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Jacob's Ladder:: Wisdom for the Heart's Ascent
In Jacob's Ladder a boy arrives at Jacob's door bearing a note that conveys the dying wish of an old friend. Jacob is to raise the orphan Jonah, and guide him until he is ready to sit at the Council of Sages. In this warm and enlightening adventure of the heart, Jacob discovers that "a teacher loves teaching. A father teaches love." With patience, Jacob and young Jonah seek to understand their place in life together and apart. Jacob's Ladder is a book about fatherhood; yet it is also a treasury of answers in the form of brief stories and parables, told by a baker who is a poet of truth and a gentle friend. The questions put to Jacob are as diverse as love and forgiveness, growing older and becoming young, spirituality and work, loss and laughter. When Jacob answers, we are wiser for listening.
- GenresSpirituality
165 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
7 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Noah benShea
29 books15 followersNoah benShea is one of North America’s most respected and popular poet-philosophers. He is also a scholar, theologian, long range thinker, executive advisor, speaker, and International Best-Selling author who was, by the age of 23, an Assistant Dean of Students at UCLA and, by 30, a consulting fellow to a number of esteemed think tanks including The Center for the Humanities at USC and The Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions in Santa Barbara. An inspirational public speaker for 35 years, he has lectured at literally hundreds of universities, including MIT, Harvard, and Duke/Fuqua School of Business, as well as given countless Keynote Addresses including to the Library of Congress. His work has been incorporated in publications of The Congressional Record, Oxford University and the World Bible Society in Jerusalem.
Noah is the International Best-Selling author of 23 books translated into a eighteen languages. With global sales of over two million copies, his books continue a tradition begun with the Jacob the Baker series which have been embraced around the world as timeless fables in countries as diverse as China, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Holland, Japan, Norway, Thailand, Israel, and were on the Korean Top 10 Best Sellers for six months where they sold over 500,000 copies. In 2008 Noah benShea’s Jacob the Baker won First Prize at the European Intellectual Book Fair in Moscow.
Noah’s insightful perspective on life, speaks directly with readers around the world each week. Using Internet search engines the name “Noah benShea” appears on over 60,000 websites, including several foreign language websites, quoting from his speeches, books, and essays.
In 1999 Noah was nominated for the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas That Improve the World. For five years, from 1997 – 2002, his weekly essays were enjoyed by several million readers via the New York Times Newspaper Regional Network and were nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Sometimes referred to as the “Guru’s Guru” and a “Zen Mark Twain,” “An Evening With Noah benShea” was broadcast over national PBS in 150 cities, and Noah has been widely interviewed on radio, television, and in print across North America. He has also had a daily “thought” featured on a regional ABC affiliate and a weekly radio talk show.
Noah benShea | Speaker Best Selling Author | Meet Noah
Noah’s inspirational thoughts are branded and/or tied with some of North America’s largest companies including Starbucks, American Greetings, Lucky Brand Jeans, C&H Sugar, and Costco. His work dramatically impacting the workplace, and has appeared in hospitals, banks, on apparel, teddy bears, over 70 millions sugar packets and over 30 million Starbucks Coffee Cups. And honoring his father’s heroic struggle, Noah in 2005 accepted the title of National Laureate for the ALS Association.
In addition to his reflective life, Noah was a founding partner and later chairman of a national manufacturing company. He is often called upon both for long range forecasting and as an inspirational speaker, to communities and organizations including GAP Inc., Starbucks, and McCaw Communications, as well as The Department of Defense, The Air Force Academy, National Association of Parks and Recreation, and directed studies for 20 year projections for North America’s 50 most prominent developers and retailers. In 2007 he was a visiting professor of philosophy at University of California, San Francisco Medical School and serves as Ethicist for the The Sansum Diabetes Research Institute. Noah has served on Boards of Directors, and as a national lecturer to The Executive Committee, the Young President’s Organization and continues as an executive advisor to North American business and community leaders. Noah is the National Philosopher for Foundations Recovery Network and Executive Director of The Justice Project.
