No comments about Once a Pickle.

No comments about In A Strange Land.

No comments about Deaf Daughter, Hearing Father.

No comments about A Spring in My Step.

No comments about From There to Here.

4 comments about The Gift of Hurt.

1. I started reading The Gift of Hurt and couldn't put it down. There were so many emotions flowing, I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next.



2. Tragically, this book has suddenly become even more timely since the attack on our country in light of the fact that tens of thousands or even millions of Americans are or will be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to some degree or another. I have every confidence that the techniques that are included in "The Gift of Hurt", will help people recognize and cope with this disorder.



3. Opening this book was to be my doom...because I found that I didn't want to close it, no matter the importance of the other tasks that I needed to be doing. I was drawn in after the first page and the grasp that The Gift of Hurt had on me did not loosen until I finally closed the book after its conclusion. This is a wonderful book and whether you are a big reader or not, you will love it!



4. Reviewed By Denise Clark

   Copyright © 2002

   "The Gift of Hurt" is the story of one woman's journey through life and the stumbling blocks she encounters along the way. The author has experienced situations and deeds that might have destroyed a lesser person. Stories of friends committing suicide, her subjection to sexual abuse as a child, and enduring the kidnapping but safe return of her husband seem to serve as a catharsis for the author, as if in purging and putting on paper every bad memory and incident she endured will help heal a broken soul. And I certainly hope it did, for "The Gift of Hurt" is not a light read, and the subject matter may disturb gentler sensibilities than this reader's own.

   Though the writer tends to spend quite a bit of time elaborating on what seem minor incidents, this book reads like someone relating events of a lifetime over a morning cup of coffee. Ms. Crabtree bares all, as if once started, she could not find it within herself to stop. I can't say I 'enjoyed' this book, the subject matter was just too depressing, though Ms. Crabtree does have the ability to take the reader into her confidence and expose her own travails so that others might understand and learn that many of us are not fortunate enough to escape the sordid side of life.

5 comments about "Our Brown-Eyed Boy".

1. Jeff's book "Our Brown-Eyed Boy" will stand the test of time. Although it has some minor editing problems, the content has character and vision. This parent's insights will be respected for the honesty and love that underlies the effort. I liked Jeff's poetry and pictures of his son at the end of the book. This added a very nice personal touch. I recommend the book to parents of autistic children and to all parents. I was inspired by his honesty.



2. Jeff McAndrew tells the story of living with and loving his son Stephen, who happens to have autism. The straight-forward, open approach to a wide variety of topics should be of great help to other families dealing with this condition. I especially appreciated the addition of comments of others - parents and professionals - who also are concerned about children with disabilities. It's important to remember that interventions which are effective for one child with autism may not be at all helpful to another, and vice versa. Finding interventions that work, as well as a strong support network, can make a critical difference in a family's ability to enjoy and appreciate a special child such as Stephen.



3. Author doesn't believe in any biological interventions and feels you should just accept you kid's disability and get on with it. Needs to spell check his work also.



4. In reading use comments about Yanni's album "If I Could Tell You" I noticed this author advertised his book. Regardless of the book's merits, I think it should be rejected due to the author being a shallow, inappropriate capitalist.
   
   PS I'm proud of myself for not swearing at Mr. Mcandrew in this post.



5. It's an honest look into one family's struggle with autism. It's written in a down to earth and folksy style and communicates with the language of the heart.

No comments about Cindy: A Story of Love.

3 comments about In Search of My Husband's Mind.

1. When we're sick, we need to think the doctor knows enough, and cares. But something went horribly wrong in the medical treatment of Monroe Hirsch. The change in his personality was sudden, unexplained, even denied by the health professionals who did know the reason.

   This is a love story and true, told by Monroe's wife. Seeing the man who'd loved her replaced by a beligerent and distrusful stranger, she tells how she sought to find answers, and any way at all to help him.

   Winnie had every reason to expect competence and honesty from doctors, having seen it at work for so long. Monroe was an eminent optometrist, Dean of the School of Optometry at the University of California at Berkeley. Winnie had worked with him in his practice and knew the demanding standards he set for himself. But professionalism is like every other form of goodness -- an ideal to build again every day. The best of us admit to falling short somehow, daily. This story reminds us that some don't admit to falling short.

   Deliberate lies and false hopes make dirty wounds. The cruelest aspect of the deceit Winnie faced was that it turned her own strengths against her. In situations of alienation, fair-minded people look first to themselves. In the face of difficulty, responsible people try harder. With intelligence and courage, Winnie battled alone and lonely, often against herself, for something already lost.

   There's redemption here too. Winnie did find answers, and did have some last months of better knowledge and a kind of peace before her husband died. And now her story carries a powerful message. Even in a medical crisis, we must trust our own persistent convictions. And we're entitled to stay in control.

   I was moved by this book -- angered, inspired, saddened and empowered. I wish everyone, particularly every woman could read it.




2. If you are a little suspicious of the medical profession and if you fear the day when you have to take a loved one to a hospital please read this. Or better yet, give it to whomever might be taking you. This is not only alarming but it is a wonderful personal love story. It puts it all in perspective. If you want to read a great book that nobody seems to know about, this is a great discovery.



3. I find this book very inspiring. She's a very strong woman

1 comments about Precious in Her Father's Eyes: Carla Marie 1992-1995.

1. As someone who has fostered a severely brain-damaged child, and who has spent a year working in a classroom for the severely and profoundly handicapped, I appreciated Cindy's candor as well as her viewpoint in writing about this sensitive subject. She consistently emphasizes what many people don't see about caring for these little angels -- that being required to give deeply of ourselves is a blessing. The book is written with tenderness and a mother's love, and also with humor and hope, and is a good read (though it's necessary to keep a box of tissues handy).