"Superb - should be assigned reading in high school and early in college""
In the late 16th century France, de Montaigne, a nobleman and governmental official, invented an epistolary literary genre by recognizing one's humanity, by escaping the ego and subliminating one's accomplishments. He penned over a hundred short essays, asking the question: How should one live?' He sought how to live the good and honorable life, probing in a discursive way "the major complexities of existence." Called "the best friend you've ever had" Montaigne's "Essays" have stood the test of time, but regrettably they will not be read by the younger set.
In "The Becoming Years - 18 to 28", George Wray, lawyer, entrepreneur, educator, returns to the de Montaigne genre with a modern, readable, highly personal series of "Essays" offeref in calm, friendly advice to the young person whom he has taught and guided for years. His thirty (30) short pointed chapters are discursive, not preachy; the young reader is asked to take charge of his or her life by becoming a "a self directing creature of your own free will."Without sugar coating, they are told they are "entering an impersonal world," of big change." "you were given a body off the rack, *** So what is the point of further discussion?" *** Be happy with yourself and people will follow in kind." In one chapter in dealing with the need of the young to deal with the personal details of work, he uses an entertaining example of his roommate in Madras, India comparing work to peeling an orange: "drill down and experience every detail, So no skin is left on the orange."
This mature and sensible work for the young is senitive to the vulnerable and impressionable in a language they will understand and respect. It should be suggested reading reading in high school or college."
John Drury Amazon / JeDrury