Rating: 
Summary: Tranforming
Review: I think Martha Beck's book would have been better by leaving out her personal bias of anti-Mormonism. I am LDS/aka Mormon and she exaggerates greatly about our beliefs. I think the book overall is precious how it shows a woman and mother being transformed into a new person. You can tell that her love is pure for Adam and that she has found new meaning in life. Anyone who views "retarded" people with any type of discomfort should read this book. I also think that anyone who has a special needs child or knows one will find comfort in this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read For Any Parent of a Special Needs Child
Review: As the mother of an autistic 5 year old son, and as a Roman Catholic, I approached this book with great enthusiasm after reading Susan Cheever's New York Times book review. It is one of the finest books I have ever read, and certainly the finest autobiographical account of the unique joys and challenges of raising a special needs child. One finds oneself falling head over heels in love with Adam, and with the kind perserverence of his parents. The spiritual aspect of the book makes it doubly rewarding, and life-affirming. It is an astounding book and one that I will be distributing generously at Christmas time. If you read only one book over the next 6 months, make it this one. And hurry.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down, but I did not want it to end!
Review: Martha Beck has a quirky, brilliant way of writing that hooks you from the first chapter. After reading Chapter One, I was compelled to call my closest friend and read it out loud. Being a mother to a child with Down syndrome, I am proud to have her in our "fraternity"! I have read most of the literature out there in regards to a parents' perspective of coping with the birth (and rebirth!) of a child with "DS" and her book is far and above the best one written to date. She lets everyone in on "our little secret", which is, that our special children become the best part of our lives. I am anxiously awaiting an update about Adam!
Rating:
Summary: Loved it.
Review: It made me laugh, cry etc.etc. I have given it to many friends who were touched, moved, and inspired in numerous ways. Expecting Adam is a remarkable account of some extrordinary events and people and yet has simple and ordinary implications: Trust your self and your "gut" feelings, they are real. Be honest and open your heart...purpose and joy will come barrelling in.(ready or not)
Rating: 
Summary: Enough already.
Review: Dr. Beck seems to be a nice, and intelligent, person. Unfortunately, she also has a privileged, "I'm-so-special" whine that drive me bananas as I slogged through his book. Yes, Martha felt out of place at Harvard, but she got her doctorate, so there. (For all her talking about nasty-Harvard-folks, it seems like quite a few of them went out of their way to help her.) Yes, Adam has Down's syndrome, but he's an oracle of Zen wisdom in a way no normal child could be, so there. Yes, her "family of origin" had problems, but they're soooo brilliant, so there. She decided that she wanted to write books and not be burdened with a workaday life. The Bunraku puppeteers stepped in, so there. "Tedious" does not begin to describe it. After about sixty pages, I wanted Dr. Beck to just come right out and say that "I'm one of the Elect and you are not" just to get it over with.Where this book was most effective was in the present. Adam sounds like a terrific kid, and I would have liked to have heard more from him. I thought his mother focused way too much on how special having HIM made HER. Oh, please.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable read
Review: I enjoyed reading Dr. Beck's but and couldn't wait to get back to it. I found some of her discussion of the experinces the "Bunraku puppets" over the top. I did, however, find the book thought provoking and has already given several topics of discussion with my husband. I don't necessarily agreee with many of the writer's beliefs, but I found her writing enjoyable and worth discussion and reccomendation.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment!
Review: I was discouraged when I read this book. I had heard wonderful things about it and looked forward to reading "Expecting Adam" -- a selection for our book club. I was unhappy with the author's writing style -- she really does not write very well. It was too much of a memoir of her less than positive experience at Harvard and I kept thinking we were supposed to feel sorry for her. Going to Harvard full time, raising a child and then learning she was expecting a child with down's syndrome. Please, there are far more demanding problems in life! The paranormal experiences did not add much either. I would not recommend this book. It was a major disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: A Disappointing Book
Review: I heard Martha Beck interviewed on the radio last fall and thought her book sounded interesting. It has taken me this long to find it in my library. I was put off by her way of going back and forth between present, past and future. It spoiled the flow of the story. The Harvard experience sounds awful, but Ivy League people have that mind set. As a Midwesterner I know, but don't let it bother me. There are many more important things than a degree from Harvard which I think she finally found out. The paranormal experiences were interesting and believable, but am sure bothered some readers. The last few pages (316-18) were the best.
Rating:
Summary: Expecting Adam
Review: The most popular piece in our book club in at least 2 years. Everyone found something in which to relate: From the early home life of the couple, to the view of peers at Harvard, to the Spiritual side. The story is very well written, intelligent, humorous, and time frame is easy to follow.
Rating:
Summary: An Incredible Read!
Review: As a mother of an eight month old baby with Down Syndrome, I avoided this book at first because I thought it would be too wrenching and close to home. It had the opposite effect. It has been an absolutely incredible experience. Martha Beck bravely and genuinely shares her true account of her pregnancy and experiences before and after her son Adam's birth. She discovers he has Down Syndrome before he is born but cannot even consider abortion. Throughout the nine months, Martha (and her husband)experience many paranormal/spiritual events. This might seem unconvincing or even wacky from any other source, but as a Harvard trained academician, Martha makes her story not only plausible but grippingly real. Her sense of humor is hilarious and I openly laughed out loud several times! I also openly wept at her raw and vivid descriptions of the revulsion so many of us have for those who are different. I think this book is a fantastic tool for parents of children with disabilities to give to the outside world. This is how we see our children, truly! It would also be a terrific book for any teacher or educator to read. To me, it's been a hope, a salve, an inspiration.
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