Beachcombing at Miramar: The Quest for an Authentic Life

It is impossible to read Richard Bode’s book without feeling the rhythm of the waves that shape his days as a beachcomber at Miramar.I live across the highway from Miramar, up in the hills of El Granada, where I can look down at the sea from a distance and hear the waves. I’m retired now and walk along the Coastal Trail at Miramar in the afternoon. Having read his book, I can imagine meeting Richard there, and the kind of conversation we’d have as we’d reflect on the sea, the coast, and life.He has created a most beautiful story of what it is to be on retreat from the surface of things, and receive the random treasure, washed in from the sea, of an authentic life.

I bought a hardback copy of this book a number of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the meditative pace of it. As a deep thinker and a beachcomber myself, reading it was like walking alongside a companion and listening in to their thoughts. At some point I gave the book to a friend and then missed it greatly - often forgetting and going looking for it again. It has taken some time for it to appear available on Kindle and I am now grateful to have it in my hand again. This quiet powerful book has left a visual imprint on my mind's eye in a beautiful way.

I love this book! I savored it, trying to make it last as long as I could, but my wife insisted I read it quicker because she wants to read it. I got it from the library, but I will own this book, it will be on my shelf among my favorites of all time to be read, again and again. Simply marvelous!If you are getting older and searching for something you perhaps are not even aware of, read this. If you love Thoreau, read this.Oh just read it.

I just loved this book. All 3 Richard Bode books which I have read, are just so special. They have spiritual messages about our everyday lives, which are beautifully written and easy to appreciate, and empathise with.They all relate to different stages of the author`s life. How I would love to meet this amazing man.!!From Robin Batchelor, Queensland , Australia.

Definitely recommend reading this book. Very interesting and held my attention all the way through!

This is a book I read regularly every couple of years. As a long time amateur beach comber I love the author's reflections on his treasures both from the beach and from his life.

Boring and unrelatable.

Biography of a narcissist with some words of wisdom and lovely lingering images. Everyone needs a restorative vacation from time to time. Authenticity, however, is found not in retreat, but in engagement.