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Summary: Expecting Growth and Change
Review: The book's cover - the snow scene and Anne Lamott's recommendation - made me pick it up. Once I started reading I read it quickly. The story fascinated me. I was touched by the way Martha Beck showed the realities of young parenthood combined with academic pressure in a rigorous Ivy League environment and life with a special needs child. She discovered another dimension to her life as her Down syndrome son became a part of her life in a nonsupportive atmosphere. This true story involves angels at times of need, suffering, blessings, and a lot of change and spiritual growth.
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Summary: A truly inspirational book
Review: Expecting Adam is truly a wonderful book, filled with humor, and extremelly well written. It helps put thing on perspective, even when one encounters what at first may seem like a huge obstacle to be happy.
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Summary: If You Ever Wondered Why You're Here, This Book Offers Clues
Review: My husband gave this book to me while we were vacationing on our honeymoon. I do not exaggerate when I say that this book changed my life and I will be forever thankful to my husband that I had the opportunity to read this book at only 25 years of age. Further, I am not surprised that Martha Beck eventually found her calling as a life/career counselor. When I recommend this book to friends, I have to stress that it is not merely a book about a woman who finds joy in the birth of her Downs Syndrome child. This is not a book that should be of interest merely to those who have relationships with disabled children. It is so much more! This book will gently offer you a glimpse into the spiritual world that you silently wonder about. This book will make you ask yourself, "What would I be doing if I weren't so afraid?" In sharing part of her journey, Martha Beck causes us to reflect upon the beautiful simple truths that we all know to be true, but somehow forgot. I shamelessly push this book onto anyone who I think might be receptive to its message. I have read it twice and each time I have walked away with an immense peace---the type that must be shared. Expecting Adam is an intelligently written book that will help you learn to love surprises. It will teach you to give what you can while not being afriad to take what you need. The best part of this book is that all of this wonderful insight shines forth gently. Only you can determine how much you would like to open yourself up and consider the alternatives to the life you have been living. Buy this book, read this book, pass it on, and then get your friends to do the same.
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Summary: Not your typical story...
Review: I found this book through a friend who teaches special education (I am also a special educator). This book helped me to see the parent's perspective--and the topic was applicable to more than just my professional arena. Ms. Beck helped me to understand grief and joy. After reading Expecting Adam, I am more aware of the little things that mean so much.
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Summary: Impossible to get out of your mind
Review: I read this book 2 weeks ago and I can't stop thinking about it. The author's story is very well written, explaining situations and thoughts in ways that make them very clear --- even when the idea of them is very abstract. When I found out what the book was about, I thought it may be a bit sappy, or overdone, however reading about the hard edged Harvard "requirements" of controlling the emotional side helped balance out all the waves of intense emotion throughout the book. A very enjoyable, interesting, memorable book. I read it in 2 nights because I couldn't put it down. I plan to give it as a gift to a friend who would also enjoy it.
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Summary: Great account of Ivy League v. the real world
Review: Sometimes it's really wonderful to be able to see into another person's world, and Martha Beck whole-heartedly drags the reader into the trials, tribulations, and miracles she experienced while expecting Adam. She presents a poignant story of what life at an Ivy League school can really be like. A story every skeptical Ivy League student should read before transferring, it helps to know there are others out there experiencing the same thing. A point which seems to apply to a number of aspects in one's life, when regarding this book. Overall, a wonderful read that I didn't want to end!
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Summary: Pre-Birth Communication brings reassurance
Review: This is one gripping story. As I read, I felt that this book will be a classic of pre-birth communication - and except for one small problem, I still think so.
It's the true story of a pregnancy and all the magical, mystical events that occur to protect the unborn child and create a powerful prenatal bond with both parents. We know from the beginning that this child will be born with Down's Syndrome, so it's clear that there are forces at work to ensure his survival. Without the series of big and small miracles that accompanied the pregnancy, it seems likely that Martha and John Beck (both ambitious Harvard graduate students) might have chosen abortion.
There are many experiences of pre-birth communication in Expecting Adam. Both parents have dream visions of their child as a wise and ageless being who feels like an old friend. Both sense that his name is Adam. And in addition, amazing rescues, healings, and synchronicities just keep happening. It appears that the lives of Martha and Adam were saved at least three times during this incredibly beleaguered pregnancy.
This book is all about soul connections. It's a tremendous affirmation of the idea that a baby is so much more than what appears on the surface. This is why it is such a gift to the understanding of pre-birth communication - except for the one small problem I mentioned earlier. I wish that Martha had not chosen to include the story of the psychic who told her,
"'Adam isn't like your other children... You see, Adam is an angel. Angels are different from other metaphysical beings,' she went on. 'Occasionally they decide to incarnate - to become
human for a while. Not that they have to, you understand. Sometimes that's just the best way to do what they want to do.'"
For all I know, this may be the literal truth about Adam, but it puts him in a special class by himself and moves those marvelous communication experiences far beyond what we anticipate in our own lives. But in fact, these are the typical kinds of soul-to-soul communications that are happening to parents all the time. You don't need to have an angel baby to sense a wise and loving presence, or to hear a name whispered in your heart's ear, or to receive deep reassurance in moments of crisis. In any case, I found this to be a wonderful story, marred for me only by the exaggerated portrayal of Harvard people as fairly inhuman.
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Summary: This book changed my life
Review: Martha Beck writes with great humor and clarity about the entrance into this world of an angel in the form of a Down Syndrome child. I felt her pain, agony, joy, and for myself, a rebirth. I read it twice in 1 week & will read it again & again. Adam is the kind of child that makes one believe/know that there is a God-there are angels-and they sometimes come in shapes & forms that are true gifts. Thank you Martha, for sharing this with the world. One cannot read this book without being changed forever.
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Summary: A spiritual journey
Review: Mrs. Beck's book, "Expecting Adam" is one I will reread and have recommended to family members. I found this book beautiful because in reading it I felt at peace with what she was relaying in her spiritual accounts. I agree with everything she was told by the "beings" who "spoke" to her because that is the spirituality with which I grew up. So many "spiritual" or religious books coming into print talk about devestation, the rapture, or the end of the world. I know in my heart the truth and Mrs. Beck reiterated it. Also in reading about her child, Adam, I would have felt honored to teach (I am a special educator)him, he sincerely sounds like a true angel.
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Summary: Good Book so far.....
Review: I haven't read the whole book, but so far it is good. It is also sad because the author Martha Beck, her son Adam has Down Syndrome, and it makes me sad just reading about it.
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