Biography Books

I don't remember the last time I read a book that made me laugh out loud. As I read this book, I laughed often as I recognized myself and my family within the pages.

In this collection of essays, Dumas describes her experiences while growing up in Iran and her life in the U.S. Dumas' writing is honest, light, and laced with humor. Her stories are simple, yet powerful. This book is a fabulous reminder that our similarities far outweigh our differences- regardless of our cultural background. I can't wait to read "Funny in Farsi."

Laughing Without an Accent is Fizooreh Dumas' follow-up to her first book, Funny in Farsi. Both serve as anecdotal memoirs of situations Dumas faced as an Iranian growing up in the United States and eventually marrying a Frenchman. The book covers a vast time period; the youngest story is from when she was a six-year-old girl living in Iran, the oldest from events which probably took place mere months before the book was published. The stories are in no particular order; some reference events that took place in others.

The vignettes are curious glimpses into a culture that is foreign to most Americans. For example, the first chapter of the book deals with Dumas' attempts to have her book translated into Persian (the major language in Iran). The author was passionate about those in her home country reading her works as they were written, so she went about seeking her own translator rather than relying on the lowest common denominator. She recounts the roadblocks that were thrown in front of her, as well as how well the book was received once it was actually published in Iran. It's a wonderful beginning to establishing a relationship with a foreign culture, rather than fearing and vilifying it.

Some of the anecdotes are not so foreign, such as parents buying gifts for their children that the children abhor. Through these stories, Dumas illustrates that while she is from a different culture, the distinctions aren't as numerous as the similarities. That is what is important about this book, and why it is crucial that Americans read it: understanding is the beginning of acceptance. In the book, Dumas describes her family's reaction to and treatment during the Iranian hostage crisis. She speaks of their horror at the situation and her subsequent friendship with one of the hostages. In some ways, Dumas is brave; in her own way, she is standing up for the normal, everyday Iranians who only want to live their lives in peace. At the same time, by insisting her books be published in Iran, she is showing them that Americans aren't a people to fear. It is a phenomenal thing for one woman to do, and she does it incredibly well.

Perhaps the best element of Dumas' work is her sense of humor. It is apparent that most of the anecdotes are intended to be humorous; she fully expects the reader to laugh along with her about the nuances of her culture. However, it is not a malicious laughter - Dumas respects and loves her background, and she is not trying to make fun of it. It is charming and affectionate, full of love and life. Both Laughing Without an Accent and Funny in Farsi are funny and sentimental without being cheesy. The vignette style makes them incredibly easy to read, and the message is equally relevant in today's tense atmosphere: we are all different, yet we are the same.

One needn't have read Mrs. Dumas' first book, Funny In Farsi, to enjoy this take on the ethnic translation into American culture, but it would certainly help to get you into the mood. Knowing a bit of the family and its ways means you can start smiling, even chuckling, before the stories unfold. An occasional outburst of pure laughter also happen. Mrs. Dumas, in this sequel, shifts the terrain a bit, with a heavier focus on Iranian ethnic life amidst the bits and pieces of American life. An occasional downward spin on some of our habits and mores is fair game, but doesn't spoil this never-ending story of confused Iranians coping with the "New World." After all, this "New World" is now Mrs. Dumas' as well.

While not laugh-out-loud funny it is amusing, enjoyable book. So many of us can see pieces of our own family dynamics in her stories of gifts that you pretend to like, food you serve they won't eat, and those incidents you laugh at only in hind-sight. Her last chapter where she spends time with one of the Americans held hostage in Iran for 444 days is wonderfully poignant.

I heard the author on NPR and immediately wanted to read her book. She did not disappoint. She provided a much-needed antidote to the current stereotype of people from Iran. She is smart, sensible, and very amusing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about how her family has successfully adjusted to living in the United States.

Tammy is an engaging writer with the gift of turning her nightmare into a positive, spiritual gift to all who read her story. Both her family and Trent's are amazing.

This is the best book I have read in years! I think everybody that can should read this book and not take LIFE for granted!!!

Tammy did a wonderful work in describing a pain that many of us face and have to go through. At times I felt like she was describing my own thoughts and feelings when I lost my only child in a car accident. While you are learning to draw breath again, our Lord and Savior truly does literally carry you through the pain until you can begin to see hope again. Life doesn't stop just because a life that means more to you than your own, has stopped. In telling her own story, Tammy helps us to tell ours.

