Rating: 
Summary: A Man Named Dave
Review: The book "A Man Named Dave" is a sad book. It is a non- fiction book about a boy and his adolescence. Dave was abused by his mother, who was an alcoholic. His dad was never at home when Dave was young so he never knew what Dave's mother did to him. There was a couple of times that Dave would try to tell his dad about what his mother did to him but his father never paid any attention. There was a few times when I didnt think Dave would make it out of his mother's little "schemes." Dave's mother did a lot of things that were cruel and nearly fatal. I really like this book because it was full of suspense and sorrow. I couldnt put this book down becauseI was always wondering what would happen next. If you are looking for a book that is a true story and looking for quick reading material then this is the book for you! By; Dave Pelzer, 284 pages
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Summary: Very moving, compelling, and helpful book
Review: I have not read the books that preceded "A Man Named Dave", but I read this book and also Dave Pelzer's "Help Yourself". Both books were very well written and contained valuable advice. Although I still don't think I fully understand the concept of "forgiveness", I think this book explores the topic of forgiveness quite thoroughly. I think that Dave is an exemplary individual of honesty and integrity--because he had the courage to stand up and break the cycle. There were a few times in the book that made me cringe. Each time Dave would go back to visit "The Mother" as a fully grown man, I just wanted to beat her to death. I wanted Dave to just stay away from her! However, through his visits with his aging and dying mother, I think Dave realized what a sad and pathetic person she was. I think that he understood that she was a raving lunatic and that the abuse was never his fault. It was also heartbreaking to read about Dave's relationship with his father, a homeless alcoholic who never lifted a finger to protect little Dave or any of his children from his wife's wrath. Dave was starved, beaten, burned, and tortured on a daily basis by his mother. Dave was not allowed to be a part of the "family", and was forced to live in an unheated garage. His dad had once been a fireman, and Dave looked up to him, even though his dad never protected him or stood up for him. His dad ignored his wife's abusive behavior. Once his father abandoned the family and presumably became homeless, the Mother's daily attacks became even more vicious. However, Dave went to the hospital to be with his father as the former fireman died of cancer. He forgave his father, because Dave knew that he couldn't change the past. I don't know how Mr. Pelzer's heart has such forgiveness and compassion. Compassion is truly the mark of a great individual.
Rating: 
Summary: A waste of time.
Review: A Man Named Dave, even though it sounds awful, was perhaps the most boring and irritating book I've ever read. As Dave Pelzer is a grown man in this book, I didn't feel the sympathy that I felt for him in the first and second books. It lacked the shock factor of A child called it (a compelling read), and had the American quality of rambling on about nothing for hours all the way through. Frankly, I found his forgiveness for his mother annoying and tiresome, and I wished he had flipped and stabbed her in her sleep or something because that is what she deserved. His motivational speaking bored me to tears, and I found myself skim reading for page after page when I sensed a speech coming on. I felt I had wasted my money after finishing this book, and didn't even bother reading the summary of the fourth book as I knew exactly what it would involve; 'learn to love yourself' and all that jazz. I would recommend this book to people who don't mind reading 424 pages of mush. Saying that, I would highly recommend "A child called 'it'", because that is an excellent story, and was a book that taught 'triumph and forgiveness' without a further four books.
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Summary: And?
Review: I didn't read any of Dave Pelzer's previous books, and I'm wondering if perhaps that is a prerequisite to finding this book readable as many of those who rated this book highly said they'd read the previous book(s). I listened to the audio version of this book. Dave reads in a flat voice that only becomes worse (much worse) to listen to when he reads others' dialogue or tries to add some inflection here and there. I usually like hearing authors' read their own books, but Dave Pelzer is a big exception to this. I'd advise anybody who wants to check out this book to read it rather than listen to it. And I'd advise doing neither. Dave evidently had a horrific childhood as the victim of child abuse, and while being sympathetic to that fact, I cannot find anything exceptional in this book to warrant writing a book about his life. The book is also poorly written, in my opinion. The author would be a high school writing teacher's nightmare, as he consistently "tells" rather than shows, and chapter after chapter is a plotless, pointless muddle of his emotions. I wanted to hear Dave say something to set him apart from the countless other victims of child abuse, but he never did.
