Book Description
Reminiscent of Cold Mountain and Gone with the Wind, a civil war saga of a Virginia plantation family fulfilling its unforgettable destiny. Widely acclaimed, with comparisons to Margaret Mitchell and Shelby Foote, Jacob's Ladder is a rich and poignant novel. It is the story of Duncan Gatewood, seventeen and heir to the Gatewood Plantation in Virginia. Duncan falls in love with Maggie, a mulatto slave, who bears him a son, Jacob. Maggie and Jacob are sold south, and Duncan is packed off by his irate father to the Virginia Military Institute. As a cadet, Duncan guards the gallows of John Brown; as a man he will fight for Robert E. Lee and the South. Another Gatewood slave, Jesse--whose love for Maggie is unrequited--escapes to freedom and enlists in Mr. Lincoln's army; in time he will confront his former masters.
Permeated with a wealth of scrupulously researched historical detail, McCaig conjures up the interlocked lives of masters and slaves so skillfully that he has gained praise from African American historians and the descendants of confederate veterans. Jacob's Ladder, lauded by the Virginia Quarterly as "the best Civil War novel ever written," is an epic tale that resonates with all the bitter glory and deep human shame of America's greatest war.
--Winner of the John Esten Cooke Fiction Award from the Military Order of the Stars and Bars
--"McCaig's new saga captures the details of wartime Virginia with stunning force....Think Cold Mountain; think Gone with the Wind." --People
Customer Reviews:
Big, sprawling Civil War novel.......2006-08-02
Dickensian in scope, this book follows the inhabitants of a Virginia plantation called Stratford, both white and black, as the existence they've always known is shattered forever by the coming of the war. In the course of the novel, every character is tested beyond anything they could have ever imagined. Some manage to make choices that leave them with honor, love, and freedom; others fall by the wayside.
The book begins in 1859 with the youthful love affair between Duncan Gatewood, the young son of the Stratford's owner, and Midge, a pretty little slave who works in the house. The consequences of Duncan and Midge's affair explode when Midge gives birth to Duncan's son, Jacob, and Duncan wants to acknowledge the child as his own. But anything that the impulsive pair might have done is derailed by the coming of the war.
What happens to Duncan after he joins the Confederate Army and Midge after she is sold away from Stratford are just two of the threads that make up the absorbing tapestry of Jacob's Ladder. Some of the other intriguing characters are Sallie Kirkpatrick, a young girl who becomes a woman in the brutal military hospitals of Richmond; her husband Alexander, a vain schoolmaster who drifts from one disaster to the next; Jesse Burns, who runs away from Stratford and seeks pride and a new future as one of the Union's colored troops; and Catesby Byrd, who only wanted to be a comfortable country lawyer but finds his intelligence and sensitivity mauled in some of the war's most horrific battles.
A puzzling and pointless framing device involving a 1930s WPA slave narrative could have been easily dispensed with, and as with any multi-character saga, some of the storylines are more satisfying than others. But these are minor criticisms. The characters, settings, and battles in Jacob's Ladder are masterfully rendered. The handling of the multi-racial storyline is the best I've seen. Anyone with an interest in the Civil War or historical fiction will find this book a very satisfying read.
A Most Engrossing Read!.......2006-07-16
I am not a big reader of historical/ civil war novels ( barring Roots, I don't think I have read anything else set in that genre), but this was one of the most engrossing books I've read.
The historical perspective is fascinating and the characters are real and believable - with their faults and virtues.
I would highly recommend this book.
An outstanding historical novel.......2004-01-03
I read this novel last year. This was well in advance of the recent revelations about Strom Thurmond's unacknowledged child by his family's black maid back when Strom was in his 20s and the young lady was 16. The hypocrisy of that episode brought to mind the story of Duncan and Midge. And of course there is a current film with Anthony Hopkins where he portrays a young black man who "passed" for white to advance in the USA back in the days when this nation was overly obsessed with skin pigment.
This book can be appreciated on many levels. There really was an effort made to record the oral narratives of former slaves although by the 30s, very few were still alive or lucid enough to provide accurate histories. The author's skillful use of this actual event in the 30s to construct the storyline was impressive.