I recently lost my husband suddenly, I have felt all the emotions that Tammy expressed in her book. At 24 I have lost my husband, my father (at 16) and two sisters. Last year my husband and I were expecting a little girl and he was so excited to becoming a father. We had been married for 3 years and just bought a house and another car. Unexpectedly my husband was killed a snowmobiling accident, while on a vacation with his brothers. The area that they were on was about 66 acres and he had gone out alone (this was unusual for him) and hadn't returned after three hours they became worried and went to search for him. There were alot of snowmobile tracks and they weren't sure which ones to follow, so they had formed a search party to look for him. As night fell still no sign of my wonderful husband. The next morning they found my husband who had hit a tree, he was wearing a helmet but somehow it had come off of his head upon the snowmobile hitting the tree sending him flying into the tree, he was gone taking my heart with him. I totally understand why she choose the title "Learning to breathe again: choosing life and finding hope after a shattering loss" because thats just what you have to do, when you lose your husband like that, and being so young you think you have your whole life ahead of you and you make so many plans, When you lose it all like that you feel like you have to learn how to breathe again (Im still learning to breathe again)

Tim was my life, my forever love. I know that when I had our daughter Grace Katheryne (it seemed to fit her she was God's Grace to me in such a rough time in my life and it was also the name Tim picked) I felt his presence as I gave birth to her 6 months ago (just 6 weeks after the accident) I know I will see him again in another time and Another place. As I look at her she looks more and more like her daddy each day she has his dark hair nose mouth and chin and my eyes. I know I have had some days when Ive said "I can't do this alone Lord" but then Im reminded that Im not alone God is with me each day and he will never leave me or forsake me. Tammy did such a beautiful job on this book I share it with other widows I know. No doubt it reached an unbeliever and has made them commit their lives to Christ
From the bottom of my heart thank you so much Tammy

As I read this book I had tears in my eyes. I am also a young widow and I have two children (the last was born 3 months after her father passed away while on a business trip in California the rental car he had been driving was hit by a semi. Being a widow I didn't care for the comments made by Deborah Reece, I thought them to be insensitive and hurtful. saying "be thankful for what you have" is just like saying the pain lessens with time. For me it hasn't. It doesn't appear to me she has read the book (kind of like the other book she "read") but for some reason she had an opinion about it. Finding true love is not hard (once upon a time I thought it was) its just about not settling for second best. We should feel sorry for Tammy as she has been through alot. Yes alot of women go through it but that doesn't make it less painful. Also the book I feel was a testamony I don't think she wrote it to make people feel sorry for her. Trent was an amazing man and I was deeply touched by the book (I lead it out alot sometimes to unbelievers one of whom I believe has come to Christ from being inspired by Tammy's book. I love the title as I too thought I couldn't breathe after Dan's crash, everytime I would take a deep breathe I felt as if I couldn't take another breath.Deborah, If you want a wonderful man just pray about it and try to show that you have a wonderful personality, I think guys like positive girls not ones who have negative things to say where they shouldn't be.

Lessons of the Game is truly an amazing book. Although a non-avid reader, I recently picked up this book and read it within two days. Derek's writing style is very easy to understand. His choice of words to describe things made me know exactly where he was coming from and what it was like at points in Derek's life. I found myself laughing out loud several times as he described scenes as well as almost shedding a tear. This book gives the reader an inside look into Derek's life and true test of character. I believe this book is for the young, old, athletes, non-athletes, or anyone who is ready for an excellent book to read! It is a must read and won't be put down until finished!!!

Hello,
I just finished this book and found it very interesting being as how i just finished my first season as a high school quarterback, and i have many of the same aspirations to do what he dreamed of doing. I was wondering though how much of a sugarcoat was put on derek in this book. it played out looking like everyone else were the bad guys. I wondered if one of the so called bad guys were to write a book stating his side who would you belive. But anyhow it was an exelent book and i encourage every one to give this book a try!!!

I would highly recommend this book for all young athletes who aspire to compete at a higher level. It is an excellent example of how a young athlete can be convinced he is immune to the rules of the game. As a former high school athlete and coach it also serves as a warning for parents and coaches on how their own behavior can have devasting effects on a young athlete's career and life.

