Reviews (12)

A wonderful book!
I loved this book.My parents were also of this generation and dad in the Normandy Invasion, both from dysfunctional families.They built a long and happy marriage and gave us children a fine childhood.Today's generation can learn from this book.It's another great tribute to a the WWII generation.

THE TYPICAL WORLD WAR 2 STORY
I found this book to be overly long and self appreciating in the fact that Bonsall portrays his mother and father as if they were the only people who served in WW2 and sacrificed anything at all for the US. It is a really good book if you enjoy reading about people who toot their own horns, and make a buck off the "patriotism theme". I cannot recommend.

G.I. Joe & Lillie: Remembering a Life of Love and Loyalty
What a beautiful story.Everyone should read it.It should be required reading in schools. It might give kids an appreciation for this wonderful nation and the freedoms we enjoy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1924-2001    2. 1925-2001    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Bonsall, Joseph Sloan,    8. Bonsall, Lillie Maude Collins,    9. Campaigns    10. Childhood Memoir    11. France    12. Inspirational - General    13. Military    14. Normandy    15. Soldiers    16. Spirituality - General    17. United States    18. Women soldiers    19. World War, 1939-1945    20. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

Reviews (9)

Thumbs up from a "local"
Although I've been living in the States for years now, I am a Hong Kong "local" who grew up not too far away from the Fourseas Hotel where young Booth began his adventures in Hong Kong. Booth's memoir brought me right back to Hong Kong, as if I could see the foggy harbor, smell the joss sticks burning in a temple and hear the chatter from busy dai-pai-dongs. Booth's description of Hong Kong is so vivid and lively that I felt I was right there with him roaming all over Kowloon and the Peak. The way Booth intertwined the story with his adventures in Hong Kong and his parents strained marriage makes the book a very interesting read. I can feel Booth's love for Hong Kong throughout his writing, and as a local, I'm proud to know that a Gweilo loves my hometown as much as I do.
A Different Place to Grow Up
Seven years old in 1952 was a good time for a boy to spend time in Hong Kong. At that age you have not had time to become so set in your ways that when a whole new life beckons you can jump in to the fullest. Learning a new language, even Chinese, just happens like you learned your first language. And when your memories are fond, you can report on the characters you met with kindness and humor.
Going Monkey Native
I'd never heard of English author Martin Booth before. He wrote this personal memoir, recounting 3 years of his childhood in Hong Kong in the early 1950s, just before he recently died of brain cancer. He dedicated the book to his own children, as a way to pass on the story of his life to them. It reads like a novel - one incredible adventure after the next of a boy of 7 let loose on the streets of Hong Kong in the wild years after WWII. It also details the breakdown of the marriage of his mother and father. This is a real treasure trove, a look at the world through the new eyes of a child, but guided by the wise older hand of an older author. I feel like I have traveled and lived in Hong Kong - the sites, sounds, smells - the culture, food, weather, animals, people - all brilliantly alive and real. I also have a better sense of the Chinese and what it means to be Chinese, and a desire to learn more. I only wish Martin had a memoir of his entire life! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Booth, Martin    7. Childhood Memoir    8. Hong Kong (China)    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (71)

Poignant memoir
This poignant memoir written in such astonishing detail is an unforgettable story that will capture the reader from the start. Sano is like a small but sturdy flower growing in the most unlikely and least advantageous of garden spots. In her we see goodness and love survive heart rending loss and the cruel displacement of senseless war. I could not put the book down once I began to read it.

A tragic story written beautifully
This is not a book to read if you want to be cheered up, yet I will never forget the story. I wept off and on reading of the author's mother's experience on the death march. I have traveled to Greece and Turkey twice yet had no knowledge of the genocide of the Pontic Greeks. I thank the author for the courage to live through her mother's amazing journey as she told her unforgettable story.

