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Anything is Possible
A thought-provoking modern treasure, the life of the great philosopher and teacher Æsop is explored for the first time ever in a brilliantly crafted historical fiction.
Many would be surprised to know that Æsop, an enduring philosopher in the modern world, was born a slave. Yet, later in life, he served as Ambassador to the wealthiest King in ancient history, simply with a fierce belief in his own potential, and the ever-stalwart laws of reality...anything is possible.
Today, Æsop and his fables are quoted an estimated one million times daily, across the globe. Not bad for someone who lived 2600 years ago.
Written with the same simple genius as its central protagonist, in Anything Is Possible, the reader discovers the meaning of Æsop's profound lessons on his/her own... subsequently, the reader owns those lessons, forever.
Many would be surprised to know that Æsop, an enduring philosopher in the modern world, was born a slave. Yet, later in life, he served as Ambassador to the wealthiest King in ancient history, simply with a fierce belief in his own potential, and the ever-stalwart laws of reality...anything is possible.
Today, Æsop and his fables are quoted an estimated one million times daily, across the globe. Not bad for someone who lived 2600 years ago.
Written with the same simple genius as its central protagonist, in Anything Is Possible, the reader discovers the meaning of Æsop's profound lessons on his/her own... subsequently, the reader owns those lessons, forever.
223 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2011
8 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Bähler
2 books17 followersTHOMAS BÄHLER has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the entertainment industry. He composed music for Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, directors Steven Spielberg and Barry Levinson, magicians Siegfried and Roy, Superbowl Halftime Shows and a number of other high profile stage productions. As a songwriter he's written many hits including "She's Out of My Life" "Living In A House Divided" and "Julie Do You Love Me." Thomas created vocal arrangements for the landmark charity event "We Are the World," as well as for Barbara Streisand, Billy Joel, and the motion picture version of “The Wiz." He served as Music Director for a number of events sponsored by the White House, including “America’s Millennium”, “Points of Light” and President Clinton’s Inaugural Concert. Mr. Bähler has also served as Music Director and arranger for “The Kennedy Center Honors."
“ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, A Novel of ÆSOP” is his first novel.
“ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, A Novel of ÆSOP” is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 13, 2011
To the best of my knowledge, this is the first fictionalized life story of Aesop. First time author Tom Bahler, a famed songwriter and musician, has made a study of the famed philosopher and storyteller and knows his subject well. A very inspirational and enjoyable tale.
February 15, 2014
"Anything Is Possible", by Thomas Bähler, provides the reader with a glimpse into the life of a historical figure that we seldom think about unless we are telling bedtime stories to our children. Æsop's tales have intrigued children across the world for many centuries, and teach us life lessons that we can carry with is through the journey to adulthood. However, Æsop was not always the Philosopher that we all believe him to be. In fact, his past was filled with much pain and turmoil, no doubt contributing to his fantastic tales.
In the book "Anything is Possible", Thomas Bähler provides us with captivating view into the life of Æsop, beginning with his life of slavery, and carrying him forward. Details of his life are presented to us in exquisite detail as some of his fables are presented to us through his eyes, from inception to presentation, such as "The Fox and the Grapes" is told in chapter 3.
As a writer myself, Æsop's tales are among my many inspirations from my childhood. The tale of Æsop that Thomas Bähler has provided us gives those stories more meaning, and allows a foundation upon which to look deeper into the tales, and see how the meanings could be so much more than talking animals and children's tales.
Within the pages, we are also presented with an amazing array of artworks that were illustrated by Yulee Kim. Although minimalistic in form, the line art is fantastically integrated within the pages to present us with an imaginative view of the characters within the pages. I must say that the illustration of Danae on page 18 is my favorite, but I might be partial since my youngest daughter's middle name is Danae.
I recommend reading "Anything is Possible" to anyone that loves a good tale of the evolution of the little guy into something much more, or a history buff that would love to find out more about a figure that has little written about him - other than his own fables, or anyone that enjoys a good read with an intriguing lead character.
