Book Description

In the summer of 1999, David Lander revealed publicly that he suffers from multiple sclerosis-a secret he'd kept for fifteen years even while living and working in Hollywood's celebrity fishbowl. Diagnosed with the illness after filming the last episode of Laverne and Shirley, Lander continued to develop his film and television career while hiding his illness.His success was an astonishing testament to his physical and emotional strength and his determination to prove that those with M.S. can still enjoy fulfilling and challenging lives.

Fall Down, Laughing is the humorous and poignant story of Lander's courageous struggle with multiple sclerosis.Over the years, Lander tried everything to improve his condition: exercise programs, alternative medicine, support groups, the latest crop of designer drugs. Weaving his experiences against a backdrop of entertaining celebrity anecdotes, Lander offers a message of affirmation that will provide information and hope to millions of M.S. sufferers, their friends and caregivers. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Inspiring, Heartfelt and truly Funny
Leave it to David Lander to show you the funny side of a chronic condition. I read this book mainly on the subway to and from work and the passengers probably thought I was mad laughing at a book were the title contained the word "Multiple Sclerosis". If they only knew how he presented MS in this book, they'd be laughing too.

This book was better than I expected. Most biographies I read about people with illness starts in adult hood and doesn't really build up their character. David started in way before he became "Squiggy". I liked this approach because it made him seem more 'common' as opposed to the non-attainable celebrity type.

At the point in time I was yet undiagnosed with any illness. It turned out I had another illness, although the one I do have may develop into MS one day. This book made me feel better about whatever I was about to face.

It was real, heartfelt and honest. David is inspiring and sharing his story in the way he did makes him even more loveable. Thanks David.

Great Book!
I really love the book! David Lander's so funny! I liked him as Squiggy on "Laverne & Shirley". That's my fave show! Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, Michael McKean, David Lander, & Eddie Mekka are the best cast of the best show in the whole wide world! I like that it's his autobiography, & that's he coped w/iMS for so long. Nice family pics, & pics of the "Laverne & Shirley" cast. Great book! Lots of info on MS!

not just for MS'ers!
I did not read the book. I listened to an audio tape of it from the Library of Congress. The book was so interesting that I listened to it a second time. (I went blind in one eye in 1998 and went legally blind in my other eye in 2003. I have a good bit of residual vision in one eye.) Like David who was sometimes thought to be drunk, I can be taken for drunk, too (one reason I use my cane). Telling the truth makes things so much easier, as he learned. (I tried awhile to not let on that I had vision problems even when I bumped into something.) There is nothing to be ashamed of! My favorite line in the book has to do with people asking how he is. He can tell that what they mean is how much longer he will be able to walk. He wants to reply, "The way you asked the question, I don't think I can live DOWN to your expectation." Way to go! I love it!

Excellent personal view of MS
I read this right after being diagnosed. Here was the story of someone who kept his condition hidden from all but those closest to him, and who ultimately basked in the glow of support. I laughed and cried as I read his story. It was so refreshing to get the view from someone who understands the disease from my side, instead of hearing from doctors, friends, and family members who think they know. Thank you, David, for sharing your story.

Laughing with David Lander
I thoroughly enjoyed reading David Lander's book. I laughed along with him. Having MS myself, I could truly relate to his
situation. He has a good outlook on life and is trying not to
let the MS get the best of him. He has quit a few interesting
things to say about MS and it's affects on the individual. I would recommend this book to anyone. ... Read more

Book Description

"I had wanted to wrap this book up in a neat little package. I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned the hard way that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end."

The world fondly remembers the many faces of Gilda Radner: the adamant but misinformed Emily Litella; the hyperkinetic Girl Scout Judy Miller; the irrepressibly nerdy Lisa Loopner; the gross-out queen of local network news, Rosanne Rosannadanna. A supremely funny performer, Gilda lost a long and painful struggle in May 1989 to "the most unfunny thing in the world"--cancer. But the face she showed the world during this dark time was one of great courage and hope. It's Always Something is the story of her struggle told in Gilda's own remarkable words--a personal chronicle of strength and indomitable spirit and love undiminished by the cruel ravages of disease.

This is Gilda, with whom we laughed on Saturday Night Live: warm, big-hearted, outrageous, and real. This is Gilda's last gift to us: the magnificent final performance of an incomparable entertainer whose life, though tragically brief, enriched our own lives beyond measure. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

this book is heartbreaking and inspiring all at once.
it took me only one day to read this entire book. gilda was a brave and inspiring woman. god bless all who have cancer.

I truely couldn't put it down.
When I found out I had to do a project on Gilda Radner I was stunned. It was for my American history class. I had never been a huge Gilda fan, but seen a few of her SNL skits, so I thought to myslef 'how did she change history'. I had no idea, until I read this book. Not only did Gilda change comedy forever, but she gave many cancer patients a reason to try and live. My Aunt had ovarian cancer durring the 80's, and told me that with out Gilda's advice, she would have wanted to die. Gilda wrote this book while she had cancer, what an amazing thing to do. She wrote a beautiful book that truely I wouldn't put down. I read the book 4 times, and still wanted to read it again. Gilda finds a way to tell her story as your own. She touches something from your past or future. It's such an amazing book, and i recomend it to people of all ages.

It's Always Something........Something Wonderful
On Sunday, May 21, 1989, I was dining at a favorite restaurant, poring over the front page of "The Kansas City Star." When I saw the cruel headline ("Gilda Radner Dies at 42"), my appetite vanished - and I felt as if I had lost a very close friend. Two months later, battling my own chronic illness, I was given a copy of "It's Always Something" while hospitalized with major depression. I had always loved Gilda from "SNL", but now I loved her even more.

The gifted comedienne's gripping, poignant, wrenching (and, yes, at times humorous) account of her fight with Ovarian cancer touched my heart, and I mourned her death even more fully. Ovarian cancer ended Gilda's life, but Radner's tragedy didn't begin and end there. The medical community failed Gilda. Her maligancy was not diagnosed until TEN MONTHS - that's right - nearly a near - after her symptoms began. By the time she underwent surgery in October 1986, she was at Stage IV in the illness - a time in which survival rates are distressingly low.

I'm angry. I was angry in July 1989 - and I'm still angry nearly 15 years later.

But the sorrow and regret do not mitigate the joys and beauty of Gilda's wonderful book. Her vulnerability, endearing childlike innocence, her abundant wit, her lovable nature, and her enduring kindness pervade "It's Always Something." And that's probably why I loved this book, even at the lowest point in my own life, when I was facing potential long-term hospitalization.

Luckily, I didn't have cancer, but I still relate - in spades - to Gilda's frustration with the medical establishment. I'm still fighting the condition diagnosed 15 years ago, and I still love and revere the beloved comedienne who inspired such loyalty from so many.

I adore Gilda Radner, and "It's Always Something" I'll carry in my heart.....forever.

Truly Inspiring
I have always loved Gilda Radner's sense of humor, but this book showed me there is much more to her than just her ability to make people laugh. This book was written by Gilda herself and chronicles her battle with ovarian cancer. She goes into detail about certain procedures she had done, about how she reacted when she lost her hair from chemo and about how the Wellness Community helped to keep her sane when she could no longer cope with having cancer. I had tears in my eyes thoughout the book, but I was able to smile and rejoice along with Gilda when she managed to put a positive spin on a bad situation. It doesn't matter if the reader can relate to her experiences or not. This book will touch your heart either way.

A brave woman...
I read this book during the big blackout (using my trusty booklight), and it really affected me. Such a vital, funny, and brilliant young woman who was lost to ovarian cancer much too soon. It made me laugh, cry, and all the emotions in-between. A must-read book! ... Read more

Book Description

The courageous story of one woman's successful battle against ovarian cancer. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

My immune system booster!
I was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer in July 2000. After reading and hearing about the dismal survival statistics, I became extremely distressed and upset. A few months later, I discovered 'Feather'. This book boosted my immune system! It is informative, encouraging, humorous, and best of all, human. Barbara's story is certainly worth telling. I retell it often. My copy gets revisited on those sad and down days - a source of encouragement that helps me stay happy and strong.

An inspirational guide to living with ovarian cancer.
Once my mother was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer, I began to learn about this terrible disease. Of all the books and internet sites I found, this little paperback is among the best. Brief, autoritative and written by a long-term suvivor. It gives you the good, the bad and ugly about treatment options and the disease with an upbeat undercurrent that science and medicine is becoming more successful in treating ovarian cancer. The author wrote this book from the victims perspective, which makes it a great introductory tome for anyone just diagnosed with this vicious disease.

"EXCELLENT" UPLIFTING FEATHER IN MY WIG
This book that was written by an R.N. who experienced all of the Ovarian Cancer Disease and has indicated humor, positive attitude towards beating this "Beast". It's a must read book to make your day that is filled with laughter and a determined feeling of getting better each and every day. The review with one star is obviously a person who did not read the entire book and I challenge her to read it in its entirety and guarantee that she will love the book when finished! I absolutely loved the book and found so much healing in reading it myself. For I am also an Ovarian Cancer Survivor of two years and going strong. Godbless you Barbara...

It upset my mother
I bought this book for my mother, who is currently battling ovarian cancer. I bought it to inspire her, and let her know that there are survivors out there. Well, the introduction was written to dramatize the book. It went on and on about how few people survive ovarian cancer (not true!!) and what a miracle it was that the writer survived. Consequently, my mother got extremely depressed. She never read the whole book because the introduction upset her so much.

Worth every penny!
I got this book for my mom who's recently been diagnosed with cancer. I picked it up this afternoon and didn't put it done until I was finished. What an inspiration! Just what I needed after a long week of discouraging news and facing grim statistics. The author was cured of Stage III Ovarian Cancer and tells how she battled the disease and won. Nothing "hokey" or "alternative" about it--unless you consider meditation, prayer, visualization, and POSITIVE thinking "hokey." This is an EXCELLENT book, surely it's a "must-have" for anyone facing this disease. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

An intelligent explanation of stroke and illlness.
Unlike most books about illness, this is written by and for intelligent people. My husband, much older and sicker than the author, has been inspired and kept going by this book, which he says explains how he feels as an invalid--a stroke victim,"imprisoned in his body" and explains some of the physiological and medical aspects of the problem. I also appreciate the diary comments of his wife, many of which echo my own feelings. Including quotes from other writers, commentary and diaries expands the perspective of the author's voice, and is an excellent device.

Autobiography--Recovering Life After Stroke
MY YEAR OFF, Recovering Life After a Stroke By Robert McCrum

I understand the frustration of Robert McCrum trying to reach a telephone when he succeeded he found that he could barely make himself understood. I went through the same thing, but I was lucky enough that I was with my wife when the stroke occurred and although I couldn't talk I was put in an ambulance, took to the hospital and was under a doctor care within 40 minutes. Robert McCrum's stroke was much more severer that mine. He was hours getting to a doctor with his condition getting worse all the time...

Actually, this book is a very good autobiography of Mr. McCrum's life thought his stroke and recovery; although he is still recovering I am sure. And an interesting life it was and will continue to be. This book will be very useful to the members of my stroke club. Now, I will read the rest of his books. This one is worth five stars to me.

Everything Is Relative
Very insightful book. Referring to the past reviewer who dismissed this book because Mr. McCrum's stroke was not catastrophic enough, I am very sorry to hear of your loved one's difficulties. However this book could be helpful to many who suffer lesser degrees of stroke and eventually recover fairly well. I can understand this book would not be useful to you personally in light of your experiences. I can say though without a doubt, as a stroke survivor, that even a mild stroke is something no person would EVER want to experience. It often strikes like a lightning bolt and even if function is eventually regained it is hard for a person to ever get over being completely paralyzed and helpless even for a short period of time. Books like Mr. McCrum's help the world at large start to realize stroke can affect anyone, even the young. Best wishes and good health to all.

Not helpful if you need info on serious strokes
This was one of a mountain of books I poured over following my father's severe intracerebral hemorragic stroke, which has left him quite disabled both physically and mentally. For persons, such as myself, searching for answers and insight on how to cope with the seriously disabling stroke of a loved one, this is not the right book. Mr. McCrum never lost consciousness, his mental faculties remained intact (indeed, he was keeping a copious and cogent log of his observations from the first days after the stroke), and his physical disabilities were relatively minor (a slowed gait, and weakness on right side). Frankly, the book had a slightly narcissistic tenor, McCrum using every opportunity to name-drop (constantly referring to his many notable visitors), recount his adventures abroad, and demonstrate his command of arcane literature, which he quotes constantly. He discusses how his stroke caused him to rethink his career choices, and feel more committed to his marriage. McCrum's existential crisis, which culminated in his decision to leave his editorial post to become a journalist, left me cold. I think of the thousands of stroke sufferers who cannot put two sentences together, much less write a book. In the end, McCrum's account is less about the consequences of his stroke, and more about the early mid-life crisis it provoked. Mrs. McCrum, on the other hand, wrote extremely candidly and touchingly of her fears and struggles throughout her new husband's recovery. Her passages provide a very real, honest glimpse into the turmoil suffered by the family members of stroke victims, who are often vexed by feelings of helplessness, fear, isolation and sorrow.

My husband has a brain injury.
This is one of the best books I've read about brain injury. It's extremely well-written. I especially appreciated the honesty of the journal entries from Robert's wife. This book showed that brain injury affects the entire family. My husband had a brain aneurysm nearly 9 years ago, resulting in aphasia (a language disability). Like the author, my husband is a well educated, young man, suddenly thrown into the world of brain injury and rehabilitation. I will share this book with others, especially wives of brain injury survivors. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Essential AA History and a Fun Read!
Mel B. has given us a gift in "Ebby, The Man Who Sponsored Bill W.". Finally, the question of, What ever happened to Ebby, is answered fully and interestingly. I especially enjoyed: 1. the social background of the relationship and friendship which led ultimately to Ebby's call on Bill W., 2. Ebby's particular but familiar character qualities that made continuous sobriety difficult for him, 3. Bill W.'s never ending love and respect for Ebby, his Sponsor, that literally sent AA's to the edge of the earth in a quest to 'get Ebby sobered up again', and 4. Mel B's tasteful insertion of "fun facts" throughout the text which will delight readers.

Ebby, came from a very prominent and wealthy Albany New York family. Both his father and brother served as Mayor of Albany and his brother came astonishingly close to becoming the Governor of New York when FDR left to become President. The family summered in the wealthy retreat of Manchester, Vermont where Ebby's father was a regular in the "Lincoln Golf Foresome" with Abraham Lincoln's only surviving son, Robert Todd Lincoln. It is in this resort-like Manchester setting where Ebby met Bill W. (and, indeed, where Bill W. met Lois Burnham who became his wife). Mel B. through his wonderfully flowing style will take you to Manchester for a bird's eye view of these New England Socialites.

Mel also does a great job of giving us hints about Ebby's character which will be familiar to all of us in recovery. Ebby was forever pointing the finger at other people, places and things as the source of his problems. You will also learn about the wonderful character assets Ebby had which made him so endering to his family and friends such as his gift with children and his single-mindedness and determination when he was engaged in a project which interested him.

You will get a great first hand account of Ebby firing a shotgun in downtown Manchester to rid himself of annoying Pigeons (birds not sponsees) who threatented his just completed paint job on the family property in Manchester. The legal consequences of this incident led to his sponsorship by Rowland H. (The rich Industrialist in the Big Book who Dr. Carl Jung told was hopeless unless he had a "vital spiritual experience") and ultimately to "Ebby's miracle". The miracle and new found sobriety led him to share his experience with Bill W.

Alas, Ebby did not maintain his sobriety. After about 2 and 1/2 years, he returned to drinking and this once dapper gentleman of colonial lineage was reduced to a homeless urchin roaming the streets of Manhattan in search of a handout and a drink. In fact, it was not uncommon for Ebby to beg in the offices of the newly formed AA, and at times pass out on the couch in the lobby.
Eventually, Ebby fell off the radar screen much to the sadness and grief of Bill and Lois W.

A group of men from Texas who were founding AA all over the Lone Star State and were feeling a deep debt of gratitude to Bill W. a frequent visitor, asked Bill what they could do next for him and the rapidly expanding AA. (Searcy W. had recently established a "drying out" clinic in Dallas.) Without hesitation, Bill said, " I would like for you to find Ebby and give him a chance to sober up in your clinic."

I leave you with one of Mel B's "fun facts" that color his text:
"After an early setback in Texas, Ebby would enjoy nearly seven years of continuous sobriety and would hold the same job for several years-an incredible achievment in view of his previous work record." I will leave the final chapters for you.

Scholars of AA must read this book, but it is not written for scholars. All members of AA and friends of AA who want to expand their historical perspective will enjoy and treasure this book. I could not put it down. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Having worn eyeglasses for most of his life, Henry Grunwald merely thought a new prescription was in order when he tried to pour himself some water one day and completely missed the glass. A visit to the eye doctor revealed much more: Grunwald was in the early stages of macular degeneration, an incurable condition that causes increasingly blurred vision and near blindness. His condition was first diagnosed in 1992; he can now discern only fuzzy shapes and colors, while reading has become the "visual equivalent of struggling for breath."To a man who has devoted his life to the written word, the inability to read and write on his own was particularly difficult to accept. With time and effort, however, acceptance did arrive, and Twilight: Losing Sight, Gaining Insight is an elegant memoir of the lessons learned from his debilitating illness.

A former editor in chief of Time, Inc., author of One Man's America, and once the U.S. ambassador to his native Austria, Grunwald first confronted his illness like the first-rate journalist he is. He gathered information, read widely, and questioned the experts, amassing an eclectic blend of fascinating tidbits regarding the history of the eye, as well as discussions on art, culture, and mythology. He meanders from light-sensitive primitive organisms to the latest surgical wizardry to ancient Egyptian remedies for eye maladies (the innards of yellow frogs and the milk of women who had borne only boys apparently worked wonders). He also discovers that Henry James, James Thurber, and Jorge Luis Borges all suffered from a similar loss of sight, as did Michelangelo and Monet. There must be some comfort in knowing one is in good company.

In learning more about the ailment, he ultimately learns more about himself, and it is this introspection that gives this book its subtle beauty. He learns to pay more attention to ordinary objects--the gleam of brass fixtures, the sleek contour of tools, the elegance of machines--as well as to gaze anew at the familiar faces of friends and family. He even uses his blurred vision as a way to interpret beloved paintings differently. Looking backward, he restructures visual memories into a "kaleidoscope of the past" that is beyond the whims of his failing eyes. Though he candidly discusses his fears, anger, and depression, with particular attention paid to his lost independence and reliance on others, his attitude on the whole is admirable. And he manages to retain a sense of humor. In one passage he recalls how he once extended a handshake to what he believed to be the maitre d' at a restaurant, only to be told that he had greeted a large statue of a monkey instead.

Grunwald's absorbing memoir is an eloquent reminder that the eyes are not the only instruments with which to discern beauty. In many respects, his loss of sight served only to sharpen his vision. --Shawn Carkonen ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Learning from Within
As a new person to the field of age-related vision loss, I picked up Grunwald's book and instantly felt a genuine person telling me his story and explaining his perspectives. His book is not compartamentalized in medical, emotional and social sections. It is a natural journey through which you begin to understand what Grunwald experienced.

As a writer myself, I can only imagine how difficult it must be to no longer pick up your own books and read them, as in Grunwald's account of his frustration or simply write and edit with ease.

His plain English explanation of his feelings, situations and medical details of his vision loss has been a gift that has helped me understand what persons with degenerative vision loss are going through. Thank you Henry for pouring yourself into a book, just to help so many others affected directly and indirectly by degenerative vision loss. Your impact lasts beyond the last words in your book.

