Book Review and GIVEAWAY: What About the Boy? by Stephen Gallup

Today’s Book Review Tuesday post is special – What About the Boy? is a book that came to my attention through the author’s response to a request I put out for guest posts.  That in itself wouldn’t ordinarily be all that unusual or special – many an author writes promotional material in an attempt to gain publicity for their book.  But this book itself is special, as is its author.  You see, this isn’t just another story or work of fiction – this is the author’s own story.  Well, his and his son Joseph’s.  And it’s a beautiful and difficult and moving and scary and lovely story all wrapped up in one three-hundred and seventy-six page package.

By the way, a complimentary review copy was generously provided by the author.  And the author and his publisher are generously also providing a giveaway copy.  But more details will come later…

On On March 5, 1985, Steve and his wife Judy had a son.  Joseph’s birth was long and difficult – as would be the subsequent relationship between him and his parents and the medical establishment.  You see, Joseph was born disabled – but no one knew exactly how, which meant no one knew exactly how to help him.

From their initial run-ins with pediatricians and hospital physicians through years of traditional and non-traditional health practitioners, Steve and Judy remained focused on one thing and one thing only – ensuring that Joseph had every opportunity to experience a full and healthy life.  Their battles with doctors, nurses, insurers, and other well-meaning but often terribly misguided health care professionals are chronicled in this incredible tale of the power of hope – and the difficulties of wandering blind in the world of health and disability.

Steve and Judy’s journey is incredible.  Their refusal to accept the hopelessness and negativity of the medical establishment, their willingness to follow any and every lead regardless of its improbability or cost, and their unmitigated faith in Joseph are presented in simple, straightforward, unapologetic – and utterly non-self-pitying – language.  Steve’s writing is as clear as his message – this is our situation and our life, he says, and all we can do is fight and persevere and believe.  And they did – and Steve continues to do so to this day.

The story is presented in a no holds-barred manner that alternates between gut-wrenching and breathtakingly optimistic, between devastating and unbelievably hopeful.  It will have you railing against the unfairness of the universe and then, suddenly, with Joseph’s first steps or first words, you will find yourself smiling and saying a quick word of thanks or praise to whatever universal power you happen to believe in.

What About the Boy? is a lovely tribute to the power of a parent’s love.  Steve and Judy literally gave everything to Joseph – because, as their son, he was everything to them.  Their story will touch your heart – and sometimes break it – in the manner of all the best stories.

To experience Stephen and Joseph’s story yourself, please enter to win a copy of the amazing book… The contest will run for two weeks (through November 8), and the winner will be notified within a couple of days after that (and also posted on here) via email on how to claim their prize.

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Stephen Gallup’s life changed fundamentally with the birth of his disabled son Joseph.  Upon learning that there was a problem, he applied his energies to a pursuit of answers that he felt certain must exist.  After consulting with physicians for more than a year, and reluctantly concluding that they had nothing to offer, he located other resources and for the next four years implemented an intensive two-pronged treatment campaign that resulted in dramatic improvements in his son’s condition.  Eventually recognizing the limitations of that course, he continued to educate himself on available options, meanwhile writing a book that argues that when we encounter something in life that does not seem right, it’s appropriate to choose to fight it.  He acknowledges that the fight becomes far more effective when it’s fought with understanding and the right allies.  In short, he hasn’t just written this story, he has lived it.

Stephen has worked continuously as a technical writer since 1977.  Prior to his son’s birth in 1985, he had also written personality and travel features for various newspapers as well as short fiction that appeared in small literary journals. An early draft of the first chapter of What About the Boy? appeared in The San Diego Writer’s Monthly.  The complete manuscript won first place in the Unpublished Memoir category in the San Diego Book Awards.  He holds a BS degree in chemistry and zoology (a pre-medical curriculum) and an MA in English.  While a graduate student at the University of Virginia, he studied fiction writing under authors Peter Taylor and Ann Beattie.

For more information, please visit Steve at www.fatherspledge.com And definitely make sure to check out what Joseph is up to today – a feature of the site that made me smile… 🙂