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A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness
A Man Named Dave A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness
Author: Dave Pelzer
The inspiring conclusion to A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy"All those years you tried your best to break me, and I'm still here. One day you'll see, I'm going to make something of myself."--Dave Pelzer, from A Man Named DaveThese words were Dave Pelzer's declaration of independence to his mother, and they represented t...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780452281905
ISBN-10: 0452281903
Publication Date: 9/1/2000
Pages: 352
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 520

4 stars, based on 520 ratings
Publisher: Plume
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

mrsb avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 78 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
This is the final book in the triology (A Child Called It (aged 4 to 12) and The Lost Boy (aged 12 to 18)) and this book is centered on his life from age 18 onward. I have to say that this is my favourite of the three. The other two were good as well ... they were just kinda difficult to read.

This book FINALLY answers some of your questions (and his as well) if you can believe what The Mother says to him (which he even admits he's not sure if she was honest or playing one of her "games" again). There are some more hellacious horrors revealed in this book and it just makes it all the more difficult to believe that there really ARE people like this cruel, hateful and vindictive MOTHER out there in the world!!

You get to see his "reunion" with his father, confrontations with his mother, his marriage and his wonderful awesome love for his son ...

Although I wasn't physically abused by my mother growing up, I was emotionally and mentally abused by her and I really REALLY related to this part of his life. Trying to figure out why he can't trust people and why he pusehes those he does love away and why he never feels like he is worth the love he is offered. I honestly learned some things about myself in this book and it was nice to see a happy ending in this wonderful person's life. It's amazing his amount of forgiveness ... I am not sure I could do it ... but I'm learning ... and trying ... with the help of his words from this book!
PBSmaven avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 107 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
The third in a series, this book really brings the sad story of Dave Pelzers childhood and life together and gives it closure. I read it in one day, a great read.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 22 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is a remarkable book about the will to survive and be the best you can be. Dave Pelzer is proof that anyone can become what he wants to be. A great read!
mrsb avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 78 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is the final book in the triology (A Child Called It (aged 4 to 12) and The Lost Boy (aged 12 to 18)) and this book is centered on his life from age 18 onward. I have to say that this is my favourite of the three. The other two were good as well ... they were just kinda difficult to read.

This book FINALLY answers some of your questions (and his as well) if you can believe what The Mother says to him (which he even admits he's not sure if she was honest or playing one of her "games" again). There are some more hellacious horrors revealed in this book and it just makes it all the more difficult to believe that there really ARE people like this cruel, hateful and vindictive MOTHER out there in the world!!

You get to see his "reunion" with his father, confrontations with his mother, his marriage and his wonderful awesome love for his son ...

Although I wasn't physically abused by my mother growing up, I was emotionally and mentally abused by her and I really REALLY related to this part of his life. Trying to figure out why he can't trust people and why he pusehes those he does love away and why he never feels like he is worth the love he is offered. I honestly learned some things about myself in this book and it was nice to see a happy ending in this wonderful person's life. It's amazing his amount of forgiveness ... I am not sure I could do it ... but I'm learning ... and trying ... with the help of his words from this book!
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is the conclusion to the story of Dave Pelzer who was horribly abused by his mother as a child. The previous books were, A Child Called "IT" and The Lost Boy. A truly moving story that leaves you wanting to cheer for Dave for telling his story.
Read All 83 Book Reviews of "A Man Named Dave A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness"

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reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 154 more book reviews
tear jerker
tleet avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on
Amazing that Pelzer is as balanced as a human as he is considering what he's been through.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 70 more book reviews
These words were eighteen year old Dave Pelzer's declaration of independence to his mother, and they represented the ultimate act of self-reliance. Dave's father never intervened as his mother abused him with shocking brutality, denying him food and clothing, torturing him in any way she could imagine. This was the woman who told her son she could kill him any time she wanted to - and nearly did.
The more than one million reader's of Pelzer's previous best selling memoirs, A Child Called It and The Lost Boy, know that he lived to tell his courageous story. But even years after he was rescued, his life remained a contual struggle. Dave felt rootless and awkard, an outcast haunted by memories of his years as the bruised, cowering "It" locked in his mother's basement. Desperately trying to make something of his life, Dave was determined to weather every setback and gain strength from advertity.
Dave's dramatic reunion with his dying father and the shocking confrontation with his mother - along with the discovery of her secret past - led to his ultimate calling: mentor to others struggling with personal hardships. From a difficult marriage to the birth of his son, from an unfilling career to an enduring friendship, Dave was finally able to break the chains of his past, learing to trust, to love, and to live.
A Man Named Dave is the gripping conclusion to his inspiratonal trilogy. With stunning generosity of spirit, Dave Pelzer invites his readers on his journey to discover how he turned shame into pride and rejection inot acceptance - how a lost, nameless, boy finally found himself in the heart and soul of a man who is free at last.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 82 more book reviews
Wonderful conclusion to trilogy about the boy Dave now grown up.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 1450 more book reviews
This is an inspiring story about a man who was so abused as a boy that his mother called him, "It." The tale begins with his last few abuses and his removal from his mother. He grows up in a foster home with all the emotional and physical scars from his childhood. He finds a place in the Air Force where he works hard to reach his goals in spite of his childhood baggage. He marries, his marriage breaks up, tries to become a speaker and author to inspire others who live in abusive situations all the while experiencing setback after setback. But Dave never gives up. He just works harder. It's an inspiring read that makes one want to cry at times. Good one!
cstevenson avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 3 more book reviews
This was a wonderful Book. I have read the series and I feel like I really know Dave. I have and will continue to recommend Dave's books to everyone!!!


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