Another great review!!

I am so grateful for the review of Finding Moosewood, Finding God just released by Examiner.com. Like all the others I have seen it is positive and enthusiastic, urging readers to get it for their own libraries. 

The reviewer in this case really "Gets it."  

Enjoy. I sure do.  

http://www.examiner.com/list/finding-moosewood-finding-god-by-jack-perkins?cid=db_articles

Doing Book Readings Is Not Always Predictable

Have been doing a lot of radio and TV interviews for the book, and some personal appearances as well -- book readings / signings. 

Of the latter, there was a special one last week, a fundraising event for a library organization and literacy fund. It was a warmly welcoming crowd and I spoke (with their apparent approval) for almost an hour, telling some of the stories from the book and reading excerpts as well. I had no plan as I began but tried to be sensitive to what the people were wanting. How intent and solemn should I get, when break the mood with humor. It was a fascinating exercise. Ups and downs, laughter and, a couple of times a few brimming tears. 

For example, I had no idea how I was going to conclude the presentation. Hadn’t planned that at all. But it planned itself. 

I was reading a story from the Vietnam writings in the book, a tale that -- just recalling it again, so burned it is in my mind -- I found myself losing composure a bit. It was a remembrance of a village of Vietnamese who had taken refuge underground as the largest battle of the war to that point was waged directly above them -- the bombs and mortars and gunshots for days after days. And the innocent villagers hid in their tunnels and caves underground not daring to emerge as long as the battle went on. And it sent on and went on. The people below had not brought much with them. And so there was first hunger and then worse. And that by the time the warring had subsided overhead and the villagers of Van Truong were sure it was safe to emerge from hiding, only a few us Americans were still there to witness their return. 

There was one man clutching his precious baby daughter, climbing up out of a hole, blinking into the blinding light of a free day and, clearly he was very hungry. A GI opened cans from his own rations and fed the man. It was sadly apparent that it was much too late for his baby. All a GI could offer for her was his own poncho to serve as the child’s burial shroud. Another GI used his entrenching tool to scratch out a shallow grave for the daughter and helped the father lay her to rest. Just one more casualty of the war but one I will never forget. Nor will I allow myself to forget the moment one of the marines, completing the burial, brought himself to attention, saluted over the grave, and then, bowing his head, said a prayer. He said a prayer.

I just stood there.

To this day, I hate that I just stood there. 

                      ###

That was the end of my speech.  

A New Video

....and the pleasant job of promoting the book goes on. As do the most gracious comments about it.

I guess, in the week and a half since the official release of the book, I've done a couple dozen interviews about it on radio stations all across the country. 

I got a kick that the very first one was with a station in Bangor, Maine. How appropriate that that first telephone interview was with the station owned by none other than Stephen King, who, in a way he never intended, got our whole Maine adventure started those many years ago. Mary Jo and I owe him a great debt -- the debt of gratitude for introducing us to new lives we did not expect to seek let alone accomplish. 

There've been interviews with Christian stations and secular ones. At first, I am ashamed to confess, I treated them differently -- muting my message of Belief on the secular stations; highlighting it for the Christian stations. Mistake. 

It was a matter of feeling comfortable "preaching to the choir" but uneasy speaking to someone who might not agree. That is not the way to evangelize and all Christians are called to be evangelical.

How pleasant, then, when I found, speaking to secular stations, kindred company and no disdainful belittling. 

------

By the way, a chain of Florida newspapers, in a feature for their "Diversions" section, has just put together a brief written feature and linked to it a video interview they made at their studio. Very nice job, they did and I'm happy to share it with you. 

http://youtu.be/a1-xa-_qE3U

The Perils of a Newly Released Book

Now I start getting first reactions to my book. It’s nervous time. 

Now that FINDING MOOSEWOOD, FINDING GOD has been released and people have started getting their pre-ordered copies via Amazon or B&N or whatever, or are heading to bookstores for copies there’s a danger lurking. 

I got a foretaste today. A person who got an early copy dashed off a note to report: “Got it, read it, loved it. It’s a great read.”

I should be pleased. And, yes, I am, BUT ....

But I hate to have this work I labored on so long, so carefully, so thoughtfully, to be devoured like a hot dog gulped at a ball game. I much prefer the sort of email I got today from a man, a stranger who reached out to tell me he just his copy and glanced it quickly and it looked great but he looks forward to reading it slowly and really absorbing it. I’m sure it has a lot to offer. 

Well, from the reviews it’s received so far, it does and I love that he chooses not to gulp.

The other thing -- and I really am being picky and prickly -- I do in this, the most important work I have ever undertaken, aspire for something more lofty and I hope inspiring than simply “Great read.”

Maybe I still think of the endorsement the great American preacher, Fred B. Craddock wrote for the book, saying:  You will want to pass this book along to your friends.

But before you do, you may want to read it again yourself. Jack is on to something; you can sense it. He moves past the apparent to the Truth, to God.

Love that endorsement and love his suggestion to read it again ... Though I’m not too hot on the idea of your passing your copy along to friends. Why deny them the joy of buying their own? 

Reviews for my book!

