Customer Reviews

Bader Field

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had the privilege of serving as the developmental and copy editor for this book. The author, Carl David, is a skilled writer with a superb story.

Bader Field has the drama of human emotion stirred by true events that bring lovable characters to life. Plus, there are interesting historical facts intertwined throughout the telling.

I was not familiar with the art world that is common and everyday life for the David family, but I learned things in this book that caused me to better appreciate all art forms around me--even the art of life itself. I also learned quite a bit about flying twin-engine airplanes, which is a huge love the author shared with his dad. The book is named after the airfield that launched Carl and his dad to the skies where they enjoyed hundreds of flight hours reveling in their distinctive father-son bond.

Even though the book follows a chronological time line, each chapter has an embedded memory or flashback that lands us in the middle of an exciting, tragic, or educational event. Whether a childhood winter moment as the David boys take their dad for the sled ride of his life; or the account of how a famous piece of art was acquired; or the bygone days of the Depression Era when Sam and Flora first met--this book details a heartfelt journey that demonstrates the healing that comes from letting go of the past and living only for what is before us in this moment.

Bader Field allows a reader to see the inside impact that the self-inflicted death of a loved one has on an entire family and how much spiritual strength it takes to move past such devastation.

After reading Bader Field, you will feel as if you have known the David family all your life. You may even feel like part of the family and be tempted to refer to Sam David as "Pop." He might even visit you in spirit!

This book is biographical although that is not its main purpose. First and foremost, it is a plea to young people primarily, but to anyone, that suicide is not an answer to anyone. With the premature death of his older brother, with whom the author has had an exceptionally close relationship, much of the early part of the book gives an insider look at how this death touches and affects everyone who ever knew him. Bruce had everything to live for to the eye of all beholders, but he failed to let anyone into his inner struggles, whatever they may have been.

Too many who are on the edge of this precipice feel that they cannot burden their families and friends with their existence rather than talking to someone, anyone, no matter how large or small the perceived straw that would break them. They must learn to realize that there will be far more of a burden, and blaming of selves, than could ever crush those same people by sharing their feelings, deeds, or whatever overwhelms them.

The book actually begins with the death of Sam David, Carl's father, which takes us on the journey of memories and hence to the suicide of Bruce as an integral part of the memories. Carl David, through his memories, wounds, and lifelong struggle with "why" and "is it my fault?" demonstrates how much of a burden is placed on those who knew and loved Bruce. Though few families seem to share the closeness and love of the David family, the suicide did happen. But this is not a sad book, it is meaningful, historical, and brings to mind an age gone by as Carl takes the reader through his memories from the 1950s on. Great memories of days gone by he shared with Bruce, memories of growing up with an amazing bond with his father, a lifetime of good memories.

The sudden death of his father at the age of 58, while on a buying trip in England, once again throws the family in turmoil. This event, as fraught with sorrow and blame as the death of Bruce, almost puts his mother over the edge, adding to the anxiety. But this also brings a wealth of memories, although always with that sadness that clings. By this time, Carl has been married less than a year. Some people would call it paranormal, others would call it echoes, or a passing thought, but a feeling of the presence of the two departed makes itself known many times, a feeling of connection, and sometimes a warning.

Aside from the fears of mortality and loss, the book is full of the love, and the closeness this family has. There is a bit of history of how the David David Gallery, and the gallery is another theme throughout the book. This is where Carl learned the art business, along with his older brother Alan. When their father died so suddenly of a heart attack, the two brothers took over the Gallery. When Carl's boys were old enough to show interest in the workings of the business, they, too, were eventually running the family business.

Another theme throughout the book is flying. Sam David was an excellent pilot and had his own Aztec plane, teaching the teen-aged Carl how to fly. Carl's memories flow on the hours spent with his Pop in the air. Carl lost his interest in flying when his father died, but after many years of not realizing how much time he spent trying to be like his father to keep his memory alive, he and his wife instead took to boating. This was probably the most major event to change the direction of his dwelling on the past. No longer did he dwell, but enjoyed the memories for what they were.

This book is a testament to handling whatever is thrown at you; not only that, but how to sort out the good from the tragic, incorporate those memories and go on. Carl chose to write the memories as a way for his sons to know their grandfather, who and what he was and the gentle, all-encompassing love and compassion he represented. This is perhaps his greatest gift.

Note: The David David Gallery is still in existence, and some of the works of art that Carl speaks of in his book can be seen on their website.

BOOK: Bader Field
AUTHOR: Carl David
PUBLISHER: Nightengale Press
ISBN-13: 978-1933449661
RATING: 4 stars
BOOK REVIEW by Leigh-Ann Lemire


In Bader Field, Carl David portrays a beautiful story speaking about the love and inspiration he received from his father who passed on when Carl was only 24 years old. It is an emotional story of the trials and difficulties to continue even when the going is rough and one thinks he cannot go forward.

Sam David, Carl's father was an extraordinary individual who was not only an inspiration to his family and children but also in the art world. It was an honor to meet Sam David in this memoir.

Sam David guided Carl in his young life and gave him elemental tools to use. The tools and the guidance are what have helped Carl to get through the loss of his father, to hold the family together, bring up his children and continue to make the family art business thrive.

With Bader Field, Carl David has given the readers lessons, wisdom and the elemental tools for life survival and shared them with his readers. It's a good book to read.

Carl David takes us on a trip through his life following the unexpected death of his father at the age of 58. Through flashback, we get to know his life and the impact his father had on him. The David family has owned an art gallery in Philadelphia for four generations and Carl fears that as he teaches his sons the business, will he be able to pass on the wisdom that this father gave him. "Bader Field" named after a small airport in Atlantic that holds fond memories for the author, is a truly inspiring book about personal growth and the strength to let go of the past and live our lives.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Bader Field" by Carl David wins Honorary Mention in Non-Fiction/Memoir Category in Reader Views Annual Literary Awards!

"Bader Field" (Nightengale Press, 2008) was selected as the Honorary Mention in Non Fiction/Memoir category of 2008 by Reader Views Annual Literary Awards - Reviewers Choice. The annual awards were established to honor writers who self-published or had their books published by a small press, university press, or independent book publisher.

"Reader Views reviews more than 2,000 books per year from budding authors who have worked hard to achieve their dream of being published," Reader Views Managing Editor Irene Watson says. "Our Annual Literary Awards recognize the very best of these up-and-coming authors, all talented writers who we know have very promising writing careers ahead of them."

The Reader Views Annual Literary Awards are granted in fiction and nonfiction categories, as well as regional, global and specialized, sponsored categories. The entries are first read and judged by Reader Views reviewers, all avid readers with a wide range of experiences, considered experts in the respective fields. The second line judges make the final decision.

An expert in the business of buying, selling, and caring for fine art, author Carl David presents Bader Field: A Journey of Love, Forgiveness and Acceptance, a personal memoir about his relationship with his loving father, whose sudden passing from a coronary at the age of fifty-eight left forced twenty-four-year-old Carl to quickly take the reins of the family art business. Beset by his own grief over the loss of his father (and the previous loss of his brother to suicide), the responsibility of helping his frail mother, and the monumental task of running a business, Carl had to draw upon everything his father taught him to stay afloat. A story of adaptation, determination, and (sometimes) learning tough lessons the hard way, Bader Field is nonetheless inspirational and highly recommended.