Earth Journal

About the Book

Earth Journal was written by the author in the summer of 1972 at age 21. Only a few ending pages, a few updates and corrections; the biography of Sir Thomas More; including the images, were added in May 2010. This non-fiction account is both a commentary on planet earth; a brief history of its age; its place in the solar system as being unique by possessing life; and a brief account of the first "Earth Day," as it happened from my 1970 perspective as a college freshman. The book is also a collection of aphorisms, poems, humor, and observations, creating a unique backward glance at 1972,, and my youthful thoughts and opinions. However, the book has been formulated to honor Sir Thomas More, my world famous 15th great grandfather. A collection of public domain photos and a short biography of this great man, a Saint in the Catholic and Anglican Churches, and truly, "A man for all seasons," has been added. As the author combines his 1972 writings with the photographs and biography of Sir Thomas More, Mr. Bly celebrates both earth and More as unique entities- one a planet; and the other, a man who gave up his life on earth to oppose the King of England, on moral grounds, This book is a one-of-a-kind creation, it's non-fiction qualities blended with biography, as well as artistic and spiritual discussions. Though challenging in thought, it's a book to be enjoyed for its humor and wit, as well.

About the Author

Bill Bly was born in Elmira, N.Y, in March 1951, and a few years later moved with his family to Geneseo, N.Y., Bill graduated from SUNY Geneseo in 1973 (B.A. Art Studio); and then obtained an M.A. in Creative Writing from SUNY at Buffalo in 1978. Soon upon completing his M.A., he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma and worked in the pharmaceutical industry as a sales representative until retirement in 2007. He is an elected member to POETS & WRITERS and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize in poetry. He has appeared in many poetry magazines and this work is his first novel. Mr. Bly is of English and German ancestry and is related to many of America's well known writers, He is also a Life Member to THE THOREAU SOCIETY, and a member to the Sinclair Lewis Society as well. Mr. Bly is also directly descended from Sir Thomas More, as 15th great grandson. He also kin to Hawthorne, Poe, Crane, Austen, Dickinson, Thoreau, Emerson, Longfellow, Wordsworth, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and philosopher John Locke. His only child attends a Tulsa Catholic High School, and Bill Bly is an active member in the Parish of The Church of St. Benedict. William James Bly enjoys reading, collecting autographs and first editions, genealogy, and visiting literary and Civil War sites, and growing roses.. His late father was an Elmira, N.Y, native; Veteran of the 10th Army in service in the Pacific during WW II, with a career as an English teacher. Bill's late mother was an Altoona, Pennsylvania native, first generation American (both parents immigrated from southern Germany), and an ardent bird and flower enthusiast, Mr. Bly is a political and economic Conservative.