Wonderful Book Thea!
I am also of Pontic Greek and Assyrian origin. Even though our lands were taken away, our people still exist, we still maintain our language, and the gospel is still spreading which is a blessing. I am glad to see someone wrote a book on the Greek/Assyrian/Armenian Genocide. The Turks tortured and massacred millions of Greeks, Assyrians and Armenians.I am happy to see you raise more public awareness about this.I pray for the Greeks, Assyrians and Armenians still living in Asia Minor that deal with constant persecution for their Christian faith. Great Book Thea! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Childhood Memoir    4. Ethnic Cultures - General    5. Europe - Greece    6. Greek American women    7. Greek Americans    8. Greeks    9. Historical - General    10. History    11. History: World    12. Turkey    13. ASIA    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: First World War    15. Biography: general    16. European history: First World War    17. Genocide    18. History / Greece    19. Pontic Mountains (Turkey)    20. Women    21. Greek    22. Social conditions    23. 20th Century    24. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (3)

A "Must Read"
Memoirs of a 1000 Year Old Woman is a book that should be read by everyone. It details everyday life in Nazi Germany through the eyes of a young girl. Ms. McBride meticulously takes us through her day-to-day activities with careful attention to detail. We see what life was like for the ordinary citizen, caught up in the maelstrom of war.The author relates the problems of living with rationing, bombing raids, restrictions imposed by the government, etc. Ms. McBride's courage, strength, humor, and independence shine through the pages. This book is a wonderful historical record of the times. I highly recommend it!

Not only for history buffs
Memoirs is an easy to read account of a girl growing up in Berlin during WWII. The book includes contemporary news sources, song lyrics, recipes, and other interesting information about that time. A good read for those interested in women's history.

A Must Read!
Memoirs of a 1000-year-old woman is a compelling account of life in berlin during WWII. The author provides a wealth of fascinating information about life in Nazi Germany.By taking the perspective of an ordinary girl growing up in berlin, the author enables the reader to imagine what it would have been like to live at that time and place and gain an understanding of the psyche of the people of WWII berlin.Memoirs is an important historical and sociological text that will be of great interest to readers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Childhood Memoir    5. Europe - Germany    6. Women    7. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    8. Germany    9. Women's studies   

Editorial Review

Born on October 1, 1924,Jimmy Carter grewup on a Georgia farm during the Great Depression. In Read more

Reviews (58)

Excellent!!!
This is one of the best books I've read the past year and one of the best biographies I've ever read.Jimmy Cater, whether you like/respect the man or not, is an excellent storyteller and he takes you back to the years of growing up on a rural Georgia farm during the Great Depression and segregation.The descriptions are so clear it seems like you're actually there. Quite a contrast to the middle class/suburban upbringing I experienced.I also read Carter's Presidential biography, which is also very good, but he's not as long-winded here so the book reads very fast.
Worth the time
President Carter discusses his experiences growing up in rural Georgia during the depression and how it influenced his future public life. Despite the institutionalized segregation that formally kept the races apart, many of the people that shaped the future President's young life were not white. It is amazing to compare the changes in American society from 70 years ago, some for the better (institutionalized segregation and racism), but mostly for the worse. Even though segregation is now gone, it is ironic that the informal happy-go-lucky youthful mixing of the races that President Carter claims helped shape his young life is probably gone now as well; but cynically, I believe Carter over emphasizes this point for political profit. Also, Americans were very frugal, resourceful, and resilient in those days.I don't think today's wasteful, whiney, latte entitlement generation could go through such economic hardship.
The boy behind the man
This is one of the best books I have ever read in any genre. I've always liked Jimmy Carter as a human being, and now I know what made this intelligent, unassuming, hardworking, humorous, and compassionate public figure the man he is. And in addition to that, the book gives a wonderfully rich view of rural life earlier in the 20th century. I would recommend this book to anyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Childhood Memoir    7. Country life    8. Farmers    9. Georgia    10. Historical - General    11. History    12. Plains    13. Presidents    14. Presidents & Heads of State    15. Regional Subjects - South    16. United States    17. Biography & Autobiography / Presidents    18. Biography: general    19. Political leaders & leadership   

