Lisa SpauldingThe first time I went to visit my son, Lane, after he began teaching in the English at Penn Valley Community College, Kansas City, I met one of his colleagues, Lisa Spaulding. On each of my return visits I’d run into her in the halls, the library, or at a restaurant with live jazz. When she discovered I was writing a book, she said, “I’m a voracious reader. Could I read it?” “Well, sure!” I responded, taken aback by her request. I figured it was all to the good to have an English professor give it a read.
As the Penn Valley Community College website says, “Lisa teaches Basic Writing I, Composition and Reading I and II, Creative Writing, Women’s Lit., Women’s Lives and Autobiography, World Lit II, Humanities Past and Present, and the Bible as Literature; her courses are delivered traditionally, online, and on TV.”
So I forwarded the manuscript to her, then went to work redoing it completely with a copy editor. The result was a much better piece of writing than what Lisa first read.
When I began thinking of people who’d be willing to give the book an endorsement, I thought Lisa might. She didn’t hesitate when I checked if she would. “Sure, send it over.” Within days, she sent me what appears in the front pages of Blinded by Progress. Here it is as it appears there:
Blinded by Progress demonstrates that faith can lead humanity into re-visioning ourselves and our relationship with the planet. Based in extensive research, Lee Van Ham has found a way to hold and maintain a generous view of people and our shared futures. This book challenges the reader and provides hope at one and the same time. —Lisa Spaulding, Ph.D., Professor of English and Humanities, Penn Valley Community College
Blinded by Progress will be published and available in another week or so. I’ll be reviewing a preview copy this week for final publishing approval.