Customer Reviews

Help Yourself: Celebrating the Daily Rewards of Resilience and Gratitude

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Those who have read Dave Pelzer's previous books will be glad to see him take his wisdom to a new level. This book isn't really about the horrors he suffered in one of the worst child abuse cases in the state of California. Rather, it is about the elements of mental survival in difficult situations. He helps readers achieve clarity, direction, and satisfaction with their lives by unveiling the inner mechanisms that can be blocking them. It might sound like this info should come from a psychologist, but Pelzer's advice works admirably. It's like a one-on-one talk with your wisest and most experienced friend. I think a lot of people, especially those who have suffered traumatic or very difficult situations, or those who have met roadblock after roadblock in life, will find this book of tremendous value.

Dave Pelzer is a winner, plain and simple. He not only survived a horrendous boyhood, he learned the gifts of compassion and forgiveness. This book does not revisit the abusive wasteland of his boyhood. Instead, he tackles relevant issues such as spousal and business relationships as well as the art of communication. Dave Pelzer is clearly a master communicator and he has used his experience, knowledge and plain common sense as teaching tools to enrich and reshape the lives of others.

Great job. This is a book that will inspire hope and make one feel more optimistic about life in general. I can't recommend it highly enough. The world needs more like Dave Pelzer.

I have read all of David's books and there is no other way to describe David other than to say he is a true hero and inspiration to victims of child abuse. If you do not appreciate his books, his physical and emotional strength, chances are you have never walked in the shoes of one who has experienced the true terror of child abuse.

There is much wisdom spoken in this book, but the two most outstanding sections deal with cleansing the soul and getting rid of the baggage of the past. As a counsellor, I have spoken with many adult survivors of childhood abuse. If you can learn to let go of the past, learn to forgive what you could not control, and you can find peace of mind and contentment within yourself, you are already on the healing path. If every adult victim of child abuse, had a David Pelzer by his/her side, the journey to happiness and self-esteem would be less painful, and the road a lot smoother.

David Pelzer's books are not easy to read. For anyone who has not experienced child abuse, it could be difficult to comprehend how he survived. For those who have experienced the pain of abuse - physical, sexual and/or emotional, reading his books can evoke memories of the past; however, in therapy, it is the acceptance of those memories than can also set you free. Everytime I read one of David's books, I am reminded of the song, "Wind Beneath My Wings. David truly is a hero; his personal inner strength, his books and his work in the field of child abuse are an inspiration to child abuse survivors around the world.

Dave Pelzer is a household name by now . His stories of the childhood abuse he suffered, and his struggle to overcome this have been the inspiration for thousands of readers. Now he in a sense refines what he has learned into a self- help book. The main chapters of the book are built around themes like 'Get rid of the Garbage of your life ' ' Free yourself' 'Suviving a Negative Enviornment' 'Know what you want out of your real life'
'The price you pay' 'Celebrate who you are and what you have' 'Creating your own positive environment'
Each chapter is a clearly written unit containing illustrative material of fundamental principles summarized at the end.

Among some of these principles are:
Settle your problems as promptly and thoroughly as you are able.
Let go of a past you cannot change.
In the midst of fighting life's battles, relax.
Vent your frustrations in a controlled yet cleansing manner.
Have the courage to purify yourself of whatever may be holding you back.
Draw support from those you know and trust.
Consistently keep yourself in check with the environment that you create.
Don't leave your happiness to fate.
There are no guarantees for tomorrow, so appreciate all that you have and do all that you can today.


The advice seems to me by and large sound, although I would interject that it is far harder to put advice into practice than to hear it. I would also emphasize a point that Pelzer himself makes in this excellent work, 'There are no guarantees'
Still almost of us have ways in which we can improve our own lives.
I would only add from my own point- of- view that were I to write my own personal ' self- help work' it would have to include the religious dimension in a more prominent way.
The greatest help of all is in being in real relation to God.

Dave Pelzer is a inspiration to anyone who has Read his Books that he has wrote about his true life and what a Wonderful Man he turned out to be, after all the horrible abuse he went through. I to was abused Phyically and Mentally for many years. But nothing like Dave Pelzer was. It teaches us all a New meaning of how to forgive and go on and make our lifes better. I could read this book many times and still learn something new each day from Dave Pelzer. I am stronger because of his books that he has wrote and shared what he went through in his life. Dave Pelzer you are a Phenominal Man who could move mountains. Thank you for Sharing your life with me , it has made my life a better one. All because you Shared all the horrible things you went through. I think each and every person should read these Books they will help you to see that abuse cannot break you (not always), but make you turn your life around and make things better each day with the Wonderful help of reading a Book that gives you Motivation, Strength, and most important forgiveness in your Heart and knowing we cannot ever Forget abuse, but Forgiveness is the Key to getting through life and all it stuggles. Each day we can learn something New and Dave Pelzer I have you to Thank for the Strength I have now to not be afraid to say who abused me, but that I have Forgiven them.

When I met Dave Pelzer a few years ago, you could see the chips still in his teeth from his head being slammed against the counter. He showed off pictures of his wife Martha and his son Stephen. Also in his wallet, his father's badge, which choked him up as he talked about it. He was also doing a book-signing for "Help Yourself".

Considering Dave Pelzer was the author, I thought that this book would be along the lines of his previous 3, maybe a new installment in his life, but it is a self-help book, which was a bit disappointing. This book has some very good advice.

If you expect the typical Dave Pelzer story writing, you will be disappointed with this book. If you are looking for a self-help book on your mental attitude and resilience of the human spirit, you should read this book.

I found this book to be a very touching resource. It shares not only a story of a boy who experienced such abusive terrors as a child, but the success and the overcoming of these troubles. This book helps the reader move past their experiences and shares the secrets of growth. We can learn from the examples in Dave's life and live lives of happiness...pushing past the sadness and fear, and looking forward to joy. After reading all of Dave's books, and by meeting him personally, I was glued to this book. I would recomend it to you or anyone else who is looking for a book of hope.....because it is by hope that we live.

I originally got this book to skim through before giving it to a loved one who is going through a difficult time. I looked at several books written by people with a bunch of letters after their names, but ultimately selected this one since I was familiar with Dave Pelzer's childhood story. If HE can enjoy a happy, fulfilled life after everything he's been through, I figure, so can ANYONE with breath left in their body!

There are a few heart-wrenching stories of the tortures he endured as a child, but mostly, Dave encourages us to make peace with the past (and tells us HOW!), and advises us to make the most of each day, each situation, and even each hardship-using each event as a stepping stone toward the fulfillment we all seek.

Sure, there's a little rhetoric here and there in the book, but Dave is humble and admits he's not a professional writer or counselor-just a regular guy who's been there and done that. Personally, that makes me believe him even more than someone who paid their way through medical school to get all those letters behind their name.

I find his writing style to be down-to-earth, comforting, and sincere-and I could relate to more than a few of the example situations he presents in the book.

Even though I was looking for this as a help for someone else, I was finding myself highly interested, enriched, and feeling more positive about the few grim situations in my otherwise happy life! And I do think it could be a source of positive influence for anyone. No, he doesn't have all the answers-but he doesn't claim to! But he definitely steers us in the right logical direction with realistic ways to improve our situations every day.

Dave Pelzer is a courageous, triumphant man who deserves every happiness life has to offer, and we should all be glad he is so willing to share his "secrets" with all of us. May God Bless him!

I couldn't believe what Dave went through as a child... I don't understand how he lived through his mother's brutal and deadly beatings.
I was amazed at all the things he lived through and went through.
This book actually made me cry several times. I didn't want to put this book down, I read both A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy in a period of two days. I cannot wait to read the remaing three books that he has writen!!!!

This is the first book I have read by Dave Pelzer and I found it very inspiring. He gave very meaningful advice that anyone can use regardless of their background. He certainly motivated me to readjust my attitude to be more positive. I read the book through once. Then the second time while reading it, I highlighted several meaningful passages in the book. Then, the third time while reading it, I wrote in a small notebook some of his very meaningful advice to use as a quick reference. Yes, I read this book three times to make sure I digested all the information. I would highly recommend this book.