In the Arms of Adam: A Diary of Men

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Summary: Every(gay)man's Story
Review: "In the Arms of Adam" is all of our stories, to one degree or another. Chronicling his life, dysfunctional family, being an outcast in school, coming out and finding a fulfilling life may not be unique but Chumbley has written a masterfully poignant and compelling tale of anguish and joy. While we all may identify, most of us cannot articulate the pains and strivings of a gay man seeking acceptance and reconciliation in a sometimes hostile, always confusing world.

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Summary: Learning from Chumbley
Review: As I read about Randy's journey, I compared my life to his. I noticed that there were many similarities and heartaches. I felt connected to the author. I began to look at myself internally to identify with his conflicts. His style of writing is insightful and full of feeling...a true gift for anyone who reads. I also found the biography to be therapeutic of the trials that gay men face. I recommend it to any man who seeks love in the arms of another man. IN THE ARMS OF ADAM is a great source of learning how to survive and adapt to gay life. A great read for anyone who wants to understand the life of a gay man.

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Summary: An open honest portrait of a man
Review: Few books can be so rewarding as IN THE ARMS OF ADAM. Mr. Chumbley shares with us a journey of his life in a truely sincere and honest story. His examination of this journey is thought provoking, heart warming and beautiful. His poetic writing style is exquisite, as we follow a young man from chilhood horror to adult self satisfaction. Any person who has lived with abuse, and questions their own lifestyle and choices, needs to read IN THE ARMS OF ADAM. Gay men should Thank Mr. Chumbley for a true representation of our society towards gay men during this timeframe in our history. I really cannot say enough about this book, and the rewards it has given me after reading it. I will definitely read it again.

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Summary: Review of In the Arms of Adam: A Diary of Men
Review: I found this book to be brutally honest in that the author gives a no holds barred account of his childhood dominated by his father's alcoholism and the unstable relationship of his parents and the abuse suffered by him and the other members of his Family. He continues to carry his past and the shame he feels about it with him into adulthood and slowly comes to the realization of his own self and his relationships over the years with various lovers, when his close friend becomes ill and later dies. This is a tough look a man and his own journey to find himself and the self acceptance he finds finally after many years of seaching for love.

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Summary: A Trip Through the Heart
Review: I happened to see Randy on line and traced his book through his Web Page and anxiously waited for it to come from Amazon.com. I found the book to be a very soul searching book about a gay man from early childhood to a matured adult that leads us through high and low times of the Heart that we who are gay have all experienced to a degree but maybe not to the degree that we read about Randy. The underlying story of how AIDS affected his life keeps the story on an even keel and reminds us all of those that we have lost. This book is a real treasure and I highly recommed reading it.

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Summary: SPECTACULAR!
Review: I wish that I were able to actually TYPE in this review the exact array of feelings that encompassed me as I began to read this remarkable book. This excellent example of writing "grabbed by attention" so firmly that I read right through it from front cover to back in one afternoon/evening. I simply could not put it down. The parallels between the author and my own life were eerily similar, which I am sure is the case with many others. Mr. Chumbley opens his heart, his mind, his past, his very existence to us and offers them willingly. I can honestly say that this book was very theraputic to me and gave me a sense of calm about my own past experiencs with life. Congratulations to Mr. Chubley and his exceptional talent!!

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Summary: whew
Review: Im not one for reading much, but after I received the book, I didn't want to put it down. The first day I got it, & read the first chapter & was upset for randy. The second day, I worked a 12 hour shift, but read the second chapter on my lunch break. By day 3, i was free from work & finished the rest!! What a powerful essay of one man's life. I feel admiration for the courage it took for the author to slit his wrists & bleed a very personal life on the paper for strangers to read. The association with each man was so carefully discript that it was as if they were in the same room, or i was lying on them reading the book off their backs.. must read!

Rating:
Summary: whew
Review: Im not one for reading much, but after I received the book, I didn't want to put it down. The first day I got it, & read the first chapter & was upset for randy. The second day, I worked a 12 hour shift, but read the second chapter on my lunch break. By day 3, i was free from work & finished the rest!! What a powerful essay of one man's life. I feel admiration for the courage it took for the author to slit his wrists & bleed a very personal life on the paper for strangers to read. The association with each man was so carefully discript that it was as if they were in the same room, or i was lying on them reading the book off their backs.. must read!

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Summary: Path of Awarness
Review: Randy Chumbley's book struck a familiar chord for me. Although I did not suffer through the horrors of a father like his, I have found myself searching for a similar sense of security and protection in the men that I have pursued. I enjoyed reading how Randy came through the stages of his life with growing self awarness and was rewarded to find that he recognizes that life is a constant process of growth. I think that many of the moments in Randy's life will seem familiar for many men in the gay world. I am happy that he wrote these things out so that others will know how familiar their own experiences are for all of us. While I wouldn't say that Randy's book was easy to read at times because of the familiarity to certain instances, it was good to read because it gave me a sense of companionship in my own pursuit for personal happiness. Thank you Randy for sharing a life well lived.

Rating:
Summary: Path of Awarness
Review: Randy Chumbley's book struck a familiar chord for me. Although I did not suffer through the horrors of a father like his, I have found myself searching for a similar sense of security and protection in the men that I have pursued. I enjoyed reading how Randy came through the stages of his life with growing self awarness and was rewarded to find that he recognizes that life is a constant process of growth. I think that many of the moments in Randy's life will seem familiar for many men in the gay world. I am happy that he wrote these things out so that others will know how familiar their own experiences are for all of us. While I wouldn't say that Randy's book was easy to read at times because of the familiarity to certain instances, it was good to read because it gave me a sense of companionship in my own pursuit for personal happiness. Thank you Randy for sharing a life well lived.