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Remembering Isaac #3
Becoming Isaac: The Next Potter of Niederbipp
The next potter of Niederbipp. Volume three in a series by Ben Behunin. Remember, discover, become.
444 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
19 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Ben Behunin
20 books48 followersIt has long been my feeling that biographical sketches should be written in first person because almost all of them are written by the person they're about anyway, pretending to be someone else so as to make themselves look cool or important enough that someone would care to write something about them. I am neither a great pretender, nor good at writing in third person, but I'll do what I can to make you feel like reading this was worthwhile.
I was born at a very early age in Provo, Utah, the first child of seven children that joined the family over the next 14 years. I was raised in primarily in Utah, but also lived in Ohio and Florida. From the time I was very young, I enjoyed making art, drawing, carving, making up games and stories. Through grade school and junior high, I lived in a neighborhood that was nearly exclusively occupied by old people. Having no one to play with beyond my own siblings, I made friends with the old folks and would often sit with them on their porches and listen to their stories as they fed me lemon drops and moon pies.
I was first exposed to pottery in a freshman ceramics class. I took the class thinking it would be an "easy A". In reality, it was neither easy or an A. I was terrible, my experience being much like Jake's in the book. I kept working at it though and earned myself a small scholarship to Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho where I continued my studies.
A mission for my church took me to Switzerland, Germany and Austria for two years beginning in 1993. While living in Tiengen, Germany, I met Irene Adeler, a German potter who invited me to return and work for her in her Pottery in 1995. I spent four months as her apprentice before returning home to continue my education in Hawaii. The experience in Germany was instrumental in my education and my decision to become a potter. I continued to study art and business in Hawaii before transferring to the University of Utah.
After making a few semesters worth of landfill art, I changed majors a couple of times and with sixteen credits left to graduate, I decided I would rather die than give any more money or creativity to the school, so I dropped out and have never looked back. Since 1996, I have been a full-time potter. I married Lynnette Scott in 1997. Our son Isaac was born four years later and Eve joined the family three years after that. After borrowing a neighbors studio, and sharing one with a partner, I built a studio in my backyard. This is also where I do most of my writing.
I first visited Niederbipp in 1994 and thought it would be a great name for my first born. Fortunately for my son, he has a very practical mother.
When I'm not making pots or pretending to be a writer, I like to eat strong cheese, listen to bluegrass music and hike in the mountains near my home, not necessarily all at the same time, but it wouldn't be a bad idea. I wear bow ties whenever I have to dress up. We don't have any pets, but sometimes we pretend we do. I often dream I can fly, but that is another story.
I was born at a very early age in Provo, Utah, the first child of seven children that joined the family over the next 14 years. I was raised in primarily in Utah, but also lived in Ohio and Florida. From the time I was very young, I enjoyed making art, drawing, carving, making up games and stories. Through grade school and junior high, I lived in a neighborhood that was nearly exclusively occupied by old people. Having no one to play with beyond my own siblings, I made friends with the old folks and would often sit with them on their porches and listen to their stories as they fed me lemon drops and moon pies.
I was first exposed to pottery in a freshman ceramics class. I took the class thinking it would be an "easy A". In reality, it was neither easy or an A. I was terrible, my experience being much like Jake's in the book. I kept working at it though and earned myself a small scholarship to Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho where I continued my studies.
A mission for my church took me to Switzerland, Germany and Austria for two years beginning in 1993. While living in Tiengen, Germany, I met Irene Adeler, a German potter who invited me to return and work for her in her Pottery in 1995. I spent four months as her apprentice before returning home to continue my education in Hawaii. The experience in Germany was instrumental in my education and my decision to become a potter. I continued to study art and business in Hawaii before transferring to the University of Utah.
After making a few semesters worth of landfill art, I changed majors a couple of times and with sixteen credits left to graduate, I decided I would rather die than give any more money or creativity to the school, so I dropped out and have never looked back. Since 1996, I have been a full-time potter. I married Lynnette Scott in 1997. Our son Isaac was born four years later and Eve joined the family three years after that. After borrowing a neighbors studio, and sharing one with a partner, I built a studio in my backyard. This is also where I do most of my writing.
I first visited Niederbipp in 1994 and thought it would be a great name for my first born. Fortunately for my son, he has a very practical mother.
When I'm not making pots or pretending to be a writer, I like to eat strong cheese, listen to bluegrass music and hike in the mountains near my home, not necessarily all at the same time, but it wouldn't be a bad idea. I wear bow ties whenever I have to dress up. We don't have any pets, but sometimes we pretend we do. I often dream I can fly, but that is another story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
July 26, 2011
I'm so weird. These potter books sorta made me crazy...they're so FILLED with excessive preaching and nothing really happens in all three books, except relationships are revealed, explored, and healed at an amazing rate. So why did I read all three books? Part of me really liked all the insights, the excellent quotes, the healing of relationships. A LOT of me liked the thought of living in a town like Niederbipp where everyone cares about everyone else and will drop everything and help out when needed. (Sort of like Hurricane, UT!!!) And...as I already mentioned in the first one...I loved reading about the actual making of pottery. I don't know why. I just did.
