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Pebble in the Water
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 5, 2013
Bob Welch's book, Pebble in the Water, chronicles not only his experiences while writing the story of a World War II nurse nearly 60 years after she died in Belgium, but also the intricacy, detail and doggedness in Welch's work and research. Welch believes the discovery of Frances Slanger's story is either coincidence or, in the words of G.K Chesterson, a "spiritual pun." In fact, Welch really didn't discover Slanger's story; it literally found him.
Once Welch heard Slanger's story and her passion to change the world in a small but significant way, he could not let go of the project that would be his next book. It is the getting there that was bigger than writing the book.
Research and interviews with the few remaining survivors of the war who knew Frances Slanger took Welch from his home in Eugene, Oregon, to Boston, Massachusetts, on to Paris, France, and to the Pentagon. These trips were all at the author's own cost, not only financial but at the expense of his family who spent many days and nights without him home.
Dogged determination is the essence of Bob Welch in whatever he is committed to doing. I have seen this in action in his workshops, other writings, his newspaper column, and yes, in his passion for living.
Whether you are a writer or not, Pebble in the Water, is an inspirational book. As the reader follows Welch in pursuit of all he can learn of this Polish Jewish woman who was caring for American soldiers when she was killed by a German sniper in October 1944, the reader begins to learn life lessons about sacrificing to follow your dreams:
"Take that step and, yes, you risk failure.
But don't take that step and failure is a certainty."
~ p. 21, Pebble in the Water
If Bob Welch had never committed to write Frances Slanger's story, if his wife had never committed to be both mother and father while he travelled and to love him day in and day out, if his children had never committed to loving him and caring about his dreams, American Nightingale would have never been written.
Nor would Bob Welch ever have met the remaining survivors, few that they were, of Slanger's unit. Or had the opportunity to share her story on network television. Or with you and me.
Once Welch heard Slanger's story and her passion to change the world in a small but significant way, he could not let go of the project that would be his next book. It is the getting there that was bigger than writing the book.
Research and interviews with the few remaining survivors of the war who knew Frances Slanger took Welch from his home in Eugene, Oregon, to Boston, Massachusetts, on to Paris, France, and to the Pentagon. These trips were all at the author's own cost, not only financial but at the expense of his family who spent many days and nights without him home.
Dogged determination is the essence of Bob Welch in whatever he is committed to doing. I have seen this in action in his workshops, other writings, his newspaper column, and yes, in his passion for living.
Whether you are a writer or not, Pebble in the Water, is an inspirational book. As the reader follows Welch in pursuit of all he can learn of this Polish Jewish woman who was caring for American soldiers when she was killed by a German sniper in October 1944, the reader begins to learn life lessons about sacrificing to follow your dreams:
"Take that step and, yes, you risk failure.
But don't take that step and failure is a certainty."
~ p. 21, Pebble in the Water
If Bob Welch had never committed to write Frances Slanger's story, if his wife had never committed to be both mother and father while he travelled and to love him day in and day out, if his children had never committed to loving him and caring about his dreams, American Nightingale would have never been written.
Nor would Bob Welch ever have met the remaining survivors, few that they were, of Slanger's unit. Or had the opportunity to share her story on network television. Or with you and me.
February 17, 2017
A writer and writing teacher's book about writing a research-based nonfiction book. "American Nightingale," the story of a Jewish nurse killed in WWII, absorbed more than three years of Welch's life and tens of thousands of dollars of his own money to write and promote. Descriptions of his journey serve as both a warning and inspiration to would-be writers. Appreciated this look behind the scenes and hope to read more of Welch's work.
September 7, 2016
Delightful read! Bob Welch shares with us, on many levels: not just what it takes to create, and then to market, a book, but the passion behind wishing to share a story, from which others can benefit. In this book, he not only honors the Polish Jew who served as a WWII nurse, but the many others who assisted him in writing the story: American Nightingale: The Story of Frances Slanger, Forgotten Heroine of Normandy.
April 3, 2009
I personally know the author. For those that have read his book American Nightengale, it is about how that book was written.
May 4, 2010
this is a book about the process of writing a book.I enjoyed reading Welch's account of his struggles writing "American Nightingale",definitely best read together.
April 17, 2012
Read this either before or after American Nightingale. Excellent book.
May 5, 2014
Actually I clicked on the wrong damn book.I never read this.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews