3 comments about Day by Day: The Chronicles of a Hard of Hearing Reporter (Deaf Lives Series, Vol. 7).

1. Thompson has proven herself to be a professional communicator in many ways. This thoughtful book provides valuable insights into not just hearing loss and MS, but a philosophy of life that accentuates the positive. Previously published pieces are interspersed with comments of the circumstances that provoked the thought process behind each, adding depth and texture. This book should not be seen as a "hard of hearing" memoir, or a "MS"memoir, but rather as an account of thriving through adversity.



2. I lost about half my hearing in the third grade because of mumps. But instead of testing my hearing my teachers thought I was inattentive. Like Liz Thompson I became a newspaper reporter, straining to hear at meetings and interviews, and then developed MS - in her writing I have found such a kindred spirit. She speaks for us and tells the rest of the world what it's like to be challenged in so many different ways. But she never loses courage and keeps finding strength and humor in those hard places. A role model for us all, she has certainly written a wonderful handblook to follow.
   
   a fan in Virginia



3. Read this book! Its author offers an insightful and engaging account of a journey many of us have never thought about but probably should, since hearing loss touches nearly everyone at some point. But don't read this book only because it's a practical guide to coping with deafness. Read it because it's a real delight -- beautifully written, engaging, reflective, and radiating generosity of spirit. The author models strategies and lessons we can all use, whatever our personal challenges may be.

5 comments about The Moon Is Broken: A Mother's True Story (Signet).

1. Some books touch us in ways that remain with us for many days of our lives. This book is one of them. When I finished the book I just closed it and said, "Wow" - it was such intense reading. I feel I know Eleanor Craig and her family. Be prepared to shed some tears -- at least I did. However this book is great and shows readers how drug abuse not only affects the user, but greatly hurts friends and families and how everyone feels so helpless. I have great respect for Ms. Craig and how she had the courage and strength to document the loss of her own daughter. I have loved and thoroughly enjoyed all of her books; I wish there were more. I thoroughly recommend also authors: Torey Hayden and Mary MacCracken. I have read all of their books.



2. Some books touch us in ways that remain with us for many days of our lives. This book is one of them. When I finished the book I just closed it and said, "Wow" - it was such intense reading. I feel I know Eleanor Craig and her family. Be prepared to shed some tears -- at least I did. However this book is great and shows readers how drug abuse not only affects the user, but greatly hurts friends and families and how everyone feels so helpless. I have great respect for Ms. Craig and how she had the courage and strength to document the loss of her own daughter. I have loved and thoroughly enjoyed all of her books; I wish there were more. I thoroughly recommend also authors: Torey Hayden and Mary MacCracken. I have read all of their books.



3. Some books touch us in ways that remain with us for many days of our lives. This book is one of them. When I finished the book I just closed it and said, "Wow" - it was such intense reading. I feel I know Eleanor Craig and her family. Be prepared to shed some tears -- at least I did. However this book is great and shows readers how drug abuse not only affects the user, but greatly hurts friends and families and how everyone feels so helpless. I have great respect for Ms. Craig and how she had the courage and strength to document the loss of her own daughter. I have loved and thoroughly enjoyed all of her books; I wish there were more. I thoroughly recommend also authors: Torey Hayden and Mary MacCracken. I have read all of their books.



4. good book. i recomend it for people who are involved with special circumstance people. things like this really do happen and i feel the more you know about people like this the more you learn to cope with them and help them to survive in this world.



5. This book was written in behalf of families whose lives are troubled by the addiction of a loved member. It is also intended to help young adults recognize how risk-taking behavior can lead to the dissolution of all one's dreams,

2 comments about My Search for Bill W.: Biography.

1. From a recovery point of view, this book will not change your program or anything. It's one of those quick knock-offs that someone did when they needed money. I liked Mel B's work on "Pass It On" and the book about Ebby, but she really sold short on this one. You could simply read the chapter titles in this book and you've read the whole thing. And while vaguely illustrating her points, Mel wanders off into conjecture and personal opinion, and admits that's what she's doing!



2. Mel's book My Search for Bill W. is one of the two best Bio's written about Bill W. Any student of spirituality, philosophy, and thought movements in America should make room on their shelves for ALL of Mel's books. Mel's works are exact, insightful and a banquet for the soul. I'm glad I stumbled upon the first book and I'm extremely grateful I've read them all, over and over... I'd be a damn fool if I didn't say; Thanks Mel!

No comments about Succeeding with Autism: Hear My Voice.

3 comments about When the Phone Rings, My Bed Shakes.

1. Excellent autobiography & well worth reading. I should explain here that I prefer biographies that do not indulge in psychoanalysis of the biographee. For this reason, I often prefer those that are written in first person & those that are written by the person himself/herself.

   Zazove does an excellent job. His writing is very clear & flows well. His life story is interesting, if for no other reason than to dispel so many of the hearing people's assumptions about those who lack hearing.

   I did find the chronology a little hard to follow, as he jumps back & forth between his current practice in Utah & his childhood & academic career. He says little about his childhood, probably because it was very normal with little by way of shocking or horrifying events. Highly recommended for those who like biographies/autobiographies and for those who are interested in the life of a deaf doctor.




2. I am going deaf due to a tumor and this is the best book I have read yet. It is not easy going from hearing to deaf at 39 and
   I am trying to understand what it is I will be going through in the next couple of years and this book has been of great help.
   I wish Philip, MD Zazove would wirte more books.