Oh. And did I mention all the food references? There's a baker in the town of Niederbipp who makes the crustiest, tastiest sounding bread. I swear, those people do nothing more than eat sandwiches and talk all day.
A quote I liked from this latest book: "Joy, in all its glory, can only be obtained through unselfishness."
Another quote from William Penn: "I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there by any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again."
See? Preachy? YES. Even smarmy? YES. But I powered on and read all three to see Jake and Amy finally get married and quit just TALKING about it! ARRRGGGGH!
Oh. And did I mention all the food references? There's a baker in the town of Niederbipp who makes the crustiest, tastiest sounding bread. I swear, those people do nothing more than eat sandwiches and talk all day.
A quote I liked from this latest book: "Joy, in all its glory, can only be obtained through unselfishness."
Another quote from William Penn: "I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there by any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again."
See? Preachy? YES. Even smarmy? YES. But I powered on and read all three to see Jake and Amy finally get married and quit just TALKING about it! ARRRGGGGH!
June 6, 2012
As I have said previously, I cannot be objective about the Isaac series. I know Ben, the author, personally. We have been friends for over 20 years. I know how much these books mean to him and besides enjoying the story of Isaac, Jake and Amy and all the other Neiderbippians, I appreciate the vision it took for a potter to live his dreams. First he took the risk of making a living as a potter and succeded! And has now taken on the dream to write. I am inspired by the story of Jake and even more so by the author himself. Thanks for Neiderbipp Ben!
October 17, 2019
It was interesting to hear about being a potter and the relationships he has there in Niederbipp.
October 18, 2010
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I would have liked to, but I take the blame. I wanted to get this book finished and so I rushed through it, instead of taking my time. This quicker reading didn't seem to be a problem with the first two books, but somehow it was in this book. I think this book is every bit as good as the first two, but somehow my rushing took a lot of the joy out of it. I haven't had a lot of time to read since the kids started school and so I've gotten overwhelemed by all the books I have piling up. Finishing a book these days seems to cross something off of a mental check list instead of being a joy.
The book itself is a great conclusion to the series. I enjoyed the introduction to even more interesting townspeople and learning of their stories and conncections to Isaac. I did, however, miss some of the previouos characters who didn't play as big of a role.
I still felt uplifted as I read and I continued to enjoy the symbolism of the book. The lessons seemed a little bit more forced this time, though that may have to do with my quick reading. Still I learned a lot and have enjoyed the series. I also enjoyed buying this third and last book at the author's open house. Meeting an author isn't something that I get to do everyday.
The book itself is a great conclusion to the series. I enjoyed the introduction to even more interesting townspeople and learning of their stories and conncections to Isaac. I did, however, miss some of the previouos characters who didn't play as big of a role.
I still felt uplifted as I read and I continued to enjoy the symbolism of the book. The lessons seemed a little bit more forced this time, though that may have to do with my quick reading. Still I learned a lot and have enjoyed the series. I also enjoyed buying this third and last book at the author's open house. Meeting an author isn't something that I get to do everyday.
July 11, 2015
This is the third and final book of the Isaac series... Simple, wise, thought provoking, and I loved them. I think I'm going to read them all again - simply so I can reread the lessons of life. They are gentle books - based on amazing insights into life, the learning process, and the loving that takes place here. I admit - I'm biased, the author is a great man... He just spoke at my mom's book club and I have his pottery at my home, as well as I sell his books at the bakery... All that aside - I would still recommend his books!
Just re-read all the books in this series... Ahhhhh... simply love them... simple, deep, full of truth, and it just strengthens my desire to create a world like this... one day, one friend, one act at a time... Thank you Ben for sharing these with all of us!
Just re-read all the books in this series... Ahhhhh... simply love them... simple, deep, full of truth, and it just strengthens my desire to create a world like this... one day, one friend, one act at a time... Thank you Ben for sharing these with all of us!
April 18, 2012
I have totally loved the Isaac books and having finished all three now understand that the people of Niderbipp are living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, doing all that they can to promote joy, love as opposed to fear, teaching others of the Lord's message to 'be still and know that I am God'. Making an effort to help others to do all they can to keep their marriage covenants, keeping their love alive. These are beautiful books. Filled with great quotes, useful for teaching lessons, giving talks, or just building good relationships.
August 31, 2018
This is a beautiful series of books. This is the last final book. It is about a potter and written by a potter. This book in particular contained more "truths" of the universe, gospel of Christianity, and love. I really like that the author left somethings less solved. I would not read this series out of order. They build on one another. I read books 2 and 3 back to back and that did at times left me impatient. It was like watching a river move slowly - you know where it's headed and you want it to hurry up and get there already. Glad I read the series.