Noah is the father of a daughter, Jordan, and a son, Adam, both of whom are honor graduates of the
Noah is the International Best-Selling author of 23 books translated into a eighteen languages. With global sales of over two million copies, his books continue a tradition begun with the Jacob the Baker series which have been embraced around the world as timeless fables in countries as diverse as China, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Holland, Japan, Norway, Thailand, Israel, and were on the Korean Top 10 Best Sellers for six months where they sold over 500,000 copies. In 2008 Noah benShea’s Jacob the Baker won First Prize at the European Intellectual Book Fair in Moscow.
Noah’s insightful perspective on life, speaks directly with readers around the world each week. Using Internet search engines the name “Noah benShea” appears on over 60,000 websites, including several foreign language websites, quoting from his speeches, books, and essays.
In 1999 Noah was nominated for the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas That Improve the World. For five years, from 1997 – 2002, his weekly essays were enjoyed by several million readers via the New York Times Newspaper Regional Network and were nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Sometimes referred to as the “Guru’s Guru” and a “Zen Mark Twain,” “An Evening With Noah benShea” was broadcast over national PBS in 150 cities, and Noah has been widely interviewed on radio, television, and in print across North America. He has also had a daily “thought” featured on a regional ABC affiliate and a weekly radio talk show.
Noah benShea | Speaker Best Selling Author | Meet Noah
Noah’s inspirational thoughts are branded and/or tied with some of North America’s largest companies including Starbucks, American Greetings, Lucky Brand Jeans, C&H Sugar, and Costco. His work dramatically impacting the workplace, and has appeared in hospitals, banks, on apparel, teddy bears, over 70 millions sugar packets and over 30 million Starbucks Coffee Cups. And honoring his father’s heroic struggle, Noah in 2005 accepted the title of National Laureate for the ALS Association.
In addition to his reflective life, Noah was a founding partner and later chairman of a national manufacturing company. He is often called upon both for long range forecasting and as an inspirational speaker, to communities and organizations including GAP Inc., Starbucks, and McCaw Communications, as well as The Department of Defense, The Air Force Academy, National Association of Parks and Recreation, and directed studies for 20 year projections for North America’s 50 most prominent developers and retailers. In 2007 he was a visiting professor of philosophy at University of California, San Francisco Medical School and serves as Ethicist for the The Sansum Diabetes Research Institute. Noah has served on Boards of Directors, and as a national lecturer to The Executive Committee, the Young President’s Organization and continues as an executive advisor to North American business and community leaders. Noah is the National Philosopher for Foundations Recovery Network and Executive Director of The Justice Project.
Noah is the father of a daughter, Jordan, and a son, Adam, both of whom are honor graduates of the
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 28, 2024
This series is now available electronically. They are amazing reads. Among my all time favourites!
This is a great final novel in the Jacob the Baker trilogy. Preceded by Jacob the Baker and Jacob's Journey, Jacob is back in his hometown. Jacob has received an unexpected gift and responsibility. Ezra, from the council of sages, has sent his orphaned grandson, Johan, to learn wisdom from Jacob.
This is a new phase of life for Jacob, who was always content in the silences of his single life. Now there are the noises and disturbances of a young boy. Yet the boy does not come alone. The local schoolteacher comes to visit Jacob, and wants Jonah to go to school. Thus Ruth becomes friend to both Jacob and Jonah.
This is a great book in the tradition of the Jewish sages. Mr. benShea writes with a skill, power and conviction that will touch your heart.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the author on my blog Book Reviews and More. And also an author profile and interview with Noah benShea.
This is a great final novel in the Jacob the Baker trilogy. Preceded by Jacob the Baker and Jacob's Journey, Jacob is back in his hometown. Jacob has received an unexpected gift and responsibility. Ezra, from the council of sages, has sent his orphaned grandson, Johan, to learn wisdom from Jacob.
This is a new phase of life for Jacob, who was always content in the silences of his single life. Now there are the noises and disturbances of a young boy. Yet the boy does not come alone. The local schoolteacher comes to visit Jacob, and wants Jonah to go to school. Thus Ruth becomes friend to both Jacob and Jonah.
