53 pages • 1 hour read
Bob GoffLove Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2012A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Key Figures
Bob Goff (The Author)
Bob Goff is the author of Love Does. In a book that is built up of anecdotes and personal reflections, the Bob Goff of the book is also the key character, used to exemplify its lessons and messages. As with all semi-autobiographical works, especially those which espouse a particular ideology, the relationship between the author Goff and the Goff presented in the book is uncertain; it cannot be known to what extent this character is factually accurate. By extension, it is impossible to know how factual the anecdotes are in truth. As with all motivational literature in the first-person style, these stories—overwhelmingly presented as metaphor or allegory—are mainly significant for what they seek to communicate, rather than for their basis in fact.
This said, Love Does relies heavily on its presentation of the figure of Bob Goff as a truthful, believable, and relatable character, with a strong emphasis on his openness, modesty, and devoutness. A lawyer by profession, Goff positions himself as a major figure in the realm of humanitarian work, and leader of the charitable organization Love Does. Citing his professional background as an attorney and an honorary consul for the Republic of Uganda to the United States—both of which are referenced early on in the book despite its largely chronological structure—Goff seeks to establish his authority in tandem with relatability. Goff's life experiences lend credibility to his storytelling, providing a blend of personal anecdote and broader socio-ethical commentary.
As both the narrator and participant in the stories he shares, Goff seeks to demonstrate through his actions the principles he advocates. His deliberate presence in the work is that of a guide, leading by example and encouraging readers to embark on their own journeys of faith in action. His stories read like biblical parables and the continual use of himself as an exemplar to the reader displays an almost Messianic level of personal confidence. This reveals the balancing-act of the endeavor, in which Goff’s character must be both humble and authoritative. The paradox is revealed particularly in his discussion of secrecy and discretion versus self-promotion in carrying out good works, as the nature and purpose of the book is an overt advertisement for Goff, his foundation on the same name, and for American Evangelism more widely.
Goff adopts an informal, conversational voice which allows him to communicate his message in a way which fosters an intimacy with the reader and supports his theme of faith expressed through everyday experiences. The recurrent use of humor is also a device for building a relationship with the reader, reflecting the importance of likeability for Goff’s character and the success of his message. Humor suggests a down-to-earth approach which is core to the projection of personality in the book and also disarms the reader in the context of strongly-held, forcefully-expressed, and potentially controversial religious beliefs.
Randy
Randy embodies the book's central message of loving through action and is the first character introduced. Goff's mentor and friend, Randy's approach to life and faith impacts the author. He is portrayed as someone who lives out his faith in tangible ways—displaying a significant influence on Goff's understanding of what it means to “be with” someone in their journey. Randy's unspoken support and willingness to join Goff on a life-altering trip to Yosemite serves as a foundational example of love in action that permeates the narrative.
Randy's significance in the work extends beyond his role as a friend; he is framed as the living embodiment of the book's thesis. His actions are used to demonstrate the power of presence and the transformative effect of unconditional support. In a broader sense, Randy represents the kind of impactful individual who silently shapes lives without seeking acknowledgment—his character a foil to the often loud and self-promoting culture that Goff critiques; perhaps to Goff himself as self-referential author.
Through his interactions with Goff, Randy influences the dynamics of Love Does by providing a tangible reference point for understanding how love operates in the real world. His approach to faith and relationship-building offers a template for the book's call to action, serving as a catalyst for the narrative's exploration of active faith. Randy's influence is thus not only personal but also thematic, underscoring an exploration of companionship and the authenticity of unadvertised acts of kindness.
Ryan
Ryan’s story captures Goff's message about the nature of love, especially whimsical yet purposeful love. His character is significant for illustrating how love can drive people to boldness and how strangers can become part of one's love story in unexpected ways. Ryan's pursuit to create a memorable proposal experience exemplifies the book's ethos of “love doing” rather than simply professing.
The impact of Ryan's story within the book serves as a microcosm of Goff's broader narrative. It demonstrates the contagious effect of love and the way it can inspire generosity and collaboration among people. Ryan's actions and the subsequent community response highlight a central tenet of Goff's work: that love is an expansive force that naturally invites participation and celebration from others. Ryan's role in the dynamics of Love Does is to showcase the practical application of the book's message. His narrative arc from a hopeful suitor to a man engaged in the agency of a grand romantic gesture encapsulates Goff’s promotion of adventure and risk-taking as a requirement of love in faith.
John and Charlie
John, also known as “Two Bunk John,” and Charlie are figures representing the transformative potential of love in action. A former student in Goff's business law class. Charlie, introduced in Chapter 26, “Jailbreak,” is a former FBI agent who leaves his job to join Goff's organization, Restore International. Both work with Goff’s foundation in Uganda, in the fields of education and legal justice.
Coming in the final part of the book, John and Charlie represent the ideal outcome of Goff's philosophy—people who hear the message of active love and translate it into life-changing action. Their commitment and willingness to take risks for the sake of love and his dedication to service are used to underly the book's core themes of adventure, risk-taking, and sacrificial love. Their stories are an account of personal growth and a narrative of community transformation, illustrating how a person's love-inspired action can alter the lives of many. Their role solidifies the work's message that love, when put into action, is capable of changing the world. It is key to the book’s structure that these key examples come at towards the end of the book and promote the work of Love Does: the transformative stories of both are enabled in the context of Goff’s foundation and are part of Goff’s presentation of himself and his good works in the book.
Don Valencia
Don Valencia is featured in Chapter 25, “God is Good,” as an emblem of the adventurous spirit and selfless service that Goff admires. Described as “secretly incredible,” his trajectory includes innovation, professional success, and charitable activity later in life, followed by illness and death. His story is significant for encapsulating the book's message that living a life propelled by love and service can lead to extraordinary, life-affirming experiences. Don's influence in the work exemplifies living out one's faith through both professional success and personal generosity. His journey from a scientist to a force for social change aligns with Goff's broader message that love is not confined to grand gestures but is found in the consistent, purposeful actions of everyday life. As the one character in the book who dies, Don is also key as an example of the lasting impact of one’s good works after death.