Editorial Review

In this follow-up to his bestselling autobiography Read more

Features

• Bargain Price

Reviews (61)

nothing new, but still ok
i read Rocket Boys, which i loved, and then moved on to the Coalwood Way.i was rather disappointed when i started it. it wasn't that it was about a period of time covered in rocket boys - i knew that already.but what i loved about rocket boys was the portrayal of a small town, and the coalwood way basically repeats that subject, which i think was pretty well covered already in Rocket boys.
Interesting Memoir
Homer Hickman "Sonny" has had an amazing senior year in high school. With a mixture of friendship, love, and death the story is amazing.

Very Good.
I'm more of a World War 2 fan and read alot of WW2 stuff, but even so this book was excellent.Homer is da bomb.I saw "Rocket Boys" 10 years ago and this book was very similar to that movie, even though they are of different periods.I didn't know how good these books were, but should have after watching rocket boys.This book is great. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Reading Group Guide    2. Hickam, Homer H.,    3. 1943-    4. Homes and haunts    5. West Virginia    6. Childhood and youth    7. General    8. Biography / Autobiography    9. Biography & Autobiography    10. Scientists - Astronauts    11. Childhood Memoir    12. Regional Subjects - South    13. Bargain   

Reviews (27)

Astounding (but not for everyone)
First off, the man is a poet. That would explain the "overdone" prose one reviewer complained about. Before you spend your money, know what it ain't - a quick fix, a bulleted list, transracial adoption for dummies, a Dr. Phil-esque summary of the 10 things, 7 habits or 3 secrets you must know before you transracially adopt ...
A must for all Child Welfare practioners.
Jaiya John's personal truth is overwhelmingly spiritual, intellectually compelling and an education for all who serve children and families.His poetry and prose evoke extraordinary archetypal images of the powerful, and often conflicting, developmental tasks of fully, truthfully defining one's self and the need to belong. As a social worker, trainer and public speaker, I often struggle to find accurate words and images underscoring the necessity of cultural identity in transracial foster and adoptive families.I am now able to better articulate the destructive nature of a 'color-blind' social environment.This is a powerfully emotional read, but one that leaves you celebrating the journey, paradoxically painful and joyous, of seeking your own truth!

A positive, hopeful, revealing story
As someone who works with adoptive families, I can say that this book is just the kind of truthful, balanced story adoptive families need to be exposed to. The review dated July 3, 2006 must be from a person who did not truly read this book, at least not with an open spirit. There is absolutely no bitterness or negativity in this book. The author is piercingly honest about what he felt and thought AS A CHILD. This should not be confused with his adult perspective. The entire book is a loving testimony to the devoted love of his adoptive family and the very human fragility we all carry within our relationships. Jaiya John absolutely does not conclude anything negative from his experience. Just the opposite, he finds a higher meaning in the purpose and circumstance of his life and his belonging within his family. Anyone who has heard this author speak publically understands that he exudes an incredible level of peace, compassion, and open-heartedness and that he and his adoptive family are close. This book is devoted to sharing one child's truth in a way that should open us all to the truth within every child, including the child within us. Well written, insightful, and full of humor, appreciation, and a hopeful message for families. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Childhood Memoir    4. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    5. Social Science    6. Sociology   

Reviews (42)

Even With It's Flaws I Still Love This Book!
I love The Brady Bunch, it is one of my favorite classic sitcoms and I bought and read Barry Williams Book, Growing Up Brady and I loved his stories, his accounts of playing Greg Brady and the episode guides, etc. Okay so there are some factual mistakes in the episode guides but the book was a fun and interesting read about one of the greatest family sitcoms of all time and I highly recommend it to all Brady Bunch fans and if you liked this book I also recommend the BradyMania Book by Elizabeth Moran. Gowing Up Brady and Brady Maina are both fun books!

About the many mistakes in the ep guide
Williams apparently mentions Tank Gates as being a boyfriend from Carol's college days. Actually Tank was from Carol's HIGH SCHOOL era! Dozens of other mistakes in this worthless, ill researched trash.