   I recomend this to anyone who is hearing or Deaf or HOH.
   He explains everything in simple terms and he is very funny.
   He wrote about things I never would have thought of.
   I am glad I found his book.




3. The author rambles a little bit, and the story jumps back and forth between the present and the past, but it's still an interesting book.
   
   Hearing parents of deaf children would probably find comfort in this book. Understandably, they may be worried about what the future holds for their deaf child. Here you will read the first-hand account of a deaf man who became a doctor, a husband and father, living a completely normal life. Most hearing people have never met a deaf person in their life, and this adds to the confusion for hearing parents who have just been told that their child is deaf. Reading this book should bring some peace of mind to those parents, and hope for their child's future.

1 comments about Shine on Me: The Biography of an African American Woman, Born Blind.

1. Shine on Me : The Biography of an African American Woman, Born Blind is a must read for all generations. It is filled with intense, colorful characters which explore and celebrate life and love. This extraordinary debut expertly illustrates how a woman, an African American woman, with four strikes embraces her struggles and with the power of love and faith turns them into triumphs.

1 comments about The Impossible Miracle.

1. Here's my endorsement found inside the book:
   
   "It was William's miraculous story that began my own journey into the supernatural. The details and documentation in his book are utterly overwhelming. The Impossible Miracle will amaze and inspire both skeptics and believers."
   
   (Joshua Tongol, apologetics speaker and youth minister,
   Biola University B.A. in biblical studies)
   
   I first met Willie (Mr. Bee) on April 10, 2006 when he guest spoke at Biola University concerning his miraculous healing. I will never forget that day.
   
   At that point in my life I was somewhat skeptical of claims made concerning modern day miracles. Growing up I was raised a Pentecostal with a strong influence by the Word of Faith movement. Unfortunately, I had many bad experiences and eventually abandoned my Pentecostal beliefs. Then, I became a cessationist at one point but later realized that this position was untenable in light of Scripture. Not too long after, I then became what many Evangelicals call "open-but-cautious." In retrospect, I must admit that I was actually more cautious than open and basically a cessationist in practice. I realized that being "open" didn't mean anything except I still didn't believe. Jesus doesn't tell us to be "open" to Him. He tells us to believe. And once someone believes, it is demonstrated through action. Thus, being "open" didn't get me anywhere.
   
   Then I met Willie. His testimony was powerful. Although I was naturally skeptical of claims of miracles at that time (maybe a little too skeptical), for some reason, as Willie was sharing his testimony, it was difficult to disprove his miraculous healing. There was too much evidence that would need to be dismissed. He wasn't a very emotional guy as he spoke and it seemed as though he let the evidence do a lot of the persuading. He didn't seem weird at all but rather very sincere; and it didn't look like he had any agenda but to testify about the love and power of God.
   
   I've heard Willie share his testimony numerous times but this book "fills in the blanks" so to speak. After reading the manuscript I then realized that his condition was actually a lot worse than I had thought. He is a true example of a modern day Job.
   
   In addition, he not only gives a written account of his journey, but he also provides pictures of himself before and after his healing along with the medical evidence (e.g, x-rays, chart notes, etc.) to validate his claims.
   
   You'll get a glimpse into a man's life who has truly experienced horrific pain and agony. But you will also get a glimpse into man's life who has experienced the power of Kingdom of God that is available today.
   
   As for me, I am now a continuationist (i.e., someone who believes that miracles are for today) and the Lord has taken me on a journey where I can now say that we, as Christians, can live naturally supernatural lives.
   
   Enough about me. Read his book. You won't regret it.

No comments about Two Ends of a Leash: Unshackled.

No comments about Ordinary Daylight: Portrait of an Artist Going Blind.

3 comments about A Real Person: Life on the Outside.

1. One of the most eloquent first-hand accounts of growing up with an undiagnosed autistic spectrum condition, this book should be compulsory reading for anyone working with, teaching or parenting people on the spectrum.



2. This book is a brutally honest account of the childhood, adolescence and beginning of adult life of an intelligent and insightful woman who did not recieve a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome until adulthood. It shows a side of the "Aspergers experience" that one doesn't read about often, a family and school that were anything but supportive, and the lonely experience of knowing that one is different from other people, but not knowing why. If you didn't know that aspies (people with Asperger syndrome) are often treated really badly by "normal" people, have a read of this book, you will find it informative, but perhaps a bit depressing. I hope the author sent a copy of this book to the evil aunt when it was published!



3. If you are an adult with Asperger's Syndrome, which is the spectrum partner to autism, make this book your best friend. Believe me, you will be glad you did because Gerland takes readers through her odessy of ill treatment by people lacking understanding of her sensori-neurobiological condition.
   
   This book is an excellent insider's view of what it means to have Asperger's Syndrome and to cope with sensory issues and baffling behavior on the part of neurotypical (NT) counterparts. One of the most frustrating things people on the autism/Asperger's (a/A) spectrum encounter and endure is not knowing when the Tacit Social Codes & Rules will change. These Rules change always at the behest of the NT population and seems always to suit the needs of the NT population. Gerland has done an admirable job of providing a voice for those with AS. At last people on the spectrum have had their turn at bat - knowing what undefined differences are can make all the difference in the world in helping people on the a/A spectrum cope. Once armed with such knowledge can one gain a better understanding of things that always seemed so nebulous.
   
   This book deserves a place of high honor. It will enrich and empower people and generate tolerance, understanding and ultimately acceptance among the NT population. We need this book!