WHEN is this book coming out on tape or large type?
This is a sensitive, inspirational book about Henry Grunwald's journey into macular degeneration. I am buying two more books for my brothers to increase their understanding of our mother's struggle with this disease. And speaking of my mother, she would love to read this book (especially the part about mistaking the Princess of Wales for Diane Sawyer)and she would be inspired by his account of "losing sight, gaining insight." Unfortunately, she can't do either because the book isn't in LARGE,BOLD. BLACK TYPE or ON TAPE. Publisher Alfred A Knopf, ARE YOU LISTENING?

CALLING ALL MACULAR DEGENERATES...
Written by a retired Editor-in-Chief of Time, Inc. publications, this slender tome gives the author's musings on macular degeneration, which is an incurable, age-related, gradual loss of vision that affects millions of Americans. It is a loss that the author himself experienced, though initially, having worn eyeglasses all his life, he simply thought that he needed a prescription for stronger lenses.

The author gives the reader a historical perspective of age related macular degeneration and the state of this disease in the medical world today. He also recounts his early struggle with the permanent loss of vision and his somewhat difficult transition to the world of the blind and partially blind, given the fact that his life had always revolved around the written word and voracious reading.

This is a very personal chronicle of one man's journey, both physical and emotional, to a new phase in his long and rich life. It is clearly a journey that the author would have preferred not to have taken, but having taken it, though against his will, he makes the most of it. A gifted writer, the author shares his experiences with great candor and insight.

This is an informative, inspirational work from the heart. Those who read it will gain knowledge of the insidious disease that is macular degeneration. It is certainly a disease with which all those who may potentially become afflicted should be familiar. Baby Boomers, in particular, should take heed.

Audiotape version
This book has so much to offer my alert and intelligent 90 year-old uncle, who is struggling to maintain his existential connection with life as macular generation cuts him off from the reading that has given him intellectual sustenance over so many years, that it is really depressing not to find an audiotape version available on Amazon.

June

Value for sufferers and doctors
My mother has macular degeneration and needed this book on tape. .... My mom found the book to be very helpful. I also read it to try to understand better what she deals with every day. She also purchased 2 copies of the book in hardcover for her eye specialists. Although they know all the medical information already, the book can give them insight into their patient's plight. I recommend the book to anyone who knows or works with someone with low vision. ... Read more

Book Description

The remarkable story of the author's recovery from Manic-Depressive illness, and her discovery that she can still have a happy and fulfilling life. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

EXCELLENT Book and Recommended for Consumers and Families
EXCELLENT book!

I am the webowner of Bipolar Disorder Sanctuary and I had a very difficult time putting this book down. Faye easily captures your interest and you want to know what happens next.

Faye openly discusses her life - before, after and during manic & depressive episodes. She reveals the tremendous negative impact the BP has had on her life, and those around her. This was really important for me to read as I have the bipolar disorder myself and I felt much less alone when I read her story. I related so much to what she experienced.

I really believe that this book will comfort many and help educate those with the disorder and for the families as well. It is a first class read.

A Book Everyone Should Read!
Manic by Midnight by talented writers Faye Shannon & Mary Jo Elsasser is a book everyone should read-- A Moving story offering a candid description of a person who suffers with 'Bipolar Disorder.'

The heartfelt story will take the reader on a joy ride that is far from 'FUN' for those who suffer from this devastating illness.

Manic by Midnight is a 'Must Read' in my opinion!

A touching story
Faye has written a touching and uplifting story about her struggle with bipolar disorder. She appears to have been afflicted with a pretty severe variety of the disorder, perhaps Bipolar I would be the proper diagnosis. The writing isn't as good as in the finest mental illness memoirs, such as "An Unquiet Mind" or "Girl, Interrupted", but she is still able to tell her story vividly and honestly. The reader is likely to find himself cheering for her, hoping she can get her life back together. Anyone with bipolar disorder should read this book. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".

Just The Book I Have Been Searching For...
I rate this book five stars! This well written and fascinating book is about the author's experience with mental illness. Her perspective helped me put into words so many feelings I had. I especially enjoyed the part where the author wrote from a psychotic viewpoint, which makes the book all the more unique.

This book would surely be of help to a bipolar or a relative of a mentally ill person.

Disappointing
I read other reviews before purchasing this book, and had high expectations of Ms.Shannon's story. Once I began reading, however, I found her writing style to be extremely repetitive, with many sentences being paraphrased over and over again. This may be intentional, to reflect the confused state of mind during a stressful period in the author's life, but does not, in my opinion, add substance to the book or to the subject matter.

Having said this, I have to mention that I do empathise with her story, being a bipolar patient myself. I just expected that a published book would have a higher quality of written English on its pages. Contrary to other reviewers' opinions, I kept having to put the book down as I tired of the writing style. ... Read more

Reviews (42)

Gambling and Loss???
"We're better situated than most people. We've got good jobs. We had some extra money. It was disposable income in some sort of almost cartoonish sense, and we disposed of it. Most people, I suspect, don't have that luxury. A lot of people, even if they lose a little money, probably could have put that money to use in their lives in a way their lives needed." -Frederick Barthelme

This is no tragedy or eye-opening story on the evils of gambling. If you want those meet me in Vegas! haha...

These guys are just plain BAD gamblers. They claim to have read all the books on Blackjack and understand how to count cards to gain a small advantage over the house yet they find playing that way to be boring. They call themselves "above average" players but tell us they often take insurance bets. Even partial knowledge of basic strategy would keep an "above average" player from making this bet. They have no concept of money management and often spent hours chasing their losses with larger bets just trying to get back to even. And SLOTS??? jeezus! Knowing slots are a poor gaming choice these brothers still sunk thousands of dollars into them often hitting jackpots only to lose it all back by stepping up to the next denomination of machine. One brother won 130,000 in slot jackpots in one year and still lost several thousand on slots for the year.

Their tales of gambling are pretty boring and can be witnessed every day by visiting a casino near you. Their addiction is that they like to have a good time and have the money to do it.

The charges brought against them were pretty silly. The casino has tapes showing a dealer possibly giving signals on when to take insurance or not to. There were 50 something hands over 2 nights in question and we didn't get a detailed break down on the hands but when the casino finally pulled them off the table they were down several thousand dollars. So they are not only bad gamblers but possibly bad cheaters as well. I don't think there was probably any real threat of conviction. It did not scare them enough to stop gambling, they simply moved to another casino. They still gamble today. Awhile back an interviewer wanted to see them in action and he certainly did. 17,000 dollars lost over a few hours.

Anyway, it is a quick read. Pretty unremarkable story. I read it on the plane to pass time. The money spent on this book would be better spent at your local casino. Hang out by the cash machine. Wait for some sad sack to pull out his last 20.00... buy him a drink and listen to his story!

