America Needs a Buddhist President [Paperback]

Brett Bevel (Author), Eben Dodd (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2004

In this bold poetic vision of America under the leadership of a Buddhist president, Brett Bevell’s prophetic voice and Eben Dodd’s simple but elegant line drawings proclaim a radical alternative American dream in the tradition of Buddhism-inspired writers Allen Ginsburg and Jack Kerouac.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

America needs a Buddhist president who debates opponents with Zen koans and chants mantras during the Pledge of Allegiance. So says Bevell, a program director for the Omega Conference Center in Rhinebeck, N.Y., in this brief and entertaining prose poem. Bevell’s ideal commander-in-chief would govern humbly, fairly and with a dollop of good humor. Bevell’s principles are nimbly articulated in Even Dodd’s simple black-and-white drawings that accompany each idea: for the verse about the president keeping the militaristic joint chiefs in check, Dodd shows the goateed guru-executive planting a swift kick in the chest of the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And for the section on the "yabyum" president who will not be afraid of sexual expression, Dodd depicts the nude leader locked in an ecstatic embrace with a decidedly relaxed First Lady. Irreverent and fun, though with a clear political axe to grind, this short meditation will please many American Buddhists come election season.
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Review

"Just imagine on American president like the one in Brett Berell's magical, brilliant and prophetic poem! When enough of us share such dreams with our children, they will happen--and that will shapeshift the world!"

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Product Details

• Paperback: 36 pages
• Publisher: White Cloud Press; 1 edition (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883991978
• ISBN-13: 978-1883991975
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 6.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #913,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Political Science > Leaders & Leadership
  • #48 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Inspirational & Religious
  • #54 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Humor > Political

More About the Author

Brett Bevell is the author of The Reiki Magic Guide To Self Attunement (Crossing Press 2007), the forthcoming book Reiki for Spiritual Healing (Crossing Press 2009) as well as the poetry books America Needs A Woman President (Monkfish Publishing 2007) and America Needs A Buddhist President (White Cloud Press 2004), a poem that initially aired nationwide on NPR's All Things Considered.. Brett is also winner of the 1995 Paul Laurance Dunbar Poetry prize. Brett is also the author of the book of collected poems Of Thee I Sing.

Brett teaches regularly at Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck, NY and at The Sanctuary in Koh Phangan, Thailand. He has been visiting teacher at Esalen Institute and presented at Alex Grey's Chapel of the Sacred Mirrors (formerly in New York City).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Profound-America Needs More Books Like This, April 28, 2007

By 

Steven C. Cleaver "savingerasmus" (new york) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: America Needs a Buddhist President (Paperback)

Brett Bevell's book provides a profound message woven into the simplicity of his words and the the artistry of the Eben Dodd's drawings. Bevell's verses cause the reader to question, through the subtlety of his humor and the authenticity of the statements, just what qualities make for a successful Commander-in-Chief. The message is clear, timeless, and thought provoking. I look forward to Bevell's next book, America Needs a Woman President.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Wonderful!, June 12, 2007

By 

H. Kadir "H. Kadir" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America Needs a Buddhist President (Paperback)

I loved this illustrated poem! The poem is written so beautifully and really captures the heart of what we all want in a leader. The illustrations are both comical and elegant which adds to the words themselves. I think it would make a fantastic gift as well as a nice little conversation piece on anyone's coffee table. Definitely worth purchasing!!!