The hardships and deprivations of the landed Virginia planter aristocracy during and after the war are vividly brought to life. The lives of the slaves and the world they inhabited are also recreated in this book as in no other I've ever read though sadly we dont have much lit dealing with the day to day reality of being a slave in the old South.
We read this book and we find ourselves cheering Midge as she ultimately triumphs and earns a spot in "respectable society". But at what cost? Early on in the book we learn that Midge/Maggie/Marguerite ---perhaps unique among her fellow slaves--had the gift of mimicry and could "talk white". That talent--coupled with her lighter skin--- so early displayed in the novel will carry Midge along thru the rest of her life.
I dont know if anyone has ever bought the rights to this novel and I'm sure a politically correct Hollywood would badly mangle the storyline, but the role of Maggie/Marguerite would be great for a young Halle Berry.
One of my favorite lines is spoken by Duncan to a Confederate soldier and fellow alum of VMI: "Boy we sure did teach them Yankees a lesson back there" [referring to a battle] and the reply: "Yeah, and they keep on not learning it!"
Sally Hemmings meets Gone with the Wind........2003-05-29
Well, in light of the fact that one of the fastest-growing past times in America is to beat up on the South by portraying all white Southerners as racist, conflicted, and pitiable creatures who had an insatiable appetite for "brown sugar", I'm not really suprised that people liked this book. It's well-written, but extremely unfair in its portrayal of Southerners and a little sketchy on some historic facts.
Riveting!.......2002-06-26
Kept me totally engrossed in the interrelationships of the families of characters. They were extremely well thought out and detailed such that I felt that I knew them. Their varied backgrounds and dependencies on each other were fascinating. Also engaging was the way their relationships changed as the times and "rules" rapidly changed. Better than "Cold Mountain" (which I loved, also). This book goes on my top shelf of prized possessions.
Book Description
The biblical story of Jacob and his children must have troubled ancient readers. By any standard, this was a family with problems. Jacob's oldest son Reuben is said to have slept with his father's concubine Bilhah. The next two sons, Simeon and Levi, tricked the men of a nearby city into undergoing circumcision, and then murdered all of them as revenge for the rape of their sister. Judah, the fourth son, had sexual relations with his own daughter-in-law. Meanwhile, jealous of their younger sibling Joseph, the brothers conspired to kill him; they later relented and merely sold him into slavery. These stories presented a particular challenge for ancient biblical interpreters. After all, Jacob's sons were the founders of the nation of Israel and ought to have been models of virtue.
In The Ladder of Jacob, renowned biblical scholar James Kugel retraces the steps of ancient biblical interpreters as they struggled with such problems. Kugel reveals how they often fixed on a little detail in the Bible's wording to "deduce" something not openly stated in the narrative. Thus, Simeon and Levi, they concluded, tricked no one. As for Reuben, he was led astray after having caught sight of Bilhah bathing, while Judah was the unfortunate victim of his own weakness for alcohol.
These are among the earliest examples of ancient biblical interpretation (midrash). They are found in retellings of biblical stories that appeared in the closing centuries BCE--in the Book of Jubilees, the Aramaic Levi Document, the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, and other noncanonical works. Through careful analysis of these retellings, Kugel is able to reconstruct how ancient interpreters worked. The Ladder of Jacob is an artful, compelling account of the very beginnings of biblical interpretation.
Book Description
One evening, when the humble, sage man Jacob the Baker came home from work, a stranger waited on his doorstep: Jonah, an orphan boy, sent by an old friend for Jacob to raise, to teach, and to love. Now, for the first time, the gentle poet has been given the privilege of fatherhood. As the man and the boy seek to understand one another, Jacob answers profound questions about parenthood and intimacy, love and loss, growing older and becoming young at heart. And when Jacob the Baker speaks, we are wise to listen. . . .
Customer Reviews:
Inspiring.......2006-11-14
This is a great final novel in the Jacob the Baker trilogy. Preceded by Jacob the Baker and Jacob's Journey, Jacob is back in his hometown. Jacob has received an unexpected gift and responsibility. Ezra, from the council of sages, has sent his orphaned grandson, Johan, to learn wisdom from Jacob.
