Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness

A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness
A Man Named Dave A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness
Author: Dave Pelzer
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
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

83 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

 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!
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I read "A Child Called It" and "The Lost Boy"... so I felt the need to find out how things turned out. As strange as it sounds, this book allowed me to find closure from the first two books... although a lot of the story was redundant and recalled from the first two books. I understand that he wrote it so that the story could stand alone, but at times it felt a little "chaotic".

Note: While reading this book, I went to the store and found another Pelzer book (A Teenagers Story of Longing for acceptance and friendship).... The "series" wasn't written in sequence and I thought I was following it correctly... but in essence, I found out that this book is not really part 3... I guess it's part 4.
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.
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 + 5 more book reviews
Excellent Book (just make sure you read the other two books in the series before this one!)
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 5 more book reviews
I've read all the books dave has written! I enjoyed them all. A little sad but very interesting!
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 552 more book reviews
The inspiring conclusion to A Child Called "IT" adn The Lost Boy.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on
this was a great book i really enjoyed reading it, it is a book about an abused child who over times builds a strong relationship with his family
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 173 more book reviews
The final book of the trilogy of Dave Pelzer's life story is a fast read - and interesting. Having grown up in a pretty average and happy home, it's always intriguing to see life from a different perspective. Ultimately, Dave's accomplishments are inspiring and no doubt have made a difference for many.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 4 more book reviews
the third novel by this author,he goes into his adulthood and how he broke free of the life that was pulling him down, and learned to rise above.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on
inspirational he has overcome a lot
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 15 more book reviews
The final book in the trilogy. A touching end to Dave's story. This book provides hope and peace at the end of a heart wrenching life story.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 36 more book reviews
Excellent follow-up to "A Child Called It" and "The Lost Boy" Dave's venture into adulthood after a an abusive childhood and years in foster care.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 8 more book reviews
A really good/sad/touching book. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. Painful to read at times, but a story that needed to be told.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 7 more book reviews
Very moving book...I suggest reading the first two about this man before this book.
KaysCMAlbums avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 97 more book reviews
How much of Dave Pelzer's past haunts him into adulthood? Can he live a normal life? Will he ever marry and have children of his own? From the cover: The inspiring conclusion to "A Child Called 'It'" and "The Lost Boy".
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on
Excellent book. True story.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 34 more book reviews
A book in the series of A Child Called It, Pelzer's story is enough to break anyone's heart. Very good series.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 14 more book reviews
Dave Pelzer endured horrible circumstances as a child, but has gone on to approach life with joy and hope. His account is inspirational.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 6 more book reviews
Terrific book. Very moving.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on
a good read, yet difficult subject matter (2nd part of a true story about one of the worst documented cases of child abuse in the U.S.)
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 2 more book reviews
This book is so moving - I found myself in tears - Wonderful!!!
In Good condition
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 2 more book reviews
Great book! Sad to finish it but happy for his outcome in life.
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!!!
sandys-mom avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on
Very inspirational man. May we look for the good among the evil as passionately as he does.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 5 more book reviews
Read it!! then you will know
shelleypoo avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 3 more book reviews
This book seemed to repeat many of the stories in the past two books of the series. I could not finish this book, and offered it to a colleague of mine who had read the 1st 2 books and she, too, could not finish the book. It was very repetitious. Initially i was really interested to see what became of Dave's life, but unfortunately, I never read that far in the book.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 4 more book reviews
Excellent reading. Powerful story. I enjoyed this very much.
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
My daughter loves this series.
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
This is a great book on survival and overcoming. I love what this man is doing now after such a horrific childhood. He's amazing.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 1452 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!
augieandlourock avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 117 more book reviews
This book gives you hope where hope is needed. It is so great to find out how it all turned out.Im so happy it ended like it did. A great conclusion to the series.
cam avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 13 more book reviews
This was a great book. It was a great conclusion to the series. To know there are actually children who went through circumstances like that are sickening. To know that they not only survive, but in some ways thrive is encouraging. It shows what the human spirit is made of.
bookstakemeaway avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 3 more book reviews
I read all the books in his series in ONE day, what a horrific story of child abuse and a man who survived. After reading the final book I even wrote him a letter and he responded. Not for the faint of heart.
nezra2 avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 27 more book reviews
This is part three of the trilogy that Dave Pelzer wrote. "The Lost Boy" (I also have on here) is part two of same series. A must read for anyone wanting to open their eyes to how life can be for those abused as children.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 15 more book reviews
Conclusion to "A child called It".
Jess77 avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 66 more book reviews
Inspiring conclusion to "A Child Called "IT"" and "The Lost Boy"

