Life Is So Good

Rating:
Summary: "Ninety years later, I still don't like peppermint."
Review: The quote that titles this review is written at the end of chapter one. It is a chapter that were it to be isolated as a short story, it would make the final list for any awards in that category.

There is no book I can compare this to, but if you take the wisdom of "Tuesday's With Morrie" and the struggles and triumph of the human spirit of "Angela's Ashes", you begin to approach this book, the story of the life of Mr. George Dawson.

Mr. Dawson started school when he was 98 years old. He is now approaching 102 and continues to work for his High School Equivalency Degree. It is difficult to describe this man, as he has no peers who have shared his 102 year life. Four wives shared parts of his life, but Mr. Dawson continues to live after they all have passed away. Mr. Dawson does note that many women would like to marry him now, and he has not ruled the possibility out.

What is Mr. Dawson like? In the book he muses as to why people say everything tastes like chicken, as an example Rattlesnake. However no one ever says anything tastes like Rattlesnake. Mr. Dawson is not "like" anybody. He is unlike anyone you know, anyone you have read about, he is an original, one of a kind. Every day that his life advances he becomes more unique, more of a treasure.

The final chapters of this book are as dramatic as the first. Mr. Dawson has a decision to make, a decision that either will allow this book to become a reality, or for his life to remain kept only to those who have known him. To make this decision he relies upon advice his Father had given him as a young man. His Father followed this advice throughout his own 99 year life, and as Mr. Dawson states, "between my Father and I it worked for over 200 years".

This is an astonishing story of a man who lived every year of the 20th century, a bit of the 19th, and is now exploring the 21st.

The book tells a story that is remarkable, as the story it shares is of a life that has taken part in 3 centuries.

A book that will make your all-time favorite list!

Rating:
Summary: Life Is So Good
Review: I Love it. It show you your very to old to learn

Rating:
Summary: A compelling, human story
Review: This story is a mesmerizing account of a life of unshakeable optimism. Through the viewpoint of a single man, we see a methodical, clear, and consistently coherent approach to living life. An approach to life poignantly described by experiences virtually none of us have directly had, yet practically all of us are able to appreciate, understand, and relate to.

So the result of reading this book is not only to view one man's inspiring journey, but rather to see how the most important things in life come to us through those timeless and priceless lessons we learn. The lessons that shape us as individuals and in large part determine the success and happiness that we are able to achieve. Without regard to race, or station in life, Mr. Dawson shows us that the most fundamental aspects of life, faith, and love are what we set them out to be.

A well written, easy-to-read story which can help us resolve the complexities of contemporary life if we can only appreciate more, be less judgmental, and be satisfied with doing our best.

Rating:
Summary: AMAZING BOOK
Review: This is the kind of book I feel like taking the time out for.It's so moving and emotional,and yet so practical.I felt like I have so much after I read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Life is So Good
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I especially enjoyed the free and gentle spirit of a special man known as Mr. Dawson. My hat is off to Mr. Richard Glaubman for putting Mr. Dawsons' story into words. I will never forget that a person lives to be 101 because he/she is a witness to the truth. No matter what written history says, there will always be a witness to the truth.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: From the first chapter, an event that happens when Mr. Dawson was 10, to the last chapter, where there is "only" a dialogue, this book is riveting and very touching. I could hardly put it down (except that life sometimes insists on getting in the way :). Mr. Dawson has seen a lot of stuff, has immense wisdom, and is a great role model for us all, but yet neither he nor Mr. Glaubman are heavy handed at all. There is a light touch, a friendly, subtle touch, to the book, while, magically, it is simultaneously most profound. If you were to read only one book this year, this perhaps should be the one.