March 17, 2011
A nice ending to a really sweet series. The characters are endearing and I appreciate their growth. It makes me want to buy pottery.
October 28, 2023
Really enjoyed this series but got a little to wordy. I felt like he was trying to put to much into it. but still loved it.
July 4, 2024
This book is wonderful read for a light hearted story. I really enjoyed the moments for self reflection as I read. It’s a spiritual journey that is fun to watch as others lead by example.
June 25, 2022
I enjoy the books from this series. I absolutely love the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. That alone is worth the book purchase.
Isaac’s journey is uplifting. I’ve shared the series with many and have purchased the set, which I rarely do.
I’m a voracious reader and save five stars for fabulous writing and amazing plots. This book and the others in the series don’t rise to that level. But they’re enjoyable and worth the read.
Follow me on Instagram @mrsladywordsmith for more in-depth reviews of clean reads.
Isaac’s journey is uplifting. I’ve shared the series with many and have purchased the set, which I rarely do.
I’m a voracious reader and save five stars for fabulous writing and amazing plots. This book and the others in the series don’t rise to that level. But they’re enjoyable and worth the read.
Follow me on Instagram @mrsladywordsmith for more in-depth reviews of clean reads.
January 31, 2017
I would probably give this book 3.5 stars. This felt the most forced of the three books. I hated the substitution of "God" with "the universe" and the author did that a lot in this third book. Why take God out of the equation? Weird. Overall I loved this series. I liked the concept, the peace, the beauty of the world. They aren't FANTASTICALLY written, but I overlook that because of how they make me feel.
January 11, 2023
Very edifying. I feel this book is a true miracle in these days of worldly fictional books.
I am a volunteer mentor to many people in the South Sudanese community. I am also a father and grandfather to 5 children and 22 grandchildren. And as a virtual "Isaac," this book has helped me.
This book reminds me of another book, "The 5am Club." Both of these books are dedicated to teaching great habits, in the context of an interesting story.
I am a volunteer mentor to many people in the South Sudanese community. I am also a father and grandfather to 5 children and 22 grandchildren. And as a virtual "Isaac," this book has helped me.
This book reminds me of another book, "The 5am Club." Both of these books are dedicated to teaching great habits, in the context of an interesting story.
May 2, 2021
Book three in the series. I liked this final sort of quirky book. Lots of lovable characters which were also in the first two books. A fair amount of discussion of love and kindness in the mixed up world. Love is the answer to most questions. These books are not great literature but they are better than Moby Dick, :) Which great literature.
July 19, 2022
I thought this book series was incredibly cute. I appreciated the scriptures and happy thoughts throughout the book and the message about forgiveness and redemption. This is a book that I will keep on my shelf of favorites and share with others. :)
If you're Christian and looking for a nice book to read filled with families, stories and shareable moments, I highly recommend this book.
If you're Christian and looking for a nice book to read filled with families, stories and shareable moments, I highly recommend this book.
March 18, 2018
The series is very good. It endears you to the goodness of the people of Niederbipp and that forgiveness and hope are everyday occurrences. It had many wonderful life lessons that are real and worth emulating. A feel good series.
October 21, 2019
Oh the typos! Even spellchecker could have saved this one! I liked the first book, but by this one there were so many trite sermons that the plot nearly went nowhere.
I'll save you the trouble: It's all about love and selflessness, and rocks.
I'll save you the trouble: It's all about love and selflessness, and rocks.
June 19, 2021
I love this book and this series. It took me way to long to read and it's a series that I would quite like to own. The lessons and stories are thought provoking and helpful. I recommend this book to everybody.
April 20, 2023
Great ending, beautiful story, but gets caught up in the same conversations over and over and, like the other books, is a little wordy. But the series is worth the read, even if just giving you a perspective.
March 8, 2018
Wonderful stories of selflessness and love.
May 18, 2018
Wonderful conclusion with even more insights for living a peaceful, loving life.
May 29, 2018
Pretty much the same as the first two. Preachy, corny, and sentimental but I believe in the underlying message and it was a sweet story to read and be reminded of those truths.
December 1, 2018
Final book in the series and probably the best in terms of lessons to be learned.
July 24, 2020
Love this series!
January 5, 2021
Very well worth the read.
Read
October 21, 2021The end of the story. Or is it. Fun read.
January 19, 2022
Probably more like a 2.5 I felt these books got more and more preachy. I liked the storyline but I think all three books could have been edited down to one if he didn't preach all of the time!
January 7, 2023
I loved it and got a lot of good wisdom and healing from these books!!
June 13, 2024
Just couldn’t finish this one.
October 7, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews