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A Man Named Dave Kindle Edition

by Dave Pelzer (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 3,066 ratings
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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 acceptance.
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  1. Book 3 of 3
    Dave Pelzer
  2. Print length
    301 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Plume
  6. Publication date
    October 1, 1999
  7. File size
    419 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
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  10. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The third tale in David Pelzer's autobiographical trilogy, A Man Named Dave is an inspiring story of terror, recovery, and hope experienced by the author throughout his life. Known for his work as a child abuse advocate, Pelzer has been commended by several U.S. presidents and international agencies, and his previous memoirs of growing up as an abused child (A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy) have touched thousands of lives. He provides living proof that we can "stop the cycle" and lead fulfilling, rewarding lives full of healthy relationships. Ultimately triumphant, this book will have you living through the eyes of a terrified child, a struggling young man, and an adult finally forgiving his dying father--reading with tissues nearby is recommended. Ending with a touching conversation between the author and his own son, you'll finish reading this with a warm heart and an enriched understanding of the need for compassion in all parts of life. --Jill Lightner

From Library Journal

In this follow-up to A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy, which detailed the abuse Pelzer endured as a child, he explains how he grew beyond it.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004IE9RAS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Plume (October 1, 1999)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 1, 1999
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 419 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 301 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 3,066 ratings

About the author

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Dave Pelzer

Dave Pelzer

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Overcoming a life threatening childhood, Dave Pelzer is the epitome of a self-made man. For over twenty years, Dave has been a catalyst for dramatic social change by promoting resilience. Dave’s prestigious accomplishments include personal commendations from Presidents Reagan, Bush, Clinton and George W. Bush. In 1993, Dave was honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans. A year later Dave was the only American to be honored as The Outstanding Young Persons of the World! In 2005, Dave was presented with the National Jefferson Award, which is considered to be the Pulitzer Prize for public service. Dave is also the author of seven life changing books, beginning with A Child Called “It” that started a world-wide phenomenon. His newest book, Too Close To Me is being released September 1, 2014.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States

Kelli Nash
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and motivating, just as compelling as books one and two
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2013
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A Man Named Dave was the third installment in the Dave Pelzer trilogy. This book chronicled his life from ages 18 and up. It was just as compelling as the first two books, and, once again, I could not put this book down! There is something so powerful and gripping about Dave's writing. I found myself rooting for his happiness and success throughout the entire book, and cried at the emotional ending.

My husband and I were driving to a specialist's office two hours away from our home, and we were supposed to be having quality time together, as my mom was home with our baby and we had all morning to talk uninterrupted. However, I was a bad wife and read A Man Named Dave for nearly an hour instead of talking to my sweet husband! I didn't want to do it, and hated myself for it, but I was close to the end of the book and just had to know what happened to Dave! My husband asked, "Is this the last book in this series? I am so tired of you not talking to me while you keep reading these books!" I told him that it was, but then, at the end of the book, I saw that Dave has written two motivational books (which I immediately bought) so my husband is going to have to put up with me having my nose in a Dave Pelzer book for a little longer!

Dave's main focus in this novel was trying to find answers as to why his mother abused him the way she did. Despite the fact that he was rescued from her household at age 12, and eventually found love from a foster family, he still seeks his mother's love and acceptance. He has several emotionally draining and painful encounters with his mother in this book, and while he never fully gains the closure he so desires, he does come to a place of acceptance and forgiveness. The fact that Dave can forgive his mother shows what a strong and inherently good person he is.

Dave has not had an easy life, and in fact, it is hard to believe all of the hard times he has endured. I'm not saying I don't believe him, it's just sad that someone could have so many hardships. But, he finds happiness in the end, and I loved that. He is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and a great example of what faith in God can do for a person.

