This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Carroll Blair is an author of more than twenty books in philosophy and poetry
and the recipient of numerous awards. His writings have been well endorsed
and commendably reviewed, as illustrated by the following commentary
from Midwest Book Review, which proclaimed, “The poetic expression of
Carroll Blair is both unique and compelling. Using word images like the
strokes of a painter’s brush, Blair creates a resonating recognition that is
the mark of a master poet.” Among his titles cited for distinction are the
poetry volumes Through the Shadows, winner of the Pacific Book Awards,
Facing the Circle, winner of the Great Southwest Book Festival Awards,
Shifting Tides, winner of the Great Northwest Book Festival Awards, and
Quarter Notes, winner of the Sharp Writ Book Awards. He is an alumnus
of the Boston Conservatory and lives in Massachusetts.
Reviewed by Marie-Hélène Fasquel for Readers' Favorite
Through the Shadows by Carroll Blair is a collection of poems about life, plans, commitment, change, motivation, creating and creativity and so much more! It is comprehensive and encompasses all aspects of our lives nowadays with our questions, pondering and need to understand the meaning of life. Most of the poems help to answer these questions, discuss why we live and how we can be better.
Through the Shadows by Carroll Blair is, above all, an amazing and original collection of poems which, as a teacher of American literature, moved me. I teach Langston Hughes, Rita Dove, and Emily Dickinson this year and these poems could very well be added to my syllabus as they would add a different view on the struggles we are all facing within ourselves. I particularly enjoyed "Cusp of Change". Let me quote it: “On the cusp of change / [profound change] / everything seems / to go still / like a quiet / that’s never been / before in a place / that never was”. I also loved “Silence” which is defined as “the womb of all creation”. I could not agree more! “Do not bind yourself” is extremely moving too and would be perfect to teach teenagers: “Do not bind yourself to the goals of death […] / Not even yourself to your life […]”. It is so true and inspirational!
Carroll Blair’s poetic expression is indeed unique and striking. His poetry compels you to think your life over and reflect about how you have been leading it. It is beautiful but also a gift. To conclude, here is one of my favourite quotes: “How often man continues to do / things in ways that are obsolete”. I highly recommend this collection.
