I would like to share a new book Return to the River Reflections on Life Choices During a Pandemic by Dave Pelzer (Author). I received a copy of in exchange for this review. Inside the post are my amazon affiliate links if you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage from the items you purchase.
River Reflections on Life Choices During a Pandemic is the final book from the series starting with “A Child Called It” and before you ask no, I haven’t read the other books and I may or may not depending on what David and Charlie want to do after they finish this book. As a fyi you do not have to read the first books to understand what is happening in this one which can be read as a standalone.
This book is hard to read and can be a little dark at times. A lot of it reminded me of my best friend Debbie’s childhood and how her parents treated her. As well as my dad who wasn’t always nice to me but like Dave Pelzer as a daughter I think my dad could do no, wrong which he did a lot of. I like how Dave was able to come to terms with his dad.
The book has death and the end of a marriage which was hard to read. But the things this man had to go through as a child was horrible and something no, child should ever have to deal with. The mom was sick in a way but she deserves to be in jail for all she did to the Author. This isn’t a book I would read again because it brings up so many bad memoires for me but it is a book people can learn about and that they should take the time to check into. Its for adults although I could see high school students reading the book.
About the book:
From #1 international bestselling author, speaker, and humanitarian Dave Pelzer comes the next chapter in his life—how, after spending decades saving others in the military, as a fire captain, and an internationally acclaimed advocate, he needs to confront a way to save himself.
On the surface, Dave Pelzer’s life seems like an action movie—he’s walked the red carpet with celebrities and stood shoulder to shoulder with soldiers in Iraq; he’s flown top-secret missions for the U.S. Air Force, obtaining the rank of chief, and battled wildfires in California as a volunteer fire captain. And now—on the eve of the 50-year anniversary of this rescue from horrific childhood of abuse and into the safety of the foster care system—he reflects on the battles he’s fighting in his own heart. From a lifetime spent serving and saving others, can he learn how to serve and save himself?
Banished to his basement at age five, Dave Pelzer had cried a river of tears before most children learned to tie their shoes. His now classic books, A Child Called “It” and The Lost Boy, chronicled how he was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who nearly killed him multiple times. But despite the odds stacked against him, he rose to become a #1 New York Times bestselling author, inspirational speaker, and internationally recognized humanitarian.
After fighting for years to vanquish his pain and to channel it into service for others, Pelzer sifts through the psychological rubble of a life that has seemingly crumbled around him. What he shares is deeply transformative and unflinchingly honest. In his struggle to simply survive, he never learned how to just be. Reeling from the loss of a love—and a broken spirit—Pelzer must reconcile his life choices and free himself of blame and shame to find peace and renewed purpose.
Amidst the towering redwood trees and the serenity of his childhood utopia of the Russian River, Pelzer reflects on having the courage to move forward in your life, the peace to accept yourself, the vulnerability to strip yourself of facades, and to find the tenacity to carry on when life doesn’t turn out the way you planned.
For anyone who has been hurt, victimized, or feels alone, there is hope and there is always a way to rewrite your own story. Pelzer’s soulful and inspiring story will remind you to keep your faith, live with gratitude, and find the well of resilience deep within you.
About the author: Dave Pelzer
Overcoming a life threatening childhood, Dave Pelzer is the epitome of a self-made man. For over twenty years, Dave has been a catalyst for dramatic social change by promoting resilience. Dave’s prestigious accomplishments include personal commendations from Presidents Reagan, Bush, Clinton and George W. Bush.
In 1993, Dave was honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans. A year later Dave was the only American to be honored as The Outstanding Young Persons of the World! In 2005, Dave was presented with the National Jefferson Award, which is considered to be the Pulitzer Prize for public service. Dave is also the author of seven life changing books, beginning with A Child Called “It” that started a world-wide phenomenon. His newest book, Too Close To Me is being released September 1, 2014.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
