Editorial Review

David J. Pelzer's mother, Catherine Roerva, was, he writes in this ghastly, fascinating memoir, a devoted den mother to the Cub Scouts in her care, and somewhat nurturant to her children--but not to David, whom she referred to as "an It." This book is a brief, horrifying account of the bizarre tortures she inflicted on him, told from the point of view of the author as a young boy being starved, stabbed, smashed face-first into mirrors, forced to eat the contents of his sibling's diapers and a spoonful of ammonia, and burned over a gas stove by a maniacal, alcoholic mom. Sometimes she claimed he had violated some rule--no walking on the grass at school!--but mostly it was pure sadism. Inexplicably, his father didn't protect him; only an alert schoolteacher saved David. One wants to learn more about his ordeal and its aftermath, and now he's written a sequel, Read more

Reviews (1753)

The Best Book Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a story about a young David.His life was practically perfect and then it all changed.His mother beats him from age 4-12!It's horrible, but it is such a great book.You will cry when he cries, and you will hurt when he hurts, but you will feel his angry and hate for his mother when he does!
A story about a Brave child
I read this book in 2 days, less then 24 hours. I was so touched by David's strength that he had from a very young age. It's hard to believe anyone especially someone's mother would do the kind of things she did to David. It's sickening and sad. I am glad David decided to tell his story, as I'm sure it has helped other people. I am currently reading David'd 2nd book the lost boy and hope to get hid 3rd book as well as his brother Richards books
"A Child Called 'it' " is a good read!
"A Child Called 'it' " is a book about a young boy,David, who is severely beaten by horrible, cruel mother.No one knew the purpose of this,(the beatings) but it maybe she was taking out her anger from her constant fights with her husband or maybe she is just very frustrated with having all the respnsobilities of being a normal,kind, and caring mother to all of David's other siblings.Although it was extremely unlikley for David to survive, his hope & faith kept him alive.
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Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Abused children    3. Abusive mothers    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. California    9. Children of alcoholics    10. Daly City    11. Family relationships    12. General    13. Pelzer, David J    14. Personal Memoirs    15. Specific Groups - Special Needs    16. Child abuse    17. Self-Help / General   

Editorial Review

This true story about the love between a spiritual mentor and his pupil has soared to the bestseller list for many reasons. For starters: it reminds us of the affection and gratitude that many of us still feel for the significant mentors of our past. It also plays out a fantasy many of us have entertained: what would it be like to look those people up again, tell them how much they meant to us, maybe even resume the mentorship? Plus, we meet Morrie Schwartz--a one of a kind professor, whom the author describes as looking like a cross between a biblical prophet and Christmas elf. And finally we are privy to intimate moments of Morrie's final days as he lies dying from a terminal illness. Even on his deathbed, this twinkling-eyed mensch manages to teach us all about living robustly and fully. Kudos to author and acclaimed sports columnist Mitch Albom for telling this universally touching story with such grace and humility. Read more

Reviews (1946)

Brought back feelings....
This book was definitely one of those works where you can identify with what they are going through, yet you still have something to learn. I am a cargiver for a lady who has a disease almost identical to that of ALS (Lou Gehrigs) and the symptoms he describes in this book are ones that I am facing everyday I work with her.
Tuesdays At Morrie's, Fridays At The Bank
This book is not inspiring, it is unfortunate.Morrie sounded like a great man who knew how to live his life.However, it is unfortunate that media vultures like Oprah Winfrey, Ted Koppel, and the author (another Oprah-manufactured "celebrity" like Dr. Phil) took everything that was probably special about this man and trivialized his words, commercialized his life, and exploited him and his values purely for financial gain.Albom mentions that the advance money for the book paid for Morrie's medical bills...what about all the money after he died?Hmm...he kind of left that part out.Seems that Mitch didn't really learn that much about greed from his old professor after all, which makes him sort of a hypocrite.What could have been a very special book in the hands of a competent author, instead gets a 200-page shlock treatment, from a sixth-grade caliber sports-writer (who apparently can't write many words longer than two syllables) that is watered down so that the masses can swallow it without too much critical thought.If I'd have known this was one of "Oprah's Picks" I wouldn't have even bothered with it, but I have also heard so much praise for this book that I figured it was at least worth a read.It wasn't.It was not inspiring, it was trite, contrived, shallow, preachy, poorly written...which seems to be a trademark of all of Albom's books.Morrie, you deserved better and I hope you are resting peacefully.I suppose it is good that this book is at least inspiring people, but at the same time you have to wonder about the types of people who would be inspired by this simple-minded shlock.Anyone raised in any decent, civilized background probably knew all this stuff already.I think the only people on this earth who have a true sense of what Morrie was about are his surviving friends, family, cohorts and students.I felt no connection to Morrie with this tacky treatment of a powerful subject, which is very unfortunate.I agree with another review that said that if you want some really great, inspiring words, read the Bible, Koran, Torah, etc. and keep away from this tacky book.Heck, read Siddhartha, thats probably a much better choice.Mitch, your grade on this thesis is an "F -"

