pure love for his fellow human. He gives the least valued people their humanity back. He embodies love and compassion and gives us a path forward. He strips us of judgement, critique, loathing and hate. He shows us there is a different path for us all- a path we are all accepted and loved just as we are. We belong, we are seen and we are accepted. A must read. May peace, love and joy be with you always, my friend.
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OJA Sevn
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2024
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Father Greg’s experiences are life changing! As I read the book I was deeply moved by the powerful stories of kinship and redemption in one of the most challenging urban environments. Father Gregory Boyle's experiences with Homeboy Industries, set against the backdrop of Los Angeles' notorious gang landscape, were both heart-wrenching and inspiring. His narrative, filled with compassion and wisdom, brought to life the struggles and triumphs of individuals like Cesar and Pipi. Each story was a lesson in humanity – about feeling worthy of love, recognizing the importance of acknowledgment, and understanding the patience required to help someone out of darkness. Father Boyle's approach to spirituality and activism, focusing on love and personal connection rather than judgment and alienation, was a profound reminder of the power of compassion and empathy. This book isn't just a collection of parables; it's a guide on how to meet the world with a loving heart, stay faithful in the face of failure, and offer restorative love to those who need it most. The emotional depth and spiritual insight in these pages have left an indelible impact on my perspective towards life and human connections.
One person found this helpful
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Marcella Seidensticker
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2011
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Yes buy it. You will love it, be entertained, and be inspired. Despite the realness of the story, the side of society that we blame and often try to forget, and the street humor that brings it down to earth, the author warmed my heart and inspired me. This book is well written and funny despite the serious and deep moments shared. It is an inspirational story written by a priest who worked with gang members and street kids. The information he shares opens our minds to a lifestyle that is hard to understand but easy to judge. Although the topic is heavy and the author openly truly shares his perspective, his feelings, his failures, and his personal growth, he is still able to mix in humor and keep the book up-lifting enough to digest even the very bleak. His love and his knowing of God's unconditional love makes it possible to believe when there is no hope, but where faith and love find a vastness of worthiness. God bless him and all he did for those kids. Don't expect any bible quotes or any "bible banging" as they say just a true example of "walking the walk" without tooting any horns. Anyone who reads this book will be inspired, but if you work with children of different walks of life then this book is a must. It is easy to dislike the hard kid, the rude kid, the tough kid but the rewards and the healing powers of love and his stories make me this book a definite read. For anyone who judges, for all those who are religious but don't live the life they preach, it is beautiful to see a Christian, a Catholic know God as he describes in a very real way where love is so great that forgiveness is natural and there is no room for judgment. The author has a way of inspiring and adding a perspective from a place of love that I can only compare to Mother Teresa. Although he never claims to be special or be spoken to by Jesus, his knowledge of love and humbleness is just as admirable.
5 people found this helpful
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Jacek Ostrowski
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book - it's more than worth it
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2015
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I first heard Fr. Greg Boyle speaking in Krista Tippet's On Being radio show / podcast short time ago, and immediately bought his book from Amazon. The decision of purchase was even faster when I found out that all of the proceeds from the book are donated to Homeboy Industries. If you haven't heard him speaking, I highly recommend listening to the YouTube recording of this conversation (or audio version from onbeing.org). I was fascinated by his total dedication, deep, living faith, unstoppable energy and a sense of humor of a man, who is completely free of the weight of his own ego. This sense of humor constrasts with innumerable tragic stories he was involved in, including close to 200 funerals of young people. He is also very good, engaging speaker.

I recommend this book especially because it's not only about external adventures -- although there're lots of stories here, both tragic and hillarious -- it's also about spiritual journey. It is written by Gregory Boyle himself, a man called by more and more people a proper saint (the kind of saint who can rush between two gangs ready to fight with all the f* words he can remind of -- a story from "G-Dog and the Homeboys"). In buddhist terms he ticks all the checkboxes to be called a boddhisattva -- a being who descends to hell to liberate all others before he liberates himeself). And this is a really good deal -- you can get a book filled with interesting stories which can change something in you and at the same time support a little a case which this book is about.

I mentioned "G-Dog and the Homeboys" above -- a book by Celeste Fremon. It provides a different, more journalist-like view of early years around 1990. You can get some more historical background from it -- initial rejection by almost anyone, beginning with local people, conflicts with LAPD (with their operation "Hammer" and brutal attitude towards youth in the projects), building a supporting community, midnight alarms because of shootings, balancing on the edge-thin line in cases when "his" kids were involved in acts of violence, bullets missing his head by inches -- and a lot more.
2 people found this helpful
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Dawn E.
4.0 out of 5 stars Great as a gift
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2023
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A well-written, easy ready, for anyone considering those with at-risk backgrounds with drugs, alcohol, and/or crime. I've given it as a gift to a few people and they also enjoyed it.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

I highly recommend this book. I have been following the work of Father Greg Boyle for a while now and find it inspiring. Thus I chose his book for our book club selection to start the 2024 year. This book did not disappoint me. It brought me to tears on many occasions and I have a new mantra from the book to guide me through this year, " Just assume the answer to every question is compassion." Try it, it truly works. The transformative work that Father Greg and his team at Homeboy Industries do should be something we all aspire to. This man is truly a disciple of Jesus and he walks the talk. He accepts every person who walks through his door in all their beautiful humanness and he holds a mirror up for them to see the beauty in themselves. He gives everyone unlimited chances to reach their potential and be of service to their community and world. Bless you Father Greg for drawing the circle so wide that no one if left outside or excluded. The world needs more of this type of unconditional love.
5.0 out of 5 stars The Power of Boundless Compassion!
Reviewed in Canada on January 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
I highly recommend this book. I have been following the work of Father Greg Boyle for a while now and find it inspiring. Thus I chose his book for our book club selection to start the 2024 year. This book did not disappoint me. It brought me to tears on many occasions and I have a new mantra from the book to guide me through this year, " Just assume the answer to every question is compassion." Try it, it truly works.

