Title: Out of Chaos, Shapes
Author: Jim Martin
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1665543668
Pages: 114
Genre: Philosophy
Reviewed by: Michaela Gordoni
Pacific Book Review
Out of Chaos, Shapes by author Jim Martin is an interesting collection of deep philosophical contemplations, observations, and a few subtle aspirations for the development of humanity. It contains the author’s thoughts; questions; commentaries; creative poetry, which is abundant in inventive line breaks; science-based observations; and excerpts from other creative individuals. It features poets Cindy Williams Gutierrez and Christian Campbell and choreographer Nicolo Fonte, with excerpts from authors like George Johnson. There are several pages with merely a heading in the form of thoughts or a question, implying that the reader may fill the empty space with their own relevant thoughts and observations on these complex philosophical and scientific topics.
Jim Martin writes his thoughts in a way that is very thought-invoking and eloquent: “The path, hot flow of dusty lava now, meanders until suddenly I see water through the trees. A flat, stainless-steel mirror, it flashes in my eyes, blinding all vision of the path and its
beseeching grasping trees.” The poetry that stems from his deep contemplations appears broken, with many white spaces, but in actuality, each and every poem has been carefully constructed and crafted by the author.
I particularly liked learning about one of the author’s main observations, that communication is abundant in everything and everyone, and in every organism, too. Things that are seen as natural interlinking biologic functions are not often put in a light of communication, but Jim Martin has identified the connections. It is clear that the author is adept at perceiving and recognizing patterns and identifying significance in the often overlooked. Another focus in this book revolves around movement or “dance,” as the author puts it. Jim Martin has observed the patterns of rhythm and movement in many things as well, in art, biology, and in history. Everything is choreographed, moving in consideration of other things; dancing, regardless of music. Although music is often present, too.
My understanding of this unique piece of literature is that it draws on things on the earth and in our universe that are hard to see and comprehend, pulling structure from them— things recognizable. Thus, Out of Chaos, Shapes. This book is ideal for those that enjoy philosophical thought, told creatively. It is a collection of unique and unusual perspectives of a very perceptive individual.
