This book is about art; friendship; and an exceptional person who inspired joy in others and who was a great abstract painter.Beloved for his free spirit; humor and incredible counseling skills; Hari E. Thomas (1938-2011) was a gifted and prolific abstract painter who left a legacy of colorful; mixed media works; mostly on paper. Born in Des Moines; Iowa; Thomas moved to San Francisco in 1969; the Summer of Love; and he remained there for over 40 years. Always wary of egotism and intent on subduing his own ego; Thomas rarely showed his paintings in the later half of his life; hence he is unknown as a painter except with close friends and family. Presented here are 108 reproductions of his paintings; together with his life story based on interviews with his son and closest friends; and on the authors memories of him.Thomas was a spiritualist and freethinker who read copiously; meditated regularly; and shared what he learned. He believed in a holistic approach to life; was a staunch vegetarian; and advised others on a myriad of subjects; including nutrition and healing; relationships; meditation and career issues. Above all; Thomas steadily encouraged others to find joy through their own creative expression. In his vibrant paintings; viewers can see evidence of Thomas dynamism; discipline; energy; and connectedness to the more invisible; spiritual aspects of life. His mixed media paim nags; many of which have three-dimensional and relief formation; exude joy.Thomas paintings add abundantly to the global art heritage of abstract art and to the legacy of American artists; especially African Americans and Native Americans; since Thomas was a blend of these ethnicities. crossing all lines of race; culture; and creed; Thomas life teemed with love; brotherhood and friendships. His story therefore contributes mightily to a world yearning for peace.
#3593123 in eBooks 2014-08-27 2015-09-04File Name: B019BE64FA
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. is an interesting glimpse into the style of military leadership practiced by leaders like Jafa. to lead young rookie fighter pilBy ToofanifanWhile there are a quite few accounts by Fighter Pilots describing capture and captivity during the Vietnam war(including a very moving account by senator John McCain)very few such accounts exist.detailing this aspect of the Indo Pak wars which took place in the same time frame. Dhirendra S Jafas book was actually published earlier under the title "Three countries.one people".It covers the same escape and recapture adventure narrated in the recently published "Four miles to Freedom".However after reading Wingco Jafas account it would appear that even though he could not take part in the actual escape(due to his injuries).he was in many respects the escape plan leader.especially in view of the fact that the senior IAF Officer was against the plan.as he assessed the risks to be too high.The main part of the book is written in the 3rd person in the style of a fiction novel.it therefore succeeds in describing aspects of the POW experience as if by a detached observer.and not one of the participants. In fact he uses the various experiences in captivity as a subtext for a commentary on larger political questions that plague the 3 countries of the Sub-continent to this day.But that apart.what is of greater interest to me as a student of military history... is an interesting glimpse into the style of military leadership practiced by leaders like Jafa. to lead young rookie fighter pilots into combat both in the air and on the ground.
