What do you think?
Rate this book
Their Yesterdays
There was a man. And it happened -- as such things often so happen -- that this man went back into his days that were gone. Again and again and again he went back. Even as every man, even as you and I, so this man went back into his Yesterdays. Then -- why then there was a woman. And it happened -- as such things sometimes so happen -- that this woman also went back into her days that were gone. Again and again and again she went back. Even as every woman, even as you and I, so this woman went back into her Yesterdays.
From the introduction: Behold the child, by Nature's kindly law, Pleased with a rattle, tickled with a straw; Some livelier plaything gives his youth delight, A little louder, but as empty quite; Scarfs, garters, gold, amuse his riper stage, And beads and prayer-books are the toys of age; Pleased with this bauble still, as that before; Till tired he sleeps, and life's poor play is o'er.
"AN ESSAY ON MAN"--Pope.
From the introduction: Behold the child, by Nature's kindly law, Pleased with a rattle, tickled with a straw; Some livelier plaything gives his youth delight, A little louder, but as empty quite; Scarfs, garters, gold, amuse his riper stage, And beads and prayer-books are the toys of age; Pleased with this bauble still, as that before; Till tired he sleeps, and life's poor play is o'er.
"AN ESSAY ON MAN"--Pope.
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1912
25 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Harold Bell Wright
83 books86 followersHarold Bell Wright was a best selling American author of the first part of the 20th century.
Between 1903 and 1942, this minister-turned-author wrote nineteen books, several scripts for stage plays, and several magazine articles. At least fifteen movies were made from his novels. Seven of Wright's books appeared on the top ten best sellers lists, two of them twice, including a number one seller in 1914, a number two in 1916 and a third best seller three times.
He's best known for his work entitled The Shepherd of the Hills which was made into the well known, outdoor play, of the same name, performed in Branson, Mo.
Between 1903 and 1942, this minister-turned-author wrote nineteen books, several scripts for stage plays, and several magazine articles. At least fifteen movies were made from his novels. Seven of Wright's books appeared on the top ten best sellers lists, two of them twice, including a number one seller in 1914, a number two in 1916 and a third best seller three times.
He's best known for his work entitled The Shepherd of the Hills which was made into the well known, outdoor play, of the same name, performed in Branson, Mo.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 19, 2009
This book will forever hold a soft spot in my heart. I was looking through our book closet, and I found THEIR YESTERDAY. I thought it looked dumb, but after I realized it was a first edition published in 1912, I got a little bit more interested. And then I saw the inscription in the front : RACHAEL POWELL FROM ED. Rachael Powell was my great-great-great grandmother. I feel a certain kinship with her now after having read this book that was once her.
But enough about my sentiments. The book. I read somewhere that this was considered the worst of Wright's books, and I can see why. It's preachy, and if you didn't agree with all his ideas, you wouldn't like it. However, I did agree with him... although it was a bit of overkill for me. I still got sick of the way we talked about "womanhood" and what it meant. Still, everything else was spot on, extremely thought-provoking, and beautifully written. Besides, the love story was so sweet, and I just fell in love with the story.
It was said that this book was really a series of essays that Wright put together in this story in older to sell more books, but somehow I doubt that was his only reasoning. His story was told so subtly that it was easy to put yourself in the place of the characters, and you didn't even realize you did it.
Overall, this book was wonderful. It was sweet and beautiful. I'd suggest it if you enjoy reading older books that contain interesting ideas on life and what it is about.
But enough about my sentiments. The book. I read somewhere that this was considered the worst of Wright's books, and I can see why. It's preachy, and if you didn't agree with all his ideas, you wouldn't like it. However, I did agree with him... although it was a bit of overkill for me. I still got sick of the way we talked about "womanhood" and what it meant. Still, everything else was spot on, extremely thought-provoking, and beautifully written. Besides, the love story was so sweet, and I just fell in love with the story.
It was said that this book was really a series of essays that Wright put together in this story in older to sell more books, but somehow I doubt that was his only reasoning. His story was told so subtly that it was easy to put yourself in the place of the characters, and you didn't even realize you did it.
Overall, this book was wonderful. It was sweet and beautiful. I'd suggest it if you enjoy reading older books that contain interesting ideas on life and what it is about.
July 31, 2020
Review posted here:
https://keturahskorner.blogspot.com/2...
