Finding Moosewood, Finding God

What Happened When a TV Newsman Abandoned His Career for Life on an Island

By: Jack Perkins

Narrated by: Jack Perkins

For 25 years, millions of Americans watched Jack Perkins on NBC News as a correspondent, commentator, and anchorman. People were familiar with his face, his bearing, and his rich, reassuring bass.

Yet at the age of 52 and at the height of his career, Jack Perkins disappeared from the public eye and moved with his wife, Mary Jo, to a bare-necessities cabin on an uninhabited island off the coast of Maine. This isolated home they came to call Moosewood was the setting for Jack and Mary Jo’s spiritual awakening.

In the busy years of Jack’s career in Los Angeles he hadn’t felt the need for God. In their new, quiet, and difficult life, though, he began to rethink everything he thought he knew. For 13 years they endured (and learned to enjoy) snowbound winters, shuttling supplies from the mainland, testing themselves and their marriage, and discovering the rewards of a close-to-nature life, acknowledging that the hand guiding their blessed new lives was the hand of a gracious God who knew them long before they acknowledged him....

©2013 Jack Perkins (P)2013 Zondervan

Inspiring story of personal life journey

outstanding book, great telling of breaking away and embracing a new way of life which is more true, uncertain and adventurous. Not preachy whatsoever, rather, relatable and honest and sensible. Made even better being read by the author.

Beautiful storyteller, feels like he,s sitting right next to you!

Susan J.

A very interesting read telling the stories of his life and how he came to believe in God. Also tells many interesting stories about his career at NBC and the history made in our land along the way. A very inspiring story!

Too Much God, Not Enough Moosewood

Oh that voice! Jack Perkins could read a cookbook and make it sound enthralling. I enjyed the too brief vignettes about his career and the experience of leaving it for a much different life. I do understand that part of his reason, and a large part of his life, revolved around his faith, but at times the book felt like Mr Perkins was trying to convince and convert me. The book was interesting, but then seemed to come to an abrupt end and left me wanting more.

Really embarrassed to find it sooooo annoying

What would have made Finding Moosewood, Finding God better?

That's an awkward question because my answer is ... just, okay, fine, you got right with God. Great! Um, a lot of us have, okay? We just don't re-examine every minute of our life as a "before" and "after". I got the idea that Mr Perkins -- a face and voice I absolutely adored every single time he appeared on television -- was acutely shame-faced that he actually had a pretty good life BG ("Before God"). Resources, loving partner, kids, respect, talent ... yup, he did.

And I would probably comment on the impact, insight, "Aha!" moment of How My Life Was Changed When I Discovered God ....only I was stopped dead in my Audible tracks as I heard Mr Perkins's famous voice intone with barely concealed smugness the moments he wins his "Emmy" and murmurs his five words of gratitude ... oh, the humility, oh the stomach-churning humbleness! What gets me? He says it like he means it. Yeah. So. Well.

You know what? I absolutely consider myself a child of God. And, I have free will.

In an act of free will and because "I cannot take it anymore" (hint: "Network") I turned OFF my recording of "Finding Moosewood".

Any additional comments?

See above. Oddly, I had a premonition from other reviews that Finding Moosewood would not be my cup of tea but soldiered on with the purchase because I used to love Mr Perkins quirky human interest stories.

Him! I want THAT Jack Perkins! Not this guy, the other one!

Sigh.