Dave Pelzer

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BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR


Title: A Child Called It: Description:
As a child Dave Pelzer was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable,alcoholic mother,a mother who played tortuous,unpredictable games that left one of her sons nearly dead.She no longer considered him a son,but a slave; no longer a boy,but an "it".His bed was an old army cot in the basement,his clothes were torn and smelly,and,when he was allowed the luxury of food it was scraps from the dogs' bowl.The outside world knew nothing of the nightmare played out behind closed doors. Dave dreamed of finding a family to love him and call him their son.It took years of struggle,deprivation and despair to find his dream and make something of himself in the world.A Child Called 'It' covers the early years of his life and is an affecting and inspirational memoir of one child's determination to survive.

Title: The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search For The Love Of A Family: Description:
"Winter 1970, Daly City, California--I'm alone. I'm hungry and I'm shivering in the dark. I sit on the top of my hands at the bottom of the stairs in the garage. My head is tilted backward. My hands became numb hours ago. My neck and shoulder muscles begin to throb. But that's nothing new--I've learned to turn off the pain. I'm Mother's prisoner." In The Lost Boy, the sequel to Dave Pelzer's bestselling A Child Called It, Dave recounts the final days with his "family" before the intervention of a schoolteacher led to his being removed from hell and taken into foster care. As Pelzer explains, A Child Called It was told from the perspective of a child aged from 4 to 12; The Lost Boy recounts his years from 12 to 18. The earlier account documents the extraordinary, painful and moving story of this young boy's "lifeless" existence with his alcoholic, abusive mother and a father who was so cowed by his sadistic wife that he could not help his son. Like its predecessor, Pelzer's account of his adolescant years is no easy read, as he takes us through the mixed, mixed-up world of the US care system, relentlessly pursued by his mother, to a final peace of sorts with a caring series of foster parents. An important, raw and exposing book, the Lost Boy's message is, as Pelzer quotes, that "it takes a community to save a child". --Kate Weaver

Title: The Lost Boy: Description:
This is a true story about his abuse as a child at the hands of his mother. This books is a sequel to "A Child Called It" and continues to tell the story once he has been removed from his mother's care and placed in foster care.

Title: My Story: Description:
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.

Title: Help Yourself: Description:
Having shared his story of redemption through his previous bestselling autobiograhy, Dave Pelzer now draws lessons from that experience with Help Yourself--a highly personal self-help book. Dave survived one of the worst child abuse cases ever recorded in the state of California. His mother, a mentally disturbed alcoholic, tortured and abused him throughout his childhood--smashing his face into a mirror, forcing him to swallow ammonia and making him sit on a burning stove, among other heinous cruelties. In his bestselling memoirs, A Child Called It, The Lost Boy and A Man Called Dave, Pelzer recounts his horrific childhood, demonstrating how inner resilience helped him survive and even become a highly caring and accomplished adult. (He was eventually selected as one of 10 Outstanding Young Americans.) Although Pelzer has a graduate degree in the school of hard knocks, he never got a chip on his shoulder. In this self-help book, Pelzer sticks with his warm and plainspoken narrative style (think Chicken Soup for the Soul) to offer advice on how to help yourself overcome adversity and let go of the past. Wisely, Pelzer often deflects attention away from his overpowering story, offering anecdotes that pertain to more common, everyday scenarios: you feel taken advantage of at work but are afraid to quit; you have unresolved issues with your spouse. His guidance is familiar, such as never go to bed upset and tackle problems as they arise--don't let them fester. It may sound simplistic, but sometimes that's just what we need--a trustworthy ally who can dole out "been there" advice in a straightforward style. --Gail Hudson

Title: My Story:: Description:
As a small child, Dave Pelzer was not allowed to be a boy or son. He was an 'it', labelled so by h is unstable mother, who emotionally and physically abused the child she now saw as her former son. Dave lived in the same house, but was separated from his family, sleeping in the garage, eating scraps from the dog's bowl, wearing rags for clothes and constantly waiting for the next time his violently unpredictable mother would explode, the next time his alcoholic father would look away. Dave's story could have ended there, but through his own perseverance and the help and love of others, Dave escaped the rigorous tortures of his mother, survived an adolescence of hardship spent in foster care, and grew to become a man named Dave, an Air Force hero and an inspring figure personally commended by three American presidents. Dave Pelzer's three volumes of memoirs - A Child Called It, The Lost Boy and A Man Named Dave - brought this remarkable story of courage and triumph against all odds to the world, becoming global bestsellers. My Story brings these volumes together, following Dave from a childhood spen in fear and terror, his tempestuous teenage years haunted by the spectre of his mother, through to his adulthood, and his great achievement of not only understanding and reconciling the story of his own life, but his dedication to helping others overcome similar adversity. It is a remarkable story of courage and survival, already embraced by millions and destined to inspire millions more.

