Rating: 
Summary: I waited for my library to give up and let me have it!
Review: This book is wonderfull, full of love and triumph, through some very trying times, as well as alot of fun! I wonder if Helen ever got any sleep, or if Donny ever flew a real plane! If you love family - it's a must read!
Rating:
Summary: The is a wonderful reading experience!
Review: This is one of my favorite books. I, too, would like to know what happened to the family as the children grew. I also would like to find a copy of the Life magazine that featured the Doss family as "Family of the Year".
Rating:
Summary: If any book should be re-published it is this!
Review: This is the most moving book I have ever read. It is also my wife's favorite book. She spent a significant amount of dollars buying a copy about ten years ago. The writing is good but it is the story that jumps off the page. The author and her family are incredible yet the story is told with extreme modesty. If more people read this book the world would be less egocentric.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most meaningful books of my life...
Review: This is the story of a husband and wife who adopted 12 children of mixed ancestry. Often just scraping by, they had a lot of love to share. Helen relates her experiences of dragging husband Carl along in the bumpy journey of building their family. Her tales of raising so many children, several of them the same age, through all the escapades that children can think up is funny and sweet at the same time, and often poignant. At the age of 10, I ordered this book through Scholastic book services. 27 years later, that tattered, dog eared, worn out book is lovingly stored in my keepsake box, though I take it out every year or so to re-read it. I still thrill to the opening words "I didn't yearn for a career, or maids and a fur coat, or a trip to Europe. All in the world I wanted was a happy, normal little family", as I settle in for the heartwarming read this book is. Because of reading this book, adoption was not such a daunting prospect; in fact, I hoped I would be able to adopt someday, a dream happily realized with my two beautiful children. The book is also a fascinating picture of the time period in American history, during the late 30's to the mid 50's, not to mention a glimpse at the life of a pastor's family. It provides insight into the prejudices of that time as well. My only regret is that I will never get to meet Mrs. Doss to tell her how much her book means to me. I think it should be required reading for all students, if only it would return to print!
Rating:
Summary: A Book Of Unconditional Love
Review: When I first saw this book, I thought it would be a book with big words that nobody understood. After the first few pages I couldn't wait to finish this book. The experiences that Helen had were unforgetable. I would recommend this book to parents who are going to adopt children. If you ever want to read a book about unconditonal love: read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Reunited with an old favorite.
Review: When I recieved this book as a gift from my brother(see Ken Pierce's Review) I actually cried from happiness. I had no idea he was the one who had taken the battered copy from our family home, and have searched for the last fifteen years for another one. I had finally given up, and simply told my children, "If you never get to read it, you will have missed one of the greatest books ever written." It's re-release is a blessing that I am glad to share with them.The new addition has a forword by Mary Battenfield which, unfortunately, makes this book sound like a social justice primer. Instead it is a book of love, joy, and laughter in situations that "should" have left the author and her family bitter instead of blessed. When I first read this book I was too young to truly understand racism, and was simply gripped by the way Mrs. Doss made her children come to life in my mind. I could relate to the children, as their personalities, not their race, gave each a unique voice. Now that I am an adult, I understand that the Dosses had a wisdom, love, and faith that transcended their culture. The family and the book prove that one doesn't have to preach to change the world. I can truly say that my life is better from having been introduced to both.
Rating:
Summary: Reunited with an old favorite.
Review: When I recieved this book as a gift from my brother(see Ken Pierce's Review) I actually cried from happiness. I had no idea he was the one who had taken the battered copy from our family home, and have searched for the last fifteen years for another one. I had finally given up, and simply told my children, "If you never get to read it, you will have missed one of the greatest books ever written." It's re-release is a blessing that I am glad to share with them. The new addition has a forword by Mary Battenfield which, unfortunately, makes this book sound like a social justice primer. Instead it is a book of love, joy, and laughter in situations that "should" have left the author and her family bitter instead of blessed. When I first read this book I was too young to truly understand racism, and was simply gripped by the way Mrs. Doss made her children come to life in my mind. I could relate to the children, as their personalities, not their race, gave each a unique voice. Now that I am an adult, I understand that the Dosses had a wisdom, love, and faith that transcended their culture. The family and the book prove that one doesn't have to preach to change the world. I can truly say that my life is better from having been introduced to both.
Rating:
Summary: I am so excited!
Review: Wow!! Another book that I thought I was the only one who loved!!! I am so pleased that it is coming out again in November, I can't wait to buy it and get more information about this unique and wonderful family. It is a wonderful book and very well written.
Rating:
Summary: I am so excited!
Review: Wow!! Another book that I thought I was the only one who loved!!! I am so pleased that it is coming out again in November, I can't wait to buy it and get more information about this unique and wonderful family. It is a wonderful book and very well written.
|
