Rating: 
Summary: Thank Goodness!
Review: Thank goodness that AS, autism, DID, ADD, and the entire host of other possiblities are finally coming to light in this day and age. For years so many of us have suffered either WITH one of these syndromes or in conjunction with someone who has one of these "disorders." It's about time someone explained this. And lest you think these syndromes are limited to academia and the medical/psychological community, there have been a host of "fiction" books written about this. Some are entertaining and even informative, but in a "round-about" way (Haddon's "Curious Incident" and McCrae's "Bark of the Dogwood")and we should be grateful for these as they too bring to light autism, AS, and the others in the "spectrum." I would highly recommend "Pretending to be normal" to anyone who even THINKS he/she may have AS or know someone who does.
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Summary: Beautifully written.
Review: Thank you to Ms. Willey for writing this wonderful book. Your life story helps me relate to my young son. This book is a MUST for anyone who has a loved one with AS.
Rating: 
Summary: Stop Pretending to be Normal!
Review: The title of this book really sums up the most tragic aspect of Asperger's: the self-denying, closeted mentality. Nowadays, autistics are gaining more self-respect. Willey and Attwood's views are a marked improvement over previous depiction of autism as pathology, but ultimately, they reinforce a sense that, while deserving of sympathy, autism is a tragic deficit. Many autistics now feel that we are a positive neuro-variation, possibly an evolutionary step forward from the mob mentalities that now crush this planet.
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Summary: Closing the Gap
Review: This book does an excellent job of closing the sensori-social gap between people on the autism spectrum and people with neurotypical ("NT") brains. Willey has done a huge service to people with autism and its related condition, Asperger's and has bravely shared her life experiences.
I like the way she has developed her own navigational skills in traversing social territory; I also feel that her own personal insights about having Asperger's make this book all the more effective.
This book is a must-have for families; for people on the autism/Asperger's (a/A) spectrum; for professionals, for everybody. I think this book deserves a place of honor in a/A literature along with Tony Attwood's exemplary work.
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Summary: awesome
Review: This book is a master-piece I have read it many times and each time I am filled with hope beacause I see how great someone's life can be if they try to see the bright side!
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Summary: Gives you more insight into Asperger syndrome
Review: This book was difficult to put down. As a child I had severaltraits that resembled Asperger syndrome and Lianne Holliday Wiley hada childhood similar to mine in many respects.
Rating:
Summary: A must read if you or a loved one has AS
Review: This book, clearly written and accessible to the lay reader, lets the reader see the world through the eyes of a person living with AS, from school to adulthood and parenthood. After the author's personal account, the book provides a how-to guide for persons with AS and those around them on subjects ranging from employment to food. It also includes a list of organizations, a bibliography, and a glossary.
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Summary: A truly touching and informative book!
Review: This is a truly touching book that gets the subtleties and complexities of Asperger's Syndrome across amazingly well--much of the content hit very close to home, and helped place a number of experiences in context. As an added bonus to the substantive message and insight, the writing is also exceptional--I am tempted to suspect that only someone with Asperger's Syndrome could write so beautifully!
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Summary: Valuable and inspiring account
Review: This is a wonderful book, and a strong argument for taking people as they are, rather than holding them up to a fictional ideal. My only complaint is that it isn't longer and more detailed! I recognize the problems all too well; I have the same set--social inabilities, poor coordination, tendency to sensory overload. I am writing simply to add a male perspective. I grew up several decades ago in a rural Midwestern environment that was extremely intolerant of any difference or nonconformity. I was spared Liane's problems with dressing appropriately, but to make up for it I was inept at sports in a world where boys were judged entirely by their sports ability. My coordination problems guaranteed that I would be the worst in any class. In high school, dancing was added to the list. The combination of physical and social problems was not guaranteed to win me friends. My biggest problem (among many) as an adult has been that of trusting others. I can't tell when someone is genuinely being nice, as opposed to when someone is merely shining me on for cynical reasons. I have paid plenty for this inability, and not just financially. I try not to fall into general distrust of everyone, but I never find a happy medium; I still get ripped off, but also I often push people away because I don't know if I can trust them. I would urge anyone dealing with AS to consider these issues. Teaching AS kids how and when to trust must be terribly difficult. I wish I could say I've had a happy life, but I have actually made a thorough mess of my life by excessive outspokenness and misplaced trust. Fortunately, I have a wonderful marriage (after some awful mistakes) and wonderful kids.
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Summary: From Grand Rapids
Review: This is an incredible book. It was very well written and should be read by all teachers. Can't wait for books addressing other audiences. RJS
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