This is a new phase of life for Jacob, who was always content in the silences of his single life. Now there are the noises and disturbances of a young boy. Yet the boy does not come alone. The local schoolteacher comes to visit Jacob, and wants Jonah to go to school. Thus Ruth becomes friend to both Jacob and Jonah.
This is a great book in the tradition of the Jewish sages. Mr. benShea writes with a skill, power and conviction that will touch your heart.
What wonderful lessons wrapped inside a beautiful story!.......2003-06-10
This book just captivated me. I love wisdom and this book has it dripping from practically every page. What was so amazing was the way the author weaved the cast of supporting characters around the wise and humble Jacob, who treated all with dignity and so willingly shared of himself with whomever came his way.
I had never heard of the author, Noah benShea before this book. A friend had it on her bookshelf and allowed me to read it. I just came to amazon.com to buy this one for myself, as well as the two others in the "Jacob" series and the book he wrote, "Remember, My Children."
I also found out he has a weekly column via the Internet.
This is profound wisdom. Enjoy it and, of course, share it with you children and others for whom you feel it can make a difference.
Simply profound wisdom.......2000-07-17
This surprising book by an author I had never heard of knocked my socks off. Although it starts off somewhat slow, I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of the countryside at the beginning. However, the meat of the book isn't the descriptions, it is the wonderful, moving, life changing wisdom of a simple baker named Jacob. As Jacob strings pearl after pearl of insight, I have found the need to refer back to the book time and again to retain them all! And even though I don't tend to be much of a quoter, I've quoted Jacob to my friends several times. I actually borrowed my mother's copy of the book, and the chances of her getting it back are dismal. (I've only bought copies to give as gifts). I'm anxious to read the other books in the series.
Simply profound wisdom.......2000-07-17
This surprising book by an author I had never heard of knocked my socks off. Although it starts off somewhat slow, I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of the countryside at the beginning. However, the meat of the book isn't the descriptions, it is the wonderful, moving, life changing wisdom of a simple baker named Jacob. As Jacob strings pearl after pearl of insight, I have found the need to refer back to the book time and again to retain them all! And even though I don't tend to be much of a quoter, I've quoted Jacob to my friends several times. I actually borrowed my mother's copy of the book, and the chances of her getting it back are dismal. (I've only bought copies to give as gifts). I'm anxious to read the other books in the series.
Amazon.com
How can a person be generous to the poor when his own bank account is almost empty? Mussar, a thousand-year-old Jewish spiritual tradition, offers answers to this and many other questions regarding the distance between religious ideals and everyday realities, as Alan Morinis explains in Climbing Jacob's Ladder. Morinis, a Canadian baby boomer who grew up to become a Rhodes Scholar, anthropologist, and film producer, discovered Mussar teachings at the low point of his midlife crisis. After he made some high-flying business deals that crashed, Morinis found reassurance in the Mussar idea that human life is holy and people can improve themselves. And Mussar, a system of ethical discipline conceived by Orthodox Jews to help them meet the demanding requirements of observant life, does seem perfectly designed for readers seeking step-by-step instruction for building or rebuilding their spiritual lives. In Climbing Jacob's Ladder Morinis tells the story of how he used Mussar to climb back up to holy life and invites readers to come along on his ascent. --Michael Joseph Gross
Book Description
Jewish by birth, though from a secular family, Alan Morinis explored Hinduism and Buddhism as a young man. But in 1997, in the face of personal crisis, he turned to his Jewish heritage for guidance. In his reading he happened upon a Jewish spiritual tradition called Mussar. Gradually he realized that he had stumbled upon an insightful discipline for self-development, complete with meditative, contemplative, and other well-developed transformative practices designed to penetrate the deepest roots of the inner life.
Eventually reaching the limits of what he could learn on his own, he decided to seek out a Mussar teacher. This was not an easy task, since almost the entire world of the Mussar tradition had been wiped out in the Holocaust. In time, he found an accomplished master who stood in an unbroken line of transmission of the Mussar tradition, and who lived in the center of a community of Orthodox Jews on Long Island. This book tells the story of Morinis’s journey to meet his teacher and what he learned from him revealing the central teachings and practices that are the spiritual treasury and legacy of Mussar.
