Outer Search\Inner Journey: An Orphan and Adoptee's Quest (Paperback)

by Peter F. Dodds (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A beautifully written autobiography... a generous sharing of the toughest journey any of us will ever do and that is understanding, forgiving and knowing ourselves." -- Australian Adoption Research & Counselling Service, Autumn 1998

"A moving, seldom sentimental, always honest personal account--one that sounds a controversial alarm. Dodds forces his readers to look at international adoption in light of the issue of cultural displacement and asks if its worth it." -- Tacoma Reporter, November 5, 1998

"A profound and beautiful piece of work, one that everyone interested in the mind and soul of an adopted person should read. This book is about ethnic heritage, and a strong indictment of the practice of snatching children out of their country and culture, whatever it may be." -- American Adoption Congress, Fall 1997

"Dodds is a gifted writer, spell-binding his readers with a saga that almost seems the work of a novelist. His life-long quest for belonging includes giving a message of hope. We give Outer Search\Inner Journey a five-star rating." -- People Searching News, Volume III 1997

"Much is written about adoption but rarely from the absolute point of view of the person adopted. Poetic and well written and deserves to be read by anyone interested in the psychological aspects of intercountry adoption." -- British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, Volume 21 Number 3 1997

"Thought provoking and brutally honest, this book is a disquieting look into international adoption as well as a glimpse into a tortured soul. Peter's story is a moving examination of a life-long struggle to escape from a cultural no-man's-land." -- German Life, February/March 1998

"We urge anyone involved with cultural issues to read this book. Dodds's description of his life is open, honest and painful. He writes smoothly, with no sentiments or regrets or self-pity. Well-written, thought provoking and intelligent." -- Adoption Today, April 1997

"Without question, this is an extraordinary moving autobiographical work. The book illuminates the issue of international adoption, particularly the tragic problem of children who suffer the loss of being separated from not only their birth-parents, but also from their ancestral homeland and culture - their entire heritage." -- The German American Journal, January 1997

Product Description
Outer Search/Inner Journey is an extraordinarily moving piece of work. Dirck W. Brown, Ed.D. A German orphan adopted by American parents tells his story in this fast-paced autobiography. Outer Search/Inner Journey, the first book to describe international adoption from the foreign adoptee's perspective, is written in a flowing, narrative style drawing readers into the adoptee's unique struggle for identity. Author Peter F. Dodds adds a powerful dimension by intricately weaving his thoughts and emotions through stories of childhood alienation, military service as an elite Army Ranger, the search for his birthmother, romantic relationships and travel to communist Czechoslovakia to uncover his past. Orphaned as an infant in post-WWII Germany, Peter is adopted by American parents and taken to the United States. As an adult he returns to Germany to find his heritage only to discover he has stepped into a labyrinth of mystery, adventure and romance. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, Outer Search\Inner Journey is the story of a man's transformation where the protagonist must ultimately confront himself.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Aphrodite Publishing Company; 1 edition (April 11, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889702242
• ISBN-13: 978-1889702247
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,305,364 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Its the best adoption story available to read!, September 26, 1997

By	Delores Teller (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews

I first read Outer Search/Inner Journey in April 1997 during a plane ride home. I found the story to be so compelling that I could hardly put it down during the six hour flight, and ignored my dinner when it was served!

As a reunited birthmother of a son, I gained tremendous insight and understanding of the male adoptees struggle for identity, bonding, intimacy and healing. The narrative style kept my interest peaked from chapter to chapter and drew me into the rich history of the German culture in the search for roots.

Mr. Dodds candor, self evaluation and tales of human despair, allowed me to experience his struggle and embrace the impact of adoption on his adult life. As his story weaves through military experiences and romantic struggles, I felt moved by his attempts for resolution and healing through a journey of faith.

I highly reccomend this book to all members of the adoption triad as well as for anyone that has experienced feelings of loneliness and isolation. It's the best adoption story available to read and lingers long after the last page is finished!

Delores S Teller
President
Oregon Adoptive Rights Association
Portland Oregon

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking portrayal of the other side of adoption., November 30, 1998

By	Kitty Griffin Lagorio ([e-mail]) (Washington County, PA) - See all my reviews

Most people would like to believe that adoption is a lovely solution to the problem of an unwanted child. Taking a child from one world and immersing him or her into another without regard is as absurd as expecting a horse to live under water. Like Peter F. Dodds I was taken from my homeland, Germany, and plunged into another world. The shock and trauma that he went through is as honest and as real as it gets. What happened to Peter Dodds is what happens when trauma, (in this case the trauma of transcultural adoption), is not taken care of. As I read through this book I felt the chill of recognition at his questions as well as his confusion regarding his own identity. In many ways his struggle mirrored mine. This is a book that anyone involved in inter-country adoption should read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Learned alot - yet still questions, August 12, 2006

By	E. Hand (Sterling IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book opened my eyes to a different side of adotpion that I had not considered. As most I looked at adoption as givng a child a home he would not have otherwise been able to experience. This book showed me that there is much more to this process and those adopting need assistance in helping the child understand and to feel loved - in showing it - not saying it.
I would be very intereted in knowing how this author has lived the last 10 years - has he truly opened his heart and accepted love when given - or is he still searching and still has fear that he will not be fulfilled.
It was a very touching book for me.