In this brief, but significant book, Chet Gladkowski seeks to help us understand the concept of "hope," diving into the details of many different kinds of hope. Gladkowski provides simple and informative steps to acquiring and receiving ultimate hope, including hope found in weakness, hope in community, hope in learning, and even hope in failure. This book helps us to view our successes and triumphs in a new way that puts the emphasis on our relationship with God. This is valuable and helpful to anyone who struggles with hope for life and for the future.

In a broken world full of negativity, this short book is surprisingly impactful as it discusses how Hope truly does exist and is available for each and everyone of us. If it's worth it for us to get degrees in various subjects, doesn't it make sense to study how to be more hopeful and how to find hope all around us. I read this book while my mother-in-law was undergoing chemo and can't express how much it has helped my perspective and emotional well being while our family has gone through this difficult time. Rather than focusing on the negative, and all the scary things that accompany cancer, my family and I have found a peace and Hope that has helped us all. One of the best messages from the book is that while we can't control life's events, we can set our minds and hearts to be hopeful and aware of the abundant blessings taking place in our lives. This book is also great for group studies and my understanding is that the author is available to lead "PHD in Hope" courses for such groups. While reading the book, I couldn't help but think how beneficial the messages in this course could benefit my work team. What a great way to start the year! If you feel like you are stuck in a rut and/or going through a particularly difficult time, I highly recommend this book. It can be a life changer!

We are surrounded by so much negativity, chaos, unpredictability, inequality, wars. rumors of wars and evil in some people to hurt others, that it is often hard to find the courage to put one foot in front of the other sometimes. For those of us who are Christians, we are vulnerable to these attacks from Satan. He tries to take away our joy and replace it with discouragement and depression. Our joy in Christ is always there, but Satan’s temptations to “want more” of whatever we feel we are lacking, impairs our focus on Jesus. Jesus always wants the best for us and, promises to take care of us always. He never leaves us. We just choose to leave Him. There is a dual responsibility here. Satan’s temptations, and our choices. In the book, the author gives us practical ways to keep our focus on Jesus, so we are never alone in fighting the temptations of Satan. Satan wants to keep us discouraged, afraid, angry, fearful and feel abandoned by our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. We know in our hearts; Jesus will never abandon us but is up to us to maintain that focus. We must recognize these interferences of Satan (he loves to distract us Christians, we are his favorite target). After all, he can never have us if we stay focused on Jesus and continue to ask for his help. He is eager to forgive us when we are distracted or choose to follow the ways of these earthly temptations. We just need to ask for that forgiveness and BELIEVE we are forgiven because God’s word tells us that is all we need to do! We ALWAYS have hope knowing that God loves us and forgives our human-ness. Every time we come back to God, we are forgiven and accepted into his open arms. Our simple belief that Jesus came to this earth to show us how God wants us to live, to believe that Jesus was and is the Son of God and died for our sins. We have the HOPE of eternal life with them. God gave us the Holy Spirit, in each and every one of us who believe in Him. It is a gift from God. This Holy Spirit within us assures us of our Hope for living in this world surrounded by the good and evil it has to offer. This book is filled with practical ways to obtain hope and share our hope with others. I hope you find your life filled with hope after reading Chet’s wonderful book.

PHD in Hope is a wonderful and uplifting read. I have known its author, Chet Gladkowski, for many years and have relied on in his insight in many matters. I wholeheartedly recommend spending a bit of time with this book which I thoroughly enjoyed reading and which I passed along to my wife.

Gladkowski addresses the pressing need for hope, a precious commodity that seems to be dwindling in our contemporary world. With a clear and compelling writing style, the author takes readers on a journey toward cultivating genuine, dependable hope that transcends individual boundaries and has the potential to uplift entire communities. The book is structured around the promise of attaining a "PHD in Hope" or Personal Hope Development. Gladkowski breaks down this ambitious goal into three key pillars: Understanding Hope: The author delves into the multifaceted nature of hope, demystifying what it isn't and, more importantly, what it truly is. By exploring the essence of hope, readers gain a profound insight into the transformative power it holds. Receiving Hope: Gladkowski guides readers on a quest to discover where hope is found and how to tap into its sources. Whether it's through personal introspection, community engagement, or connecting with the broader world, the book offers practical advice on how to welcome hope into one's life. Sharing Hope: An essential aspect of becoming more hopeful is sharing the hope one possesses. The author emphasizes the interconnectedness of hope and encourages readers to extend their newfound optimism to others—be it family, neighbors, or the broader community. In doing so, individuals contribute to a collective reservoir of hope that can have a ripple effect on society. Gladkowski's writing is both engaging and accessible, making the complex topic of hope approachable for readers from all walks of life. The narrative is peppered with real-life examples, anecdotes, and practical exercises that enhance the reader's understanding and application of the concepts presented. "PHD in Hope" is not just a theoretical exploration of hope; it is a guidebook with tangible takeaways. Readers will not only be inspired but also equipped with the tools to integrate hope into their lives and communities. In a world where challenges and uncertainties can easily overshadow our spirits, "PHD in Hope" stands out as a compelling guide for those seeking to cultivate and share genuine hope. Chet Gladkowski's profound insights and actionable advice make this book a must-read for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of life with resilience, optimism, and a renewed sense of hope.

PHD in Hope is easy to read, practical and offers just the right amount of inspiration at a time when we need it more than ever. Chet relates through practical experiences and doesn't pull any punches.

I just bought ten copies to give to a few people I know who could use a book like this.

I know you will want to read and share PHD in Hope by Chet Gladkowski. In this time of uncertainty, social divisiveness, and political ineptitude and corruption in our country, I found myself frustrated, angry, depressed, and seemingly without hope for the future of my family, friends and our country. Reading PHD in Hope has given me a fresh perspective on life and helped me become a more hopeful person in a world that desperately wants to drain all the hope out of you. This is a must read book!