John Fear was born into a religious sect known as the Exclusive Brethren. This sheltered him from the outside world as he grew up, but could not hide him from its influences. A struggle began in his mind that led him to leave the Brethren, along with his young family.
This is a story that was always meant to be told. During his later life John Fear had prepared a lot of the book, along with … along with notes for chapters that he knew would not be completed. It is only now, over twenty years later, that the book is finally being published. It contains original content written by John, along with diary notes, letters and magazine articles. The final chapters are written by his second eldest son, Alastair. The memoir is introduced and edited by his eldest son, Robert, as a tribute to his father’s amazing life.
Recommendation
“Great intro, so much is said in just a few words. The author has put lots of feeling into it too. A quality presentation. Excellent cover, excellent photos, chapter titles and accuracy. Lovely evocative writing.
Well, thank heaven that Robert Fear decided to publish his father’s gem of a book! This is not to be missed – I simply couldn’t put it down! John Fear certainly had an entertaining command of the English language and tells a wonderful tale of his life.
There is great variety from cosy family memories to horrific scenes in a coup. A variety of techniques are used to portray this memoir – diary entries, a telegram, and letters. I like the travel aspect to this memoir too – I wasn’t expecting it.
A fantastic book. A wonderful and powerful tribute.”
Julie Haigh – Top 1000 Reviewer
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This interesting memoir kept me glued to the pages throughout. An incredible life well lived and I am sure your father would be so proud of you Robert for editing and getting his story published. What an amazing tribute to your father. John was a thoughtful and reflective man and when he was not comfortable with the life imposed on him by the Exclusive Brethren life he was in, he left. A great cost in leaving the life you have known all your life and leaving family members whom you might never see again. He had his wife and children though who loved and supported him. What inspired me was the life he created for himself and family after leaving. Still serving God he worked in many places throughout the world, rubbing shoulders with many famous people including Billy Graeme, Mother Theresa and Cliff Richards to name a few. Very humbly written and an amazing testimony. You should be so proud of your Dad, Robert. He was an amazing person and lived an incredible life.
John Fear was born into a family of the Exclusive Brethren, but chose to leave when it became more like a cult.
This memoir shares his journey through the war years including the impact of rationing, mass bombings… on the author’s childhood. Although John left school early to help provide much needed income for his family, his career path seemed predestined to encompass faith and spirituality.
He envisaged a career in law, but national service interrupted his training and he eventually became an award winning salesman.
His talents were later put to good use in organising large scale events for Billy Graham and his organisation, which led to him working as a journalist and broadcaster for a Christian radio station in The Seychelles, India and Africa.
John met many high profile figures on his journey, including Cliff Richard, Malcolm Muggeridge, Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul…
However, he remained a humble man, listening and taking note of other people’s perspectives on life and spirituality. He shared a great love for his wife Mary and his family, who lived through his long absences while he worked abroad.
This book is a great testament to his life and to his family, including his son Robert who edited this very special memoir.
A wonderful and powerful tribute.
Edited by Robert Fear, (Fred’s Diary 1981), these are his father’s memoirs which Robert is finally publishing for him. The book has a great intro, so much is said in just a few words. The author has put lots of feeling into it too. A quality presentation. Excellent cover, excellent photos, chapter titles and accuracy. Lovely evocative writing.
There were brilliant descriptions of his childhood home which really captured the atmosphere. I love reading what life was like in years gone by. I remembered lots of the sweets mentioned in the book. Many things were making me smile as I read, lots of things were familiar-springing to mind memories of my grandparents’ gardens and the things they homemade which now one just goes to the shops for-convenient-but lost memories. This was a brilliant book, a wonderful collection of memories. It was just so interesting with lots of fascinating info and so well written. Compelling to read, concise, it flowed so easily. Robert Fear’s father was a child in wartime Britain. This is not just about the Brethren-it’s Robert’s father’s account of his whole life and is enormously interesting.
Well, thank heaven that Robert Fear decided to publish his father’s gem of a book! This is not to be missed-I simply couldn’t put it down! John Fear certainly had an entertaining command of the English language and tells a wonderful tale of his life. So much nostalgia about school, war, and rationing, washing etc-all the things we take for granted nowadays. I absolutely flew through this-it was such a good read! It was interesting as he did radio broadcasts for Africa, India, and The Seychelles etc. There is great variety from cosy family memories to horrific scenes in a coup. A variety of techniques are used to portray this memoir-diary entries, a telegram, and letters. I like the travel aspect to this memoir too-I wasn’t expecting it. A fantastic book. A wonderful and powerful tribute.