Welcome to my humble virtual home.
![](https://pscott.wpsites.site/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2022/03/WIN_20220302_08_48_12_Pro-1-1024x576.jpg)
If you like any of what I have done or do then you migh consider buying me a cup of cofee.
Welcome to anyone and everyone who might land here. I imagine if you have done so you must be either a relative, friend or lost. This is my feeble attempt to have an “online” presence to grant greater exposure to my various projects and what has, over the years, frequently been referred to as “Corbet’s Crockpot ideas.”
After spending most of my life in academia, from 1972 to 2020, teaching at various institutions of higher education internationally in Beijing, Singapore, Shaoxing, China and domestically in Ohio, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, Arizona and lastly (for 24 years) California, I have retired. With plenty of time on my hands,
For over fifty years I have had the desire and dream of becoming a novelist. But I let the naysayers and self-doubts stymie me from reaching for my dream. But then, like my esteemed colleague Liz Kraus, late in life, I ascended to the siren songs of my muse and decided to “go for it”.
My first novel, A Thousand Cranes, a roman a clef about higher education in California and life in the 1980s and 90s, was published April 22, 2022, and has received some positive reactions.
Encouraged, I followed up with my latest effort, Uniformly Undeserved, published June 6, 2022, which is about the experiences of Japanese Americans and Japanese American servicemen during World War II.
A product of over 50 years of studying and teaching about the Asian American experiences and US-Japanese relations during World War II it is my effort to combat the wave of anti-Asian animus washing across our nation. Hopefully, readers will learn some things they did not previously know and realize that our nation is fortunate to have people and individuals who chose to serve it faithfully and loyally despite hatred and racism.
My most recent effort is Ashes and Memories a tale of a man dealing with life’s challenges after suffering a stroke. The fusion of physical and interpersonal crises sometimes triggers the need to make unanticipated and difficult choices in life. When 70-year-old widower Fred Korman suffers a stroke during a long-distance run, his life takes an unexpected turn. As he struggles to recover, he faces a new challenge, protecting his best friend Susan from her abusive ex-husband Tony. But when Tony starts to threaten Fred and his family, Fred must find a way to end the harassment for good. Meanwhile, Fred’s son Aaron is starting a new career and dealing with the news that his girlfriend is pregnant. With pressure mounting from all sides, Fred must summon all his strength and wit to protect his loved ones and find a way forward. This gripping novel explores the power of love, friendship, and determination in the face of adversity.
![](https://pscott.wpsites.site/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2023/05/Ashes-cover-1.jpg)
Here are some links to my collaborative non-fiction/history publications:
Here is a link to my first book:
You can read it online at the Internet Archives
https://archive.org/details/quietpassagesexc00unse
https://www.igi-global.com/book/information-technology-diffusion-asia-pacific/585#table-of-contents
https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/p-scott-corbett/445333/
Blog
MARCH 13, 20023:
A Little Encouragement
BypscottMarch 13, 2023
![](https://pscott.wpsites.site/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2023/03/Uniformly-Undeserved-by-P-Scott-Corbett.jpg)
Recently I was plasantly surprised to learn that my book “Uniformly Undeserved” had receive the Chill With a Book Award. That is a welcome bit of validation. I am pusing on to other work including a trilogy of books on an American family’s encounters with China in the 20th century.
October 28:
Much has happened since my last posting. I am working with a partner, Steve Drummnd, to get Dapshow Publications/The Heritage Group off the gorund and begin to more effectively market our books. We genuinely believe that Uniformly Undeserved is a very readable book and offers its readers many things to think about regarding the place and role of Asian Americans in American society.
Here is a link to a little podcast I did on it.
![Teaching in China](https://pscott.wpsites.site/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2022/07/IMG_20200521_0012-1024x710.jpg)
Baby steps
Last week I had the opportunity to participate in the Oxnard Public Library Local Writer’s Showcase. It was an interesting event where I was able to meet and connect with a few other local authors. Been spending some frustrating hours cleaning up some minor errors in my manuscripts. Editing is a never-ending process. A couple…
What’s Love got to Do With It?
April 4, 2023 – Well, it has been a bit nerve-wracking since I last blogged. I’ve worked on the website and hope that it is presentable and acceptable. https://dapshowpublications.wixsite.com/dapshow-publications. I’ve nearly finished preparing my trilogy of books about an American family in China during the 20th century for publication. I am not trying to organize a…
A Little Encouragement
Recently I was plasantly surprised to learn that my book “Uniformly Undeserved” had receive the Chill With a Book Award. That is a welcome bit of validation. I am pusing on to other work including a trilogy of books on an American family’s encounters with China in the 20th century.
Update since October
I obviousy have not added to this blog recently. That is because I have been busy working on y trilogy of historical novels about a missionary family in China circa 1900to 1985. They are almost finiahed and ready for publication. The first is entitled Harvest of Hunger and deals with trials and tribulations associated with…
Week of 10/23 – 10/321
Last week I celebrated my 73rd birthday. Some Chinese people are a little wary of their 73rd and 84th years. That is because Confucius died when he was 73 and Mencius died when he was 84. I am hoping to make it well past both vulnerable years. Some initial responses to Pursuing Shadows from my…
Getting Out There
Trying to get my book “Uniformly Undeserved” out to a wider public. Here is a link to my Booksie page: https://www.booksie.com/users/p.-scott-corbett-324293
Here is a review of “A Thousand Cranes”
Corbett. P. Scott. A Thousand Cranes. Los Angeles and Kansas City: Dapshow Publishers/The Heritage Group, 2022.
