Title: A Man Named Dave
Author: Dave Pelzer
Date: 9-1-2024
Once in awhile, guys in the Unit leave books out by the exit that they didn’t want anymore, in case someone wants to read them. In my case, we were in the midst of a 2 week shutdown of the library for a fire sprinkler project(without warning I might add), and was desperate for a book. So I grabbed this book since the cover said it was a NY Time’s Best Seller. It was the third of a series, covering Dave’s childhood up to his second current marriage and having a teenage son. I’m glad I just read this one, as living through 2 more books about his tumultuous childhood would have been more than I could handle.
The book is an autobiography of David Pelzer, beginning with his childhood, age 5-6, up to present when the book was written in his 40″s. His books have sold millions of copies, and the other 2 books I mentioned are part of an overall 3 part series. On some level his books seem to be about motivation, self help, and even persistence.
Dave’s story is one of alcoholic parents, a father who leaves Mom with 4 boys to raise them by herself, and a Mom who physically abuses Dave but not his brothers. His recollection of the stories is incredible, and its a minor miracle he ended up with the constructive attitude and values he does as an adult. That’s not to say there wasn’t an impact because here was, both in areas of self confidence, social interaction, plus in a strange way, still wanting a relationship with his parents in a “normal” way.
Thankfully for him, his grade school teachers and counselors reported the incidents, and he ended up growing up in a foster home with normal parents from 11-12 years old and thereafter. The foster parents were were decent role models and treated him well and he had a life long relationship with them. After high school he went into the Air Force which was a much needed experience. In time his heart led him to volunteer to kids in similar situations as he once was, earning recognition and awards globally. Eventually his volunteering led him to a life of ministry where this was his full time vocation and career. The road to this point was very difficult, both financially and with his marriage, plus through the ongoing attempts to have a regular relationship with his original parents.
In summary he seems to be a terrific father to his son, careful to avoid all the issues he suffered from childhood, both physical and emotional. As well as a good husband to his second wife, as more and more of his emotional baggage from childhood washed away to some degree.
Being in prison, it’s always so easy to feel deprived, missing out on life, even having a pity party from time to time. This book helps me keeping things in perspective for sure. Even when I’m on the outside again, I’ll use the meaning of this book to remind me of keeping perspective when I need it. With his millions of books sold, its also encouraging to me that A Better Tomorrow has the potential ability to impact people just like Dave has as well! BJ
