Dave Pelzer

Imagine a young boy who has never had a loving home. His only possesions are the old, torn clothes he carries in a paper bag. The only world he knows is one of isolation and fear. Although others had rescued this boy from his abusive alcoholic mother, his real hurt is just begining -- he has no place to call home. This is Dave Pelzer's long-awaited sequel to A Child Called "It". In The Lost Boy, he answers questions and reveals new adventures through the compelling story of his life as an adolescent. Now considered an F-Child (Foster Child), Dave is moved in and out of five different homes. He suffers shame and experiences resentment from those who feel that all foster kids are trouble and unworthy of being loved just because they are not part of a "real" family. Tears, laughter, devastation and hope create the journey of this little lost boy who searches desperately for just one thing -- the love of a family.

More About Dave A Man Named Dave is the conclusion to a trio of autobiographical books by Dave Pelzer, who to millions of readers of A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy has become an inspirational figure. A Child Called "It" is the gripping and harrowing account of Pelzer's abuse at the hands of his mother, beginning when he was four years old and continuing until teachers and neighbors were finally able to intervene and he was placed in foster care at age 12. The Lost Boy picks up where A Child Called "It" leaves off and details Pelzer's experiences in foster care and his difficulty navigating the "normal" world with the dark shadows of his abuse and of his mother's actual presence in his life looming over him. In this installment, Pelzer narrates his life from his enlistment in the Air Force at age 18 to the present day. While all three books show the consequences of profound cruelty with a frank immediacy and gut-wrenching, carefully chosen detail, they are -- as the subtitle of this final installment of the trilogy suggests -- ardently inspirational works. Pelzer's thematic focus is forgiveness and the ability of the human spirit to triumph over adversity. Pelzer demonstrates that it is possible to channel feelings and experiences of trauma into positive energy. Pelzer includes just enough flashback and summary material that the reader new to his work has a complete grasp of the scope of his mother's abuse and his experiences in foster care. And those fans who have read his previous work will find A Man Named Dave to be an essential, capping complement to A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy. A Man Named Dave describes Pelzer's more recent experiences and affords readers access to a more mature, gradually ripening adult perspective during Pelzer's agonizing struggle to confront the demons of his past and conquer them. To read all three works in sequence is, therefore, to experience a voyage from darkness with only a glimmer of hope to full illumination. Throughout A Man Named Dave, Pelzer carries with him a touchstone memory from his childhood, on which he ruminates and to which he returns in his most acute moments of distress. The memory is from his very early childhood, when he and his father had a tender talk alone during a family outing to the Russian River. This is an immensely precious memory for Pelzer, who has an abiding love for the father who mostly stood by or was absent during the long period of his mother's abuse. This treasured fragment from the past serves as a driving force in Pelzer's adult life -- he dreams of building a house on the Russian River and ultimately, living there with his father. Sadly, this is not to be. Pelzer joins the Air Force with the intention of becoming a firefighter, which, for a time, was his father's occupation as well, and while there, he writes letter after letter to his father, who responds only once, in a mostly illegible, scrawling letter that includes no return address. Pelzer fears that his father is lost to alcoholism and vagrant wandering. When Pelzer is finally alerted to the fact that his father is near death, he rushes to be with him. Pelzer's dying father is barely able to communicate, but in spending his final days by his father's side, Pelzer is able to begin to confront his childhood and to form a positive, productive link to his traumatic past. One of his father's final actions is to pass his cherished fire department badge on to his son. The death of Pelzer's father means that he must also confront his mother, who, though she would have little to do with her husband during his decline and death, makes her son feel ostracized and uncomfortable at the funeral. The full-grown Pelzer, an outwardly successful man in an Air Force uniform, must struggle to avoid becoming a craven boy in her presence once again. The narrative is punctuated with such excruciating encounters between Pelzer and his mother. Despite the fact that his mother no longer has any physical or legal power over him, Pelzer is still dominated by her presence. The scenes provide a telling portrayal of the consequences of childhood trauma and illustrate the almost epic immensity of Pelzer's ultimately successful struggle to overcome the legacy of his mother's abuse. Essential to this struggle is that Pelzer realizes despite the welling of powerful emotions inside of him, he must do all he can to not hate his mother or wreak vengeance on her in any form. If he is to "break the cycle" of abuse, he must confront his childhood and its effects on his adult life. It is this triumphal will -- to come to grips with his past and somehow transmute its effects on his character into a positive view of himself and the world he inhabits -- that forces Pelzer to seek out and speak with his mother despite his instinct to run from this past and hide it from others. In his depiction of himself as a young boy, Pelzer showed how he used indomitable spirit to triumph over tyranny. In A Man Named Dave, he will inspire most readers as he makes his voyage to adulthood and a fulfilling life -- all the while struggling with the legacy of his abuse. Part of this legacy is a difficulty with intimacy and attachment. Pelzer hides much of his past from his first wife, Patsy, and is unable to tell her he loves her. His self-doubt contributes to the tumult of their relationship, essentially a mismatch cemented by the discovery that Patsy is pregnant. Ultimately, the birth of his son, Stephen, is the final key to Pelzer's reconciliation with his past. Stephen is a constant reminder to Pelzer of the preciousness of life and the imperative of breaking the chain of abuse so that Stephen will grow up knowing abundant love. In order to provide this love to Stephen, Pelzer must learn to love himself as well. In a touching moment near the book's end, Pelzer walks with his son to the very spot where, as a child, he remembers walking with his own father many years ago and sharing in the natural splendor. The cycle of abuse has been broken, and Pelzer shares his quiet triumph not only with his son but also with his readers.—David S. Rosen