This is a great book in the tradition of the Jewish sages. Mr. benShea writes with a skill, power and conviction that will touch your heart.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the author on my blog Book Reviews and More. And also an author profile and interview with Noah benShea.
November 7, 2023
I finally had an opportunity to read never been she is Jacob's L: Wisdom for the Hearts Ascent... A wonderful exploration of the relationship between an elder and a future community leader. As a person who serves at Florida Atlantic University as a mentor of business students I believe this will end up being an invaluable book in my library. Filled with charm, wit, chutzpah and wisdom I read the entire thing in one sitting to get the whole sweep of it, but will surely go back and read a little each day to allow those seeds to find their home in the soil of my heart.
February 28, 2018
Loved the series
I found this series of Jacob hard to put down. The short chapters gives the reader the opportunity to pause for reflection. I will probably re-read parts if not the whole series again in the future.
I found this series of Jacob hard to put down. The short chapters gives the reader the opportunity to pause for reflection. I will probably re-read parts if not the whole series again in the future.
May 10, 2019
Fantastic book which truly does give the best advice. Great to read over the weekend, leisurely pace, perhaps at the beach.
January 26, 2021
A worthy sequel.
February 24, 2021
A worthy sequel.
April 29, 2013
This is a great final novel in the Jacob the Baker trilogy. Preceded by Jacob the Baker and Jacob's Journey, Jacob is back in his hometown. Jacob has received an unexpected gift and responsibility. Ezra, from the council of sages, has sent his orphaned grandson, Johan, to learn wisdom from Jacob.
This is a new phase of life for Jacob, who was always content in the silences of his single life. Now there are the noises and disturbances of a young boy. Yet the boy does not come alone. The local schoolteacher comes to visit Jacob, and wants Jonah to go to school. Thus Ruth becomes friend to both Jacob and Jonah.
This is a great book in the tradition of the Jewish sages. Mr. benShea writes with a skill, power and conviction that will touch your heart.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the author on my blog Book Reviews and More. And also an author profile and interview with Noah benShea.
This is a new phase of life for Jacob, who was always content in the silences of his single life. Now there are the noises and disturbances of a young boy. Yet the boy does not come alone. The local schoolteacher comes to visit Jacob, and wants Jonah to go to school. Thus Ruth becomes friend to both Jacob and Jonah.
This is a great book in the tradition of the Jewish sages. Mr. benShea writes with a skill, power and conviction that will touch your heart.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the author on my blog Book Reviews and More. And also an author profile and interview with Noah benShea.
January 2, 2023
This is a great final novel in the Jacob the Baker trilogy. Preceded by Jacob the Baker and Jacob's Journey, Jacob is back in his hometown. Jacob has received an unexpected gift and responsibility. Ezra, from the council of sages, has sent his orphaned grandson, Johan, to learn wisdom from Jacob.
This is a new phase of life for Jacob, who was always content in the silences of his single life. Now there are the noises and disturbances of a young boy. Yet the boy does not come alone. The local schoolteacher comes to visit Jacob, and wants Jonah to go to school. Thus Ruth becomes friend to both Jacob and Jonah.
This is a great book in the tradition of the Jewish sages. Mr. benShea writes with a skill, power and conviction that will touch your heart.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the author on my blog Book Reviews and More. And also an author profile and interview with Noah benShea.
This is a new phase of life for Jacob, who was always content in the silences of his single life. Now there are the noises and disturbances of a young boy. Yet the boy does not come alone. The local schoolteacher comes to visit Jacob, and wants Jonah to go to school. Thus Ruth becomes friend to both Jacob and Jonah.
This is a great book in the tradition of the Jewish sages. Mr. benShea writes with a skill, power and conviction that will touch your heart.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the author on my blog Book Reviews and More. And also an author profile and interview with Noah benShea.
August 12, 2013
Want to take a dive into a pool full of wisdom other than the book of Proverbs? This is the book to invest your time in. This is also one of the few books that I would reread because the points are so profound.
July 19, 2008
Short & sweet!
February 25, 2013
Jacob teachs his wisdom in thought provoking short stories.
August 27, 2013
A very gentle book with seemingly simple stories that show great wisdom and insight.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews