Don Yaeger

Autistic memoirs are a dime a dozen these days. Most publishers won't touch any new ones unless there is something really special about them.

Quite frankly, had I been the acquiring editor, I wouldn't have accepted this one, at least as an autistic memoir (that is, a memoir that is intended to help others understand autism). Author Leland Vittert really doesn't seem to know much about autism, and neither do those around them.

I will take four examples, just in the Foreword and first five show more pages. The Foreword is by George F. Will, so his experience with autism is indirect, but still, on p. x he says that Leland Vittert "has thrived in the communication business. This is an uncommon destination for people... on the autism spectrum." No, Mr. Will, it is not. Many autistics are writers or communicators. (Including the author of this review; I am autistic and have been a professional writer and editor for more than thirty years.) There are professional autistic comedians as well, and actors. Although they died before there was a possibility of their being diagnosed, it is widely believed that many great writers, including Lewis Carroll, C. S. Lewis, and Isaac Asimov, were autistic. Most autistics communicate just fine -- as long as the communication is in one direction. Where autistics have trouble is in reciprocity -- when to stop talking and listen. That's a completely different thing.

Vittert himself, on page 2, describes being non-verbal (the accepted term, rather than Vittert's description of himself as "not talking") until age three, when he suddenly started speaking in complete sentences -- and talking non-stop. Abnormal in the neurotypical community; not at all uncommon in autistics. I did exactly the same thing, though at a younger age, so that I actually had both delayed and precocious language.

On page 4, we learn that, when the young Vittert had an IQ test, there was a 68 point spread between the facets of his intelligence, which, he notes, is more than three times the spread that is usually considered a learning disability.

Except in autistics. If one spends time among them, one might hear of splinter skills -- the very common tendency, in autistics, to have very different scores in different skill areas. I once met someone who doesn't even have an IQ score. I don't mean he has an IQ of zero; I mean the tests cannot assign him a score. The gap between the facets of his intelligence is so wide that it is beyond the ability of the IQ system to measure it. I'm not that extreme, but I have a mathematics degree; my skill in raw mathematical areas is surely in at least the ninetieth percentile. I also have aphantasia (the lack of the ability to visualize things), which puts my visual abilities in the fourth percentile or lower. So my maximum splinter skills gap is at least 86 percentiles. And that's normal in autism.

On page 5, Mr. Vittert shows how little he knows about autistic culture when he refers to "high functioning autistic children." Those who know anything about autism know that this is dangerous terminology. To call someone high functioning is to imply that they are "almost normal" -- meaning that it ignores their weaknesses. To call someone low functioning is to ignore their strengths. But splinter skills almost always mean that an autistic will have both strengths and weaknesses -- will be both high-functioning in some areas and badly troubled in others. No matter which label you use, you are either papering over their weaknesses or refusing to acknowledge their strengths -- or, the large majority of cases, doing both at the same time. Functionality labels simply should not be used of anyone, ever.

So: If you want to learn about autism, read something else.

Perhaps these failings are not surprising when you go to the back and look at the endnotes. There are only twenty items cited -- and not one of them is an autism reference. They're all news references.

Of course, one can have "splinter skills" in more than one way. This book is offered as an autistic memoir, but that's two different things in one; a book can be a good memoir without being good about autism. And, frankly, this is much more a memoir than a book about autism. If you like memoirs, it might appeal to you. I didn't like it, but I'm autistic and I was frequently offended at the errors in here. Much of the book is about how Vittert's father loved and supported him. That will appeal to many, though it bored me so much that I barely skimmed it. (Also, despite the father's devotion, Leland would probably have had an easier time had he had the support of people who understood autism; there were some pretty bad mistakes in there.)

And there is one other thought: This book was published by HarperCollins. Which is owned by News Corp, Rupert Murdoch's media conglomerate. Not exactly a hothouse of correct scientific information. The blurbers, in addition to George F. Will, include Bill O'Reilly and Juan Williams. By every indication, this is a book by a conservative targeted specifically to conservatives. Not to autistics, and not to the broader public. (Which, since I'm a natural-born scientist, might explain why I so disliked the text. I suppose people who watch Fox News would have known Vittert. Me, I only listen to outlets that accept the truth of evolution and thermodynamics.) And there are hints of the exceptional commitment to honesty, justice, and fairness that many autistics show -- that's one reason he isn't at Fox News any more. To a conservative audience, this might well come as a revelation, and might well bring them closer to the truth than they might otherwise get. Vittert seems to genuinely believe in evidence. So maybe it can get through to people who won't pay attention to science-based autism organizations. One can only hope so. show less

I had been meaning to read this one for awhile, but there is nothing like necessity for pulling a book up from the middle of your TBR list. I needed to do a little research on spying techniques during the Revolution for my latest work.

