The Heart of Virtue Lessons from Life and Literature Illustrating the Beauty and Value of Moral Character / Donald DeMarco

This book brings to life in an inspirational and memorable way what is at the core of every true moral virtue, namely, love. It presents twenty-eight different virtues and reveals, through stories that personify these virtues, how love is expressed through care, courage, compassion, faith, hope, justice, prudence, wisdom, etc... It is a treatment of virtue that is both unique and original. It is unique in that virtues are both illustrated in story form and explained through philosophical analysis. It is original in that many of the stories have never before appeared in print.

This book is a veritable liberal education in itself, bringing together in a carefully balanced and readable manner, distinguished personalities from diverse enterprises and periods of history. It literally sparkles with celebrities recruited from science and the arts, philosophy and theology, medicine and religion, stage and screen, sports and entertainment. But the book does not ignore the relatively unknown who provide several human interest stories that are both moving and unforgettable.

"With the renewed interest today in the virtues, De Marco reminds us that the virtues primarily lead us to God. This important book shows the virtues to be both more demanding and more graceful than the present discussion recognizes. Read De Marco and be reminded that the virtues have been at the heart of moral and spiritual reflection for over 2,000 years."
— Deal Hudson, Editor, Crisis Magazine

"A really engaging journey through the lives of men and women of virtue. Great for teaching and preaching."
— Benedict Groeschel, CFR, Author, Arise From Darkness

Donald De Marco, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at St. Jerome's College, Ontario, has written hundreds of magazine articles, and is the author of eleven books.