Customer Reviews

Have A Great One! A Homeless Man's Story

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Have A Great One!: A Homeless Man's Story is the personal account of Laurie Anthony's encounter and subsequent experiences with J.C. Simmons, a homeless man residing on the streets of New York City. This is a compelling exploration of the psychology of homelessness and a journey of self-awareness, knowledge, trust, and compassion as Laurie learns about a homeless man's plight and strategies for survival on the streets. Have A Great One! is a carefully researched and sensitive account of the problem of homelessness and an inspiration to anyone wanting to make a difference, wanting to deal with this growing American phenomena of the homeless in our urban cities.

Have a Great One! A Homeless Man's Story is about a panhandler named J.C. struggling to survive in New York City. But it is also the story of a womanon a journey of self-discovery. It is the story of the bond that can form between two people who make a connection by chance, and find enough courage to tell each other the truth. It's about coming to an understanding: that some mistakes in life can be rectified, while others never will. Yet, the message in the book is uplifting. If you let go of blame and let in compassion, you can grow and make a difference in the world...

I would recommend this book, especially for students. It would be a great way to introduce them to this whole issue. The book is written in an easily readable style, with many resources listed at the end of the book for further research. Diane Morgan, Editor in Chief, New Books Review

I was hooked after I read the first few pages! A true story, that reads like a mystery! Laurie Anthony has captured the reality of homelessness through her experience with a homeless man. She tells his story (and hers) in such a honest, soul-searching way that I also examined my own beliefs and misconceptions about the homeless. In addition, the research she sites about homelessness, poverty, mental illness, shelters, welfare, and unemployment was informative and helpful. This book can be read as a memoir, a self-help book, or an introductory text to the problem of homelessness.

With remarkable skill and resolve, she managed to whittle away at J.C.'s paranoia and distrust, and the resulting chronicle, "Have a Great One!" is a triumph. Stirring and joyful, it's a perfect seasonal example of heartfelt benevolence - and manifesto for extending year-round kindness to fellow strangers everywhere. The Boox Review

Laurie Anthony does care and does become involved with the homeless problem. I loved this book because it shows how an ordinary person can make a difference. So often people say, "I'm not going there!" They are not getting involved - they are staying in their own safe world. But Anthony takes a risk and does get involved. If only we all would light just one little candle as Laurie Anthony has done, the world would be a better place. This book is an inspiration to all!

How many times has each of us passed a homeless person and said, "I want to do something about him...her...this situation"? Anthony, who had moved to New York City for a year in order to let her son attend a performing arts school, found her own place in the city when she met J.C., a man who panhandled at a corner near Carnegie Hall. Anthony ultimately made such a palpable difference in J.C.'s life that he was recently reunited with the family he had long ago abandoned. Anthony's book is a testament to her own patience, perseverence, and compassion; J.C. comes off as a human character, as complicated and unreliable as any of us. How Anthony works through J.C.'s layers of distrust and paranoia to find something she can tease out and convince him to plant in "reality" makes for fascinating reading.

A tale well told told on a topic that most are aware of, but are uneducated about. The story of J.C's life is compelling and well told. His tower of cups along with his 'way to spread happiness'is what I find the greatest things among his arsenal. I believe that this is only the start of an author, an author who can keep you up at night reading under the covers. Then when you finish the book you wish there was more. Also it may change the way you look at those, who are less fortunate than you.

Many of us have made a small effort at trying to help the homeless. Many of us have made a small effort at being educated about the homeless: how many there are, reasons for them being homeless, etc. Very few of us, if any, have taken the time to actually get to know a homeless person. Laurie Anthony did just that and then shared it with the rest of us. "Have a Great One" is a compassionate, insightful look into the life and times of one homeless man. Homelessness is at best, a complicated issue. This book brings to light both our frustrations, as a society or as individuals, in dealing with the homeless and the frustrations of the homeless themselves. It is a very compelling and enlightening read.

Tragidy has become common place. Too many people can say that they have encountered homeless people on the streets.

Laurie Anthony however, has captured a story of a homeless man in New York and has been so convicted inside to follow her heart. She fervantly pursued the background of J.C.Simmons, the homeless man in New York, and made an effort to do the right thing.

The story she tells of how J.C. became homeless, and of his unusual background dispells a lot of typical stereotypes of the homeless. She has given us a great story, and I'm just waiting for the sequel.