Didn't find that this gave particularly new insights. It did not educate me, change my thoughts or speak to something below my surface. It had the potential to do these things, but this book just didn't do any of it for me. Stuck it out a while and then gave up. It's a bookcrossing ring book so there are other people to enjoy it. ( )

There were days when I was relatively young, and in dire need of self-help, pick-me-up and give-me-life books. So, my bookshelf would be packed with such uplifting books that strangely all seemed to resonate with the power of positive thinking, the influencing of friends, and delving into layers of my subconscious. I read. I devoured these books, and indeed one or two did help me. Now, I am still relatively young, and perhaps in more dire straits than before - so after a long time, I decided to head back to the pop psychology shelf.

And so I found Letters to Sam by Daniel Gottlieb. The author is a quadriplegic and addresses these 'letters' to his grandson, who is autistic. There is no doubt that the book is intimate, compassionate and written from a deeply personal level. Gottlieb offers some precious insights into what it means to be human - and there were moments in the book that touched even this cynical self of mine. Yet, overall, great as the book was, cynical I remained. Perhaps, in another time, in another frame of mind, I might have absolutely relished, cherished, and generally loved this book to pieces. Today, I can say I like it. Just that. Just about. Strange how our moods condition the pages we read. ( )

A very heartfelt set of letters from a compassionate grandfather to his autistic grandson. ( )

http://eor.livejournal.com/251503.html ( )