Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic

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Summary: Wise, decent and powerful in its tenderness.
Review: I loved this book. Beck shares her heart as well as her mind as she tells her story of the pressures of carrying her unborn Down Syndrom child when she was a student at Harvard. Her tenderness for her retarded son even before his birth is something every woman will connect with. I will be giving this to family and friends for birthday and Xmas gifts.

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Summary: It's a wonderful heart warming, witty and touching book.
Review: The story of Adam and his family raises your spirits and warms your heart.It is written with humor and magic. The story has great flow and keeps your attention from the first to the last page. I heartily recommend it.

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Summary: Changed forever the way I will look at downs children
Review: A true look into what having a special needs child is like. This should be required reading for any parents expecting to join the parenting club. Beck shows the reader that not getting the "perfect" child of your dreams can give you the chance at unmeasureable joy.

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Summary: Sublime; simply one of the best books I've ever read!
Review: I could not put this wonderful book down, and was sorry to see it end. I know that I'll be rereading it in the near future. While ostensibly an account of the author's pregnancy with a baby affected by Down syndrome, it is much more: it is not an exaggeration to say that Ms. Beck (through Adam) teaches her readers how to live truly meaningful lives. Everyone should be required to read this book before having children.

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Summary: This book went beyond my expectations
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book...couldn't put it down and found every excuse during the days that I was reading it to continue my reading.

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Summary: ultimately uplifting, intermittently annoying
Review: An exploration of the process of discovering that an expected child will be born with Downs Syndrome. The story is intriguing because it is set in the competitive mileau of Harvard, where the author and her husband were students during the pregnancy. Also unusual is that the expectant parents are blessed with visions during the pregnancy which help them cope and convince them that this is a special baby (shades of Touched by an Angel?). Beck's writing occasionally breaks down into the gushings of an adolescent girl. Still, it's a hopeful story, and will support readers dealing with similar situations.

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Summary: Deeply moved
Review: I loved this book and could not put it down. I love Martha,John,Katie,Adam and Elizabeth. As a result of reading it, I cherish my own life and kids a bit more and my outerworld accomplishments a bit less. God bless you guys.

Rating:
Summary: great book for general readership
Review: I really enjoyed this book, and I couldn't keep talking about it for days

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Summary: This book is about life choices and inner powers to guide
Review: Expecting Adam moved me beyond words, unlike Martha Beck who was able to beautifully capture the experiences of a lifetime in eloquent words. This book could fit easily into many categories, but I think it is most powerful as an expression of one womans ability to listen to the guiding spirit within and ignore the competing outside voices. It left me feeling empowered, moved to tears, laughing out loud, loving the people around me, and yearning for more.

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Summary: I wish I lived next to this family!
Review: Martha Beck is a great writer, with a great story. She tells you about the year in her life when "it all went to hell" as though you're her best friend: with lots of hilarious moments, even though the issues she's dealing with are very serious---and with a totally disarming trust that you'll marvel with her at all the magic that seemed to come to her assistance. You will love this book, and when you're done with it, you'll immediately start to miss hearing from this new friend. (One warning: if you value your Harvard degree, you might do so slightly less after reading this book!)