The book title is Think Like an Odd Fellow, Wisdom and Self-Improvement in 21st Century Odd Fellowship. You can find it on Amazon, but here’s a quick link:
Below I’ll detail more about what’s in the book, but first I wanted to discuss 3 reasons I chose to write one.
First, I’ve had dozens of members mention to me they wished there was more about the ideology of Odd Fellowship. People desire to go more in-depth regarding the philosophy and lessons the ritual book and earlier Odd Fellows works teach and this book commences that process. Secondly, I felt a need to illustrate that the tenets and values of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows are relevant today. Third, I wanted a small book that’s easy to read. So, you can toss it in a backpack to read at a coffee house, while doing bushcraft, trying your homebrew, taking a break from cosplay, or relaxing from a ghost hunt, urban exploration, or a hellish day at work.
What’s in the book?
Think Like An Odd Fellow!, discusses 6 types of friendships, reasons people refuse help when it’s offered, the importance of the arts and the imagination, 13 causes of poverty, different types of learning styles for lodge work, the importance of the natural environment, the importance of knowing yourself, and more. All is written from an Odd Fellow’s perspective, something you just won’t see many places these days.
In no particular order, here’s a list of some of the 42 essays in Think Like An Odd Fellow!
The Combination of Wealth and Power
Creating A Good Society Is An Act of Love
Transforming Your Future As An Odd Fellow
Cycles In Nature
Odd Fellows Against Bigotry
The Oppressed
Finding Opportunity
Dealing With People
Being Tactful
Poverty
Living With Uncertainty
Think Like An Odd Fellow!, uses parts of older 18th and 19th century works of Odd Fellowship and translates them into a more modern English, while keeping an 18th and 19th century experience to the essays. It also brings in 21st century concepts that are tied to ideas found in the original works. It’s written in a gender neutral style (except in one case) so it’s equally applicable to sisters and brothers of the Order.
So give it a try if you think you’ll enjoy it. If you feel it’s not your style, it’s all good. I’m just glad you’re Odd.
In FL&T.
Scott Moye is an award-winning history educator and collector of Arkansas folklore. He grew up on a cotton, soybean, and rice farm and is currently a museum worker. Hobbies include: old house restoration, writing, amateur radio, Irish traditional music, archery, craft beer, old spooky movies, and street performance. He is a member of Marshall Lodge #1, in Marshall, Arkansas, and a founder of Heart In Hand Blog. He currently resides in Little Rock, Arkansas.
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