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- BOOK REVIEW - (OT) Dead Ends to Somewhere From: gleason.mike@comcast.net
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BOOK REVIEW - (OT) Dead Ends to Somewhere
Posted by: "gleason.mike@comcast.net" gleason.mike@comcast.net gleasonm01915
Sun Jan 22, 2012 6:33 am (PST)
Dead Ends to Somewhere by Richard L Ward © 2011 Christopher Matthews Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9833164-2-8 256 pages Paperback $16.95 (U.S.) $0.99 Kindle
This is way off topic based on the normal round of books I review, but I feel everyone can benefit from an occasional unexpected breath of fresh air.
This is a nonfiction account of a man's journey from an undistinguished childhood to an adulthood where he could make a difference in a great many lives. Regular readers of my reviews will be aware of my aversion to sloppy editing. Fortunately this book does not suffer from that malady. By the time I was about three quarters of the way through it I had found only a few such occurrences. In fact, if I had been keeping track on my hands, I would have had fingers left on the first hand.
This autobiography offers a look at academia which most individuals will never see, as well as a look at what it was like to come of age in the U.S. in the 60s and 70s. Opportunities were offered and missed for a variety of reasons; an individual's faith in his beliefs is challenged; some square pegs were jammed into round holes (at least for a while). Those of us who are not part of this world would find believable the competitiveness and pettiness which infects the fields of scientific research and life in the university world. Dr. Ward (Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of California at Berkeley) brings this world to life with an honesty and style which invites the reader to jump in and experience it.
Probably the most important lesson to be drawn from this narrative is that we never know what we are capable of. Sometimes dogged determination is called for, but as often we need to know when to cut our losses. This knowledge and ability are not instantaneously bestowed on us upon our arrival at some arbitrary age or point in our life. We continue to develop it as long as we live.
Dr. Ward observes, in his epilogue, "...I need to recognize that my contributions, and thereby, sense of self-worth, are determined by a lifetime of actions, no one of which can be used as the measure of success or failure." This is something we can benefit from learning. As a child he had difficulty learning to read; as a young adult his career decisions often went wrong; as a researcher in viral diseases he often faced disappointment. Yet, in the end, through his perseverance he overcame difficulties and disappointments to reach a point where thousands of children, worldwide, have been spared debilitating illness because of his work.
This is not a thrilling story. Most people's lives aren't. I wouldn't even say that it was a compelling story. It is an interesting story, and one which can inspire generations of people (even those outside the worlds of academia and scientific research.
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�` Earthwise �`
<:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::]]======0
The Worldwide Spirit of Paganism
in Australia, America & Worldwide!
Take a Look at Our Huge EBay Store
For all your Magickal & Ritual Supplies
http://stores.ebay.com.au/Astarte-Earthwise
___________________________________________________________________________
This Earthwise Book of Shadows group holds the expectation
that a tolerant, mature and respectful dialogue be strived
for in our communications with each other. Members are
encouraged to challenge anyone not adhering to these
principles and to notify the list owner Astarte if you are
offended by a posting, write to me at
earthwise@bigpond.com
Thank you.
___________________________________________________________________________
Earthwise is a world wide group.
We are based in Bolwarra, NSW. Australia.
Located in the beautiful Hunter Valley where we hold sacred rituals, workshops, social events and outings, for more information see our calendar of events at Witches Meetup
http://www.meetup.com/earthwise/
___________________________________________________________________________
Astarte also works full time as a Psychic Counsellor, Medium,
Clairvoyant, Healer and Teacher.
If she can be of assistance to you, please see her home page at
www.earthwise.net.au
___________________________________________________________________________
ARE YOU CREATIVE?
Astarte is always sourcing new suppliers of quality pagan
related items, to purchase wholesale or even put on consignment,
she willing to purchase worldwide items for the Earthwise Store.
If you have something of interest please contact Astarte
earthwise@bigpond.com
___________________________________________________________________________
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