Outer Search Inner Journey

By Peter Dodds

In this riveting memoir a woman in post World War II Germany relinquishes her infant son Peter to an orphanage where he's adopted by American parents and brought to the United States. Separated from... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1889702242
• ISBN13: 9781889702247
• Release Date: April 1997
• Publisher: Aphrodite Publishing Company
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 3.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

This could be a Movie

I could not put down the book! You will truly become part of the story. I felt I was there right along on the incredible journey to find Peter's birth-mother. I have not read a book in a long time that has stayed with me long after I have finished it- like "Outer Search, Inner Journey." If you are looking for a book that will lift your spirit, and celebrate the joy of overcoming adverse conditions-this is a must read. I hope there is a sequel.

I couldn't put it down

I picked up Outer Search\Inner Journey on a Tuesday night and started reading that evening. I was so captivated by this story that I took the next day off from work to finish reading this incredible book. I am not adopted but enjoy reading autobiographies. This book drew me into the author's life, his experiences-thoughts-feelings--like none other I have read. I felt I was by his side every page of his life. After reading this story, I am surprised adoption agencies placing foreign children don't discuss the destrutiveness caused by the child's loss of language, culture, heritage, history and family, as well as the emotional toll caused when a child is taken from her/his native land. I have friends who beleive it is quite fashionable to adopt children from abroad. This book offers a picture of the complexities and drawbacks of international adoption. Still, the author doesn't blame and his story is one of overcoming immense barriers to find purpose and fullfillment in life. A must read for everyone desiring to read a superbly written book with a powerful plot!

The author's personal story of triumph over life's adversity

As I read this book I cried. Peter documents his personal journey with a courage and openness that cannot help but affect anyone who allows themself to share his pain. Although his is a story that begins with adoption this book is not just about adoption. Although it highlights the damage that can result from adoption it is more about one man's struggle to make sense of and survive a life shattered by early childhood experiences. This book is not just for those involved in adoption. All who read it can share Peter's pain and will be uplifted and encouraged by his bravery. I am a social worker who has worked for 12 years helping adoptees trace their origins. Peter's story mirrors those of many adoptees. His experiences, as painful as they are, are more common than we might want to admit. In this book he shows us what can be achieved with courage, openness, and persistence. I admire him greatly.

A courageous, TRUE autobiography of an international adoptee

As a Korean Adoptee raised in a white American family, this book reflected many of my own issues & feelings about being adopted in a different culture & language. The author's childhood, struggles, confusion, questions, search & discovery are a testament to the strength & will that most adoptees must have to become himself. Adoptees who search, despite caring adoptive parents are not any more dysfunctional or neurotic than any non-adopted person who does not have to search to find her/his birth culture or learn her/his birth language. This book is well written, poignant, unflinchingly honest & bold, without being confessional, self-degradating, & self-conscious. The author speaks his voice with clarity, insight & openness. Most adoptive parents & possibly some birth parents will find this book difficult to read because of the author's unwillingness to promote international adoptions as the only solution to parenting & family planning. These adoptive parents are defensive, threatened & very insecure in realizing that their adopted children may justifiably want to search & this book explains the importance as only an adoptee could possibly explain--in his own words, from his own perspective & from a very important place--one that most adoptees have been silenced to existing in, outside of the international adoption industry. Signed, Mi Ok Song Bruining, MSW.

Its the best adoption story available to read!

I first read Outer Search/Inner Journey in April 1997 during a plane ride home. I found the story to be so compelling that I could hardly put it down during the six hour flight, and ignored my dinner when it was served! As a reunited birthmother of a son, I gained tremendous insight and understanding of the male adoptees struggle for identity, bonding, intimacy and healing. The narrative style kept my interest peaked from chapter to chapter and drew me into the rich history of the German culture in the search for roots. Mr. Dodds candor, self evaluation and tales of human despair, allowed me to experience his struggle and embrace the impact of adoption on his adult life. As his story weaves through military experiences and romantic struggles, I felt moved by his attempts for resolution and healing through a journey of faith. I highly reccomend this book to all members of the adoption triad as well as for anyone that has experienced feelings of loneliness and isolation. It's the best adoption story available to read and lingers long after the last page is finished! Delores S Teller President Oregon Adoptive Rights Association Portland Oregon