This book may not be everyone's cup of tea. And yet, I think it's a cup of tea worth trying by all. Very poetic, it the story is more of poignancy rather than plot. Though the plot is charming when it makes an appearance.
Normally I like my fiction stronger. But this story works best as is.
Read the full review over at my blog. Or have you read this book or any other book by Harold Bell Wright before?
https://keturahskorner.blogspot.com/2...
This book may not be everyone's cup of tea. And yet, I think it's a cup of tea worth trying by all. Very poetic, it the story is more of poignancy rather than plot. Though the plot is charming when it makes an appearance.
Normally I like my fiction stronger. But this story works best as is.
Read the full review over at my blog. Or have you read this book or any other book by Harold Bell Wright before?
December 26, 2021
The is the third book I have read from the author ( When A Man's A Man and The Re-Creation of Brian Kent being the others) This is the type of book you read and
it changes the way you approach different aspects of your life. It makes you really stop and think. "There are Thirteen Truly Great Things Of Life,No Life can have less.
No Life can have more", writes the author. I will let you decide for yourself if this is true but for me I must agree and with this statement we see that what we only really hold onto in this life is our Yesterday's and what we make of our time. It really is quite short after all. What a delightful book this was and such a joy to read. Yes I don't mind saying I actually cried at the end.
it changes the way you approach different aspects of your life. It makes you really stop and think. "There are Thirteen Truly Great Things Of Life,No Life can have less.
No Life can have more", writes the author. I will let you decide for yourself if this is true but for me I must agree and with this statement we see that what we only really hold onto in this life is our Yesterday's and what we make of our time. It really is quite short after all. What a delightful book this was and such a joy to read. Yes I don't mind saying I actually cried at the end.
March 11, 2010
Once again I've never read the paper back only my 1901 hardback in my extensive collection of old and rare books.
Wright achieved something I have never found with any other author a non rhyming yet poetic frame of thought from the first page to the last page of 311 as well as a story rigid that will hold anyone that's a romantic.
Wright achieved something I have never found with any other author a non rhyming yet poetic frame of thought from the first page to the last page of 311 as well as a story rigid that will hold anyone that's a romantic.
May 2, 2013
If Goodreads had the option of 10 stars, that is what I would have given this book.
I think this is my new FAVORITE Book of all time... at least for the next few months.
It is AMAZING! It is Profound! It makes you feel good all over when reading it.
It is the story of a Man and a Woman who discover 13 great things that make up a life.
SUPER GOOD BOOK!!!!!!!
I think this is my new FAVORITE Book of all time... at least for the next few months.
It is AMAZING! It is Profound! It makes you feel good all over when reading it.
It is the story of a Man and a Woman who discover 13 great things that make up a life.
SUPER GOOD BOOK!!!!!!!
December 17, 2021
Such a lovely, endearing story, and I felt as though the author peered into my own heart when it came to his description of womanhood. Many will think his ideas of womanhood old fashioned and outdated and ridiculous. But many think the same about me as a person, so for me, Their Yesterdays was perfect. Truly a joy to read. On to more of HBW’s books now ….
January 29, 2016
5* Their Yesterdays is wonderfully old-fashioned and inspiring. This beautiful story sets forth the 13 truly great things of life, and how they happen in the lives of everyone. Nothing has been written before or since, that can compare with such a story of life and love.
June 11, 2008
Amazing... so sweet. Keeps you wondering when they'll finally get together.
July 23, 2021
“And they were glad days - those Yesterdays - glad with the gladness of the singing brook. There was none of that knowledge that stains and saddens the heart.”
this book would have been 5 stars if it had only been half as long as it is lol.
I really loved this book. thirteen essays about life mixed in with how they apply to two unnamed childhood friends who have grown apart. the writing was absolutely beautiful with stunning descriptive imagery of nature in the countryside. I gathered some incredibly beautiful quotes during my read of this book. and for the year it was written in (1912 !!), it really wasn’t all that dated. I found that I could still relate to pretty much everything the author talked about. I took my time reading this book, just a few pages each night, because it just led me to the most peaceful sleep. it made my heart so warm.
that being said, my only real complaint about “Their Yesterdays” is that it did start to get repetitive. I feel like a good chunk of the middle could have been removed and the readers still would’ve gotten the same message/story. I found myself dragging through some chapters more than others, but overall that isn’t too big a deal as this book is still very short.
as a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed “Their Yesterdays”, my first read from Harold Bell Wright. I definitely want to pick up other books of his in the future, as I know this isn’t one of his better known works. I recommend that anyone read this book, it can easily be read alongside others as it doesn’t have a huge plot, but rather uses the two characters to drive the thirteen essays on life.
this book would have been 5 stars if it had only been half as long as it is lol.
