Larry's Books
In The Service of My Country
“This memoir of a young man's World War II experience is honest and heartfelt.”
“Love and pride for his country comes through loud and clear and is a reminder for the rest of us that the sacrifices our military makes for our freedoms are indeed huge.”
“This first-person account of a farm boy serving his country is a must read.”
“This book would be an excellent addition to any high school or college curriculum.”
Music on a mission
“I loved everything about this book.”
“Dykstra provides us with a warm first-hand narrative.”
“Music on a Mission delivers an entertaining and inspiring narrative. Do yourself a favor… this is a great read!
Musical Hugs
“I was touched by the author's personal journey, finding his way to satisfy his soul and offer it up for service.”
“Reading about Larry’s journey to leads to thoughtful questions about the meaning of success and failure, healing and caring, and where each of us can find opportunities to serve others.”
“A poignant and gently orchestrated tale of one man’s journey to self ― through the profound power of service, spirituality and song.”
My Redemption From Pluto
“I recently finished reading your book and I thought it was AWESOME on so many levels!”
“I found myself wanting to slow down and really savor each chapter. I didn't want the book to end.”
“Your storytelling is magnificent and writing style very clear and approachable with various twists and turns throughout each chapter that really brought your key messages to life."
Reader's Reviews
Collection of Books
Discover a rich collection of inspiring and thought-provoking works by Larry V. Dykstra. Each book offers powerful insights, personal reflections, and valuable lessons that encourage growth, connection, and self-discovery. From heartfelt essays to impactful stories, these books are designed to engage readers of all backgrounds, fostering a deeper understanding of life’s relationships and purpose. Explore the titles below and find a book that resonates with your journey.
My Redemption From Pluto
My Redemption from Pluto: Lessons Learned from Life’s Relationships is comprised of thirty-two essays which reveal insightful lessons about the four types of relationships we all have in life – with ourselves, with others, with the world around us, and with the Divine. My hope is that these stories will open readers’ hearts and minds and inspire them to make each lesson their own.
In the Service of My Country
In the Service of My Country: I Never Regretted a Day shares first-hand accounts of the fifty missions my father, Ralph Dykstra, completed as flight engineer on a B-24 bomber more than seventy years earlier. His stories bear witness to bravery and cowardice, laughter and tears, the tragedy and triumph that accompany war while recognizing the contributions of this member of the “greatest generation.”
Musical Hugs
Musical Hugs: Succeeding through Serving, One Song at a Time provides first-hand accounts that show the positive impact music and personal presence can have on hospitalized children and caregivers who are suffering from illness. This book also chronicles my journey from defining success in terms of what I did for a living to viewing it as what I do to serve others.
Music On A Mission
Music on as Mission: The Story of Kidlinks inspires and entertains while recounting how this nonprofit organization emerged out of modest origins to provide the healing power of music to hundreds of thousands of children. It is a story of how passionate pursuit of a clearly defined purpose has the power to make a life-changing difference in the lives of those it serves for 41 years and counting.
Three years ago, I dusted off my baseball glove and signed up to play a sport I had been away from for more than 40 years. While my basic skills improved surprisingly fast, I struggled to cope with the failures and foibles that have come to define a team capable of losing an astounding 88 consecutive games. Playing with the Ol Pros senior softball team has forced me to confront my competitive nature while teaching me how to accept failure. More than the story of a group of senior citizens playing a child’s game, Learning to Lose represents a metaphor for dealing with other losses we face in life.
