The Long Winter

About the Book

Paul Owen began his life with a lot of disadvantages. His single mother did the best she could to raise him on food stamps and welfare. But when he was only thirteen, she died tragically of cancer, leaving him at the mercies of relatives and foster care. This is the story of his journey through seven foster homes, across three states, during his high school years. Eventually, he found a settled life, and a career as a college professor in North Carolina. How did he get there? This book explains how ordinary people can overcome difficult challenges. Among many poignant themes in these pages, one will read of teenage angst, the despair of poverty, the solace of nature, the power of romance, a boy's love for his dog, and the challenges which face many thousands of children who live in foster care in our country.

About the Author

Paul Owen grew up in the city of Idaho Falls, where he lived with his mother until 1983. When she died of cancer, he found himself living in the foster care system. He moved among seven foster homes until graduating from high school in 1988. Despite many challenges, he went on to graduate from Life Pacific College, Biola University, and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he earned his Ph.D. He now teaches Greek and biblical studies in the religion department at Montreat College, near Asheville, NC. His scholarly work has appeared in numerous academic journals and publications.