For All the Saints
For All the Saints a 120 page voyage into the heart of the 60's. After 21 months in federal prison at Lewisburg for pouring blood on draft files to protest the Vietnam War with Father Philip Berrigan in 1967, and a career aiding prisoners at the Baltimore City Jail, 4 a child of the 60's offers a poetic exploration of non- violence and a life spent in revolutionary movements….over 30 years in and out of prison. Wrting as self discovery.
What is it like to try and overthrow the state? The tumultuous 70's, 80's and 90's (not just the “far out” 60’s) are brought to life in this poetic treatment, entitled For All the Saints. The author describes 21 months in prison for pouring blood on draft files,and other similar actions (and participants – the “Saints”) are detailed.
Then, he follows up: how do divorce or depression affect a life spent in service to prisoners? If events don't kill you, do they drive you insane or make you stronger (or both) ? Becoming a person because of the movements set in motion by the 60's (civil rights, women’s liberation, green, lgbt, therapy) , is the main theme- but also, how effective were these non-violent movements? How do they form identity, how does memory affect it. How does one identify his/her talents for a career and a paying job? How does one support oneself and take radical action? The character of saintly Father Phil Berrigan is explored as well as other anti draft activists, now the subject of a 2013 documentary “Hit and Stay” Eberhardt, born in 1941, brings to life the amazing stories of his 33 year career at the Baltimore City Jail with all its intrigues and colorful characters. His titillating and tragic-comic love life is included. Eberhardt has published three books of poetry.