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Summary: An Awesome Book!
Review: This is a great story about a man who never gave up. In Dave's first book, he tells his true story about how his mother abused him and how he had the courage to survive. In his second book, he tells about how he had such a hard time finding a family to love him. This book pretty much ties it all together. This book taught me to never give up and that anything is possible if you want it bad enough. This was a hard book to put down. I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. I don't think I would ever be able to live through what he was put through. Dave is a great role model and I just love all of his books!
Rating: 
Summary: Very rewarding to read this.
Review: Having read the first two books of David Pelzer's, I knew I wouldn't rest until I read this concluding book. This book details David's life through the adult years. You will find yourself cheering him on, even as you struggle with him through the difficulties that he faces continuously. If you've read about David's horrific abuse through his early childhood years, and the difficulties he faced as a teenager, you certainly owe it to yourself to read of his adult life...it will allow you to feel a sense of closure. If you've allowed yourself to walk through the pain of David Pelzer's life, then be good to yourself and read this book. You deserve to know how his story ends...you won't be disappointed. You will be forever changed and inspired by the resilient strength of the human spirit.
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Summary: A Miracle Child
Review: The book I would recommend to those who grew up with a dysfunctional family or who are just interested in dramatic books is A Man Named Dave. Written by Dave Pelzer. Based on a true story, when Dave Pelzer was a young boy he was beaten and traumatized by the woman who gave birth to him. At any eight -year old stages, kids do wrong but learn from their mistakes. Not this kid, he took a lot from being just a baby boy. All he would do is what his mother told him to do, which included drinking ammonia, cleaning everything in the house, eating a dirty diaper, and laying on a burning stove. And no one believed him. Poor Dave had to suffer because of his mother had issues.
This story was so well written, that it was like you knew this little boy named Dave personally. The sentence fluency was very understandable and catches your interest so easily. It explained more than enough in one sentence. The word choice was uplifting and descriptive. The voice in this story is almost as if you were there with Dave, but you couldn't do nothing to prevent this from happening. The organization was perfect: you can almost predict what would happen next. The ideas are organized in a great order of fashion.
I would recommend this book to everyone. It's almost a guarantee that this book would touch anyone deep inside. Not only that, but it is also for people of all ages. This story is a five star book, if not one more. It inspires those who are sensitive or who has a good heart.
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Summary: A Man Named Dave
Review: A Man Named Dave is the amazing conclusion to the story of David Pelzer's life. This book stirs almost every emotion possible in a person. There is hatred and disgust for Dave's mother for abusing him and treating him the way she did. There is sadness, fear, and guilt when reading about what Dave was put through and what he endured as a child. This book is all together very emotional. Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. Pelzer's way of writing sucks the reader in and makes you want to keep reading on. I found myself bringing this book with me almost everywhere I went. A Man Named Dave is the continuation to A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy. All three of these books are amazing. I would recommend all three of Pelzer's books to everyone. But, the first two are very emotional when reading about the abuse he endured from his mother as a child. Pelzer's last book tells more of his life after he is 18 years old and is living on his own. It goes through his life as an adult. After reading this trilogy, I feel a reader will think more about how great their life is and will realize just how much they have. These books make a person appreciate their life much more, and almost create a new outlook on life. It inspires a person to overcome almost anything they encounter. It makes me think that if David Pelzer could survive what he did, then others can deal with situations they are faced with in their lives. Overall, I feel this book was very inspirational and I would recommend it to any reader.
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Summary: Complete Waste of Time
Review: This book stinks. The story is not interesting nor inspiring. I did not read the two prior books by this author but it is clear that he has taken the same story and stretched it out. I'm sure he'll get a half a dozen books out using the same story. So don't buy any more of these books.
Rating:
Summary: Well written and very sad
Review: I read the 3 book series and have the utmost respect for Daivd Peltzer. Surviving what he has, and being able to share his story with others is completely amazing. No one should have to go through what he did, but he is a survivor. I hope that the rest of his life will be happy.
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