HEAVEN, HELL OR HOME

About the Book

My reason for writing HEAVEN, HELL OR HOME was in my attempt to overcome the overwhelming anguish and grief I felt in losing my wife. Although, as a minister and therapist, I had counseled many other people in the same situation and was aware of the steps in the recovery process, I could not apply them to myself. I still went through every one of them. I reasoned that I could possibly speed up my recovery by writing the story, and regardless of its being good or poor, follow it through to the end. At that point, I would also be living up to my wife’s desire.

After a short time, I happened to see Ed Asner on the TV, playing the role of Norman Cousins; this reminded me that I had helped his family in an educational capacity 19 years before. Since I still had his private telephone number, I called and was surprised to reach him. He seemed to remember me better than I did him. I told him my problem and asked him to be truthful in his appraisal. He stopped me after I read the Foreword, Chapter 1 and part of Chapter 2. He was extremely favorable, and encouraged me to write the story as I saw fit, and then to contact him, that he would then assist me in getting the book published. Unfortunately, Norman died in the interim period.

I continued to receive favorable reviews from respected critics whom I considered to be more knowledgeable in what was needed to be successful in the publishing field, and especially in distribution. To my chagrin, I found the writing area to be beset with unscrupulous people

Since then, many exciting things have come into my life. In addition to getting remarried and starting a new business, I found I was able to increase my earnings. This allowed me to be of service to individuals who were earnest in their desire to better their own life styles.

About the Author

In my life, which spans over seven decades, I was employed in educational positions, including superintendent of schools, dean of a college, principal, teacher and Director of Education, on all levels in public, private and parochial schools. I qualified for required certification in seven states and received degrees, ranging from the baccalaureate through the post-doctoral areas; received awards, certificates of merit, citations and recognition by my peers.

          Simultaneously, I was busy in diverse occupations: law enforcement, professional athletics, radio and TV announcing, Marriage Encounter, psychological institutions, speech writing and public speaking, publishing, and business management. During World War II, I served as a flying officer in the Army Air Corps for four years. As a consequence, I became associated with numerous organizations and companies and was appointed to a number of top level executive positions. These statements are documented and recorded.

          Now to the gist: my life was blessed for 47 years, in my marriage to Thel, a beautiful, devoted, and constant inspirational and spiritual guide, who was responsible in leading me to Christ. Prior to her death in 1989, I had written many guidebooks, manuals and pamphlets for the U.S. government, advertising agencies, churches, financial institutions, business and industrial companies. However, in order to overcome my grief, I wrote my autobiography dedicated to her memory, HEAVEN, HELL OR HOME. This was followed by the biography of Rosalie Bradford, the world's heaviest woman, UNSHACKLED: ESCAPE TO LIVING. Both of these books are registered with the Library of Congress, in Washington, D.C.

          I was born into poverty, in New York City, the third and youngest son of immigrants. In my early years, it was a struggle to overcome the ethnic polarization of the city streets. I learned to fend for myself and to become self-reliant. Added to these difficulties, with the death of my father when I was 11 years old, I had to contend with financial problems as well. My resolve was to a determination to set my own course in life.

          I managed to do well financially until 1979, when I was abruptly thrust into a life-threatening situation; I was hospitalized and declared medically dead eight times. The physicians informed me that the odds of my surviving were 100,000 to one. It is obvious I beat those odds. However, the strain on my family, which included Thel, two children, a boy, Randy, and a younger sister, Holly, was severe.

          I joined ISPE, along with MENSA and INTERTEL in the 1970's, but on account of my deteriorating health, I had to drop out of these organizations. Recently, I rejoined MENSA and ISPE.

          I consider myself very fortunate, even though I have had several bouts of illness, as recently as two heart attacks in December 1994 and a near death experience on Thanksgiving Day, 1995. In 1992, I married my current wife, Joan, who is engrossed in my life. Together, we have eight children, 24 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

          I came to the realization that there was still a gap in my life, even though I had served as a counselor and therapist, I truly became a Christian, being fulfilled when Jesus took residence in me.

          Currently, I am involved in giving seminars and training people, with the opening of my new enterprise, "EMPOWERED LEARNING FOR LIVING INSTITUTE."

          I, for one, believe that although I have the frailty of a man, I have the security of God.

          To put it plainly, my way of life can be expressed as follows:

Happy the man - and happy he alone.

He who can call today his own.

He who secure within, can say

Tomorrow, do thy worst, for I have lived today.

Be fair, or foul, or rain, or shine,

The joys I have possessed in spite of fate are mine.

Not Heaven itself, upon the past has power.

But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour.

HEAVEN, HELL OR HOME, THE EARLY YEARS is my initial response to my wife's request to put our story in writing. Thel, died in 1989. As it has turned out, our saga was set against the panorama of American history, which ran the gamut, ranging from trials and tribulations to rapturous joy, both emotionally and financially for 48 years. Many well-known personalities are involved in the detailing of events that occurred. To name just a few, Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Jimmy Carter, Albert Einstein, Werner Von Braun, Wendell Wilkie, Mohammed Ali, Edward R. Murrow, Aristitle Onassis, Glen Miller, Meyer Lansky, and Frank Sinatra.

The Book then is the unexpurgated chronicle replete with episodes and incidents about some characters who are readily recognizable. Others have had their names changed to conceal their identity. Additional personae are composites of several individuals. Also, some of the stories have been deliberately transplanted in  space and time to enhance dramatic impact. Your perusal of the contents will quickly reveal the necessity for treating the subject matter in this manner.

The book is composed of three, each written with the understanding of the authors at that period in his life. As the years went by, his guidelines and criteria changed with his growth and maturation

Part I - Pre-War Days covers the time prior to World War II. After the loss of his father, at age 11,  Joe Burley resolved to make his own decision, resorting to his innate intelligence. Coupled with his thirst for knowledge and perfection he learned how to become a survivor.

Part II - World War II deals with Joe's military career. He became one of a handful of men who qualify as a pilot, navigator and bombardier. Thel is voted the "Sweetheart of the Air Force." They both recognize that the limelight can be a two-edged sword, bringing about either admiration and love or jealousy and hatred.

I am a professional writer and have served in diverse occupations. I have written and published many guidelines, manuals and pamphlets for the U.S. Government, advertising agencies, churches, financial institutions, business and industrial companies. As examples:

          "Handbook of the U.S. Treasury and Federal Agency Securities." 50,000 copies were sold.

          "U.S. Government Bond Brokerage Standards and Procedures." It was used by the bond companies.

          Sample list of some clients: Carroll McEntee & McGinley, Inc; Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.; Dillion, Read & Co., Inc; Financial Analysist Federation, CP Advertising, City of Philadelphia, PA,; Netter International, Ltd.; City of Avon, Colorado.

I am currently giving seminars and training people in my new enterprise, EMPOSWERED LEARING FOR LIVING INSTITUTE. At the same time I am co-authoring a book with Robert Birch, who was one of the pioneers in developing the memory courses that are now so popular. This may also result in several other publications. We are both members and fellows in the International Society for Philosophical Enquiry.

I believe I have enough material in my possession that can be used as articles, short-stories, series, etc. - if accepted by you. Everything I have started can be easily documented.

I am now married to my second wife, Joan, for the last 11 years. Together, we have six adult living children and many grandchildren.