THE TIME MOM MET HITLER, FROST CAME to DINNER, and I HEARD the GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD: A MEMOIR
“The Time Mom Met Hitler, Frost Came to Dinner, and I Heard the Greatest Story Ever Told: A Memoir,” I mumbled to myself as I reached for the front copy of the book on the shelf in the frigid airport in Austin Texas.
That’s the beauty of this life, we never know when ours is going to be enhanced. We don’t always know when we’re going to learn a lesson or be reminded in a different way of The Greatest Story Ever Told.
Dikkon Eberhart tells the sometimes fun, sometimes painful, but always fascinating story of his famous family, their lives, and the crushing weight that comes with trying to measure up in this flesh.
Courtesy of Dikkon Eberhart
Dikkon is the son of Pulitzer Prize-winning and former United States Poet Laureate, Richard Eberhart. His grandparents on the other side were pioneers in the floor wax industry.
As the title of Dikkon’s book suggests, his mom did really meet Adolf Hilter. Robert Frost did come to his house for dinner and helped him with his homework for English class. But the most important part of this memoir, how Dikkon came to know the truth of God.
Dikkon’s colorful memoir is also a history lesson about the social consciousness of this country and how it evolved. And how at least a portion of that evolution took place in Eberhart’s humble living room with him feigning sleep upstairs.
There are countless colorful characters recollected in Dikkon’s book that dropped into the Eberhart’s living room and lives. One of my personal favorites is the times Dylan Thomas read Dikkon bedtime stories with booze on his breath. Another favorite is Margaret Hamilton, the actress that played the Wicked Witch of the West in Wizard of Oz.
The Time Mom Met Hitler, Frost Came to Dinner, and the Greatest Story Ever Told doesn’t just tell the glamorous side of a well-known family. Dikkon is forthright about his mistakes and shares intimately and honestly with his struggles, the very thing we all have in common… and why this memoir is so relatable.
Dikkon doesn’t tell this story in a prideful manner. His story feels like he’s sitting beside you and sharing his life story with you, inviting you in to learn what he’s learned along the way.
I contacted Mr. Eberhart and asked for his permission to write this post about his book. In the course of our correspondence, I found Dikkon to be the same gentle and humble person who penned this masterful memoir.
“The Time My Mom Met Hitler, Frost Came to Dinner, and the Greatest Story Ever Told: A Memoir” has found a special place in the short stack of books that I consider my favorites. I hope you’ll take the time to sit down with Dikkon and be reminded that we all have struggles, but we know The Author of the Greatest Story Ever Told.
You can pick up Dikkon’s book at the bookstore, Amazon, Dikkon’s site, or at the airport in Austin. Stop by and say hi to a brother and friend you didn’t know you had.
Sunday, January 15, 2017 @ 6:14 pm
I put this book on my to-read list when I heard about it from you awhile back. Glad you reminded me of it again, Floyd. Sounds like an enjoyable read by a nice author.
Friday, January 20, 2017 @ 12:57 pm
Hi, Lisa! I hope you do have a chance to read my book. If you do, please let me know what you think. In the meantime, you can learn more about the book, about me and my family, and about other writing I do by visiting my website , which is cited below.
Sunday, January 15, 2017 @ 8:59 pm
I would love to pick it up at the airport…but man, the cost of a book at an airport!!!! 😛
Friday, January 20, 2017 @ 12:58 pm
Hi Ed–
I understand. Amazon is cheaper than the cover price right at the moment. (Just so you know!)
Sunday, January 15, 2017 @ 9:34 pm
I had never heard of this book, but it sounds amazing. Thank you for sharing about it, Floyd. I think it is so neat that you got to talk to him and found him to be the same person you thought him to be. God bless you, brother!
Friday, January 20, 2017 @ 1:04 pm
Hi Cheryl–
You’re very nice to feel this way. I hope that indeed I am the same man as Floyd found in my book, and I’d be happy to share more thoughts with you, if you have a chance to read the book. It was fun to write it — really two manuscripts, one about my father that began the day after watching him enjoy his 100th birthday, and then another about my wife’s and my conversion. The hardest part of all was making what I had thought at the beginning was two separate manuscripts into one integrated one. See what you think–was the effort successful?–and let me know. Check my website–there’s a link at the end of Floyd’s post above.
