About Me
Mark Neal is a writer and educator based in the Chicagoland area. He received a B.A. in English literature from Wheaton College and an M.A.T. in secondary education from National-Louis University. He has written for numerous publications including Liberty Suburban Chicago Newspapers, Peninsula Pulse, Christianity Today and examiner.com.
Areas of interest: impact of technology on culture and individuals, importance of life as story, decline in traditional literacy and historical continuity, poetry, myth.
brotherhood of the briar 
Hey, Mark,
I recently read your interview with Nigel Goodwin and wanted to thank you for both asking meaningful questions and taking the time to record the conversation. It was a wonderful and stirring read. I’m a friend of Jerry’s, having talked with him a few times, who recommended your blog, which I’ve also been enjoying. When back in Glen Ellyn (I’m studying abroad in England at the moment), I hope to visit some of the weekly meetings, though am not sure how the Brotherhood will take to one who has yet to discover the pleasure of pipe-smoking. I did, however, catch a drift of a passerby’s rich-flavored smoke the other day, and my mind immediately drifted into thoughts of CS Lewis…
Yours,
Brandon
Brandon,
Thanks for taking the time to read and for your kind comments. You should definitely attend the Thursday night gatherings, regardless of your pipe smoking experience. You should know that we have a pipe and tobacco expert who loves to teach new pipe smokers, so no worries. I look forward to meeting you when you get back in town.
Peace,
Mark