Well another "son of the Bahamian soil", has "put pen to paper" and written his autobiography and what an interesting life story it is! He is none other than Mr. Patrick J. Bethel, who after a most distinguished career in education, returned to his beloved Abaco and managed to become a successful entrepreneur.
The book has as its title, appropriately, "From Teacher... To Entrepreneur". As may be expected in the case of a literary work by one proud to be known as "a Cherokee boy", its cover is most attractive, featuring a picture of Cherokee Sound, a scene most beautiful with a white sandy beach, green cedar trees and multi-colored seascape. The writer has adopted a direct, lucid easy-to-read style which retains the attention of the reader. If you begin to read this volume you won't stop until you have read all 80 pages!
Now, there can be no doubt that this book has great historical value. This is precisely because Mr. Bethel is gifted with a "photographic memory" enabling him to recall in great detail and precision, events which took place from when he was less than two years of age. Thus he describes, in vivid detail, all aspects of the visit of the Duke And Duchess of Windsor (King Edward VI who left the throne in order to marry the Duchess) and was then Governor of The Bahamas) in 1942. There are also nostalgic memories of events which took place during World War II and also of incidents which took place during his years of service as an officer in the Ministry of Education. Concisely, Patrick Bethel's autobiography is a valuable historical gem.
As may be expected in a book by a leading educator, there is a lot of sound advice on education and the proper nurture of children. He makes an observation which merits most careful consideration: "My grandson recently asked me how come I have so much knowledge about The Bahamas and the world. My reply was reading."
Today, the computer, video, cell phones, Facebook, etc., have replaced reading and I fear we are producing a generation of non-readers. Let me finish with the following statement: "Reading is power. If you cannot read you have no power."
Now, this is a word most relevant to the young people of The Bahamas, and indeed of the world today for you see, many of them are adept at using the computer and sending messages via Facebook: but do not have good reading and writing skills. They find it hard to write a proper essay. We are distressed that we still have a low average mark in our national exams -- D to D+. Well, this will not change unless, and until we encourage our children to read! The observation of Mr. Bethel should be placed in every classroom in our schools.
Considering Mr. Bethel's wide experience, this book could have easily been much longer. As Mr. Hartis Pinder, attorney-at-law, who also hails from Cherokee Sound, points out in his foreword: "It represents but snippets of a very fruitful life."
While all Bahamians should read this book, it is submitted that there are two groups in our society who would most certainly benefit from it. These are young Bahamian teachers struggling "to make their mark" in education and young couples trying to raise their children in the right disciplined way.
The latter especially would benefit from exercising discipline by instructing their children to spend less time on Facebook and more time reading a book.
Mr. Bethel is a very patriotic Bahamian who enjoys "things Bahamian". Thus, this book is truly a Bahamian product. Whereas many other Bahamians, who have written books, have elected to have their works printed and/or published abroad, Mr. Bethel had his book published by a company in Abaco. It is, therefore, a literary gem -- written by a Bahamian, about The Bahamas, published in The Bahamas for Bahamians.
Although the writer hints that this may be his last major literary effort, it is my "gut feeling" that he has more to contribute. Thus, he is at one with Mr. Mike Lightbourn, who, in his foreword, makes this stirring appeal: "Pat, thank you for putting pen to paper again. Please do not stop."
All in all, a most interesting, informative, inspiring read. This book certainly should be placed in every school library and on the bookshelf of every home in The Bahamas. Get yours today!
While the author claims that his main purpose in contributing this work is to share his life story with his children, grandchildren and future offspring, there can be no doubt that his book will have a tremendous appeal to a much wider audience than that of his own family circle. As a veteran educator, Mr. Bethel has exerted great influence and touched the lives of hundreds of Bahamians active in education and other fields of human endeavor throughout the length and breadth of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
The life story of Mr. Bethel is extremely interesting. Born on February 11, 1933 in the picturesque little settlement of Cherokee Sound, Abaco, Patrick Bethel received his early education at the primary school there, where he proved to be a brilliant student.
He was recognized as the leading male student during the historic visit of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to Cherokee Sound in 1942. As a man with a strong sense of history, the writer tells us a lot about his background, revealing that his ancestors came to The Bahamas as United Empire Loyalists back in the eighteenth century after the American war of independence. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Granville Bethel, were devout Methodists and young Patrick received his nurture in the Christian faith at Epworth Methodist Chapel, attending worship three or four times every week. His Christian faith proved to be a source of spiritual strength throughout his long and distinguished career in education, business and social activism.
In the year 1977, having completed 30 years in the field of education, he took early retirement and returned to Abaco. There, he and his faithful wife, Margaret operated several small businesses.
Title: "From Teacher . . . To Entrepreneur" "A Cherokee Boy"
Author: Patrick J. Bethel
Date: 2011 AD
Publisher: Abaco Print Shop
Place: Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas
Cost: $19.98
Available at Logos Book Store and other book stores in Nassau.
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