Willette Kotan: A Backward Glance

About the Book

Willette Kotan: A Backward Glance presents glimpses into some of the world's most beautiful settings while reminding the reader that every destination has its unique personality. From Richard Wright's abbreviated summation on racism in the United States to a reexamination of the fundamentalist view of Buddhism, Willette Kotan’s travel notes on living life to the fullest will inspire and educate.

This biographical volume includes travel notes about some of the most beautiful locations a tourist can explore. Within Kotan’s journal are historical tidbits and abbreviated philosophical notes relating her thoughts on her sights and experiences. In the course of her adventures, there are many passages that incorporate humor along with the facts—a memorable combination.

More than just a biography and travel log, this book portrays Willette Kotan’s everyday and yet extraordinary life. Presented by her brother, John Sheldon, it relates her observations, insights, and worldviews, both to tell her story and in hopes that they may offer a broadened perspective on the world and its inhabitants.

The reader will find the index by classification helpful: a list of celebrity quotes, aspects of unfair government farming policies, a viewpoint of racism as expressed by Richard Wright in 1945, the reading process as well as other topics of interest outside of travel.

About the Author

Born in Waukegan, Illinois, John Sheldon received his BA in English from University of Lake Forest. He began his thirty-year teaching career in an isolated Aleutian community in Chenega, Alaska. He received his MA from the University of San Francisco. Now retired, he is an active member of South Salem Seniors.