Archbishop Desmond Tutu's collaboration with the Dalai Lama and writer Douglas Abrams has created The Book of Joy, which some may consider essentially an instruction manual on how to manufacture and obtain true joy in this life. The idea behind it is reflected in the writing style and basic message, and it is a very heartwarming text.

Bridging the gap between religions (Desmond Tutu is an Anglican archbishop; the Dalai Lama is a Tibetan Buddhist leader; and Douglas Abrams is Jewish), the three weave a story that reads like a loving family conversation, with laughter and memories added in to great effect, engaging the reader and drawing them in to understand the depth of the joy the authors are professing. Their central message is embodied in the style of the work and in its very nature—reaching beyond oneself. Putting aside their numerous, relatively vast differences, the three men show that the way to find joy in this life is to show love to others and look outside yourself. Only by rejecting our own ego will we be motivated and focused on showing care to others, and, in doing so, we will feel the joy that is promised.

The writing exemplifies this idea, as it is jovial and kindly, exuding warmth and rejecting the stilted, lofty ideology that one might expect when reading a work written by leaders of two of the world's most prominent religions. The authors are conversational and focus on rather mundane stories from each others' lives instead of giving grandiose depictions of their work as religious leaders. In doing so, they show that the capability of loving others unconditionally is common to all and can be practiced each morning over a plate of breakfast or in a local pub. This invigorating book imparts much of the joy the authors describe, encouraging readers to put it down and begin connecting with others in order to show them love, and, in doing so, to find joy in common with each of them.