I give this book, and the series as a whole, the highest of recommendations. I loved it, and will definitely be reading Dave's other books. I want his secret--I want to be motivated to live as positively as he does!
8 people found this helpful
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DottieNJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Another awesome book in the 3-book series! Horrifying abuse story, but inspirational how he overcame it ALL.
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2015
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This is the 3rd book in the series which cover's Dave's teenage and adult life up until he has his 2 true loves - his wife and son! The terrible horrifying abuse he went through is unlike anything you've ever known and you'll wonder how anyone could be so cruel to their own son! However, as you read through all 3 books, you'll see how inspiring it is that he grew up to be the man he is today. This is a page-turner you won't want to put down! The 3 books in the series are: A Child Called It, The Lost Boy and A Man Named Dave. I strongly suggest and highly recommend you buy all 3 books because when you start reading the first one, you won't put it down until you get to the very end of his life story, which is in the 3 book that he finally seems settled with his loving wife and a son he loves more than life itself....it shows how he went from absolutely nothing to being an award winning writer and public speaker who has helped tons of people! I recently purchased his brother's book, "A Brother's Journey", by Richard Pelzer and will be starting it soon... When Dave was removed from the home at age 12, unfortunately his brother Richard took his place at the hands of an extremely abusive mother. If it's anything like Dave's first 3 books, I won't be able to put it down until I'm finished! Yes, this is why I strongly suggest you get all 3 of Dave's books (and even the 4th, his brother's book) because each one I read, I did it in a little over one day! Unfortunately, I didn't have all three books... I had the first one... when I finished it, I went nuts waiting for the next 2 to arrive LOL. So don't be like me - have all 3, possibly 4, ready to read because you'll be very surprised how fast you'll go through each book - and YES it's that interesting you won't stop reading until completely done - with ALL of the books! ;-)
17 people found this helpful
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crazydazy
5.0 out of 5 stars A man named Dave
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2011
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The book, A MAN NAMED DAVE, is the last book in a trilogy. This book cannot be reviewed unless some history about Dave is given. The trilogy starts with A BOY CALLED IT. Dave is a young child who is severely abused by his mother. She starved him, burned him and forced him to do chores in an unrealistic time limit. If he did not complete the chores as she demanded, he was not allowed to eat. Hunger forced him to eat any left overs thrown in the garbage. He stole other children's school lunches, food from the grocery stores and anywhere else he could get food. He is forced to sleep in the cold, damp basement separated from the rest of the family. She refused to call Dave anything beyond 'It'. The atrocites that his mother committed were almost endless as she descended into mental illness and alcohol abuse. His father, who had alcohol issues of his own, loved Dave but was ineffectual in shielding the young child from the brutal treatment.

The second book,THE LOST BOY,is the account of Dave's rescue. Fortunately he is placed with a family who is kind and understanding. Dave is a deeply wounded individual. Those emotional scars are evident in many areas of his life. Even into adulthood Dave has a deep need for his mother's approval and love.

Finally THE MAN CALLED DAVE relates to Dave's continued growth into manhood. This book as well THE LOST BOY reflected often the abuse that he sustained as a child. While his relationship with women was flawed, he related well with his son. He discovered that after he was rescued his other brothers became the target of his mother's malicious behavior. He also found that his mother was subjected to abusive treatment as she grew up. The common thread through out each book was Dave's need to be accepted by his mother which never came.
7 people found this helpful
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Beth
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2023
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This series is, by far, one of the most memorable you will ever read!
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Top reviews from other countries

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crystal mostowchuk
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Canada on March 11, 2024
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Read the series!
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Amazon Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars Aufschlussreiches und ergreifendes Ende der Trilogie - zum Empfehlen
Reviewed in Germany on July 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
Ein sehr berührendes Buch mit einer sehr reichen, aber leicht zu lesender Sprache. Habe es in Englisch gelesen, um besser Englisch zu lernen, habe viele Wörter aus dem Alltag und was Gefühle und Beziehungen betrifft gelernt. Ich danke der Autor Dave Pelzer, dass er so detailreich Einblick in sein Seelenleben gegeben hat, und dass er einen Weg gefunden hat, um die Welt für die oft schutzlosen Kinder etwas besser zu machen.
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Rosebud
5.0 out of 5 stars a great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2013
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This book is the third in the trilogy, so you must read the other two first. Dave Pelzer shows how with his determination you had break free from your past . I do not how this person survived from such a cruel & terrible childhood but he shows it can be done. With his true life experiences he helped many children who were or had been in the same situation. A true credit to the person. Many people including myself do not realize what some children have to go through. I picked up the first book in the series 'A child called it ' while on holiday and got so involved in the story that as soon as I returned home, I purchased The Lost Boy. All these books are a brilliant read and not to be missed. A real eye opener.
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Leah
5.0 out of 5 stars A good book about an amazing man who achieved despite everything he endured growing up.
Reviewed in Australia on January 30, 2015
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I loved this book as much as the first two. I felt that Dave put up with too much; especially from his first wife who did nothing but complain about money and did not acknowledge his achievements; which were many - both at work in the airforce and with his talks around the country. It took a very strong man to make it to where he wanted to be with the airforce and his constant travelling to give free talks about child abuse. He was apologetic to his first wife about everything when she was the ogre. Never happy. I am massively proud of him. I suppose his extreme lack of self-esteem given his appalling/disgusting upbringing made him like this. I am glad he could eventually realise that his mother was 'sick' - that there was nothing wrong with Dave. I am hugely glad he found happiness and someone who loved him for him; and also that his son loves him so much. Dave deserves the best and he wrote well. I would recommend this book; however the first two should be read first.
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Melissa Sevigny
5.0 out of 5 stars J’ai acheté les trois livres
Reviewed in Canada on January 25, 2024
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Quelle histoire stupéfiante! Bien que j’ai acheté ces livres usagés, ils sont en très bon état. Heureuse d’avoir ainsi pu économiser!
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