Personal Human Decency
soberly articulates an anthological collection of poems by Anthony Barclay, accompanied
by narrative justifications of his work subtitled, The PHD from the University of Life. Although the themes of integrity and honesty
prevail, he has separated his work into four sections: Attributes
of Personal Human Decency, Recollections of the Liberian Civil War, Development
Challenges and Other Issues, Other
Things.
Clearly emerges Anthony Barclay’s love for his fellow man,
kindness, strength in character and patriotic pride in Liberia. His words not only teach, but have a
subliminal disciplinary undercurrent, almost commanding - if you will,
directing his readers to heed his message. Consistent with his many subtle observations on human behavior, his
poems infer hope while simultaneously enlivening a paternal guidance to carry
fourth and create anew.
Anthony Barclay possesses the acumen of scholarly wisdom
from a historian’s viewpoint along with the morality of a pontiff and the
gentleness of a tutor. He imprints his
messages with an entertaining style and respect for his audience. One learns the riches of his beloved Liberia,
the wonders of its landscapes with the humanity of its people. With atrocities of the past behind, he shows
we are given the gift of the future, and like a signpost Anthony Barclay self
designates his need to guide his fellow people through the pain and towards
peace. His directions are to
destinations of love and knowledge. Barclay indulges in truly admirable virtues manifested in each poem; not
only is each word consciously placed for a reason, each pause between words or
at the end of a line further impacts his message. His Personal
Human Decency (PHD) is not only defined by what he writes, but also how he
writes it.
Years in the making and with an inherent skill of
communication, Anthony Barclay has amassed a work not to be read quickly but to
be savored. His messages would best be
reserved for “one-a-day” in a classroom, for example at the beginning of a
day. Once finished, one should re-read
it as if the second time around will reveal even more and different observations
and reflections. This book should be a permanent
reference in all school libraries, accessible to all who wish to gain Personal Human Decency from the University
of Life, whilst enjoying the cleverness of Barclay’s wordsmithing.
This book will be available soon at Amazon.com
