About My Books

Here are a few personal thoughts on the books I have written.

The Poor in Spirit

The Poor In Spirit deals with a theme that I have long wanted to explore: How do religious people deal with crises of faith? In this book a fundamentalist Christian learns that he is in fact Jewish because of his maternal ancestry. He is rejected by his church, his wife and friends. Other characters find their faith challenged in different ways. How they come to terms with life's unpredictable changes makes for interesting and challenging reading -- and writing! My wife generously donated her artistic talents to design the cover.

The Poor in Spirit ($20.00 plus shipping)

Raised as a fundamentalist Christian, businessman John Tallman was shaken when he learned that he was really Jewish by birth. Rejected by his wife and his congregation when he refused to disown his heritage, he began a search for the real meaning of faith. As his world seemed to crumble around him, he was confronted by other persons in his life beset by doubt and fear. Torn between his love for his wife and his loyalty to his beloved mother and grandparents, John must choose between the religion he has been taught and the truth as he believes it. Moving, thought provoking and controversial, The Poor in Spirit explores the role of religion in life and relationships. This book will cause you to challenge your every preconceived idea about what it means to be faithful.

To the Promised Land

To the Promised Land came about in response to several requests from folks who have heard of my long trek from Christianity to Judaism. They were interested in learning more about my life before conversion and my own journey of faith. As a result of their interest, I wrote this memoir. Not surprisingly, this has become my best selling book. It was a long process to look back over the years, recall the highs and lows of life, and try to bring to print the inspiration of knowing that G-d was there with me through it all. If my story inspires hope and faith in those who read it, the effort will have been worth it all.

To the Promised Land ($15.00 plus shipping)

To the Promised Land is the true story of the author's search for the deeper meaning of life. After more than eight years as an Evangelical Christian pastor, he left the church to find G-d's way for himself. In his search he explored other Christian groups and had a memorable encounter with so-called "Messianic" Judaism. His spiritual journey finally brought him to traditional Judaism. Believing that he had at last found the religious home for which he had longed, the author undertook the process of conversion, not once but twice! This is an inspiring story of searching and finding, all the while traveling with G-d.

Long Way Home

This is my first published work. While it is a work of fiction it mirrors many personal experiences, which is why the "hero" of the story hails from my home town. This book started as a challenge. My son is an accomplished writer. I first pitched the idea for this story to him when he was taking a creative writing course. I suggested that he should write it but he refused. "I can't write your story. You have to do that," he said. So...I did.

Long Way Home ($13.00 plus shipping)

Lost, wandering and beset by memories of a war that will not end, a Union soldier stumbles onto a Confederate widow's farm. Forced to repair a damaged barn, he makes a curious and strong connection with the widow and her son. With their help he finds the courage to return to his home in Pennsylvania. But home too is shattered by death. With the support of family and his true love, Michael Ross Johnson finds healing and hope at last. Long Way Home is a tale of hurt and loss and the boundless potential of the love of a fellow human being to change the mind and heart for the greatest good.