Reflections in the Mill Pond [Paperback]

Larry Wood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 23, 2007

Each of us have a story to tell as no two of our lives follow the same path. For each of us are the wonderful times whose memories we cherish always. Conversely, there are times when our dreams are shattered by heartbreaking events that either mold our character or drive us to despair, shrouding the possibility that sunlight and happiness will visit us again. This is the story of one man's journey through exhilarating highs and catastrophic lows. It is a story of the pursuit of happiness, security, love and most of all a loving home. It is a story of experiencing the thrill of having your wildlest dreams materialize only to see those dreams and many successes crumble and fade just as quickly as they came. Most of all, 'Reflections in the Mill Pond,' is a story of priorities and faith. It is the story of how in our darkest moments, each of us has a gift to be shared with another along our journey. If there is a lesson to be gleaned from this story it is to remind each of us that we all have something to share with our fellow travelers. It's easy to share good fortune. The challenge comes when we reach out to help another who might be struggling. In reading this story, the author hopes that two things are accomplished. The first is that we all take a few moments each day to count our many blessings. The second is that we take time to reach out to a friend, neighbor, family member who is struggling to find happiness. A little kindness goes a long way.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in Duncan, Oklahoma in the mid 1940’s, the author considers “home” to be the ancestral home of his grandparents, Taos, New Mexico. While he has lived in a variety of places including Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and New Mexico, he resides at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains close to the Colorado, New Mexico border where he has lived for many years. The author attended schools in Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees in Foreign Languages and Psychology. After a number of years in the booming oil and gas industry of the 1970’s the author returned to his long time dream of working with young children and painting the unique scenes of the American Southwest in oils and watercolors. While achieving some success in both areas, he began to document events of his life in story form. During the flamboyant days of the oil and gas boom of the 70’s, the author published technical articles dealing with enhanced oil production through reservoir stimulation. In the 1980’s, the author penned a series of poems of which several were published by organizations including Hospice. The author submits periodic articles to a variety of local publications. “Reflections in the Mill Pond” is the author’s first venture into a full length novel. He is currently writing a second.

Product Details

• Paperback: 466 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (May 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419664603
• ISBN-13: 978-1419664601
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,529,809 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly Great Read!!, August 1, 2007

By 

Colorado Reader "Book Notes" (Alamosa, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reflections in the Mill Pond (Paperback)

Larry Wood's book, REFLECTIONS IN THE MILL POND, is one of those books you don't want to put down, once you begin. It's a terrific story of an unusual childhood, a troubled adolescence, and adulthood with highs and lows abounding. At times funny, and at times very moving, the author brings us along his journey, and it seems that the reader is actually there, in the events, as they happened. The book introduces the reader to many memorable characters, such as Tony Two Hats and Father Bill. What an influence these two men and others had on young Larry, with lessons that carried him through many difficult times to come! I highly recommend this book to anyone, as the story has an almost universal appeal and touches different aspects of life that each of us experience.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful story of heartbreak and survival, January 19, 2008

By 

Esperanza R. de Noriega "Esperanza Noriega" (Mexico City, Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reflections in the Mill Pond (Paperback)

This is the best book I have read in a long time!!!! The author gently takes you by the hand through the events of a remarkable life, and you can't stop turning pages, sometimes laughing out loud and sometimes gasping for breath as with simple and straightforward words he expresses the most intense pain. It is the story of an exceptional man's journey from childhood to adulthood and the ever present longing for home, love, warmth, acceptance and fitting in that even at the height of his unprecedented success tear at his heart right up to the devastating event that changes his life forever. The memorable multicultural characters that appear in his life at the most crucial times, leave with us a message of hope that we are never alone in times of need. The kindness, wisdom and insights of characters like Tony Two Hats, Father Bill, Old Bea, Laurie Medina will remain with us for all time. It is a book that comes form the heart and speaks to the heart. Underneath it all, it is a cautionary tale for parents and adults on the need to nurture self- esteem in young people, and a message to young people that no matter what, they'll survive. As a literature teacher, I would certainly put it on the must read list, right along with The Catcher in the Rye and Death Be Not Proud. Honest and powerful, Reflections in the Mill Pond is a book not to be missed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An honest look at life, December 16, 2007

By 

Richard Roberts - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reflections in the Mill Pond (Paperback)

A friend asked me to read this book and give reasons why you should. No, not Mr. Wood, I've never met him. It's the story of a man's life as seen in a very unique perspective, his own. An autobiography/novel, an oddity in itself, I stalked through his memories like the trails of an unknown wilderness. I became cautious, anticipating danger or situations to be avoided as the trails unwound before me. I saw his places, and met his family and friends. Or were they?

Everyone has a unique perspective of things and events in their lives and of course everyone's life is different. But if you ask someone to reminisce about their life you will find that as much as things are different, they are the same. So why should you read this book? Because when you look between the covers into Larry Wood's millpond, the reflections you see staring back are not his. They're yours.

Richard Roberts