Hope … and the Hedgehog by Tom Vaughn Book Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway! {Ends 9/9/22}
Book Details:
Hope…And The Hedgehog by Tom Vaughan
Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 100 pages
Genre: Philosophy/Spirituality/New-Age
Publisher: Choir Press
Release date: May 2022
Formats Available: print-hardback and ebook
Tour dates: Aug 15 to Sep 2, 2022
Content Rating: G. It has no swearwords or sex scenes.
Book Description:
Hope…. And The Hedgehog is a ‘pocketbook philosophy for the present age’, a digestible exploration of the meaning of life which aims to unpick the big questions most of us spend our lives avoiding: how did life begin, how does it end, and what happens to us after we die?
Is there life after death? Is there a higher power? Or, is life one big cosmic accident; a clash of particles and atoms and one big bang? Tom looks instead at the power of faith and spirituality which he separates from religion. While he does not attempt to present any definitive argument, he looks at all sides, gathering thoughts from history’s most influential philosophers and scientists.
He makes the proposition that, between only two possible explanations for the existence of life, there is a greater likelihood of the one over the other. He believes in the importance of opening up our minds and finding more of a sense of purpose and direction in life – a view that, as we look towards a post-lockdown future, will resonate with many people.
“I chose the book’s title Hope … and the Hedgehog because hope is one of the principal drivers we resort to as human beings when confronted with a challenge to which there is no obvious solution. In the case of this book, that challenge is a very prickly issue: how we came into existence. It is an issue that we are all drawn to, but at the same time we do not want to handle or investigate too closely. Like the proverbial elephant in the room, we know that little hedgehog is there, we just prefer to leave it be – even if, in the end, there is no avoiding it.” – Tom Vaughan, May 2022.
BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble
Review By LAWonder10:
First of all, I was pleased the author clarified the title in the very beginning of his book. It saved me from being distracted by trying to connect the title to the story content.
Secondly, he may not have formal credentials or degrees, but I am impressed with the research and information he possessed. More information than a lot of “credited” individuals.
Hope… and the Hedgehog is a well-thought out, well researched book on Where we originated from, Why are we here on Earth, and where do we go after we die. He expands on fear of dying and lengths some have gone to, throughout history, to preserve life,
He also discusses the various beliefs and disbelief’s, and brings up very good points of discussion.
Along with the well-written thoughts, he discusses faith, and “believers” vs atheism they need to work together for human survival. A couple of points he made that I especially liked is:
1. The accounts he gives of those who have been in space and their views.
2. The comment by astronaut Michael Massinimo, “We are all time-travelog, journeying together towards the future”
He further discusses love and human needs.
It is a “quick read” but inspiring book with a huge amount of research
I offer a Five star rating for this literary work.
I was gifted this book with no pressure to post a positive review. This is my honest review.

Guest Post:

It is because many – if not most – people seem to confuse faith with religion that I wanted to write ‘Hope….and the Hedgehog’… A small book described as ‘a pocket philosophy for the current age’.
It takes a step back to a time before religion (if there ever was such a time!) to the very simple-and strikingly stark – binary choice we all have to face in deciding whether we think it more likely that life has a meaning and purpose (and therefore perhaps a continuum?) or whether it is just a meaningless, random cosmic accident.
A huge subject-one with which most people avoid engaging-this book attempts to simplify it and present it in an easy readable way. My aim being to encourage (not force or coerce) readers to think about it-that’s all. It is not a religious book.
A large part of my research for this book was undertaken by reading a wide variety of other writers from different periods throughout recent history-most of whom can be recognised as being far more erudite than me. These include existential philosophers, naturalists, scientists, astronauts, doctors, atheists, believers-and even a couple of prescient teenagers!
I do most of my writing either at the kitchen table or at my desk, depending on whether I’m doing concurrent research-when using a pen is much easier-or whether it is at my computer. I definitely don’t write every day as there are
other important aspects of my life that need equal attention.
I’m not a very disciplined writer and I have no strict schedule that I feel I have to adhere to. I tend to write best when other aspects of my life are running calmly and smoothly, leaving me free to concentrate.
Procrastination is the number one enemy of all writers, and it is often easy to confuse this with writer’s block. Except for the most disciplined of writers, we almost all suffer from this from time to time. My remedy has always been just to
sit down and write-however unenthusiastically or even badly. It is amazing how this usually gets you back on track and, whatever you’ve written that you’re dissatisfied with, can then always be remedied.
Meet the Author:
Tom’s life has come full circle from his first career as co-founder of the successful chain of Juliana’s discotheques, which he started in the 60’s and grew to be the world’s largest entertainment group of its type at the time, with offices in London, New York, Singapore and Sidney. With no scientific, philosophical or theological training and few school qualifications but armed with heaps of life experience as an entrepreneur, Tom switches gear with his latest work Hope…And The Hedgehog to take on the role of ‘everyman philosopher’, creating a new book that makes people stop and think.
The Tour Schedule:
Aug 15 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Aug 16 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Aug 17 –@bookswithstace – book review
Aug 22 – Books are a Blessing – book spotlight / giveaway
Aug 24 – Literary Flits – book review / giveaway
Aug 25 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway
Aug 26 – @just_another_mother_with_books – book review
Aug 29 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Aug 29 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Aug 30 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Aug 31 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review / giveaway
Sep 1 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Sep 2 – Kam’s Place – book review
Giveaway Details:
Win signed copy of HOPE…AND THE HEDGEHOG) (one winner) (ends Sep 9)
To Enter the Giveaway click on the Rafflecopter below:

Fascinating cover