Shedding Light
Harold Nash
BookSurge
ISBN: 9780795188039
Reviewed By Wendy Paulson
Official Apex Reviews Rating: 
Shedding Light
is a compilation of philosophical insights by gifted poet Harold Nash.
In it, he touches on a range of topics, including such issues as
religion, personal development, interpersonal relations, and the
ultimate purpose for human existence. Broken down into two separate
sections, Shedding Light
begins with a nine-chapter sequence in which Nash delves deeply into
the mercurial nature of humanity. Many of his reflections are expressed
in anecdotal form, and the insights that he shares with the reader
often come in crisp, laconic passages, such as this one from "Chapter
One: Maturity":
"As much as most
people tend to equate seriousness
with maturity, the truth and fact
is that they are not parallel with
each other. To assume that they
are the same, or have the same meaning,
is not only a misconcept [sic], but it also
confirms the lack of enlightenment
that one may have."
And this one from "Chapter Two: Humility":
"In order to be humble,
you first have to learn to give up a
priviledge [sic] that you have, for someone
else to have that privilege."
Profound insights from one who obviously doesn't just talk the talk, but has also walked the walked on many an occasion.
The second half of Shedding Light
features seven poems by Nash that are equally as philosophic as the
mini essays in the first half of the book, and anyone familiar with
Nash's poetic style is already prepared for the types of straight-ahead
insights that they espouse, such as, for example, this passage from
"When Truth is Told":
"When truth is deep,
eyes will weep; the heart will sink,
and tears will leap, and what you sow,
is what you reap.
When lies are made,
They run for shade, when burning truth,
Throws its parade."
And
this passage from the impressively insightful "An Ancient Chinese
Secret," outlining the different types of people that one will meet
over the course of a lifetime:
"He that knows – and knows not
that he knows
He is sleep – wake him.
He that knows – and knows that
he knows
He is wise – follow him."
As with his previous work, in Shedding Light
Nash provides the reader with helpful insights borne of a need to
inspire, educate, and enlighten others. Most of all, though, his desire
to connect on a deeper level with those who are hurting, dejected, or
confused sets Nash apart and highlights the courage of a true artist
committed to using his gifts & talents for the benefit of the
greater good.
Apex Reviews: Harold, thanks for joining us for this interview. We're looking forward to sharing more about your books with our readers.
How long did it take you to compile all the pieces in Rhymes Of The Times?
Harold Nash: I wrote each poem one by one, several days apart from each other. It took me approximately three months to write Rhymes Of The Times. Each poem captures exactly what I was feeling on the particular day that I wrote it.
AR: Our reviewer noted that, in the book, you're particularly harsh on George W. Bush. Are you distrustful of the American political system in general, or do you tend to favor one party over the other?
HN: I am for change. It is not important to me what particular political party that a presidential candidate represents. What is important is what that candidate will do for the general populace.
AR: Many of the poems in Rhymes Of The Times cast a gloomy pall over contemporary America. Do you believe that we can turn the country around and enjoy a brighter future? If so, how?
HN: I believe that if we don't turn things around ... we are doomed!!! God's intervention and the prophesy of Armageddon may be the only things that will be able to turn things around if we don't catch it now and turn things around ourselves. Yes, we can turn things around - but the American people would have to gravitate more towards activism first.
AR: You are actually joined in Rhymes Of The Times by guest poet Charla Hultmann. How did that collaboration materialize?
HN: Charla stopped over at my apartment for a visit. I told her that I was going to write a poetry book, and she told me that she had written some poems that she would like to see go into my book. So, I asked her to go get her poems, she went to her apartment to get them, then she returned to my apartment. As soon as I read her poetry, I said "I need your bio."
AR: What inspired you to structure Shedding Light the way that you have (i.e., as a series of mini essays & poems)?
HN: I had a lot of things going on in my mind at the time...things that I wanted to share with people, ideals that I knew would build character, so I began writing down these ideals. After my philosophy formed and I wrote down the ideologies of my philosophy, poetry verses began flowing through my head; so, I wrote down the poems. After the manuscript was created, I thought that it looked a little different, with poetry topping off a philosophy book, but I was interested in writing something different, and I thought that originality would be important.
AR: If readers could take away only one specific piece of wisdom/insight from Shedding Light, what would you want it to be?
HN: That there is more to the mind, body, and soul than what people would have you believe, and it takes a lot of soul searching to bring the best out of you.
AR: How long have you written?
HN: My interest in writing began in 1986. My English professor, Miss McFarland, was very thrilled with my writing skills and my poetry.
AR: Who would you cite as some of your chief writing influences?
HN: I give musical lyricists like Lionel Richie, George Benson, and Stevie Wonder a lot of credit for the inspiration that prompted me to start writing; I used to read a lot of music that they wrote back in the 1970's. The books of Ann Rule and Robert Frost are also very intriguing.
AR: Please share more with our readers about some of your other writings.
HN: I wrote a book called Much Props and my autobiography called The Cousin Of Cooley High. These books will be coming out real soon.
AR: What's next for you?
HN: Poetry.com, better known as Publish Today, sent me a letter saying that they would like to do a poetry collection book on me, with all of my poetry in one book. I've already named the book - it is called Focussed - so look out for it; it is coming real soon.
AR: Do you perform your poems live? Will you be making any appearances in the near future that you'd like our readers to know about?
HN: I have recited my poetry for three years in front of large audiences for the Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundations Executive Director, Lee Blons, and I am relocating to Seattle, Washington, in the very near future to get involved in the National Poetry Slam contest.
AR: Do you have a website where people can learn more about you and your writings?
HN: Look me up at www.AuthorsDen.com.
AR: Also, how can our readers contact you directly?
HN: My personal website is www.myspace.com/heraldtruth.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
HN: I want to thank Apex Reviews, Wendy Paulson - and a very special thanks goes out to Miss Genevieve Wilson, Apex's Managing Editor: you have been great!!!
AR: Thanks again, Harold, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
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