All Flags Flying

by William Sears

350 Pages

Genres: Baha I

Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

William Sears (March 28, 1911 - March 25, 1992) was a prominent American Bahá'í teacher and writer.

Sears was appointed a Hand of the Cause by Shoghi Effendi in the last contingent of Hands prior to his death in 1957.

Sears was a United States television and radio personality. He remains an extremely popular author in the Bahá'í community.

(source: Wikipedia June 28, 2008)

Picture reproduced with permission of the Bahá’í International Community.

Reviews

[Negin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more suitable for Baha’is or for those who are somewhat familiar with the Faith. I first read this more than thirty years ago and have always loved William Sears’s books. My only criticism with this one is the lack of continuity. I wish that the stories were more chronological. I should have re-read his other memoir first.

I got all emotional and teary-eyed when he described the “Zoo Crew” puppet show. Many years ago, after my husband read this book, he created a puppet show that was aired on TV with the same name. William Sears’s puppet show was our inspiration. Some of those episodes are on YouTube. I was one of the puppets and watching those episodes bring back such wonderful memories!

I loved the descriptions of their dachshunds (they had eleven of them!); the cakes that his wife Marguerite would bake; and all their travels.

William Sears and his wife Marguerite


On their way to South Africa


My favorite quotes:

“Do something every day for the Faith … Never let a day go by without doing something – however great, however small.”

“The goal of every Baha’i is to become a better person, a finer human being. I realize with melancholy sadness that I myself am still a long way down the road.”

[Larissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, this book contains some delightful stories, but on the other hand Sears gets off on so many tangents that there's a total lack of continuity. It can be hard to follow at times. I'm not sorry I read it, just don't expect it to live up to his earlier memoir, God Loves Laughter.

[Maeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. William Sears is an amazing writer. I would recommend reading God Loves Laughter first though as that was his first memoir, unlike me that read them in reverse.