The transformative work that Father Greg and his team at Homeboy Industries do should be something we all aspire to. This man is truly a disciple of Jesus and he walks the talk. He accepts every person who walks through his door in all their beautiful humanness and he holds a mirror up for them to see the beauty in themselves. He gives everyone unlimited chances to reach their potential and be of service to their community and world. Bless you Father Greg for drawing the circle so wide that no one if left outside or excluded. The world needs more of this type of unconditional love.
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I highly recommend this book. I have been following the work of Father Greg Boyle for a while now and find it inspiring. Thus I chose his book for our book club selection to start the 2024 year. This book did not disappoint me. It brought me to tears on many occasions and I have a new mantra from the book to guide me through this year, " Just assume the answer to every question is compassion." Try it, it truly works. The transformative work that Father Greg and his team at Homeboy Industries do should be something we all aspire to. This man is truly a disciple of Jesus and he walks the talk. He accepts every person who walks through his door in all their beautiful humanness and he holds a mirror up for them to see the beauty in themselves. He gives everyone unlimited chances to reach their potential and be of service to their community and world. Bless you Father Greg for drawing the circle so wide that no one if left outside or excluded. The world needs more of this type of unconditional love.
5.0 out of 5 stars The Power of Boundless Compassion!
Reviewed in Canada on January 10, 2024
I highly recommend this book. I have been following the work of Father Greg Boyle for a while now and find it inspiring. Thus I chose his book for our book club selection to start the 2024 year. This book did not disappoint me. It brought me to tears on many occasions and I have a new mantra from the book to guide me through this year, " Just assume the answer to every question is compassion." Try it, it truly works.

The transformative work that Father Greg and his team at Homeboy Industries do should be something we all aspire to. This man is truly a disciple of Jesus and he walks the talk. He accepts every person who walks through his door in all their beautiful humanness and he holds a mirror up for them to see the beauty in themselves. He gives everyone unlimited chances to reach their potential and be of service to their community and world. Bless you Father Greg for drawing the circle so wide that no one if left outside or excluded. The world needs more of this type of unconditional love.
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Anne Oliver
5.0 out of 5 stars A book so good even this minamilist is keeping it !
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 28, 2018
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If I picked any religion it would be Buddhism ,so I'm far from a fan of religious books .BUT ...this book isn't ramming God, the church or any religion down your throat, infact it references all kinds of people . It's sort of more one mans philosophy, in that it's how he interprets his job, beliefs ,concepts like compassion and how they translate into the life around him. I saw the documentary a few years ago and liked him, I found him not just an inspiration but a breath of fresh air. He has a genuiness that makes him so real unlike characters like mother Teresa . I did however cry many times, and laugh , and smile and just love the way it read. It's lots of short stories and incidents so really easy to pick up and put down. When it ended I felt pretty sad, like he was a good friend who I would miss gabbing to. I've bought it for several people I know, I plan to re read it in the winter as I might remember more of the stories if I do ! But my overall best thing was it didn't preach, leave me feeling drained or wrung out. Instead I feel lifted, my hearts fuller, I'm still laughing about some stuff and somehow Greg is now in my head when I'm faced with crazy situations at work...not in a jimmney cricket way, in a smiling ...' how would he handle this ? ' Ill always think about the 'smelly feet ' story and change my view on lots of things. ! I'm glad he's sharing himself with the world , the world needs him and more like him. An inspiration to us all.
10 people found this helpful
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momo
5.0 out of 5 stars Love
Reviewed in Germany on September 23, 2015
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This book is purely encouraging. Full of hope, strength, compassion, laughter & tears. It changes the heart of its readers. Highly recommended!
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Tim Tribble
5.0 out of 5 stars For the compassionate person
Reviewed in Canada on January 5, 2024
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This book will reveal insights about compassion and the effect it has on how we operate as human beings.
Couldn't put this one down until it was finished.

Great read.
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Jonathan Green
5.0 out of 5 stars A real inspiration, a real eye opener, a really good read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 25, 2016
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Wow, just wow! Tattoos on the Heart is a brilliant book that shares story after story of the life of a Jesuit Priest who spent the majority of his adult life working with gangs in the gang capital of L.A.

The author has the ability to plant little truth bombs that explode in your heart and mind and cause you to see people and situations in a different light. The story is also a real inspiration for anyone who wants to do something daring but feels discouraged. This is a story of faith and little steps that amount over 20 years to a miraculous ministry. Thousands of lives have been impacted, yet you get the sense that Gregory Boyle just turned up day in day out and related to the people who came across his path.

I don't want to spoil the book for you, but do yourself a favour and read it. I love too how all the proceeds from the book are going to Homeboy Industries - one of the great stories that runs through most of the pages. A real inspiration, a real eye opener, a really good read!
5 people found this helpful
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