In the book "Anything is Possible", Thomas Bähler provides us with captivating view into the life of Æsop, beginning with his life of slavery, and carrying him forward. Details of his life are presented to us in exquisite detail as some of his fables are presented to us through his eyes, from inception to presentation, such as "The Fox and the Grapes" is told in chapter 3.
As a writer myself, Æsop's tales are among my many inspirations from my childhood. The tale of Æsop that Thomas Bähler has provided us gives those stories more meaning, and allows a foundation upon which to look deeper into the tales, and see how the meanings could be so much more than talking animals and children's tales.
Within the pages, we are also presented with an amazing array of artworks that were illustrated by Yulee Kim. Although minimalistic in form, the line art is fantastically integrated within the pages to present us with an imaginative view of the characters within the pages. I must say that the illustration of Danae on page 18 is my favorite, but I might be partial since my youngest daughter's middle name is Danae.
I recommend reading "Anything is Possible" to anyone that loves a good tale of the evolution of the little guy into something much more, or a history buff that would love to find out more about a figure that has little written about him - other than his own fables, or anyone that enjoys a good read with an intriguing lead character.
January 25, 2014
"Anything is possible".
That is the recurring phrase and title of composer/musician Thomas Bähler's debut novel, A Tale of Æsop, Æsop being the ancient Greek storyteller.
Bähler's novel tells the tale of Æsop's early life as a slave under Theseus. Compared top other slaves, he lives an easy life with his mother Danae, in Theseus' house, able to learn from the best tutors Theseus employs for his own, rather bratty, son, Acacius. He finds he is gifted at telling tales, and entertains courteiers with them.
Theseus takes Danae to collect his brother, who has come for a visit, when tragedy strikes and Theseus is killed in an accident, along with Danae, making Acacius the new master.
Æsop's life is immediately altered, add he is now an "outside" slave, working long hours of manual labor and eating little. He now knows the true meaning of being a slave.
As the story goes on (cut with line drawings of characters and particular scenes by artist Yulee Kim), the reader is repeatedly confronted with the theme of one being oneself's own master, slave to none and capable of anything.
Freedom comes from within, and if you believe in yourself you can do anything. That's the point Mr. Bähler tries to put across and into every reader's head. For the most part, I believe he succeeded in conveying that, no matter your race, gender or station, you can be and do anything.
It was a joy to read a novel that is both entertaining and inspiring. The life of Æsop is riddled with trials, but he keeps going despite the odds being stacked against him. It is a book for everyone who has ever been told they're not good enough, they're to fat, too poor, too human, to be and do what they dream of.
Amazing work, in a psychological, sociological and entertainment sense. Highly recommended for everyone who has a heart and wants to gain confidence.
That is the recurring phrase and title of composer/musician Thomas Bähler's debut novel, A Tale of Æsop, Æsop being the ancient Greek storyteller.
Bähler's novel tells the tale of Æsop's early life as a slave under Theseus. Compared top other slaves, he lives an easy life with his mother Danae, in Theseus' house, able to learn from the best tutors Theseus employs for his own, rather bratty, son, Acacius. He finds he is gifted at telling tales, and entertains courteiers with them.
Theseus takes Danae to collect his brother, who has come for a visit, when tragedy strikes and Theseus is killed in an accident, along with Danae, making Acacius the new master.
Æsop's life is immediately altered, add he is now an "outside" slave, working long hours of manual labor and eating little. He now knows the true meaning of being a slave.
As the story goes on (cut with line drawings of characters and particular scenes by artist Yulee Kim), the reader is repeatedly confronted with the theme of one being oneself's own master, slave to none and capable of anything.
Freedom comes from within, and if you believe in yourself you can do anything. That's the point Mr. Bähler tries to put across and into every reader's head. For the most part, I believe he succeeded in conveying that, no matter your race, gender or station, you can be and do anything.
It was a joy to read a novel that is both entertaining and inspiring. The life of Æsop is riddled with trials, but he keeps going despite the odds being stacked against him. It is a book for everyone who has ever been told they're not good enough, they're to fat, too poor, too human, to be and do what they dream of.