I really loved this book. thirteen essays about life mixed in with how they apply to two unnamed childhood friends who have grown apart. the writing was absolutely beautiful with stunning descriptive imagery of nature in the countryside. I gathered some incredibly beautiful quotes during my read of this book. and for the year it was written in (1912 !!), it really wasn’t all that dated. I found that I could still relate to pretty much everything the author talked about. I took my time reading this book, just a few pages each night, because it just led me to the most peaceful sleep. it made my heart so warm.
that being said, my only real complaint about “Their Yesterdays” is that it did start to get repetitive. I feel like a good chunk of the middle could have been removed and the readers still would’ve gotten the same message/story. I found myself dragging through some chapters more than others, but overall that isn’t too big a deal as this book is still very short.
as a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed “Their Yesterdays”, my first read from Harold Bell Wright. I definitely want to pick up other books of his in the future, as I know this isn’t one of his better known works. I recommend that anyone read this book, it can easily be read alongside others as it doesn’t have a huge plot, but rather uses the two characters to drive the thirteen essays on life.
May 17, 2024
Sometimes it is nice to go back in time to read a first edition published in 1912 by Harold Bell Wright to realize although we continue to experience change all around us, some values of life will never change. This is a tender story that sets forth the author's thirteen truly amazing things of life and how they happen in the lives of everyone and how they apply to two unnamed childhood friends who have grown apart. Each chapter follows the life of an unnamed man and woman who you learn were once friends in their early childhood as they would meet at the garden gate peeking through the bushes to share secrets and dreams and explore nature in their countryside homes. They have each gone their own way but reflect back on "Their Yesterdays" leading to an ending I won't spoil here. Harold Bell Wright is a former pastor turned author so his style is full of wisdom. My mother had 7 of his books on her bookshelf which led me to pick up this as my first to read by this author. I am so glad I did. I have always like books that focus on the virtues of life. Although it may seem a bit old school for some, I found it refreshing in the confusion of our modern times.
June 11, 2022
Upon opening the cover, there is indeed a breathe of fresh air that beacons you in. As you travel back in time to Yesterdays, there is a simplicity to life, and yet a chaotic, frenzy that is still as tangible as it is today. A beautiful dance of simple times, and the fast-paced modern day. A delightful poetic story of truly understanding the importance to a meaningful life, to obtain, and self-reflect in the most innocent of ways. Once you begin the timeless story to life of Their Yesterdays, you'll find it calls to you to read it again. A book for any age, gender, race, or ethnicity. Fictional, practical, applicable to all is found in the lovely read of Their Yesterdays.
July 2, 2021
I liked the style and the story, but it WAS quite preachy. Apparently a woman who isn't (or can't be) a wife and mother cannot fulfill her Womanhood. The only purpose of humanity is to perpetuate itself. Ugh.
Still, the prose poetry was great. The audiobook reader did a good job (I thought) of conveying the thoughts.
Still, the prose poetry was great. The audiobook reader did a good job (I thought) of conveying the thoughts.
April 4, 2024
Overall, a great book and so sweet. Otherwise a little slow in some parts just because it has more “wisdom essays” between the actual story being told. Points made definitely in what can be seen as “old-fashioned views,” but the story almost accompanies the other bits of writing more than they accompany and compliment the story.
September 1, 2021
A wonderful philosophical look at our lives. A good revisit of what we should hold so dear..manhood, womanhood, fatherhood, motherhood. ❤️
August 10, 2011
A nameless man and woman separately go through life's trials and tribulations (will he succumb to his earthly desires with a fallen woman? can she truly be happy as a successful businesswoman and not a wife and mother? [This is 1912. You can't have it all. You can only be one or the other.], etc.) to eventually cross paths and realize they were meant for each other.
November 28, 2015
an interesting sort of inspirational story. Wright is very unique in his approach, I've never read anything like it. The characters are never mentioned by name.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews