Death Be Not Proud

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Summary: Johnny's unimaginable courage provides support to all.
Review: Death Be Not Proud John had led a promising life, never giving up hope, never losing faith of what was surely the most tragic of events one can incur. Those first sixteen years were superb, flawless, almost perfect. Nobody would expect someone with such great promise, such potential, would acquire a malady which would silence his most promising asset. John's acumen and will to learn were some of his strongest qualities. Through it all, John's demeanor inspired all those he touched to live life to the fullest, even after he had passed on. It was indisputable to his professors at Deerfield that he had one of the strongest wills to learn out of any other student. He insisted upon taking five subjects, rather than the usual four which are offered. John had a keen interest in chemical formulae, physics, and mathematics. He was sure to prosper; Harvard was in his future. But when the first symptoms of his tumor surfaced, he did not lose his aspiration. Strikingly, he kept abreast of his courses, even when he was absent from school for months upon months, he still drove himself to continue enriching his faculties and absorbing as much information as possible. John conducted numerous chemical experiments dealing with various chemical properties and equations. As time passed on, his vigor and vitality were reduced, but his spirits flew high. After the first operation and numerous x-ray tests, John had lost some control of certain parts of his left half. His left hand and foot quivered, his mouth drooped, and his eyesight deteriorated throughout his ordeal. John pressed on with his studies, even in the neurological center he was determined to pass the previous semester's tests and complete his requirements. His metabolism slowed and he became weak. Through his many ups and downs, it was impossible to tell whether treatments had finally rid him of all cancer. Much to his parents dismay, each treatment produced gratifying results, but only temporarily. This was a game to them, each time they would feed him a lie such as, "Oh - it's the way those things go after x-ray," when eluding their son as to why he needed to keep returning to the doctors for tests.. John went along with these perversions, but later John Sr. and Frances learned that Johnny knew more than they were leading him to believe. In his final 10 months, he was isolated in a hospital where he was fed a strict diet of no fat, no sodium, and all natural foods. Vegetable shakes, fruit, soups, lentils, grains, and vitamins were all that he was allowed to intake. This eccentric treatment Dr. Gerson concocted purified his system and allegedly killed the tumor in his head. The tumor reappeared, now a glioma - one of the most fatal kind, and had doubled in size. John persisted studiously even through his last few months of deteriorating stamina. He managed to graduate from Deerfield by making up all of his classes and learning from tutors while in the hospital. He never gave up, never lost his will to achieve. This unnerving drive John carried astonished all who knew him. The 23 or more doctors utilized all of the medical approaches available at the time, but to no avail. John kept his sense of humor throughout his whole ordeal. John loved life, loved knowledge, and never once put himself before another. It is not clear why one with such mental potential should be struck down in the area he is most gifted. John's veracity, honor, and fortitude will be forever remembered. One hopes the parents of such an individual feel proud of their son. One also hopes that they will find some closure after this tragic loss of spirit.

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Summary: Amazing story of life and death
Review: This was a great book. Johnny Gunther had great courage in facing death, though he was not always told the entire story of his tumor. When he graduated from his boarding school, and everyone in the audience gave him a standing ovation for being able to walk up on the stage, it was truly moving. YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!

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Summary: Touching, and heartfelt, very good book.
Review: This book, so touching, has to be one of the best I have ever read. It deals with the fears of a father for his son, who is suffering of a brain tumor. John Gunther, Jr. is so selfless, that when you read it, you want to be there, to help him. He is so couragous, all through the series of operations performed on him. Definitely good reading, not too hard, but not sixth grade, either.

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Summary: My favorite book that I have ever read.
Review: I am only 15 but I still enjoy reading the classics. This book evoked thought and emotion from myself that I never thought that I possesed. It is a book that combines death, time, and pain. The way that Johnny Gunther delt with his tumor was amazingly calm. He seemed almost excited. This book made me start to prepare for death and be ready for trial and tragedy. Like I said, this is the best book that I have ever read and I strongly recommend it to any and every avid reader. And remember, live every moment like it might be your last......

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Summary: This is a touching memoir of a father's love for his son
Review: This memoir is not simply about someone dying of a brain tumor, but about courage and a young boy's amazing will to live. Johnny Gunther's extraordinary resilience can make an imprint on ones soul for as long as they live. Johnny Gunther was strickened with a life-threatening illness, he didn't just crawl into bed and await the inevitable, but he lived his life out the amazing courage and wit. In his dying days Johnny didn't crawl into bed, he applied for Harvard. This book paints a vivid picture of a family's struggle, a boy's courage, and overcoming a terrible hardship. I would recommend this boofor anybody whom wishes to be deeply touched.

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Summary: magnficent true story
Review: I read this recommended by my school librarian. I was touched. Jonny Gunther was 16 years odl when he got his brain tumor, and for the next 15 months he endured tests, surgery, and pain because of this tumor. He was a scientists and always love to experiment. Constantly his father brought him chemicals for these. He was an amazingy student even with his brain student. Jonny had a different kind of tumor that you wouldn't normally seem. It was on the right side of his brain so he was effected much by it. The saddest part of the story is the day he died. The tumor hit a blood vein causing it to burst and Jonny slowly lost his life. His parents tried everything they could do to save him, and his mother said she wish they had loved him more. His father wrote this story to tell people how his son survived in agony, and how we can too.

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Summary: One of th best books ever written!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This was one of the best books I ever read. It was also one of the most sad it really made me feel like I knew all the characters.

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Summary: a book that will blow you away !!!
Review: This book was very hard to read, in a sence that you have never really know death untill someone close to you dies. I recall when johnny first had an operation , he did not let his toumer get to him and he did not shead a tear!! That is one of the many reasons I admire him !

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Summary: This is one of the most wonderful books ever written.
Review: This book contains some great detail. Also, it shows the courage of a young man. I hold a lot of respect for Johnny. He touched my heart deeply, to have that much courage to live, when there was ver ylittle hope makes me wonder how i ever felt i had it rough. That young man inspires me. I will definatly reccommend this book to everyone I know. Everyone deserves to feel this way about Johnny. I wish to thank Mr. Gunther for sharing this tragedy with the world. It gives me hope.

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Summary: It was a heartbreaing story
Review: The first chapters of "Death Be Not Proud",was very emotional from the beginning. To see an intellignent young man detorirate because of a brain tumor was very sad. I would recommend this book to families,friends who are going through a hard time because of brain tumors. You have to be brave and calm. This book wil help you understand the stuggle of a family to overcome a death situation. If you want to know the rest go buy the book!