Author: Cary A. Friedman 

ISBN: 0-9761966-2-X

Batman is a superhero’s superhero.  He was never bitten by a spider, subjected to radiation or injected by a bizarre substance.  Batman became a superhero through hard work, determination and character.  He did it the hard way—which means we can be superheroes, too. 

That’s the essential message of Cary Friedman’s Wisdom from the Batcave.  He says there are lessons to be learned from Batman; lessons that can make us better human beings. He uses excerpts from Batman’s life to teach us the value of family and friends, the importance of willpower and hard work, of idealism and principles.  Batman can teach us how to win over adversity and triumph over evil. 

These are valuable lessons in humanity.  Superman is definitely a good guy, but he had that strength and x-ray vision.  Spiderman is altruistic, but he’s got those spider powers.  All Batman has is his humanity.  Sure, he’s a darker character than most superheroes.  That’s because he’s human, and he has the human potential to choose good or evil. 

This little book is, indeed, a book of wisdom.  Each chapter is short and punchy, dealing with one aspect of the Batman that we would do well to emulate.  Each chapter would be a good discussion-starter for a small group or class on character development.  Each chapter gives us a piece of gold.  One example:  “In our lives there are superhuman feats that need to be accomplished.  Whether it’s loving an unlovable grouch, imparting values to a malevolent teenager, caring for a burdensome parent, let’s not ask ourselves if we can do it; let’s just find out if it needs to be done.”

Rabbi Friedman chose the Batman as a model for character development because, as he says, “something deeper and more profound emerges from these comic book stories:  transcendent, universal lessons in how to deal with people, battle adversity, and become the heroes of our own—and even other people’s—lives.”  After all, if Batman can be a superhero, why not me—or you?

The above review was contributed by: Penny Watkins, Free Lance Writer, Mother, Grandmother, and Cat Lady:  CLICK HERE  to read more of Penny's Reviews.