I became a fan of Derek Sparks after hearing him speak at the YMCA Apple Cup Rally Benefit Dinner. He was amazing! Today, a month later, I can still feel the power of the GAMETIME message. I am 33 years old and Derek helped me examine myself and my life . I have a renewed spirit and confidence in the days ahead. I applaud Derek for his work with youth and his courage to make a difference.

His life story is sad and heart wrenching, but at the same time refreshing to know that we all can survive the Lessons of Life and live to tell the good news.

The book, Lessons of the game by Derek Sparks tells about something that parents and many high school students do not even know about. Derek Sparks who wrote about his life growing up through high school; he lived a life far diverse than the average teenager. While other kids and students are working hard to keep good grades by staying in class and studying; nothing like that applied to Derek in high school. Everything was taken care of and it did not really matter who was doing all of this. While other normal families struggle with money, Derek had money shoved into his pocket, and if he desired food or any thing like that there was always someone who would go out and get it for him. He did not have an existent Dad as he walked out on him and he left his Mother who lives in Texas to play high school football in California. Derek did not go out to California by himself as his Uncle Jay brought him out there and tried to do what was best for him. As he could not live with his Uncle Jay, each high school had plenty to offer Derek including living in his own home or apartment near the school with all the expenses being taken care of.
You follow Derek on and off the field and learn how people would sell him out and not protect him from what he should not have to deal with as a young kid. Not only would people not do what was best for him but also they would do what ever they could to have him on their team or make money out of him because of being a "star" athlete and having the ability of becoming a professional. This is a great book and a must read for any one who is interested in sports. Even if you are not, I would recommend Lessons of the Game by Derek Sparks because once you start reading, you will not want to put it down.

It is a very good book, but I am a bit skeptical of some of the content

Unlike most prison stories which chronicle the lives of men caught in the system, Life on the Outside, sketches the life of Elaine Bartlett, a mother of four and victim of the Rockefeller Drug Laws. Jennifer Gonnerman, a Village Voice staff writer, draws an amazing picture of the hardships and suffering women face when they try to weave their way back into society after a long prison term without any training or support. Unmatched by any other book, Life on the Outside will give readers a glimpse of the multi-generational effect prison terms have on families.

I feel as though I've now had an intimate look at life in the ghetto. This story of Elaine Bartlett is written with honesty and has no happy ending. It is a story of Rockefeller's ridiculous drug laws and the impact they had on one family. If you're looking for justice, you won't find it here. Elaine and her family have had lives of struggle, poverty, anger, crime, prison, drug addiction, etc. Not pretty. It is a book every American should read. It is my hope (and I didn't see any mention of this in the book) that the author, Jennifer Gonnerman, has given a percentage of the profits from this book to Elaine Bartlett. Without her, there would be no story. I want to thank Jennifer Gonnerman for writing this book. I hope Elaine has decorated her apartment and has some extra money stashed away in a safe place.

An important book. Several years ago, I read a lengthy rave review about this book in "The New York Times" and bought it. It's about "breaking the cycle" of imprisonment and poverty in families. At a time when governments do little other than epitomize Benjamin Franklin's definition of insanity ("doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results") this book makes clear why we should tell stakeholders to go to hell and do something other than Nixon-Bush's "tough on crime," "punish don't rehabilitate," etc. Buy it five copies at a time, read it, and pass it on (please)!!

I was outraged that a first time offense could land this mother in prison for 15 to life is that justice No matter fact Hell to the No. Are drugs bad in the community well of course Yes. Although what she did was wrong by carrying those drugs to Albany she and her children should not have had to suffer sixteen years without her even five years would have been stiff but sufficient. I read one reviewer state that she was committing welfare fraud by working under the table and a host of other things anyway. But different people look at things differently you see I was born where Elaine was born and when our mothers went out and worked under the table it was called survival. When young white teens are allowed to work under the table it is called "teaching them responsibility" People kill me how they are so ready to judge. Anyway I once again will reiterate that in no way do I agree with her carrying any drugs because my mother was addicted to drugs which royally screwed up my family BUT before anyone judges Elaine let's look at this a young mother with four children working on the side is very vunerable to be lured into the situation she was lured into by George Deets. And to think good people allowed this to happen and are still allowing this to happen cause' why is Nathan still sitting in prison for four ounces worth of cocaine.
To the Author I applaud you for writing Elaine's story with DIGNITY.

