ODYSSEY (noun) an extended wandering or journey Set within the conservative religious subculture of the Amish, 'The Odyssey of a heart' is a searing examination of the author's heart as he struggles with intense doubt and fear brought on by his own youthful insecurities. Fueling his anger and confusion is a double standard born of an eroding conscience. At a young age he compromises the convictions of his heart and is inevitably drawn into a pool of moral ambiguity. Choosing to live solely from the mind, he is ultimately forced to confront the result of his many decisions - a rapid downward spiral into the dark underworld of drug abuse. Written with authority and compassion, 'Odyssey' is a piercing call to defy the destructive tendencies that lie within all of us, and to live from a deep and full heart. Mervin Wagler puts his relationship skills to practice in the classroom, where he has taught at the elementary level for the past four years. He enjoys writing and public speaking. This is his first book.