Welcome to the official website for
stumbling
in the
half-light
The dynamic new book by author, John Sargent
about the bookSTUMBLING IN THE HALF LIGHT
By John D. Sargent FRIESENPRESS (MAY 30, 2018) Stumbling in the Half-Light follows a self-professed “chubby little half-breed” from the Six Nations reservation as he embarks on a lifetime of spiritual adventures within the Baha’i community. Through fifty-two short, autobiographical stories, John Sargent retells a life of humour, humility, loss, and faith. John’s endearing openness leads him through a life of adventure—from a childhood on the reserve, to years in Africa, to a career in architecture and finally as an administrator of First Nations communities. But his real calling: was to bring the Baha’i faith to First Nations communities throughout North America. |
"Great read. A life well lived that is fascinating and amazing. I just loved the author's gentle sense of humour and storytelling abilities. It left me with great stories to share."
– Jack Boyd p.eng, Sudbury, Ontario. Professor Cambrian College , retired
“I enjoyed John's book about his lifelong service to the Bahá'í Faith, his personal struggles, his travels, and the humorous anecdotes throughout.”
- Sandra Maitland, Penticton, BC. Writer
“Story-telling is a powerful talent, and the power of stories is abundantly demonstrated in this book. John’s stories are not only a delightful and often funny account of his own life and of his extended family’s, but through them he sheds light on our nation’s history and its relationship to its First Peoples, and as well, on the apartheid era in southern Africa. He has not shied away from recounting hardship, but does so in a way that reminds us that it is the crucible of resilience and creativity – and even humour. He gives his stories the strong underpinning of his faith and his bond with Bahá’í teachings without ever preaching, but by narrating how these teachings play out in real life. It is a truly engaging and inspirational book – one not to be read only once!”
– Wendy Rosen, Abbotsford, BC. Registered Nurse
"A valuable, historical, First Nation Bahá'í perspective full of impactful and interesting stories that I often recall to mind."
– Mary Jane Oakes, Lillooet, BC. Website Designer
“John Sargent’s wonderful memoir combines great storytelling with fascinating detail and much humour, in conveying the story of a life dedicated to the betterment of the human race. I especially appreciated John’s descriptions of the “hand of God” in his life.”
– Patricia Verge, Cochrane, Alberta. Author
“Readers will recognise John Sargent’s stories as the guideposts and touchstones of a fellow traveller on the soul’s journey through our changing times. Born to a Mohawk mother and a Connecticut Yankee father, raised on Six Nations Reserve, schooled in small town US and Rhodesia, and serving the Bahá’í and Indigenous communities in one of the most complex and transformative phases of both the Bahá’í community, and Canada itself, John’s stories and reflections remind us that global change is both larger and more personal than we generally realise.”
– Kim Naqvi, Kamloops, BC. Instructor, Geography and Environmental Studies, Thompson Rivers University