Retired UMD Professor Thomas D. Peacock has published a new book, Beginnings: The Homeward Journey of Donovan Manypenny.
It was published by Holy Cow! Press and has been featured at bookstores and gatherings throughout the Midwest since it was published in early November.
According to the publisher, "The book is the story of Donovan Manypenny. Raised by his grandparents on a northern Wisconsin Ojibwe reservation until their passing when he is 10 years old, he becomes a ward of the state of Wisconsin and enters the child welfare system – foster care, children’s home, and adoption.
"The trauma he experiences as a result of losing his grandparents and way of life leads him to put his past behind him for over 43 years. Then at the age of 53, events in his life take him back to his childhood home, retracing the historical westward migration of his Ojibwe ancestors. Heartfelt and bittersweet, and layered with meaning, Beginnings: The Homeward Journey of Donovan Manypenny will resonate with anyone who longs to make the journey home, wherever that may be, as well those who seek or have experienced cultural or spiritual awakening, and healing."
Accolades
The book is receiving praise. "Compelling and lyrical, Thomas Peacock's writing tells an exquisitely rich story of complex times. The moments, smells are those remembered by many and speaking to the Anishinaabe experience and soul. I am grateful for these words." -- Winona LaDuke, Executive Director, Honor the Earth
"Thomas Peacock's thoughtful and inspiring novel is a true "Indian" story, a poignant journey home to Blueberry Road. Blending history, storytelling and personal reflection, this tender story is a reminder that our ties to family and place can survive even the deepest loss." -- Diane Wilson, author of Spirit Car: Journey to a Dakota Past and Beloved Child: A Dakota Way of Life.
About the Author
Thomas D. Peacock is a retired associate professor of education who taught and served as an administrator at UMD for 13 years. He's a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior (Anishinaabe Ojibwe). Several of his books, Ojibwe Waasa Inaabida, The Good Path, were Minnesota Book Award winners. Other books include The Tao of Nookomis and To Be Free.