1 comments about Down But Not Out.

1. Once I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down. It held my attention until the very end. I just fell in love with Tom and his determination through the book. Joan Neubauer did a great job of telling this very inspirational story. My one question now: "Is Tom still a bachelor?" I'd love to meet him some time.

1 comments about Teaching from the Heart and Soul: The Robert F. Panara Story (Deaf Lives Series, Vol. 6).

1. Harry Lang has done an extremely beautiful job writing such an inspiring biography of Bob Panara! I doubt there could have been a better book written - for this is not only about a legend who teaches from the Heart and Soul, but is written by a man who, too, does things from the Heart and Soul.
   
   Fascinating to read of Bob's life and especially touching to read about the incredible bond he has with his late wife, Shirley. It becomes so apparent that Shirley and Bob were truly best friends, partners, and the love of each other's lives.
   
   I loved how Harry skillfully decided which information to include without diminishing the amazing impact of Bob Panara on countless people's lives. This easily could have been four times its original length!
   
   This book should be a required reading for all who are studying to become Teachers of the Deaf. It also should be on the bookshelves of those who love baseball, theater, and literature. Kudos, Harry!

5 comments about Running from the Devil: A Memoir of a Boy Possessed.

1. I just finished reading Running From The Devil. I couldn't put it down. Steve writes about his experiences growing up and thinking he is possesed with the devil, in all actuality he is having seizures. This book was both sad and at the same time histerical. I can remember growing up the same era he did and doing some of dorky things that he did, but not with the demons that he experienced. I am a nurse at a seizure clinic and have heard similar stories to Steve's. I can hardly wait to share his stories/experiences with our patients and reassure them they are not the only ones who experience these weird episodes. I highy recommend this book to all who have seizures or know someone who has them. It really gives insight to what that person is experiencing.



2. Running From The Devil: A Memoir Of A Boy Possessed is the personal testimony of Steve Kissing, a Catholic school student who grew up during the 1970's with problematic seizures and a sure inner conviction that the Devil was striving for his soul. Instead of seeking help, Steve stayed silent out of fear, and Running From The Devil is the memorable story of his struggle to keep his sanity through hallucinations and the difficulties of growing up.



3. At first you don't think young Stevie Kissing is going to win. But somehow, in the strangest of adolescent maneuverings, he does. You must read this memoir to find out how. And you will rarely stop when you begin reading. In Running with the Devil, an older, wiser Steve Kissing looks back with brilliant narrative drive to a delusional childhood. He chronicles the unruly effects of not a lapsed Catholic childhood, but one that was given to inadvertant bouts of, well, hallucinations, bad dreams, and unreliable goals. And he captures in utter poignancy and hilarity what it means to feel ostracized and clearly puzzled by a strange affliction obsessing him.

   It's this juggling act of emotions that occurs with the reader and in the prose that give this memoir the brilliant edge the best creative nonfiction offers. You often don't think young Steve Kissing is going to win, but he does, and once you start in - as I said before - you are not leaving his side as a reader who shadows every page with him.




4. I ordered this book with high extectations. I heard the author interviewed on a local radio station and read the reviews on this website. It all seemed quite positive. I ordered a copy for myself and for members of my bookclub. Unfortunately, the book really is dreadful. I returned all copies to Amazon for a refund. This is the first time I've ever done that. There are two problems with the book. First, it is poorly written. You as the reader will have to work hard to get through it. Most sentences have a strange and painful construction. There is a beginning clause followed by a comma, then another clause elaborating on the first clause, then another comma with a third clause elaborating on either the first or the second clause. Get the idea. Do you want to read a whole book like this? Worse, what could have been an interesting story comes across as dull and lifeless. Clearly the writer thinks plopping down all these abbreviated ancedotes of people and things from his life will be very entertaining. Sadly, it reads as a rambling scattershot. Order the book and you will work hard to read it while asking yourself why you are spending your time doing it



5. A very honest and funny insight into the mind of an adolescent still caught partially in a childlike, literal understanding of the world, as he progresses to the more rational world of an adult. It's fascinating to see how the author's interpretation and understanding of his affliction are influenced by his environment, in this case his Catholic faith. A true life bildungsroman with both funny and poignant moments, this book has universal appeal. What resonated with me was seeing how our childlike interpretations so significantly effect our development (and no doubt continue to do so). One is left wondering whether this particular guy's crazy interpretations of events were such a bad thing for him after all. A really enjoyable read.