Not a how-to book
When some athlete demands that his contract be renegotiated and you hear the phrase, "It's not about the money," that's when you know that it most certainly IS about the money. But for the Barthelmes the trouble they find really isn't abou the money. Even though they lost $250,000 gambling in Mississippi casinos, that isn't the loss that moved them. The money they lost wasn't theirs, really, it was inherited from their recently-deceased parents, and much of the book is a memoir of the life they had with their parents, and of how their lives lost direction after their parents passed away.

But I enjoyed the parts revealing their gambling lives best. The brothers were able to live quite normal lives, teaching and writing as well as they ever had while at the same time spending hours at the boats playing games they knew deep down they had no chance to win. Their description of their casino experience is fascinating, often morbidly so. They write of hands that fell their way and slots that yielded big jackpots, but it's difficult to feel any pleasure in it, because you know that the winnings will be returned to the casino in short order.

What this book ISN'T is a book on how not to gamble. The authors realize early on that the casinos exist to take your money. They read scores of books on how to beat the odds and how to count cards and find them all pointless. They like the risk-- counting cards is too much like work, it takes all the fun out of playing. And they understand that over time there is no way you can expect to beat a casino in fair play, no way, no matter how sharp or lucky you are. The merciless laws or probabilty will grind you up. But the most telling line in the whole book sums up the whole problem with gambling addicts, that, "...losing never felt like the worst part. Quitting did."

At the end of the book the brothers were arrested on ridiculous felony gambling charges, and while the dust jacket states that the charges were later dropped, the book itself ends with the charges still standing, so you don't know what happened to them afterwards or why the charges were dropped, which was disappointing.

But the book does show the dark side of big-time gambling (or gaming, gambling's new cute-and-cuddly name) and it provides some sort of counterargument to those who think that gambling can cure a region's economic woes. The games pump some money in, but whose money, and at what social cost is it earned?

Of Nepotism and Naivete
First, the obvious: neither Barthelme brother would have cushy college-teaching jobs had not their eldest brother, Donald, been a trendy post-modernist icon. The younger brother, Steven B., has managed to publish exactly one (1) book of short stories; Rick, the larger, plumper one, has some sort of gossamer reputation among those who like trailer-park fiction. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of better writers with better qualifications who would kill and maim with gleeful abandon for jobs at Southern Mississippi -- and who would devote themselves to those jobs, and to their students, rather than run off two or three times a week to squander Daddy's money at the blackjack tables [disclaimer: the undersigned thinks she is one of those "better writers"]. That said, this slender volume does indeed fascinate: I read it straight through in five hours, and so will most readers of a literary bent. The brothers B. have in fact done me a service, one years of shrink visits and antidepressants have failed to do -- in one stroke, they have made me glad, glad, glad that I abandoned the academy, failed to obtain a Ph.D., and find myself teaching high school English thirty years after my Iowa fiction MFA. Theirs is a cautionary tale, of what may happen to smart people with minimal reality contact and few, if any, day-to-day responsibilities. The cavernous lack of common-sense knowledge they display in their forays to the Gulf Coast casinos would be inconceivable to anyone who's punched a clock or handled an insurance claim. They are actually surprised to find that casinos have a corporate identity! Gee, they thought those people were their friends ... gahh! As for the dead father they apparently despised, I felt sorry for D. Barthelme Sr. His hard work, his habits of deep thinking and attention to detail, become monstrosities in the ham-hands of his two youngest sons, who in fifty-plus years on this planet have not managed to obtain perspective one. The book is good -- the descriptions of gambling's intoxications, the minute processing of each foolish and silly and self-deluding thought as it arises, are executed with consummate skill -- and yet one can't help concluding, as the memoir shrinks down upon itself into a puddle of anticlimax, that six months or so in prison would have been good for these men, taught them a painful life-lesson or two. Crucial to an understanding of the brothers' plight is the fact that neither Barthelme bothered to have children, thus giving themselves the right to be babies forever. They are not so much perpetual adolescents as they are pre-pubescent (wife and girlfriend notwithstanding), mired forever in Fiftiesland where, if you want to be a cowboy, you just put on the hat and yell, "Bang-bang!" They are not intellectual -- or accomplished -- enough for the ivory-tower defense they so quickly assume; what they are, are second- and third-tier journeymen blessed with a famous name and a glib ability to sling the relativist Crisco. While one may end up wishing Barthelme Sr., who unlike his sons appeared to be able to distinguish right from wrong, had willed his inheritance somewhere else, this reviewer is grateful for the folly of his heirs. A job at Southern Mississippi may be gravy, but that thin gruel isn't nourishing. Real life is the real meat.

A story of loss
Double Down is a terrific book about loss. Frederick and Steve Barthelme are brothers who moved to Mississippi to become college professors. They come from a very close knit family, and when it is unwoven from the death of their Mother and Father, a gambling addiction is triggered. Steve and Frederick become regulars at The Grand, a local casino, and they start going at least once a week and spending the whole night there all the way into early morning. After blowing all of their inheritance from their parents, they are acussed of cheating. They were indicted and charged with a felony, and forever kicked out of their favorite casino. This didn't stop their gambling addiction, however it did slow it down. They make fewer trips, to another casino and are less intense gamblers.

The book was well written and for the most part it kept my attention. Some parts they seemed to ramble off about their parents and family, and it gets slow. The accounts of their gambling binges keep you wanting more. They know they should stop, but keep throwing their money in anyway. I recommend this to everyone who is intrested in gambling.

Double Down
Double Down, a book about two brothers who discover the world of gambling, has the suspense and drama needed for a good gambling story. The two brothers, who happen to be respectable college professors, move down South to Mississippi to be around their parents. The family, which has drifted apart through the years, has come together for their parent's final years. Soon after their dad die's, the inheritance money starts burning a hole in the brother's pockets. Riverboat gambling puts out the fire. The wild ride lasts for two years, until the Casino accuses them of cheating. Through it all, the brother's learn about themselves, family, and why people do the things they do. ... Read more

Book Description

In this beautiful book, Elizabeth Cohen gives us a true and moving portrait of the love and courage of a family.

Elizabeth, a member of the “sandwich generation”—people caught in the middle, simultaneously caring for their children and for their aging parents—is the mother of Ava and the daughter of Daddy, and responsible for both. Hers is the story of a woman’s struggle to keep her family whole, to raise her child in a house of laughter and love, and to keep her father from hiding the house keys in his slippers.

In this story full of everyday triumphs, first steps, and elderly confusion, Ava, a baby, finds each new picture, each new word, each new song, something to learn greedily, joyfully. Daddy is a man in his twilight years for whom time moves slowly and lessons are not learned but quietly, frustratingly forgotten. Elizabeth, a suddenly single mother with a career and a mortgage and a hamper of laundry, finds her world spiraling out of control yet full of beauty. Faced with mounting disasters, she chooses to confront life head-on.

