Tom Greening

This delightful, whimsical, and often profound book depicts the legendary wise fool Nasreddin as a modern psychologist dispensing astute and ludicrous advice to gullible seekers. The exquisite illustrations come from the hand of Idaho artist Linda Hawkins. Nasreddin Hoca or Nastradin Hoxha or Nastradini is a 13th Century historical figure of philosophy and humorous story telling.  He is claimed by many cultures and ethnic groups but he is especially associated with Turkey.  Each summer the "International Nasreddin Hodja Festival" is held in Akşehir, Turkey. Nasreddin is a teacher, savant, clown, jester, Zen master, guru, fool. He could be a cousin of Alfred E. Newman, whom you can visit in Mad Magazine, and Mark Twain, who wrote light-hearted commentary on human foibles. Although Nasreddin (with his faithful donkey) first lived, taught, and made a fool of himself and others many years ago, his spirit lives today.  He has come back to us because he sees how badly we need his idiot wisdom. He has become a psychotherapist, an ominous threat to troubled seekers, an embarrassment to the profession, and perhaps a source of unexpected enlightenment.