It is
difficult right now to know who will read EDUCATE
A HUMAN BEING, written by me (Teresa deBarba-Miller, edited by Ann
Blandford). Copies may be purchased at Barnes & Noble or other booksellers,
ISBN: 978-1-304-24285-3. Online, click on www.lulu.com – type
the title on “Search Lulu’s Bookstore” searching bar.
Referring to
the book, from a noted Professional Book Reviewer: “deBarba-Miller compiles
reference materials for those who wish to explore the elements that form a
well-rounded individual … … … A slim volume full of heart but short on original
material.”
“Short on
original material” misses the point. Was the reviewer asking for me to comment
on the contents of books about brain research? I think the summarization of ten
(10) books describing each publisher’s comments is surely enough for the reader
to understand the complete depth of available brain research.
The book
emphasizes many lacks in public schools right now. We need a makeover of the
entire educational system.
My daughter,
a Professional Teacher, was more succinct in her review for EDUCATE A HUMAN BEING: “Well organized.
Shows you to be highly informed (Overall vision, websites, book citations,
quotes). The overall purpose of giving supporting details and reasoning is
achieved.” She suggested that it might sell as an inspirational book.
Why was the
book written at all? Fast approaching 91 years of age, I wrote common-sense
reactions to current issues. This included not only the deficit of education in
public schools, but also the importance of appreciating, through rapid
improvement of technological resources, the vast strides made in brain
research, different topics for government supervision, doctors and hospitals,
sports, etc.
To show that
individuals, individuals alone, can
make a decided difference, I wanted to increase
the amount of individuals reaching to other individuals, to create a better
world for all of us. Definite steps for individuals to effect action are
outlined in Chapter Seven, Individuals Make a Difference. The same steps can be
used not only for getting more art in public schools, but also for other
subjects.
As for the value
of the absolute power of imagination, my book referenced imaginative people
such as Padraic Colum, Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela, Michele Obama, and Oprah
Winfrey.
I wrote
about PEACE (a questionable journey),
about THE ECONOMY, with surprising ways to help individuals survive, repeating
certain sections from my memoir CHUBBY’S
STORY, an 87 year-old original work detailing an improbable life. If you
are interested in reading CHUBBY’S STORY,
email me at mamatmiller@gmail.com
Wars: The amounts
of repercussions following any war are enormous. It haunts me. I tried to
compose original songs describing the aftermath of wars. Not a one was “right
on.” But thinking back to popular songs, lo and behold! Do you remember Cole
Porter’s love song, Night and Day? A
slight rewrite of the lyrics produced COLE
PORTER’S SONG OF HOPE FOR PEACE,
which can be found in front of the book, EDUCATE
A HUMAN BEING, page ii, opposite a picture of a ship on page iii.
Note: I never did include information
about other nations which seem to have superior education. In Japan for
instance, the emphasis is about having the students become responsible adults.
In the schools, students serve the school meals. Students scrub the floors, can
you imagine? Every school, not just an elite few, produces a highly qualified
liberate work force. In Japan, the group team work is all-important. Getting
into a top university guarantees success in adult life.
