Customer Reviews

The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering: A Story for Anyone Who Thinks She Can't Save the World

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Two grandmothers are standing silently in the park on a windy day, doing nothing in particular, and the town's residents wonder what they are up to. A young girl says that they are saving the world. Soon they are joined by other women, and then more women, and suddenly this gentle gathering appears to have the ability to transform the world for the better.

In an afterword, author Sharon Mehdi described how she came to write this story. She had been trying to write a serious nonfiction book about buried scrolls that would save the world, but came down with a bad case of writer's block. At that same time, several things influenced her to take a different tack: she became a grandmother, the world was full of bad news about war, violence, and economic woes, and she recalled a Native American elder telling her that "men have taken the world as far as they can. It's up to the women to lead us the rest of the way." At that point she decided to write her granddaughter a children's story for grownups. It began as a booklet, but as it was read to more and more women, its popularity spread until it was time to be published for a wider audience.

This small book carries a message of hope. Laced with warmth and humor, it asserts that silence can speak loudly and that small acts can take on a power of their own. This would make a great gift for Mother's Day, or for any woman who thinks she can't make a difference in the world.

Eileen Rieback

It began with two grandmothers standing in the park to save the world as it does in Sharon Mehdi's charming and witty giant of a little story. "A children's book for grown-ups" as it was suggested by a new friend in the town where the author lives. Not only did the grandmothers in the story arouse and excite everyone in their town, the book had a magical and powerful impact on the community of Ashland, Oregon as is told in "The Story of the Story", also included in the hardback edition. After many book readings and radio interviews, word is out about this blessed story that will inspire hope for the future in all who read it. It has for me and the people I have given it to. It has been distributed at UN conferences and will be translated into many languages because it is universally compelling and non-political. Pick up extra copies for gifts, too.

I picked this book up today in a bookstore, and before I knew it, I was sitting on the floor completely engrossed in it (this is saying something, as I was wearing a very small mini-skirt, which was not something in which one should sit on bookstore floors!). Despite not having a lot of money right now I had to buy this book. I had to have it to read and re-read.

I will buy a coyy for my mother.
I will buy copies for my friends.
I am thinking of buying copies to give to strangers.

This story moved something deep inside me--it reminded me of my Power, and the Power of one to change the world. And in so doing, has changed the world.

Buy this book.

This book is a delight. It made me feel hopeful that people like grandmothers (but you could also substitute children, teenagers,women, disabled people, minorities, any people without a "voice," etc. could, if they wanted to, find a way to make change in the world.

I loved the two parts of this book. The story, and then the story behind the story; how it came to be written. This book is delightful and also hopeful; it shows that determination when supported by people who love and nurture you can produce a wonderful story to be shared with the world. A lovely read and a great gift for other grandmothers and people who care about making peace (shouldn't that be everyone?)

Sharon Mehdi has written the definative story of "Peace On Earth". I love this book! Every friend I have given a copy of the book also loves the book and buys more copies to give to other friends. It has been sold out several times at our local book stores. Sharon has demonstrated that peace is not in oposition to something else - peace is. Peace happens in the most gentle of ways. And that is the story that Sharon has told in this little but powerful book. Sharon is a masterful story teller.

This seemingly simple story has a powerful message. Medhi is tuning in to a huge grassroots peace movement. This story has already inspired many gatherings and we'll see more as the year progresses. In fact there is talk about 50 million people in the U.S. standing for peace across the nation on the 4th of July.

This book brought tears to my eyes. It touched me so deeply that I was moved to read it aloud at a gathering of 100 + people. Many people came up to me later expressing their appreciation of the story's simple beauty. I bought several dozen copies and sent them to women around the world -- a simple gift of appreciation for their daily dedication to peace. This book is a movement in itself.
Thank you Sharon! Karen Buckley

This book took me all of 15min to read. It said very little, but the message is huge.
I bought this myself thinking it would be more of a 'what a granny can do to save the world' and expecting it to be a longer, drier read.
I was wrong. I was so moved by this little book that I immediately took it to another granny I work with (we're as different as night and afternoon). She quickly read it and announced she would be purchasing a copy as well.
Yes... we can all save the world.
Thank you.

I sent the book to several of my friends, one of whom wrote back on May 13th, 2007 with news that says it all.
"I just had to let you know how grateful I am to you for sending me the book The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering this spring. That book was the focal point for our United Methodist Women's program yesterday on Inspirational Women of Faith. Jenny **** read the story one section at a time and we had a group of super women be the grandmothers et al in the story. What a powerful book and how it captured everyone's imagination. (Since I am program chair, I got to have a bit of a say as to the program, but none was needed since everyone on the program committee was so enthralled with the book.)

Eugene has a number of places where people will be gathering in just one hour. Many of us who are from our church at 1 p.m. will meet at the Charnel-Mulligan Park just a couple blocks south of the church and stand for peace for 5 minutes. The standingwomen web site lists places all over the world where women will be congregating for five minutes for peace! Thank you a hundred times over for sending me the book. It has inspired 50 women who attended the program yesterday, plus Debbie, our senior pastor, invited the congregation to join her at the park this afternoon. Will let you know more later.

Hugs to you, my dear peaceful friend.
Sheila"

I hope women begin to see the power they can wield over events by merely being themselves and taking a stand.

Barbara

I bought six copies of this book and gave one to each of my five daughters and one daughter-in-law. I found the story to be most inspiring and hope-filled. We women one day will unite and do something as simple and effective as these grandmothers did. One day we women will discover our power and act upon it for the good of ALL.
I thought the author's story of how she came to write this book was very well presented. I felt highly encouraged by her words. I personally thank her for this creation.