Great buy!
Brady Bunch fans will love this book. You get behind the seens details that you never new before. If you want to know what went on off the set, this will tell you about things that you could never find on the internet. Great book. I recommend this to all Brady fans out there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1954-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Brady bunch (Television progra    6. Brady bunch (Television program)    7. Childhood Memoir    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    9. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Television Personalities    10. Williams, Barry,    11. Williams, Barry   

Reviews (36)

A LIFE FULL OF SURPRISES
"Over the course of my life, I have been lucky in that I have seldom managed to get exactly what I wanted; instead, I have most often been able to grow to appreciate what I got."You find out all the things the author strove for during her youth that never seemed to materialize...except for her studies when she always did well except for a very short period of time.
One Good Book
I loved this book.It really tells the story of my people.

She Took Me Home
I was born in Paintsville (home of Loretta Lynn) and had to move away when I was 4.Reading this book took me back to my Grandma's front porch and the well outside.It reminded me of church outhouses and dinner on the ground.Made me want to throw rocks in the creek off the bridge at Grandma's and walk up to the family graveyard to wonder about my ancestor's lives.If you are from Eastern Kentucky, this book will make you proud to say "warsh" and "tard."If you aren't from there, read it anyway.It might make you appreciate us "hillbillies" a little more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1941-    2. Appalachians (People)    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Childhood Memoir    8. DeRosier, Linda Scott,    9. Kentucky    10. Kentucky - Local History    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Rural Sociology    13. Social life and customs    14. Sociology - Rural    15. United States - State & Local - General    16. Women    17. Biography: general    18. USA   

Reviews (16)

What is the meaning?
I read this book on the high recommendation of a friend.As an Indian-American, I have first hand knowledge of the general chaos and disorganization that one can encounter in India.In this book, compounding the India experience are the eccentric personalities that are drawn to the ashram where the author spent her adolescent years.The first few chapters seemed to poke humor in these aspects.Then, the chapters become more dark, with scenes of child abuse and neglect.Most of the numerous characters didn't have any appeal and, while you could feel how disconnected Mani was growing up, the reader is left feeling disconnected from the book.The alternating time periods in the book from her growing up years in the ashram to flashes of her current life made me think there would be some rekoning with the pain and sadness of her early years.But I did not find it.

One of the best books I've ever read
Not only is it well written, the story is entertaining, absorbing and fascinating. I felt I had gotten to know Mani and lived a bit of her life with her.This is one of the best books I've ever read. I'd like to add a few more stars to this rating.

Has become one of my favorite books
"All the Fishes Come Home to Roost: An American Misfit in India" is Rachel Manija Brown's enchanting chronicle of growing up in an ashram in India. In 1980, when she was 7, her hippie parents moved her with them from Los Angeles, Calif., to Ahmednagar, India, to worship a deceased Indian guru named Baba, whom they referred to as "God." (Baba's the one who coined the phrase "Don't worry, be happy.") In Ahmednagar, she tells us, "the seasons consisted of Unpleasantly Hot, Unbearably Hot, and for two months every few years, Soaking Wet." Her parents sent her to a Catholic school, where she was forced to endure punishment at whim from the sadistic, "ruler-wielding nuns." Add to that the unending poverty in India and the constant dangers from the hostile environment - including king cobras - and there was plenty for a young girl to find disagreeable.
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Subjects:  1. Americans    2. Ashrams    3. Asia - India    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography And Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. Childhood Memoir    10. Eccentrics and eccentricities    11. India    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Women   

Reviews (12)

