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A Man Named Dave, which has sold over 1 million copies, is the gripping conclusion to Dave Pelzer's inspirational and New York Times bestselling trilogy of memoirs that began with 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. 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 show more 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 two million readers of Pelzer's New York Times and international bestselling memoirs A Child Called It and The Lost Boy know that he lived to tell his courageous story. With stunning generosity of spirit, Dave Pelzer invites readers on his journey to discover how he turned shame into pride and rejection into acceptance. This audiobook is expertly read by William DeMeritt, with audio engineering by Matthew Kulewicz, MPSE. It was produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont. Copyright (C) 1999 by Dave Pelzer (P) (2024) Echo Point Books & Media, LLC. show lessTags
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Nothing packed quite a punch as the first book in this trilogy. And this may be the more vengeful side of me, but I wished that Dave had confronted his mother. I understand that confronting an abuser is not easy, but Roerva was apparently never actually punished for her abuse. Sure, Dave was placed in a foster home, but his abuse was simply horrific. This book just ends on a saccharine-sweet note which us off-putting after the emotional wallop of the first book (A Child Called 'It')
Pojken som överlevde är den tredje och sista boken av Dave Pelzer om hans liv som är full av misshandel och motgångar. Och som de andra två böckerna så är historien unik i sitt slag men tyvärr mycket dåligt skrivet, vilket är synd för det hade kunnat bli tre mycket bra böcker om bara Dave hade bett om lite hjälp.
Är tveksam om denna sista bok var nödvändig eller om det bara var ett sätt att få ur sista pengar av en historia som redan har berättats.
Är tveksam om denna sista bok var nödvändig eller om det bara var ett sätt att få ur sista pengar av en historia som redan har berättats.
This is possibly one of the most unnecessary books I have ever read. The 1 star review is partly my fault, because I was 95% sure I wouldn't like this book based on the previous two books of the trilogy. That doesn't mean, though, that it's my fault the book is bad.
Because it is. It's poorly written, wanders through Dave's life as an adult, sees him make some stupid decisions and then yay, tie it all up with a bow, here's a happy ending (this guy's life is not over but the book is).
I can see the point of this book. Dave Pelzer suffered terrible abuse at the hands of his mother as a child, and this book can be seen as a message to other survivors that it doesn't have to end there, you can get out of your situation and make a real life show more for yourself. But did we not establish that already in books 1 and 2?
This book was painful to read because I just couldn't put up with any more of Dave Pelzer's whining. I can't stand people who complain about their lives and then do nothing about it. I'm not saying what happened to him wasn't awful, because it was and it should never have happened (and you know what else? This whole thing of what happens in the home, stays in the home is absolute bullshit and is no excuse for the other adults in Dave's life), but then he got out, into foster care, found a loving family (who suddenly disappeared like halfway through the book). Things go wrong in everyone's lives, and your life after that was in your hands, no one else's. This book felt like a huge account of 'everything gone wrong in my life' by Dave Pelzer.
I am so glad I never bought any more of Dave Pelzer's books. If it wasn't for my little pledge that I would start trying to finish all the series I've started, I never would have made it this far. show less
Because it is. It's poorly written, wanders through Dave's life as an adult, sees him make some stupid decisions and then yay, tie it all up with a bow, here's a happy ending (this guy's life is not over but the book is).
I can see the point of this book. Dave Pelzer suffered terrible abuse at the hands of his mother as a child, and this book can be seen as a message to other survivors that it doesn't have to end there, you can get out of your situation and make a real life show more for yourself. But did we not establish that already in books 1 and 2?
This book was painful to read because I just couldn't put up with any more of Dave Pelzer's whining. I can't stand people who complain about their lives and then do nothing about it. I'm not saying what happened to him wasn't awful, because it was and it should never have happened (and you know what else? This whole thing of what happens in the home, stays in the home is absolute bullshit and is no excuse for the other adults in Dave's life), but then he got out, into foster care, found a loving family (who suddenly disappeared like halfway through the book). Things go wrong in everyone's lives, and your life after that was in your hands, no one else's. This book felt like a huge account of 'everything gone wrong in my life' by Dave Pelzer.