Sunday, January 15, 2017 @ 11:16 pm
Books are my favorite things, and so are good friends. So when I read a good book recommendation by a good friend, I know I can’t lose. Thanks for sharing the wealth, Floyd. Wow! Having Dylan Thomas read you bedtime stories. I adore his poetry. And his Child’s Christmas in Wales is one of my all-time favorite short stories (really a prose poem). The title of Dikkon’s book is stranger than fiction, huh? What an interesting life. And yours is too! Thank you for sharing!
Love
Lynn
Happy New Year Floyd!
Friday, January 20, 2017 @ 1:12 pm
Dear Lynn–
Thanks for being interested in my memoir! I hope you do have a chance to read it. If you want more information, you can check into my website–there’s a link at the end of Floyd’s post. I’ve always hoped that one of the things Dylan read me was A Child’s Christmas in Wales because, as you do, I’ve always loved that piece…but I don’t really know. It really was a fascinating growing up, but interestingly more so now, later, in retrospect, after I realized that not everyone had this sort of experience as a youngster. When I was living it, all these people were just the people around the house. I wasn’t impressed with their literary, or acting, or musical fame–they all had fame. I was excited by the ones who were willing to take some time with me–like Dylan. He was a good ‘un!
Monday, January 16, 2017 @ 2:56 am
The title alone is intriguing, Floyd. Your recommendation makes it all the more so! Thanks!
Saturday, January 21, 2017 @ 7:50 am
Hi Pam–
Thanks for commenting on the title of my memoir. I am impressed by the attention it has received. My editor suggested the title, saying that the title I used when I submitted the manuscript was much too stodgy. Though I didn’t think so at the time, she was right. “Dikkon,” is what she said, “a title is a billboard, not a book report!” So I’m grateful that you enjoy the billboard! If you like, check out my website (Floyd has a link to it at the end of his post) for more about me, about the book, and about what I’m working on now. Thanks!
Monday, January 16, 2017 @ 12:27 pm
I’ve had this title on my “want to read” list for awhile, Floyd. Thanks for the nudge!
Saturday, January 21, 2017 @ 7:56 am
Hi June–
I’m glad you have placed my memoir on your “want to read” list, and I’m all the more glad that Floyd gave it a nudge! If you do read the book, I hope you’ll feel that the wait has been worth it. Let me know. I’m always interested in what readers think, and learning these things helps me concentrate on what to write next. You can learn more at my website (Floyd put a link at the end of his post), and I would be honored if you checked it out. Thank you!
Monday, January 16, 2017 @ 1:50 pm
Very cool Floyd! Sounds like one I’m going to look into.
Saturday, January 21, 2017 @ 8:02 am
Dear Bill,the Cycle Guy–
I hope you do look into my memoir. If you do, as you “cycle” through its pages, perhaps it will give you fresh air and energy for the next up-hill push you encounter. We, all of us, have up-hills in our lives, pedaling over which make us long for the smooth downhills, too! Blessings to you! Take a look at my website, if you want to. Floyd put a link at the end of his post. But don;t expect a photo of my on a bicycle!
Tuesday, January 17, 2017 @ 2:24 pm
You shared and shared and shared. Thank you, Bro! Bless you and thank you!! 😉
Saturday, January 21, 2017 @ 8:05 am
Hello, Joanne–
Floyd does share and share and share. He’s great that way. I am honored that he selected my book in Austin, that he took it in so thoroughly, and that he cared to report back to you about his enjoyment of it. I hope you are interested, too, and that you’ll take a look at my website to learn more. There’s a link at the end of Floyd’s post–check it out and let me know what you think.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017 @ 4:31 pm
Thanks for letting us know about this book, Floyd. I love memoirs and this sounds interesting!