Sue Carswell's Beautiful Backyard
Sue Carswell's astonishing, spectacular book is, without a doubt, the most courageous book I have ever read.Carswell opens her heart, her psyche, and her soul to the reader and the world, and does so with monumental skill, humor, and candor. When you finish this book, you feel you know the author better than anyone, other than yourself, because she has revealed herself so generously.What a comfort her struggle with her demons will be to so many people.
Beauty in the Backyard
The tender love emanating from the pages of this book touch the depths of one's soul.Whether she knows it or not, Ms. Carswell has attained spiritual greatness, although the book does not seem to be written to that end.The love she has for her mother and the empathy she holds for the orphans are the true essence of its beauty.
A Memorable Read -- Do Not Miss
Carswell's book is a tremendous, insightful read.There are so many beautiful images and her writing just flows off the pages.The story is captivating and the characters -- her family members -- are honestly drawn and with great humor.
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Subjects:  1. Albany    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Carswell, Sue    6. Case studies    7. Childhood Memoir    8. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    9. New York (State)    10. Orphanages    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Services For Children    13. Women In The U.S.    14. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Editorial Review

When Frank Rich was an anxious, unhappy kid marooned in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., the fact his parents were divorced was discussed "only in the whisper that Grandma Ross used when talking about being Jewish or having cancer." Like so many others who feel painfully different, Frank found refuge in the theater, particularly the classic musicals of Broadway's golden age. After an enchanted trip to see Read more

Reviews (16)

Saving Mr. Rich
Ghost Light is a compelling memoir about the life of Frank Rich, the acclaimed theater critic for the New York Times and long time theater lover. The memoir commences when Frank is ten years old; he is living in Somerset, a model neighborhood. Frank's parents get a divorce and in this 1950s setting, divorce was something that was simply not acceptable. Throughout Frank's entire life, his parent's divorce affected him in so many ways. Frank was forced to move away with his mother and sister, Polly, away from Somerset, the one thing in his life that seemed regular at that time. Frank, his mother, and sister are constantly moving until his mother gets remarried to a man named Joel. Frank, Polly, Frank's mother, and Joel all settle down together in Washington, D.C. In the end, Joel proves to be abusive both physically and mentally. He beats Frank constantly and makes his mother cry every night. Although Frank does not realize this at the time, Joel turns out to be a very important person of Frank's life. Joel was a lawyer with many connections, especially with airlines. These connections allowed Frank and his family to travel all around the world, something that they would not have been able to do if Joel had not come into his life: "Each time Gypsy reached Tulsa's song, I tried to fill in more details in the story it told. What did the dance look like? How old was Tulsa? What did Louise and June look like? Did he ever get his nightclub act?" (110). Frank's writing through out the entire book continues with this curious attitude. Frank is constantly questioning the shows and aspects of his life around him. From all of his `curiousness' he is able to find more meaning both in the shows and in his life. Ghost Light is an accurate account of how a young boy's life was saved by the theater.
Ghost Light by Frank Rich

A poignant memoir
Frank Rich's boyhood story was touching, and I found I couldn't put it down!He gave a very good account of how the theatre saved him from a very loney and confusing childhood.I was fascinated with the parallels he saw in his own life and the characters in the plays he enjoyed so much.The story is told through the eyes of a child.Mr. Rich does an excellent job of providing details of life in Washington during the late 60's and the people he met along the way, and the influence they had in his life, good or bad.I look forward to his next book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Childhood Memoir    6. Critics    7. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    9. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Theatre    10. Rich, Frank    11. Theater critics    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts   

Reviews (47)

A most excellent book
Five Stars.Bottom line up front, dear Amazon.com buyer, this book is worth every penny.
Well written, moving memoir of a German refugee
Very well written page-turner memoir that reads like a novel about a German refugee from East Germany making his way with his mother to West Germany and finally the United States. Innumerable books have been written against Germans since World War II, which unfortunately have equated Germans with supporters of the political establishment during the war. This account shows that many Germans living in Germany (especially East Germany) suffered during the war and did not support the government at that time. The horrid living conditions, lack of food, and the falling of Wolfgang's mother into periodic prostitution to save her family, combined with the author's gradual realization that God had a part in his survival, can bring tears to even the most stoic readers. Another memoir, by Elizabeth Walter called "Barefoot in the Rubble", although not as well written, presents and even more moving account of displaced Germans living in Yugoslavia following World War II.

