The Treehouse : Eccentric Wisdom From My Father on How to Live, Love, and See

The feminist author of Misconceptions and The Beauty Myth shares life lessons taught by her father, poet Leonard Wolf, in a personal portrait that traces his Depression-era youth and offers insight into his beliefs about the learned quality of happiness. Reprint. 35,000 first printing. Bestselling author Naomi Wolf was brought up to believe that happiness is something that can be taught -- and learned. In this magical book, Naomi shares the enduring wisdom of her father, Leonard Wolf, a poet and teacher who believes that every person is an artist in their own unique way, and that personal creativity is the secret of happiness. Leonard Wolf is a true eccentric. A tall, craggy, good-looking man in his early eighties, he's the kind of person who likes to use a medieval astrolabe, dress in Basque shepherd's clothing, and convince otherwise sensible people to quit their jobs and follow their passions. A gifted teacher, he's dedicated his life to honoring individualism, creativity, and the inspirational power of art. Leonard believes, and has made many others believe, that inside everyone is an artist, and success and happiness in life depend on whether or not one values and acts upon one's creative impulse. In The Treehouse , Naomi Wolf's most personal book yet, Naomi outlines her father's lessons in creating lasting happiness and offers inspiration for the artist in all of us. The book begins when Naomi asks Leonard to help build a treehouse for his granddaughter. Inspired by his dedication to her daughter's imaginative world, Naomi asks her father to walk her through the lessons of his popular poetry class and show her how he teaches people to liberate their creative selves. Drawn from Leonard's handwritten lecture notes, the chapters of The Treehouse remind us to "Be Still and Listen," "Use Your Imagination," "Do Nothing Without Passion," and that "Your Only Wage Will Be Joy," and "Mistakes Are Part of the Draft." More than an education in poetry writing, this is a journey of self-discovery in which the creative endeavor is paramount. Naomi also offers glimpses into her father's past -- from his youth during the Depression to his bohemian years as a poet in 1950s San Francisco -- and the evolution of Leonard's highly individualistic vision of the artist's way. She reconsiders her own childhood and realizes the transformative effect Leonard's philosophy has had on her own life, as well as the lives of her students and friends. The Treehouse is ultimately a stirring personal history, a meditation on fathers and daughters, an argument for honoring the creative impulse, and unique instruction in the art of personal happiness. Bestselling Author Naomi Wolf Was Brought Up To Believe That Happiness Is Something That Can Be Taught--and Learned. In This Book, She Shares The Enduring Wisdom Of Her Father, A Poet And Teacher Who Believes That Every Person Is An Artist In Their Own Unique Way, And That Personal Creativity Is The Secret Of Happiness. Leonard Wolf Is A True Eccentric: A Tall, Craggy, Good-looking Man In His Early Eighties, He's The Kind Of Person Who Can Convince Otherwise Sensible People To Quit Their Jobs And Follow Their Passions. From His Youth During The Depression To His Bohemian Years As A Poet In 1950s San Francisco, He's Dedicated His Life To Honoring Individualism, Creativity, And The Inspirational Power Of Art. More Than An Education In Poetry Writing, This Is A Journey Of Self-discovery In Which The Creative Endeavor Is Paramount.--publisher Description. Be Still And Listen -- Use Your Imagination -- Destroy The Box -- Speak In Your Own Voice -- Identify Your Heart's Desire -- Do Nothing Without Passion -- Be Disciplined With Your Gift -- Pay Attention To The Details -- Your Only Wage Will Be Joy -- Mistakes Are Part Of The Draft -- Frame Your Work -- Sign It And Let It Go. Naomi Wolf.

Leonard Wolf, a retired professor now in his early eighties, is the kind of person who likes to use a medieval astrolabe, dress in Basque shepherd's clothing, and convince otherwise sensible people to quit their jobs and follow their passions. Leonard believes that inside everyone is an artist, and that happiness in life depends on valuing and acting upon one's creative impulse. In The Treehouse, her most personal book yet, Naomi Wolf outlines her father's lessons in creating lasting success and happiness, and offers inspiration for the artist in all of us.

Drawn from Leonard's lecture notes, the chapters of The Treehouse remind us to Be Still and Listen, Use Your Imagination, and Do Nothing Without Passion, and that Your Only Wage Will Be Joy and Mistakes Are Part of the Draft. This is a journey of self-discovery in which the creative endeavor is paramount.

The Treehouse is a stirring personal history, a meditation on fathers and daughters, an argument for honoring the creative impulse, and a unique instruction in the art of personal happiness.

Nominated for the 2006 Books for a Better Life Award

"Author Naomi Wolf was brought up to believe that happiness is something that can be taught - and learned. In this book, Naomi shares the enduring wisdom of her father, Leonard Wolf, a poet and teacher who believes that every person is an artist in their own unique way, and that personal creativity is the secret of happiness." "Naomi also offers glimpses into her father's past - from his youth during the Depression to his bohemian years as a poet in 1950s San Francisco - and the evolution of Leonard's highly individualistic vision of the artist's way. She reconsiders her own childhood and realizes the transformative effect Leonard's philosophy has had on her own life, as well as the lives of her students and friends. The Treehouse is ultimately a personal history, a meditation on fathers and daughters, an argument for honoring the creative impulse, and unique instruction in the art of personal happiness."--Jacket The feminist author of Misconceptions and The Beauty Myth shares life lessons taught by her father, poet Leonard Wolf, in a personal portrait that traces his Depression-era youth and offers insight into his beliefs about the learned quality of happiness. 75,000 first printing. DURING A YEAR of chaos, right after I turned forty, I bought a nearly derelict house in the midst of a desolate meadow that was dense with thorns.