A MAN NAMED DAVE

Paperback, 2003

Status

Available

Call number

362.76092

Publication

ORION MASS MARKET PAPERBACK (2003)

Description

Biography & Autobiography. Family & Relationships. Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. HTML:A Man Named Dave, which has sold over 1 million copies, is the gripping conclusion to Dave Pelzer�??s inspirational and New York Times bestselling trilogy of memoirs that began with A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy. "All those years you tried your best to break me, and I'm still here. One day you'll see, I'm going to make something of myself." These words were Dave Pelzer's declaration of independence to his mother, and they represented the ultimate act of self-reliance. Dave's father never intervened as his mother abused him with shocking brutality, denying him food and clothing, torturing him in any way she could imagine. This was the woman who told her son she could kill him any time she wanted to�??and nearly did. The more than two million readers of Pelzer's New York Times and international bestselling memoirs A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy know that he lived to tell his courageous story. With stunning generosity of spirit, Dave Pelzer invites readers on his journey to discover how he turned shame into pride and rejection into accep… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member crashmyparty

This is possibly one of the most unnecessary books I have ever read. The 1 star review is partly my fault, because I was 95% sure I wouldn't like this book based on the previous two books of the trilogy. That doesn't mean, though, that it's my fault the book is bad.

Because it is. It's poorly

written, wanders through Dave's life as an adult, sees him make some stupid decisions and then yay, tie it all up with a bow, here's a happy ending (this guy's life is not over but the book is).

I can see the point of this book. Dave Pelzer suffered terrible abuse at the hands of his mother as a child, and this book can be seen as a message to other survivors that it doesn't have to end there, you can get out of your situation and make a real life for yourself. But did we not establish that already in books 1 and 2?

This book was painful to read because I just couldn't put up with any more of Dave Pelzer's whining. I can't stand people who complain about their lives and then do nothing about it. I'm not saying what happened to him wasn't awful, because it was and it should never have happened (and you know what else? This whole thing of what happens in the home, stays in the home is absolute bullshit and is no excuse for the other adults in Dave's life), but then he got out, into foster care, found a loving family (who suddenly disappeared like halfway through the book). Things go wrong in everyone's lives, and your life after that was in your hands, no one else's. This book felt like a huge account of 'everything gone wrong in my life' by Dave Pelzer.

I am so glad I never bought any more of Dave Pelzer's books. If it wasn't for my little pledge that I would start trying to finish all the series I've started, I never would have made it this far.

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LibraryThing member hhcardona

The titile of the Book is A man named Dave. The book is an autobiography by Dave Pelzer. It has a total of 339 pages. The setting at the beggining of the story is at Daly City, California, March 4 1973. The Action takes place in 1975 when he' an adult. The main Character is Dave andnhis dad and

they are believable. I liked more the Dave because he was a very strong boy. I can't relate to any of the characters because I dont think i have such a bad luck. The conflict of the story is that he doesn't want to be like his father. the resalution of the story is that he accomplishes his goals and he forgives his mother. I love the ending it was perfect! I liked the book a lot because it was a very sad autobiography. I learned that we are all very very lucky to have parents that love us. Everyone should read it, it's very sad at the beggining though.

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LibraryThing member dianemb

The third in Dave Pelzer's memoir trilogy. It outlines his life as an adult trying to cope with a childhood of unbelievable abuse and how it effects every aspect of his life. With incredible personal fortitude, he eventually comes to terms with his past and is even able to forgive. An outstanding

book about the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Also and education in the type of life that some children in our society have to endure. Truly eye-opening.

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LibraryThing member nm.fall08.j.gonzalez

this book is very cool and liked that he went to the air force but it was bad he became a cook

LibraryThing member Grandeplease

The author tells his own story, providing hope and inspiration for those born or living in abusive households. The book is the third in a series, following It and The Lost Boy. Not a read for the weak of heart or soul.

LibraryThing member crazy4reading

This is the third book in Dave Pelzer's life. A Man Named Dave takes you from the time he is 18 up until 1999 when the book was published.
Through this whole book Dave is yearning to find out why his mother treated him the way she did. How did he go from Dave to a 'IT'. Dave wants to have the

special times with his father that he didn't have when he was living at home.
This book starts out with his last day at his mother's house in 1973. I feel this was done so that if you didn't read the other two books or if it had been awhile since you read them you could let yourself get reaquantited with the story.
Dave has had to work hard for everything that he has ever wanted. He learns things about his family and does spend time with his siblings. Dave does marry Patsy in this book and you will see how Dave handles being a father and husband. He is afraid of doing the same things his mother did to him. You will feel the torment Dave goes through as he tried to figure out how he can make his mom proud. Dave has to deal with his terminally ill father and having to visit 'The Mother' to see why she won't visit his husband and the father of her children.
I could go on forever with this review so I will stop now before I write the whole book again right here. This is a great story of Dave Pelzer's triumph over the abuse and his ability to finally be able to forgive his mother.

