This book by Parker Palmer was referred to me by several people.  Most notably my academic adviser 3 years ago.  Now that I am thirty and a dad I figure I might try to listen.    The book finished better than it started.  At first I was put off by what I call “new age mush.”  All this self talk about being your true self.  Parker redeems himself when he reminds the reader that it is not “who am I but. . . whose am I”   My spirit leaped with joy and reminded me that because of Christ I am a child of the King. 

Parker portrays a leadership prospective that I need to hear again and again and again.  from page 74

“Leadership” is a concept we often resist.  It seems immodest, even self-aggrandizing, to think of ourselves as leaders.  But if it is true that we are made for community, then leadership is everyone’s vocation, and it can be an evasion to insist that it is not.  When we live in the close-knit ecosystem called community, everyone follows and everyone leads. 

He closes the book well by insisting that seasons are the truest metaphor for life.  Parker gave me pause to wonder which season I find myself in.  I appreciate his use of words like growth and I know that the Lord God is my gardener.  I am not sure what fruit I am bearing now.   I do appreciate the ones who have gone before me and recommend this book.  It has its merits but like all books it depends on what you bring to the reading.