2 comments about Uncommon Gifts: Transforming Learning Disabilities Into Blessings.

1. James Evans' candid and clear testimonial about dealing with his ADD is an important story to be told. Autobiographically written, he manages to bring out his pain in the midst of struggling through ADD as well as his spiritual growth.
   
   I never would've read the book had a dear friend not given it to me, just as I was learning about my own ADD. I thought it might be trite, but Evans' story of his life is filled with depth and passion. His life is far different from mine, but, boiled down, we have shared similar experiences.
   
   Other books on ADD are out there, but for the spiritual person, especially Christians (Evans is a Presbyterian pastor), there are few sources for encouragement.
   
   Balanced in his book, Evans shows his struggles were real, drawing him to question his gifts and wonder where God intended him to go. Through the help of a theater coach and a family who cared deeply for him, he learned how to manage his focus better.
   
   Any person with ADD who can learn as Evans' learned to focus will see improvement in his or her job, relationships and internal life. Anyone with ADD or another LD issue knows the workplace is affected, but social (platonic) and romantic relationships are where the biggest hurts are felt. Jobs are easy to find. Friends and significant others are harder to replace. The pain of losing a job via ADD-related matters is minor when compared to losing a close friend.
   
   The gift of this book didn't transform my life, but it did encourage me through the toughest diagnosis of my life. Like my friend realized, I needed to know other people could live successfully with ADD. Evans' shows it is a long road, but on the road is evidential growth.
   
   I fully recommend this book.
   
   Anthony Trendl
   editor, HungarianBookstore.com



2. This is a well-written first person account of the LD experience. The author illustrates for the reader not only the academic difficulties experienced by the individual with LD, but also the effects of learning differently upon self-esteem, familial relationships and social relationships (often the pieces forgotten by us, the professionals). I feel that this book can be valuable for practicioners, parents and individuals with learning disabilities (particularly as they move throughout their lifespans and continuoulsy greet challenges unique to those with LD). Overall, this piece is well-written, difficult to put down and offers valuable insights that can benefit those who are LD and/or work with individuals with LD.

4 comments about In Sickness and in Health: One Woman's Story of Love, Loss, and Healing.

1. This book reaches well beyond connecting with those who have experienced a similar loss. It is a compelling story for everyone to read who wants to experience a full life. The emotions that the author feels while going through her process are unfiltered, and real beyond what is politically correct in these circumstances. It is as if I were living in her mind and heart -- as if the experience was my own. This is the only book I have read in one sitting in a long time -- I couldn't put it down!



2. An excellent memoir that is both refreshing and helpful for those people who are experiencing the death of a loved one from a terminal illness. There is no glossing over the author's feelings-they are raw, real, and significant. The beauty of the book is that it provides a person's real experience, not a theoretical experience. More importantly, it explains a person's grief, and the realization that people do survive the pain. This book is highly recommended.



3. I've just finished my second reading of "In Sickness & In Health," and wanted to express to the author, Gail Lynch, my sadness for the loss of such a wonderful partnership, and my appreciation for the forthrightness with which she shares such intimate and moving details of Bob's final struggle, and her own struggle, and the struggles of their families. Her straightforward narrative offers the reader familiar yet bizarre scenes in a way that lets the reader bring her own emotional life to the account. I can imagine that this book will help many readers find the humanity and sweetness in the nightmare.

   I think writing this book must have taken a lot of courage. I look forward to sharing it with my colleagues.




4. This is a book you can't put dowm until you've read the last page. The true story of a woman's journey with her beloved husband through the medical maze of trying to conquor brain concer. The aability of the quthor's strengh to head after this trauma is inspiring to us all.

1 comments about Positively PCOS.

1. This book is really for anyone who is stuggling with infertility, and even better for those with PCOS. Hansen candidly explains her trials and tribulations with trying to become pregnant, and details the painful 22 cycles, and three years it took her to become pregnant. I wondered for a bit why the book had PCOS in the title as she rarely refers to it, and never talks about being diagnosed. Later in the book she does explain that she does not suffer from the other random but "charasteristic" sypmtopms so many others do. I liked the book because it's from a patient perspective, and seems to have a healthly positive message, and nothing dangerous as you would often find in patient written medical books. She does a great job at detailing her experience, and being honest about things she cannot recount, or does not know. Her knowledge is vast, and is written and presented in a non-intimidating way. I wish it has included more of her husbands feelings, and details, rather than just her own, but it was still written well. She uses a little sarcasm to lighten the load as she goes through let down after let down. There is great info on OHSS which I had never read about, and was pleased to learn something new. There is no speechy chapter after chapter that you find in other PCOS books about what PCOS is. Overall, it was empowering to read, and up-lifting. I highlu recommend!

5 comments about Adventures In The Mainstream: Coming Of Age With Down Syndrome.

1. This book should really have been split into two different works. The first book would have been about raising a son (Ned Palmer) with Down syndrome as he transitioned into manhood. The second book would have been made up of the vocation and philosophical leanings of both author and father, Greg Palmer.
   
   The parts of the book that deal with the author's son are honest and well written. I too have a son with Down syndrome who is younger than Ned. Thus, I wanted to learn what might be coming for us in the next several years. Ned's coming-of-age story was one that seemed honest and hopeful. There can be no doubt that Greg Palmer loves his son, and has gone to great lengths to provide for him and his future. The sections about this were helpful.
   
   The unexpected parts of the book were the constant injections it received with Palmer's feelings about politics, religion, art, etc. While the author did have to reveal some of his personal story to tell his son's; it seemed that the main emphasis of the book was nearly hijacked by Palmer wanting to get in as many jabs as he could against any and everything with which he doesn't agree. By doing so, the book became polarizing.
   
   Palmer seems to pull to the left about as far as I do to the right. So, if readers consider themselves liberal to moderate they will most likely enjoy the book all the while nodding in agreement with the author's personal views. However, if readers are moderate to conservative (like myself), they may wonder why a book about Down syndrome is throwing darts at many other areas of life. Palmer proceeds to give liberal views on the following subjects and more: religion, separation of church and state, art, socialized medicine, evolution, stem cell research, the war in Iraq, etc. He goes on to associate membership in the Bill O'Reilly Fan Club or the NRA as akin to being in the Klan or the American Nazi Party. The author also seems to have hostility towards any organized religion that requires more than a sideline faith with buffet-style theology. As a Christian, I found it particularly odd when Palmer basically conveys that he wouldn't mind his son becoming a devout Christian as long as he wasn't too devout. Also, for those who care, the book has its share of profanity to include taking God's name in vain on numerous occasions. Again, for some readers these points will carry no weight, but to others they should serve as fair warning.
   
   Finally, Palmer dives far too deeply into discussing his own work in both the theater and at PBS. This was painful reading to be sure, and it was made all the more painful because so little of it really needed to be said to share the story of his son.
   
   If the book had stuck to the main subject, I could have recommended it. As it is however, I must advise readers to find one of the many other well-written books about parenting a child with Down syndrome.



2. I first read about Greg and Ned in Pacific Magazine in the Sunday Seattle Times. It was a brief but intriguing view into Greg and Ned's relationship and Ned's move into adulthood and the "mainstream". Both Greg and Ned, (father and son)seemed to be witty, talented, smart men learning to deal with each other and life as they moved into the next chapter of their lives. I wanted to know more, so I got the book.
   
   I could not put the book down. Greg is an honest, engaging writer. He captures the anecdotes of his life, his son and his family with warmth, respect and love. In this book Greg shares his hopes and fears for his son. He also shares his personal philosophies and pet peeves - I enjoyed that part immensely and did not find it distracting.
   
   Ned is by all accounts an incredible human being. He has his issues just like the rest of us. He also possesses certain gifts - incredible memory, love of music, and passion for history.
   
   It is a bittersweet experience for parents as their children leave the nest and find their place in the world. This book chronicles the good and bad of that experience. This is an excellent book and I recommend it to everyone who enjoys smart writing and a well-told story about family relationships.



3. The first section of the book is very entertaining. From there, the action slows down. The content really drags towards the end. As the parent of a child with DS, I can relate to much of the writers comments, however, the author includes way too much personal bias and opinions unrelated to his son in the areas of politics, religion, public television, etc in his own separate experiences. The book would have been much better without them.



4. An excellent true story of what it's like to be facing your child's pending adulthood when the child happens to have Down Syndrome. Extremely well-written, funny and informative. A good bet for families who know someone with Down Syndrome - which is just about everyone!!



5. I finished reading Greg's book and immediately sent him an email thanking him for his honesty in depicting the hopes, fears, concerns, and joy that we, as parents of children with disabilities, have in our day to day living.
   
   As the parent of Daniel, a 7 year old with Down syndrome, my husband and I worry about if we are doing the right things, if we are teaching the right things, how to prepare him for life after he turns 21 and ages out of the educational system. As Greg's book depicts-- sometimes we do a good job on some things, sometimes we do a bad job on some things-- but we are human and don't have the magic key when it comes to teaching a child with a disability what to do, what not to do, what to learn, etc.
   
   Loved the ending as I am a huge fan of "Inside The Actors Studio" and made us realize that our job is to prepare our child to the best of our(and their) ability and KNOW that someone will watch out for them when we are gone and they are on their own.
   
   Loved Greg's comments about being sensitive to 'slights'(perceived or real) and other things that we, as parents, become sensitive to throughout our child's life. He tells it like it is-- the good and the bad and doesn't sugar coat things because while there are good things about having a child with a disability, there are also bad things that alot of books won't talk about.
   
   Would definitely recommend this to any parent who had a child with a disability-- or anyone working in the field with people with disabilities because it gives a unique perspective.

5 comments about Out Of The Rough An Intimate Portrait Of Laura Baugh And Her Sobering Journey.

1. Only someone who does not suffer from alcoholism would question the ability of a small woman to drink insane amounts of alcohol. I have no doubt that Laura Baugh drank every drink she says she did - I have been there. I, too, abstained during my pregnancies, it was the one time when I didn't struggle with myself over drinking or not drinking. This is a great story and I admire Laura for pulling herself out of the despair she felt - I know, I have felt it also.



2. I find it very, very hard to believe that anyone, especially a small woman, could drink to the degree that Laura Baugh did and not sustain liver damage. She also says she abstained during her pregnancies...did she know the instant she was pregnant? I think not. I guess writing is an easier way to make a buck than playing golf.



3. THIS IS THE STORY OF LAURA BAUGH, RECOVERING ALCOHOLIC, PRO GOLFER, AND MOTHER. SHE DOES A GREAT JOB DESCRIBING HER LIFE AND CAREER. HER STRUGGLE WITH INNER DEMONS, BROKEN MARRIAGES, AND PRESSURES IS VERY INTERESTING. HER STORY IS A MIRACLE. AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE 12 STEP PROGRAM OF AA AT WORK. LAURA HAS BEEN BLESSED BY GOD AND THIS IS A GREAT READ FOR ALL RECOVERING AND PRACTICING ADDICTED PEOPLE. I REMEMBER WHEN LAURA FIRST CAME ON THE PRO TOUR IN THE EARLY 70'S, SHE WAS THE HOTTEST HOTTIE IN SPORTS. GLAD TO SEE SHE HAS CONFRONTED HER ADDICTION AND DEALS WITH IT ONE DAY A TIME. SHE IS STILL HOT AND CERTAINLY PROVEN TO BE A BABY MACHINE. MUST READ.



4. Isn't that the question since we were chldren? Who's in control here? Some figure it out quicker than others and learn the lesson better. For others, like Laura, it takes time and pain. But in the end, gain.

   Her pain and gain, here exposed for all the world to see, is for the comfort and strength she gives through this book to those who find themselves or loved ones in -- out of control.

   Frightening and shocking is the realization that such substances take over and dominate such intelligent, talented people. The fight will always be there. Close by though, more powerful than those unrelenting enemies are Laura's strengths she's learned to rely upon and live for, God and children. May both bless her.

   She's a winner in more important events than just LPGA championships.




5. Laura Baugh's openness and candor makes her story a must-read for anyone in recovery, or anyone who knows someone in recovery.

2 comments about Just a Krooked Kid.

1. My baby daughter was born with the condition arthrogryposis and I was keen to read about anothers experiences.
   
   The story of Goodwins life was indeed a positive one and filled me with hope for my little girls future. Medical practices and society at large has moved on since goodwins childhood but it is an interesting insight into how the condition affected his every day life and how he overcame his obstacles and limitations.
   
   The book had a general 'heartwarming' feel about it, and has a few funny exerpts as well. The book is the only biography I know of written by someone with arthrogryposis at present, and is a nice alternative to the medical based texts that can often paint a bleak picture of this condition.
   
   The only problem with this book I found, is, as mentioned earlier, a lot has changed since Goodwins childhood and he grew up in a very different era, so it is hard to compare this to what my daughter will go through. However, there will still be much that she and I will relate to as she grows, such as how he negotiated his way around the house and feeding issues! This is a very personal opinion due to my circumstances, despite this, I would still recommend the book to to people either with the condition or to people who's loved ones are affected.
   
   I will give this book to my daughter to read someday and I am currently passing it about family and friends who want a read also!
   
   Overall a very inspirational read!



2. After doing an Amazon search of the word "arthrogryposis", I found Goodwin Hale's book. I am a mother of a son with this condition and so I was interested in reading about Mr. Hale's life. His story is really inspirational and I was constantly stopping to read my husband excerpts from this book. The writing is lively and he has many amusing antecdotes about his growing up years. I am anxious to have my son read it. He is 15 and I think he will be able to relate to Mr. Hale's stories, although he did not grow up in a small town during the depression as Mr. Hale did. Despite the generational difference, his daily life as someone with arthrogryposis will be familiar to anyone with this condition. I would highly recommend his book for anyone with a loved one with this condition- they will be inspired by Mr. Hale. I would also recommend this book to anyone who just wants a positive read, many smiles and inspiration of someone that had difficult challenges from birth.

3 comments about The First and Final Nightmare of Sonia Reich: A Son's Memoir.

1. This book was very well written and I was enlightened from the author's perspective. I am a granddaughter of a survivor, and can appreciate reading what I have only imagined all these years. My family didn't speak of what any family member went through in Nazi Germany. My mother came over in 1937 with her mother. As I grew up, little information came out in the family, and I was still not well informed unless I read from someone else's memoirs.



2. A touching memoir from the son of two Holocaust survivors, this book describes the author's childhood, setting the stage for his mother's eventual deterioration into severe PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) following the death of the author's father. Hoping to understand his mother's delusions, the author sets out to research the past that his parents only mentioned briefly on rare occasions. His search takes him to Eastern Europe and the scenes of a number of the Nazi atrocities during WWII, and leads him to a deeper appreciation for his heritage, the magnitude of the suffering in the Holocaust, and an richer appreciation for his parents' accomplishments.
   
   Unlike most books about the Holocaust, this one doesn't focus so much on the events during the Second World War themselves, but instead is more focused on the impact these events had on those who managed to survive the terrible suffering of the period. The psychic wounds suffered by the survivors would stretch throughout their lives, often crippling them decades later, and even crossing the generational lines to impact the lives of their children born after the war. Definitely an important book for anyone interested in the long-term impact of the Holocaust on those who actually survived it.



3. "The First and Final Nightmare of Sonia Reich" by Howard Reich is a very powerful memoir. Author Howard Reich writes about his mother Sonia Reich suffering from late-onset Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
   As gripping as the first part of this book is, (which talks about his background and the PTSD) I was shocked and upset when reading the second part, when Howard Reich goes to Dubno to find out what happened to his mother as a little girl growing up in the Holocaust. As a reader on books of the Holocaust, his description of the dead bodies and mass graves in Dubno was very upsetting. When he writes about Dubno, I felt as if almost I was there with him.
   This was one of the best memoirs I have read in a long time, and I encourage readers of Judaica, history, etc., to go out and get a copy of this book. Put it on your reading list.

5 comments about Nothing But Time.