5 comments about Life Inside.

1. Mindy Lewis was hospitalized in a teaching hospital for mentally ill adolescents and young adults, from the time she was 15 3/4 until she was a little past 18. This "memoir" describes her family situation, her friends and the staff in the hospital, and her nutty behavior at times (drinks silicone grout on the spur of the moment). Ms. Lewis blames everyone but herself for being put in the hospital. Prior to being admitted, she refused to go to school, took drugs, was promiscuous, and her mother could not control her. Her parents were divorced. Her mom worked and wanted a clean house. Her stepfather walked around in his undershorts. All of this is pretty "normal", she finds out, for teens in the 60's. Once Ms. Lewis is finally released, she goes through years and years of anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive behavior, refusing to take any prescribed drugs for these sometimes debilitating conditions. Years later, she seems to have finished going through her phases. She tries to call a few psychiatrists on the carpet about wasting two years of her life in the hospital. But they don't seem to have too much remorse.
   
   Ms. Lewis has a way with prose, but the book is extremely disorganized and confusing. She goes back and forth without letting the reader know that's what she's doing (in the end she justifies this by saying it was necessary for the book to "flow"). Her best friend Marjee, somehow goes from age 13 to 17 (but most of the time she's age 13), while Ms Lewis goes from almost 16 to 18 in the same exact time period. She also somehow manages to graduate from high school by only taking an English class - and that only when she feels like it. I also don't buy the case notes of the staff as being genuine. Another difficult story to believe was when she was in her twenties and had taken two jobs which started the same day, thinking she would considerately decide which one she wanted, on the morning she was to begin. She has an anxiety attack in the subway, and when she gets off the police immediately cuff her, saying they have received "several calls" about her (this would be in the 1970's). The cops take her to Bellevue, but she talks her way out of that. And where did she get the photo of her topless self on the cover? Did staff or another patient take it?
   
   I'm sorry this happened to Ms. Lewis, but I guess I've just read about adolescents who've had it a lot worse. I've even known people who been through much worse. So Ms. Lewis's constant whining and feeling sorry for herself doesn't grab me and make me go "Wow - this is amazing, what this woman has gone through." It probably would have helped the book if she had included some of her much talked-about artwork, as well as photographs of her family.



2. This book isnt necesarily about going in order or believable or not, as much as the way she felt. maybe some things dont seem to be in order because the years she was hospitalized and into her 20s it seemed like things were swirling around in her head. i know some parts might not seem so believable to those who dont have anxiety or any of these issues, but for someone living it, it was such a breath of fresh air to be able to relate to this book. it isnt about whether other ppl have it worse and shes worthy of pity, but that because of everything going on in her head, she couldnt help but feel sorry for herself for a long time. i have no idea how someone who cant relate to this book would see it, but for those of us whose lives havent moved in a straight line because our feelings take us off track, this book was great. i am 22 and obv wasnt around in the 60s but i loved this book. also you might feel sorry for her during it but maybe instead of a pity party its to admire how far she came, all by herself. beautifully written. the hospital part was rather long but i guess it mustve seemed even longer to her.



3. I think there is a place in literature for a story like Ms. Lewis tells. I thank goodness that for all the mysteries that surround mental illness still, we have come very far from where we were in the '60s.
   
   Ms. Lewis does not really address the 'why' - why she was hospitalized in the first place. To hear her tell it, she was just a little rambunctious (and so were all her hospitalized peers). I have to believe that it was much worse than she lets on. Even so, I have a bit of a hard time feeling bad for her when she is hospitalized, because as badly as she wanted out, she refused to toe the line and do what it took to be released. She was constantly causing trouble and getting herself restricted, and she wasn't a stupid, innocent girl by any stretch of the imagination, and undoubtedly this obstinate behavior caused her very lengthy stay.
   
   Ms. Lewis critiques her adult behavior with a fine-toothed comb, and speculates how her adult choices are affected by her hospitalization, and by her upbringing.
   
   I really felt for her mother, who had the weight of the world on her single-parent shoulders. Ms. Lewis characterizes her as extremely dysfunctional, and blames most of her problems on her.
   
   Certainly she was not schizophrenic as she was diagnosed in the hospital, but from her many lengthy descriptions, I saw evidence of possible bi-polar disorder. Unfortunately it seems like she never explored an alternative diagnosis that might have been treated successfully.



