The Mandalan Chronicles are a unique retelling of the Arthurian Legends designed to provide a lens to see ourselves as interconnected parts and whole at the same time. History repeats itself and we as a human race have shown ourselves poor learners from the successes and failures of the past. This 5th Century view combines history, legend, and myth in an open story framework staged to better see ourselves in the 21st Century.
The Mandalan Chronicles, when complete, will encompass the general content and structure (stories, plots, characters) of Sir Thomas Malory’s LeMorte d’Arthur in a seven volume set. It is unique however, to Malory’s or any of the hundreds of interpretations of the Arthurian Legends in a number of ways. The table below considers several unique features and benefits.
The Mandalan Chronicles™ are designed to achieve the above while also being literary, artistic, and enjoyable. Comments on work completed include “serious,” “unique,” “powerful,” “lyric,” “humorous,” and “tragic,” with “beautiful imagery, prose, and presentation.” A frequent expression is, “I have never seen any work quite like it.” This statement is followed by various version of the same question, “What is it: poetry, history, mythology, sociology, science or other form of fiction, religion, spiritual, organizational development, or other grouping?
The Chronicles defy the normal process of categorization. Where do the Chronicles belong at Barnes and Noble, the library, or Amazon.com? If they did fit into a “ready” category however, it would be counter to principles most dear to their creation. Categorization is a fragmenting process. To cooperate fully with our societies need to categorize all publications, including The Chronicles, would insure their defeat before any book is printed. As a body of work they must always stand in tension to the arbitrary demands to cubbyhole them in some grouping that is likely to define them too narrowly or label them for what they are not.
What are the Mandalan Chronicles
An unbelieved truth can hurt a man much more than a lie. It takes great courage to back truth unacceptable to our times.
The Mandalan Chronicles™
stories for individual & organizational greatness
Premise, Benefits, & Applications
The Chronicles - Forging New Territory
Technology - Great Advances, the Loss Unrecognized
We have limited our results because we have not addressed cultural, systemic and human issues that relate to technology introduction and other change.
Winning does not tempt that man,
this is how he grows: by being defeated, decisively by constantly greater beings.
The Chronicles, now planned for seven volumes, are a work in progress. Book I through III are focused on the advent, Round Table, and final days of Camelot. Book IV, A Brother’s Fate (see below) is the first completed story. Books on the Holy Grail, and Tristan and Isolde will follow. Book I will be completed in 2010.
The Chronicles and the Mandalan Quest
In the development of civilization, especially since the invention of the printing press, we have advanced greatly in making written and other information transfer available throughout the world. Unfortunately, a little recognized loss that accompanied these gains has had a devastating effect. Before the printing press news and stories were relayed verbally throughout populations; troubadours and storytellers were the conduits of the word. Books and other forms of writing were the privilege of the privileged.
The basic human connection, before the printing press, was people-to-people, both in one-on-one and in community. Frequently, there was a group of people with a storyteller, who in words or words and music, joined in a complex relationship with the community present. The basic interchange was person-to-person with full advantage given to eye contact, body language, facial expression, vocal tone and trill, tears, laughter, and other amenities of human contact.
Today the basic interchange is person to object; Stanley Smith to the Detroit Free Press, Ann Webb to Ebay, the Preston family to their TV sets showing Lost, Rambo, or other, Nell Ferguson to her new book, and Janet Brock to the Sunday service and sermon. The last example may be challenged, yet when was the last time real conversation took place after even the best sermon. The configuration in all cases is eyes-to-object with opportunities for in-depth human connection bleak.
Whether the systems of The Mandalan Quest can effectively challenge the sibling dragon of categorization or help restore benefits of person-to-person connection is unknown. It is designed to do so but there is no basis to look to for sure direction. “Good luck,” is a frequent response to stated hopes for the Quest. What we know for sure however, is that the world suffers from over dependence on person-to-object connection to the neglect of person-to-person connection. The Mandalan Quest like all quests is an experiment, change has been the root function in its development and change continues to shake its assumptions and know-for-sure’s.
It is impossible to discuss the many why’s and wherefore’s that have resulted in the current state of The Mandalan Chronicles. Here is the Prologue to the Chronicles as they are now pictured as a seven novella/small novel set to be published over a seven to ten year period.
John Steinbeck,
East of Eden (p 264)
—Relke
History-Legend Relationship Map
(sample)
The Mandalan Chronicles - Story Samples
to follow
to follow
Roger C. Shank
Tell Me a Story
Knowledge, then, is experiences and stories, and intelligence is the apt use of experience and the creation and telling of stories. Memory is memory for stories, and the major processes of memory are the creation, storage, and retrieval of stories.
Having too many THINGS, Americans spend their hours and money on the couch searching for a soul. A strange species we are. We can stand anything God and Nature throw at us save only plenty. If I wanted to destroy a nation, I would give it too much and I would have it on its knees, miserable, greedy and sick. (John Steinbeck in a letter to Adlai Stevenson)
John Steinbeck in a letter to Adlai Stevenson
Tower of Hadrian's Wall
Northern English Isle