Editorial Review

In 2005, two tragedies--the Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina--turned CNN reporter Anderson Cooper into a media celebrity. Read more

Reviews (148)

Astonishing
I read this book, which is not very long, in one sitting, and half the time I had to read through the curtain of tears in my eyes.Like Anderson Cooper, I am a television journalist, and like Anderson Cooper I have learned to divorce myself from the stories that I am telling.And yet I understand, God, how I understand his feeling of shrieking despair underneath the veneer.I live in Latvia, which is the Old Country for my family, and the first year that I was here, I was asked by the Soviet Latvian Parliament to translate for foreign journalists when Parliament was voting on Latvia's declaration of independence.When the vote began and it became increasingly clear that the necessary majority would vote "yes", I was staring hard at the carpet, because I knew that if I met anyone's eyes, I would weep for the triumph of it all.Anderson juxtaposes the tragedies on which he reports (Somalia, Sarajevo, the Asian tsunami, Iraq, Hurricane Katrina) with the tragedy of his own life -- raised in a goldfish bowl as son of Gloria Vanderbilt, losing his father at the age of 10, losing his brother, who committed suicide by jumping off a penthouse balcony in front of his mother's eyes.This personalizes the stories which journalists tend to dehumanize -- one body, two bodies, three bodies ... you have to get the story on the air, and you remember what you were taught in journalism school -- "On television, if it bleeds, it leads".God bless Anderson Cooper, who lets the story into his heart.God bless a man who is not afraid to tell the entire world about his torments and his weaknesses.Men are taught not to do so.I so appreciate that this one did.I recommend this book with every fiber in my being, not just for journalists, but for anyone who still sees humanity in the technological world in which we live today.

Live thru this--personal tragedy to personal accomplishment
Anderson Cooper writes in the style of describing his life in one sub-chapter and then switching to an experience in an international war zone during his press coverage. This is a well written book and the way Mr Cooper details his family's personal tragedy is compelling and vulnerable. It provides inspiration as you read thru all of the details. Then his need to find his place in life in poltical war coverage is brave and risk taking. This is a book which is both smart and sensitive. Recommended.

A New Appreciation for Anderson Cooper
I learned a lot about the CNN Anchor. He's the son of Gloria Vanderbuilt and Wyatt Emory Cooper.His father died when he was ten and his brother committed suicide when Anderson was in college at Yale.I learned that he went out on his own, with faked news credentials, and journeyed the globe freelancing stories in places of tragedy, hunger, and war - just him and a camera.I respect that.I respect following your dreams despite personal danger and discomfort.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cooper, Anderson    6. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    7. Journalism    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Television - General    10. Television Journalism    11. Television journalists    12. United States   

Reviews (6)

A book about love
Ms. Anand tells a wonderful tale of true love.Love of a husband and wife faced with unexpected challenges so early in their marriage, and how they struggled to keep that love alive under both sad and horrific conditions.Love of children for their parents and each other.Love of family, both immediate and extended.And love for each and every person touched by the fight for the cure. I was swept away by the human drama and just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next, the story look another unforeseen turn.It's amazing to realize that this is a true story.Life and love doesn't get any better than this.

It makes you think and it makes you care
This wonderful book has a lot of emotional depth and complexity.John Crowley, the young father, is brash, brilliant, arrogant, and ignorant.He makes personal mistakes and business mistakes, yet you remain drawn to his story by empathy for his desperation as he fears that his small children will suffer a slow painful death.It's an honest and interesting portrait of a real human being, not a one-dimensional hero.
Interesting - Read it non-stop!
Very good book - Interesting story.Highlights are the lengths a family goes through to help their children, and the inspirational message.I think the title is ironic, since there is not actually a "cure" for Pompe Disease, merely a treatment to help stabilize and possibly restore some muscle function.Also misleading a bit, because while Crowley without a doubt worked very hard on a cure, the actual treatment approved by the fda was not the main one he was involved with researching/funding.Nonetheless, still a very admirable man and good story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Children with Special Needs    3. Crowley, John    4. Diseases - General    5. Glycogen storage disease type II    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health Care    8. Health Care Issues    9. Health/Fitness    10. Nutritional Diseases    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Research    13. Treatment    14. Business & Economics / General   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (1773)

