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The Complete Texts of A Man Named Dave and Help Yourself
A Man Named Dave
With stunning generosity of spirit, Dave Pelzer invites readers on his journey to discover how a lost, nameless boy finally found himself in the heart and soul of a man who is free at last.
Help Yourself
Dave Pelzer explains how we can move beyond a painful history, harmful negative thoughts, and innumerable setbacks by taking control and being accountable for our lives. Filled with his own history as well as the personal struggles of those who have followed his three-step plan for turning adversity into triumph, Help Yourself is a rousing call to people who want real answers to real problems.
- GenresNonfiction
514 pages, Hardcover
Published July 14, 2009
19 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Dave Pelzer
61 books3,392 followersAn author best known for his 1995 memoir of childhood abuse, A Child Called It.
At the age of 12, Dave was removed from an abusive home and placed in a series of foster homes. In 1979, he joined the Air Force and later became an author of memoirs and self-improvement books.
A CHILD CALLED "IT" IS COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN.
August 2017 - We are very excited to announce that writer/producer David Goldblum of Conscious Contact Productions has acquired the film rights to Dave Pelzer's, #1 New York Times bestselling book, A Child Called “IT” which was on the New York Times Best Sellers List for a record breaking six years. Tamlin Hall, whose film Holden On has won multiple awards around the country is attached to direct. Dave Pelzer is adapting the screenplay alongside Goldblum and Hall. The movie is in pre-production, with production set to begin in Spring 2018. A-List talent are already circling the project. Be sure and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates. https://www.facebook.com/AChildCalled....
At the age of 12, Dave was removed from an abusive home and placed in a series of foster homes. In 1979, he joined the Air Force and later became an author of memoirs and self-improvement books.
A CHILD CALLED "IT" IS COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN.
August 2017 - We are very excited to announce that writer/producer David Goldblum of Conscious Contact Productions has acquired the film rights to Dave Pelzer's, #1 New York Times bestselling book, A Child Called “IT” which was on the New York Times Best Sellers List for a record breaking six years. Tamlin Hall, whose film Holden On has won multiple awards around the country is attached to direct. Dave Pelzer is adapting the screenplay alongside Goldblum and Hall. The movie is in pre-production, with production set to begin in Spring 2018. A-List talent are already circling the project. Be sure and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates. https://www.facebook.com/AChildCalled....
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 30, 2016
The life story of David Pelzer is quite astonishing; what he endured, mostly alone, with great courage, is a testament to the power of the human spirit. (What he endured though was very horrendous!) Although it doesn't appear that he was raised with any religion, he is always praying to God to help him in his situation(s); he appears to have a great faith in God, even in the midst of all of his sufferings.
Another thing that didn't really hit me until I read one of the commentaries at the end was his ability to forgive and move on with his life; even if some of the things that happened to him were not what most would consider 'forgivable'. It seems that this gave him the power to move beyond his pains and still be a loving, giving person. Quite a remarkable book (and story)!
Another thing that didn't really hit me until I read one of the commentaries at the end was his ability to forgive and move on with his life; even if some of the things that happened to him were not what most would consider 'forgivable'. It seems that this gave him the power to move beyond his pains and still be a loving, giving person. Quite a remarkable book (and story)!
November 29, 2018
After reading the first two books about Mr. Pelzer's youth, it was very relieving to read the "happily ever after" ending in "A Man Named Dave". Not that his adulthood went smoothly, as much of his childhood trauma continued to have an extreme affect on him. But, in his own words, he would not change a thing, for he came to view his life as a true blessing and that everything that happened to him molded him into who he is today.
He is now able to share his tragic story with the most positive attitude and sincerely joyful outlook to help others. My biggest take-away from his fourth book, "Help Yourself", is in these words: "After everything, against all odds, if that little boy can now live a happy, fulfilled, productive life, with all due respect, what is stopping you? Indeed. There is no stopping me. Thank you Dave!