Good closure.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 73 more book reviews
The whole series of these books are just eye opening. A must read.
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 + 87 more book reviews
The third tale in David Pelzer's autobiographical trilogy, A Man Named Dave is an inspiring story of terror, recovery, and hope experienced by the author throughout his life. Known for his work as a child abuse advocate, Pelzer has been commended by several U.S. presidents and international agencies, and his previous memoirs of growing up as an abused child (A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy) have touched thousands of lives. He provides living proof that we can "stop the cycle" and lead fulfilling, rewarding lives full of healthy relationships. Ultimately triumphant, this book will have you living through the eyes of a terrified child, a struggling young man, and an adult finally forgiving his dying father--reading with tissues nearby is recommended. Ending with a touching conversation between the author and his own son, you'll finish reading this with a warm heart and an enriched understanding of the need for compassion in all parts of life. --Jill Lightner
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 579 more book reviews
ASEQUIL TO A CHILD CALLED IT.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 8 more book reviews
An okay book. Quite moving.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 128 more book reviews
Third and last book in the series of Dave Pelzer's life. Wonderful series of the of the worst cases of child abuse in California's history and what he accomplished in his life.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 162 more book reviews
Man who has grown up after an abused childhood, dealing with a new love and past relationship with abusing mother.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 154 more book reviews
tear jerker
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on
Awesome book. It's about Dave growing up. he was the child called it and how the affects of his childhood made him the man is his today.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 63 more book reviews
The third book about the "Child Called It". It is really amazing what this man has accomplished in his life after being so severly abused as a young child. Awesome reading!
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 27 more book reviews
I loved this book. It was a book I couldn't put down.
airangel avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 12 more book reviews
Last of the Pelzer trilogy. Very good upbeat book of a man's rise from awful abuse for years as a child.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 111 more book reviews
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." These words were 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. But even after he was rescued, his life remained 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 adversity.
With stunning generosity of spirit, Dave Pelzer invites readers on his journey to discover 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 + 26 more book reviews
Inspirational without covering up his own flaws.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 11 more book reviews
this is the conclusion of a series. these are saddening and enlightening at the same time.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 10 more book reviews
a great read. i could not put it down!
LENNY01 avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 82 more book reviews
If you have read "It" and "Lost Boy", you must read this. His life is a triumph over evil. And his courage to forgive and face life head on is a valuable lesson for us all.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on
This book is an excellent story of triumph and personal growth. A must read for anyone that had a bad childhood.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 11 more book reviews
Great book.... I made the mistake of reading the 3rd book in the series first....
What a dumb move that was......Everyone out there make sure you read the other 2 books first...makes it more enjoyable.

LUV'd the book...... shows the meaning of HOPE
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 33 more book reviews
This is the 3rd book of the life of Dave Pelzer. It is the conclusion of the life story of "A Child Called It" The boy/man has survived extreme abuse from his mother. Very good.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 86 more book reviews
Last of the series of A Child Named It. This book is excellent.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 7 more book reviews
This is the 3rd book in a series. "A Child Called It" was first, and then "The Lost Boy".
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 19 more book reviews
A WONDERFUL STORY ABOUT FORGIVENESS......
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 21 more book reviews
Great conclusion to a powerful trilogy
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 219 more book reviews
Absolutely loved all of Dave's books!!!
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 10 more book reviews
This is the last book in the Dave Pelzer series, It tells of his life as an adult, married, with children of his own. Theses books are a must read!!
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 3 more book reviews
After reading this last book in the series of David Peltzer's life, concluding his previos books, 'A Child Called "IT"' and 'The Lost Boy' I am throughly happy at how much this brave man has accomplished and learned. It lets you know that even if you feel like your life has been somehow corrupted, that there is hope for you to only better yourself by your experiences.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 49 more book reviews
Excellent book. Yet another of his I couldn't put down.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 54 more book reviews
Loved it!! Very well written. You will never put it down. A fast book to read.
iowagirl avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 9 more book reviews
If you've read Mr. Pelzer's first two books, you'll want to read this one too!
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 48 more book reviews
great book, sorry the series is over, could not believe the things Dave lived through.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 22 more book reviews
It is a good ending to the other two books.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on
Awesome wrap up to the other 2 books... A MUST read....
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 8 more book reviews
Loved this book...the entire series is incredible...you'll never forget them
Dove avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 262 more book reviews
This is the 3rd in the series.

An unbelievable, but true, story of one abused child's will to live. Read all three stories and follow Dave as he grows to become a husband and father.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 8 more book reviews
Excellent, well written book.
darkcoffeeclouds avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 114 more book reviews
Everyone should read the end of the story that talks about how David dealt with the issues of his child abuse, the sadness of the death of his father, the outcome of confronting his mother, his determination to get into the air force, and the ups and downs of his relationship with his wife. This may not be the end of Dave's story but it's a nice wrap up of many of the questions I had.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 17 more book reviews
Amazing story of one mans struggle and his success to rebuild his life
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 2 more book reviews
Very sad book. Well written
rubuhroom avatar reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 32 more book reviews
From the back cover:
#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." These words were Dave Pelzer's declaration of independence to his mother, and they represented the ultimate act of self-reliance. Dave's father never interevene as his mother abused him with shocking brutality. The more than two million readers of Pelzer's previous international bestseller, A Child Called "It" and The lost Boy, know that he lived to tell his courageous story. But even after he was rescued, his life remained haunted by memories of his years as the bruised, coering "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 adversity.

With stunning fenerosity of spriit, Dave Pelzer invites readers on his journey to discover how a lost, nameless boy finally found himself in the heart and soul of a man who is free at last.

My notes: To truly understand this memoir, I suggest that you read a Child Called "It" and possibly The Lost Boy before you read this. It will give you tremendous insight into the horror this man lived as a child and how and why he thought and behaved when he was finally out of the clutches of his extremely sick mother and overly passive father.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 32 more book reviews
All those years you tried your best to break me, and I am still here. One day you'll see, I'm going to make something of myself. These words were Dave Pelzer's declaration of indepedence 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. The more than two million readers of Pelzer's previous international bestsellars, A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy, know that he lived to tell his courageous story. But even after he was rescued, his life remained 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 adversity.
reviewed A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness on + 162 more book reviews
very sad book

also with bookcrossing

Back to the Top ↑
By using this Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms of Use. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
US Patent Number 7,877,315 | Copyright © 2004 - 2024 PaperBackSwap.com. All Rights Reserved.