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LibraryThing member edspicer

It gives you hope! I read all the others and I wanted to read this one. AHS/KT

LibraryThing member MeganHerman

This is the third sequel to A Child Called "It." It has a much happier ending than Dave Pelzer's other two books. In the beginning of the book, Dave explains how he tried to save money to live on after his 18th birthday (when he would be on his own). He realized quickly that money goes fast and he

could not get a good job because he was a high school drop out. He joined to Air Force. He met a girl and got her pregnant so they got married. He was gone a lot for his job so they divorced. He ended up re-marrying a nice woman. Also in this book, Dave's dad died. In the end, he realizes that his mom will never change and he accepts that.
I would recommend that children ages 11 and up read all three of Dave Pelzer's books. They show children that even though something awful has happened to you all throughout your childhood years you can still have a happy ending, if you just try.

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LibraryThing member mannperkins

One of the strongest men I have ever watched in any lecture! The book is straight forward.

LibraryThing member jrodriguez

A Man Named Dave by Dave Pelzer is a biography about Dave as he writes about how he got abused as a child by his alcoholic mother. His parents got divorced and dave was left alone with his mother. The main characters are Dave and his mother. Dave lived almost his entire childhood being abused. Then

he got placed into a foster home for about six years, and got foster parents. Dave then decided to join the United States Air Force. Then he found out his father had cancer and died. He went to visit his mom, but saw she was still the same. He returned to the air force, and later on he met Patsy. She became his wife and they had a baby boy named stephen. They both wanted to do right for their baby since they both had a bad childhood. The years passed and later Dave's mother died of a heart attack in her sleep. Dave and his family are living a fantastic life.

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LibraryThing member FriendsLibraryFL

A Man Named Dave, which has sold over 1 million copies, is the gripping conclusion to Dave Pelzer's inspirational and New York Times bestselling trilogy that began with A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy."All those years you tried your best to break me, and I'm still here. One day you'll see, I'm

going to make something of myself." These words were Dave Pelzer's declaration of independence to his mother, and they represented the ultimate act of self-reliance. Dave's father never intervened as his mother abused him with shocking brutality, denying him food and clothing, torturing him in any way she could imagine. This was the woman who told her son she could kill him any time she wanted to--and nearly did. The more than two million readers of Pelzer's New York Times and international bestselling memoirs know that he lived to tell his courageous story. With stunning generosity of spirit, Dave Pelzer invites readers on his journey to discover how he turned shame into pride and rejection into acceptance.

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LibraryThing member berthashaver

Very well written. I found this third part of Dave's series to be very different than the other two - leaving the theme of child abuse in the first one, overcoming child abuse in the second one to living a fulfilling and productive life and contributing to society. He lives a life that he will not

live a life of pity and does whatever he can to overcome it. Well don Mr. Pelzer, you are a great esamble to us all.

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LibraryThing member EmScape

Pelzer finishes his trio of memoirs by writing of his time following high school, joining the Air Force and learning to overcome his upbringing as an abused child to become a functioning member of society. It's unfortunate that David had to gain coping skills the hard way but he has done a

remarkable job in learning to manage his emotions, deal with his dysfunctional family and engage in a successful relationship with his son. It's rare that a memoirist treats the reader to the full scope of his or her journey, so this is quite a welcome resolution. I wish Pelzer the best as he continues through life.

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LibraryThing member t1bnotown

It's good to see Dave finally getting beyond his tragic childhood. I know, it's hard to imagine anyone forgiving his mother, but I think that doing so probably helped Dave grow and resolve his own issues. Just as we need to read "A Child Called 'It'" to see what happens and prevent it, we need to

read this to know that humans can grow past such things.

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LibraryThing member ThoughtsofJoyLibrary

Dave Pelzer, author of A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy, continues his story by sharing his path into adulthood.

This book, along with the other two, is filled with life-changing events that could lead someone to spiral out of control and Dave doesn't even consider that option. Every time he was

knocked down with one of life's punches, he picked himself up, dusted himself off and got back into the game. Time and time again, he exhibited tremendous strength when most of us would crumble. He is one stand-up guy. May all the best shine on you, Dave. (4.25/5)

Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy..."

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LibraryThing member katerbugg

A riveting read. In this book I found more answers to the many questions I had about Dave's family- along with how he really felt towards certain situations. The book is well written and organized. I could not help but find Dave to be an even stronger man than he was a child. Although his weak

points are show I continued to do nothing but respect and pray for Dave throughout the book. I constantly found my emotions and thoughts skyrocketing throughout the book, which I find to be important. Very good, highly recommended.

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LibraryThing member MynTop

This book was as touching as all the rest. I especially liked the part about his wife, Marsha, I got butterflies. This man is an inspiration and I'm so glad that he was brave enough to tell his story, the whole story to the world. As a victim of child abuse, it's encouraging to see a story of

someone who made it good, and stopped the cycle.

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