Title: The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search For The Love Of A Family: Description:
As a child, Dave Pelzer was brutally beaten and starved by his mother. The world knew nothing of his living nightmare and he had nothing and no one to turn to. But his dreams kept him alive - dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son. Finally, his horrific plight could no longer be hidden from the outside world and Dave's life radically changed. The Lost Boy is the harrowing - but ultimately uplifting - true story of a boy's journey through the foster-care system in search of a family to love. The continuation of Dave Pelzer's story is a moving sequel and inspirational read for all. 'Essentially, The Lost Boy is a story of regeneration and resilience ...What has made Dave Pelzer's story a bestseller is that it is also a story of redemption. It is a story where love, kindness, patience and endurance triumph' Daily Mail 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.

Title: The Privilege Of Youth: The Inspirational Story Of A Teenager's Search For Acceptance And Friendship: Description:
Dave Pelzer's bestselling autobiographical trilogy are an international phenomenon. Distressing, heartbreaking and yet inspirational, the fourth in the series guarantees the same level of success. His next book centres on his experience of bullying at school and the friends he made in his neighbourhood who helped him fight back. He tells the story of his high school years when he met two friends who helped him get through the perils and promises of adolescence. It is a story of hope and heartache, and reveals the many positive influences in Dave's teenage years as well as the agonizing choices he had to make to reclaim his life from the childhood he lost to abuse.

Title: A Man Named Dave: Description:
"A Man Named Dave" is the conclusion to Dave Pelzer's trilogy of memoirs, the first two volumes of which were "A Child Called 'It'" and "The Lost Boy". From childhood, Dave was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother, a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games with her son's life; games his father chose to ignore and which the outside world knew nothing about. With extraordinary generosity of spirit, Dave takes us on his journey confronting his past. In a dramatic reunion he confronts his father and ultimately the mother who so brutally abused him. Finally Dave finds the courage to break the chains of the past and learn to love, trust and live for the future. 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. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Title: A Child Called It: Description:
Dave Pelzer's story is the story of a child brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games - games that left one of her three sons nearly dead. Dave had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy but an 'it'. His bed was an old army cot in the basement, his clothes were torn and smelly and when he was allowed the luxury of food it was scraps from the dogs' bowl. The outside world knew nothing of the nightmare played out behind closed doors. But throughout Dave kept alive dreams of finding a family to love him, care for him, call him their son. It took many years of struggle, deprivation and despair to find his dream and then to make something of himself in the world. This book covers the early years of his life and is an affecting and inspirational look at the horrors of child abuse and the steadfast determination of one child to survive despite the odds. 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 torch bearer for the 1996 Olympic Torch relay. He has dedicated his life to helping others help themselves.

Title: The Lost Boy: Description:
As a child, Dave Pelzer was brutally beaten and starved by his mother. The world knew nothing of his living nightmare and he had nothing and no one to turn to. But his dreams kept him alive - dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son. Finally, his horrific plight could no longer be hidden from the outside world and Dave's life radically changed. THE LOST BOY is the harrowing - but ultimately uplifting - true story of a boy's journey through the foster-care system in search of a family to love. The continuation of Dave Pelzer's story is a moving sequel and inspirational read for all. 'Essentially, THE LOST BOY is a story of regeneration and resilience ...What has made Dave Pelzer's story a bestseller is that it is also a story of redemption. It is a story where love, kindness, patience and endurance triumph' Daily Mail 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.

Title: A Man Named Dave: Description:
'I don't blame others for my problems. I stand on my own. And one day, you'll see, I'm going to make something of myself.' These words were eighteen-year-old Dave Pelzer's declaration of independence to his mother, a woman who had abused him with shocking brutality. But even years after he was rescued, his life remained a continual struggle. Dave felt rootless and awkward, an outcast haunted by memories of his years as the bruised, cowering 'It' locked in his mother's basement. Dave's dramatic reunion with his dying father and the shocking confrontation with his mother led to his ultimate calling: mentor to others struggling with personal hardships. From a difficult marriage to the birth of his son, from an unfulfilling career to an enduring friendship, Dave was finally able to break the chains of his past, learning to trust, to love, and to live. 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.

Title: The Lost Boy: Description:
A foster child's search for the love of a family. Sequel to 'A child Called "It"'.

Title: A Man Called Dave: Description:
A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness, by the author of 'A Child Called "It"', and 'The Lost Boy'.

Title: Help Yourself: Description:
How you can find Hope, Courage and Happiness

Title: A Child Called 'it': Description:
One child's courage to survive.