A Lifetime with Morrie
As I sit down to write this review I find myself not looking into the book to see what I wrote in the margins, but trying to remember what I learned from the book.I once had a professor tell me "Shawn, you will never remember what the text tells you, but you will remember what the book taught you".This is one of those types of books and as you are reading it, you feel like you are a part of the story.Throughout the story Morrie tries to relay some of the lessons he has learned, and after reading the book I have realized that they are the most important kind of lessons: lessons on living life.I am not being vague about the content of this story in hopes of enticing you to read this, but I simply want you to sit down with this book without any expectations.Have a relationship with it and it will teach you amazing things. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Case studies    5. Death    6. Death, Grief, Bereavement    7. Educators    8. Inspirational - General    9. Patients    10. Psychological aspects    11. Religion    12. Specific Groups - Special Needs    13. Teacher-student relationships    14. United States    15. Religion / Inspirational   

Reviews (12)

Bringing the message home
This is a book you will want to share with colleagues, patients, family and friends if you are in an integrative medicine healing practice. Those that "get" what you are doing will love it for its clear description of our vision. Those that don't "get" what you are doing, may very well after reading this extremely well written, passionate story. Matthew understands that yoga goes far beyond his personal experience or any story for that matter. He uses his story to share how yoga is indeed a "waking" of the human consciousness and a responsiblity for us all. His use of humor, irony and candor make for an engaging, personal experience while pushing the reader to look beyond their personal limits.

The Connection of Mind and Body
This memoir was a fabulous read.I couldn't put it down once I started.Matthew's story of his accident and recovery was heartbreaking, but the inspiration he provides for all of us gives ushope that we toocan overcome the obstacles we face in our ownlives. We do not stand apart from Matthew, but we walk with him, all of us.I feel that Matthew does not what us to feel sorry for him, but to learn from him that we all can be whole, healthy and live productive lives.I was amazed by his insights and the poetic elegance of his writing.This author will go far.Read it!

Waking, by Matthew Sanford
This was an awesome book.A great story for anyone really, but very helpful as well to those in the medical or alternative health care field, as I am a massage therapist. I found the linking of trauma and injury with the body very helpful in understanding clients and even my own limitations or prior injuries, it proves that your muscles do remember and even have flashbacks to trauma incurred to the body.I was totally inspired by Matthew and all he went through and accomplished during his journey back to health and Im so grateful that he shared it with us. It is also a good book for anyone experiencing aging in their bodies to read as well, lots of helpful insight for all of us as we start to disconnect from our bodies because of limitations or injury or age.Very inspiring and uplifting and hopeful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Health aspects    6. Paraplegics    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Specific Groups - Special Needs    9. Yoga    10. Biography: general    11. Coping with disability    12. True stories of endurance & survival   

Editorial Review

The third tale in David Pelzer's autobiographical trilogy, Read more

Reviews (195)

A must read! Highly recommended!
I just finished this book about 20 minutes ago. During the past two weeks I read all 3 books in this series. My heart broke during the first book as I read a trageic story that no child should ever have to experience. During the second book I cheered Pelzer on as he was slowly recovering and sometimes even enjoying life. I almost didn't read the 3rd book in the series, because I was confident that Pelzer's life turned out well. However, I just couldn't stop myself from wanting to know how it all ended.
Wow
The end of the trilogy. I finally got my head around part of what makes him so compelling. If you read what the marketers put together, you may think this is gloomy and such. Nope. It's about how he survived, and is therefore inspiring. But what finally comes together for me in this conclusion is the author's refusal to let me hate his mother the way I'd like to. Damn, life would be easier that way. Pelzer's no saint, mind you. He's human too. But dang, I really did want him to let me hate his mother. You can learn a lot from this guy, even if you do hate his mother.

Great book.
We enjoyed reading all of Dave Pelzer's books.Excellent reading for all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Abused children    3. Abusive mothers    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. California    9. Children of alcoholics    10. Daly City    11. Family relationships    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Specific Groups - Special Needs    14. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    15. Biography: general   

Editorial Review

People around the world have found inspiration in the story of Lance Armstrong--a world-class athlete nearly struck down by cancer, only to recover and win the Tour de France, the multiday bicycle race famous for its grueling intensity. Armstrong is a thoroughgoing Texan jock, and the changes brought to his life by his illness are startling and powerful, but he's just not interested in wearing a hero suit. While his vocabulary is a bit on the he-man side (highest compliment to his wife: "she's a stud"), his actions will melt the most hard-bitten souls: a cancer foundation and benefit bike ride, his astonishing commitment to training that got him past countless hurdles, loyalty to the people and corporations that never gave up on him. There's serious medical detail here, which may not be for the faint of heart; from chemo to surgical procedures to his wife's in vitro fertilization, you won't be spared a single x-ray, IV drip, or unfortunate side effect. Athletes and coaches everywhere will benefit from the same extraordinary detail provided about his training sessions--every aching tendon, every rainy afternoon, and every small triumph during his long recovery is here in living color. Read more

Reviews (670)

trash
we all know this story, but if you want to read a cocky, self absorbed version from lance's perspective pick this up. horribly written, some attempts are made at poeticism ("I keep riding, into the highest peering hills, up the pitch of a mountainside, where green leaves quiver in the cold sun") but overall i'd probably get more out of a 2 page summary of his life on wikipedia.

Inspirational!
Lance provides a lot of insight into his life, who he is, and how he became the greatest cyclist in the world in this book!This book covers his life from birth to the 2nd Tour de France win.The dedication he has to his job (cycling) is so impressive.A truly inspirational story....

Fantastic- One of the best books I have ever read
I must say that this is easily one of the best books I have ever read, and probably the most inspirational.It delves deep into the realms of the human spirit, against the worst of odds.Lance Armstrong isn't just the single greatest athlete of our generation, hes an American hero, and he beat cancer.Yes, he did not just survive, he defeated it, and proved it can be done.I have never had cancer, I have never fought against unbelieveble odds.This man has, and he tells his story in a remarkable, touching, and humane way.Fantastic Read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Armstrong, Lance    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Cancer    7. Cycling - General    8. Cyclists    9. Diseases - Cancer    10. Patients    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. Sports - General    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Editorial Review

"I fell for the great American dream, female version, hook, line, and sinker," Marya Hornbacher writes. "I, as many young women do, honest-to-God believed that once I Just Lost a Few Pounds, suddenly I would be a New You, I would have Ken-doll men chasing my thin legs down with bouquets of flowers on the street, I would become rich and famous and glamorous and lose my freckles and become blond and five foot ten." Hornbacher describes in shocking detail her lifelong quest to starve herself to death, to force her short, athletic body to fade away. She remembers telling a friend, at age 4, that she was on a diet. Her bizarre tale includes not only the usual puking andstarving, but also being confined to mental hospitals and growing fur (a phenomenon called lanugo, which nature imposes to keep a body from freezing to death during periods of famine). ... Read more

Reviews (366)