fast delivery, good condition
I enjoyed this book, and am pleased that it arrived in good condition and so quickly.Thanks! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Childhood Memoir    6. Childhood and youth    7. Children    8. Germany    9. Historical - General    10. Historical - Holocaust    11. Military - World War II    12. Personal narratives, German    13. Samuel, Wolfgang W. E    14. World War, 1939-1945    15. Biography & Autobiography / Historical   

Reviews (66)

Zlata's Diary
This is the true story of a child's life, Zlata Filipovic, in Sarajevo when the war in 1991 began. She writes down her life surviving in the horrible conditions of the war for 3 years. Her life was destroyed, and instead of thinking about normal 11 year old stuff like she should have been, she had to worry about food, shelter and whenever her family stepped outside the door, whether or not she'd see them again. This holds so much detail to life in Sarajevo, so much description about the horror and damage done it's a great novel to sit down and read. It'll keep you on the edge of your seat. If you enjoy non-fiction novels about wars, strife and survival, then you'll truely enjoy this book.

ZlatasDiary- a great book Nurdan Mekan
I loved this book it is about the bosnian civil war, and how she survived it. Zlata is an eleven year old girl and she is keeping a diary about her life in the war. If you want a book about a war get this. I would give it a 4 star because it can be boring sometimes and to repetitive.

Funny!
Zlata's Diary
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography And Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Bosnia and Hercegovina    6. Childhood Memoir    7. Children    8. Children and war    9. Eastern Europe - General    10. General    11. History    12. Sarajevo    13. Sarajevo (Bosnia and Hercegovina)    14. War And Peace    15. Women    16. Yugoslav War, 1991-1995    17. Cooking / Chinese   

Editorial Review

In 1982, one month after graduating from high school, Florida native Mike Yon joined the Army to earn tuition money for college.At that time, President Reagan had begun channeling massive amounts of funds into Special Operations units such as the Navy SEALS, Army Rangers, and Special Forces in response to the calamitous failure of a U.S. Special Ops attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran.For a brief time, writes Yon, "the Army allowed kids straight out of their initial military training to try out for Special Forces"--and Yon jumped at the chance. By July of 1983, at the remarkable age of 19, Yon had survived rounds of grueling training and graduated into the Green Berets.One day later, a bizarre encounter in a Maryland bar landed Yon in jail, accused of murdering a fellow patron with his bare hands. Read more

Reviews (64)

How things can go very wrong very quickly
Mr. Yon is currently in Northern Iraq and writes periodic pieces on the web about his experiences with American forces. He is a very dedicated and personable guy who is just trying to do the right thing. I enjoyed this book very much but would have liked to know what happened after the car wreck. How did his SF career end,etc. Anyway those of you who are interested in personal military type accounts will definetly enjoy this book. It received an award for his writing style.

Michael Yon: Online Magazine from Iraq...
I haven't read this book yet (sorry for the 5 star rating), but have picked up on his online magazine (blog).Michael Yon has and is travelling all around Iraq - mostly in the hotspots with the U.S. Army (Strykers), where he does his reporting.I find his weekly dispatches informative and interesting, and will definitely be picking up his book.If you liked his book, please go to http://michaelyon.blogspot.com/ and start reading at the bottom (where he started writing) and work your way up.New dispatches posted weekly (mostly).Also, it seems he's doing this out of his own pocket, so donate towards his blog if you can.From his online magazine:
Fantastic Book
Although Mike Yon and myself both graduated from Winter Haven High School it was years apart and I never had the pleasure of meeting him. I found the book enjoyable because I could relate to some of the local places that he mentioned. But the story was well written and interesting besides being informative despite that fact.Charles E. Gist author of the historical fiction novel "The Other Side of The River" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Army.    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Childhood Memoir    7. General    8. Military    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Soldiers    11. Special Forces    12. United States    13. United States.    14. Yon, Mike    15. Army   

Reviews (15)

The one and only realistic mother's memoir
Having reading essentially all memoirs of mothers with kids of the spectrum, I have to say this is the one that really "tells it like it is."Judy Barron pulls no punches on the difficulties of managing her son.Sean, her adult son, provides wonderful insight into what his often maddening behavior meant.Mother and son find tremendous respect for each other's strengths and weaknesses.Truly an inspiring book.

Good perspective
As an individual with an autism diagnosis, I found this book to be fascinating. I went through many of the same challenges. Both Sean and I had social problems growing up. Sean was diagnosed by medical professionals in the 1960's as being of "dull-normal" intelligence; I was diagnosed in 1987 at age 2 with mental retardation because I was nonverbal and ignored the tester. Both of our mothers stopped trusting what they were told. While our childhoods did also have some major differences, Sean gave a perspective that was easy for me to empathize with.
One of the first autism accounts to draw attention to impulse control disorders
This book is a powerful story written by the mother of a boy with autism and compulsive disorders.It is helpfully interspersed with reflections by the now adult Sean and the mother's style is straight forward, non-melodramatic and a very honest voice pushing no particular political barrow which is a welcome relief.This book came out the same year as Nobody Nowhere and both pushed the boundaries of existing autism stereotypes in mainstream society, perhaps particularly broadening our awareness of compulsive disorders and impulse control problems in people with autism.When these books first came out, both challenged existing belief in one pure form of autism and forced the autism field to begin to explore co-morbid conditions complicating what was being labelled as autism.There's a Boy In Here was a brave act of publishing in its time, being one of the first autism accounts to hit the bookshelves in High Street bookshops and bring awareness of autism to a far wider audience.A good read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Child Care/Parenting    5. Childhood Memoir    6. Children with Special Needs    7. General    8. Specific Groups - Special Needs    9. Biography & Autobiography / General    10. Biography & Autobiography/General    11. Family & Relationships/Children with Special Needs    12. Sex & Gender/Masculine    13. Topical/Family    14. Topical/Mentally Challenged   

Reviews (8)

HEART RENDERING AND UNFATHOMABLE!
Othello Bach has written one of the most heart-rendering memoirs in existence.Home for her and her six siblings was the back of a truck, a trench in the field, or if they were lucky - a shack with no running water or electricity.For much of the time the family is without shoes, heat or food.Food, if there was any, was on most occasions "greens and vinegar."Othello's mother loves her children dearly, but Dad is an alcoholic who comes and goes like the wind.When Othello brought a school friend home for lunch, she was so appalled by the disgusting greens and patchwork newspapers covering the walls, she ran from the shack never to speak to Othello again.It was not uncommon for Othello and her family to be referred to by others as "white trash."What Othello really wanted in life was something to eat other than greens, a pair of shiny black shoes and a rubber doll.Her mother told her she might as well, "cry into the wind" because the possibility of getting any of those was next to none - hence the name of the book.
Annette Bergman, author of Return to Tybee
Othello Bach has been amazingly honest in Cry Into The Wind.This courageous woman needs to be commended for her honesty about such personal and heart touching subjects.Othello's story will make most of us count our blessing and marvel at the road traveled by Othello to become the person that she is today. What an example Ohtello has been for humanity. I recommend everybody read Cry Into The Wind.

Little Lady,Big Heart
When I first got "Cry Into the Wind" I wasn't sure how quick I was going to get to it. I had a lot of other books I was wanting to start. But my wife pick it up off my night stand and she had it read in two days. She just kept saying WOW. So I thought I better start this one soon and I did. I do have to say once you start Othello's Book "Cry Into the Wind" it is hard to put it down. This is no fluff book and it is a real heart breaker. I think knowing Othello is OK and safe made this book easier to read. So if you read this one and you see no hope for her don't worry she is OK and she has turned out to be a very special lady. The nice thing about reading "Cry Into the Wind" was that my wife and I talked about the book as I was reading it and that ma