I began Love, Sal and was unable to put it down. His relationships represent the type of relationships that me and most of my friends have experienced, both [homosexual] or [heterosexual]--the push and pull...the battle of wits and emotions...the struggle....always trying to fight for control of ourselves and/or the other person. I appreciate the very honest way he writes. Thanks Sal for writing this book.

Love Sal is addictive reading. The anecdotes that he presents from his life are beyond merely humorous; they reflect his mature insight and remarkable sense of wit. He doesn't simply bring a smile to your face -- his articulate commentary reflects his point of view on a great variety of subjects that run the gamut from sex to AIDS to what it means to be gay. A must-read. While funny, much of the book has a serious thoughtful angle to it. Yet... he uses humor to get readers to think. He writes about the his experience with such insight, affection, and honesty. I can only hope that there is more to come.

This is a wonderful book written in an amusing, fascinating, way. It's rich with passion and anecdote, and balanced with sharp perspective and fair objectivity. I found it refreshing and inspiring to read about and share this author's journey.

Yes, letters. This is the story of Sal's life for three years in San Francisco told through a series of letters written to his friend, Tim, who has remained in Chicago. We see life in the gay ghettos, in the gay bars, in the workplace, and in many other venues as Sal explores his new home and makes friends and has relationships none of which turn out very well. Roommates are downers too but hey that happens a lot in reallife. If you want some insight into a gay man's life at the end of the 20th century this book will give you great insights.

I began Love, Sal and was unable to put it down. His relationships represent the type of relationships that me and most of my friends have experienced, both [homosexual] or [heterosexual]--the push and pull...the battle of wits and emotions...the struggle....always trying to fight for control of ourselves and/or the other person. I appreciate the very honest way he writes. Thanks Sal for writing this book.

Petit's autobiography of his absolute single minded passion to defy gravity and walk between the Twin Towers is the most beautiful book I have ever read. It is a template for fulfilling your ultimate passion and describes moment by moment what it takes to achieve your most ridiculous dream.
From the moment he first heard of the plans to build the Twin Towers, Petit, the budding high wire artist, knew that he had to walk between the towers. The frenchman describes, in his marvelously accented english, his journey: the anticipation as he saw the towers being built, his painstaking preparations, the role of his mentor and coach, his meticulous planning and stakeout of the Towers, his recruitment of a shadowy team of rebels to facilitate his attempt and the ultimate stealth operation to rig the wire between the towers in order to perform his tightrope walk.
The book climaxes with his experience of walking between the towers 400m above the sidewalk with police in each tower screaming at him to get off and threatening to slacken the wire so he falls off. Amidst all this his experience is of ultimate calmness and freedom as he walks back and forth and even stands on his head high above New York while communing with a passing seagull. This is a truly spititual experience and the book took me there with him.
If you want to be inspired to follow your dream and want more than coaching and tips on how to get there then this is a book that allows you to live another's passion and fully experience what it is to be alive.

I recently saw "Man on Wire" in the theatres (more on that later), and having seen this movie prompted me to seek out the book that high wire walker Philippe Petit wrote about his 1974 wire walk between the WTC Twin Towers.

"To Reach the Clouds: My High Wire Walk between the Twin Towers" (244 pages; originally released in 2002) is a reconstruction, both verbally and visually, of this extraordinary event. Petit tells the tales of the early days, of his high-wire walks between the Paris Notre Dame towers and at the Sidney Harbor, only to be caught by the fantasy of the World Trade Centers, by a picture in a French magazine. The book details the preparations for the improbable feat, and it reads like a thriller (such as how did they manage to get all the gear into the Towers without being detected), even when you know the eventual outcome. The book comes with many visual details, like how Petit and his crew studied the WTC in detail (all the while trying to stay ahead of law enforcement and security guards). Petit brings a lot of poetic moments to the book, describing his inner feelings both as he was preparing for this impossible feat, and best of all as he is walking the high wire between the WTC towers. The book has a number of great pictures of that walk but to be honest I wished it had more.