Download Description
Jewish by birth, though from a secular family, Alan Morinis took a deep journey into Hinduism and Buddhism as a young man. He received a doctorate for his study of Hindu pilgrimage, learned yoga in India with B. K. S. Iyengar, and attended his first Buddhist meditation course in the Himalayas in 1974. But in 1997, when his film career went off track and he reached for some spiritual oxygen, he felt inspired to explore his Jewish heritage. In his reading he happened upon a Jewish tradition of spiritual practice called Mussar. Gradually he realized he had stumbled on an insightful discipline for self-development, complete with meditative, contemplative, and other well-developed transformative practices designed to penetrate the deepest roots of the inner life.
Eventually reaching the limits of what he could learn on his own, he decided to seek out a Mussar teacher. That was not easily achieved, since almost the entire world of the Mussar tradition had been wiped out in the Holocaust. In time, he did find an accomplished master who stood in an unbroken line of transmission of the Mussar tradition, and who lived at the center of a community of Orthodox Jews on Long Island. This book tells the story of Morinis's journey to meet his teacher and what he learned from him, and reveals the central teachings and practices that are the spiritual treasury and legacy of Mussar.
Alan Morinis has written this book because the wisdom and practices that helped him so much have not penetrated the world beyond the confines of Orthodox Judaism, and may not be fully appreciated even there at this time. His hope is that Jews and non-Jews alike will find in Mussar a time-tested path of spiritual practice that will help them discover the hidden radiance within.
"Climbing Jacob's Ladder is a gutsy, glowing account of one man's encounter with a potent spiritual practice and how it transformed his life. This is a precious book-that rare combination of solid wisdom and good literature."
LARRY DOSSEY, M.D., AUTHOR OF HEALING BEYOND THE BODY
"Climbing Jacob's Ladder is a compelling story of spiritual discovery and initiation. In a field full of sentimentality, perfectionism, and spiritual ambition, this tale of personal liberation focuses on no-nonsense lessons in rising out of meaninglessness and spiritual fog."
THOMAS MOORE, AUTHOR OF
CARE OF THE SOUL AND
THE SOUL'S RELIGION
"Alan Morinis, in his spiritual journey, has struck a rich vein of Judaism. This offering feels like a heart-gift to us."
RAM DASS, AUTHOR OF STILL HERE
"Alan Morinis has provided us with a fascinating, deeply personal account of his journey back to Jewish spirituality through an encounter with the little-known heritage of Mussar, the Jewish discipline of self-perfection. This is a beautifully written and engaging book, a timely reminder that by changing ourselves we can begin to change the world."
RABBI DR. JONATHAN SACKS, CHIEF RABBI OF BRITAIN AND THE COMMONWEALTH
Customer Reviews:
Climbing Jacob's Ladder.......2007-07-03
I picked this book up while looking for more books by Pema Chodron. It was not recommended to me. I found it an astounding read. It is full of everyday useful, insightful, and spiritually nourishing information about a sect of Judaism not known to me. It is easy to read and quite inspiring. The author has started an institute that welcomes all faiths to learn more about Mussar. Everyone should have a copy!!!
outstanding.......2006-09-30
This book is well written and flows. The subject will interest all those who are not afraid of introspection, who are not looking for a shortcut to a happier and fulfiling life and who have the perseverence to persist to reach a long term goal.
a pleasant little book . . ........2004-07-14
with, as other reviewers pointed out, a nice selection of practical exercises, like holding a rubber band or some other talisman when you get angry (to remind yourself that almost everyone gets angry and has to get over it), concentrating on one or two words when praying, and trying to think about the positive good you can help create when you are engaged in social action (rather than on who you are angry at for creating the problem).
How to Find Your Soul.......2003-11-27
In a world where spiritual materialism is rampant, it is refreshing to find the real thing. _Climbing Jacob's Ladder_ by Alan Morinis is an up close and personal introduction to Mussar, a little known, nearly obliterated form of Jewish Wisdom which aims in the most practical way to help anyone find his soul and then to cut through the clutter to balance and strengthen that soul by various techniques. There is no quick fix here, but what this book has to say jibes with as much as I have learned. Spirituality is largely a matter of practice. God helps those who work on their technique!