Amazing work, in a psychological, sociological and entertainment sense. Highly recommended for everyone who has a heart and wants to gain confidence.
February 24, 2012
Most people are familiar with Aesop's fables. I know that some of his stories were some of the most beloved of my childhood. They were some of the first ways that I learned life lessons that I still carry with me and think about today. There's a good reason that his stories are still so well-known and loved.
I can't say that I ever thought much about Aesop as a person. I never really separated the man from the stories and really I did not know much about his life at all. I've said before that I love how historical fiction can introduce you to people and at least give you a little bit of a flavor for a historical figure that you may be familiar with.
Bahler spins a great story about Aesop growing up as a slave in Greece. It's a station in life that is incredibly hard to rise above but if anyone can, it's Aesop! Through his personal philosophy of "anything is possible," he's able to do a lot of amazing things.
In a lot of ways, this book itself feels like a fable of sorts. By definition, a fable is a short story used to teach a lesson usually with animals or inanimate objects. While this story doesn't involve animal characters, it does have a message with an undeniable force of nature behind it.
Bottom line: This is a great story that introduces who Aesop really was to the rest of the world and will be loved by historical fiction fans.
I can't say that I ever thought much about Aesop as a person. I never really separated the man from the stories and really I did not know much about his life at all. I've said before that I love how historical fiction can introduce you to people and at least give you a little bit of a flavor for a historical figure that you may be familiar with.
Bahler spins a great story about Aesop growing up as a slave in Greece. It's a station in life that is incredibly hard to rise above but if anyone can, it's Aesop! Through his personal philosophy of "anything is possible," he's able to do a lot of amazing things.
In a lot of ways, this book itself feels like a fable of sorts. By definition, a fable is a short story used to teach a lesson usually with animals or inanimate objects. While this story doesn't involve animal characters, it does have a message with an undeniable force of nature behind it.
Bottom line: This is a great story that introduces who Aesop really was to the rest of the world and will be loved by historical fiction fans.
June 17, 2011
A truly inspirational and timeless read. I found this book to be an asset that manifests itself in my everyday life. We all know the stories of the Tortoise and the Hare, The Dog and the Bone and many more fables told by Aesop. However, this book sheds light into life of Aesop, a boy that was born a slave, but as a man died an ambassador. How is this possible? Anything is possible!!
This book offers a bit of everything. Romance, murder, deceit, perseverance and betrayal can be found throughout. I enjoyed the romance of Aesop and Dione as well as the navigation of Aesop's life as he rises to esteem.
I will read this book again and again! With each perusal, I find new sustenance. Enjoy!
This book offers a bit of everything. Romance, murder, deceit, perseverance and betrayal can be found throughout. I enjoyed the romance of Aesop and Dione as well as the navigation of Aesop's life as he rises to esteem.
I will read this book again and again! With each perusal, I find new sustenance. Enjoy!
March 12, 2012
This book is not a collection of Aesop's fables, but is in fact the author's fictional idea of what Aesop's life may have been like. I enjoyed Thomas Bahler's view on Aesop's struggle as a slave and his desire to be free. This book was easy to read, and was something that can be read in parts or as a whole. The author took an icon of prose, Aesop, and made him into a realistic character in this story. Overall I found Anything is Possible to be an enjoyable, intriguing and inspiring story.
*I received a free ebook copy of this story for this review. All my reviews are my personal opinon.
*I received a free ebook copy of this story for this review. All my reviews are my personal opinon.
June 14, 2011
Tom delivers a simple, yet profound and desperately needed message which could not have come at a better time. Uplifting and inspirational for adults during this difficult economic period, this easy to read book should also be required reading for all high school students! Our teenagers need constant encouragement and reminding that, "Anything Is Possible!"
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June 13, 2011I have completely escaped into this story now.... :-)
June 13, 2011
An excellent and inspiring tale which changed my life for the better by increasing my optimism and opening my mind to all the potential within each of us, no matter what our lot in life.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews