A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness

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Summary: I enjoyed A Man Named Dave quite a bit . . .
Review: . . . but there's another book I found that opened my eyes tohow Dave's rescue was possible in the first place. Did you know thatin 1874, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (yes, the ASPCA) rescued a little abused girl named Mary Ellen Wilson? At that time, there were NO laws to protect abused children, so the ASPCA took a chance and pulled it off! Watching CSPAN-2's BookTV, I saw the authors speaking on a book about her case called "Out of the Darkness: The Story of Mary Ellen Wilson", by Eric Shelman and Stephen Lazoritz. I got it immediately and read it in two nights (340 pages, so not my normal MO!) and I give it a 5 star review, as did everyone else who has read and commented on Amazon.com. You'll definitely enjoy it. Keep up the great work, Dave. I also enjoyed your first two books!

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Summary: A moving testament to the power of the human spirit.
Review: I received my book last night and I could not put it down. I read Dave's previous books in this trilogy this past week-end. His childhood has striking similarities to my own. I so very much apprecitae Dave's ability to put into writing, the events of his childhood abuse, his feelings and his insights. These insights are very moving and are providing me with guidance. I thank Dave for his courage to survive, to heal and to reach out to others. I feel privleged to have read this book on the date of its official release. I, also, have pledged my life to making this world a safe place for children. The best to you Dave, and God's many blessings on you and your family.

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Summary: A Testament to the Indomitable Human Spirit
Review: One has to read the trilogy of Dave's life as a beautiful story, much like the "crucifixion" of Jesus in the teaching of the Catholic Church. The symbol of a man hanging on a cross is not beautiful, nor the crucifixion story itself; it is the representation of salvation and life after that alters our perception of the cross. Dave's life story is beautiful in the fact that his spirit proved to be indomitable. Dave's life story is one of continuing courage and survival of his spirit, despite wounds to his flesh. "Mother's" relentless attacks have to stem from her desire to crush his spirit as hers had been crushed years before and to bring him to the depths of despair in which she wallowed. The fact that she couldn't succeed had to be the impetus which prompted her to continue her depravity towards Dave; possibly why the other children weren't affected to the same degree - perhaps, Mother sensed she could break the others easily. The fact that Dave has drawn from his childhood terror to help others speaks testaments to Dave's indomitable human spirit, and cheers the fact that "Mother" never won. God Bless you Dave. You DO deserve every good thing that comes into your life.

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Summary: forever changes your life!
Review: Great book...Dave pelzer you are truely gifted and I thank god for having placed you on this earth for us all to learn from...keep writting Dave, keep changing lifes.... Your three books forever changed my life.... your wonderful keep on writting Dave.. you have a gift

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Summary: Thought-provoking
Review: Kudos to Dave for such a revealing story about the abuse he received at the hands of the most important person in his young life. As an adult child of an alchoholic, I could certainly empahsize with his feelings that he deserved the abuse and also the confused feelings he had about the Mommy that once was and The Mother that currently existed. How fortunate that Dave was able to maintain his focus on acquiring compassion, joy and love in later years, despite the fact that he barely received any nurturing at all while growing up! I only have one negative thing to say in this review and that is to suggest that the author might want to enlist some literary help. The book contained long paragraphs of dialog, a lot of it redundant and even a little tedious to read through. The story of his childhood does not need to be overly padded with repetition. Other than that, I was glad I read the book and got to know more about this man called Dave.

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Summary: After reading your 3 book in 3 days I want to read more!
Review: Thank you! Thank you for sharing your story with the world. You are a very generous person and I only wish I could be at least a little bit as strong as you have been during the times my life has not been that easy. Thank you for teaching me to be stronger. I only wish the whole world would read your books so that they also would learn to be the best they could be and be strong along the way. I feel now that I want to read more and more because of your books. I am sure a lot of people have said this to you, but I wish I could have been there for you. As I was reading your first book, I had tears in my eyes most of the time. Now that I have finished your third book, My eldest step son, finished with the first one and is on the 2nd one. My youngest son is reading the first one and my husband will also read them to. Thank you for taking your time to write those books and thank you again.

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Summary: I could not put this book down!
Review: I saw this book and decided to buy, then noticed there were two prior, so found them and bought all three. I had no idea my husband would not be able to get my attention all week end and Monday. I devoured all three and will never be the same. Thank you for sharing your deepest feelings, your pain, your triumphs, living life one day at a time, enduring, forgiving and loving. Thank you, Thank you!

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Summary: Once you pick this book up you can't put it down.
Review: This book was extremely startling, not only because it is true, but because some one actually had to go through feeling like it was his fault for the abuse. I can't even imagine what it was like for Dave as a child. It's great that he turned his life around and could actually stand putting up with writing such a great book about an awful time that has affected his whole existance. You have a lot of courage Dave!

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Summary: A riveting story of forgiveness and human capabilities.
Review: A book that you cannot quit reading until finished. I knew that after reading this book I would be hard pressed in finding another that would give you the understanding of human frailities, strengths and forgiveness. It's a book that leaves you with a feeling of "WOW", what a remarkable man, no make that human. My hat is off to Dave!!!!!!

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Summary: The best book I've ever read. I couldn't put it down.
Review: Myself, being a victim of abuse this book has really helped me in so many ways. I was shocked at having the same feelings as David did. This wasn't something that you can just talk to anyone about. I really related to this book and couldn't put it down. Thankyou, so much David. You really have helped me in so many ways. God bless you.