Leo Buscaglia was a popular teacher, speaker, and author of inspirational books that offered self help advice on the subject of love.By the time of his death, his books had sold millions of copies and he was a regular fundraising speaker for PBS pledge drives.
Background of Leo Buscaglia
Leo Buscaglia was born to an Italian immigrant family in Los Angeles on March 31, 1924. He died of a heart attack at the age of 74 on June 12, 1998. He was the youngest of four children and held a life long love of learning. He spent part of his childhood in Italy and part of it in the USA. He was raised in the Roman Catholic church but was heavily influenced by Buddhism as he traveled and studied throughout Asia. All these influences came together to give Buscaglia a unique perspective on life.
Leo Buscaglia served in the Navy during the Second World War and attended the University of Southern California upon his release. He obtained his bachelor’s degree, master’s and doctorate from there and then became a faculty member.
A student in one of his classes had a profound effect on the course of his life. The student committed suicide and it troubled Buscaglia deeply that the university and society was so well equipped to deliver a proper education but seemed to forget how to cater to the human needs of individuals.
Leo Buscaglia and Love
In response to his soul searching on the subjects of death, suicide, love, and life, Leo Buscaglia formed a new non-credit class at the university called Love 1A. The class was a huge hit on campus. It led to a book based upon the teachings shared, and the opportunity to lecture on PBS. Soon Buscaglia was in demand as a speaker since his manner was heart felt, and being the 60s, his message was ready to be received.
Leo Buscaglia had a strong following because his message resonated with so many people. He also developed a reputation for hugging. He would often stay long after his lectures were over, and hug long lines of people as they filed out of the auditorium. His popularity soared and he became a popular speaker on radio and television talk shows. Five of his books were ranked on the New York Times bestseller list at the same time.
• “Love” was published in 1972. It was based upon the famous Love 1A class taught by Leo Buscaglia in the 60s. It has been reprinted every few years since then. It explores the phenomena called human love, the barriers to obtaining it, and how to overcome them.
• “Way of the Bull” was published in 1973. This book is filled with stories about the travels Leo Buscaglia took throughout Asia on his spiritual quest. The bull is the Chinese symbol for life, and Buscaglia’s search for the meaning of life led him to exotic locations where he met wonderful people. He explains the relationships he made during his travels are what made life meaningful.
• “The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages” was published in 1982 and is available as a book and audio book. This is an engaging book for ages four and up about a leaf named Freddie. The story follows Freddie throughout his life, as he changes colors in the fall of his life and then glides to the ground to be buried in winter snow at the end of his life. The book helps readers and children better understand the concept of life and death as being a natural cycle.
• “Loving Each Other” was published in 1984 and continues to be a popular book today. This work is available as a book and audio book. “Loving Each Other” is a guide to giving and receiving more love. Buscaglia tackles the tough questions such as how to treat friends and family with love in a way that properly meshes lives together. Some of his self help advice related to love reflects alternative thinking and insight. He gives the book heart by sharing his own experiences with love from his family as he was growing up.
• “Living Loving and Learning” was published in 1985 and is available as a book and audio book. This book is a collection of the lectures Leo Buscaglia gave from 1970 to 1981. It is a treasure of the wisdom imparted by this beloved man designed to help readers become better human beings by showing love and affection to all other living beings.
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“Personhood” was written in 1986. This book takes a historical look at human ethics through the ages. Leo Buscaglia explains that each person’s unique nature is needed to complete the tapestry that is humanity, and that for society as a whole to awaken to love, it must start with individuals awakening. He further relates that the ultimate job of each person is to work towards becoming fully human.
• “Bus 9 to Paradise” was published in 1987. In this book, Leo Buscaglia offers self help advice for readers who wish to experience more joy and love. He explains it is possible to have paradise on earth if we know where to look for happiness. He explains that beauty, joy, and love are found in the simple things such as a flower, dance, memories, family, and music.
• “A Memory for Tino” was published in 1988. This is a children’s book by Leo Buscaglia in which he teaches children how to experience joy by thinking of others first. The book includes discussion questions at the end. The book was made into a movie in 1996, and distributed freely to schools so children could learn about the joys of giving to others.
• “Papa, My Father: A Celebration of Dads” was published in 1989 and is available as a book and audio book. This work is a memoir that pays tribute to Buscaglia’s father. His dad was uneducated but taught Buscaglia and his siblings important lessons in life on love, ecology, democracy, and how to enjoy living.
• “Seven Stories of Christmas Love” was published in 1992 and is available as an illustrated book and audio book. In it, Buscaglia shares holiday stories from his life that are heartfelt expressions of love. He explains Christmas love should last longer than a single day because joy and goodwill aren’t seasonal.
• “Leo Buscaglia’s Love Cookbook” was published in 1994 and is a departure from Buscaglia’s usual self help advice books. This is an actual cookbook that contains 115 easy to make recipes for loving cooks to share with their families. The book contains a section of romantic dinners for two, recipes for loving meals for four to six people, and loving dinners for eight to ten family members. The recipes are fun to follow even for novice cooks. This book makes a great gift, especially for newlyweds.
Leo Buscaglia Foundation
Leo Buscaglia loved life to its fullest and he enjoyed sharing his love. His goodwill help offered to others was unconditional, but when debtors sought to repay him, Buscaglia preferred they pass the goodwill on to others instead. In that light, the foundation carries on his mission today. It exists to help others and encourage them to show their appreciation by helping someone else as soon as they are able.
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