Dave Pelzer's remarkable journey from a child who lived in terror of his unstable, violently unpredictable mother's every move, to his emergence as an inspiration the world over is a remarkable tale of survival and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Dave Pelzer's three volumes of memoirs - A Child Called 'It', The Lost Boy and A Man Named Dave - brought this 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 spent in fear, 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.

Dave Pelzer hade en vanlig barndom till dess att han var fyra år. Han följde med mamma och bröderna till parken och hade picknick. Hans mamma läste sagor för honom innan han skulle sova, och han hade vänner. Vad som hände sedan, hur det kunde gå så snett, det går inte att förstå. Plötsligt en dag var Dave värdelös, i sin mors ögon. Ingenting han gjorde var bra och allt som skedde skulle han bestraffas för. Det är sådana sjuka saker att berättelsen stundtals får en att känna att ”det här måste vara fiktion”. Vilken mamma tvingar sitt barn att svälja såväl diskmedel som aceton? Vilken mamma tvingar sin lille son att bränna sig på vedspisen till dess att det börjar lukta bränt kött i hela köket? Det gjorde Daves mamma, bland alldeles för mycket annat. Och det värsta var att Daves pappa såg på och lät det hända.

Dave Pelzer’s story is the story of a child brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic 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.

Zamislite dečaka koji nikada nije imao dom. Njegov jedini imetak je stara pocepana odeća koju nosi u papirnoj kesi. Jedino što poznaje u ovom svetu jesu usamljenost i strah. Iako se ovaj dečak izbavio od svoje majke sklone alkoholu, pravi bol tek počinje – za njega ne postoji mesto koje bi mogao nazvati domom. Ovo je dugo očekivani nastavak knjige Dete zvano To. Ova priča otkriva odgovore na neka pitanja, ali i pripoveda o događajima u kojima se Dejv zadesio nakon odlaska iz roditeljskog doma. Budući da se sada nalazi pod starateljskim nadzorom, mladi Dejv će biti prinuđen da promeni pet različitih domova. Suze i smeh, porazi i nadanja: sve to čini putešestvije izgubljenog dečaka koji očajnički traga za porodičnom ljubavi. Izgubljeni dečak je nastavak koji ostaje u neizbrisivom sećanju i blista kao svetionik inspiracije za sve.

