These Eyes: The Autobiography of A Once-Notorious Po Bad Boy (Paperback)

~ Johnny Bodley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Through the eyes of a child many negatives as well as positives are seen. The negatives often outweigh the positives. As a child, Johnny Bodley?s eyes saw and his lips tasted the dregs from life?s bitter cup many times. Through the peepholes of his eyes he saw the negatives daring him to stare at the positives, or even think that life could be good. This book contains some of the ABC?s he learned about while being a troubled youth growing up on the streets of segregated Selma, Alabama. It also shows his triumphant rise from street corner beggar and notorious thug child to a respectful man after being on an extremely dangerous journey. Many of the letters of this alphabet weren?t good for him but he had to endure; his life depended on some of them: Abuse/Bigotry, Corruption/Desertion, Evil/Exclusion, Fright/Good, Hate/Hunger/Happiness, Injustice/Justice, Kindness/Love, Murder/Need, Oppression/Poverty/Racism/Rejection, Sadness/Togetherness, Ugliness/Victory, and Waste.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: PublishAmerica (October 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591291208
• ISBN-13: 978-1591291206
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,253,199 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These Eyes, March 7, 2003

A Kid's Review

Johnny, These Eyes is a really great and excellent book because like when you were going through all those things it was like I was there with you. Especially that part about when you went to Mt. Meigs, and when that evil man burst your thighs. I wish he could have been there on that cold ground and felt your pain. I just took a moment to say a prayer for you. I know it was hard back then but I really felt sorry for you when you didn't have any clothes and had to eat out of garbage cans. That's when I cried for you the most. But when I read about when your mother died my eyes were red all night like fire. But if I could have just jumped into the book I would have given you a big fifth grader hug because I love you very much with them pretty green eyes. I pray that God bless you more than He already has... From your best friend Ashley Lewis 10 years old... The end!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These Eyes, February 24, 2003

By	Barbara Seal (Tuscaloosa, AL. USA) - See all my reviews

The book "These Eyes" was very inspirational for my nine-year-old son Benjamin and me. I attended one of his seminars at (Christian Community Church) on December 20th, 2002 after reading the book twice. Listening to him I realized that threatening to send my son off to reformatory school because of his impulsive actions would be a big mistake. That it would only make him worse. With this information coming directly from Johnny, someone who has experienced this first hand I know it's fact. Also by reading "These Eyes" I was very emotionally touched by the things society would put an eight-year-old through, whether it was back in the day down south or 2003 up north, all the horrible things he had to see, hear, and experience at such an early age. I was very sadden deeply at the many struggles of life he had to face at such early stages of his life. The book has taught me to be more appreciative and grateful of my own childhood years, and for those of my 3 and 9 year olds. My son was eight years old when I purchased the book and to read about an eight-year-old child going through what Johnny went through was very touching. I am very grateful to the Lord for letting me get to know Johnny and become part of his life. He indeed is a very special person. I also thank the Lord for sparing his life and for him reaching back out to help other people. May God forever keep him as well as bless him in all that he does.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "I been There", September 9, 2003

By	Ashley E (Tuscaloosa, AL.) - See all my reviews

I was in your class with mrs. murphy and I just want to say that I understand what you have gone through. I grew up differnt but also the same. I wasnt treated badly by other people but my own father. I am now in school and I too have over came alot. I honestly feel that anyone can accomplish their dreams if they work hard at it. Hell, you know we was not born with a silver spoon in our mouths but look at where we are today and I think that it is by the grace of God that you and I are here today to tell our stories. I also had abuse,not only physical but emotional.I had to raise myself. It was hard for a 14 yr old white girl to make it through without parents, but I'll tell you one thing my parents taught me, I will learn from their mistakes and I will one day be a wonderful mother.