Written in wonderful prose and imbued with an unquenchable spirit, The House on Beartown Road takes us on a journey through the remarkable landscape that is family. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

A Page-Turner! Moving and Uplifting.
This book is an incredible, fast, fun read. It's heartfelt but often hilarious too. As Elizabeth Cohen manages her rapidly progressing infant and her rapidly regressing dad she tells an amazing story of human survival and will. She reminds us of the comforts of family, of poetry, of neighbors. What I love most about this book is how the author finds the good in a situation where most people would find only heartache. She reminds us of the beauty of everyday life, and of what's important. A celebration of family, parents, kids, of what it means to learn, to think, to be human. I don't usually like memoirs but I highly recommend this one. I've read it twice and couldn't put it down either time.

Poignant, honest, beautifully written
Poignant, honest, beautifully written, this is the story of a woman of 40, her father of 80 and her daughter who is not yet 1. Elizabeth Cohen is truly in the middle as she struggles to care for both her father and her child, while working and trying to maintain some sort of life in an old farmhouse in rural New York. (Her young husband has found the stress too great and has taken off.) The author, who is used to viewing herself as the kind of person who receives help from others, does receive kindness and help from her neighbors, but also develops into a strong and loving person who can cope with life's hardships. As she struggles to keep things going, she stands back occasionally and watches with awe as her father and daughter cross each other in their own journeys, her father backward to a time of knowing/understanding very little, and her daughter forward to a place of knowledge, competence and understanding. The way the little girl and the old man love each other and help each other is also poignantly expressed. This book is unsentimental but emotionally powerfully, and told with a truth and honesty that grab the reader.

Excellent read! You won't want it to end.
Few books have brought me to tears. This one did. The author writes in a matter-of-fact way about the heart-wrenching disease of Alheimer's, its impact to her life, and the lives of those around her. I didn't want the book to end. It is a quick read. Great book.

SUCH FINE WRITING
I found "The House on Beartown Road" shelved in our local library (Pound Ridge, NY) under Mental Health/Alzheimer's. I don't know who decides these things, but this wonderful memoir ought to be prominently placed along with other contemporary memoirs. Elizabeth Cohen is a fine writer and she deserves recognition for this generous tribute to her 80-year-old father, Sandy, to her daughter -- one year old Ava, and to new-found neighbors on Beartown Road and to friends in the Binghamton, NY, community. Sandy and Ava of these are at opposite ends of the verbal spectrum, one forgetting language and the other learning. Elizabeth Cohen herself is there in the middle, somehow trying to work full time as a reporter, managing day care for the two people who depend on her, figuring out how to survive the winter in one of the nation's true snow-belts, and keeping her own sanity as a harrassed single mother.My own mother is 97 with Alzheimer's and I have a one-year old granddaughter, so this book is close to the bone in many ways. I tell everybody about it. I use it in the memoir course I teach. I want to keep it to survive as a classic memoir and as a year-long account by an un-self-pitying caregiver. Elinore Standard Pound Ridge, NY

The House on Bear Town Road
Very well written book showing author's comapassion for her father. I also have a father who has Alzheimer's Disease and I could associate with all of Elizabeth Cohen's experiences, frustrations and her role as care giver to her dad. Her descriptions of her father's thoughts and behavior is so true. He mirrored my own father's reactions and disease progression.
Her analogy of the learning and the forgetting is so eye opening.
This book should be recommended reading for everyone who has a loved one with Alzheimer's.
I thououghly enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down until I finished it. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the best seller that has been out of print for a few years. A mother and son, in alternating paragraphs, look back at their time meeting the challenge of his autism, his amazing progress. In a new section, both authors discuss where Sean is today. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

An autobiography that gives insight
I loved this book. It was interesting and kept my attention throughout. I feel it is a must for parents dealing with children on the Autism Spectrum.
As we all know none of our children in the autism spectrum are the same. The boy in this book was more "severe" as a child than my son, but it still gave me a better understanding into why and how my child thinks. Although never explicitly stated in the book it gave me insight to easily find ways to ask my son questions as to why he does certain things. I never would have understood certain issues about my child for lack of a good way to ask my son questions about his problems & confusion had it not been for this book! The book also comes with a happy ending and good closure to this inspiring man's journey living with Autism. Even if you are not a parent or educator with a child on the Autism Spectrum, I think you would find this book interesting and worth the read. As the Author grows, his determination to succeed is inspiring for anyone.

A Valuable Perspective
Having a son on the spectrum myself, I found this book to offer such a genuine perspective into the mindset of both the parent and the child. In particular, having the added insights and explainations of Sean Barron, himself, in reference to the often bizarre and seemingly unexplainable behaviors that are associated with autism, gave me a unique new set of eyes to see my son through. What a gift this,is in terms of the insight it provides and the hope it inspires.

a family account from both sides of the glass
While many books on autism tell either from a family or individual's viewpoint, this story is unique in that it presents the perspective from both sides. Paired with the mother's account is one of her son with autism. This was written during a time when autism was still between psychoanalysis & neurology so some of the interventions seem misguided (although acceptable at the time). When Sean reaches high school & begins to recognize himself as an autistic indiviual, it is an unusual awakening. Good family-account/personal-account reading.

Interesting insight into the thoughts of a child with autism
I teach children with a variety of behavioral handicaps, and this book explains the behaviors of children with autism from the point of view of the parents and the child himself as well as any I have ever read.

Educational
As a grandmother of an autistic boy I am thankful there is some understanding to this experience. ... Read more

Book Description

Lewis B. Puller, Jr.'s memoir is a moving story of a man born into a proud military legacy who struggles to rebuild his world after the Vietnam War has shattered his body and his ideals. Raised in the shadow of his father, Marine General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, a hero of five wars, young Lewis went to Southeast Asia at the height of the Vietnam War and served with distinction as an officer in his father's beloved Corps. But when he tripped a booby-trapped howitzer round, triggering an explosion that would cost him his legs, his career as a soldier ended--and the battle to reclaim his life began. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

A chilling portrait of the Vietnam war
I just read this book for the second time. The spread between the first and second reading is nearly a decade. The first time I read this book I became emotional. Now that I have read it again, with added maturity...I fully appreciate its greatness.

Lewis B. Puller, Jr. is the patriotic son of a beloved Marine Corps legend. "Fortunate Son," is the story of how the author follows his father's footsteps...joining the Marines and going to war. What follows is a chilling portrait of the Vietnam war. It is also a fabulous window of understanding of how many Vienam veterans turned against the war.

The author's narrative of his childhood and his relationship with his famous military father is outstanding. Moreover, the tale of his combat wound and his subsequent survival along with other American casualties of the war while in military hospitals in the States is comprehensive and objective.