A Million Little Pieces - James Frey
This is a book written from the heart; filled with deep soul searching and honesty. I'm familiar with alcohol and drug addiction. I'm familiar with treatment centers. For those of you who know this road - this book touches home. For those of you who don't - don't be the first to throw that proverbial 'stone'. I've heard the reports of the 'untruths' regarding this publication. I read it anyway. Pain is an immense ocean. The depth of that ocean is different for each of us. This 'message' could be a gift for many; a starting point, a different way of looking at life and it's unkind lessons. This book offers an open hand to start you on a journey towards reality; toward clarity. For those of you who belittled this book - be it truth or sensationalism - be cautious! You never know what life holds for you or yours around the next bend. The information offered here, the idea of taking that 'first step towards recovery', the process of becoming HONEST with yourself and others, could well be the salvation for someone you love. Yep, it's got some rough language. Did you really expect anything else from a drug addict? Common! Gimme' a break! Get real with yourself! Keep an open mind and dig into this book! It's a good read!
Frey touched my heart
I have always wondered what happens in a Treatment center. How do people stop being an addict? What do they do all day? What kind of people are in a treatment center? This book answers those questions and shows that there's hope for every addict. I think it's an excellent read. A gift to all addicts.It's exiting, I couldn't put it down and I thought about it quit a lot.

As authentic as a daytime soap opera
I'd heard the buzz (both pro and con) and thought I'd take an independent read. I was dismayed with this book.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography & Autobiography-Literary    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Drug addicts    5. General    6. Minnesota    7. Non-Classifiable    8. Nonfiction - General    9. Novelty    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Rehabilitation    12. Specific Groups - General    13. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    14. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Editorial Review

Dave Eggers is a terrifically talented writer; don't hold his cleverness against him. What to make of a book called Read more

Reviews (848)

Self-indulgent writing
I have to agree with the many who did not like this book. I got it from the library and tried to read it, but couldn't get past the self-indulgent writing style. It almost seems like someone was too lazy to edit this book or make it readable for the reader. Any writer can put down stream-of-consciousness thoughts, but it takes hard work and effort to edit and revise with the reader in mind. A writer should want the reader to enjoy the process of reading a book. A book is written to express oneself, but also for the reader. Without the reader, the book is nothing.
Wonderful
Ridiculously amazing read. Couldn't put it down. Snide, cynical, heart-wrenching, and joyous all at once. A raucous rollercoaster of insight and observation. It's been a while since a book made me laugh out loud and burst into tears all in the same reading... But that's just me... If you've gotten this far, give this book a shot. I highly doubt you'll regret it. And if you do, something may very well be wrong with you.
Get to the Point!!
Once I saw the numerous reviews coating the inside and outside of this book telling me how much I was going to like it, I was already dubious.Perhaps I like to be contrary, and that may be why I was irritated by this book.I understand that this is his way of dealing with the passing of his parents and the growing up he was "forced" to do, but his style of writing came off as abrasive, narcissistic, and smug.This is a memoirs of sorts, so it's hard for me to criticize his need to put this out, but if I was supposed to gain anything from it, I didn't. I didn't find his wordplay sparkling, I don't find him droll or charming, and I felt like he was trying too hard for me to do so.Plus he yammered on so much it was hard to understand the message(s) he was trying to convey to the reader, if any. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Brothers    6. Death    7. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    8. Eggers, Dave    9. Literary    10. Parents    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Psychological aspects    13. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    14. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (6)

Very Insightful
"Never Again" is a book that has been ignored by much of the so-called mainstream media, probably because it is not scandalous and takes positions they don't want to hear. AG Ashcroft was attacked by bitter Democrats during his hearings for the position and during his four years in office, but he's a strong man with a deep sense of right and wrong. His observations before, during and after 9/11 are another view of that horrendous day. The book is not entirely about 9/11 and other chapters are very informative and interesting.
Rise to vote, Sir
With all the books being published by former and current government officials it is refreshing to read a piece that does more to explain the recent historical situation than to blame others for how it came about.
John Ascroft -'Never Again'
John Ashcroft has written a book detailing his job as attorney general for president George W. Bush's first term.
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Subjects:  1. Attorneys general    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. National Security Issues    7. National security    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Political    10. U.S. Departments    11. United States    12. War on Terrorism, 2001-    13. Biography & Autobiography / Political   

Reviews (1)

An absolute must
I went to sleep last night angry that I had to sleep and got up early, angry that I had not gotten up early enough to finish "Through the Children's Gate." As I finish this short review, I finish the book. Its last paragraphs I delayed reading because, as I neared the end, I realized how much I dreaded reaching the end. Now that I have, I'm eagerly awaiting the next collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Description And Travel    5. Family    6. Gopnik, Adam    7. Home    8. New York    9. New York (State)    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Psychological aspects    12. Social Psychology    13. Social aspects    14. Travelers    15. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City    16. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    17. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (64)

Eternal truths (and lies)
This is the most candid and honest record of Trump's deals by the great master to date, or so it seems. This impression can be attributed, however, to the great job Tony Schwartz did on this book. Compare this to Trump's "How to get rich" and you know what I mean.
Written After The Early Years: Good Trump Entertainment
Let us give him his due. He has great style and tenacity and the nerve. This book was written in better days before his fall. I have visited a number of his buildings - which I understand that he was closely and personally involved in the design and construction - and they are beautiful.
For What Its Worth
You never know whether to ever really trust what Trump says or not. I actively avoided reading this book for some time. I just resisted it. I must have felt that it is a propoganda piece and I was right. It is just another win for Trump. Another chance to boast about himself and his competence. And the ironic thing is the lesson to be learned by the man on the street is exactly that. In real estate, it is simply connection and bravado after a certain level of core competencies have been achieved. This book does not go into the details of how to do what he has done.....as step by step approach beside being boring would have been ridiculous. First thing to do is go back in time and be born in a family where your father is a wealthy builder. And be born to a father who was historically in the right situation himself--building homes when the soldiers came home and started families. The second thing is go to the premier business school in the nation. After that, you do a few deals with your father and learn the business inside and out. After that make some connections through your father's friends. And the most important thing is to start your career and venture when the real estate market is absolutely deppressed. You can't help but make money.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Business    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Real Estate Finance    7. Rich & Famous    8. Business & Economics / General   

Reviews (43)

A Brilliant Addition To A Great Story
I can recall being 13 years old at summer camp in 1977 when I read the incredible non fiction book "Alive" by Piers Paul Read. It was a story that haunted me and stayed in my memory for many years. As I came of age, I wondered what had become of the two "expeditionaries", Nando Parrado and Roberto Cannessa, who traipsed their way for 10 days out of the wreckage of the fuselage of the wrecked Uruguayan Fairchild and through the Andes to freedom and rescue. It was then, a great thrill, to have Nando and Vince Rause write this awe-inspiring followup 30 years later. The factual chronology that Read used were incredible, but this firsthand account takes the story to a different, more personal level. His daily struggle to survive, both physically and spiritually, are nothing short of extraordinary. To paraphrase Nando, the opposite of death IS LOVE. This is a book that makes one believe it and seek to live it.

This book has the power to change your life!
First let me say I read about a book a week and this is the best book I have ever read.If your not hooked by page 42 or so I dont know what book could hold your attention.This story, this incredible story of the will to survive and the process the human mind goes through in the face of unimaginable pain, suffering and starvation should be manditory reading for everyone.

Even the casual reader will be glued til the end
After reading an excerpt of the book in a outdoors magazine, I knew I had to buy and read this entire book. I am not a frequent reader, and I feared that I would end up buying this and not finishing it as I so often do. But I knew just a few pages into the book that I would finish it. I had too many questions that I knew would be answered if I finished it. The only real certain part(having never seen the movie 'Alive!') was that Nando would make it out, since he wrote the book. But past that, I had no idea who would and wouldnt survive and the series of events about to unfold.
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Subjects:  1. Aircraft accidents    2. Andes Region    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Cannibalism    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Survival after airplane accidents, shipwrecks, etc    10. Travelers    11. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Editorial Review

This true story about the love between a spiritual mentor and his pupil has soared to the bestseller list for many reasons. For starters: it reminds us of the affection and gratitude that many of us still feel for the significant mentors of our past. It also plays out a fantasy many of us have entertained: what would it be like to look those people up again, tell them how much they meant to us, maybe even resume the mentorship? Plus, we meet Morrie Schwartz--a one of a kind professor, whom the author describes as looking like a cross between a biblical prophet and Christmas elf. And finally we are privy to intimate moments of Morrie's final days as he lies dying from a terminal illness. Even on his deathbed, this twinkling-eyed mensch manages to teach us all about living robustly and fully. Kudos to author and acclaimed sports columnist Mitch Albom for telling this universally touching story with such grace and humility. Read more

Reviews (1946)

Brought back feelings....
This book was definitely one of those works where you can identify with what they are going through, yet you still have something to learn. I am a cargiver for a lady who has a disease almost identical to that of ALS (Lou Gehrigs) and the symptoms he describes in this book are ones that I am facing everyday I work with her.
Tuesdays At Morrie's, Fridays At The Bank
This book is not inspiring, it is unfortunate.Morrie sounded like a great man who knew how to live his life.However, it is unfortunate that media vultures like Oprah Winfrey, Ted Koppel, and the author (another Oprah-manufactured "celebrity" like Dr. Phil) took everything that was probably special about this man and trivialized his words, commercialized his life, and exploited him and his values purely for financial gain.Albom mentions that the advance money for the book paid for Morrie's medical bills...what about all the money after he died?Hmm...he kind of left that part out.Seems that Mitch didn't really learn that much about greed from his old professor after all, which makes him sort of a hypocrite.What could have been a very special book in the hands of a competent author, instead gets a 200-page shlock treatment, from a sixth-grade caliber sports-writer (who apparently can't write many words longer than two syllables) that is watered down so that the masses can swallow it without too much critical thought.If I'd have known this was one of "Oprah's Picks" I wouldn't have even bothered with it, but I have also heard so much praise for this book that I figured it was at least worth a read.It wasn't.It was not inspiring, it was trite, contrived, shallow, preachy, poorly written...which seems to be a trademark of all of Albom's books.Morrie, you deserved better and I hope you are resting peacefully.I suppose it is good that this book is at least inspiring people, but at the same time you have to wonder about the types of people who would be inspired by this simple-minded shlock.Anyone raised in any decent, civilized background probably knew all this stuff already.I think the only people on this earth who have a true sense of what Morrie was about are his surviving friends, family, cohorts and students.I felt no connection to Morrie with this tacky treatment of a powerful subject, which is very unfortunate.I agree with another review that said that if you want some really great, inspiring words, read the Bible, Koran, Torah, etc. and keep away from this tacky book.Heck, read Siddhartha, thats probably a much better choice.Mitch, your grade on this thesis is an "F -"

A Lifetime with Morrie
As I sit down to write this review I find myself not looking into the book to see what I wrote in the margins, but trying to remember what I learned from the book.I once had a professor tell me "Shawn, you will never remember what the text tells you, but you will remember what the book taught you".This is one of those types of books and as you are reading it, you feel like you are a part of the story.Throughout the story Morrie tries to relay some of the lessons he has learned, and after reading the book I have realized that they are the most important kind of lessons: lessons on living life.I am not being vague about the content of this story in hopes of enticing you to read this, but I simply want you to sit down with this book without any expectations.Have a relationship with it and it will teach you amazing things. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Case studies    5. College And University Faculty    6. Death    7. Death & Dying    8. Death And Dying (Sociological Aspects)    9. Death, Grief, Bereavement    10. Educators    11. Higher    12. Patients    13. Personal Memoirs    14. Psychological aspects    15. Social Science    16. Sociology    17. Specific Groups - Special Needs    18. Teacher-student relationships    19. United States    20. Philosophy / General   

Reviews (1)

Excellent Firsthand Accounts by a Veteran Journalist
Anyone who loves to read first-person accounts of current events will find this book exceptionally interesting. From its intriguing title, "Uncivilized Beasts and Shameless Hellions," to the text itself and the photographs included, the reader is presented with a tour of eleven locations around the world where veteran NPR journalist John F. Burnett found stories to report and personal experiences to describe. This book is one of the few nonfiction "page-turners" I have read in recent times. Once I started reading, it was difficult to put down. His writing is fluid and crisp and as impressive as his height (6' 7").
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Burnett, John F    7. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    8. Essays & Travelogues    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Radio (Performing Arts)    11. Radio journalists    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Editorial Review

In Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel's memoir Read more

Reviews (911)

Unforgettable Tale of Holocaust Horror
Beyond and essential read, Night speaks to the reader about fundamental questions at the heart of the human condition.A powerfully moving autobiography, the story of this teenager's journey through the most horrific death camps of Nazi Europe, strips away discussion of anti-semitism and hatred, to present the raw suffering of individual humans, stuck in situations beyond their control.From the establishment of a ghetto in Elie's home town of Sighet, the reader can only watch with growing horror as the young man and his family are swept up in the Holocaust.Auschwitz, Buchenwald, Gleiwitz: some of the most infamous places in modern human history, rise around Elie, as we watch him stripped of absolutely everything.The reader is swept along helplessly, as Hitler's "Final Solution" unfolds - death marches, starvation, selections, cattle-carts full of people, torture, floggings, mass-murder - and as Elie is gradually reduced to nothing more than a 'hungry stomach'.
must reading
this is a disturbing work in that it recounts a man's experience of the nazi death camps. Warning: this book will shake you up mentally, and emotionally.It is not for the faint of heart.Yet, it is a must read because of the exposure it gives to humanity at it's worst and humanity under it's worst.

Lost in Translation
The short novel Night has emotional power not only because of the dark subject matter, but because Elie Wiesel is a gifted writer who deftly reveals the spiritual and mental anguish of the main character.Generally considered autobiographical, the account follows a young man who feels he is losing not only God, but his humanity as the Nazi machine ravages Europe.The novel itself deserves 10 stars.
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Subjects:  1. 1928-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Historical - Holocaust    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Personal narratives, Jewish    8. Wiesel, Elie,    9. World War, 1939-1945    10. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts    11. Europe    12. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (64)

Seek your own truth from the experience of others
I bought this book because I began a spiritual awakening of my own about a year ago. I firmly believe in the power of story as a way for us to relate our own experience to that of others--from that we learn, we cope, we identify, we grow. Regardless of where our journey takes us, there are vital milestones we can share with each other. That is what Kidd's book is to me.
Empowering
When will we learn to let God out of the box of our narrowmindedness as Sue has done so beautifully in her story?

Not what I expected...
A bit cheesey... I felt like I was reading a fluffed up self-help book! If you are a fan of The Da Vinci Code looking for more information on the lost sacred feminine, this book will be of little help.I bought it because I thought it would be an interesting way to absorb some facts, but I found it to be a simplistic, repetetive, overly-idealized account of a woman's "rebirth".I couldn't even finish it!
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Feminism    5. Feminists    6. Kidd, Sue Monk    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Religion    9. Religious aspects    10. Spiritual biography    11. Spirituality - General    12. United States    13. Women    14. Religion / Spirituality   

Reviews (5)

If Vonnegut wrote non-fiction
As a huge fan of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. during the 60's and 70's, I kept experiencing the same type of humorous and devastating confessions in Mr. Franzen's, "The Discomfort Zone".Although ruthless towards self and others in small doses, and mostly confessional vs. indulgent, he reveals tremendous mercies in the chapters, "Two Ponies" essentially a dedication to Peanuts, "Then Joy Breaks Through", concerning the church youth fellowship group he belonged to in the early 70's, "Centrally Located" the adventures of Jon's running buddies in high school, and "My Bird Problem", his adventures in birding, love and ecology (as if there is a difference).I've read some book reviews that are critical of Mr. Franzen's "personality", rather than an insightful evaluation of the content of and skill displayed in the book, and I am surprised.In my mind "The Discomfort Zone" seems to parallel Vonnegut's "Welcome to the Monkey House" and "Slaughter House 5", with Jon Franzen being more Billy Pilgrim than Billy the Poet.Evidently Mr. Franzen simply needs to fictionalize himself, and the critics will acclaim.... BRILLIANT!This is a wonderful book filled with love, humor, and personal stumbling. It might as easily be titled "Coyote's Memoirs".

Better Than "The Corrections"...
I enjoyed this autobiographical book even more than his hit novel "The Corrections."I must admit I prefer non-fiction to fiction because it really happened (except in the case of James Frey perhaps!)The descriptions are excellent, and the action moves along to keep your interest.

Venturing into the "Discomfort Zone."
Winner of the 2001 National Book Award for fiction, Jonathan Franzen ("The Corrections") follows his collection of personal essays, "How to be Alone" (2002) by venturing again into the "discomfort zone" of his own "Personal History" in this uneven memoir, which begins and ends with his mother's death.In "House for Sale," he reflects upon the emotional experience of selling his mother's home in Webster Groves, MO upon her death from cancer, an essay that establishes his mother's dominant presence throughout the entire collection that spans his awkward, middle-class Midwest adolescence in the 1960s and 70s, to his writing career, to his more recent, midlife obsession with bird-watching ("My Bird Problem"). Along the way, the excruciating discomforts of growing up link the individual essays thematically, as Franzen attempts to comprehend his life as it happened. While this non-fiction collection doesn't measure up to the standard Franzen established in "The Corrections," it is nevertheless worthwhile reading for its unguarded examination of oneself.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Authors, American    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Franzen, Jonathan    9. Literary    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (374)

Karrine Steffans Sees The Light
in that the whole industry exploits vulnerable women of color such as Karrine Steffans.I know some would say that they participated voluntarily but I hear stories such as Ms. Steffans regarding music industry's exploitation and abuse of women who starred in rap videos.The whole hip hop video scene has come under fire recently by all sectors of society for its sexual and violent content.
Lacking something
Karrine's story was gripping, but there was emotion missing. I felt like she was just sitting back, giving a list of things that happened and not really grasping the effects of them. Regardless, I think she is a strong woman and I admire her willingness to say, "ENOUGH!" and get her stuff together.

An Entertaining Read
I really liked reading this book. I finished it in one day. At first I felt bad for. Then, as I read more, I thought she was stupid and by the end of the book I questioned whether she learned anything at all. I mean, yes she knows her mistakes, but I dont think she has learned from them. Overall, I think this book was a great read. I would recommended it to anyone who wants to live the Hollywood lifestyle. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Actors    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    7. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    8. Individual Actors And Actresses    9. Performing Arts (Specific Aspects)    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Stripteasers    12. United States    13. Women    14. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    15. Biography: film, television & music   

Editorial Review

The third tale in David Pelzer's autobiographical trilogy, Read more

Reviews (195)

A must read! Highly recommended!
I just finished this book about 20 minutes ago. During the past two weeks I read all 3 books in this series. My heart broke during the first book as I read a trageic story that no child should ever have to experience. During the second book I cheered Pelzer on as he was slowly recovering and sometimes even enjoying life. I almost didn't read the 3rd book in the series, because I was confident that Pelzer's life turned out well. However, I just couldn't stop myself from wanting to know how it all ended.
Wow
The end of the trilogy. I finally got my head around part of what makes him so compelling. If you read what the marketers put together, you may think this is gloomy and such. Nope. It's about how he survived, and is therefore inspiring. But what finally comes together for me in this conclusion is the author's refusal to let me hate his mother the way I'd like to. Damn, life would be easier that way. Pelzer's no saint, mind you. He's human too. But dang, I really did want him to let me hate his mother. You can learn a lot from this guy, even if you do hate his mother.

Great book.
We enjoyed reading all of Dave Pelzer's books.Excellent reading for all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Abused children    3. Abusive mothers    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. California    9. Children of alcoholics    10. Daly City    11. Family relationships    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Specific Groups - Special Needs    14. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    15. Biography: general   

Reviews (55)

My Life as a Quant: Reflections on Physics and Finance
One needs to consider what they want out the book before buying it.If your looking for a book with market trading tactics and think this book will provide that, then my score would be a "1"Its not about how to make YOU money and its title implies that.In fact, its title is a quite honest answer to what is inside, the reflections of this Quant on his life in physics and finance.While he does not give the reader any CLEAR suggestions on how to make money in the market, he does give a good view of life as a professional in the hard sciences most of them would find it boring, the book would be a goodfor some super high school achiever that is contemplatingor announced committment to a life as a PHd in hard science.He does do a good job of relating all the "posturing", the "idea stealing", and general BS that is the real world of both science and commerce.His descriptions of his finance mode