George Washington's Secret Six is one of the "new style" history books that
crosses over from non-fiction into fiction. Not that the historical points are fiction, but that sometimes-unknowable dialogue, thoughts and actions are added. As you can tell from the show more review, I have mixed feelings about that. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Here's the review I posted on Amazon and GoodReads this morning:

George Washington's Secret Six is an engaging, easy read that tells the story of a little-known spy ring that was arguably essential to the American victory in the war for independence. If you would rather read about historical people and personalities than battle plans and troop movements, this is the book for you.

My only argument with the book is whether one could truly consider it non-fiction or whether it is more fictionalized fiction. There are references with descriptions given at the back of the book (although not footnoted within the text itself), and Kilmeade talks of meeting with the CIA' chief historian. All of which leads me to give the benefit of the doubt to the story-like telling of the narrative.

However, the amateur historian in me pauses a bit when dialogue and internal thoughts are given as factual. I remember one particular passage where during a meeting between Townsend and Woodhull the latter scratched at a bit of wax on a table and the former banged his fist on the same table making the candles jump. It's a passage as well written as any in a historical novel, but does it belong in non-fiction? I suppose those actions and the dialogue could have been constructed from memoirs of the individuals involved, but given their desire for secrecy, it's not likely that they would have included this level of detail.

I do not mean to sound overly critical. I would recommend this book to anyone and if it makes the reading of history more enjoyable, so much the better. If we just left it up to the dry tomes we were required to read in school, these brave men (and one woman) would be lost to us. Therefore, I am giving this one four stars.

On a side note: As a writer of historical fiction, I want to give a shout out to Tiffany Yecke Brooks who, given the acknowledgments, I suspect had a hand in the more fanciful parts of the story. You did indeed find a sweet spot, and I enjoyed them immensely. I hate to admit it, but I think Major Andre was my favorite character. show less

