Description

This book has been made available for free by its publisher HarperStudio.

Stone the builder who erects a house that falls on its occupants. Sever the hands of the criminal who pilfers livestock or grain or another’s garment. Whip the child who defies an elder. For such is the law and the law must be obeyed.

For generations, these ironclad rules had governed the people. Nobody questioned whether it was right to humiliate a child or execute a murderer. An eye for an eye was the way of the world. But was there another way?

When an antiquarian book is discovered in the disheveled study of an old Vermont farmhouse, the house’s new owner has the volume translated. The result is The Book of the Shepherd, a timeless story full of life lessons for us all.

Set in a mythical time, in an unnamed land, The Book of the Shepherd tells the tale of a shepherd, Joshua, who is troubled by the harsh code of “an eye for an eye” that governs his world. Called by a dream, the shepherd sets off on a journey to find “the new way.”

Accompanied by Elizabeth, a former slave who is kind and generous, and David, a boy who must learn to walk in new shoes, the shepherd knows that “an age of miracles” will come when the new way is found.

But the journey is not without incident. En route to a cave near the Great Inland Sea, the travelers meet a cast of extraordinary characters, including the Storyteller, the Apothecary, the Blind Man, and the Stranger. Each imparts an important lesson that pushes the travelers toward their destiny. At the cave, Joshua must see if he can bring forth secrets long buried. But he, Elizabeth, and David will also discover that sometimes what we have been

Praise for Joann Davis’ The Book of he Shepherd:

“The Book of the Shepherd, a timeless story about one man who is seeking ‘the new way,’ is an inspiring and moving fable”.
—Paulo Coelho, author of The Alchemist

“The Book of the Shepherd carries readers to a place too rarely visited in this hard world, a place where love and forgiveness triumph over our worst instincts. We are better people for becoming our own guides on this journey. Read The Book of the Shepherd and discover an untraveled highway.”
—Meredith Vieira, co-host of the Today Show and Richard M. Cohen, New York Times bestselling author of Strong at the Broken Places and Blindsided

“In The Book of the Shepherd, Joann Davis presents us with an insightful tale that cuts through the noise and truly inspires. At a time when many people write about changing the world, she offers a simple journey that vividly demonstrates the importance of every act. An energizing read.”
—James Redfield, #1 International bestselling author of The Celestine Prophecy

“A simple and profound parable that engages the heart. A delightful story that even children can enjoy and yet full of deeper meaning and direction for all truth seekers. The Book of the Shepherd should become a classic in every home.”
—Hyrum Smith Co-founder of FranklinCovey, Founder of Galileo Initiative and author of 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management and What Matters Most: The Power of Living Your Values

“... as hypnotic as The Arabian Nights and as life-changing as Paolo Coelho’s The Alchemist. The Book of the Shepherd stirs, cajoles, reeducates, challenges and converts the reader with its touchstones, revelations, and landmarks: how to live with truth, love and beauty for peace, balance and harmony. I was moved to tears ...’
—Albert Gaulden, author of You’re Not Who You Think You Are

“A timeless and engaging tale reminding us of the infallible guideposts by which we should steer our lives. Buy this book for your grandmother and read it to your children.”
—Two Seekers, authors of No Jesus, No Peace–Know Jesus, Know Peace: Timeless Wisdom for Living a Life That Matters

“This lovely parable rewards the reader with spiritual clarity and wisdom in its most ancient and reliable form: emotionally enticing story.”
—Reverend Jeremy Taylor, DMin., Cofounder and Past President of the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD), Founder-Director of the Marin Institute for Projective Dream Work (MIPD), and author of Where People Fly and Water Runs Up Hill

“A scribe writes the story. A reader takes it to heart. The world, upon hearing it, is changed forever. The Book of the Shepherd is more than just a poignant and lovely story. It is truth.”
—Lynne Hinton, author of The Arms of God, The Friendship Cake, and the forthcoming book The Christmas Cake

“... a beautiful demonstration of the ‘Power of One,’ offering readers important lessons of Truth many are searching for today.”
—Kathryn Adams Shapiro, author of Wisdom’s Choice

“From time to time, great teachers have used parables to instruct the human heart. The Book of the Shepherd is such a tale—a luminous book full of revelations of love and forgiveness. I’m going to buy a case for friends and family!”
—Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind and Your Soul’s Compass

Extended Copyright Information

Copyright © 2009 by Joann Davis. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information address HarperCollins Publishers, 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022.

Previously published by HarperCollins Publishers.

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About the Author

Joann Davis, a publishing veteran, is married to the author and historian Kenneth C. Davis. Together they have two grown children, Jenny and Colin, and they divide their time between New York City and Dorset, Vermont.

Learn more about this author.

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Opening Lines (Experimental)

HE WAS A SMALL BOY, AS TENDER-hearted and as innocent as a spring lamb. He was a good boy, who said his prayers and respected his elders. But on this day, he was a frightened boy who was about to feel the white hot sting of a switch across the back of his legs.
But the man was angry. He had asked ...

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Copyright

Copyright 2009 by Joann Davis.

All Rights Reserved.

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