Puller does an enormous service for the nation. He honestly delivers one of the most powerful...as well as painful first hand testimonies of the longest war in the history of the United States of America. This book will endure the test of time.

A moving book. Insight into Vietnam and its human impact.
Marines, and anyone who dreams of the "glory" of war, or who is contemptous of those who served should read this Pulitzer prize winning book.

Every Marine learned the legend of General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller in boot camp. Chesty is our icon (See his biography "Marine"). Lewis Jr. was raised in that tradition and became a Marine officer himself.

His story is told eloquently and movingly. His suicide more than 20 years later is a death that belongs etched on the Vietnam Memorial Wall along with the other honored dead.

A bulwark of strength
I read this book while preparing for the Bar exams in 1998 in the Philippines. I want to pass it really bad, and Lewis Puller Jr.'s strength and wisdom is a bulwark of inspiration for me. I am now a lawyer, and his words stayed with me all these years.

But it's so tragic. I'm dumbfounded knowing he killed himself! All this time, his remarkable story sustained me through my own struggles. He is a loser after all! How awful. I wish I hadn't read the reviews here that told me about the suicide!

The writing is great anyway. But what a waste. I'm really disappointed!

Amazing, captivating...
I will keep this short and sweet. I got out of the Corps last year, the entire time you are a Marine, from the 1st day, you idolize "Chesty" Puller Sr., this book gave me insight into his life, not just his battle conquests, as well as insight into the life of his family. I had never even heard of his son before let alone the amazing struggle that he went through. A wonderfully written book that kept me captivated from start to finish. I couldn't put it down until I was done. When I should have been studying (Im a student now haha), I wasn't! I was reading this book. It gave me a new found appreciation for Autobiographies and I highly recommend it.

Sad But True Legacy
this is a hard read but worth it. Details the life of one who had expectations put on him he may not have wanted or been able to live up to. His Dad set the expectations knowingly or unknowingly and the Son followed the path without the tools. The only thing I struggled with in the book is the hero part. The poor guy unwittingly stepped on a major land mine that blew him up after four months in Nam. He did nothing great there but he did show us some incredible courage after. He gave us the reality of what war can be like after the shooting stops. Well worth reading from the human interest side and for the courage of a man and woman alone. Tough but worth it. ... Read more

Book Description

Ten years ago, doctors at the Mayo Clinic told thirty-four-year-old Greg Smith that he had an inoperable brain tumor. They gave him three months to live.

Today, ten years later, Smith is fit, symptom-free, and managing his tumor with an experimental hormone therapy--living proof that no matter how dire the diagnosis, you don't have to accept a death sentence.

How did he do it?

In this remarkable book, Smith draws on his own harrowing experiences, and those of other patients who "refused to lie down and die on cue," to show how medical "miracles" are made; from taking control of health care decisions to exploring experimental treatments; from finding the right questions for your doctor to finding the right doctor for your questions; from developing trust in your caregiver to developing faith in yourself; from battling insurance companies to battling the voice in your head that keeps asking, "Why me?"

Making Miracles Happen is not just another survivor's memoir.The story of Greg Smith's return from the threshold of death is certainly inspirational--and deeply moving, and even darkly funny at times--but inspiration is only part of the story."My purpose," says Smith in the introduction, "is to be helpful."In pursuit of that goal, he weaves the eloquence and insights of doctors, as well as the hard-won wisdom of other patients, into the compelling narrative of his own story.

The result is a book that entertains, educates, and empowers at the same time; a book that inspires with information and insight, not feel-good nostrums; a book that doesn't just tell the story of how one man achieved his medical miracle, but lays out a road map that others can follow; a book that finally brings the light and air of reason into that darkest and most claustrophobic of all places in the heart: the fear of dying. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

insightful
I am in the process of reading this book. I just finished reading Chapter 3, A Doctor Is a Doctor Is . . . The information in this chapter is extremely important. It applies to all technical fields.

Making my OWN miracle happen
Phenomenal and uplifting. That's how I would describe Smith's book. I purchased this book because I was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year, at age 22. A craniotomy and a long recovery behind me, I'm still left with part of the tumor, seizures, and daily medication. Smith's book not only led me through what he was going through physically and emotionally, so that I did not feel so alone, but it showed the other side: hope. Through many personal stories of people who had diseases ranging from emphysema to AIDS, amyloidosis to stroke, Smith shows the strength and power that hope, positive thinking, and an attitude of "I'm not giving up!" has had on these fighters. This book made me see that no matter how bad I think things are for me, someone is going through worse, but with a better attitude! Everybody knows someone suffering from a chronic disease. I recommend this book for sufferers and their families. Not only helpful emotionally, it is helpful practically, in showing that getting that second, or third, or fourth opinion may make the difference between not only horrible aftereffects of a surgery, but life and death. Most of all, this book leaves its readers with the message of "Don't give up!" I know I won't.

A must for any person responsible for health care
This book should be required reading in High ?School...it let's the reader know how and when to use healthcare options, and how important it is to control one's healthe care and destiny.

Incisive
Although the titles oozes with sap, Smith's book is full of original and interesting takes on the state of modern medicine as it concerns chronic and extremely life-threatening diseases. Especially relevant, I think, are his comments about being active in choosing doctors, doing your own research, and not simply accepting physicians' opinions as divine kernels of wisdom. Unfortunately, like many books in this genre, the writing tends toward the glib; patients' stories are seamlessly intercut with an enormous variety of material, from quotes from the relevant literature to interviews with leading research scientists. Good reading, though. ... Read more

Book Description

This book chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games--games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it."

Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive--dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.

Reviews (73)

The Child Called It
WOW that's what i say. What a brillient book. I never put it down and highly recommended it to friends. I cried all the way through it, not to sound patronising but i felt Dave Pelzer's pain and heartache. What kind of mother does that to her child??? The things he was made to do where beyond belief, yet he still did them-he didn't run away. This is the sort of book that really inspires people and makes them apprieate what they have in life. Dave Pelzer suffered the worst case of child abuse seen in America, but not in vain-if anything it has taught people to be more vigilant and forth-coming. It made me smile with happiness at this innocent child's bravery but also cry in profound sadness at the way he was treated. My heart goes out to you. You've really turned things around for yourself, writing about your experiances, selling millions of books and being a best selling aurtour-THAT'S AMAZING. If anything we can learn form this and stop it happening to other innocent children. An astounding and heart-renching read. Good luck in the future all the love and happiness Mr Pelzer-a throughly inspirational man.

The Best Book of the Year
A Child Called "It": One child's Courage to Survive. Author: Dave Pelzer.

