My Story [Paperback]

Dave Pelzer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 26, 2002

A CHILD CALLED 'IT': Dave Pelzer's story is of a child beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games that left one of her three sons nearly dead. No longer considered a son, or a boy, but an 'it', Dave had to learn how to play these games in order to survive. His bed was an old army cot in the basement and when he was allowed food it was scraps from the dogs' bowl. Throughout, Dave kept alive the dream of finding a family who would love and care for him. This is an inspirational look at the horrors of child abuse and the steadfast determination of one child to survive despite the odds. THE LOST BOY: The harrowing but ultimately uplifting true story of Dave's journey through the foster-care system in search of a family who will love him. A MAN NAMED DAVE: The gripping conclusion to this inspirational trilogy. With extraordinary generosity of spirit, Dave takes us on a journey into his past. At last he confronts his father and ultimately his mother. Finally, Dave finds the courage to break the chains of the past and learn to love, trust and live for the future.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dave Pelzer is recognised as one of America's most effective and respected communicators addressing corporations, conventions and health/psychology/primary care workers. His unique accomplishments have garnered personal commendations from Ronald Reagan and George Bush. He was selected as torchbearer for the 1996 Olympic Torch relay. He has dedicated his life to helping others help themselves.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Orion Media (September 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752853716
• ISBN-13: 978-0752853710
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.5 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #743,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dave Pelzer is recognised as one of America's most effective and respected communicators addressing corporations, conventions and health/psychology/primary care workers. His unique accomplishments have garnered personal commendations from Ronald Reagan and George Bush. He was selected as torchbearer for the 1996 Olympic Torch relay. He has dedicated his life to helping others help themselves.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Andy from CA., August 30, 2005

By 

Strong willed "Andy" (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Story (Paperback)

I've read all of Dave's books and each one reminds me of my childhood years. I was an abused child and reading these books brought bad memories of my past. Tears filled my eyes. For the first time ever males such as Dave are writing "their" story about abuse. Not for "MONEY" as some critics have mentioned. But to help people like me. People who have suffered silently through such a terrible childhood. Men need to stop suffering silently. It is not wrong to "tell your story" and I admire Dave for doing just that. I truly recommend any boy/man to read his book. It will move you and hope, heal some wounds!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gut wrenching and brutal., October 2, 2005

By 

T. Blair (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Story (Paperback)

I was very fortunate to be raised by two loving, protective parents and cannot IMAGINE what it must have been like to grow up in Dave's home-if you could even call it that. Prison or hell would be a more adequate definition.

I could not put this book down and am so grateful to Dave for shedding light on the dreadful reality of child abuse. How someone could do that to an innocent child is simply mind boggling to me. This book is a must read-I have passed it along to several friends and they were equally moved by this tragic, yet triumphant story.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Survivor Story for Everyone to Grow From, January 12, 2006

By 

Nadia (Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Story (Paperback)

I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Pelzer for a variety of reasons. First of all, with gut-wrenching honesty, he shares the secrets of his life to an innumerable amount of people. Abused people share this "don't ask, don't tell, and for heaven's sake don't feel" secret. Mr. Pelzer took his experience and overcame all of those barriers, which takes a great deal of strength and emotional maturity. Secondly, Mr. Pelzer has taken delicate issues and instead of turning his story into a platform for berating the system and people involved with the torture of his life, he has respectfully shed light on the flaws while also showing the beauty of the strengths. It takes a great amount of maturity and healing from one's past to simply not blame all of life's misfortunes on a "failed system." He takes responsibility for his adolescent acts, and also shows the depth of desire and hope that he felt and that others instilled in him.

Despite everything he has endured, I never once felt he was simply out to "abuse" anyone for their treatment of him; in other words, he was never out to verbally attack those who tortured him, the system that failed at times, and the onlookers who gawked. He delicately and respectfully (although I'm not sure I could have done it!) addressed those to whom responsibility was due, and faced responsibility on his own.

Dave, I'm not sure how you survived and lived to tell about it, but I will tell you that your story inspired me to follow my heart and fulfill my dreams of helping others who find themselves trapped in abusive situations. As a surviver of marital abuse, I can only hope I can offer a sliver of what you have given. Thank you.