Dave elskede sin mor. Hun var kælig, hengiven og familiens centrum. Alt var lykke og idyl de første fire år af Daves liv. Men fra den ene dag til den anden blev moderen et helt igennem ondt og voldeligt menneske, som lod alle sine aggressioner og sit had gå ud over Dave. Daves mor drak meget, og jo mere hun drak, jo værre var hun ved Dave. I starten var afstraffelserne blot skammekrog og smæk, men som årene gik, gav hun Dave et helt igennem uværdigt liv: Han fik ikke regelmæssigt mad, han deltog aldrig i familieaktiviteter og han måtte sove i kælderen. Moderen slog og brændte ham, lod ham udføre huslige pligter på tid, udsatte ham for giftige dampe - ja, ydmygelserne ville ingen ende tage, fordi moderen mente, han var en slem dreng og skulle straffes for det. Til sidst troede Dave selv på det og fandt sig stiltiende i moderens mishandlinger. Imens lukkede Daves far øjnene for de barske realiteter og sank ned i sit eget drikkeri. Først da Dave var 12 år, gik det op for skolen og myndighederne, at der var noget alvorligt galt i den lille forsømte, beskidte og lasede drengs hjem. Med politiets mellemkomst blev Dave anbragt på et børnehjem, og der forberedtes en retssag mod hans mor. Et Mishandlet Barn er historien om børnemishandling af groveste karakter - fortalt af barnet selv. Med en kolossal styrke lykkedes det Dave Palzer at oerleve sin mors terror både psykisk og fysisk.

Dete koje je imalo hrabrosti da preživi Svetski bestseler br. 1 Dok je bio dete Dejva Pelcera je brutalno tukla i izgladnjivala njegova majka koja je bila emocionalno nestabilna i pod uticajem alkohola, majka koja je volela da igra mučiteljske, nepredvidive igre zbog kojih je jedan od njenih sinova umalo izgubio život. Ona ga više nije smatrala sinom, već robom. Za nju on više nije bio dečak, već "to". Njegova postelja bila je vonički poljski krevet u podrumu, odeća mu je bila pocepana i smrdljiva, a kada bi mu bilo dopušteno da jede to su bili ostaci iz pseće činije. Spoljašnji svet nije znao ništa o košmaru koji se odigravao iza zatvorenih vrata. Dejv je sanjao da pronađe porodicu koja će ga voleti i zvati ga sinom. Bile su potrebne godine borbe, odricanja i očajavanja da ostvario svoj san i postigao uspeh u životu. Dete zvano To pokriva rane godine njegovog život i predstavlja inspirativno svedočenje o odlučnosti jednog deteta da preživi. "Ovakva priča ne može da vas ne gane." MAIL ON SUNDAY

A Child Called "It" This book chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games--games that left him nearly dead. He 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." Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or 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. The Lost Boy Dave Pelzer's sequel to A CHILD CALLED 'IT' 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.

The #1 New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author who is a shining example of what overcoming adversity really means now shares the lost chapter of his uplifting journey, which has touched the lives of millions.   From A Child Called “It” to The Lost Boy , from A Man Named Dave to Help Yourself , Dave Pelzer’s inspirational books have helped countless others triumph over hardship and misfortune. In The Privilege of Youth , he shares the missing chapter of his life: as a boy on the threshold of adulthood. With sensitivity and insight, he recounts the relentless taunting he endured from bullies; but he also describes the thrill of making his first real friends—some of whom he still shares close relationships with today. He writes about the simple pleasures of exploring his neighborhood, while trying to forget the hell waiting for him at home. From high school to a world beyond the four walls that were his prison for so many years, The Privilege of Youth bravely and compassionately charts this crucial turning point in Dave Pelzer’s life and will inspire a whole new generation of readers.

Also see: Alternate Cover Editions for this ISBN [ACE] ACE #1 This book chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games—games that left him nearly dead. He 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." Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or 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.