Customer Reviews

The Book of the Shepherd: The Story of One Simple Prayer, and How It Changed the World

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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

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.

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

The Book of the Shepherd is "the story of one simple prayer, and how it changed the world," as the book's subtitle tells us. It's a charming tale, written in the form of an extended fable, about a shepherd who goes searching for a "new way" to replace the violent code of "an eye for an eye" that he finds in the harsh world around him. Along the way, the shepherd meets others, some of whom join him on his journey.

Each person we encounter has a tale of his or her own, so the short novel becomes a series of interwoven stories, each with its own bit of wisdom to impart. The author of the book, Joann Davis (who "discovered" the manuscript "By the Scribe"), acknowledges in her Afterword the sources for the stories' insights, which range from Elaine Pagels' The Gnostic Gospels to M. Scott Peck and even Charlotte's Web.

The "prayer that changed the world" is the classic Prayer of St. Francis, which in this story becomes the hidden treasure found by the shepherd and his companions on a parchment scroll in a dark and perilous cave. The prayer has been shortened and bowdlerized, perhaps to suit the "spiritual but not religious" audience to whom this book is being marketed. "Lord" and "O Divine Master" have been deleted (perhaps too "patriarchal" or "religious"?), so the prayer is addressed to no one in particular. But most annoyingly, a line has been added at the end of the prayer: "For this is the Law of Substitution." This added line has the effect of making a beautiful prayer that has inspired millions over the centuries sound like a PowerPoint presentation at a Deepak Chopra seminar.

This short novel does not rise to the level of excellence found in Master of the Jinn by Irving Karchmar, which is (by far) the best book I've read in the "spiritual novel" genre. But The Book of the Shepherd also avoids the preachiness and wooden dialogue found in other "spiritual novels" like The Celestine Prophecy and The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Apart from its tampering with the Prayer of St. Francis, The Book of the Shepherd is indeed "an inspiring and moving fable," as the cover blurb from Paulo Coelho claims.

*THE BOOK OF THE SHEPHERD is a fable that, quite honestly, didn't capture my attention or my heart. In fact, I was more interested in the story behind the story--that Joann Davis found an old book in a broken-down house that she had purchased after the former owner, an elderly professor, died sitting at his desk. He had left instructions that all contents of the house should go to the next homeowner. On the old book, he had made a note to have it translated one day.

So to fulfill the old professor's dream, Joann Davis found a way to have the story translated and now published. I think that the message attempting to be delivered through this fable is a wonderful one--one of love and forgiveness and mercy. However, the synopsis on the book's jacket is what helped me really understand what the story was about. Then again, I've never been a great lover of fables.

*This book was given to me for review by The Ooze Viral Bloggers.

I just finished reading "The Book of the Shepherd" by Joann Davis. It is an odd little book...one that I have mixed feelings about. But even with my mixed feelings, I can say that there is much good to be learned from this book.

This book is written like a fable and is a very quick read. It may have over 180 pages but because of the way it is laid out, it can be read in 1-2 sittings. It chronicles the tale of a shepherd named Joshua. Joshua is troubled by the harsh code of "an eye for an eye" that governs his world. He has a dream in which he is called to find a "new way", so he sets off on a journey to learn the new way. Along the way, Joshua picks up two others who travel with him and together they encounter an interesting cast of characters. With each encounter along the journey, they learn a valuable lesson. Finally, they reach the end of the journey, find the "new way" and take their changed lives back to their world.

This book is based on The Prayer of Saint Francis and the good learned from that prayer is worth the read. But, I will say that the story is quite simple and lacks a "fullness" that you find in most books. I wouldn't pay the $19.99 list price...but used copies are now available on amazon.com for $2-3 and for that price, it is worth the read.

The Book of the Shepherd by Joann Davis is a short easy fable to read packed with bits of truth that we all need to be reminded of to help keep us focused.

The journey leads the reader down a road less traveled. A road of simplicity and connection.

Simplicity that our journey is made easier when are seeking the One. Simplicity that this journey does not require the weight of extra bags that slows us down.

The reminder of connection is both external and internal. The importance of having relational connections with others on this journey. And the reminder that we must continually examine our connection to the One and the way of simplicity.

This could be a good book to read to children with the guidance of their parents. This would make a good book for those who like to be reminded of simple truth that we forget to often. This is not a book of theology nor is it intended to be a book of theology. It is a fable weaved with remants and teaching about following "the Way."

The Book of the Shepherd is a fairy tale-like story of a shepherd on an adventure to discover the "New way." Living in a harsh world of laws where an "eye for an eye" is the status quo, there is an extreme lack of grace and mercy. Not able to put his finger on what's wrong, he sets out to find out for in his gut he knows there should and could be more.

His picks up companions for his journey. Elizabeth, the young maiden, and the boy David, who the shepherd helps, make delightful traveling companions. Each has a story that is sad in parts but not without hope. They swap their stories with those they meet along the way, picking up valuable advice and wisdom in the process.

With the help of Elizabeth's map, they are able to plumb the mysteries of the cave (where the "New way" will be found according to their map from Elizabeth's grandfather) that none have yet to return from. Overcoming great odds, they discover the treasure that is the "New law": The law of substitution, where love is substituted for hate, hope for dispair and so on.

We later learn where much of the wisdom in the story comes from: an eclectic mix of writings from Charlotte's Webb to the Gnostic Gospels to The Golden Compass. Curiously, while there are many thoughts that find their origin in the Bible, never is that mentioned or given credit even in the "Resources" section. Perhaps this causal attitude toward the Bible is where it's greatest weakness lies.

While I have no qualms with the essence of the law of substitution (actually comes from "The Simple Prayer" or the Prayer of St. Fancis"), there is a bit of confusioin in the story as a result. Much of it rings true but some parts left me puzzled.

For example: "If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you." Well, that all depends on what's in you, does it not. If you follow the truth of the Bible, you would want to know if they were following the old nature or new nature from within. And does this mean that you can save yourself or that God in you saves you? And if he's in you, are you not already saved?

I admit a bias to believing that the Bible is truth. This is why I struggled with some of what was written. Other questionable influences include Native American practice and The Golden Compass (A book that is openly hostile to the God of the Bible).

I tried to envision reading this book to children. I think it reads well that way as the chapters are short, they move crisply and there are lots of stories with lots of dialogue. By and large I liked the stories and lessons they taught. I believe a biblically grounded person could navigate this book of teaching opportunities well. But I call for caution to the lesson informed.

One must remember that it is a story of stories. Fiction gets more latitude than non-fiction. However, lessons, truths and moral impressions are clearly taught through fiction and that's why I would exercise caution here. The mixture of contrary religious influences could do more harm than good if consumed to an extreme or without the influence of other stronger literature (like the Bible for starters).

In the end, I probably wouldn't recommend picking up this book with so many other better options out there. That said, I wouldn't lose a lot of sleep if you did either. I will probably read it to my 10-year old and use it as an opportunity to test her ability to discern.

[...]

This small book is an in one sense an allegory - how to be a survivor of life's problems and not its' victim, the changing of thought.

These ideas have been put forth before in other spiritual writings. The editor says this account was found in a house recently purchased and had it translated. The book cover says this one simple prayer has changed the world. It could.

Instead of an eye for an eye - give peace and mercy; give without judgment or expectation of a reward.

What the editor says is the power is still to be unleashed by following the thoughts in this book and it will lead to a better life. It is a simple story of a journey by 3 young individuals.

The book does make for comforting, easy reading. It would be worth the time for anyone interested in expanding or reaching for some more spiritual qualities.