Rating:
Summary: Share this with friends and family
Review: I originally bought 2 copies and am now ordering 9 more copies. There is so much wisdom in this book. It is a primer on life. It goes beyond "Tuesdays with Morrie". George Dawson is so positive and upbeat. I agree with the previous reviewer that this should be mandatory reading in schools, but I would lower the grades to Junior High School and maybe even 5th and 6th graders. George gives us a black man's perspective of life in the South in the first half of the 1900's. He also gives us an excellent work ethic and model for living. White and black children alike would benefit from the historical perspective. We all can benefit from his little philosophical statements here and there. I had lots of smiles while reading this, plus many tears. I remember the South (I'm white) when bathrooms, drinking fountains and restaurants were segregated. I was a child from California, to whom this was foreign. George brings these memories back, but in a non-judgemental way. He experienced the introduction of cars and airplanes, as well as the tragedy at Columbine High School. Through out, he has respect for others and a tolerance for differing perspectives. Buy this book. Read it, and then pass it on. Share it with your children. Discuss the contents. George Dawson has truly given us all a remarkable gift.

Rating:
Summary: Life is Good
Review: The reader is immediately introduced to life in east Texas through the eyes of a young black boy named George Dawson. At the age of ten, George is an eyewitness to the lynching of an innocent black teenager, who happens to be his friend, by an angry mob of local white men. This lynching is only the beginning of a well documented story of how life really was for a black living in the south . George has no chance to attend school, since his labor is needed to help support the family, but this does not deter George from having a positive outlook on life. Through out the book, George always is able to find a bright side and give thanks for what most people take for granted. At an early age, George is instructed by his father how black are expected to "respect" whites and not to ever do business with them. It is not until George is almost 100 years old does he finally break away from everything his father taught him and decides to do business with Richard Glaubman, the author of this book. We are very fortunate that George does decide to let Mr. Glaubman write of his life as the reader, especially white readers, finally see how life was for a black growing up in America from 1898 until the present. At the age of 98, George is able to start school and finally fulfill his life long desire to read. George is an inspiration to anyone who reads this book and Mr. Glaubman does an excellent job in documenting George's work and travel. His interaction with George, both as a friend and an author, helps to break the barrier of whites and blacks that has been instilled in George since his early childhood. I feel grateful that I read an article in THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE about Mr. Dawson as I immediately ordered the book and read it at once. This reviewer feels that this book should be on the mandatory reading list for all high school students, in hope that it would help the reader learn how to interact with others who may be different and most important that "LIFE IS SO GOOD".

Rating:
Summary: INSPIRING AND POIGNANT
Review: The reader will soon see the similarity between "Life Is So Good" and "Roots," and we all know what a success the latter book became. George Dawson will inspire and motivate readers to contemplate, not what they do not have but, the simple blessings life has bestowed upon them. George learned first hand that education goes far beyond school books and educational facilities; he takes us on a quest for knowledge in the real world. The majority of his education came from the "school of hard knocks" and his desire to gain more knowledge never ceased. How many of us would have the energy and commitment to learn to read at the age of 98?

The story dates back to recollections George has of his family, to the days of his grandmother who was a slave during her childhood. The book and George's life are a ray of hope for anyone who feels they are restricted by the barriers of their past of their lack of formal eduation. The only flaw in the book was the conclusion. Most of the pertinent information was presented to the reader during the first half of the book; here the reader is kept absorbed by captivating events in George's life. In the second half, the book wound down rather quickly and lost momentum and zest in the final pages. It almost appeared the authors were in a hurry to finalize the pages, and the book is relatively short for such an interesting life story. "Life Is So Good" is still deserving of a four-star rating for George's incredible determination and his understanding that education is a life-long process. The book should definitely be an inspiration to others who feel they are restricted by certain limitations, whatever they may be.

Rating:
Summary: 104 and still going¿
Review: Imagine being the grandson of slaves, learning how to read at the age of 98 and living through one whole century. A rare life like this is proudly owned by one very lucky man named George Dawson. A writer named Richard Glaubman and George wrote a book together called "Life is so Good". This book takes you on an amazing adventure through this man's life. He lived all the way back to the awful times of segregation between blacks and whites, and the Depression at the beginning of the 20th century. Fast forward the date all the way to the 21st century, he is still as healthy and active as ever at the age of 104. One of the things I enjoyed the most about Mr. Dawson's book was that he would always do his very best and never gave up even when things were really tough.