Saturday, January 21, 2017 @ 8:56 am
Hi Barb–
Of course, I think it’s interesting, since I wrote it! If you have a chance to read it, I hope you’ll agree. I wrote it because I believed the combination of an unusual upbringing and a late-in-life conversion from Judaism to Christianity would (1) intrigue potential readers, and (2) illustrate that the Lord makes many pathways available to His children. We all make our different pathways choices, but when we are moving toward the Lord, what a grand destination we have! Floyd cited my website near the end of his post. I encourage you to check it out in order to learn more about me and about the book. Thanks, Dikkon
Tuesday, January 17, 2017 @ 4:34 pm
Just ordered it! I’ll look forward to reading it!
Saturday, January 21, 2017 @ 9:03 am
Oh, Barb, this is such good news! Obviously it’s good news for the book–I very much hope it turns out to be good news for you! Please let me know what you think. My website link is at the end of Floyd’s post. You can go there to communicate with me directly and also to see pictures of the characters from the book and some of the places. Beyond that, you’ll see what I’m writing now and how I am following up. Also, you can listen to numerous radio broadcasts on which I talk about the book and its point with commentators such as Eric Metaxas, Janet Parshall, and Stacey Harp. Thank you for your enthusiasm!
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 @ 8:58 am
I love hearing people’s stories and experiences. It’s so fascinating to attempt to see through someone else’s eyes and of course, it’s even more special when someone is a gifted writer to aid that pursuit. Sounds like an amazing book! Thanks for the heads up, Floyd.
Saturday, January 21, 2017 @ 9:09 am
Dear Jason, I’m enthused by your reaction to Floyd’s post about my memoir. The way you commented about his post makes me suppose you yourself have stories to tell since you are so sensitive to the stories of others. If you have a chance to read my book, I’d love to know what you think about it. Floyd was kind enough to place a link to my website near the end of his post, so I draw it to your attention. It’s just been relaunched (last week), and I’m excited about it. Give it a try and learn more about me, about the book, about what I write about, and meet (through photos) many of the people you read about. Thanks!
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 @ 3:56 pm
Your review makes me want to read it too. Faith stories of one’s journey especially if vulnerable intrigue me as well. I especially like the authors I can relate to and it sounds like you found a good one. Thanks!
Saturday, January 21, 2017 @ 9:16 am
Dear Saleslady,
As a career salesman, I am grateful for your excitement about my memoir. Much of it was written late at night in hotels. I’d finish preparation for the sales meetings next day and then retreat from loneliness for my wife and children into the world of my past, where I could (1) re-live funny or painful moments, and (2) shape their relationships with one another as those moments pulled me forward ultimately toward the Lord. Then, when I was reborn, that really WAS the Greatest Story Ever Told! Take a look at my website, if you care to–Floyd has a link to it near the end of his post. You’ll learn a lot more about me and how this all went down…or “went UP,” as I should say. Thank you!
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 @ 11:34 pm
The book sounds interesting and one I would love to read. As a boy, he was privileged to meet many famous guests that visited his home. Meeting our Lord was his greatest honor. Another lovely thing about your post, was you made a new friend by contacting Mr. Eberhart asking to use his story.
Saturday, January 21, 2017 @ 9:24 am
Dear Hazel,
I hope you do have a chance to read my memoir! Really, there are blessings all around. Floyd wrote me with congratulations after he first read the book. That was kind of him. But then after a while of silence, he wrote again asking if he could promote the book to his followers, such as you. We’ve become friends, he and I, through our numerous exchanges about his writing and mine, and he was willing to place a link to my new, re-launched website near the end of his post. Click there, if you care to, and you can learn more about me, about the book, about what I write about, and you can meet some of the people in the book by photograph. I’d love to know what you think! Blessings, Dikkon
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 @ 2:34 pm
Floyd,
Sounds like a fascinating read 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 @ 7:44 pm
Hi Dolly,
If you give my book a try, I hope you enjoy it! For more info, there’s a link to my website near the end of Floyd’s review. I’d love to hear back from you.
Blessings, Dikkon