Story of the Other Wise Man | 
 enlarge | Author: Henry Van Dyke
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $7.95
Buy New: $3.59
You Save: $4.36 (55%)
New (31) Used (18) Collectible (2) from $1.64
Rating:  21 reviews
Media: Paperback
Pages: 112
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 5.9 x 3.9 x 0.3
ISBN: 0345406958
Dewey Decimal Number: 291
EAN: 9780345406958
Publication Date: November 5, 1996
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
"I do not know where this little story came from--out of the air, perhaps. One thing is certain, it is not written in any other book, nor is it to be found among the ancient lore of the East. And yet I have never felt as if it were my own. It was a gift, and it seemed to me as if I knew the Giver."
--Henry Van Dyke
Long, long ago, a wise man named Artaban, a priest of the Magi, discerned from heavenly signs that the time was at hand for the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy--the birth among the Hebrews of a holy Prince and Deliverer of Man. Hastening to join three fellow Magi for the long journey into Judaea, he paused to help a dying man and was left behind. And so Artaban began his pilgrimage alone, striking out not toward the realization of his life's deepest longing, as he hoped, but only toward misfortune and suffering. Or so he believed until one blessed, radiant moment.
With an introduction by Leo Buscaglia
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| Customer Reviews: Read 16 more reviews...
 Full Circle November 27, 2007
evergreenreader
My Grandmother read this classic story to me when I was a child. Now I read this story to my grandchildren. This is a timeless tale for all ages.
Also recomended: Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices--another classic holiday story.
A memory for my father November 23, 2007
B. Yelverton (Upland, Ca United States)
My nearly blind 93 year old father asked me to buy this for him, and then I read it out loud to Mom and Dad when it arrived, over 2 magical sittings. I had expected it to last for 3 sittings, but Dad wanted to hear the end!
This is a very special book for him, since he knew Henry van Dyke when he was in high school around 1930. The story went that he had hitch-hiked from Princeton to Lawrenceville, NJ to go to high school there, and a certain person often picked him up. Dad later found out that it was Henry van Dyke, and that he had gone out of his way to take him to school.
Dad had bought a copy of the book, or maybe van Dyke gave it too him. Recently the minister of the church my parents have been members of in another town came for a visit, and Dad, who can't read any more, gave the book, and a "Readers Theater" version Dad had made for the town's theater group, to the minister. But the more he thought of it, the more he wanted to hear the story again. This version appears to be closest in appearance to the one he had.
I don't remember reading the book as a child, and it actually is more an adult book anyway, so I was glad I got to read it to them and make them so happy with old memories! I may buy it for myself now as well!
One of My Favorite Authors August 20, 2007
Jonathan Hirst (Colorado Springs, CO)
Henry Van Dyke is an incredible author. This little Christmas story is one of his best. It takes a well-known story about the 3 wisemen and adds a new twist. He takes us down a path that we think is so familiar and then shocks us with the fact that a life well-lived is not defined by God the way we define it.
Through the travels of the "Other Wise Man" we learn how to love others, how to show compassion and how to open our hearts to those God loves.
Uplifting experiences January 9, 2007
John A. Sims Jr. (Cleveland, Ohio)
The Other Wise Man truly puts things into perspective about to gain what one wants in life. It comes only through service to others & seeking to do something that makes a real difference in the lives of those around me. It isn't so much a case of being religious as realizing there are spiritual principles in life, that if observed, lead one to a fulfilling life by helping others in need. Do that & one will truly live a life with meaning & purpose.
Inspiring Tiny Tale. September 14, 2006
tvtv3 (Sorento, IL United States)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Three Wise Men were members of the Magi who set out to find Jesus when the Star of Jerusalem appeared. They sought the King of Kings who would be the Prince of Peace and set things right in the world. During their journey they stopped at Herod, seeking direction and when the finally found Jesus, they gave him great gifts and went home by another route so as to confuse Herod from his plot to kill the child.
Besides what is recorded in the Bible, we really know very little about The Three Wise Men and the Magi of which the belonged. There are some speculations that can be made based upon snippets in the recorded historical recorded, but that is all and most stories about these individuals is conjecture. THE STORY OF THE OTHER WISE MAN is a tiny tale about a supposedly fourth Magi, name Artaban. The story was originally written at the end of the 19th Century (1896) and was supposedly given to preacher and professor Henry Van Dyke in a vision.
In the story, Artaban sets out on a journey to meet his fellow Magi as they travel forth the meet a holy Prince among the Hebrews. Selling all that he owned, Artaban was going to present the child with three precious jewels. However, along the way he stops to help a dying man and is left behind by his companions. Artaban spends the rest of his life seeking the child and hoping to at see and meet the Prince before he dies.
THE STORY OF THE OTHER WISE MAN is a touching and eloquent tale that could work as a sermon explaining and expounding the essence of Christianity through the life of a person well-lived. It is a lesson we could all learn from: "He knew that all was well, because he had done the best that he could, from day to day. He had been true to the light that had been given to him."
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