When a rare antiquarian book is discovered in the disheveled study of an old Vermont farmhouse, the house's new owner feels obligated to get the volume translated. It takes nearly a year, with help from experts at great universities who can discern the strange hybrid language in which the text is written. But when the translation is finished, the result is "The Book of the Shepherd". Set in a mythical time, in an unnamed land, "The Book of the Shepherd" opens with a small boy being mercilessly beaten by his father in the market. A shepherd who witnesses the beating knows it is done in accordance with the law of filial infractions. But the shepherd wonders if there is another way besides the harsh code of 'an eye for an eye' that guides this world. Called by a dream, the shepherd sets off on an uncertain journey to find 'the new way'. Accompanied by Elizabeth, a former slave who radiates a spirit of relentless goodness and 'reckless generosity'; and David, the boy beaten in the market who must learn to walk in new shoes, the shepherd leads his new friends over hills and dale, through villages and towns, guided by an old map given to Elizabeth by her dying grandfather. The travelers press on, motivated by the prediction of Elizabeth's grandfather that 'an age of miracles' will come when the new way is found. But the journey is long and not without incident. As Joshua, Elizabeth and David head toward a treacherous cave beneath the cliffs near the Great Inland Sea, they meet a cast of extraordinary characters, including The Story Teller, the Apothecary, the Blind Man and the Stranger. Each imparts an important story and lesson that pushes the travelers toward their encounter with destiny. Reaching the cave, where profound secrets have long been hidden, Joshua will be severely tested to see if he can 'bring forth what is within him'. But he, Elizabeth and David will also discover an important truth...sometimes the treasure we seek has been inside us all along.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“The Book of the Shepherd is a thematically rich parable about conscience, the importance of dreams, the challenges of bringing forth what is within us,...and a buoyant belief that compassion, love, and peace can transform the world.” (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, www.spiritualityandpractice.com )
“A timeless and engaging tale reminding us of the infallible guideposts by which we should steer our lives. Buy this book for your grandmother and read it to your children.” (Two Seekers, authors of No Jesus, No Peace—Know Jesus, Know Peace: Timeless Wisdom for Living a Life That Matters )
“A simple and profound parable that engages the heart. A delightful story that even children can enjoy and yet full of deeper meaning and direction for all truth seekers. The Book of the Shepherd should become a classic in every home.” (Hyrum Smith Co-founder of FranklinCovey, Founder of Galileo Initiative and author of 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management and What Matters Most: The Power of Living Your Values )
“In The Book of the Shepherd, Joann Davis presents us with an insightful tale that cuts through the noise and truly inspires. At a time when many people write about changing the world, she offers a simple journey that vividly demonstrates the importance of every act. An energizing read.” (James Redfield, #1 International bestselling author of The Celestine Prophecy )
“[this book] carries readers to a place too rarely visited in this hard world, a place where love and forgiveness triumph over our worst instincts. We are better people for becoming our own guides on this journey. Read The Book of the Shepherd and discover an untravelled highway.” (Meredith Vieira, co-host of the Today Show and Richard M. Cohen, author of Strong at the Broken Places )
“From time to time, great teachers have used parables to instruct the human heart. The Book of the Shepherd is such a tale - a luminous book full of revelations of love and forgiveness. I’m going to buy a case for friends and family!” (Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind and Your Soul’s Compass )
“The Book of the Shepherd, a timeless story about one man who is seeking “the new way,” is an inspiring and moving fable.” (Paulo Coelho, author of The Alchemist )
“A scribe writes the story. A reader takes it to heart. The world, upon hearing it, is changed forever. The Book of the Shepherd is more than just a poignant and lovely story. It is truth.” (Lynne Hinton, author of The Arms of God, The Friendship Cake, and the forthcoming book The Christmas Cake )
“A beautiful demonstration of the ‘Power of One,’ offering readers important lessons of Truth many are searching for today.” (Kathryn Adams Shapiro, author of Wisdom’s Choice )
“A timeless and engaging tale reminding us of the infallible guideposts by which we should steer our lives. Buy this book for your grandmother and read it to your children.” (Two Seekers, authors of No Jesus, No Peace—Know Jesus, Know Peace: Timeless Wisdom for Living a Life That Matters )
“A simple and profound parable that engages the heart. A delightful story that even children can enjoy and yet full of deeper meaning and direction for all truth seekers. The Book of the Shepherd should become a classic in every home.” (Hyrum Smith Co-founder of FranklinCovey, Founder of Galileo Initiative and author of 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management and What Matters Most: The Power of Living Your Values )
“In The Book of the Shepherd, Joann Davis presents us with an insightful tale that cuts through the noise and truly inspires. At a time when many people write about changing the world, she offers a simple journey that vividly demonstrates the importance of every act. An energizing read.” (James Redfield, #1 International bestselling author of The Celestine Prophecy )
“[this book] carries readers to a place too rarely visited in this hard world, a place where love and forgiveness triumph over our worst instincts. We are better people for becoming our own guides on this journey. Read The Book of the Shepherd and discover an untravelled highway.” (Meredith Vieira, co-host of the Today Show and Richard M. Cohen, author of Strong at the Broken Places )
