Not Afraid to Change: The Remarkable Story of How One Man Overcame Homosexuality [Hardcover]

John Paulk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2000

How One Man Overcame Homosexuality

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wine Pr Pub (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157921097X
• ISBN-13: 978-1579210977
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,028,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I was there, and it didn't happen like this..., October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Not Afraid to Change: The Remarkable Story of How One Man Overcame Homosexuality (Hardcover)

John Paulk was my neighbor for approximatly 18 months beginning in 9-83 in an apartment complex in Columbus named Alhambra Court. I was an aquaintence, I was a friend. I also got to know John and what makes him tick. So when I heard about this book, I had to read it to see how honest an account it was of John's decline into Candy, his drag queen persona. As with anything that I ever encountered with John, this book contains about half of what went on -- but it doesn't include the truth so much as it "Candy" coats it. Paulk and his ghost writer gloss over the depths of his self deception, and the harm that he placed others in, both physically and emotionally. Nor has Paulk apologized for what he did to those of us in Columbus during his tenure. No, the tone of the book is written in a fashion which doesn't challenge readers so much as it tells a very well dressed anti-gay message designed to go down easy like sugar laced medicine. The breezy style doesn't involve the readers to ask questions so much as it does permit the Christian right to validate his journey and apply it in a broad brush to all people.

This book isn't about having the courage to change so much as it is an excercise in PR allowing John to draw attention to himself. I found it funny that 2 of those who gave this book positive reviews were members of John's family. Well this is a negative review from someone who was there and knows the truth and is still waiting for John/Candy to be honest with himself and the public and really show that he's taken responsibility for his actions and changed. If one reads this book as fiction, its mildly amusing. Taken as fact, it is as deceptive as John Paulk wants it to be.

39 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Before you read this book, consider the following..., October 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Not Afraid to Change: The Remarkable Story of How One Man Overcame Homosexuality (Hardcover)

This book is one big lie. John Paulk is not an "ex-gay" at all. He hasn't been able to "change" his homosexuality, yet. He just managed to pretend he was straight for a few years. But then this new story appeared on the news wires today (10/4/2000):

John Paulk removed as leader of Exodus

John Paulk, a leader in the "ex-gay" movement who was spotted in a Washington, D.C., gay bar last month, was removed as chairman of Exodus North America on Tuesday, but he was allowed to remain on the board as a member on "probationary" status. Paulk, who appeared with his wife, an "ex-lesbian," on a 1998 Newsweek cover about ex-gays, was spotted by two Human Rights Campaign members in Mr. P's bar on September 19. "John told the board that he had 'no sinful intentions' in entering that bar," Bob Davies, North American director of Exodus International, said in a release. "However, he did engage in behavior which has negatively impacted the credibility of Exodus. He was guilty of a serious lapse in judgment, and we feel this behavior warrants some type of disciplinary action." Paulk said he didn't know the bar is gay and went there only to use the rest room, although reports allege he stayed in the bar for 40 minutes. Davies said that Paulk has now admitted that his story was a lie and that he knew Mr. P's is a gay bar. "It's very unfortunate that, initially, John was so fearful that he hid the truth," said Davies. "He told me later that he was more ashamed of how he handled that than his initial decision to enter the bar." As part of his probationary status, Paulk will be required to meet a series of criteria, which have not been made public. "We are confident that they will ensure that John is given appropriate accountability and support as he moves through a period of restoration," Davies said. Although Paulk will remain on the board, he will not be able to attend meetings or vote during his probation.

1.0 out of 5 stars sad nonsense, May 29, 2009

By 

Jim GS "Jim GS" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Not Afraid to Change: The Remarkable Story of How One Man Overcame Homosexuality (Hardcover)

book such as these continue the myth that homosexuality is wrong - it is sad to think some people still believe this nonsense. It is interesting to read about the author's recent changes... sad.