Intoduction to Mussar.......2002-10-09
I stumbled on this book when it was reviewed in the Religion section of the Houston Chronicle. Like Alan Morinis I am a secular person. Once I bought the book I couldn't put it down. Then I reread it and started to study it. I learned to do some of the exercises. I use The exercise with the elastic band whenever I am stuck in a line anywhere. It calms me down. (You'll have to get the book to learn it.)
I find this book to be an excellent introduction to Mussar. It is almost painless but it does require effort and concentration.
Book Description
Edna Tidewell is a Titus woman. Following the Biblical injunction to mentor younger women in Christ, this pastor's wife sets aside each Tuesday afternoon for the young women of Hickory Corners, Ohio. During "Tea with Mrs. T," the ladies do personal sewing or hold a quilting bee while Mrs. Tidewell reads aloud from the Scriptures. Discussion, tea, and sweet conversation round out each afternoon. These special get- togethers could have far-reaching effects on four young ladies. When Elsa's plans and dreams are overturned like Tumbling Blocks, can Mrs. T help her battle an enemy with kindness - and perhaps recognize true love? Can Mrs. T's example and words of wisdom help clarify one Old Maid's Choice between a loving man's proposal and the siblings who need her? Will Samantha embrace Mrs. T's words about renewing the soul and clumb down Jacob's Ladder into the arms of genuine love? As the group begins to quilt in the Four Hearts pattern, will Diana open herself up to the friendship of the circle - and the love of a curious observer? Relax along the banks of the historic Ohio River and watch four searching young women transform into stable servants of the Lord. Their stories will warm your heart and inspire your soul.
Customer Reviews:
Fun book with a real message.......2004-02-24
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Each story was short enough to read in one or two sittings, light enough to be totally entertaining, and serious enough to get a real moral, spiritual and meaningful message across. I would recommend this to someone who wants a satisfying read and has very little time.
Average customer rating:
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Jacob's Ladder
Sekiya Miyoshi
Manufacturer: Pilgrim Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Stories
| Bible
| Christianity
| Religions
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 082981454X |
Average customer rating:
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The Jacob Ladder
Gerald Hausman , and
Uton Hinds
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Family Life
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Other
| Multicultural Stories
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Homelessness & Poverty
| Social Issues
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0531303314 |
Book Description
Growing up in a small Jamaican town where his father works the docks and his mother does laundry, "Tall T" both fears and loves his father, Brother John, who leaves his six children in dire poverty by losing his wages each week to bone dice and rum. As if that were not bad enough, Brother John is bewitched by the obeah woman next door and leaves his family for her. Forced to leave school because he has no uniform, Tall T starts reading, guided by the local librarian, but he still feels helpless until he proves to himself that he is a man by climbing a 60-foot cliff called the Jacob Ladder.
Customer Reviews:
Jacob Ladder.......2007-06-13
The Jacob Ladder is a very good book; the book has feelings, with some happiness to it. This book is very amazing because it would amaze any body that reads the book. You could feel what's going on and what's going to happen in the book.
This book is about a kid name Jacob, he feels scared some of the times, he doesn't know why, but he does what he is suppose to do for himself. Jacob has very strong feelings for himself and for others too. He has a religious where he goes and sings and play instruments, he likes music and a very good boy. Jacob is scared to break the holy - spirit because he doesn't know what's going to happen to him.
One favorite part about The Jacob Ladder, is when Jacob goes up a rock mountain and almost falls down to the ground. But he didn't give up for himself because he knew someone was going to come. Then his friend came to help him up, that was real friendship, because they were best friends they had to help each other.
The Jacob Ladder, is a really good book because it's really about his religious, he cares about himself and family. Jacob is a good boy and likes helping people, he likes hearing music and playing instruments and he works very hard to get what he wants.
I liked this book because I liked the way they made Jacob to be very strong and very thoughtful of what he was doing. I wouldn't change much but it would be better if they would add a little of more adventure. The people that would want to read this book would be the people that would be that don't have strong feelings or any other kind of people.
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