What do you think?
Rate this book
Journey through the Power of the Rainbow: Quotations from a Life Made Out of Poetry
Journey through the Power of the Rainbow is a book best described by its subtitle: Quotations from a Life Made Out of Poetry. But because of the role that the Worldwide Web played in its creation, and as readers unfamiliar with that role will discover, the book’s subtitle could almost have been: Quotations from the Love and Wisdom of the Web.
Like Paulo Coelho’s Life: Selected Quotations, this volume draws from an extensive body of work by an author whose writings to date encompass virtually every literary genre. The original working title was the popular quote that inspired it and which was first published in The River of Winged Dreams.
The idea of using the quote as the actual title of the book was tempting. The concerned was that it might have been too awkward for readers going from a title composed of a full 17-syllable haiku to a subtitle just beneath it. That doesn’t mean the longer title might not one day appear on the cover of a landscape-styled book featuring different illustrations of the quote along with other encouraging affirmations. A second reason for the final selected title is that whereas the original very admirably promoted self-esteem and self-respect, the book itself covers a lot more territory than that.
When you check out the table of contents you can see where the quotations in Journey through the Power of the Rainbow ––like those in The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln ––cover at least a dozen different categories. Some may be described as classic in terms of literary themes while others are more relevant to 21st-century life. It could not be otherwise once you look at all—-or even just some-—of the various principles, concepts, and beliefs symbolized by the mysterious beauty of the rainbow. Many speak of different stages of growth or evolution that one must experience before being allowed to claim a golden prize of empowerment at the end. Simply put, the more inclusive concept called for a more inclusive title.
In addition, it ties in very appropriately with the titles of two other books by the author: The American Poet Who Went Home Again and ELEMENTAL, The Power of Illuminated Love. Likewise, the subtitle recalls the Aberjhani’s very first book: I Made My Boy Out of Poetry. However, as noted, the work comes not only from poetry but a wide range of genres that include literary fiction, columns, history, creative nonfiction, spiritual essays, and previously unpublished gems that cannot be found anywhere else. Moreover, the introductory essay and the essay titled "Tao of the Rainbow" make the book something much more than just a collection of highly-appealing informative and empowering quotes.
Like Paulo Coelho’s Life: Selected Quotations, this volume draws from an extensive body of work by an author whose writings to date encompass virtually every literary genre. The original working title was the popular quote that inspired it and which was first published in The River of Winged Dreams.
The idea of using the quote as the actual title of the book was tempting. The concerned was that it might have been too awkward for readers going from a title composed of a full 17-syllable haiku to a subtitle just beneath it. That doesn’t mean the longer title might not one day appear on the cover of a landscape-styled book featuring different illustrations of the quote along with other encouraging affirmations. A second reason for the final selected title is that whereas the original very admirably promoted self-esteem and self-respect, the book itself covers a lot more territory than that.
When you check out the table of contents you can see where the quotations in Journey through the Power of the Rainbow ––like those in The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln ––cover at least a dozen different categories. Some may be described as classic in terms of literary themes while others are more relevant to 21st-century life. It could not be otherwise once you look at all—-or even just some-—of the various principles, concepts, and beliefs symbolized by the mysterious beauty of the rainbow. Many speak of different stages of growth or evolution that one must experience before being allowed to claim a golden prize of empowerment at the end. Simply put, the more inclusive concept called for a more inclusive title.
In addition, it ties in very appropriately with the titles of two other books by the author: The American Poet Who Went Home Again and ELEMENTAL, The Power of Illuminated Love. Likewise, the subtitle recalls the Aberjhani’s very first book: I Made My Boy Out of Poetry. However, as noted, the work comes not only from poetry but a wide range of genres that include literary fiction, columns, history, creative nonfiction, spiritual essays, and previously unpublished gems that cannot be found anywhere else. Moreover, the introductory essay and the essay titled "Tao of the Rainbow" make the book something much more than just a collection of highly-appealing informative and empowering quotes.
- GenresPoetry
162 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2014
About the author
Aberjhani
26 books245 followersLong-time advocate of principles and programs associated with PEN American Center and the Academy of American Poets. My newest books are: These Black and Blue Red Zone Days, Greeting Flannery O'Connor at the Back Door of My Mind, and Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah. Other titles include: Songs from the Black Skylark zPed Music Player, Journey through the Power of the Rainbow Quotations from a Life Made Out of Poetry, Visions of a Skylark Dressed in Black; and THE RIVER OF WINGED DREAMS. In addition,the year 2018 marks the 10th anniversary of ELEMENTAL The Power of Illuminated Love with the artist Luther E. Vann.
My work as a visual artist can be found at: https://pixels.com/profiles/posteredc...
I'm currently working on several important projects, including a second edition of The American Poet Who Went Home Again. In addition, I have had the honor of serving as an editor for the Civil War Savannah Book Series published in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. The first title in the series is Savannah Immortal City published February 1, 2011; and the second is Brokers Bankers and Bay Lane Inside the Savannah Slave Trade.
I don't recall a time since adolescence when I have not been involved in a deep relationship with writing, reading, and other forms of creative expression, which is why I remained so deeply involved with Creative Thinkers International for many years.
In addition to the honor of being a Goodreads author, I'm an advocate of initiatives sponsored by PEN America, the American Academy of Poets, Authors on Google +, and other verb-oriented communities.
Prior to joining any of the above, I was born in Savannah, Georgia, eventually left to attend colleges around the country, and served in the U.S. Air Force for 8 years total.
I lucked out and got so furiously inspired in the course of producing some of my work that folks were kind enough to give me awards for it. These include the CONNECT SAVANNAH 2006 Readers Poll for Best Poet and Spoken Word Artist; the Choice Academic Title Award for "Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance," (co-authored by Sandra L. West); the Thomas Jefferson Journalism Award; and the Freedom Foundation essay competition bronze medal.
The year 2007 marked my 10th publishing works in ESSENCE Magazine. I'm particularly happy about the fact that my "Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance" was listed by Black Issues Book Review as one of its “essential reference books for the home library.”
My work as a visual artist can be found at: https://pixels.com/profiles/posteredc...
I'm currently working on several important projects, including a second edition of The American Poet Who Went Home Again. In addition, I have had the honor of serving as an editor for the Civil War Savannah Book Series published in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. The first title in the series is Savannah Immortal City published February 1, 2011; and the second is Brokers Bankers and Bay Lane Inside the Savannah Slave Trade.
I don't recall a time since adolescence when I have not been involved in a deep relationship with writing, reading, and other forms of creative expression, which is why I remained so deeply involved with Creative Thinkers International for many years.
In addition to the honor of being a Goodreads author, I'm an advocate of initiatives sponsored by PEN America, the American Academy of Poets, Authors on Google +, and other verb-oriented communities.
Prior to joining any of the above, I was born in Savannah, Georgia, eventually left to attend colleges around the country, and served in the U.S. Air Force for 8 years total.
I lucked out and got so furiously inspired in the course of producing some of my work that folks were kind enough to give me awards for it. These include the CONNECT SAVANNAH 2006 Readers Poll for Best Poet and Spoken Word Artist; the Choice Academic Title Award for "Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance," (co-authored by Sandra L. West); the Thomas Jefferson Journalism Award; and the Freedom Foundation essay competition bronze medal.
The year 2007 marked my 10th publishing works in ESSENCE Magazine. I'm particularly happy about the fact that my "Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance" was listed by Black Issues Book Review as one of its “essential reference books for the home library.”
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 3, 2016
Autographed gift copy received from author and GR friend, Aberjhani.
Displaying 1 of 1 review