I am so glad I never bought any more of Dave Pelzer's books. If it wasn't for my little pledge that I would start trying to finish all the series I've started, I never would have made it this far. show less
Very well written. I found this third part of Dave's series to be very different than the other two - leaving the theme of child abuse in the first one, overcoming child abuse in the second one to living a fulfilling and productive life and contributing to society. He lives a life that he will not live a life of pity and does whatever he can to overcome it. Well don Mr. Pelzer, you are a great esamble to us all.
This was an honest account of a man struggling to have a good life as an adult after being severely mentally and physically abused as a child. Dave Pelzer worked hard, didn't give up after failing at certain things, and tried to learn from his mistakes. He never became bitter and abusive like his mother. I did wonder why he never got counseling to help him instead of just dealing with things by himself. Nonetheless, he did triumph in the end and is admirable for it.
Pelzer finishes his trio of memoirs by writing of his time following high school, joining the Air Force and learning to overcome his upbringing as an abused child to become a functioning member of society. It's unfortunate that David had to gain coping skills the hard way but he has done a remarkable job in learning to manage his emotions, deal with his dysfunctional family and engage in a successful relationship with his son. It's rare that a memoirist treats the reader to the full scope of his or her journey, so this is quite a welcome resolution. I wish Pelzer the best as he continues through life.
A riveting read. In this book I found more answers to the many questions I had about Dave's family- along with how he really felt towards certain situations. The book is well written and organized. I could not help but find Dave to be an even stronger man than he was a child. Although his weak points are show I continued to do nothing but respect and pray for Dave throughout the book. I constantly found my emotions and thoughts skyrocketing throughout the book, which I find to be important. Very good, highly recommended.
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- Original title
- A man named Dave
- Original publication date
- 1999
- People/Characters
- David "Dave" Pelzer
- Dedication
- To the lady who gave her all to make me the man I am today, my lovely bride, my best friend, Mrs. Marsha Pelzer. You make me whole and will forever be my Princess.
To my son, Stephen, I can never tell you how precious ... (show all)you are and how much you have changed my life for the better. Everything I do, I do for you. - First words
- I'm scared.
[Epilogue] Without a care in the world, I sip chamagne as I gaze at the clear blue ocean.
[Perspectives - Dave Pelzer] As I enter midlife, even to this day it is difficult for me to fully understand the magnitude of what happened to me as a child.
[Perspectives - Claire Frazier-Yzaguirre, M. Div., MFCC] As a full-time marriage and family therapist, I have been involved for many years with people who've suffered childhood trauma with its tremendous impact in their live... (show all)s as adults.
[Perspectives - Stephen Pelzer] Over the past thirteen years my dad has done so much for me and for many other people.
[Perspectives - Marsha Pelzer] This man named Dave, where do I begin? - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)[Epilogue] I am living a fantastic life!
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Amen.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)[Perspectives - Dave Pelzer] And to be at peace knowing that I stopped the cancer from spreading to those I love.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)[Perspectives - Claire Frazier-Yzaguirre, M. Div., MFCC] We, along with all who are forever touched by your story, join you in this mighty work of hope and healing!
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)[Perspectives - Stephen Pelzer] So, I guess what I am trying to say is that my father will always be in my heart.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)[Perspectives - Marsha Pelzer] And to be your wife and friend . . . no words under heaven could ever describe. - Original language*
- Englisch
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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- Biography & Memoir, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 362.76092 — Society, Government, and Culture Social problems and social services Social Welfare Child welfare Sexual Abuse
- LCC
- HV883 .C2 .P47 — Social sciences Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Protection, assistance and relief Special classes Children Destitute, neglected, and abandoned
- BISAC
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