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Wherever Home Is: Recollections of an Itinerant Academic

by:
David Youmans (Author)

ISBN: 0-7414-4108-X ©2007
Price: $13.95
Book Size: 5.5'' x 8.5'' , 191 pages
Category/Subject: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Personal Memoirs

An itinerant academic describes earlier times in the rural West, educational landmarks, years of work around the world, dynamics of university life, search for faith and social justice, and challenges of aging with dignity in America.

Abstract:
An itinerant academic describes earlier times in the rural West, educational landmarks, years of work around the world, dynamics of university life, search for faith and social justice and challenges of aging with dignity in America.

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Customer Reviews

  , 01/22/2008
Reviewer: Merryrose Wurtz
The author has written a fascinating account of his life, from farm boy to acclaimed university professor. While the style isn't easy to follow, the result is worthwhile. His rural beginnings led to an agriculture-based career in university extension activities in the U.S. and around the world. He also worked in the private sector and with volunteer agencies such as CARE. Youmans does not hesitate to show his liberal political views. The anecdotes of life on a small farm in the 40s and 50s and summer work in a sawmill were especially interesting. Full disclosure: I knew David when we lived on adjoining farms as children.

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  I was just happening by , 04/16/2008
Reviewer: John Burns
The following is a portion of a personal note I sent to D. Youmans after reading his book. David was a professional Extension faculty colleague of mine at Washington State University and I had the opportunity to travel overseas with him on a 3-week commodity trade mission (John Burns, Professor emeritus). Here is part of my personal note to David: "...I sat down yesterday to read Wherever Home Is, Recollections of an Itinerant Academic and quite honestly couldn’t put it down until I finished reading it. In all seriousness, what a fun and interesting book to read. Tom Clancy books have been the only other books that I can’t put down – not that I am comparing David's stories to Clear and Present Danger, Hunt for Red October, Cardinal of the Kremlin, etc. – other than Clear and Present Danger was set in the country of Colombia and you didn’t have a Jack Ryan from the CIA to ‘fix’ all the State Dept goofs – you always had Julia (wife)..." I think the reader will truly enjoy the writing style and short snapshots of the personal reflections of a man who travelled the world with his family. His 'international' story is made intriguing since his roots were imbedded in the rural regions of the northern panhandle of the state of Idaho. I will always remember one of David's favorite expressions as "pretty special". I think readers will find this book 'pretty special'.

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  A Good International Introduction , 04/18/2008
Reviewer: James Barron
David has collected 94 short vignettes of two pages each for this life story. He must have been a compulsive writer to prepare these accounts when they were experienced. David grew up in rural north Idaho and was educated at the University of Idaho. He spent a great deal of his professional life in many other countries. He married Julia from Uruguay and spent much time there. These short essays are not in chronological order or geographical sections. I found them to be interesting snapshots of the life of a rural youth who became a sophisticated world traveler and educator. David is a good writer and describes scenes and events that make you feel fully involved. You will find stories here from five continents and I did not try to count the number of countries. Stories of his youth are intermingled with adventures abroad in later life. They weave an intriguing web of experiences, relationships, professional accomplishments and personal growth throughout the book.

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  Sound Echoes Sense , 04/22/2008
Reviewer: Laura Read
As an English instructor, I always tell my composition and literature students that, in any good piece of writing, as Alexander Pope said, "The sound should be an echo to the sense." David Youmans's memoirs illustrates this idea beautifully because his memories come to him as all of ours do, in brief glimpses and stories, out of order, but accumulating to create a fuller picture of a life than a linear narrative necessarily would. Each of the short chapters has its own topic, sometimes delightfully small and seemingly insignificant, like the "sad sidewalks" of Uruguay. I loved how he wove in particular memories of his wife and children with descriptions of the landscape, both literal and political, of the places he and his family have been.

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  I know, I know... , 04/22/2008
Reviewer: Vance Youmans
I know, I know, a son who figures into the story really shouldn't review his father's work, right? WRONG!!! I can sense, even smell (and that is the hardest thing to do for most folks) many, if not most, of the things and places Dad has written in this little collection of vignettes... I must say that, for parts of this memorial, I too was there - in North and South America, in the Middle East, in Africa and elsewhere, and I can fully attest to the imagery that these stories may produce, especially for anyone who has ever been offshore... This collection of memories serves as an excellent writing model for anyone, I mean ANYONE, who has ever been somewhere 'else,' especially well - you know - "Wherever..." VY

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  "Prairies" was my favorite , 08/19/2008
Reviewer: Claire Youmans
David Youmans is my uncle, so I have known him all my life, heard of his and Aunt Julia's exploits as they traveled the world, and watched my cousins Ric, Serge and Vance grow up MUCH better than they promised as little boys! As I read this book, I felt taken to times and places when and where I have never been. Some essays remind me of Graham Greene, when one smells the jungle and feels the heat, so that if one were to go there, it would be as if one had been and met people one had known before. With those people I did know, I gained a new perspective. "Oh, so that would have been Aunt...Lois!" "Uncle Clyde did that?" "Why, that's Dad!" "Grandfather was like...that." Even as they became more individual to me, someone new could meet them and know them for the first time, even as I met Uncle David anew, as a person and not my uncle, through this book. I'm glad to hear there are more coming. CY

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  Recollections , 06/23/2010
Reviewer: Megan Singleton
I believe this to be an interesting memoir of David Youmans life , and his achievments. His exposure to different cultures through out his career have led to a remarkable academic journey.

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  The world from a unique view , 02/11/2011
Reviewer: Preston Parsons
I have found Mr. Youmans' book to be a very interesting read. He effectively paints a picture of the world in wonderful 2 to 3 page increments. You never know where you will be transported next, but each story depicts the culture and uniqueness of our world. I recommend reading this book and others written by this author.

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  Loved It! , 05/02/2011
Reviewer: Jo Stevens
How often do readers sigh, because we wanted to read more? Well, I did, after I finished "Wherever Home Is" by David Youmans. I was hungry for more - I felt like I had a packed suitcase by my side. I felt I was there with David and his elegant wife Julia on all their travels through five continents and through life! Thanks, David, for the pleasure of reading your fine books!

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