‘The Memoirs of a Teacher' by Prof.(Dr.) P J Joseph is indeed a cherished treasure for the reading community worldwide especially for academia. The author has presented his reminiscences in a splendid way that strolls away the reader into nostalgia of sublime oblivion from the beginning to the end. While reading it, one gets the feeling of walking through a grand staircase, embellished with marble statuettes of the Greek Muses carved along the railing. Each chapter is portrayed picturesquely like a web of fabrication spun out of academic nourishment.

Basically an autobiography, the book reveals the unique academic career, experience and excellence of the author. The book written after retirement from an academic and edifying career as a teacher for more than three decades succeeds in sharing his vast experience in teaching that can surely guide the present generation of teachers to sustain quality that our predecessors have achieved in education and research.

The Professor remembers his edifying visits to numerous countries for academic purposes, the International Conferences he attended, and the discussions and the results oriented therein. His experiences in schools he visited in U.K and details of his interaction with the teachers and students there can surely help the educational administrators of India. The book contains fond memories of the lovely reception from the students there. He also gives an insight into the history of the places visited like of bloodshed, in-fights and brutal murders committed by the ruling Kings of ancient British regime for power, wealth and women, the murder of the Archbishop in Canterbury Cathedral, the cruel slaughter of British Queens on the orders of their husbands, etc. There is also a brief about his visit to the Holy land of Israel.

In the Chapter 'Encounter with some noble persons', is presented his interaction with laureates and dignitaries like Former Indian President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, Eminent Jurist and Former Supreme Court Justice V R Krishna Iyer, Indo-Anglian Poet and Writer Mrs.Kamala Das [Madhavikutty], Great Gandhian and famous politician Shri. K P Madhavan Nair, Well-known bureaucrat Dr. P C Alexander, Shri. P N Panicker, the Founder of the Library Movement in Kerala & Founder of Kerala Association of the Non Formal Education and Development [KANFED], Shri. Ramlal Parikh, Former Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapeedh, Social Activist Swami Agnivesh, and others. Such interactions, far from the madding crowd, are indeed remarkable.

The pivotal role author played in the Total Literacy Project of Ernakulam District, Rehabilitation of Slum Dwellers in Alwaye, sorting out various social, environment, economic and development issues and the pain and hard-fought labor undergone in accomplishing them into reality can provide valuable guidance to social activists.

Another chapter portrays the agony, misery, loss of property and casualties undergone by the people of Kerala during the two successive floods occurred in the year 2018 and 2019. He records the contribution of Fisherman community of Kerala State who evacuated majority of people stranded in floods to safety zones; risking their lives. Comments on Covid-19 pandemic, which crushed the human beings of the entire, globe physically, economically and socially is also there.

A chapter is dedicated to the remembrances of the Father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi, his early assignments and tussle in South Africa, his progression in the Indian politics, and his other noble deeds and achievements. The author has accomplished his target of depicting before the readers many of his memories and experiences, stories of Alexander the Great, Shri. Buddha etc as well as others, jokes, poems and quotes from distinguished personalities of relevance contextually.

Being the Director of TocH Educational Institutions in Cochin, the author carves into the history and origin of the TocH Organization globally and the inception of TocH in India and Kerala and activities of its institutions in educational scenario of Kerala. Brief narrations of the traditions, rituals and festivals of Kerala presented in different contexts will enchant readers.

A native of Cherai in Ernakulam District, the author was a faculty of Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha, Mar Athanasious College, Kothamangalam and then in St.Paul's College, Kalamasserry before he joined Union Christian College, Alwaye as the Head of the Dept of English. Presently he is the Director of TocH Educational Institutions in Cochin. The author has been bestowed with numerous International, National and Regional Awards and Recognition for his incredible and unique contribution in the field of education, literacy, counseling and literature.

The book, 'The Memoirs Of A Teacher', published by Amazon Publishers, USA is available for sale in U.S.A, U.K, Europe, Australia, Canada and all Asian countries.

The author can be reached at: Residential address of Prof P J Joseph, Director Toc H Educational Institutions. Res: Puthusery, Seminary Road, Alwaye -683102.