Rating: 
Summary: Saint Dave
Review: For a child to have found escape only in dreams from the relentless torments and brutalities of an alcoholic mother, and for this child to have grown into a loving adult, husband and father,is this a miracle, or what? Pelzer's model of woman was his hideous mother, and yet he did not turn against women. The book is offered as a story of triumph and forgiveness, yet I, as a reader, have a hard time forgiving Dave's mother. My first thought was: I hope she's in prison for life! I am a strong believer in personal responsibility, no matter what one's afflictions are. Alcoholism does not, in my belief, excuse a person's actions. This woman was fully responsible for putting her son through a living death. At every page of this sado-masochistic drama I wanted to call the police and protect this child. Bless the teachers, the school and social worker who rescued the child Dave, and bless Dave's kind foster parents, Alice and Harold who adopted him into their hearts. These good fortunes taught the child that his mother was an aberration of nature and that not all human beings were like her. Today, Dave Pelzer has received so many national awards and has inspired hope and resilience in so many individuals, that we can only think of him as a true saint. There seems to be nothing inside of this man that sent him down the road called the 'compulsion to repeat' onto others what had been done unto him. This is a truly inspiring human being, a truly inspiring book.Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?
Rating:
Summary: Serious Business
Review: SERIOUS BUSINESS This is one in a three part series and a very serious true story set in California. Dave Pelzer took the right step and wrote his autobiography starting from a young boy. He suffers the terrible mental and physical abuse at the hands
of his very mother who brought him into this world. His mother Catherine an alcoholic and demented woman treated Dave with less dignity than her dogs, leaving him with very poor morale and a smallness and emptiness making him wish sometimes that she would just kill him. I'm glad that Mr. Pelzer had the courage to write this book because it should be helpful to teachers, social workers especially those dealing with abused kids and councellors. In fact all people who work with children should read this book and enlighten themselves of the terror our children are made to face by their own kin.. No human being should be made to suffer the inhumanity that Dave did, and I must applaud him for coming forward to tell his tale. Thanks Mr. Pelzer and so glad that you are doing so much better these days.....now in your adult life. Heather P. Marshall
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book
Review: This was a really good book. It's almost like as soon as you read the first page you can just about guess what's going to happen next. My opinion on the author is, he's a very good writer. It's like he know what to write to catch people eyes. The reason for me picking this book is my best friend read the book "A child called it" and said it was good. So i figured a man named Dave was going to be the sequel, so i thought i might find out.
Rating: 
Summary: Hope and forgiveness
Review: I bought A Man Named Dave after skimming the first of his three books, A Child Called It, and having a hard time controlling my emotions in the bookstore! I kept wondering how a previously happy, loving mother could turn into the kind of monster who would so demean and damage her own child. These are the same questions that Dave Pelzer as an adult sought to understand, and he tells that part of his story in this third book. You read enough of his flashbacks to understand the kind of hell he lived through with his mother, and the turmoil of foster care (detailed in the second book, The Lost Boy), but you also see the hopeful results of his survival. Dave is honest about the damage his past did to his self-image and relationships, but this is definitely a happy-ending story! Reading it, you find yourself rooting for him to succeed in the Air Force, in his efforts to help other abused children, and in building his own family. The ideas here are old-fashioned ones: hard work, perserverance, courage, and self-sacrifice. This is a story which will deeply affect you. It's a reminder that there are children in our own neighborhoods who may be in desperate need. It's also a call that no matter how you've suffered, you can still take responsibility for your life and turn suffering into compassion. Dave Pelzer is a true hero and his story is well worth reading and taking to heart.
Rating:
Summary: Dave Triumphs!!!
Review: A Man Called Dave is the heart-warming conclusion of the autobiographical trilogy which began with A Child Called It and The Lost Boy. As with Dave's other books, this book will also have you crying and cheering. Crying at the horror of what he lived though, crying at his stolen youth, crying at his courage and aiming to please and to be the best at whatever he attempted in his life, especially being a wonderful father to his son. Crying because he never, ever gave up. You will be cheering at his accomplishments, at facing and overcoming his fears and cheering most of all, because Dave Pelzer learned to grow in love and not to grow in hate. Dave not only learned to love, but he learned to forgive admist the hate. You will cheer at his hope and how that spark of hope kept him going - kept him surviving. I do so admire this man, who fought against THE most incredible odds of abuse by his mother, to become a New York Times best-selling author, having a distinguished career with the air force, and receiving numerous prestigious humanitarian awards, one of which was being chosen in 1994 as the only American to receive The Outstanding Young Persons of the World award. Dave also contributes his time and talent in helping other abused children and teens to overcome their familial abuse and to reach their potential. Dave's faith in God helped pull him through, but Dave also proved that he had faith in himself and the strength to persevere. As a child, his mother physically brutalized him, stabbed him, starved him, tortured him mentally, and treated the family dog better than she treated him. Yet he never, never gave up. As with other abused children, Dave also sought the approval of his mother until the day she died. I cry just thinking about what he lived through, what he endured for so long before his school intervened and "rescued" him from his torture chamber. This book deserves a 10 and I HIGHLY recommend reading the entire trilogy of Dave's books (More 10s!!!). Afterwards, you be thankful for the loving family that you have. This book is an INCREDIBLE testament of the human spirit, of faith, of hope, and of love. Be prepared to cry deeply, so keep the Kleenex handy. Yet cheer loudly as Dave surmounts the horrific and we are able to see the beauty of his spirit and soul soar! You are one heck of a person, Dave. Your books touched my soul deeply and I am thankful that you choose to share with the world your "stories". You have made the world a better place by your presence! God Bless you.
Rating:
Summary: Cycle Of Abuse Broken
Review: Sally Tremble, Reviewer
In this book 'A Man Named Dave', we learn that the cycle of violence can be broken. He shares his story of how life turns around for him and how he is able to share his new found growth with that of his wife and child. The past that haunts ' A Child Called It' and 'Lost Boy' are the past memories that will stay with him forever. yet his courage and determination to thrive and survive is shown here in this book. Highly recommended. Recommended reads are: All of the David Pelzer books,Running With Scissors,Lucky and Nightmares Echo
Rating:
Summary: A Great Third Installment
Review: If you have read the two previous books, "A Child Called 'It'" and "The Lost Boy", I highly recommend that you read "A Man Named Dave." However, if you haven't read the previous two, I urge you to read those first. It makes a big difference.
This is a great book. One if the things I really enjoyed, was that it answered all the questions that I still had about Dave after reading "The Lost Boy," like "Where does his relationship with his mother end?", "What happens to his father?," "Does he ever find true happiness?" and many others.
Another aspect I appreciated was that, like the other books by Dave Peltzer, you could really see inside Dave's head and get to know his line of reasoning. This helps the reader to understand his reasons for reacting to the events in his life the way that he did. It is very heartwarming to see the forgiving spirit that Dave shows in this story.
Although I enjoyed the book as a whole, I found that it did get a little dull near the middle. However, it picks up at the end and has a nice, feel-good conclusion. At any rate, I think that Dave Peltzer is an excellent writer and an amazing person. This book is definitely worth taking a look at.
Rating:
Summary: a reviewers suggestion
Review: Tanie Scott-Lewis, A reviewer,
a reviewers suggestion
I read the reviewers suggestion regarding 'A Man Named Dave' and 'Nightmares Echo'. I am very happy to say I am glad I did. Both books serve as a wake up call to what is going on around us on a daily basis. I am feeling so much pride for Mr. Pelzer to have the courage to write this book. As soon as I am done with this review I plan on getting His first two books and then reading this one again. Also recommending: Nightmares Echo,Running With Scissors, All Of The David Pelzer Books Secret Life Of Bees
Rating:
Summary: Review for "A Man Named Dave"
Review: This book was so inspiring!!! Dave Pelzer is such a forgiving and loving person who should have never had to go through such a terrible childhood. To be beaten and tormented again and again, only to come up on top and be a loving husband and father. The only women he had in his life was his mother, and yet to this day, he looks up to women as respectful human beings. I would recommend this book to anybody who loves to read. I believe anybody who reads this book, will have a life-changing experience because I sure did!
Rating: 
Summary: Exploitation?
Review: As somone who survived an abusive childhood, the industry that Mr. Pelzer has built on his pain rings a bit hollow. It's great that he has focused attention on the plight and struggle of abused children, but... Dave, you make a good living off of it. We all have to handle it in our own way, but you have turned it into a side show. It makes me turn my head away, it cheapens my own struggle.
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