presents insights into the mystery of love, both Divine and human. Influenced by personalist philosophers Martin Buber, Emmanuel Mounier, and Gabriel Marcel; by American Catholic theologians John Haught, Michael Himes, Bernard Cooke, and Ronald Rolheiser; and also by the Thomist personalist W. Norris Clarke, SJ, Lauder reflects deeply on the mystery of God and the human person.

Martin Buber claimed that love was a cosmic force; Lauder's vision is cosmic. He has produced a book that is not only interesting and illuminating but also inspiring. Readers will find themselves returning to reread their favorite chapters, and researchers will find new quotes to include in their research projects.

One of Lauder's talents as a writer is to explore the most profound mysteries, and write about them in language accessible to readers who are interested in reflecting on such mysteries as love of self, love of neighbor, and love of God. Rather than presenting insights into the meaning and mystery of love in a way that is excessively speculative and academic, Lauder's writing may challenge the intellect to incorporate the most profound truths about love into daily life.

The Cosmic Love Story: God and Us will move readers to integrate insights into love from the book into their lives so that they choose to live as gift-givers, that is to say, as lovers.