Peter Altschul
Riding Elephants
Creating Common Ground Where Contention Rules
;void 0;)
Click on the image to see a larger version.
How can we create common ground at home, on the job, and in faith communities? How can we work together better to address those contentious culture war conflicts that divide us?
By becoming better at riding our quirky feelings elephants through marshalling our less quirky thoughts.
This concept is explored through brief essays on topics ranging from family life, organization behavior, and music, to Christianity, public policy, and politics. These essays focus on lessons drawn from the author's experiences interviewing for jobs, raising stepchildren, playing music, training New York City taxi drivers, watching sports, shepherding dogs, finding common ground on abortion, leading diversity programs, and loving his wife. They suggest that common ground does exist if we can find the patience, skill, and grace to create it.
Purchasing Information
Click Below to Read a Sample
E-Book
The e-book edition of Riding Elephants is available at the following online stores:
Print Edition
The print edition of Riding Elephants is available at the following online stores:
Breaking It Down and Connecting the Dots: Creating Common Ground Where Contention Rules
;void 0;)
Click on the image to see a larger version.
In this book of compact essays, Peter Altschul, MS, explores topics ranging from psychology, sports, and diversity to family life, politics, and Christianity. Peruse this book and you'll find personal stories, political analysis, and satire. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll think. You might find connections you've never seen before and common ground where you think none is possible. And perhaps you'll be influenced to behave a little differently in order to make things a little — or a lot — better.
Purchasing Information
Click Below to Read a Sample
E-Book
The e-book edition of Breaking It Down is available at the following online stores:
Print Edition
The print edition of Breaking It Down is available at the following online stores:
Breaking Barriers: Working and Loving While Blind
;void 0;)
Click on the image to see a larger version.
How do a specially-trained guide dog and a person who is blind learn to work together to become a team? What lessons might those who lead others in the workplace learn from this process? These are two of the themes that the author weaves into his compelling memoir.
Altschul focuses on a thirty-month period in his life, beginning with his fifth guide dog, a Labrador Retriever named Jules, and ending with his move from his urban bachelor lifestyle in Washington, DC, to committed family man in Columbia, Missouri. Along the way, he describes his unique professional journey with assistance and companionship of five guide dogs. He also writes about his upbringing, his relationship with music, and the unexpected deaths of his stepmother and father.
Purchasing Information
Click Below to Read a Sample
E-Book
The e-book edition of Breaking Barriers is available at the following online stores:
Print Edition
The print edition of Breaking Barriers is available at the following online stores:
- Amazon
- Barnes and Noble (Paperback)
- Barnes and Noble (Hardcover)
Interviews with Peter
The Jordan Rich Podcast
Peter was interviewed by Jordan Rich for his podcast. To listen to the interview, use the embedded player below.
KFAI Radio in Minneapolis
On Thursday, May 13, 2021, Peter was interviewed on radio station KFAI in Minneapolis. To listen to the interview, click on this link:
https://www.kfai.org/podcast/disability-and-progress-may-132021/
Tell It To The World Marketing
Peter was interviewed by Tell It To The World Marketing. Click on the following link to listen to the interview.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1285364/8145925
Book-Related Articles
The following articles are on this site as Word files. Click on the title of the article to read the file.
- Canary in a Coal Mine
- Don't Ask, Do Tell – But When
- Moving Beyond Deep Differences: A Structured Community Dialogue Towards Preventing Teen Pregnancy in Glendale, Arizona
- Reverse Mentoring Program Driving Diversity to the Top at Reuters
Book-Related Music Compositions and Arrangements
The following compositions and arrangements are on this site as mp3 files. Click on the title of the musical piece to play it.
- American Council of the Blind 50th Anniversary Jingle (2011) (1:27)
- Away in the Manger (2009) (2:24)
- Christmas Song (2011) (3:41)
- Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly (2011) (2:13)
- Festive (Wedding) Processional (2007) (5:06)
- Festive (Wedding) Recessional (2007) (4:21)
- God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen (2008) (2:53)
- Holly Jolly Christmas (2003) (1:05)
- How Brightly Shines the Morning Star (2003) (2:28)
- Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (2004) (1:54)
- O, Holy Night (2006) (2:57)
- Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (2003) (1:52)
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (2004) (0:59)
- Sussex Carol (2009) (2:25)
- We Three Kings of Orient Are (2004) (2:39)
- Two Poems from Chamber Choir and Clarinet - 1. Like a Rainbow — Columbia Chamber Choir (2:55)
- Two Poems from Chamber Choir and Clarinet - 2. Spring Morning — Columbia Chamber Choir (2:32)
Book-Related Links
Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Learning Ally
American Council of the Blind
National Braille Press
Peter's Twitter Feed
Tweets by PeterAltschulAbout Peter
For some unknown reason, Peter Altschul was born totally blind. Since graduating from college, he has traveled a unique journey: customer service rep at the most hated federal government agency, musician, author, trainer of New York City taxi drivers, educator, parent of three stepchildren, grants manager, mediator between pro-life and pro-choice activists, and workplace diversity specialist—all done with the assistance and companionship of six wonderfully quirky guide dogs.
Peter currently lives in Columbia, Missouri.
Contact Information
Email: creatingcommonground@outlook.com
Phone: 573–529–2656