He is now able to share his tragic story with the most positive attitude and sincerely joyful outlook to help others. My biggest take-away from his fourth book, "Help Yourself", is in these words: "After everything, against all odds, if that little boy can now live a happy, fulfilled, productive life, with all due respect, what is stopping you? Indeed. There is no stopping me. Thank you Dave!
January 11, 2024
inspiration. No one is kinder than Dave and we can ALL learn from this generous soul. I certainly have.
Read
January 12, 201112/2/10( i was gone on wed)
The book that i am reading is called a man named dave. I have read the first books called the child called "It", The Lost Boy, and now The Man Named Dave. So far this book starts off by telling the rest of the story of when dave was little. The third chapter talks about how when he gets older how he joins the military, than wants to become a firefighter. This is one of thos books that you havew to read if you read the first book. The page that im on is 60, this is a fast reading book. I would recomend this book to people who need a non- fiction book.
12/8/10
This week in my book, i got to the part were dave has found out that his dad is in the hotspial for cancer. He gets a call from his foster mother letting him know whats going on. Dave goese to the hostpial and breaks down from the news. The nurse tells david that his dad has been waiting and its time for him to go. After all of this dave makes a visit to go see his mom, he also gets to see his little brother, who is not sure who dave really is. Dave also finds out that his brother Rondals is also in the army and that hes doing realy good.
12/16/10
This week in my book dave takes military time off to go see his grandma. Dave thinks that his grandma is just like his mom, but finds out when he was abused as a kid his grandma was the one that tryed to save him. Right now his grandam is undwer aloat of prusure and has to deal with daves mom and her drinking problme. Dave leaves to go visite his youngest brother who still lives with his mom. Daves Grandma fought with him not to go see him, but dave doese anyways. Dave learns alot about his brother in the time tahat he gets to spend with him. Shortly after dave gets a call form the military and finds out his place was filled in. As dave was about to give up he gets a call saying how they have missed placed his papers and that he can refill them out. Dave ends up getting accepted and as he doese not like to talk to many people. He meets this girl named Patsy eho he ends up dating. Shortly after them move in togeather and he tells his foster parents. Thats when it hits Dave agian. Dave finds out that his foster dad has cancer and is not sure if he will make it out alive. This had happend just one year after his father haad passed away.
12/22/10
This week in my book Daves foster dad passes away. He takes more time off the flying base. Shortly after this all happend he also finds out that he is going to be haveing a baby. Dave is scared to death, because he doese not want to be an abuse parent like his mother. Him and pasty end up going to get mairred. I thought that this was a bad idea, because he kept saying how he didint feel the love for her and she had felt for him. One year after the baby was born they took thier first family vacation. They went to go visit his grandmother and his mom. Dave took time to go see her and let her know what was going on. They alos went to go visit the lake just like dave did when he was little.
01/5/11
Durning break i did no read that much. But what i have read was about Daves mother dying, he had got to say his last good byes when he went and visted her when they went on thier first family trip. Daves told his mom that he had wished her the best and that she hopes that she goese in peace. About a month later Daves mother had passed, she died from a hearattack in her sleep. Dave had to be the one that set up his mothers arangments. For the first time dave had a get togher with his brothers, he had said that this was the first and last time the plezer boys would be thogher. Shortly after eveything happend Dave went out on leave for the airforce. Dave did not want to go out on leave because him andpasty finelly got along. He had hard long nights and could not sleep, he had been afraid for his son Stephn. He did not want anything to happen to him why he was gone. Shortly after the return dave had found out that Past had went in to dept agian and was not paying the bills that she neede to be payed. Dave credit score was slowly coming down. After dave got everything financely figured out he now agian found out that Past went behind his back. She had went and barrowed money from daves grandma, who was alredy having a tought time.
The book that i am reading is called a man named dave. I have read the first books called the child called "It", The Lost Boy, and now The Man Named Dave. So far this book starts off by telling the rest of the story of when dave was little. The third chapter talks about how when he gets older how he joins the military, than wants to become a firefighter. This is one of thos books that you havew to read if you read the first book. The page that im on is 60, this is a fast reading book. I would recomend this book to people who need a non- fiction book.