In all, this book is a fabulous read, whether or not you have seen that "Man on Wire" documentary. But let me tell you that "Man on Wire" is one of the most fascinating movies I've seen recently. Best of all, Philippe Petit turns out to be one of the most engaging tale-tellers I've seen on screen in memory. Don't miss it!!

This book pulled me out of the doldrums. What an appealing person Petit is! Daring, ingenious, and courageous to an insane degree, he pulled off the greatest feat of street theater in the history of the world. He makes the phrase 'the impossible dream' stand up and dance. What I didn't appreciate until I read this book was what a fine engineering coup it was - all the rigging done clandestinely in the dead of night, so that at first light he was ready to step into the air.

And what a nail biting read! He re-creates the months long drama, keeping you right there with him all the way to the exhilarating end. What I also wasn't prepared for was how agile and graceful a writer he is and what a benevolent, endearing spirit.

You think you're facing a daunting challenge? Read this book and put yours into perspective.

I have just finished reading this book. The tension was unbearable as the operation in the sky was carried out and as I read on I realised.... my feet were sweating!! Perhaps my fear of heights was coming through but here was an experience that has never happened to me whilst reading. Do yourself a favour and get a copy.

I remember seeing the WTC towers being built, still partly framed in steel, as a child in the late 1960's. I also remember a snippet of this event in the news in the 70s. But, it was (I think) Ken Burns' American Stories on TV that reminded me of it and really gave it perspective that blew my mind as to how unbelievable an event it was. To me, it wason a scale of things like landing on the moon. With that still fresh in my head, I looked into the event and found this book and was unable to put it down from the first page until I finished it.

This book is inspiring. Petit is a bit crazy, but to pull off a hack of this magnitude, you have to be. Genius is touched with madness. To say the feat is inspiring is a great understatement. The logistics, planning, obstacles overcome, and just plain luck that all aligned in the end were really incomprehensible - more so after reading this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed every page. Sometimes, I get overwhelmed with things I need to do and obstacles I face, and I look at that timeless picture of Petit between the towers on the cover of this book and I am inspired. If he could do THAT, certainly I can find a way to overcome whatever is in my way today. THis book is fantastic.

I love this book! Mother Teresa speaks in very simple terms about her faith and her calling to follow Jesus. The chapters on love and prayer were very inspirational and convicting. We should all follow her example in how we treat one another. I am not a Catholic, but that doesn't matter, her message is for everyone. I have purchased several copies of this book to give away. That's how good it is.

The quality of the books are excellent. I had a problem receiving the books, though. When tracking them I was told they were delivered, but I had never received them. I got connected with customer service through the website and they helped make things right by re-sending my order. These books came in the same time I should have received my other books. I feel confident that I can order through Amazon again and they will make sure that I am satisfied. Thank you, Amazon!

Honestly one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. I minister to the homeless and everytime I re-read what I have high-lighted, I want to run off & serve God even more. I highly recommend this book. But if you share books with others, buy 2 copies b/c you will want to re-read yours often. She is such an amzing woman. I felt like this book was a personal letter to me. It took away some of the fear I harbored in the work I do. Praise God!

The devotion of Mother Teresa should be an inspiration to us all (whether you are Catholic, Eastern Orthodox or Protestant; Christian or non-Christian). I'm a Methodist and I see in Mother Teresa a true imitation of Christ. She reminds us of God's love and how God uses us to minister to one another.

While I was growing up, people would call Mother Teresa a "living saint" (I grew up and still live in a heavily in a Catholic neighborhood). Recent evidence reveals that she sometimes wrestled with doubts and frustrations. This has actually enhanced my appreciation for her, in that I see Mother Teresa now as more a human being, who struggled along like the rest of us, and could relate with our faults and trials better than someone of superhuman constitution.

Her feeling for the poor; that is the economically, as well as, spiritually poor, gives us all a lot to think about. Whatever religion you are, I am sure you can find comfort in Mother Teresa's gentle spirit:

"I deal with thousands of Christians and non-Christians, and in each you can see such conscience at work in their lives, drawing them to God...If everyone were capable of discovering the image of God in their neighbors, do you think we would still need tanks and generals?"

This book is pure inspiration. You realize how selfish the world is after reading this humble book. Mother Teresa is often in my thoughts now. And for that reason, this book is priceless.

This man's innovations changed the way we build major infrastructure in the world. From a early involvement in auto racing to the most powerful earth moving equipment of his times. R.G. LeTourneau changed the way we build and power the big machines. This is a inspirational book !

This, to me, was a good example that you don't have to be cut throat to run a successful business. You don't have to be a Harvard graduate. You just need to be energized to help other people the best way you know how, and not be afraid of change, but be excited about innovation.

I could not put this book down. What a great book! One reviewer said to buy a second book to give away. I did, but I should have bought several extras! Now I'm buying more. This book has helped me to recognize God's purpose for my life and the incredible gifts He has given to each of us. A great gift for anyone, especially for someone who has ever been in the construction industry.

A must-read for every Christian, and a great tool for ministry.


Blessings to Amazon!

This was one fantastic book that I could hardly put down. It is a great story of a man with dreams that were larger then life. He always said there are no big jobs, only small machines. Mr. LeTourneau had the capacity to envision larger and larger machines to make man more productive.

This book is 290 pages short with 26 untitled chapters which cover most of Mr. LeTourneau's life. From his childhood and quiting school in the 7th grade to his struggles and almost bankruptcy, he does a great job at unfolding his life the way it happened. He tells of how his business grew during the depression and of the great success he had in creating machines to do a job that none had done before. He was laughed at by people who couldn't see the value in some of his gigantic creations which were ahead of their time. But he didn't allow other people's negativity stop him from accomplishing his goal of benefiting man by making him far more productive then he would have been otherwise.

He talks about his relationship with God and how he believed that God was with him to protect him and help him to succeed. LeTourneau lived his beliefs by helping others and starting a school called LeTourneau Collage. He had given 90% of his stock in his business to a foundation he started for the benefit of others. He is not overpowering with this but just lets his beliefs take a natural course through the book.

Overall I think anyone would really enjoy this book. It really was one of the more interesting biographies I have read. His life again proves that it doesn't matter what kind of education you have or where you are financially, the only thing that can stop you from fulfilling your dreams is yourself!

Stadner's book is well written and fun. She tells her stories in writing even better than she delivers them in person, and this book is loaded with all kinds of memories, each one tugging at a different heart string. She hits home over and over, and that familiarity makes it even more entertaining. At times, I found myself agreeing with her out loud, or calling my sister to remind her of something I hadn't thought of in years. I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed every minute of it.

Great book! The stories you related, made me laugh and cry with you.It was truly a walk down memory lane. You have successfully memorialized Cote St Luc, forever.Sheila

Hanala Stadner writes an amazing narative of her life, beginning with a childhood of loneliness and need. Her parents, survivors of the Holocaust, do not seem to be able to understand her travails which include normal childhood growing pains. She bitterly leaves home and is able to work as a semi-employed actor. Her pain follows her as she stumbles into drug and alcohol abuse. Just when the reader is totally disgusted with her, she begins a long road to recovery and self discovery. This well written book will make you laugh and make you cry. I would heartily recommend it.

I just finished your book I loved it so much that I just didn't want it to end.
I related to just about everything you went through. My parents also went through the war as Partisans in the woods of Poland and White Russia and then came to Montreal.
Thank you so much for writing this book. I must confess that
I laughed and cried but the last 100 pages of your book brought back so many memories for example singing to my father on his death bed \"OYFIN PRIPITCHEK BRENT A FAYERL, UN IN SHTUB IS HEYS. UN DER REBELY LERNT KLEYNE KINDERLEKH DEM ALDF-BEZ.\"
I saw you at Lynn University when you were in Boca Raton and had the
pleasure of meeting you and Fabrizio,gee I hope I remembered his name, but you know who I mean the cute Italian. You signed my book and I will cherish it forever.
Again, thank you so very much this book really made a difference to me.
Lots of Luck, from one survivor to another Sarah Johnson.

The title grabs you - humor? Holocaust? Then, you begin reading and Hanala grabs you- envelops you, fastens your seat belt for you and takes you on the ride that is her life. And what a ride.

For the general public, it is a story, written with wit, humor, turns of phrase, expressions which you know you have heard before and are comfortable with but which are neither trite nor cliche, in a style that holds your attention. It is the history of a little girl clamoring for something which is impossible to receive due to no fault of her own, a "normal" childhood, filled with love, affection, nurturing, complements, structure, safety, sibling support, reliable friends, - just like in the 50s and 60s TV families into which she delves for comfort; who, not surprisingly grows into a young adult with physical addictions and emotional insecurities - making bad choices, entering into troubled relationships and behaving in a self-destructive manner bringing her near death; and finally, just as you have almost had it with her and want to read her the riot act, but knowing that nothing you say could bring her out of her messed-up life, she surprises you and takes a small step which becomes a deep reach into herself and pulls herself out of the spiral - building inner strength and finally maturing into the positive, healthy person you would be thrilled to have in your life. Hanala lays open her soul to the core, describes behaviors and experiences that most would be embarrassed and ashamed to admit, and demonstrates that we have the ability to heal ourselves, with the help of others, if we only give ourselves the chance. You laugh, you laugh a lot, and you cry, you find yourself repeating statements out loud that you have just read which may well hit deep in your own soul. Frankly, you don't want the book to end and when it does, you are OK, because you know that Hanala's story is continuing and because it is a real life that you feel connected to.

And, for the readership which is made up of the children of Holocaust survivors/escapees, it is an even more special story. Hanala, through her experiences, and her insights gained through therapy, A.A. and Al-Anon programs, gives us answers as to why her parents, and so many other such parents just could not do a better parenting job - whether due to their guilt for not being able to save family or friends or for the simple fact that they survived, magnified by the relative comfort in which they are living; why they too were and are leading lives that are not filled with what many would consider "normal" actions and reactions - which behaviors many have unintentionally passed on to their children. "It is not because she won't, it is because she just can't." For Holocaust survivor/escapees' children, Hanala provides answers to questions we might not even know how to ask.

This is my favorite book on autism, period. I adore it.

I am a 30-year-old mom with Asperger Syndrome, my 11-year-old daughter has Autism. As such, I have sought books to keep on hand to give to friends who may be interested in reading about autism. I wish I could afford a whole shelf full of this one!

Paul Collins writing is insightful and deep and it flows well - leading from one chapter into the next, it's a difficult book to put down. This book talks about the author's expolration of the history of autism, and individuals who have lived or are living their own unique lives. At the same time as he's following these leads to find out more about his autism, his own son is diagnosed. It's a beautiful story because of the twists and turns, and because of the lives of people it illuminates so graciously.

I was given an assignment in my graduate Humanities class to recommend one chapter of a book for the whole class to read. I knew immediately it would be this book, but had to think about which chapter. After much deliberation (there are many beautifully written stories that flow together in this volume), I selected Chapter 16. The passage where he sits on the steps of a church to cry after meeting the man with the painted lightbulbs illustrates how this book speaks on what it means to be human, it isn't just a book on autism.

Always eloquent, never condescending - if this is the first book you read on autism you'll start with a deeper understanding. Don't bother reading books that bog you down with those who "suffer from autism" - this book, instead, is about human beings.

You won't find the rage at autism that so many parents have experienced, or the accounts of scientific and medical detective work that other parents have undertaken. What you will find is a collection of stories of people in both relatively ancient (Peter the Wild Boy) and relatively recent (Henry Darger) history who might have been diagnosed somewhere along the autism spectrum, interspersed with his experiences of his son, Morgan.

Another way this book is different from a lot of books written by parents of children with autism, is that Collins uses this collection of stories to look at Morgan's life in its totality, thinking what Morgan might be like at age 40, or age 70, instead of focusing on today's trials and opportunities. Collins thinks a lot further into the future than most parents. On the other hand, using history to think about autism, may not be the best way to go, as quite a bit of research into autism and related disorders is currently under way.

If you've already read some books about autism, you might think "Been there, done that" as you read about important people in the autism community like Simon Baron-Cohen and Temple Grandin. On the other hand, this book is unusually free of the anger, drama and tragedy of many books on this topic. Another thing that is useful about this book is to reflect that autism has most likely been around for a long time.

The book is easy to read, and is extensively documented if you wish to go further along the path Collins is treading.

