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Dave Pelzer
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Too Close to Me: The Middle-Aged Consequences of Revealing A Child Called "It" Kindle Edition

by Dave Pelzer (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 377 ratings
The #1 New York Times–bestselling author and child abuse survivor reveals the challenges that he still faces as an adult, as a husband, and as a father.
 
In the blockbuster autobiography A Child Called “It”, Dave Pelzer shared the story of his childhood—one of the most dramatic and extreme stories of child abuse ever prosecuted in the state of California. As a child, Pelzer was beaten, starved, and abused both emotionally and physically by his alcoholic and mentally unstable mother. As a man, Pelzer went on to have love, happiness, a fulfilling career, and a family of his own.
 
To many, Pelzer seemed to have found his happy ending. But for a child abuse survivor, living a normal adult life carries challenges and complications above and beyond those faced by most people. This book, the fifth in Pelzer’s nonfiction series, provides an honest and courageous look at the difficulties inherent in marriage, parenthood, work, and life from the perspective of someone who survived horrific physical and emotional terrors as a child—and who seeks to meet the responsibilities and complications of adult life with love, strength, and an open heart.
 
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  1. Print length
    214 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    RosettaBooks
  4. Publication date
    August 22, 2014
  5. File size
    3.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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About the Author

As a child, Dave Pelzer was horribly abused, beaten, and neglected by a mother who faced alcohol addiction as well as mental health issues. His was the worst case of child abuse ever recorded in the state of California, and his life was saved only when an attentive teacher stepped in. Pelzer later grew up in the foster care system, and went on to write several bestselling memoirs—including A Child Called “It,” The Lost Boy: A Foster Child’s Search for the Love of a Family, and A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness. Dave Pelzer is the author of numerous inspirational books and is a sought-after public speaker. He is the recipient of the Jefferson Awards for Public Service, the National Jefferson Award, and the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World Award, among others.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07H17WYR8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ RosettaBooks (August 22, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 22, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 214 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 377 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

4.6 out of 5 stars
377 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a must-read, with one noting it serves as a great follow-up to previous texts. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its insight, with one customer highlighting its truthful introspection. Additionally, customers appreciate the pacing, with several noting how the author survived extreme abuse, and they praise the writing quality and consider the author an amazing human being.

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30 customers mention "Readability"25 positive5 negative

Customers find the book readable and engaging, with one customer noting it's a great follow-up to the author's previous works.

"...Afterall these years it is still one of the most popular, well known books...." Read more

"Great book to read again and again. Surely makes you think twice about life." Read more

"Good book except for the weird dream sequences with his mother...." Read more

"...This is an excellent book...a "must read" for those who have read his other books. This is Dave's "coming full circle" book." Read more

17 customers mention "Insight"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and inspirational, with one customer describing it as a very truthful introspection that makes you think twice about life.

"...'s honesty,intimate sharing of his innermost world , and insights will help survivors, partners, and those in the helping professions...." Read more

"Great book to read again and again. Surely makes you think twice about life." Read more

"All of Dave’s books are a clear testament to the resilience of the human spirit, no matter how broken, and the daily work it takes to work through..." Read more

"...hoping and praying that Dave ends up in a GOOD PLACE in ALL ways: Spiritually, Mentally, Emotionally, Physically...even Geographically..because he..." Read more

14 customers mention "Pacing"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one review highlighting how it deals with years of abuse, while another notes how it explores the long-term effects on survivors.

"...Dave's honesty,intimate sharing of his innermost world , and insights will help survivors, partners, and those in the helping professions...." Read more

"All of Dave’s books are a clear testament to the resilience of the human spirit, no matter how broken, and the daily work it takes to work through..." Read more

"...Dave ends up in a GOOD PLACE in ALL ways: Spiritually, Mentally, Emotionally, Physically...even Geographically..because he deserves goodness and..." Read more

"Dave Pelzer is a hero in my eyes! He is what every man should be: strong, courageous, caring, loving...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, with some describing the author as excellent, and one noting it's a well-written true story.

"...Well written, riveting story. Dave has done it again Carol Teitelbaum, LMFT" Read more

"...him for being able to put his thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams into writing...." Read more

"David is a wonderful person and a beautiful writer.I feel like I know him and as he writes it is as if he is talking with you telling his story." Read more

"A sad but well-written true story. I don't understand how this could happen to a child and why it took 12 to 13 years to help him...." Read more

4 customers mention "Personality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's personality, describing them as an amazing human being and noting their great attitude.

"...Amazing human being, and it’s so awesome to see what he’s done with the hand he’s been dealt from such an early age." Read more

"David is a wonderful person and a beautiful writer.I feel like I know him and as he writes it is as if he is talking with you telling his story." Read more

"Amazing man is all I can say.To pull himself together like he has is a miracle. Dave keep up the good work u d e serve the best.Take care of you.pm" Read more

"Great author, he endured a lot and has a great attitude. I love all of his books." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Carol Teitelbaum
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dave Pelzer A Man with a mission to shed light on the darkest of times for survivors.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Too Close to Me: The Middle-Aged Consequences of Revealing A Child Called It.

    As a therapist who works with men who have been abused as children I feel this book is a must read. Men have been trained since they were old enough to understand to not cry, buck up, act like a man, be strong, don't act like a sissy or a girl. The unfortunate truth is this leads to boys becoming men who have repressed feelings for so long that they live shut down. Feelings that leak out are most likely to be those of rage. Feelings of being unworthy keeps them from being as successful in life and relationships as they could be.

    Dave's honesty,intimate sharing of his innermost world , and insights will help survivors, partners, and those in the helping professions.

    My group, it happens to boys and I speak at various recovery centers, schools, and conferences when we tell Dave's story almost all teenagers we see have read "A Child Called It". Afterall these years it is still one of the most popular, well known books.