4. Life Inside has become one of my favorite books.
   
   The story of Mindy Lewis, an almost typical teenager of the late sixties in a culture that much of society didn't know how to deal with. (Many "normal" teenagers found themselves in psych wards then as they do now.) Experimenting with drugs and boys and throwing much caution to the wind forced her mother to make a difficult decision in sending her to P.I.
   
   The details used to paint a bleak picture of her two and a half years inside were painful and beautiful at the same time. Mindy is joined by a cast of other teenagers like herself, trapped in a world that they can only escape within themselves. She and the other youths are all in the same boat, "Am I sane or insane?"
   
   The memoir doesn't end there on the inside but also life outside. Mindy's self-doubt about her mother and her family and a lot of reflections on what landed her at a psych hospital in the first place. The luncheon that she has with her mother where they finally have an open dialouge about her mother's decision to send her there is heartwenching. We know Mindy's side. Upon hearing her mother's side you really sympathise and wonder what else could she have done?
   
   A loving package of memoir, storytelling, and period piece.



5. For some reason I am very curious about the care of the metally ill in the 1960's. If Mindy was sent away in the 1970's up unitl today she would have been in a group home and not treated so much as a mental patient. I can relate to how she felt the need to hide her illness from others. I love the line "...sitting on an egg waiting for it to hacth" and how it relates to my life and dealing with my illness. It does bounce back and forth alot but if you concentrate enough it all fits. I didn't like the beginning of the book because it seemed too slow but it moves along afterwards.

3 comments about Footnotes: A Life Without Limits.

1. Hi! I am a handicapped girl myself. I live in Taiwan. I think that Lena is an extremely courageous person. I hope that I am that courageous too. I think the book is most encouraging. Life is not a bowl of cherries. The most we can do is to make life much more easier for others as well as ourselves. I would like to get in touch with the author-Lena Maria Klingvall-personally. I wonder if you can help me to make my dream come true. I'd be greatly appreciated. Thank you and wish you all healthy and joyful! Sincerely, Anneila / 2000,9,16



2. This delightful little book is the story of a famous singer and world record-breaking swimmer. She tells of her life with refreshing sparkle, so much so that I had to constantly remind myself that this woman was born without arms. Unpretentious, simple and direct are words that spring to mind when describing this tale.
   
   Her passionate desire is that all people should have the same joy, and she shares several keys to living a happy life in spite of obstacles. The central point is her vibrant faith in God.
   
   One shortcoming of the book is that the editing is not always up to scratch. That said, the book is easy to read, and is a pleasure on the eye. The photographs beautifuly supplement the text.
   
   When I finished the book, I wanted more. I wished to have a fuller account of people and times.
   
   But the aim of the book is not to tell a history, but to inspire others. And in this regard it succeeds completely.



3. Lena was born without arms, and with one of her legs severely deformed. In this book she tells the story of her life. Lena could have easily become bitter and angry, but instead she has maintained a positive, courageous, and upbeat attitude. Even in her baby and early childhood photos, you can see that she radiates happiness. She had a very supportive family. Her dad said after she was born, "Arms or no arms, she needs a home anyways!" (Some felt she should be institutionalized.) They made every effort to give her a "normal" life and help her be independent.
   
   Despite her severe disability, Lena has accomplished much in life. She has learned to function very independently - it is absolutely incredible what she can do with her one good foot!!! She was an accomplished swimmer when she was younger, and also a talented singer. She continues to travel the world singing and sharing her testimony. Lena has a strong and vibrant Christian faith. Some might have rejected their faith/beliefs in the face of such problems. But Lena believes that God makes no mistakes, and that her life is a part of God's special plan for her. In many ways, her disability has given her unique opportunities in life.
   
   This book is an "easy read" - I read it in just a couple hours. It left me feeling inspired, encouraged, hopeful, and thankful! I have no right to complain - I have two arms and two legs!

5 comments about Recovering Life.

1. Darryl's and Charisse Strawberry 's book is a touching and true story of what a proffessional athlete has to deal with beyond the game. I played baseball with Straw in St. Paul when he was a Saint - trying to get back to the bigs, and I feel lucky to call him a friend.. too many people are ready to judge a man from the outside without gettting to know him on the inside.. We all deserve a 2nd chance and even a 3rd and 4th chance sometimes... Recovering Life talks about the struggles.. the defeats and the tiny victories along the way - for a husband and wife who truely shared love and conqured addiction.. disease and depression... this is a great book by a good man



2. This story is in no way diminished by the relapses that Strawberry deals with in life. The title is "Recovering Life" and "recovering" is an on-going process. Read the book, join the battle, root and pray for The Straw and all the rest who battle with addictions. The game isn't over until its over,(and I don't mean baseball).



3. I AM DUMBFOUNDED AFTER READING THIS BOOK ABOUT ANOTHER VICTIM, THAT PEOPLE FEEL SORRY FOR HIM AFTER HE BROKE THE LAW MORE THAN ONCE.I AM SORRY ABOUT HIS CANCER BECAUSE NO ONE DESERVES THAT, BUT THIS MAN HAS HAD MANY CHANCES TO BE A GREAT ONE AND HE BLEW IT. FOR THAT,I AM NOT BUYING INTO THE SO-CALLED COURAGE THIS COUPLE HAS HAD TO ENDURE BECAUSE IT WAS OF HIS OWN DOING.LIKE BILL CLINTON,WE SHOULD ALL FORGIVE HIM WHILE HE GOES THROUGH HIS PROCESS.WHAT HAVE WE AS A NATION BECOME.



4. Knowing what was going on in this mans life, this book was a chance to make money and not a true reflection of what he was really doing in his life. This book and the dishonesty involved in telling this story was only the beginning of Darryl's dishonesty with his peers and the public but most of all with himself and those he was hurting. I can only hope and pray this family is finally getting honest, once and for all to save his life.



5. I was surprised this book did not mention anything about baseball playing chickens.

4 comments about Bittersweet Chances: A Personal Journey of Living and Learning in the Face of Illness.

1. This book is an open and honest portrayal of one couple's journey through a chronic illness. The book is full of hilarious and heart wrenching stories, but the message is hope. This brave young couple has gone through the storms of life, but they have weathered them in such a way that they have learned to focus not on the storms, but on the rainbows that inevitabley follow. This is a spectacular book that should be read by the healthy and the chronically ill.



2. My son has CF, and I know that he will someday need a transplant.
   I found this book to be a hopeful and honest portryal of life with a chronic illness. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who feels overwhelmed or burdened by life and illness.



3. Dana is a gifted writer who has told the story of how her life was transformed by love in a most glorious way. She shares the deepest secrets about meeting Doug and then goes on to tell how she had to learn to share him with a third party - a chronic disease that would surely kill him. Was it worth working to build the relationship? Could Dana and Doug beat the odds, which were stacked against them on so many different fronts? There is so much to be learned from their experience and Dana (a teacher by profession) educates the reader about accepting the truth and overcoming obstacles previously unimaginable. There is a spiritual side, but it does not dominate her writing. There is a humorous side, but it does not detract from the seriousness of the story. This is probably the most educational, amusing and uplifting book I have read in the past year.



4. Dana Broehl is my spanish teacher, and I read her book mostly to see how good of a writer she is. I found out that she is an excellent writer who adds humor to her very difficult problems. She writes of her husbands double lung transplants and all of the problems that go along with it. It is a heart warming story of love, faith and living ones life to the fullest. This is perfect for anyone who is going through a difficult situation or has been through one in the past.

1 comments about In Search of My Heart: A True, Hope-Filled Story of One Person's Heroic Triumph over the Effects of Childhood Abuse.

1. A story that for some might be hard to believe but for others, who have suffered at the hands of an abuser very believable! This book offers incredible hope, would make an awesome movie! Some love 'dirty laundry' others have lived like lives. Would be a great match to a nineties Daddy dearest...in this world where we life every day hearing stories of things that happen to 'other peoples kids' well what would it be like to be the 'other person's kid?' Man, what a thought, did anyone ever take the time to think what that would be like? Maybe it's because of stories like these that our jails are so full, or perhaps could be empty? What a concept, to let abusers read this, survivors... perhaps it would make that difference, lower that jail supporting almighty tax dollar perhaps? Heavy story really heavy but encouraging too! a must read, a must give to friend and foe alike! written by a survivor, transcender...

No comments about Solo Flight: A Bipolar Odyssey.

2 comments about Love and Other Infectious Diseases: A Memoir.

1. I don't have time to write a well-thought out review, but since there isn't any, I will provide one comment. Among other things, this book could be a primer for anyone who is married, is contemplating getting married or having doubts about continuing in a marriage. This is a valuable book.



2. I too don't have time to write well thought out review. But I have recommended this book to so many people in exact (word exact should be bold, italicized and underlined) same words as reader who wrote above comments.