This book was difficult to put down so, even with a 4 year old to look after, I read it in 4 days. I haven't had that experience with a book in a long time! "Not Even Wrong" is extremely interesting and informative on the subject and history of autism and the author's own personal experience with his autistic son is a tender and heartfelt thread binding it all together. Not only did it give me a much better understanding of autism but it had a profound impact on my understanding and respect for the unique way my own mind works, as well as the minds of those around me. By taking a respectful look at the extreme differences of the autistic mind, it helps a person become more accepting of the subtle differences we all have between us that, if we work with what we've got instead of trying to fit a mold, make us so unique and interesting. Along with his talent for describing history, Paul Collins has put his heart and soul into this book.

This is not your typical book about autism, and I mean that as a compliment. As another reviewer said, it's difficult to characterize, but it's very interesting even for someone who doesn't know a lot about autism. Well done!

Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism was written by historian Paul Collins, the author of Sixpence House. Apparently Collins and his wife don't have enough sense to be devastated that their happy, healthy son Morgan is suffering with a tragic disease. The kid bounces around exuberantly playing verbal games with numbers and letters, banging on the piano, reading everything in sight, and interacting with his nanny and parents in his own way. He's as happy as Mandy West in Paul West's old classic Words for a Deaf Daughter and just as oblivious that he's actually living in a hellish prison and that there must be a real child in there struggling to get out, etc., etc., ad infinitum, while the parents think he's simply a bright kid with many interests. Who cares if he doesn't answer when you ask his name or play along with dumb "look at the funny monkey" games when there's a much more interesting talking computerized camera in the same room?

In short, the parents don't see anything wrong with the kid, because there isn't anything wrong with the kid. He's just more interested in music, math, reading, and audio equipment than people. A phalanx of experts try to convince Collins that Morgan's in need of vast amounts of therapy to bring him up to "normal", but Collins sensibly doesn't buy it even after he is made to understand that two-year-olds generally have more interest in the above social interactions.

Like Paul West citing stories of famous deaf people, Collins goes back in time to look at historical figures who may have had conditions similar to autism, which the shrinks finally talk him into believing his son is at least sort of, kind of, on the spectrum. He spends a lot of time on Peter the Wild Boy, gets into a bit of Henry Darger and others, and presents us with an endless array of fascinating trivia. Thirty years ago, the obviously devoted Collins would have been targeted as one of those too-intellectual "refrigerator parents" who forced their kids to withdraw into a shell of autism. He talks about Bruno Bettelheim, too -- the guy who faked a psychology degree and promoted the theory that all autism was caused by abusive parents. Bettelheim defrauded the psychiatric community and the public for years, while brutalizing hundreds of children at his Orthogenic School.

Collins looks for (and finds) a way to help Morgan communicate without murdering who he is, using techniques such as PECS picture cards. He also finds an autistic school where the kids are permitted to learn through their own ways and interests. The book ends in almost a parody of the old sunburst-through-clouds, ohmygod-it's a breakthrough fashion when Morgan notices Collins has left the room and yells "Daddy" to bring him back. So those who believe in the sickness/cure paradigm get a Reader's Digest condensed version of what they want, and Morgan remains jolly well autistic.

The book repeatedly and convincingly gives the message that it's a mistake to try to force we autistics to behave as something other than our true selves. Parents of other autistic kids tell Collins about how their kid went through the pink monkey routine when they were mainstreamed, but did fine in an autistic school where they were allowed to communicate in their own way. Simply letting autistic people be autistic is such a revolutionary idea! But I think it will be accepted, along with ideas such as autistic culture, in the very near future.

It is easy to forget that just a few years ago, autism was still being classified as a mental illness (in the DSM-IV, it still is). Part of this confusion is caused by the fact that some psychotic children (made that way by abuse or other toxic life circumstance) behave superficially similar to autistic (cf. Mira Rothenberg's Children with Emerald Eyes). The Journal of Autism used to be the Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia and the two conditions were constantly being mistaken for each other. Now it is generally acknowledged thanks to Bernard Rimland and others that autism has a biochemical and/or neurological basis and is not a response to child abuse. (I believe it is only a matter of time before multiple personality is similarly demystified.)

As of 2005, most mainstream services for autism are still dedicated to the propositions that autism can and must be cured, and that until that day, autistics must be trained to behave as close to non-autistic as possible. It'll take a while to change, but I believe it will change. And I will live to see it, and so will you. Thank you, Paul Collins, for bringing that day a little closer.