Pieces of My Heart: Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature [Paperback]

Jim Willis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2002

PLEASE NOTE: This book is scheduled to ship in March. By purchasing it now, you are PRE-ORDERING this book. Your book will ship by March 20th. THANK YOU!

As a "voice for the voiceless," Jim Willis touches human hearts as deftly as he bonds with the animals he rescues. His writings have inspired animal lovers around the world in over a dozen languages. Now, with publication of his collected writings in the USA and the UK, the Author has made a generous arrangement with the publishers that can benefit the fundraising efforts of all animal rescue, conservation and environmental groups.

In Pieces of My Heart - Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature the author paints an emotional rainbow with a palette akin to Thoreau, Khalil Gibran, James Thurber, Chief Seattle, and James Herriot. Pieces of My Heart encompasses favorites such as "We Are Their Heroes," "How Could You?," "The Basset Chronicles," and "The Zen of Cat," as well as a treasure-trove of new writings. Included is an Appendix of suggestions and resources for helping animals; and a Foreword by Dr. Marc Bekoff, author of Minding Animals: Awareness, Emotions, and Heart and co-founder with Dr. Jane Goodall of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals/Citizens for Responsible Animal Behavior Studies. Illustrated by Christine J. Head. (Softcover, 312 pages.)

Pieces of My Heart is a soulful, heartfelt tribute to animals and a plea for compassion. As you immerse yourself in its truths you'll reach for the nearest animal to hug, you'll smile through tears, and you'll feel the urge to run barefoot in the grass.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...comes closer to speaking the minds of animals and speaking up for Creation than anything else you'll ever read. -- AnimalTalk Newsletter, Dick Weavil, Publisher, March, 2002

Compassionate, spiritual, emotional, heart-wrenching, and insightful, this book will move you in ways you never thought possible. -- American Sanctuary Association, Vernon Weir, Development Director, March, 2002

If people could only apply his writings to all animals, including the human animal, this earth would be heaven. -- AnimalHome.com, Herb Rabe, President, March, 2002

Jim Willis has a keen understanding of the intricate relationships we have with animals. This is a superb collection! -- About.com Guide to Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Janet Tobiassen-Crosby, March, 2002

The collection is best taken in small pieces, each one carefully and thoughtfully savored. -- TheDogPlace.com, Barbara J. Andrews, Managing Editor, March, 2002

This is an anthology of essays, poetry, homilies and quotations for ‘real’ animal lovers...Buy the book, read and enjoy! -- Book Publicity Ltd., United Kingdom, June 2002

About the Author

Jim Willis is a writer, artist, and animal advocate. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and has lived much of his adult life in Europe. In 1990, he and his wife, Nicole Valentin, founded and personally funded a multi-species, all-breed rescue, placement, education and advocacy effort, now The Tiergarten Sanctuary Trust. They have adopted and share their lives with over three dozen rescued animals. Jim is a member of the American Sanctuary Association and the African Conservation Foundation, and is a supporter of other efforts for animals and the environment. His dream is to have a sanctuary with habitat-appropriate facilities for rescued wolves and wolf-hybrids, an expanded adoption program for rescued companion animals, and education programs that promote the human-animal bond. His wife would like a new vacuum cleaner. They may be contacted at [e-mail]

Sales of Pieces of My Heart help further their efforts as well as those of other organizations that sell the book as a fundraiser. Your support is appreciated.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Infinity Publishing.com (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074141015X
• ISBN-13: 978-0741410153
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #979,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stock Up on Tissues, April 29, 2002

By 

Franny Syufy (Byron, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pieces of My Heart: Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature (Paperback)

When I first reviewed Pieces of my Heart, I knew Jim Willis had a potential best-seller on his hands. They say that writing is just a matter of "opening a vein," and with "Pieces," Jim has opened up his whole heart. He has given us a glimpse into the lives of other creatures who share this Planet with us, who valiently struggle to survive despite the mess we humans have created.

Anyone who loves life, animals, or the Earth we live on owes it to himself or herself to read this book. Fair warning should be given, though. You won't make it through the first few pieces without a box of tissues, and just when you think your emotions have peaked, you'll surprise yourself with a roaring belly-laugh when you read the first of the Basset Hound Chronicles. It is no wonder that the reading of "How Could You?" - the most-published animal-related essay in the world - by radio DJs has literally stopped traffic.

It is impossible to read "Pieces of my Heart" without picking up a pen to write a letter to an editor, donating money to an animal rescue group, or hugging your own dog or kitty. If I could only buy one book to read the rest of my life, it would be this one.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read book!!, August 26, 2002

By 

Glenna H. Whipple (Silver Springs, Fl. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pieces of My Heart: Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature (Paperback)

As the owner of several Basset Hounds I was especially tickled with "The Basset Chronicles". I could read stories like that all day! His other stories, poems, & writings are inspirational, sensitive, & some can bring tears to your eyes. Anyone with any sensitivity at all could not help but be moved by them. I also liked how he included many resources & research sites at the end of the book to help raise people's awareness of the abuse & cruelty we humans perpetrate on helpless animals, along with ways to help remedy the problems. Because of his love of all animals Jim has unselfishly given rescue groups the opportunity to sell the book as a fundraiser, out of his own proceeds, in order to help many, many animals. An excellent book! On a scale of 1-10, I give it a hearty 10!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He's the new James Herriot, this is the new "All Creatures Great and Small"! Buy it, Read it, Give it!!, May 3, 2006

By 

AnimalLUVR (Chapel Hill, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pieces of My Heart: Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature (Paperback)

It is because of this man's writings that I adopted a shelter dog, then started volunteering at a shelter, and then started rescuing animals (not many, but it's a start). I heard other people say that this book changed their lives. When his "How Could You?" was broadcast on a local radio station it STOPPED TRAFFIC! People had to pull over they were crying so hard and the shelter where I volunteer had people coming in to adopt who said they heard it on the radio. My husband and my son read it and blubbered like babies. I print it out from his book's website and distribute it all over the place. Don't be afraid to read the book though because it isn't just sad. Others have called it an emotional rollercoaster ride and that it is. And its a ride you'll never forget. I still reread parts of it and find myself shaking my head in agreement. He gets inside animals heads like no other author and his way with words is as good as or better than James Herriot (who I love dearly!).