Outer Search Inner Journey by Peter Dodds

by Peter Dodds

In this riveting memoir a woman in post World War II Germany relinquishes her infant son Peter to an orphanage where he's adopted by American parents and brought to the United States. Separated from family of origin and ancestral homeland, Peter grows up alienated in a family and culture he doesn't understand. He returns to Germany believing happiness will come when finding his German family and reclaiming ethnic identity. But Peter's hopes are crushed as his search twists into a desperate struggle to escape a labyrinth of total despair. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, this is the story of a man's spiritual transformation where the protagonist must ultimately confront himself.

Genres: Adoption

Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 1997

Reviews

[Asha Greye · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ramblings of a deeply troubled man

Peter Friedrich cruelly torn from his idyllic birthright in post World War II Germany or Peter Dodds born out of wedlock and placed in an orphanage in accordance with German law at the time which gave the state sole authority to decide the ultimate fate of illegitimate children? The latter is correct, but if you listen to Mr. Dodd's rather self pitying and indulgent tale of woe and took it to heart you would think he was internationally kidnapped. I could not fathom how such a young child, brought to the USA before his third birthday, could have any sense of cultural identity and feel alienated when they literally know no other life. It is glaringly obvious early on in the book that Mr. Dodds as a child had some serious emotional issues and probably still has them to some degree as an adult, but I attribute those to the fact he was separated from his birth mother abruptly at a very young age. It's absolutely mind boggling how Mr. Dodds idealizes Germany and has such an unshakeable belief that his life was ruined solely by being adopted away from a recently war torn country with the blessings of his birth country's government. I feel so sorry for his adoptive parents who by his own admission did everything they possibly could to give him a good life. They are the real victims here, victims of betrayal and maliciousness at the hands of someone they chose to take into their home and love. I'm sorry Mr. Dodds but for better or worse you ceased to be German the day that German authorities released you from that orphanage and you have thrown away a large chunk of what could have been a great life out of spite. The vengeful do not deserve to be lauded.

[Nicki Maraulja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of a man's secret yearning.

I've read both versions of this book.
Here is a true emotional journey of a man and his travels from his birth country , to the land of the present through adoption. Good read. Another insight into the children of adoption.

[Corey Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm working with a client right now on his story of adoption across continents and I read this book as a research piece. Dodd's story of his continual search for who he was on the inside was revelatory, painfully emotional, and often times jubilant. He demonstrates our innate desire to understand where we come from and the depth of that need for someone who has been denied that vital piece of themselves. Following in his search opens up a piece of the human heart. Life is indeed an adventure and Dodd's quest for answers ended up defining him more than his roots.