Jon Magee
Less than a month after publication, wide interest is being seen in this book,from Scotland down to East Anglia. Interest is also taking place in Australia and America. Favourable reception has also come from all ages,who have been riveted by the attraction of the book that has impacted their lives. The unique style of using the journey back Suffolk, England, as a frame to tell the deeper story is proving to be a great enticement to those of East Anglia as the story of their acts of kindness is revealed.
"From barren rocks ... to living stones" is an incident packed memoir that covers eighteen months in the teenage life of the author in the nineteen sixties. It is seen originally from a young person's perspective; and, as the writer matures and shares his experiences, in turn the reader gains from his reflections on the people and the places, beginning in Colonial era Aden, where he has lived, observed, and remembered. The book is a meditative postscript to the twentieth century bringing some perceptive insights. The story reveals a life that swings from the sadness to the times of joy, times of humour and times of thoughtfulness, times of tragedy and times of tenderness. The story faces the dual challenges of a western youth culture in a home in the East. Like wise there is the contrast of an Islamic and Christian culture side by side. However, deep concerns of middle eastern terrorism of the sixties also bringsa topical aspect into the learning from the events as we begin the twenty first century with strong concerns about the dangers of living with the threat of terrorism. This is the true story of one person’s journey in life that brings lessons for so many in their own journey of life.
Jon. Magee is married to Joan, and is the father of 3 daughters and 2 sons. This is the first book that he has published, with a second book also in the process of being prepared, though he comes with a wealth of experience writing smaller items for magazines and local newspapers. Jon was born into a nomadic existence, the son of a serving member of the British Royal Air Force and later to serve with the same air force as an electronic technician working with aircraft radio communications and radio navigational equipment. Much of his writings reflect that broad experience lived through out the world. Currently he is based in Fife, Scotland, as a minister with the Baptist Church.
September 2008 Jon was honoured as an author to be given a reception in the Scottish Parliament.
The following links give an indicator of the current impact of the Scottish media:
http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/herald/Honour-for-the-Rev-Jon.4551679.jp
http://www.centralfifetimes.com/articles/1/29035
So, all they had to do, it seemed, was to head back for the same bus home. The three companions made their way down the road laughing amongst them selves at how the day had transpired. This was intended to be the end of the expedition, yet it now emerged that there was to be another tomorrow that had to arise before it was to be complete. However, Eddie’s full moment of glory was to arrive even sooner than that. As they moved back along the road they began to see more people that were gathering around, as well as a number of cars and taxis passing by. Suddenly, as the crowds around them grew, Eddie threw himself towards Violet and Jon, lifting his arms out and stretching them around his friends in a protective fashion, as if he was defending them from some unseen hostile enemy. Violet and Jon were feeling shocked at first, fearing that he had perhaps allowed the stress of the whole situation to get to him, then hearing his shout "Look out! Look out! It’s a bomb!" Those were words they always hoped would never be heard, yet within themselves they knew they always needed to be prepared for them.