Born Lucky, Leland Vitert
I wish I could give this book 10 stars. I wish I could gift it to everyone I know. It is such an honest appraisal of someone who has succeeded against all odds because of his unrelenting effort, his dedication to principles, his ability to reach out and ask for help when necessary, and his recognition of his own shortcomings refusing to let them defeat him, that it is one of the most inspiring books I have read. Trying to fit into a world with demands and show more expectations that are difficult for you, because you march to a different drummer, requires character and a determination never to quit once a goal has been set. Leland Vittert embodies those ideas and has set a series of goals for himself that have led him down a path to victory. Leland Vittert tells the story of how he was truly born lucky, and the doctor actually named him, but his life was not going to be an easy one. On the day of his birth, no one could have known that, nor could they have known how driven and successful he would eventually become, overcoming all odds and roadblocks placed before him. The world did not adjust to Leland. He adjusted to the demands of the world with the help of his father who guided him and was always there for him when needed.
Leland Vittert is on the autism spectrum, but in 1982, when he was born, there was no spectrum. Today, perhaps, he would be diagnosed as having Aspergers. When his strange behavior began to be noticed, he was tested and diagnosed as having an extremely high intelligence quotient, but the oddest and lowest recorded emotional quotient along-side it. His parents were told he would really have to struggle in life, because he would not be successful regarding social interaction. They refused to label him or request special treatment. Apparently, Leland’s dad was probably also on the autism spectrum, but only mildly, and therefore, he understood the challenges his son would face. He encouraged Leland to set goals and never quit, because if he quit, those who didn’t believe in him would win. That became Leland’s path. Neither his parents, his sister, nor Leland ever ignored his shortcomings, they just refused to let them hold him back. They knew he could not be cured, but his dad taught him to adapt to the world in spite of them. The world would not adjust to Leland, so he would have to adjust to the demands of the world.
He was bullied by his peers because he was different and socially inept, but his family buoyed his spirit when he was crushed by the world, defending his efforts and encouraging him to continue. I found it terribly disappointing to read about how the children and the authorities treated him. When he was bullied in school, the adults often supported the bully and punished him. As a result, Leland was a lonely child, but he rose above it and ignored the bullies and even the competition that resented his hard work, later on, by always looking ahead to the future and the accomplishment of the new goals he set for himself. Unfortunately, only a few people ever stepped up to the plate to support or protect him, but Leland appreciated them and has never forgotten those people. He remembers and names many of them in the book.
Leland set what others might consider impossible goals, but he achieved them, and finally he even became a war correspondent facing danger bravely. Today he is the anchor on his own program on News Nation. It is a program that presents the truth about whatever subject he covers. He will not sacrifice his principles by lying or not covering a subject accurately. He is neither left nor right. He is a breath of fresh air. Even when threatened, he doesn’t compromise his principles. He would not distort his reporting to satisfy the system. He would deal with the consequences. Perhaps it is the autism that allows him to see things more clearly than most people, but he takes things literally and will not abide dishonesty. He readily admits that he still has to struggle to understand social cues and sometimes he fails, but he goes on, always going forward, never looking backward. His life experiences are varied and interesting. He has witnessed and reported on many news events as he rose in his career. He brings all those life experiences to the book.
Dealing with differences does not mean ignoring them and pretending they are either not there or are normal when they are not, it means adjusting to the system so that you, no matter how “weird” you are, can thrive within it. Leland learned to deal with his loneliness and rejection with resilience. He didn’t have to like being friendless, but he had to live with it and keep trying to make friends. He had to learn to live in the real world. This book is an honest reveal about what it is like to live with being different in a world that does not want you, that looks the other way or mocks you. The book exposes Leland’s warts and his strengths with total clarity. He does not hide his own shortcomings. He acknowledges the help he received. He is grateful for that support. He is still trying to navigate the world. He relies on the few people he loves and that love him. They guide him. Perhaps the world would not be so troubled today if the young were taught to adapt to life rather than expecting life to adapt to them and their demands.
Readers, buy this book! It is an amazing revelation about how Leland and others like him were and still are mistreated by the system. Imagine how much they might be able to accomplish if the system and the labels were ignored and there were no bullies, but instead there were adults who set a better example to follow, one of compassion and respect for the rights of others. show less

Leland Vittert was nicknamed Lucky shortly after he was born. The reason is that he was a breech baby whose umbilical cord was firmly wrapped around his neck. Thankfully, the doctor was able to deliver him safely via C-section. As Leland grew, his parents noticed that he had developmental issues. The boy did not speak until he was three; he was unable to socialize successfully with other children; and, when he began to talk, he droned on endlessly to adults about topics that interested him. show more Leland's classmates and teachers bullied him mercilessly and, although he is highly intelligent, he was a mediocre student who could neither spell nor write coherent sentences. He cycled through a number of schools, but did not fit in anywhere.

Mark, Leland's dad, made a fateful decision. Knowing that his son was struggling with autism, Mark decided to do everything in his power to prevent his child from being defined by his disability. Leland's dad stressed self-discipline and encouraged him to work hard and stay physically fit. When Leland became disconsolate over the scorn that he endured, his father comforted him and urged him to set achievable goals. He also instilled in his son the survival skills that would stand him in good stead as an adult. It helped that the Vittert family is wealthy and well-connected.

"Born Lucky," by Leland, his parents, and Don Yaeger, is a thought-provoking, engrossing, and candid memoir. We feel the pain, loneliness, and confusion that Leland suffered during his formative years. Was Mark justified in instructing his son to do hundreds of push-ups daily, stand up for himself, and—except in a few unmanageable situations—never give up? Whatever we think about Mark's parenting techniques, the fact is that Leland, an initially lost and isolated child, went on to earn a college degree and become a successful reporter and news anchor. He recently married Rachel Ann Putnam. Leland is grateful to his mother and father for treating him with affection and concern while refusing to coddle him. This is not a handbook on how to raise a child with special needs. "Born Lucky" is a unique and fascinating account of the anguish and ultimate triumph of a remarkably determined man who achieved much more than he could have ever imagined would be possible. show less