With that being said it’s hard not to view this book with skepticism. It was in my mind through most of the book that sharing personal letters as a form of publication is somehow taboo, at least in my opinion. Worse is the feeling through the first half of the book that there is a possibility that Ramos is simply using his book as a form of political agenda. Gifts first few chapters Ramos writes to his children about the atrocities of war and ridicules the act in more of an opinionated then nurturing and teaching way. It was harder to separate myself form my skepticism on that front. Still, while he goes on about war torn area’s he’d traveled to in order to get a story he is able to articulate some mannerisms of teaching that seem more fit for life lessons to ones child quoting historical icons and authors.

One of the most recurring moments in the book are apologies which tend to fall on deaf ears here. Ramos dips in and out of sentimental laments to his children about how foolish he was to put his life in danger on various occasions yet never really takes full responsibility making the apologetic moments seem as if Ramos wants to make himself blameless. As a Father myself it was hard not to wonder how one could justify putting themselves into situations that could leave their children Fatherless, recognize the mistake, and then repeat it again later. To me it signifies a selfishness that runs rampant through the book. No dream or job is worth, again to me, being torn from one’s family.

In the later half of the book things start to make a little more sense. On page 150 Ramos mentions one of his favorite books to his children, Paula by Isabel Allende, a book about the death of that particular authors Daughter. It’s here I assume that Ramos took the idea to write a very personal book for his children and share it with the world. Ramos also reveals his personal relationship with his Father which if you were to analyze his life from the 194 pages you’d come full circle to understanding the above mentioned selfishness and sense a real struggle within him to be both a good Father and an individual.

The Gift of Time is one of those Chicken Soup For Your Soul kind of books that is meant to inspire thought within you be it good or bad. If you are a reader who is more into plot oriented novels you’re not going to find much here to satisfy. There is quite a bit you could come to understand about immigrants and Mexico as Jorge is both. His passion for his countries are one of the most genuine parts of the book as he focuses on his life in America as a student and the pain of looking back on his life in Mexico and the lack of opportunity and justice the country is suffocated by. It was a tough book to finish off and I couldn’t say that I recommend it but it would be a good book to flip through and read every now and again if you have the time. Another reason the book loses points is there are a few grammatical errors (typo's) in the book.

-AJ Garcia has been a writer for Shakefire.com since 2007.

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