A Conversation with Peter P. Pence by David Dick
Pence's 'Homespun
Philosophy'
The reviewer is the retired vice president
for public affairs of The Courier Journal and Louisville Times Co. He is the author of The Press of Kentucky.
"David Dick starts out his latest book, A Conversation With
Peter P. Pence 'A clear voice to speak of spiritual and material wealth possibly was never more needed than is is today.' Later, he adds: 'Peter and I have yearned to make a statement about the importance of individualism, humanitarianism and a close personal kinship with God.' Hallelujah!"
"Those statements set the tone for this insightful book filled with solid reasoning and sound advice for the individual, the corporation or the government."
"But first, where did Dick get the title? 'Peter's Pence' was the 10th Century practice of requiring each householder in England to give a pence to the church in Rome. Peter in the book is a fictional character nearing his 100th birthday after living his life in a remote area of Eastern Kentucky."
"Peter relates his life story and his personal philosophy to a visiting reporter - about his family, including grandfathers who opposed each other at Battles of Perryville during the Civil War, and all his colorful ancestors along the way. That, in itself, makes for entertaining reading. But Peter is more interesting than just his family. Throughout life he has saved all his pennies and lived by the Ten Commandments. Not only that, he's added a few commandments, which he sparingly reveals to the visiting reporter. The 11th is 'Thou shalt not spend more than thou earneth.' "
"Simple enough advice for individuals, families, businesses and governments, except that few
pay attention. As a result the world has bankrupt itself financially and spiritually and is truly a mess. And so Dick's reporter takes off with his conversations with centenarian Peter and the result makes for enjoyable reading and simple but sound advice for living."
"Peter reminds the reporter of 'heritage, self-worth, self-reliance, dignity and responsibility' and claims 'there is no basis for despair, cynicism or loss of faith.' All this makes the reader wonder if some wealthy soul might not want to donate a copy of Dick's book to each member of Congress and a lot of other places, too.
"Peter tweaks the churches of the world, claiming that some members 'make a big thing out of tithing for their churches, and by that they seem to have been convinced that it unquestionably means that they are giving back 10 percent of their gross to God.' While there are worthy exceptions, 'churches are unfortunately made up of tricky human beings' and all too often, he says, 'church leadership loses touch with everyday people.' "
"The halls of government receive their share when Peter claims, 'Anybody ...and especially the President of the United States, anybody anywhere who thinks it is possible for this nation to go on spending more than it earns is possibly not smart enough to understand the deception when it bites them on the end of the nose.' "
"Peter professes to the reporter that his two great loves of life are the saving of pennies and his books, of which he has enough to line the walls of his cabin at the end of the hollow. Not just any books, mind you, but the classics of time, bringing Peter warmth for the mind. Peter proves throughout that he is truly a character, but one who has much to share with future generations and is willing to do so."
"Near the end of the story Peter, the old man, prays that the message of material and spiritual wealth will be heard and heeded, 'for unless this occurs, I am far less certain about the survival of the United States of America in the 21st Century.' "
"David Dick - the Emmy-winning journalist who now lives in Plum Lick, Ky., has told an interesting story of Peter P. Pence. Even without Pence's homespun philosophy for living, it would make good reading, but with the sensible advice of a man who has seen much in his 100 years, the book takes on an ethereal quality that makes it required reading for those who have time to
think."
"Peter's comforting words of hope ring throughout: 'I submit there is a far greater resource of human goodness, spiritual and material wealth in the United States of America and throughout the world than we would ever dare imagine.' "
VIEW CART
A Conversation with Peter P. Pence by David Dick
Pence's 'Homespun
Philosophy'