As a mother of three children, as a person and, as a professional, I was so incredibly astonished and touched by this story. I got the book about 4 months ago, and I started reading it about 11 p.m. last night. To tell you the truth, I did not stop until I finished it.

It is a true story of a woman from a medium class American family, that after being an excellent mother (even more than the average) for several years, starts to have problems drinking alcohol (and others). All at the sudden, she "chooses" one of her boys Dave to become the scapegoat and victim of her problems. She abuses Dave in such particular and dangerous ways, she degrades him, and she humiliates him and does such dreadful things to him that she sounds to me as completely schizofreniac.

On the other side, every one in the family, including his father, let her get away with her torturing, and other people either decided to become blind or deaf, or did not know what to do. What makes your heart break is that the story is seen and told by the child's point of view, it's so, so sad.

My opinion is that this book should be in every household and in every school there is in this world. If you are a Parent read it, if you are teacher read it, if you are a brother, sister, relative, etc. ¡You should read it!.

To put it more clearly, I truly believe that all boys and girls after certain age (even six, eight or nine) should read it. It should be a "must for the reading programs of every school in the whole world", so children, teachers, parents and all professionals that deal with children can know what to do or well to ask for help. Specially children. Whose love is some times so great or their blame so high, that could feel totally lost.

For me: The best book of the year.

Incredible Courage amidst incredible abuse
As I read this, parts of the text were unbearable. Yet, Dave's story is an unfortunate reality of the deviance that exists within the human psyche to control, manipulate and abuse another. Anyone involved with educating children in whatever form they chose should read this because the truth brings to light what is hidden in the darkness. Dave is definitely an overcomer and his book will challenge you to look at the little boys and girls we see each day...a bit more carefully and mercifully.

A Very Brave and Corageous Little Boy
If your interested in reading a book that leaves you with a sense of sadness and happiness all in one this is the book for you! The author David Pelzer was the man that lived the life of this brave and corageous little boy. The things that he endured when he was young, left you paralyzed and distraught. Cold chills will overwhelm your body, with a filling of grief and sadness so depressing that you don't want to continue to read because you are so scared of what he might endure next, but you know if you don't read you will never know how he ends up.
This book is about the life of David Pelzer who was beaten by his mother, deprived of food, and tortured as a young child. He no longer was called by his name, he was known as "IT". He never really knew what love was except for before his mother went crazy. David's dad tried to help him, but ended up only making things worse. Some of the things she did to him would make you cringe. She burned his arm on the stove and made him throw up whatever he ate at school. His mother truley was the Devil.
The intended audience would be for young adults and older. This book is definitly not for children! The farther you get into the book the more descriptive it gets. His life gets worse before it gets better! David wrote his book, based on his life, simple. Not to make you feel sorry for him or to pity him, but to tell you that all things in life are not easy, but we can all get through them eventually and still lead a healthy life. Free from the past, and ready for the future.
I really liked this book. It was very sad to think of how his own mother could have beat him and disown him like she did. It is not that unheard of though all over the world there are children like David trying to survive the unexpectable. They only hope they are lucky enough to survive the raft of domestic violence. The main reason I chose this book is because it deals with everyday life situations and because it speaks the truth through a young boys life, someone who didn't give up and give in to the tragic consequences of being born and not wanted.

The truth, about ' A Child Called it
'A Child called it' is a sad but gripping novel. Whilst covering the terrible torments that Dave is put through, by child abuse and physical and mental torture; this book also tells you about some of the horrible things Dave has to do to try and survive. 'A child called it' is a true story, and until he was 12 he had to cope with this.
The genre of this book is an autobiography, as it is Dave Pelzer's own childhood. It explores the various punishments that Dave was given, for example acting as his mothers slave, being put into near starvation, and finally being kept in a room of Clorex (poison) for hours on end.
As I mentioned before, the two main characters are Dave and his mother. Dave is a scared, beaten, and timid boy, who is given the blame for everything. Whereas his mother if totally different. She is alcoholic, emotionally unstable, cruel, harsh and is very unpredictable. She is someone who loves to play dangerous games on her own son. Dave has a father who at the start is one of his hero's and four brothers, who watch with glee, as he is tortured. Dave's brothers are Ronald, Stan, Russell and Kevin.
The style of this book is sad, descriptive, and an inspiring fight for freedom.
Dave survey's his emotions and feelings towards his life in a very honest way. He also includes extremely detailed accounts of what happened to him, and what he thinks are the reasons towards his own mother's actions. 'A child called it' also uses a circular narrative to put across the story. First it tells you how Dave is rescued, and then tells you why.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it older readers. I would describe it as sad, extraordinary, dramatic, detailed book, which covers many topics (including child abuse.) I think that the circular narrative works as it creates tension and suspense. I would of preferred it if it hadn't been used, as I think that I would of found this book more upsetting. As I wouldn't of known whether he was going to survive or not, and whether he was going to be rescued. This would of still created suspence, but I don't think that it ruined it too much. ... Read more

Book Description

Attractive and successful, Joie Davidow presents a confident face to the world. But her carefully applied makeup conceals a secret she has kept for decades. She was born with a port-wine stain, a purple mark that covers most of the left side of her face, including her eye. Tormented as a child, shunned as a teenager, she thought of herself as deformed and ugly until, in her second year of college, she discovered cosmetics that would allow her to hide the mark on her face. She learned to paint on a mask that made her appear normal, if not downright beautiful. Suddenly she was no longer “the girl with the big purple mark.” Behind the mask she was safe, protected from the astonished eyes and unkind remarks of strangers. Her deception was her freedom, but it was also her imprisonment, a threat that never left her. For most of her life she feared that a hot, humid day, a strong wind, an errant tear, or even a fervent embrace would destroy the face she had so painstakingly created, revealing her shameful secret.

While hiding behind the mask, she became a newspaper editor, then a magazine publisher. She sat front and center at runway shows in Paris, London, Milan, and New York. She was an authority on all things glamorous, appearing frequently on television. But alone at night, she washed her face and saw a disfigured woman in the mirror.

Marked for Life chronicles Joie’s coming of age with a facial difference and a family who tried to deal with the purple mark by denying its existence. It is the story of Joie’s search for a man whose love she could trust despite her marked face, and her passion for the man who loved and accepted her.

It is the story of how she refused to be defined by the stain that disfigured her and how, finally, she came to realize that, despite being “marked for life,” she is really just another face in the crowd, no different from anyone else.

Written with honesty, wit, and a true storyteller’s gift, this book will resonate with all of us who have at times felt that we, too, were secretly markedand somehow different from the rest of the world. ... Read more

Book Description

"A book that reminds us to hold tight to our dreams, When The Road Turns is an inspiring collection of stories written by people living with multiple sclerosis.When you walk through the front door of these writer's lives, you won't leave without a rene