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TESTIMONIALS FROM READERS OF

Harper’s Poetry Books

(Partial List of Comments, 1987 to 2023)

I was introduced to the work of Fred Harper by a listener who gave me a copy of his book  Poems on Love and Life. I read some of the poems with “Blues” in the background on my radio show. The audience loved it.

The Late Napoleon “Nap” Turner, Formerly of WPFW Radio, Washington, DC

(Mr. Turner read Dr. Harper’s poetry on radio regularly for more than 15 years along with the writings of the great Langston Hughes.)

I am a huge fan of your work. Last year, I emailed you after my class read your amazing poetry and analyzed the themes we believed you were communicating through your poem “We Can: A Message to Humankind.” Our class was OVER THE MOON when you responded, and it was one of our favorite fifth grade memories. This year, we just studied your poetry and have again written letters to you this year focusing on how the theme was
developed from either “We Can: A Message to Humankind,” “Class,” or “Right and Wrong.”

Kelsey Craft, Fifth Grade Teacher, Willow Oak School in Mulberry, Florida

This [Beyond Fear] is my favorite of your poem books thus far. The profundity of the philosophy had me awestruck at times. Your poems are so delicately written in a way where many can be put to music. They read like Shakespeare, Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes, and the book of Proverbs.

Vanessa Mizell, Journalist and Author, Washington, DC

Dr. Harper’s Spiritual Teacher Speaks is simply magnificent! It is another great work of his . . . one for this century. Harper has been blessed with the capacity, energy, vision, vocabulary, and sensitivity to think, feel, articulate, and then put “pen to paper”—to capture all of this for us to savor and benefit. He has a way of getting to the feelings and heart of issues; to cover all bases and write things just as I would imagine they should be written. I am again mesmerized by Frederick Douglas Harper’s unending talent and creativity.

Dr. F. Yvonne Hicks, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC

Of all the books I have read, next to the [Holy] Bible, I have never felt so much emotion as I felt as I read poem after poem in your book, Poems on Love and Life. Tears mixed with emotions were uncontrollable as I related to the words . . . .

Bertha Harrod, Alexandria, Virginia

Dr. Frederick Harper is admired on an international level as a great teacher, scholar, writer, and poet. He is to poetry as Leontyne Price is to opera and Michael Jordan is to basketball.

Dr. Richard T. Hadley, Professor Emeritus of Music, North Carolina

I was left speechless by the time I turned the last page of this critical, essential book, Black Elder Speaks, that everyone needs to read to comprehend Black history and culture. And no person could have written such a book better than Professor Frederick D. Harper who has authored seventeen books of poetry, a novel, a satire, short stories and numerous articles and book chapters.

Dr. Anita Nahal, Author and Professor

Dr. Frederick Douglas Harper survived cancer and lived to tell. His life is an inspiration.He shows us the power of words, reservoirs of strength and courage. He is a prolific author. His writing guides readers to look at spirituality through a new lens. His bravery in expressing himself when he could have been silent is remarkable. He’s left behind a legacy. It’s up to us to take advantage of the opportunity to look more closely at the soul and self through Dr. Harper’s perspective. I’ve read and reread this eBook. It’s a gift from a gifted man—both scholarly and spiritual. Enjoy! [Comment to Harper’s book, Surviving Cancer]

Yerusalem Work, Author, Librarian, and Teacher of English as a Second Language

TESTIMONIALS FROM READERS OF

Frederick Douglas Harper’s The Durabone Prophecies

The Novel

Dr. Harper, you really did it. I have to remind myself of how much insight you had to have, in so many areas to put it all (so much) on paper. I’m amazed—but not really.

Dr. F. Yvonne Hicks, Retired U.S. Government Worker

This is a novel and a teaching/learning tool—very unique in that way. I just love all that I have read. I appreciate your mastery of “style of good novel writing.” I’m under 100 pages, because I like to read some sections twice. I like the way they read!! I've noted that your style in this novel makes me feel that I’m somewhere in the same room with the characters (dressed up and standing right next to them). When Dr. Durabone asked Dorothy if she wanted champagne, I answered, “Yes, thank you . . . .” Great style and attention to detail . . .puts the reader right in the restaurant, right on the highway, right on the sofa—resisting the touches, affection, and advances.

Librarian and U.S. Government Worker

I am almost half way through your novel. It is indeed an interesting read. I do know one thing: I have not been able to put it down. It has been a long time since a novel has held my attention that way. It’s a beautiful story. I shed a tear when I got to the climax of the story about the shooting of a main character . . . it was also the emotional tension and earlier events that built up to the violent event.

Dr. Clemmont E. Vontress, Retired Counseling Professor

Your novel kept me guessing, anticipating, wondering what’s going to happen next.

Dr. Jerome W. Spechler, DDS, Dentist

Dear Dr. Harper: It’s 12:51 a.m. I began reading The Durabone Prophecies earlier this evening and have yet to put it down!

Dr. Leslie Fenwick, Former Dean, Howard University

I am four chapters into the book, and all I can say is Wow! I am eagerly wanting to know what is next, but I am reluctantly forced to put it down because of other pressing obligations. The fact that I picked it up and got as far as I did is a bit surprising to me, but indeed, as you said, it holds your interest and peaks the curiosity.

Daphne Wright, CPA

You know a book is good when you’re having a conversation with the characters in the book. I’ve just finished chapter five and that was mind boggling. I’ve read many books that touched on these subjects [“managing human energy”], but it was never broken down so clearly.

Government Employee, Chicago

The book should be a movie! It’s brilliant.

Retired Teacher, Miami

In general, it is an interesting book [The Durabone Prophecies] with many subplots. In fact, the book could have been published as a few books because of its diversity. There are passages that (to me as a writer more than a reader) read quite well because they feel more like ‘poetry’ in the Greek sense. The book encourages awareness of subjects that most people stay away from such as the ‘paranormal’ (Akashic records, Cayce, Maya world, prophecies, etc.). Though the subjects are not new, it is good people are reminded because there is a need for awareness of matters that most people prefer to dismiss just because dealing with them implies movement from their comfort zone.

Dr. Edith M. Baez-Baez, Magazine Editor and Former Professor of Literature

The Durabone Prophecies is one of the best books that I have read in a very long time. Once you begin reading the book it becomes very difficult to put it down because of the suspense. It arouses very strong emotions in the reader, that keeps vacillating between the various characters. I became emotionally connected to one of the characters. Certain parts of the novel made me feel that the book was about my life story. I read parts of the book while I was living in Washington DC, and I easily identified with some of the locations. Some parts of the book were so hilarious. that I would have to contain myself from laughing out loud while reading the book on the train in New York City. This book is definitely awesome and a must read for anyone looking for a good book. Don't be intimidated by the size of the book, it is definitely needed to complete the story. I can't wait for a follow-up to The Durabone Prophecies.

Donna Cerrio, Former Doctoral Student

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