From barren rocks ... to living stones” is a concise and incident packed memoir that covers an eighteen month period 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. Conversational in style, it is very per- sonal which brings something of an intimacy into the story being revealed. The book is a meditative postscript to the twentieth century bringing some valid and perceptive insights. Persuing through the events of the time, we begin to see a life that will swing from the sadness to the times of joy, times of humour and times of thoughtfulness, times of tragedy and times of tenderness. We can see the issues as one faces the dual challenges of a western youth culture in the context of a home in the middle east. Like wise there is the aspects of seeing the contrast of an Islamic and Christian culture side by side. However, the deep concerns of the middle eastern terrorism of the nineteen sixties also brings a topical aspect into the process of 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 persons 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 communica- tions 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.
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