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
I never truly left this book until it was done. I stopped at points and it took perhaps a week to finish, but it was always on my mind. I rolled over her story in my head as I went about my days (or daze).
Excellent, witty and very honest book
I've read a few lame teenage oriented, moralistic, politically correct books about eating disorders, but THIS is something completely different! Not only because Marya is a real, tallented writer, but even more because her writing is so honest, detailed and yet humorous in some strange way. She doesn't whin about her situation, she doesn't blame all the world and society, but she neither powders herself with ashes. She just tells her story, a story of a very seriuos, determined, tallented and unique girl who decided to become really thin and pushed her dieting obsession to its very limits, to the very edge of death. Details of her starving and purging practices, and of her inventive, deceiving methods to convince her family, friends and medical personel that she's fine, are scary, but this brutal realism makes you really think about eating disorders. Her eating disorder is not just a disorder, it's a real full-time job, a lifestyle, a dedication, and it's extremly frightening. I found her comments about her recent life very good and revealing too.
Fantastic Book
Marya Hornbacher paints a real and vivid image of her experience with anorexia. This is the best book on anorexia and bulimia I have ever read. I keep coming back to this book- I could read it again and again just because of Hornbachers talent for writing. She truely has a gift!
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Subjects:  1. Anorexia nervosa    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Bulimia    7. Eating Disorders - General    8. Patients    9. Psychopathology - Eating Disorders    10. Specific Groups - Special Needs    11. United States    12. Women    13. Biography & Autobiography / Medical    14. Biography: general    15. Coping with eating disorders   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (177)

Brilliant writing, laugh-out-loud humor, a touch of the supernatural
". . . Real magic doesn't come from achieving the perfect appearance, from being Cinderella at the ball with both glass slippers and a killer hairstyle. The real magic is in the pumpkin, in the mice, in the moonlight; not beyond ordinary life, but within it." - Martha Beck, Expecting Adam
a wonderful exploration of life and living
Martha Beck has written a stunning memoir of her journey from driven Harvard grad student to delivering and parenting a child with Down's Syndrome. And yet, Beck's story and lessons apply far beyond pregnancy and having a child with Down's. She explores and challenges the premise of modern life, which is hurry up and constantly do more, without taking time to appreciate and enjoy. Her account is honest and insightful, making it all the more valuable as a vital life lesson. The loss of dreams and expectations, when faced and acknowledged, is transformative, and Beck openly shares the difficult and painful twists and turns that redefined her identity of wife, mother,and indeed even woman. She deftly weaves the love and joy Adam brings into the background of her life. Beck doesn't take the easy way out by proselytizing-instead, she openly admits the heartbreak of being judged and found wanting for choosing to continue her pregnancy when it was discovered that her son had Down's. This is thankfully not an anit-abortion story. It is the ultimate pro-choice testament-and what a testament it is. Beck has the courage to describe her struggle to move beyond reason and logic, which are innate to the Harvard culture, and reside comfortably with intuition and a sense of something bigger than the concrete, visible world.
Went on too long...
Kinda felt like 9 mos. had passed while I read this book, she really could have used a better editor.I did learn a lot about Down's Syndrome from Ms. Beck, which was interesting.Got bored with the constant Harvard references--enough already.Was distracted *SPOILER* by what has happened to the Beck's since this book was written--both spouses have "come out" and live with same sex partners.How that all came about would be an interesting book to me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Literary    5. Parental Memoirs    6. Specific Groups - Special Needs    7. Women    8. Biography & Autobiography / Literary   

Reviews (18)

Any interested in adventure travel will find this a fine, absorbing survey.
A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler tells of an early sightless adventurer who fought the slave trade in Africa, survived captivity in Siberia, and hunted elephants in Ceylon - among other things. He was an amazing explorer of the early 1800s - and a celebrity of his times - but died in obscurity that has lasted until now. A SENSE OF THE WORLD uses much research to recreate James Holman's life, times, and adventures and provides a vivid memoir hard to put down: any interested in adventure travel will find this a fine, absorbing survey.
A Sense of the World...Wonderful!
Well I just turned my last page in A Sense of the World today, with reluctance and great satisfaction!I absolutely loved it.I'm starting my second year here at college and find myself immersed in the sciences, study and the routine of academics.This book, which I heard about on NPR, really enlightened my days as I read along the travels of James Holman.For me, it provided a fresh glimpse into another world, and an escape from the work of my studies.I wish I could write like Roberts, because I cannot express what the book meant to me.
Kindred Spirits Ignited
There is a driving force in myself and others I know to go and search the new and unexplored in the world. This is not stated in arrogance, by any means. It just an "is".This account of James Holman was the single most inspiring true story of a traveler in its purest definition of the word. It brought new meaning to the word "fearless" in my life and I believe my approach to journeying has thus been transformed. Kudos to Jason Roberts for his perseverance and brilliant portrayal of a man who might have lived in obscurity forever. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 18th And 19th Century Description And Travel    2. Adventurers & Explorers    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Discovery And Exploration (General)    8. England    9. Specific Groups - Special Needs    10. Travelers    11. Voyages and travels   