From the Reviews so far . . . 

Here are words that thrill me and, I hope, will interest, even motivate you. These are  clips excerpted from  reviews so far of my new book.

 ----------------

Jack Perkins writes a Walden for today . . . engaging prose will transport readers . . . his articulate descriptions . . . Jack tells a powerful story . . . so well written that readers will be captivated . . . intriguing use of language . . .  equal parts humor and humility . . . Perkins sketches out his own road map to God and a more fulfilling life . . . meandering grace . . .simple yet profound points . . . lively, contemplative, and heartfelt . . . Perkins makes a compelling argument for straying from the beaten path . . . does Thoreau proud . . . fans of Thoreau and Emerson will enjoy Finding Moosewood, Finding God. 

National Prayer Breakfast 

Friday 2/9/13

Just back from D.C. where, on Thursday morning was held the annual National Prayer Breakfast. And where the evening before, as part of the event, convened the Media Banquet where I was honored to be one of the speakers. I spoke about my new book and the Holy Spirit that motivated it as it did our entire life change years.ago. As the writer of the copy on the book's dust jacket wrote of that life change: He gave up his life's work ... And found his life's purpose. Spot on!. 

Cal Thomas who hosts the banquet each year had arranged to have dropshipped to him fifty copies of the book that isn't formally published till March Fifth. He had the stack of those on a table inviting guests who wished to help themselves. Within 5 minutes after I ended my speech, they were all taken. Flattering. As were the many, many people who came up to me to say kind and generous things. Great for the ego, no help for the vanity.     

Most said they're eager to buy the book. One said she loved listening my voice. (Vanity!) I told her the book will be available as an audiobook I recorded. Or for Kindle or Nook. Why not one of each I said, overreaching. 

Among the people in the crowd were some quite notable folks. Shannon Bream, a lovely and very bright anchor for Fox News was there. Assuming that many viewers remark her stunning beauty, I gave her playful contrary feedback, telling her that whenever she comes on one of us, my wife or I, says to the other, "Hey, there's Old Ugly." She laughed. And forgave, I guess, as she was very complimentary about my presentation. Had nice talk with her and her husband afterwards, speaking of the strength of their faith in God as it has gotten them through some rugged times themselves.

Also present was an author I regard highly for his recent biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Eric Metaxsis (sp?). 

And, then I spotted a man I did not immediately recognize but just knew I should. he had that bearing and presence. Mary Jo told me. Pat Boone. 

Most fascinating of my fellow presenters was a couple. What to some might seem an unlikely couple but what a God-gifted couple they are. Roma Downey starred in the thoughtfully provocative TV series some years back, “Touched by an Angel.” She is a lovely Irish lass, a woman of great faith and the lilting speech to pronounce it. Her husband -- unlikely as it might seem to some -- is Mark Burnett, the man who invented reality shows -- Survivor, Apprentice, Smarter than a Fifty Grader, and on and on. And what have these two been up to now? Spending three and a half years producing an historic TV series to begin next month. “The Bible,” it is simply called and it is a series of extravagantly crafted and powerfully presented stories of the great figures of the Bible. The series debuts 3-3-13 on History Channel and runs each week until the concluding episodes on Easter night. EVERYONE MUST SEE IT! Must get others to see it. This series will long outlast everything else that’s ever been on television. It will be seen around the world spreading the powerful truths of The Truth to millions, billions of people. 

Mark and Roma showed us the opening section and the Last Supper segments, a half hour of powerful film-making. We were privileged. You will be privileged.

And I was privileged to have them as table-mates at the dinner the other night and see, as they spoke so movingly of my presentation that, in fact, Mark had tears in his eyes. 

It was a night of power and promise and I floated home with hope and love in my heart.

Got a Great Surprise .....

Let me try to describe. 

It’s not enough simply to announce that finally -- after years and years -- I have experienced the fulfillment of a long-held dream. Not enough to talk of a milestone reached. I’m not even sure I am capable of telling the magnitude of the surprise I got on returning  home this afternoon. 

The package was undistinguished. It didn’t cry out to me. But my dear wife, as usual more perceptive, was excited by it. I had so cavalierly ripped open the package because I had not bothered to read the return address. 

The package was from Zondervan Publishing. 

It was the first advance copy of my new book! The official publication date is not till March 5^th and, though I had seen proofs and galleys and the incomplete paperback version the publisher had sent out to reviewers, this was the real thing! 

The title, “Finding Moosewood, Finding God” is embossed on the dust jacket, as is my name. The copy on the front flap includes that line I did not write but wish I had because it succinctly captures the nut of the story: “He gave up his life’s work ... And found his life’s purpose.” 

It’s gratifying to read portions of the various endorsements on the back cover and those endorsements in their entirety on the opening pages inside. It’s good to see all the photo pages inside showing glimpses of the TV years -- Vietnam and all, and others of our island lives including the shot of our Thanksgiving dinner laid out atop a foot of snow  blanketing our outdoor picnic table. 

What fun! And what a blessed opportunity coming soon to share my faith by sharing this book. Having finally seen the finished product, I am inordinately proud.