12/8/10
This week in my book, i got to the part were dave has found out that his dad is in the hotspial for cancer. He gets a call from his foster mother letting him know whats going on. Dave goese to the hostpial and breaks down from the news. The nurse tells david that his dad has been waiting and its time for him to go. After all of this dave makes a visit to go see his mom, he also gets to see his little brother, who is not sure who dave really is. Dave also finds out that his brother Rondals is also in the army and that hes doing realy good.
12/16/10
This week in my book dave takes military time off to go see his grandma. Dave thinks that his grandma is just like his mom, but finds out when he was abused as a kid his grandma was the one that tryed to save him. Right now his grandam is undwer aloat of prusure and has to deal with daves mom and her drinking problme. Dave leaves to go visite his youngest brother who still lives with his mom. Daves Grandma fought with him not to go see him, but dave doese anyways. Dave learns alot about his brother in the time tahat he gets to spend with him. Shortly after dave gets a call form the military and finds out his place was filled in. As dave was about to give up he gets a call saying how they have missed placed his papers and that he can refill them out. Dave ends up getting accepted and as he doese not like to talk to many people. He meets this girl named Patsy eho he ends up dating. Shortly after them move in togeather and he tells his foster parents. Thats when it hits Dave agian. Dave finds out that his foster dad has cancer and is not sure if he will make it out alive. This had happend just one year after his father haad passed away.
12/22/10
This week in my book Daves foster dad passes away. He takes more time off the flying base. Shortly after this all happend he also finds out that he is going to be haveing a baby. Dave is scared to death, because he doese not want to be an abuse parent like his mother. Him and pasty end up going to get mairred. I thought that this was a bad idea, because he kept saying how he didint feel the love for her and she had felt for him. One year after the baby was born they took thier first family vacation. They went to go visit his grandmother and his mom. Dave took time to go see her and let her know what was going on. They alos went to go visit the lake just like dave did when he was little.
01/5/11
Durning break i did no read that much. But what i have read was about Daves mother dying, he had got to say his last good byes when he went and visted her when they went on thier first family trip. Daves told his mom that he had wished her the best and that she hopes that she goese in peace. About a month later Daves mother had passed, she died from a hearattack in her sleep. Dave had to be the one that set up his mothers arangments. For the first time dave had a get togher with his brothers, he had said that this was the first and last time the plezer boys would be thogher. Shortly after eveything happend Dave went out on leave for the airforce. Dave did not want to go out on leave because him andpasty finelly got along. He had hard long nights and could not sleep, he had been afraid for his son Stephn. He did not want anything to happen to him why he was gone. Shortly after the return dave had found out that Past had went in to dept agian and was not paying the bills that she neede to be payed. Dave credit score was slowly coming down. After dave got everything financely figured out he now agian found out that Past went behind his back. She had went and barrowed money from daves grandma, who was alredy having a tought time.
November 25, 2013
"A Man Named Dave" was about a young boy who was treated the wrong way by his mother. He was beaten, starved and wasn't cared nor loved like his other siblings were. Dave was kept in the basement everyday and would only get fed when he deserved it. Sometimes when he didn't deserve it he would steal food out of the trash can or steal out of the store. His mom would sometimes find out and when she did she would beat him. He would always go to school with bruises so the school staff knew something was going on at home but Dave would always try to deny it because he was scared that his mom would hurt him if he told. The school staff tried to help him come out his shell and speak to someone about it but he knew that it wouldn't help because his mom would hurt him and get rid of everyone that's trying to protect him.
Reading "A Man Named Dave" brung tears to my eyes. I hated the way Dave's mom treated him. He was only a little boy and didn't deserved to get mistreated. She treated him like nothing. She would always tell him that he wasn't apart of the family and that his name was no longer David. She didn't care for him nor love him. No mother should treat their child the way she treated David. While reading this I realized that I should be more greatful and appriectate of things because David had it rougher than me and that wasn't right. I wish he had a better life as a child and did what other little kids his age were doing. I feel bad that this happened to him as a child because he truly did not deserve to be treated badly, he deserved so much more.