NOT THE TYPICAL SUMMER READ
P. Scott Corbett’s A Thousand Cranes begins with backstories introducing two of the book’s main protagonists—Roland and Alex. Both characters appear to be somewhat incorrigible from the start and although their journeys through life might seem parallel to a casual observer, the two men eventually arrive at very different emotional destinations. Corbett does an exemplary job of keeping readers’ attention as both Roland and Alex meander their way through the vicissitudes of life. The author ushers Doroteya and Astrid into the narrative whose personal stories are equally captivating to those of Roland and Alex and whose life-choices play decisive roles in each man’s destiny.
A Thousand Cranes is not the typical summer read for several reasons. First, Corbett does not succumb to the usual facile action plot of a rousing summer read, but instead brings up timely issues that continue to plague society such as the plight of veterans, the impact of child abuse, challenges in the field of education, the conundrum of East meets West, and the role of personal choice in determining one’s destiny. Corbett’s methodology also avoids turning his writing into brain candy which often typifies the usual summer read. A Thousand Cranes’ chapters are longer and provide in-depth background provoking the reader to pause and think about the issues encountered by the characters. Also, the author does not surrender to the temptation to make this a salacious (and perhaps more sellable) work by concluding the book with predictable endings; he holds out for higher ground.
The book is not pedantic. Corbett’s extensive background in diplomatic history and experience teaching in California’s university system shine as he steers readers through some of the many snags that either result in inertia or provide catalysts for his characters as they navigate their way through life. The writing flows smoothly ultimately bringing Roland, Alex, Doroteya, and Astrid to a confluence where their destinies play out.
A Thousand Cranes offers a good campus read not only as an impetus for discussions of the societal issues mentioned, but also for deeper discourse about the psyche of the human mind. Corbett poses several questions worth discussing in more than one discipline at university in chapter six. The book raises questions for history, psychology, and sociology departments as it provides an intriguing read for students in every discipline.
And here is a review of “Uniformly Undeserved”
Corbett, P. Scott. Uniformly Undeserved. Los Angeles and Kansas City: Dapshow Publishers/The Heritage Group, 2022.
REMEMBRANCE
In some ways, P. Scott Corbett’s book Uniformly Underserved is a book of remembrance; in some ways Uniformly Underserved is breaking news. Although many of the events that occurred during World War II are kept alive in the minds of people from the United States through movies, education, and the History Channel, Corbett’s latest literary offering tells an often forgotten or perhaps unknown story of the fate of Japanese immigrants during the war.
Uniformly Undeserved narrates the adventures of the Takara and Jahana families as the family patriarchs—Morio and Yo—make their way from Okinawa via Hawai’i to Santa Monica, California. Corbett’s style of storytelling brings the struggles, frustrations, and disillusionments with interpretations of the U.S. Constitution experienced by Japanese immigrants to readers in a manner that is not exacting. Readers may not be familiar with U.S. efforts to stymie the flow of immigrants through legislation, violence, and exclusionary practices promulgated by citizens, making Uniformly an important means of digging deeper into the American psyche. Eiji, Saburo, and Aimi find that although they are native-born and are as American as apple pie and cowboys, WWII creates a hostile environment forcing them into unanticipated circumstances.
Readers will find two familiar and relatable themes in Uniformly. First, a cowboy theme threads through the entire book; follow the cowboy hat—It speaks volumes about just how American Eiji and Saburo are. Readers can also relate to the Takaras and the Jahanas as they pool their meager resources and engage in the pursuit of capitalism. Ride the wave with these two families as they first crescendo to success and a bright future only to be wiped out through relocation and a devastating war. Corbett captures the tenacity and the pragmatism of Japanese Americans in this book which all immigrants—whether past or present—understand.
There are many somber scenes in this book, but there are also many light-hearted moments. In some ways this book is a regional history in that SoCal residents will find many familiar landmarks giving them a sense of immediacy. Regardless of geographical location, many readers will be taken back to nostalgic places through movie references and history.
By the end of the book, prepare to perform a deep bow of contrition for the way Japanese Americans were treated during WWII. Also be ready to stand up and salute this “land of opportunity,” and remember we were, or are all immigrants to this continent. Be prepared to grab a hanky to dry your eyes.
Baby steps
Last week I had the opportunity to participate in the Oxnard Public Library Local Writer’s Showcase. It was an interesting event where I was able to meet and connect with a few other local authors. Been spending some frustrating hours cleaning up some minor errors in my manuscripts. Editing is a never-ending process. A couple…
What’s Love got to Do With It?
April 4, 2023 – Well, it has been a bit nerve-wracking since I last blogged. I’ve worked on the website and hope that it is presentable and acceptable. https://dapshowpublications.wixsite.com/dapshow-publications. I’ve nearly finished preparing my trilogy of books about an American family in China during the 20th century for publication. I am not trying to organize a…
A Little Encouragement
Recently I was plasantly surprised to learn that my book “Uniformly Undeserved” had receive the Chill With a Book Award. That is a welcome bit of validation. I am pusing on to other work including a trilogy of books on an American family’s encounters with China in the 20th century.
Update since October
I obviousy have not added to this blog recently. That is because I have been busy working on y trilogy of historical novels about a missionary family in China circa 1900to 1985. They are almost finiahed and ready for publication. The first is entitled Harvest of Hunger and deals with trials and tribulations associated with…
Week of 10/23 – 10/321
Last week I celebrated my 73rd birthday. Some Chinese people are a little wary of their 73rd and 84th years. That is because Confucius died when he was 73 and Mencius died when he was 84. I am hoping to make it well past both vulnerable years. Some initial responses to Pursuing Shadows from my…
Getting Out There
Trying to get my book “Uniformly Undeserved” out to a wider public. Here is a link to my Booksie page: https://www.booksie.com/users/p.-scott-corbett-324293