Reviews (49)

Too long a journey for me....
The author, a writer and professor, spent a year riding the buses with her mentally retarded sister, Beth, in Pennsylvania. Cool Beth, as she'd sign off her letters, enjoys riding the buses and gets to know the bus routes, schedules and drivers very well. Sometimes the other passengers are mean to her, even to the extent of asking the driver to kick her out of the bus but some drivers become firm friends with her. She even has a crush on one of them! I can imagine what a challenge it must be for the drivers to become friends with a mentally retarded person who talks loudly in the buses and almost letting all her secrets out in the open. It's also a challenge I think for the author to take the bus rides with her only to find that there are passengers on board who did not think that Beth deserves compassion and friendship. Some even demand that the driver checks Beth's bus ticket to ensure that she is not getting a free ride.
Not for everyone
While this book seems to have little but rave reviews, I can't say I was overly impressed by it. Frankly, I felt that I'd read the story before. Just because it's a true story doesn't mean that it can't be hackneyed and annoying, and this certainly was. Rachel was your typical clueless, booksmart girl, and Beth was your typical wise-beyond-her-years-if-retarted inspiration. The story itself is episodical--don't read this if you're looking for a coherant plot. It reflects real life, which appeals to some, but not to me. "Riding the Bus" is very well-written, which at some points was its only saving grace. But even the style can't save the disaster that was an epilogue, that completely threw me out of the story and had my head shouting "where did that come from!?" Overall, it may be someone's cup of tea, but not everyone will enjoy it.

Lessons Learned
Life cannot be easy for developmentally disabled adults. It's alsonot easy for their families. The reader sees both sides of the coin in Simon's story of spending 12 months with her mentally retarded sister, doing what Beth loves best -- riding the city's buses.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Authors, American    3. Biography    4. Family relationships    5. Inspirational    6. Motivational & Inspirational    7. Pennsylvania    8. People with mental disabilities    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Self-Help    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. Women    13. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Editorial Review

The roots of alcoholism in the life of a brilliant daughter of an upper-class family are explored in this stylistic, literary memoir of drinking by a Massachusetts journalist. Caroline Knapp describes how the distorted world of her well-to-do parents pushed her toward anexoria and then alcoholism. Fittingly, it was literature that saved her: She found inspiration in Pete Hamill's Read more

Reviews (132)

AMAZING!!!
Words can't even express how grateful I am to Caroline Knapp for writing this book. I've never seen my own thoughts and emotions over alcohol put into words and expressed so freely. I never really thought about my inner monologue before, or how I rationalize my drinking and subconsciously always make sure it is available. I've been seeing a counselor and have tried several times in the past to quit drinking. I don't think I had the strength to do so 100% until after I read this. I honestly feel like she followed me around w/ a video camera and electrodes hooked up to my brain to read my thoughts for the past 15 years! It allowed me to take a good look at myself and truly be honest with myself about my drinking and beahviors. This book was so powerful to me, and I urge any woman who is struggling w/ their own alcohol addictions to read it. You'll realize you're not alone!
R.I.PCaroline Knapp
CAROLINE KNAPP, who for 11 years worked for the Phoenix newspapers - first as a staff writer and editor, and then as a contributing columnist - died on Monday, June 3, from complications arising from lung cancer. She was 42.
Relationships
This book is for women who enjoy reading about relationships, in repetitive, excruciating, detail.Her mother, father, sisters, girlfriends, boyfriends, etc. etc. and her drinking.Guys will find this hard to keep open. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholism    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Case studies    8. Knapp, Caroline,    9. Recovering alcoholics    10. Specific Groups - Special Needs    11. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    12. United States    13. Women    14. d. 2002    15. Self-Help / Recovery   

Reviews (31)