1. Overcoming a serious life-changing disease is never easy. This book takes readers on a journey from onset and diagnosis to recovery and survival. Along the way the author shares her thoughts and feelings about being a patient. Readers will enjoy listening to family stories and absorbing the sights, smells, and sounds of Judy's native Appalachian region.
   
   Ann Brandt,
   Broomfield, Colorado



2. Another survivor of GBS, who is also a writer

   Only several thousand Americans get this hard-to-diagnose, hard-to-understand disease each year. It continues to baffle doctors and researchers. The excellent writer that she is, Judy Ayyildiz unfolds her horror story of paralysis with characteristic gentleness and sensitivity. Because she interweaves childhood and family memories into her GBS story, which lends interest to the tale, a speed reader is apt to get confused. This is one book you cannot skim.

   Judy writes descriptively of the fear this unpredictable disease/syndrome brings. She relates how families struggle to deal with it and lend the kind of support needed by the patient, who spends many lonely hours isolated from family members who don't seem to understand. Her book title, Nothing But Time is dead on. The disease wipes you out, leaving you utterly tired and weak.




3. I was looking forward to this book, as my family has gone through several severe illnesses, including Guillane-Barre. I was very disappointed in both her writing (I found it hard to follow at times) and in her attitude (towards her family and health care providers). She was in the hospital for 5 days and seemed to yell at someone at least once a day; my husband was in for 3 months and, albeit justifiably stressed at times, was pleasant and thankful to his caregivers. It is rare that I do not finish a book once I've started it; this one was not worth my time.



4. Ms. Ayyildiz book is about life and love and family and trauma and survival. It is for any who have faced the very hard times life throws at us. Judy tells her survival in voices of those who shape her life, with tears and laughter.



5. Ms. Ayyildiz book is about life and love and family and trauma and survival. It is for any who have faced the very hard times life throws at us. Judy tells her survival in voices of those who shape her life, with tears and laughter.

4 comments about Am I Alive? A Surviving Flight Attendant's Struggle and Inspiring Triumph Over Tragedy.

1. One of my great aunts died as a result from flying debris in the Southern Airways Crash in New Hope, Georgia that Sandy Purl describes in great detail in this book. Several of my family members are mentioned and her book, as far as what happened on the ground when the crash occurred, is perfect to every last detail. The plane landed in my grandparent's front yard, basically, and I can remember what the crash site looked like the day after. Reading this book was very difficult for my grandparents, but that is to be understood. When I read this book, I gained a better undertanding of why things happen and I have such a tremendous amount of respect for Ms. Purl. I hope one day I can meet her and give her a hug.



2. As one of Sandy's passengers aboard Southern 242, I want to thank her for having the courage to write a book about her deeply personal experinces in dealing with the accident. She and her fellow stewardess, Cathy, did a great job under the most difficult circumstances. Without their initiative in preparing the passengers for an emergency landing at short notice and with no guidance from the cockpit, fewer of us would have survived. The pilots did their best to find a good place to land and the stewardesses did their best to protect us from injury. Sandy's story shows the price that can come with assuming the responsibility for so many people in a desperate situation. But she did it willingly and has forever earned high praise for that.



3. This was an excellent book in it's own right but it helped me more than I can ever express. As an emergency worker suffering from depression and post-trauma stress for over a year, reading this book and finding so many similarities with what she went through after her ordeal, released something in me that I'd been resisting and helped me to decide to finally get the help that I need and deserve.



4. She is an outstanding writer and this is a wonderful story. She's really a hero and I don't think she even realizes it. She talks of pulling passengers from a burning plane like it's no greater feat than going to the grocery store to buy a box of Cheerios -- all in a day's work type of thing. Wonderful book, wonderful woman. I'm an EMT and am trained to save lives. She wasn't, but made it seem so routine. As a life-long flight-attendant wanna-be, my hat's off to Sandy. I also recommend reading "Hail Fire" by John Tielking, one of the surviving passengers of this crash. It is his account of the events and is an excellent book. He also mentions Sandy's amazing actions on that fateful day.

No comments about When Bathing is Not Enough.