“From time to time, great teachers have used parables to instruct the human heart. The Book of the Shepherd is such a tale - a luminous book full of revelations of love and forgiveness. I’m going to buy a case for friends and family!” (Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind and Your Soul’s Compass )
“The Book of the Shepherd, a timeless story about one man who is seeking “the new way,” is an inspiring and moving fable.” (Paulo Coelho, author of The Alchemist )
“A scribe writes the story. A reader takes it to heart. The world, upon hearing it, is changed forever. The Book of the Shepherd is more than just a poignant and lovely story. It is truth.” (Lynne Hinton, author of The Arms of God, The Friendship Cake, and the forthcoming book The Christmas Cake )
“A beautiful demonstration of the ‘Power of One,’ offering readers important lessons of Truth many are searching for today.” (Kathryn Adams Shapiro, author of Wisdom’s Choice )
About the Author
Joann Davis has spent most of her career working with books. A former news editor at Publishers Weekly, an editor at the publishing imprints Warner Books, William Morrow, and HarperCollins, Davis acquired and edited a number of bestsellers, among them The Celestine Prophecy. Davis is the author of nine books including, The Best Things in Life Aren't Things, What I Love Most About You, The Little Secret that Can Change Your Life, and A Friend is a Gift. Her books have been published in Italy, Mexico, Japan and Indonesia. She is married to New York Times bestselling author Kenneth C. Davis, who wrote the million-copy-selling book Don't Know Much About History and instant bestseller America's Hidden History.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
interesting parable,
This review is from: The Book of the Shepherd: The Story of One Simple Prayer, and How It Changed the World (Hardcover)
Joshua the shepherd tries to intervene when the father beats his son while others cheer the dad on. Joshua knows the law is an "an eye for an eye", but that cannot be right. He asks the Lord why he failed to intercede and hears a whispered reply that he did by sending Joshua. Later the kindhearted shepherd dreams of an Old Man who tells him to seek "the new way."Former slave Elizabeth thanks him for interceding in saving her charge David's life; both having been kicked out by the lad's angry father. Joshua, Elizabeth and David begin a journey to find "the new way". On their trek they share their pasts and meet the Storyteller, the Apothecary, the Blind Man, and the Stranger; all provide them with assistance and morality lessons. The trio also meets evil wolves in sheep clothing. When they reach the destination cave near the Great Inland Sea, the three travelers know "the new way" awaits them deep inside, but will they overcome their fears to obtain what they seek. This is an interesting parable that explains the changes from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Targeting readers of all ages and including enhancing illustrations (by Sudi McCollum), The Book of the Shepherd is a terrific morality play based on "the story of one simple prayer, and how it changed the world"; The Peace Prayer validates the Law of Substitution allowing compassion not ire and avarice to be humanity's guide. Harriet Klausner
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Destined to be a Classic for All Time,
By Bethanne Elion "Bethanne Elion" (Vermont, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Book of the Shepherd: The Story of One Simple Prayer, and How It Changed the World (Hardcover)
Once in a blue moon a book comes along that is destined to be a classic for every man. The Book of the Shepherd is truly one of those rare gems that needs to sit on the shelf next to Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz and Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet. The story follows a hero's journey including such mythic elements as the child who was meant to die cast down the stream to be raised by a caring family and the journey into the depths of the earth (a cave) reappearing with new life or revelation with a cast of characters not unlike those of the Wizard of Oz in search of something that is only found within and each sharing their life stories along the journey. I could not put this down - read it in one sitting then came back to it again a few hours ago and read it again. The story is so uplifting and so incredibly simple and profound that I cannot wait to buy copies for everyone I know - it is the perfect gift. Thank-you Joann Davis for not only finding this book in your Vermont home but for following your intuition to have it translated for all the world to read. Last I heard, this book has been translated into 20 languages and being distributed around the world. It is a book you can pick up and read as a child, a young adult, through midlife and in old age to rediscover its truth which is not only inspiring but life changing.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great inspirational gift!,
This review is from: The Book of the Shepherd: The Story of One Simple Prayer, and How It Changed the World (Hardcover)
The Book of the Shepherd is a short book, an easy read with a simple yet profound message: small acts of compassion, kindness and forgiveness are powerful enough to change the negative tide. These acts can triumph over the negative. An example: "For it is in giving that we receive," part of the Prayer of Substitution--The Simple Prayer.The story is set forth as a parable. The stories of Joshua (the Shepherd), David (the boy), and Elizabeth (the slave woman) are intertwined as the three meet up through circumstance and go on a journey to discover the "new way." Along with the gray-bearded man that visits Joshua in his sleep, interesting characters, like the Snake Charmer, the Apothecary, the Blind Man help to guide the three safely. Although Davis sets the tale in centuries past the story is still timeless and relevant. The Book of the Shepherd will leave you with a sense of peace and purpose. by Judy Miller for Story Circle Book Reviews reviewing books by, for, and about women
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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