Customer Reviews

Grandfather

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was deeply affected by The Tracker -- after reading it, when I went to look at the stars in the winter, the cold didn't bother me as much. I didn't expect this to be better, but it most definitely is. If you've ever struggled with why humans exist on this planet when we're so capable of destroying it, you should get this book immediately and read the chapter entitled "The Tree Speaks". There are many other gems of native wisdom in here as well.

A friend loaned me the Tracker and The Search a few months ago and I was impressed with the straight forward truths in the writing and the experiences that the author shared. I next chose Grandfather and was not disappointed. Each chapter struck me deeply and contained powerful "connection with earth and all things" truths that will be with me for a long time. I highly recommend each of these three books and I look forward to reading more from this author.

"On a scale from 1 to 10 I rate this one... 11!" is what my gf said, after having read Grandfather; something that for me sums up how I myself would rate this book.

"Grandfather" is a collection of stories of Tom Brown Jr's mentor; a mentor who besides teaching him about tracking and survival, taught him foremost about Spirit, and the laws of Spirit. It is through these stories that the reader becomes aware that much of what Grandfather taught Tom Brown Jr was knowledge and wisdom that he himself had to work at for years to accummulate; something that makes his achievement only the more admirable.

Stories that clearly illustrate Grandfathers' passion for finding and honouring The Truth; not a social 'manmade truth' but the truth regarding the nature of Spirit; to Grandfather the definitive truth; the same one that the White Man lost contact with so long ago.

In his quest for knowledge Grandfather repeatedly puts his own life on the line, something that I found very impressive, never foolishly though, but always in a way that illustrates great sobriety on his part and the courage to do what he deems is necessary to come to the greater knowledge and wisdom that he so passionately seeks.

Knowledge and wisdom that leads him from from the southwest to the jungles of the amazon and all the way back and up to alaska. Gets him stranded in the mountains in a snowstorm in Canada, nearly killed in Death Valley, in the suburbs of Chicago and much and much more.

All this is very impressive to me; a man accomplishing all that on his own in a hostile environment, he was a native american living outside the reservation after all, without any backup, not many who could accomplish that. But what impresses me the most is that despite the violence with which the White Man approached the Native Americans, never did this stop him from always respecting whoever crossed his path, be they red or white or black; which illustrates how sacred life and the heart was to Grandfather. And it is this respect that Grandfather shows continuously, to man and earth and everything part of this earth, and how this enables him to build a bridge between himself and those who cross his path, that fills me with hope for the future....

So in the end this collection of stories gave me far more then expected: HOPE! Something that many are in need of these days.

My advice? Buy it, read it and then... try to live it!

This book is an incredible experience. The manner in which this book came to me is just as mysterious as the ways of Grandfather. I had a dream from which I remembered just 2 words - "Wolf Messenger". That same day, I met with a business associate to whom I described this dream. He happened to have been a student of Grandfather's student Tom Brown. He instantly knew who the Wolf in my dream was - Stalking Wolf AKA Grandfather. Later he handed me this book. Exactly as in my dream, Stalking Wolf had sent me his message thru a Messenger of his lineage !!

The eternal teacher that Stalking Wolf was, even as I was reading the book, his words directly helped me resolve a design methodology problem, again thru a dream !!

As a Silicon Valley software engineer I do have my share of, ugh "off-beat" views co-existing with arrogant skepticism, but this I could feel in my bones. Anyone trying to survive in the ruthless "wilderness" of todays stock market, the internet, business competetion, Y2K etc, MUST read this book.

This book should be required reading for every human being on this earth. I could only read one chapter at a time because each chapter is so profound, I needed time to decompress and absorb each one. Amazing. Profound. More than thought provoking. Life changing.

I've seen some skeptical comments about Tom Brown's alleged Apache teacher, Stalking Wolf. All I can say is it doesn't really matter whether this book is biographical or a fictitious novel. It makes you think, which is the best any book can do. I've browsed Brown's Field Guides also but they do not show half the heart of "Grandfather". None of the ideas are earth-shatteringly new, but somehow Brown manages to radiate a real love for wilderness and a concern for where the modern world is headed, without resorting to the same old tree-hugger rants that are becoming background noise to most people today. His story rings true against "Black Elk Speaks" and "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee", and even if not based entirely on fact, hits the mark it is aimed at surely and squarely. Great read and I wish Brown would write more of those many stories about Grandfather that he claims to have.

It's hard to call to mind a book that is as moving as this one is: the incredible account of the life and thought of Stalking Wolf, the wise and courageous native American elder who served as the medicine man for a fiercely independent Apache tribe that refused to be domiciled. This is the stuff of screenplays -- or at least of what screenplays should be. For Stalking Wolf was nothing short of a hero's hero -- a thoughful, righteous man who bemoaned the sacrileges that modern society heaped upon the land -- and upon people's minds and hearts! Here was a man who loved both the earth and all its denizens -- human, plant, and animal-- and who lived his teachings to the fullest, as a true exemplar. To have met this man would have been an honor beyond honors; to have lived as his student, as the author did as a youngster, would have been a privilege incomparable. In an age of cardboard heroes and plastic personalities, I can't think of a better role model for kids -- and even for we adults! -- than this beloved "Grandfather." Hats off to you, Tom Brown, for writing such an intensely vivid and stirring account. "Thanks for the memories..."

YES!!! "The Tree Speaks" chapter changed forever how I view the purpose of my life and how I view the world. I no longer fear natural death. It has been the truth I've been searching for my whole life.

I cannot believe how so many have pondered the meaning of life and why we are here, and then it gets answered so very simply in only a few words.

I recommend this book to ANYONE who is interested in Native American beliefs, history and/or a good story about a great man.

Like others have said, I know this sounds mythical even as my review almost makes this sound like some kind of cult but it's just very simple, and true. There is no nutty religious views here.

Every environmentalist should read this book.

I've read this book a number of times, but the audio book is just fantastic!! This is the best audio book I've ever heard. Mr. Brown does a great job of presenting the material in this book in a tone and a cadence that lets me become immersed in the story.

Initially, I only purchased the audiobook to share with others. I had read the book a couple times and didn't feel that I needed to hear the stories again. That was until I received a phone call from a friend to whom I loaned this audiobook. He was so enflamed with enthusiasm and praise that I quickly reconsidered.

Tom's retelling of the stories of Grandfather is so touching it's hard to put words to. I listened to the majority of the chapters on my hour-long morning commutes to University during a very stressful period of studies. Listening to the stories was incredibly therapeutic. They soothed and insired me, and I found myself in tears on more than a number of occasions. There is so much beauty and truth in the life of Grandfather, and to hear his stories in spoken word is a special experience.

Thank you, Tom, for gifting us with a glimpse into this beautiful life.