Title: In the World: My Journey from Nowhere to Everywhere
Author: Dr. Gerard Brooker
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 9781543475968
Pages: 398
Genre: Biography / Non-Fiction
Reviewed by: Aaron Washington
Pacific Book Review
Dr. Brooker has not had an easy life. He was abused as a child. He was born without one carotid artery, something he only found out about in his 50s. His parents were alcoholics. Gerard was born into a family of tight-lipped people, which means that he knows very little about his heritage.
His journey is one of triumph; a journey of winning. Of succeeding and surviving despite the horrible deck, he was served as a child. He embarked on a worldwide mission to feed hungry children. He combined his lessons from seven years as a monk and decades as an educator to make an impact in the world.
Gerard is a good writer as the story flows well and everything works in perfect symphony. He has crafted his sentences into little bits of art. Readers learn about this little boy who barely remembers things from his childhood, yet who had a difficult time growing up. Readers’ hearts will weep for that little boy. Then it goes forward to meet this grown man who has travelled to every continent; to more than 100 countries. Readers witness the morphing of a man who has discovered his inner human. The writing is vivid. The author has done a good job of painting a picture for the reader to learn from.
This book is not meant for anyone in particular. If you are looking to learn a little something, if you are looking to walk through a life that has been all about rising from the ashes, this is the book for you. This book will inspire you. In the World: My Journey from Nowhere to Everywhere is Gerard being what he has always been; an educator. His writing appeals to an intrinsic part of the human spirit, as it appeals to that part which is desperate to triumph. He reveals a part of humanity which is inkling to unshackle itself from personal demons.
After Brooker leaves the monk life, someone he greatly admires summons him. He is scared this person will disapprove of his choice to defect. Instead he says, “Remember, when you are the bottom there is nowhere to go but up.” This is so profound yet they are simple words which hold so much wisdom and strength. From that point on, these words anchor Brooker through everything.
This story is inspiring, riveting, and is a remarkable journey. The author is honest and open as his writing is very transparent. He does not leave out his moments of weakness and doubt. He does not mislead the reader to believe that the journey has been perfectly easy. He doesn’t flaunt any false ego such as winning was second nature. He lets the reader in to his mind, into his past, and into the quintessence of his struggle through life. This candid insight is the true source of inspiration.