Great Book For Me!
I wasn't diagnosed officially with Bipolar II until Wednesday, March 27, 2003, but I'd already had this book for almost ten years at that point...because I'd suspected that I was a manic-depressive since 1991, after seeing a segment about both Bipolar and ADHD on ABC's "20/20" and the follow-up on ABC's "Nightline" that same night.
The reality hurts
The reality of living with manic-depressive illness, whether it be you or someone you love, is driven home by Patty Duke's extreme symptoms of this disorder. This book is basically an autobiography of her life but it is also much more. It is very easy to read and informative on the types of bipolar mood swings, the different medications and how they work, which is very helpful to the average person who doesn't understand medical terminology! (like me).I never cared much for The Patty Duke Show, but now have a profound respect for her after reading her history and how she survived. Toward the end of the book are important chapters for spouses, siblings, children, friends and anyone who lives with or cares for a person with bipolar disorder on effective ways to help cope with the stress and therapy. Cases are cited in detailed on "victories" and "failures".It is easy to see where one can work on changing their own reactions to helping the one they care about. This is the first book I have ever seen my husband read in 2 days; he could not put it down. Afterward, he looked at me and started treating me in a new light. I think we will be one of the "victories!"

Great Book for Everyone
I think this book will reach out best to middle-aged women as Patty Duke writes from that perspective.However, I was 18 when my father and I read it together.One of the virtutes of the book is that it isn't just about Patty, but also about the rest of her family.This allows for even the non bipolar afflicted to understand what is happening and how they can help.The fact that Patty Duke is well known is both a positive and a negative:positive because we all know her and negative because how many people live like a star?I think this book presents an accurate portrayal of a colorful illness in a digestible format.I think the book is a good read that will teach you about bipolar even if you aren't trying to learn. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1946-    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Duke, Patty,    5. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    6. Manic-depressive psychoses    7. Mental health    8. Popular works    9. Specific Groups - Special Needs    10. Women    11. Biography & Autobiography / General    12. Biography: general   

Editorial Review

The same sharp intelligence and self-deprecating wit that made MichaelJ. Fox a star in the Read more

Reviews (187)

Here is a book to relate to
Michael's book is a fantastic account of his life leading up to and including his struggle with dealing with Parkinson's. As a person with a Parkinsonism who was diagnosed after Michael exposed his disease, I can say he truly made it easier for others to deal with this devastating blow. His hiding of the his disease is common of so many people who are diagnosed with PD at crucial points in their lives. An extremely good book about life rocky road, and for those with PD or any illness for that matter who are trying to create a somewhat normal existance for themselves and their families.
Great book, great story, very good read.
A friend gave this book to me. It was such a good read. I had no idea Michael was so sick, and had such a difficult life. While I did not respect ways he wasted his body by alcohol, drugs, and stupid habits before he found out, at a still very young age of mid-20s, about his Parkinson's disease, his remarkable change to a new man was a very good story. The anectodes from this book will stay with me, and it has a great message for everyone.

Surprising
I've been a fan of Michael J. Fox for many years and was sad to learn of his Parkinson's disease.I expected this book to be largely about the disease and Fox's coping with it.However, I was pleasantly surprised to read an honest account of all of the ways he had messed up his life before coming to terms with himself as well as with his disease.Although I don't like to read sad stories of drinking spinning out of control, Fox's matter-of-fact tone and willingness to take full responsibility for his actions was refreshing.I felt privileged to be allowed this glimpse into his life and his psyche, and I ended up liking him better after finishing the book than when I started. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1961-    2. Actors    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Canada    8. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    9. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    10. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    11. Fox, Michael J.,    12. Parkinson's disease    13. Patients    14. Personal Memoirs    15. Specific Groups - Special Needs    16. United States    17. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts   

Reviews (80)

