Customer Reviews

Double Take: A Memoir

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Double Take is a captivating book, chronicling the life and travels of one of the most extraordinary people alive today. Kevin Connolly, although only 23 years old, chronicles events that most people will not experience in their entire life. His literary prowess keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, slogging them through the whole range of human emotion. You end one chapter in tears, only to read a few more pages, mouth agape in horror as he plummets and tumbles down from the top of Lone Peak. Kevin also has his lighter side, depicting images of ramshackle floats build by high school students, who mainly wanted a day out of class, for the annual Helena Vigilante Parade. Through it all, the reader gets a sliver of insight into the life of someone unlike anyone they have ever met, but also much akin to themselves.
The intimacy and reality with which Kevin writes pulls the reader in close to him. Although he has lived a different life due to physical circumstances, he still shares many experiences with the rest of us, growing up playing in mud and dirt, wanting to be part of a team, and most importantly, the value of family. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It is a quick read that chronicles not only the incredible experiences of young adult but also the realities of anyone who has ever had to grow up.

Kevin's book is a reality check for anyone who feels like whining and complaining about their life. It is wonderfully written with each sentence and chapter jumping from the pages. Kevin is a very handsome, articulate, intelligent young man who was born without legs. His entire life has been spent dealing with the ramifications of being legless in a culture that highly values "fitting in" and physical attributes. He is funny, insightful, open, honest, and the best antidote for ever feeling sorry for yourself. Read this book and your views of what it means to be disabled, along with your behavior toward the disabled, will be altered in a positive manner forever. Thank you Kevin for sharing your life with us.

I read the book straight through, only stopping to sleep and snack. Kevin Connolly's book "Double Take" gave me the feeling of sitting by a campfire with intimate friends just back from distant parts unknown, listening to thier adventure tales that you know are true but hard to believe none the less. I seemed to go back and forth between laugh out loud moments to "oh my gosh...I can't believe he had the guts to do that...go there....expose himself in that way. Kevin has a gift of storytelling that makes you feel as if you were there with him....being stared at....wrestling with the angst, humor, curiosity, adventure, love lost. This book also made me ponder people and events that I have only explored at a surface level before. It was really thought provoking to rethink what it means to be "disabled". How, why, and who decides. His willingness to share and articulate experiences that so many people struggle with on some level who don't fit the norm may be cathartic not only for him but for many who don't have his ability to give voice to the good, the bad and the ugly of being physically different than the masses. Kevin Connolly may not be able to dance with feet but he can sure dance with words and proves that in his book "Double Take". This is a great read!!!

From start to finish this book had me wanting more. It truly is a gripping life story about somebody you can relate to. There is just the right ammount of humor, drama, and human spirit that anybody can enjoy this tale. I cannot reccommend this book enough. I have already told countless friends to give it a shot and the ones who have read it agree, this is worth a read. Kevin Michael Connolly takes you on a journey and lets you feel what it's like to be in his "boot", to see, and feel things from his perspective. This book also contains photos from his project which just adds to the reasons you should buy this book. I could not put this down, I read it in a day because of how gripping it was. I'm no skilled writer so I cannot fully do this fine literary work enough justice, so go on read it, you know you want to.

I saw Kevin on the Today show, his outlook on life made me want to read his book. It was well worth my time.Not only did it give me insight into his character and how he deals with the countless stares but it taught me that we should never give up on our misson in life.

Kevin has written a book that will inspire you to get out and enjoy life to its fullest. Through his global travels and adventures, you will realize that there are no obstacles that can't be overcome. A truly great read. Thanks Kevin for waking me up!

This is a quick read, 227 pages doubled spaced, short chapters, as a matter of opinion that is my only gripe with the book, not enough details. The story is very straight forward, no fancy prose or thinking, just a very good story. I think a lot of people are going to shy away from this book because of the subject matter, which would be a mistake, because this is not a dark book, it's a book filled with courage, strength and determination, which should satisfy some much needed inspiration. Sometimes in life, just being born different in a same world can be enough of a fight without having to add fuel to the fire.

My niece put me onto this book on her visit to us in June. As a transplanted Montanan, I read anything I can get that hints of home but this is far beyond the usual. Kevin Connelly is a young man dealing with a far more life-disruptive disability than anyone else I have heard of, yet he is infectiously funny, unabashedly upfront and in your face, and can be serious in a way that doesn't cloy or get sappy yet purveys the depths of his day-to-day difficulties. I was mightily impressed with Kevin's courage and ability to deal with his situation in such a healthy, straightforward manner, and his determination to live a positive and full life. His parents must be very wise.

My niece works with incoming freshmen at MSU in Bozeman, MT where he is scheduled to talk to the new class this fall. I envy her knowing and working with this young man in any capacity. He has much to teach us all.

I loved this book- I LOVED the way his family treated him from day one. They never coddled him or walked around feeling sorry for him, carrying him around...they (especially his dad!) forced him to deal with his issues head on, they taught him to be tough. You know, all parents should be like this, disability or not- there are way too many wimpy kids in the world. Kevin was no wimp, that is for sure!!

I totally got it, the whole project, the highs and lows, the realizations, the guilt he felt at times- the whole thing was fantastic. I felt it all with him. I really like this guy- he doesn't feel sorry for himself, he doesn't make excuses, he doesn't apologize for his feelings of frustration or even anger at times. He just lives his life.

This book made me think about my own hang ups and why I may not attempt certain things- I am sitting on the sidelines in my own way. What it did not do was make me feel bad because I have two legs while Kevin has none- and I appreciated that. It challenged me to be more- not because I feel guilty after reading it but because of his approach to living life with what you are dealt.

Kevin, thanks for making me understand that it's not how I dance that matters, it's whether I dance at all. I hope your life continues to be full of experiences and that you keep writing about them!!!!

Kevin Connolly is just like everyone else save for one fact: he was born without legs. This memoir partially delves into his childhood, growing up with parents that raised him to be just like any other mobile person. Instead of pandering and making excuses or exploiting his physical handicap, his parents raised him to think for himself and solve his own problems; they knew that in the future Kevin would have to rely on himself and figure out his own way.

The second half of the memoir is about his photo project. He traveled the world, secretly snapping pictures of people looking at him. It doesn't matter what country or culture he is trying to immerse himself in, people still gawk and stare. One important lesson that Kevin learned, as I did when I read his memoir, is that perspective is everything. It was an interesting moment when Kevin realized that it wasn't just that everyone was affecting him with their stares, pity, and questions, but that he had a profound affect on those around him. When I first picked it up I thought I would be in for either a `woe-is-me' negative memoir, or a tearjerker, but neither one of those happened. Instead, I found myself laughing at all the funny parts, and being in awe of Connolly for living his life to the max and not letting something like having no legs stop him from accomplishing anything. Bravo for a such a moving and compelling memoir.