2 comments about Beyond the Reflection.

1. In her first book, Sahara offers a naked reminder of what it means to grow up in today's world. She shares her own journey out of reckless adolescence into a life of meaning and ultimately peace. Written as if you were reading someone's private journal, Beyond the Reflection gives guidance and support and is filled with soulful poetry. This book is perfect for young adults going through tough times as well as parents of teens or anyone feeling depressed and hopeless. A definate read for anyone who has experienced "growing pains," young or old.



2. This is one of those surprise books. The kind you don't expect much from and then wham! Not only is it a soulful, and sometimes heart wrenching story but the poetry is really exceptional. This young lady had the guts at a young age to turn her life around instead of continuing on a harmful and destructive course. This book certainly has a happy ending but only because the author had tremendous will power and forsight. I look forward to hearing more from this first time writer. She's a winner in a world of a lot of losers! I wish her well.

5 comments about I Am Not What I Am: A Psychologist's Memoir Notes on Managing Personal Misfortune.

1. I highly recommend this book by Dr. Linde. It gives the reader a very clear understanding of what it is like to live with cerebral palsy. But more than that, this book is applicable to readers in all situations who have personal misfortune to deal with. The courage, humor, and personal strength shown by the author are an inspiration to all readers, regardless of whether they are dealing with personal infirmities. This book is a must read for special education majors, and could be helpful in occupational therapy training as well. Also a good personal interest book for the general population.



2. I'm lucky enough to know Dr. Linde personally, and he is an amazing person. It was interesting to get to read his book and see life through Tom's eyes; to try and understand what it feels like to suffer from such a horrible disease. Tom has overcome his setbacks and propelled farther than many thought he would ever be able to go. Now, through this book, he can teach all of us.
   Read this book. Not only is it a well-written book, but it's important for all "normal" people to try to understand what it may be like to be handicapped. Tom's book does that. It can open your heart and mind.



3. I would have to take issue with Dr. Linde's son who says his dad "is an average person, he just works harder at it". He is an extraordinary person who daily faces monumental challenges to live an ordinary life. He demonstrates an iron will and incredible determination in the face of overwhelming obstacles and maintains a beautiful sense of humor throughout.

   Dr. Linde possesses a brilliant mind, trapped in a seriously disabled body. He has indeed "worked vigorously to establish a discernible, productive social presence" his entire life, often against great odds. I feel such anger when I read about the lack of accessibility which is afforded him in his own community.

   This book answers lots of questions about coping with a serious handicap and is an inspirational journal of Dr. Linde`s life. Praises to his parents and his brother, Dick, who taught him from the beginning that no hurdle was too high and no obstacle to large for him to overcome.

   This book possesses humor, culture, education, inspiration - appealing to a broad variety of readers. I highly recommend it!




4. I've known Tom since 1973. The book adds a dimension to our relationship that was missing up to the present. His ability to successfully cope with the devastating "horror" of his circumstance is remarkable. His descriptive articulation of this "horror" is what is very new to me and substantially deepens my value of, respect for, and love of this remarkable man. Tom's debits as a human being are similar to many of us and are neither diminished or aggrandized by his unique circumstance. He is truly human, ornery, cunning, at times devious, and genuine.

   THANKS, TOM, FOR YOUR WONDERFUL STORY!




5. Imagine the thrill I felt when, by accident, I came across Tom Linde's book at amazon.com. I knew Tom when he was in high school and have always wanted to know what happened to him. The reader will find this a story of what a noble man has brought to life. He turned a damaged beginning into a well used life, a life that signifies something: a marvelous story of love, inspiration, courage, and intellect.

1 comments about 20/20 Vision: An Insightful Journey Into Joyful Living And Boundless Success.

1. The first time that i read this book i thought it was pretty good but nothing overly special. Then on reading it again i found that there were many lines and phrases that Andrea has put in her book that really hit home. I have met Andrea before and i know that our situations are very much different, but i was amazed at how someone with a no way similar life to mine could say things that would make so much sense to me and truly make me think. I loved this book, it inspired me and is just as good reading it on the 10th time as it is the first.

No comments about The Mountain of Dreams: ****'s Adventure - Book 1.

No comments about A Handful of Empty : But a Heart Full of Love.

2 comments about Requiem Of Insanity...a Non-fictional Fairy Tale.

1. Mom, I love you. it is a really good book and even though reviews are supose to be about the book and what it is about, i just wanted to say...I SHOULD BE IN IT MORE! oh well, it is still pretty good. I finally finished it! So, its like, amazing. it is a pretty good book!!!!!!!!! congrats mom! love you



2. Requiem of Insanity: Book Review
   
   " Debra Ulrich has explored a unique way of bringing some light to the journey of a medical patient in this nonfiction fairytale. I have to admit that the first 40 pages were difficult for me to get through, but the material is definitely worth reading and I recommend this book to anyone involved with heavy medication.
   
   This is a story of a woman (Queen Sara) and her son (Prince Max) who become locked into a medical-go-round due to trusting overzealous doctors who have their hands poised over prescription pads. Queen Sara followed the doctors blindly, as most of Western society is still trained to do. Side effects and reactions to the heavy long-term medication drove these two patients into being misdiagnosed with one disorder after another.
   
   Anyone with a serious health condition is quite familiar with strategically taking multiple prescription drugs throughout the day. However, just as each body can react differently to a disease or disorder - we can also react differently to medication. Every pill, even herbal or over-the-counter medication, can have side effects. Multiple medication can be tricky due to cumulative effects of medication combining in the body - sometimes becoming something else entirely. This makes the physician's job much more difficult.
   
   Synthetic drugs tend to give immediate results, but generally, they do not cure the disease/disorder. Instead, they mask it - while the cause of the problem still exists. Sara learned that though alternatives to western medicine could be quite helpful, they are not readily embraced by the doctors. She embarked on a long, expensive journey and dedicated herself to a strict health regime for years. Cleansing the body of built up toxins, food allergy tests, hair tests, herbal remedies, muscle tests, gaining nutritional knowledge and emotional work were all components in Sara's healing process.
   
   The author closes her book with a spreadsheet of the drugs she has experience with, their known reactions and some possible alternatives. The last seven pages list contacts for associations that may prove helpful for those on a medical adventure.
   
   This story is an excellent example of how deficiencies and emotions can play a huge part on our overall health. As a closing, I would like to leave you with quote from Debra's book "Patients must be treated as equal partners and need to be the ones ultimately responsible for their own health and welfare."
   
   ISBN: 1413728324
   Publisher: Publish America, Inc.
   Author: Debra Ulrich
   
   ~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment - Author of Towards Understanding, a book of poetry. (http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)

1 comments about For the Love of Teddi: The Story Behind Camp Good Days and Special Times<br> The 2001 Edition.

1. Do not pick up this book if you are not prepared to weap...and be inspired as well. One cannot help but be moved by the story of a young girl (Teddi) who faces cancer with the strength and dignity rarely seen in adults--much less children. This book is wonderfully written and I was left wondering how I could feel so sad for the plight of this girl and so inspired at the same time. A must read.

2 comments about The Rustling of Leaves: An Adventure of Recovery.

1. This book is of interest because it reveals the obsession of the mind of a man that is a recovering alcoholic. In the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book there is a section that reveals that the "disease" of alcoholism and drug addiction is the obsessive "thought process" in the individual. Mr. Costanzo, by giving the readers his life experience of this phenomena, assist others who might find themselves becoming obsessed. This book was a joy to read. An exciting adventure into the mental and emotional process of a recovering alcoholic who moves away from "the program of Alcoholics Anonymous" and begins to "take his life back for himself," rather then depending on a Power Greater than himself. He travels back to emotional hell and comes back to warn us of the pitfalls. I think any person on a spiritual path would enjoy this book. Certainly anyone who is in recovery from either alcoholism or drug addiction would find the pages an eye-opener in regards to their own life in recovery... it uncovered some of my own difficulties in my recovery process.



2. Before I read The Rustling of Leaves, I had a few preconceived notions of what this story would tell. I thought It would be another one of those same old "rags to riches" tales that are so often told among various people in recovery. I thought it would be the average run of the mill epics that are often predictable and lacking any real human experience that has been done time and time again. I was wrong.

   Throughout the book, I found myself held captive by the honesty of Mr. Costanzo's situation. His battle with booze, the courts, the prisons and ulimately himself, was a reflection a man who had managed to survive through an incredable amount of pain and misery. He basicaly was in a place where he had no choice but to surrender to the people, places and events that led him to helplessness and a ten by fifteen foot cell in Folsom prison. He was locked up with nowhere to turn, except to his God and his wife. Thats when started to realized all the problems he caused himself and all of those around him were a direct result of his unwillingness to let go of his own will. That's when he finally stated his long spiritual path that led him to the love that he knows today. The message this reader received was hope. The way Costanzo outlined his understanding of the twelve steps his never ending relationship with God, was moving as well as entertaining. The most effective and lasting memory I have of this book is the timeless love story between Mr. Costanzo and his wife Ginger; it brought me to tears.

   In my opinion, this book would not only be help for those who are in recovery, but to the average reader that's looking for a story that will bring hope to the hopeless, faith to the faithless and joy to the joyless.

5 comments about Love Knows No Distance.

1. I could not stop reading this book. Nora shares her strong faith in God...she gives pictures of a life remembered as a child ....she gives us traditional values. Most important, I feel everyone needs to know this story of love and faith that Nora has put into her book "LOVE KNOWS NO DISTANCE". It's a beautiful book written in a conversational style simple enough for children to enjoy. I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages.



2. This is a gripping story of depression-era Alabama, followed by the entrance into a world of physical darkness and spiritual light. The love of her family and their love of God helped them to overcome double handicaps caused by a horrible accident. Nora's accident could have devastated the entire family but they worked together to make their daughter an independent self- sufficient individual. The families devotion molded a daughter who helped others regardless of her own disability. It is a proven fact that God's love is free..........I sincerly hope this book will receive the national prominence that it deserves.



3. This inspiring story of lifes lesson on getting past a disability is a story to be cherished. Nora's family and school taught her to forget things that she could not see. Her faith in God taught her to see with a spiritual eye. All her physical stumbling blocks were transformed into personal testamonies of how God protected her. Every time she needed eyes for vision in the sighted world God sent someone to her. Her love of God and her love for her family members and their love for her is truly inspiring and heart-warming.



4. "Smith Hawthorne: A lady of courage".....It really is a paraphrase from the late John F Kennedy, "A profile in courage..."



5. Love Knows No Distance is a story from a time that will be forgotten in the near future. The story from depression-era Alabama during the 20th century should be told to all of our children. Family love and devotion and faith in God for survival is a tradition our society is loosing. The traditional values in this story make it uplifting. The author's humor is refreshing but the element of love expressed in her book heart wrenching. I laughed and cried as I read her powerful story and I could not lay this book down until I finished reading the story. To paraphrase from the book ...."the only kind of blindness that's a real handicap is the kind of blindness that keeps you away from God." If you know anyone who is suffering through an illness or disability I would highly recommend this book as a gift. Every church library needs a copy also.

No comments about Postponements: Memories of My Sister.