Book Recommendations, Reviews and Author Interviews from All-Creatures.org
Life of Pei: The Battle for Compassion By Pei Su
PUBLISHER: Lantern Publishing & Media
Life of Pei: The Battle for Compassion
Available at
Amazon
ISBN-10 : 1590567285
ISBN-13 : 978-1590567289
INFORMATION
This is the story of the learning journey of Pei Feng Su regarding the
relationship between humans, animals, and the environment that took her from
a breakaway outpost of Mao's China to achieving her aim of facilitating a
humane education movement in China.
Life of Pei: The Battle for Compassion is an inspirational read for those
who are struggling with their thoughts and direction in life. With a few
harrowing passages, the book describes Pei’s life experiences and how she
found meaning in her life and a pathway to help other people who needed
direction. Instead of using shock tactics, with exposure of cruelty and
neglect through the media and social networking, she promoted a reasoned and
integrated approach to foster empathy and compassion—not just for other
people, but also for animals and the environment. Her covert investigations
into wildlife issues, farming, captive animals, and companion animals show
her bravery and commitment to a task. She came to believe that researching
and developing an understanding of cultures is the key to successful and
sustainable change in behavior.
Acknowledging that in her younger days she was impulsive and intolerant,
also often unreasonable with others who she thought should work harder, Pei
interviews herself and attempts to analyze what she has learned about
herself and human nature. She believes that given the chance to understand
the truth about life on earth, many people—but children in particular—will
choose compassion over cruelty, and develop respect for themselves and each
other, for other species and the natural environment.
Pei is the founder of
ACTAsia, a groundbreaking charitable organization that
works tirelessly to promote compassion for people, kindness towards animals,
and respect for our planet. It has evolved in 17 years and Pei explains the
heartaches, the headaches and the uncertainty when trying to manage a
movement from another country, on a shoestring budget. She highlights the
sacrifices her family has made, especially when she was away from home for
several weeks at a time, so she could concentrate on the work and
development of
ACTAsia. She also describes how giving birth to a child in
her 40s has given her a different perspective on life. She has learned how
to view the world in a calmer manner, through simpler lens. The Life of Pei
will inspire all readers and is a poignant and moving read.
For more, visit
Life of Pei website.
REVIEW
It is too seldom that we know the histories of most people we know. Having
been an animal rights vegan activist for over 35 years, I have known
hundreds of people who have designed their lives around those commitments
and use their lives to do whatever they can to move us toward a world that
works for everyone and everything with no one and nothing left out. I have
known hundreds of amazing animal rights activists and have had deep
respect for so many of them. And then there are activists like Pei Su. I have been impressed
by and have admired and reveled in the accomplishments of
ACTAsia
for years now, but, I was stunned to learn about her history, what she
endured, who she has invented herself to be, and what she has and will
accomplish for a kinder, more compassionate planet. The direct translation
of animal in Chinese is ‘moving object’ and given Pei Su’s past as the
object of so much disrespect, pain and cruelty, it was entirely
unpredictable that she could be a driving force behind an entire culture’s
shift toward equality for and inclusion of all species. This book will
astound, enrage and inspire you to be the best you can be for all of us.
~
Veda Stram
Pei offers an insight into the fragility of life but also conveys the
strength of human nature through a candid account of her life experiences.
Her United Nations-accredited Caring for Life education program in China,
encapsulates a comprehensive and essential message of compassion in action,
for all forms of life.”
~ Dr. Zhou Jin-Fong, secretary general of the China Biodiversity
Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) China
An inspiring story of a life of hardship turned to one dedicated to
compassion. We can all find hope from such a path.
~ Leah Garcés, CEO and president, Mercy For Animals
An authentic life is not created by us, but rather it creates us. Through
her autobiography, meet Pei Su and her powerful journey of compassion for
all living beings, reaffirming the Buddhist proverb: One moment can change a
day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.
~ Michael Kaufmann, director, Sam and Myra Ross Institute at Green Chimneys,
USA
Pei is a tenacious, wise, and compassionate soul with a page-turning story
to share. She has walked a valiant path and through this book, she invites
us to explore with her and draw from what she has seen and experienced.
~ Jo-Anne McArthur, photojournalist, humane educator, animal rights
activist, and author
Authentic, brave, and riveting, Life of Pei is one woman’s saga of
redemption through finding her spiritual center and her life’s mission: to
put compassion into action for all beings. I loved this book, and although
I’ve never met its author, her writing leads me to believe that I probably
love her, too.
~ Victoria Moran, author, Creating a Charmed Life, The Love-Powered Diet,
and Age Like a Yogi
The world needs Humane Education more than ever. I am certain that it should
concern not just humans, but the entire animal kingdom and the environment.
I know of no one who has greater insight into its value than Pei and her
invention of ACTAsia is a powerful therapeutic initiative for the world’s
needs.
~ Terence Ryan, emeritus professor, Osler-McGovern Centre, Green Templeton
College, University of Oxford
A wonderful book that follows the extraordinary path of Pei and an
opportunity to enjoy her straightforward, inspirational, and transparent
personality. Knowing her for some 25 years, her wisdom, determination, and
clear-minded vision have led her through the rocky seas of man’s
relationship with his fellow animals. What a tremendous difference she is
making!
~ Marquis Federico Spinola, president of ACTAsia
This is a how-to book for activists. How to persevere in the face of
personal struggles and cultural barriers. How tenacity, hard work, and
vision are the keys. An unusually honest and engaging account from a true
warrior for justice.
~ Ken Swensen, Inside Animal Ag
Pei and I helped to draft the new Animal Protection Law in Taiwan, at a
unique time in Taiwan’s history, when it was emerging economically,
socially, and politically. I have always admired Pei’s bravery, her
open-mindedness, and her belief in the kind nature of human hearts. She is a
change-maker, and her determination will carry her through, in her battle
for compassion.
~ Professor Jason Yeh, National Taiwan University
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pei Su founded
ACTAsia, a charitable organization, in 2006 to promote kindness
and compassion through educational initiatives in Asia. Her background was
one of hardships: the deaths of her parents, grandmother, and other close
family members by the time she was only 16 had a significant impact on her
thinking and behavior, taking her on a path of self-destruction. Eventually,
mainly through studying Buddhism and the influence of her Buddhist friends,
she overcame many challenges and decided to travel to the UK, where she
successfully completed an MA in Sociology Policy. On completing her studies,
she found employment with the World Society for the Protection of Animals as
Director for Member Societies, leaving after 5 years to establish ACTAsia.
Pei is an international presenter at conferences and in the media and a
visiting lecturer at the University of London College of Fashion and Suzhou
University, in Shanghai.
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