Jessie C. Vizcaino reviews Quantum Worth: A Journey of Personal Discovery (Paperback) by Christopher Lanne, available from Amazon.com
Have you ever picked up a good read and toward the end had a hard time finishing it? It was because I didn't want the story to end. Two things I should say up front - I lived with Chris at Boys Ranch for most of his time there and I was thrilled that someone I grew up with would write a book. I was amazed at how he took the reader through his entire journey with the skill of a real writer. I mean of course he can and why not - right? But to think I was actually reading a book that was written by someone I admired as a kid - great experience - it made my day! His excellent memory and personal take on why things are just so in this universe is a refreshing perspective that we have all heard in bits and pieces - but Chris brings them together in a way that is nothing short of a real journeyman at work in his trade. The novel brings us up close and personal "meat of the bird" stuff that makes you feel like you're part of the action. I welled up with emotion and tears on more than one occasion but like I've already stated - I'm biased. When he recounts his weeks in a juvenile detention facility, refusing to give his name and address - because the facility was a cakewalk compared to the Ranch where we grew up - I could empathize. When he speaks of the naked innocence of nature and wildlife - again, I was there with him. Last Labor day I blogged about taking my children to the Canadian river to wade in the life stream that gave our home "Old Tascosa" life. So when I read his account of how "intoxifying" rivers can be and how beautiful life is - I feel a kinship - I feel a bond. You need not have grown up at Boys Ranch to relate - everyone loves some aspect of nature (gardening, water, mountains, etc)so the novel just brings the subconscious to the conscious. The journey felt overwhelming at times like you're in one of those dreams and you're aware that you're dreaming, so the aspect of jumping off the ride when it gets to scary is a comfort that you appreciate. We have all been faced with the sour experience of abject poverty. Of the dirt, smell and hopelessness of "poor homeless people" that we felt sad for - then later, after sifting through our emotions also felt ashamed for how we reacted. People need to feel respected and edified - not felt sorry for. Quantum Worth is understanding and emanating those feelings. Of being able to think past the aesthetics and say, I know under that hoodie is a person struggling to realize his or her potential. I value you and I want to help - if nothing more than a friendly smile and a kind word. Once I was on the freeway and there was a lull in the flow of traffic. All the cars were giving a wide berth to a man walking in 100 degree heat in the slow lane. I stopped in front of him, got out on the freeway and told him to get in. I drove him home and spoke to him all the while. In fact he was an 8th grade teacher who had taken a wrong mix of medication and was bent on walking the 12 miles to his house wearing a thick jacket with stains all down the front - like he had slept on the tracks for a week. I later learned that he had a prescription drug problem. When he got out of the car he looked at me with a strange gaze and said, "why would you do this?" Without thinking I said, "sometimes we just do what we think needs doing." That little story is akin to what I think the author is saying - we don't need status symbols or material things to befriend our fellow man. We don't need a formal education or years of training to be kind to children - teach them to plant seeds, etc...Our society has created a host of illusions that give credit to material things - the wrong things. Human capital is worth far more. Understanding our Quantum Worth and bringing others on our journey - now that's progress. Do we have a choice? Today we create laws that allow you to "forfeit" your baby. Turn it in to a police or fire station with no questions asked - when did we start needing laws for this kind of junk? It's crazy... We have nowhere to go but up. This novel is a road map of sorts - a stark journey that reveals pain and suffering in the most compassionate way. Don't worry though - his pain is your gift and you feel better when the novel is done. Writing is tough sledding and Chris has shown his deft command. A great read that you will want to share with members of your family. Thanks Chris - it was a helluva joy ride...
#memoir #change #journey
Have you ever picked up a good read and toward the end had a hard time finishing it? It was because I didn't want the story to end. Two things I should say up front - I lived with Chris at Boys Ranch for most of his time there and I was thrilled that someone I grew up with would write a book. I was amazed at how he took the reader through his entire journey with the skill of a real writer. I mean of course he can and why not - right? But to think I was actually reading a book that was written by someone I admired as a kid - great experience - it made my day! His excellent memory and personal take on why things are just so in this universe is a refreshing perspective that we have all heard in bits and pieces - but Chris brings them together in a way that is nothing short of a real journeyman at work in his trade. The novel brings us up close and personal "meat of the bird" stuff that makes you feel like you're part of the action. I welled up with emotion and tears on more than one occasion but like I've already stated - I'm biased. When he recounts his weeks in a juvenile detention facility, refusing to give his name and address - because the facility was a cakewalk compared to the Ranch where we grew up - I could empathize. When he speaks of the naked innocence of nature and wildlife - again, I was there with him. Last Labor day I blogged about taking my children to the Canadian river to wade in the life stream that gave our home "Old Tascosa" life. So when I read his account of how "intoxifying" rivers can be and how beautiful life is - I feel a kinship - I feel a bond. You need not have grown up at Boys Ranch to relate - everyone loves some aspect of nature (gardening, water, mountains, etc)so the novel just brings the subconscious to the conscious. The journey felt overwhelming at times like you're in one of those dreams and you're aware that you're dreaming, so the aspect of jumping off the ride when it gets to scary is a comfort that you appreciate. We have all been faced with the sour experience of abject poverty. Of the dirt, smell and hopelessness of "poor homeless people" that we felt sad for - then later, after sifting through our emotions also felt ashamed for how we reacted. People need to feel respected and edified - not felt sorry for. Quantum Worth is understanding and emanating those feelings. Of being able to think past the aesthetics and say, I know under that hoodie is a person struggling to realize his or her potential. I value you and I want to help - if nothing more than a friendly smile and a kind word. Once I was on the freeway and there was a lull in the flow of traffic. All the cars were giving a wide berth to a man walking in 100 degree heat in the slow lane. I stopped in front of him, got out on the freeway and told him to get in. I drove him home and spoke to him all the while. In fact he was an 8th grade teacher who had taken a wrong mix of medication and was bent on walking the 12 miles to his house wearing a thick jacket with stains all down the front - like he had slept on the tracks for a week. I later learned that he had a prescription drug problem. When he got out of the car he looked at me with a strange gaze and said, "why would you do this?" Without thinking I said, "sometimes we just do what we think needs doing." That little story is akin to what I think the author is saying - we don't need status symbols or material things to befriend our fellow man. We don't need a formal education or years of training to be kind to children - teach them to plant seeds, etc...Our society has created a host of illusions that give credit to material things - the wrong things. Human capital is worth far more. Understanding our Quantum Worth and bringing others on our journey - now that's progress. Do we have a choice? Today we create laws that allow you to "forfeit" your baby. Turn it in to a police or fire station with no questions asked - when did we start needing laws for this kind of junk? It's crazy... We have nowhere to go but up. This novel is a road map of sorts - a stark journey that reveals pain and suffering in the most compassionate way. Don't worry though - his pain is your gift and you feel better when the novel is done. Writing is tough sledding and Chris has shown his deft command. A great read that you will want to share with members of your family. Thanks Chris - it was a helluva joy ride...
#memoir #change #journey
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