Melissa Albert's review is filled with inaccuracies
Like Catherine Maurice, I have two children that were diagnosed with autism at age two; one in 1994 and the other in 1996. I am a registered nurse and a long-time autism advocate. My kids are at opposite ends of the spectrum at this point but both were very severe at diagnosis. I cannot help but wonder what field Ms. Albert is in; perhaps a restaurant reviewer?She appears to have so little basic knowledge of autism, its symptoms and effective evidence-based treatments. Do you have or know any children with autism Ms. Albert?The Maurice kids displayed very classic signs of autism and the doctors that diagnosed them and later published a study detailing their descent into autism and recovery are some of the most respected autism experts in the country. To question their credibility and the reality of her children's diagnosis just makes Ms. Albert look foolish. And to actually endorse Martha Welch's holding therapy, which borders on child abuse, along with other useless or unproven treatments just adds to the absurdity of her claims.
Interesting, just a bit dated at this point
As a special ed teacher of an autistic classroom, I found this book very interesting. It was written at a time when ABA treatment for autism was a little known and cutting edge treatment, whereas now you can barely Google the word 'autism' without countless ABA references. As a result, Ms. Maurice describes a journey through a world of therapy options that have fallen by the wayside in today's treatment world...play therapy, holding therapy, and the like. This book is famous because it helped, in part, to make ABA the widely used therapy it is today.
Take with extreme caution
First the good points:
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Subjects:  1. United States    2. Autism in children    3. Family relationships    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Specific Groups - Special Needs    6. Methods Of Instruction In Special Education    7. Autism    8. Parents of autistic children    9. Parental Memoirs    10. Treatment    11. Behavior Analysis    12. Biography: general    13. Coping with illness   

Editorial Review

When reality got "too dense" for 18-year-old Susanna Kaysen, she was hospitalized. It was 1967, and reality was too dense for many people.But few who are labeled mad and locked up for refusing to stick to an agreed-upon reality possess Kaysen's lucidity in sorting out a maelstrom of contrary perceptions. Her observations about hospital life are deftly rendered; often darkly funny. Her clarity about the complex province of brain and mind, of neuro-chemical activity and something more, make this book of brief essays an exquisite challenge to conventional thinking about what is normal and what is deviant. ... Read more

Reviews (399)

A Funny and Heartbreaking Memoir of a Girl, Interrupted
Girl, Interrupted is about an eighteen year old girl named Susanna Kaysen, who attends McLean Hospital- a psychiatric place for teenage girls. Her new therapist sent her there because he said that she had a personality disorder. Along the way to recovery, she meets new people with problems of their own.
not for me....
In my opinion this was not a good book. If it hadn't been such a short read I probably wouldn't have been able to finish it. Maybe the movie is better.

Country Club living
In one of the reviews found on my edition states that "Girl, Interrupted" is a writer's book" (Boston Phoenix Literary Section). The Philadelphia Inquirer' review states, "Remarkable....In prose lean and mean," and "it avoids the romantic inflation that most other sufferers of psychoses fall into when they describe their experience". Kaysen simply lets us know, with spare prose, what it is like to have a life interrupted by madness." These reviews praising Kaysen's book are the main reasons why I didn't care for the book as much as would have liked to. Because of that sparse and lean prose the book lacks depth. It reads more like a series of unrelated vignettes rather than a cohesive novel. The reviewer praises Kaysen's book for avoiding "romantic inflation," while I feel it shows the exact opposite.
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Subjects:  1. 1948-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Kaysen, Susanna,    7. Literary    8. Massachusetts    9. Mental health    10. Psychiatric hospital patients    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. Women    13. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    14. Kaysen, Susanna    15. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (28)

One of My New Favorite Books
Before beginning this review, I read the reviews of others; good and bad.I'm shocked at the venom spewed by people who called Erik Weihenmayer an arrogant jerk based on what they read.I had the opposite impression, but grant that the essence of an individual cannot be captured in the pages of a book.Many, many biographies have been written, yet, all fall short of completely describing the individual.Erik displayed unabashed love for his family, his wife, his friends, even his guide dog.He spent equal time describing his failures and his triumphs.He exposes his frailties by describing the trial and error involved in learning to effectively teach sighted children.He points out that the road to his successes were not his alone, but his, his family's, his wife's, his climbing partners', even his young students who were insightful and helpful when it came to his teaching.I especially liked that he described the antics, the pranks and the everyday 'slice of life' moments.I thouroughly enjoyed this book, so much that I can't imagine how anyone could NOT like it.But, there are all kinds people in this world and we all make it go 'round.I'd give it a perfect five, but it stops short of telling about climbing all seven summits.I'd prefer he'd waited until then to write his bio.

Soar to New Heights
I just finished reading the most wonderful book I have ever read.It's personal, it's a journey, it's an inspiration.And I don't even know how to make a tribute to the author.He seems like one of the mo