Most Popular Books by Dave Pelzer

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.

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.

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.

As nearly four million readers have learned from his three previous books, Dave Pelzer doesn''t believe in feeling sorry for himself. Abused mercilessly by his mother as a child, Dave has taken everything that happened to him and turned it into something positive so that he can help others. Now happily married and with a child of his own, he celebrates the twin pillars of strength that saw him through his darkest hours: resilience and gratitude. And he shows how anyone can tap into these virtues to live a better and more fulfilling life. In Help Yourself, Dave Pelzer explains how to move beyond a painful history, harmful negative thoughts, and innumerable setbacks by urging readers to take control and be accountable for their lives. Filled with his own history, as well as the personal struggles of others who have learned how to turn adversity into triumph, Help Yourself is a rousing call to readers who want real answers to real problems. Never before in paperback, it will undoubtedly join Pelzer''s previous paperbacks on bestseller lists for years to come.

From #1 international bestselling author, speaker, and humanitarian Dave Pelzer comes the next chapter in his life—how, after spending decades saving others in the military, as a fire captain, and an internationally acclaimed advocate, he needs to confront a way to save himself. On the surface, Dave Pelzer’s life seems like an action movie—he’s walked the red carpet with celebrities and stood shoulder to shoulder with soldiers in Iraq; he’s flown top-secret missions for the U.S. Air Force, obtaining the rank of chief, and battled wildfires in California as a volunteer fire captain. And now—on the eve of the 50-year anniversary of this rescue from horrific childhood of abuse and into the safety of the foster care system—he reflects on the battles he’s fighting in his own heart. From a lifetime spent serving and saving others, can he learn how to serve and save himself? Banished to his basement at age five, Dave Pelzer had cried a river of tears before most children learned to tie their shoes. His now classic books, A Child Called “It” and The Lost Boy, chronicled how he was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who nearly killed him multiple times. But despite the odds stacked against him, he rose to become a #1 New York Times bestselling author, inspirational speaker, and internationally recognized humanitarian. After fighting for years to vanquish his pain and to channel it into service for others, Pelzer sifts through the psychological rubble of a life that has seemingly crumbled around him. What he shares is deeply transformative and unflinchingly honest. In his struggle to simply survive, he never learned how to just be. Reeling from the loss of a love—and a broken spirit—Pelzer must reconcile his life choices and free himself of blame and shame to find peace and renewed purpose. Amidst the towering redwood trees and the serenity of his childhood utopia of the Russian River, Pelzer reflects on having the courage to move forward in your life, the peace to accept yourself, the vulnerability to strip yourself of facades, and to find the tenacity to carry on when life doesn’t turn out the way you planned. For anyone who has been hurt, victimized, or feels alone, there is hope and there is always a way to rewrite your own story. Pelzer’s soulful and inspiring story will remind you to keep your faith, live with gratitude, and find the well of resilience deep within you.

Self-help expert Dave Pelzer teaches readers how to let go of the past and use negative experiences to make them stronger when tackling the future. "Learning from our prior experiences, we can, and should, aspire to fulfill our dreams, making life better not only for ourselves but for others around us," Dave writes in the introduction. "I am of the belief that you do not have to be a mayor of a major metropolis or CEO of a Fortune 500 company in order to take a stand for your convictions; to lead, rally, or educate others for your cause; or to maintain a vision that will pave the way for other generations to come. The everyday, hardworking folks, God bless ''em, have and always will continue to, day in and day out, truly make an impact on their families, communities, jobs, America, and the world as a whole." Dave Pelzer walks readers through the process of learning how to turn the experience gained from past hurts into the power to live a better life and help others do the same with his trademark wisdom, support, and tough love.

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.

As featured on Oprah Dave Pelzer, author of the acclaimed, best-selling books A Man Named Dave and Help Yourself, continues his tireless crusade against despair with Help Yourself for Teens, an uplifting new book written specifically for young adults. Sharing stories of his own adolescent struggles—fighting for his life against his alcoholic mother and enduring outrageous oppression at the hands of bullies and false friends—Pelzer imparts advice to help young people rise above their circumstances and achieve greatness. He offers teenagers practical solutions for overcoming their own hardships, focusing on three areas: facing current and past problems; realizing the importance of decisions; and finally, never giving up on oneself. Through it all, Pelzer never lets his readers forget that they alone have control over the outcomes of their lives. Pelzer’s uplifting and practical advice strives to tackle issues ranging from physical and sexual abuse to identifying spousal disagreement. Part self-help book and part inspirational memoir, Help Yourself for Teens is an empowering and uplifting guide to growing up in an often difficult world.

The remarkable trilogy from SUNDAY TIMES No.1 Bestseller Dave Pelzer - now in one volume. A CHILD CALLED ''IT'' is Dave Pelzer''s story of a child beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played torturous, unpredictable games that left one of her three sons nearly dead. Dave was no longer considered a son, or a boy, but an ''it''. His bed was an old army cot in the basement and when he was allowed food it was scraps from the dogs'' bowl. Throughout, Dave kept alive the dream of finding a family who would love and care for him. THE LOST BOY: the harrowing but ultimately uplifting true story of Dave''s journey through the foster-care system in search of a family who will love him. A MAN NAMED DAVE: the gripping conclusion to this inspirational trilogy. With extraordinary generosity of spirit, Dave takes us on a journey into his past. At last he confronts his father and ultimately his mother. Finally, Dave finds the courage to break the chains of the past and learn to love, trust and live for the future.

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.

A book about child abuse.

El autor nos revela parte de su niñez opacada por una madre alcohólica y excesivamente violenta. El maltrato físico y psicológico son los principales temas tratados en esta autobiografía, que nos muestra las experiencias horribles que tuvo que vivir Pelzer día a día. Describiendo los sentimientos de ese entonces, el autor nos contará parte los castigos que tuvo que soportar, los que iban desde los golpes hasta no tener como alimentarse porque su madre no le proporcionaba comida, teniendo que sobrevivir de la peor manera pensada. La historia nos deja la enseñanza de la fortaleza y la esperanza que tuvo el protagonista para soportar tanto maltrato. Gracias a sus profesores y al deseo de superar el calvario vivido, este hombre salió adelante demostrándonos que la adversidad puede ser derrotada y una mejor vida puede ser posible gracias a la voluntad y la fe en uno mismo.

“El niño perdido destaca como el libro más importante sobre la dedicación y el afecto únicos que los servicios sociales y las familias de acogida proporcionan a nuestros niños en peligro. Dave Pelzer es ciertamente un testamento vivo de persistencia, de responsabilidad personal y del triunfo del espíritu humano”. —John Bradshaw autor de los éxitos editorials, Bradshaw On: The Family, Homecoming y Family Secrets Imagínese un muchacho que nunca ha tenido un hogar. Sus únicas posesiones son las viejas y gastadas prendas de vestir que lleva en una bolsa de papel. Su único mundo es el aislamiento y el miedo. Aunque este muchacho ha sido rescatado de su madre alcohólica, el verdadero calvario acaba de comenzar para él: no tiene un lugar al que pueda llamar hogar. Esta es la muy esperada continuación de El niño sin nombre de Dave Pelzer. Sus nuevas aventuras, y las respuestas que encontró, son reveladas en esta conmovedora historia de su vida como adolescente. Discriminado ahora como “niño acogido”, el joven David experimenta la inestabilidad de pasar por cinco hogares de acogida diferentes. Aquellos que consideran que todos los niños acogidos son buscapleitos —y que no merecen ser amados sólo por no ser parte de una familia real— resienten su presencia y le hacen sufrir vergüenza. Lágrimas y risas, devastación y esperanza van forjando la vida de este niño perdido que busca desesperadamente el amor de una familia. Aunque muchos en nuestra sociedad ridiculizan el sistema de hogares de acogida y el campo de los servicios sociales, Dave Pelzer es un ejemplo vivo de la necesidad de su existencia. Sea usted un admirador del autor o un lector que toma un libro suyo por primera vez, El niño perdido es una historia que le conmoverá y que sobresale como brillante inspiración para todos. Dave Pelzer viaja por todo el país dando charlas sobre inspiración y fuerza moral interior. Sus logros únicos le gan ganado alabanzas de los presidentes Reagan, Bush padre y Clinton. En 1994 fue el único estadounidense premiado entre los Jóvenes Más Destacados del Mundo. Dave también fue portador de la Antorcha Olímpica del Centenario.

La valiente historia de su propio autor, Dave, un muchacho brutalmente maltratado por su madre y que logra sobrevivir, ser libre y convertirse en el mentor de miles de ninos que se hallan en su misma situacion.

Das Trauma einer Kindheit: Dave wird von der eigenen Mutter gequält und mißhandelt. Von blauen Flecken übersät und halb verhungert, fällt der Junge auf, weil er Mitschülern das Pausenbrot stiehlt. Bis seine Lehrer es wagen, gegen die Mutter einzuschreiten, vergehen Jahre. Es gelingt ihm, sich aus der Hölle zu befreien. Ein erschütternder Bericht, geschildert aus der Perspektive des kleinen Jungen, der uns alle mit der Frage konfrontiert, wie lange man die Augen vor elterlicher Gewalt verschließen darf.

Levenslessen van David Pelzer, een man die tijdens zijn jeugd zwaar werd mishandeld.

Giới thiệu nội dung: Đi ra từ bóng tối - Phần kết của câu chuyện nổi tiếng Không Nơi Nương Tựa và Đứa Trẻ Lạc Loài. Đi ra từ bóng tối là phần kết thúc được chờ đợi từ rất lâu trong bộ ba tác phẩm: Không nơi nương tựa và Ra đi từ bóng tối. Câu chuyện là hồi kết cho cuộc đấu tranh sinh tồn không ngừng của cậu bé David đáng thương qua bao năm tháng sống trong sự bạo hành về thể xác lẫn tinh thần do chính người mẹ ruột gây ra. Câu chuyện đưa người đọc đi cùng chàng trai tên Dave qua những khúc quanh cuộc đời để trở thành một người đàn ông trưởng thành, đầy khát vọng sống. Giấc mơ cuộc đời, thất bại đắng cay, vinh quang ngọt ngào và hạnh phúc vẹn tròn là những gì người đọc sẽ cảm nhận được bằng những rung cảm chân thật nhất, sâu sắc nhất đằng sau những trang sách sống động của Đi ra từ bóng tối. Chàng thanh niên tên Dave sẽ phải đối diện như thế nào trước sự thật rằng cha mình - vị anh hùng trong những giấc mơ thuở bé của cậu - sẽ không còn sống được bao lâu nữa? Cậu sẽ làm gì với tâm nguyện một lần được trò chuyện với cha như bao đứa con trai bình thường khác khi ông thậm chí còn không đủ sức để siết nhẹ bàn tay cậu? Cậu sẽ đối xử như thế nào với người mẹ nghiện ngập, tàn bạo - người đã chối bỏ sự tồn tại của con trai mình và đem đến bao nỗi kinh hoàng cho tuổi thơ của nó? Và cuối cùng, liệu có ai đó để cậu yêu thương, tin tưởng và giúp cậu lấy lại niềm tin vào tình cảm thiêng liêng của gia đình hay không? Đi ra từ bóng tối sẽ lần lượt giúp người đọc tháo gỡ tất cả những nút thắt ấy, dẫn dắt chúng ta tìm ra câu trả lời cho số phận của Dave, của từng nhân vật trong tác phẩm tự truyện. Và, có thể ở đâu đó trong tác phẩm, người đọc cũng sẽ tìm thấy câu trả lời cho cuộc đời của chính mình - như những ai đã có may mắn được là người đầu tiên đọc và làm công việc chuyển ngữ cho bộ ba tác phẩm này vậy. Với sự bao dung vô biên và lòng can đảm tuyệt vời Dave Plezer đã làm nên một kết thúc hoàn hảo cho bộ ba tự truyện của mình cũng như cho chính cuộc đời của ông. Bằng kết thúc ấy, Dave Pelzer đã minh chứng một cách hùng hồn rằng: Không một thế lực, một xiềng xích nào có thể trói buộc được ý chí của con người. Ý nghĩa lớn lao này thật quý giá biết bao đối với những ai đang trên con đường đi tìm hạnh phúc đích thực trong cuộc sống.

Aux yeux du reste du monde, la mère de Dave est une femme aimante qui prend soin de ses enfants. Personne ne se doute du drame quotidien qui se déroule derrière les murs de la maison. Car en privé, cette femme alcoolique se transforme en un véritable bourreau. Dave subit un martyre permanent sous le regard indifférent de son père. Insulté, battu, torturé, il dort par terre avec des journaux en guise de couverture. Affamé, il n’a le droit de manger que des restes dont même les chiens ne veulent pas. Plusieurs fois, les sévices conduisent le petit garçon aux frontières de la mort. Et puis un jour, enfin, les professeurs de Dave alertent les services sociaux. Celui qui est devenu un jeune homme parviendra à s’en sortir et à reconstruire sa vie, non pas en oubliant mais en faisant de son histoire une force.

" Ce récit se veut davantage célébration d''une victoire que témoignage d''un rescapé. Même aux heures les plus atroces, le cœur est invincible et, si rien n''est possible sans la résistance physique, c''est l''esprit humain qui l''emporte au bout du compte. " D.P. Dave Pelzer, jeune Californien, fut martyrisé et battu par une mère alcoolique, jusqu''à l''âge de douze ans. Pour cette femme que l''on peut difficilement qualifier de mère, ce petit garçon n''était plus un fils, mais un souffre-douleur, un moins que rien. Condamné à dormir au sous-sol sur un vieux lit de camp, il portait d''infectes guenilles en guise de vêtements et, quand il avait droit à une pitance, celle-ci consistait en restes refusés par les chiens de la maison. Comme de juste, personne ne se doutait de ce cauchemar à huis clos. Ce ne fut qu''au terme d''années de lutte, de privations, de désespoir qu''il réussit à s''inventer une vie digne de ce nom. Premier volet de sa trilogie autobiographique, Le Moins que rien fut nominé pour le Pulitzer Prize et s''est vendu à plusieurs millions d''exemplaires dans le monde entier.

Dave Pelzer se consacre aujourd''hui à la cause des enfants martyrs. L''ado perdu est le deuxième volet de sa trilogie autobiographique après le moins que rien qui fut nominé pour le prix Pulitzer et s''est vendu à plusieurs millions d''exemplaires dans le monde.