My Sunday Book Review is featuring Waiting for Westmoreland by author John Maberry. John survived a hard childhood, drugs, the Vietnam war, became a lawyer, decided to leave law for writing, and decided to write this fascinating memoir about his life.
Get This Book on Amazon!Β
Blurb:
Those seeking happiness amidst the suffering or disillusionment of day to day life will find hope in reading Waiting for Westmoreland. Those seeking redemption for past mistakes, will also find a means to achieve it. The book is the true story of a 20th century Candide-an innocent growing up in America in the fifties. As a boy, the author suffers the death of loved ones. Spending a year in Vietnam corrupts him. Then the political realities of the war and Watergate shatter his idealistic illusions about America. He searches for tools to reform the country that failed him. His quest becomes a frustrating pursuit. Finally, he meets a person who tells him about the life philosophy of Buddhism. He learns that the credit or blame for all of life’s events lies within-not from others. Looking for happiness outside oneself is fruitless. Only by taking personal responsibility for one’s own life can one be truly happy. Reforming oneself, rather than changing others, leads to a better world.
My Review 5 Stars
The author takes us on his journey from childhood where he lives through the loss of both parents and moves around different states, different jobs, Viet Nam war, where he shares his candid views and experiences through his struggles physically and internally. His mission to become successful in job and relationships becomes a driving force which keeps him motivated through adversity, and rejection is an inspiration for many to take something from his journey.
Lovely review, Deb. John and I grew up during the same era with similar challenges, and both of us found answers by following a spiritual path. The way out is the way in… β€
LikeLike
Thanks T. No wonder I gravitate to people like you and John? LOL π β€
LikeLike
Sounds inspiring, Debby. Thanks so much for sharing. It sounds like a great read for anyone struggling with disillusionment and finding his or her center. π
LikeLike
Thanks for dropping in Diana. You’ve summed it it succinctly. π
LikeLike
Nice message…happiness is truly an inward journey! Thanks for sharing and spreading a word about this book. π
LikeLike
Most welcome Balroop. π
LikeLike
Thanks again and always!
LikeLike
Pleasure John. π
LikeLike
Wow! He suffered so much! But ended strong.
Thanks for the follow!
LikeLike
My pleasure. Thanks for finding me Melinda or I wouldn’t have found you. π And yes, John’s book was inspiring. π
LikeLike
π
LikeLike
I’ve decided to study Buddhism several times in my life and always put it aside until I had ‘more time’. This once again inspires me.
LikeLike
Jacqui, maybe you should visit John’s page http://www.johnswriting.com π
LikeLike
Wow, it sounds like this author has had quite the challenges and come out of it all with wonderful wisdom to share.. It’s great when the reads click with us as readers, isn’t it? Nicely done with penning this review too, Deb β€
LikeLike
Thanks so much Christy. Yes, that’s the beauty of blogging and sharing the work of others. We never know what’s going to click with us, and from there we discover new writers and people. β€
LikeLike