    This new book speaks to the older generation, many who are men still keeping the secret. How helpful to have these men have a story they can relate to, and see they too have been continuing their pain and now harming themselves.

    Well written, riveting story. Dave has done it again

    Carol Teitelbaum, LMFT
    29 people found this helpful
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  • Ace
    5.0 out of 5 stars A book to indulge
    Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Great book to read again and again. Surely makes you think twice about life.
    One person found this helpful
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  • D. Vest
    4.0 out of 5 stars Update on A Child Called It
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Good book except for the weird dream sequences with his mother. Still a little on the self-centered side, but he's aware of that and seems to be improving his own life, now. I would be really interested in reading anything his brothers would write.
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  • Heather Lahman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Testament
    Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    All of Dave’s books are a clear testament to the resilience of the human spirit, no matter how broken, and the daily work it takes to work through things to get to the other side. You don’t have to have been a survivor of child abuse to get what he feels throughout his journey. Amazing human being, and it’s so awesome to see what he’s done with the hand he’s been dealt from such an early age.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Bettyboopbops
    5.0 out of 5 stars I believe his "stories"
    Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I have read the first 3 of Dave Pelzers books. I believe every word he has written. I grew up blocks away from him & personally knows the teacher & principal he talks about. I did not know him or of his struggles at that time. I was in high school myself. But reading his journey was hard at times because I knew of the places he spoke of. I didn't have the greatest childhood but reading his books showed me that someone else had it worse. To think I walked the same streets as he did yet had no clue about what was happening was hard.

    Mr. Pelzer, I hope that you find peace.
    40 people found this helpful
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  • Betsy Kopko
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book had me hoping and praying that Dave ends up in a GOOD PLACE in ALL ways
    Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    If you have read Mr. Pelzer's previous books and have been wondering how (or IF) he has come to terms with his past, this book will provide you with that information. Throughout the book he touches on his horrific and traumatic childhood, but it isn't the main focus. This book takes you through it all but with a lighter and more hopeful touch. Not so much darkness, as that has all been touched on in the previous books.
    This book had me hoping and praying that Dave ends up in a GOOD PLACE in ALL ways: Spiritually, Mentally, Emotionally, Physically...even Geographically..because he deserves goodness and light as much as anyone. Especially since he gives so much of his own time and efforts helping others along the way.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • LDenney
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Having met the author personally a number of years ago, I am so glad to have read " the rest of his story." I admire him for being able to put his thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams into writing. This is an excellent book...a "must read" for those who have read his other books. This is Dave's "coming full circle" book.
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  • Planet101
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected
    Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I love Dave Pelzer's books. This one was not what I expected, but still good. I am very glad he is taking better care of himself. He does not mention needing counseling in his books, so maybe it is not his thing, or is too personal to share. I was hoping he would talk about how counseling may have helped him along the way to work through his own PTSD from severe abuse. Suffering from PTSD myself, it would be helpful for me and others to know counseling is an OK thing to do. Everyone is not able to help other people to heal themselves, and it can feel like a sign of weakness to ask for help. I always appreciate his point of view and his own process of healing has been an inspiration for me. A lot of the things he says are things I have always thought, but never heard from other people. That has given me a feeling of comradery I will never forget.
    16 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ella Kobylka
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent absorbing read!
    Reviewed in Canada on August 6, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Having read all of Dave Pelzer's previous books, I couldn't wait to start this one. I was not disappointed. As Dave bared his very soul in the struggles he has had in life, you see him mature and grow in wisdom as he faces challenges. Anyone who has struggled to survive a dysfunctional background can learn from his very real life lessons. Couldn't put it down!
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  • Jenny Hayworth
    5.0 out of 5 stars raw brave brutal honesty
    Reviewed in Australia on October 2, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The author details how despite success in life both in his career and then as an author, initially he could not allow himself to enjoy it due to the rigorous level of activity he subjected himself to. Life lessons learnt along the way through fire and water, and made more difficult due to his tortuous past, are interwoven through.

    Learning to say no to others, valuing oneself, never being able to please everyone despite best efforts and even being verbally abused by ones in the midst of giving, combatting the strive for perfection and never feeling good enough, always trying to heal and help and mend in his family and with others, working and even volunteering at a relentless pace to point of exhaustion, initially not successfully creating a work/life balance so his own marriage/family did not suffer despite his best of intentions and trying hard to be a good husband and father and seeing the end of two marriages.

    I feel the author is brutally honest in his self analysis, at times self flagellating as he strives constantly to be a better person. I admire and are inspired by his goodness of heart and intentions in this regard. The book is not self indulgent but self reflective as he bravely explains the life lessons he has learnt along the way. I am so so happy he has found a peaceful deep love to share his journey with and is enjoying a much more balanced and slower pace of life now - as he so well deserves. I had only read the authors first memoir and no other book so I found this fascinating, personally inspiring, and food for thought in my own life.
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  • Janet Deveson
    5.0 out of 5 stars This was the last of Dave Pelzer's books which I was hoping to own.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I don't usually track my orders from any company. I rely on them keeping their word and sending out my odrer(s) as promised. A VERY BIG THANK YOU for sending this last book of a my collection of books written by Dave Pelzer; an author whom I had NEVER even heard of until I found it on my bookshelf in January this year when de-cluttering books which my father had purchased as a job lot at auction several years ago. I have read each of his books within a day of receiving them and have become an admirer of his determination to be a survivor and in turn help others to survive. Once again, THANK YOU.
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  • Brenda St John
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dave can enjoy life now
    Reviewed in Canada on August 26, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Again Dave triumphs through his heartbreak. Well done. Take care
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  • georgie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I am so grateful for this book and others, such a fantastic read
    I had such a connection with this,
    thank you!
    Report

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