Reading "A Man Named Dave" brung tears to my eyes. I hated the way Dave's mom treated him. He was only a little boy and didn't deserved to get mistreated. She treated him like nothing. She would always tell him that he wasn't apart of the family and that his name was no longer David. She didn't care for him nor love him. No mother should treat their child the way she treated David. While reading this I realized that I should be more greatful and appriectate of things because David had it rougher than me and that wasn't right. I wish he had a better life as a child and did what other little kids his age were doing. I feel bad that this happened to him as a child because he truly did not deserve to be treated badly, he deserved so much more.
March 7, 2013
Maya Ortega
4 stars
period 3
The book "A Man Named Dave" was a verygood good book that really catched my my eye like tha other book "A Child called It" I chose chose this book because I had read "A Child Called It". It was was a very sad book and especially because it was based on a true story. I dont understand how a mothr can hurt her child and abuse them so much. The plot in this book is about a 12 year old boy named Dave Pelzer. every night he sits shivering in his mothers garage without any blankets. At the age of 4 years old his mother dislocated his arm. She doesnt let him in the house, and she refuses to give him food, and reular clothes. His mother doesnt call him dave she calls him it as if he were an object. His mother does many bad things to harm him like bad burns, stabbing, and sadly poisioning. Dave has tried to stand up to his mother but she injures him, and tells him hes not worth living. She tells Dave not to talk to people about his injuries that she has caused. His mother tells him to say that he is a clumsy boy. My favorite quote in this book is " Before i left her, i clasped my hands together, then made the sigh of the cross and leaned toward her ear whispering, may god be with you, Mrs.Pelzer, for no else will be" I thought the aurthors writing style was very sad because he is writing about himself as a child. I would reccomend this book to teenagers and young adults because it is a very sad that he went through.
4 stars
period 3
The book "A Man Named Dave" was a verygood good book that really catched my my eye like tha other book "A Child called It" I chose chose this book because I had read "A Child Called It". It was was a very sad book and especially because it was based on a true story. I dont understand how a mothr can hurt her child and abuse them so much. The plot in this book is about a 12 year old boy named Dave Pelzer. every night he sits shivering in his mothers garage without any blankets. At the age of 4 years old his mother dislocated his arm. She doesnt let him in the house, and she refuses to give him food, and reular clothes. His mother doesnt call him dave she calls him it as if he were an object. His mother does many bad things to harm him like bad burns, stabbing, and sadly poisioning. Dave has tried to stand up to his mother but she injures him, and tells him hes not worth living. She tells Dave not to talk to people about his injuries that she has caused. His mother tells him to say that he is a clumsy boy. My favorite quote in this book is " Before i left her, i clasped my hands together, then made the sigh of the cross and leaned toward her ear whispering, may god be with you, Mrs.Pelzer, for no else will be" I thought the aurthors writing style was very sad because he is writing about himself as a child. I would reccomend this book to teenagers and young adults because it is a very sad that he went through.
October 4, 2010
This man's tale of childhood abuse and trauma, and how he has tried to resolve it within himself, is heart wrenching and a good reality check for some. I could have lived without the "helping yourself" section as it's conclusion.
Want to read
January 5, 2011I love this book. I am currently on page 78. So far it's abot a man who grew up with his mom in the last two books and now he has grown up and is in the air force and doesnt end up where he wants to be. He is going through a lot with his parents.
October 15, 2010
this is a great book. it's a non-fiction and it really gets the reader into it with great narratives and dialouge
November 3, 2010
I one of the kids that are being abused and sometimes i cant undertsand what is happening and I will cry until i have nightmares
January 26, 2011
incredible story of inner strength and perseverance. I learned a lot about how to control my own perspective on life.
August 20, 2012
So sad but true
March 11, 2014
Once again another book that I am crying my way through !!! I love it
September 24, 2014
If you have read the "Child Called It" you really need to read A Man Named Dave! It is a fallow up to his other books, that tells about his after life!
Read
May 11, 2015this book is emotional
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews