4 out of 4 stars
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Puzzle of Fate: Is Your Fate Predetermined or Can You Change It? is a book under the non-fiction genre written by A. Reza Kamarei, Ph.D.
This book, divided into 16 parts: eleven chapters, tthree appendices, reference and index, is the result of the rigorous research done by the author to answer this common yet controversial question: Is your fate predetermined, or can you change it?
In Chapter 1, the author recounts how amused and amazed he has always been about the concept of fate. He tells of seven books by different authors which gave him insights and got him to start his own research. He shares 68 quotes about fate and destiny from famous individuals including Nicholas Sparks, John Lennon, William Shakespeare, J.K. Rowling and Mahatma Gandhi, and asks the reader to mark the quotes the reader agrees with.
In Chapter 2, the author finally gives his definition of fate as ‘the path, journey and destination of life’ and presents the question whether or not fate can be changed by the individual. He then proceeds with six groups of factors on which fate is built and shaped, these factors being: 1.) Genetic Makeup, 2.) Prenatal Development, 3.) Birth Time Conditions, 4.) Environment, 5.) Chances, and 6.) Free-Will Decisions and Actions.
He categorizes these factors depending on how optional they are. He puts the first three groups under Foundational/Deterministic Factors, the fourth and fifth under Semi-Optional Factors and the last under Optional Factors, and comes up with a schematic diagram showing the six groups of factors and calls the diagram the House of Fate.
Chapters 3 to 8 discuss each of the group of factors with each group divided into topics. Each topic is explained and elaborated with a conclusion after each discussion. Chapter 9 is the very important question directed at the reader and Chapter 10 is a test the author asks the reader to take. Finally, in Chapter 11, the author offers two concepts: Happiness and Quality of Life which, together with the six groups of factors, will help the reader to focus on how to reach his best possible fate, his Unique Summit.
Given the amount of research the author put into it, Dr. Kamarei, a PhD in food science and technology, is obviously very passionate about the topic of this book. His effort to make it understandable to everyone is also apparent in that every topic is discussed in simplistic manner with jargons thoughtfully and carefully explained and with pictures and diagrams for clarity. Ultimately, this, for me, is not just an informative book but a very educative one. This points out things about people that they do not know affect their fate like their mothers’ diets and vices during pregnancy (prenatal development), or those they probably know but are too stubborn to consider like family structures, religion, culture, tradition and customs (environment). Ultimately, this is a helpful, inspiring and hopeful book.
However, due to terms which needed to be defined, some parts, especially in Chapter 6 (Environment), ended up sounding like high school textbooks which may be vexing for some readers.
I, therefore, give this book the rate of 4 out of 4 stars and I recommend it to those who are trying to figure out which way their lives are going.
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Puzzle of Fate
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