Rating: 
Summary: A Surprising Read
Review: I took this book out of the library at my college, thinking that, at best, it'd be a "big person goes to visit the world of Little People" kind of thing. Objective. Curious.It was anything but. I was fascinated by how the author begins by being repulsed by and fascinated with the people he meets, and then begins to think of them as real people, sharing in their triumphs and hurts - while still realizing that there is, and will always be, a barrier there that he cannot cross, and doesn't want to. It is a brutally honest book in all its parts, and I consider it to be one of the best non-fiction books I've ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: About much more than Dwarves
Review: I'll be honest and concede that I'm only about two thirds of the way through this book, but so far it's extrememly interesting and thought provoking. It goes well beyond the subject of dwarfism to much grander subjects such as beauty and bias, but not simply as an attack on the big bad tall people. It definately encourages a view of contemplation and tolerance.
Rating: 
Summary: The cynical journalist leaves little to admire
Review: Journalist John H. Richardson attended a Little People of America convention looking for a story he could turn into a book. But the perfect story did not emerge immediately and so Richardson, cynical journalist that he seems to be, apparently decided to force a story. What emerges is more a voyeuristic look into the methods and musings of a journalist than the intimate look at "dwarfs" that Richardson may have intended. Early in the book, the author muses over how he should approach his story. He is critical of those who write "little people with big hearts" stories and sets out to do something different. He succeeds. This book comes off as little people through the eyes of a little heart. Richardson chronicles his involvement with a brassy female dwarf ; the blossoming love of a dwarf couple ; and a crippled teen female dwarf who suffers through multiple surgeries with her maladjusted mother. The author takes the subjects on his own terms, works his way into their lives, and gains their trust so that he can expose their worst personality traits with diminished attention to any warmth that they might possess. The author writes very well as may be expected from one who writes for a living. His coverage of the world of little people is fairly complete with significant discussions on the medical treatment of dwarfism through surgery and therapy. He delves too deeply into the philosophical view of dwarfism through the ages. And he delves deeply into the relationships between little people, their families, friends and others who surround them. He graphically chronicles the stress that dwarfism can place on a family and even more graphically portrays the havoc that can occur when one turns outside one's family for moral support. Most of all, however, Ricahrdson depicts the way in which a journalist can invite himself into another person's life to spin a story in his own direction. Although Richardson documents the hurt expressed by some of those who read his blunt newspaper coverage of the Little People of America convention, he sheds any personal remorse and continues his calloused views to the end of this book. I can only hope that those same people hurt by Richardson's newspaper work will save themselves the pain of reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Big Story
Review: Mr. Richardson has a unique perspective; like being an alien dropped into an LPA convention. Frankly, it's the LP's (little people) who usually feel the way Mr. Richardson does, which is quite an interesting thought flipped over. It's not how much different dwarves are to the world, it's how they perceive themselves and when all is said, they are human after all with needs the same as everyone else. Thank you's go to this book and Mr. Richardson for giving the "talls" something to chew about including a portrayal of one "obsessed but saintly" orthopaedic surgeon Steven Kopits who has since retired and how this doctor has sacrificed his career and his family to make LP's more functional. This book and Dr. Kopits have both succeeded in a very "big" way.
Rating:
Summary: IN THE LITTLE WORLD really opened my eyes
Review: Once on OPRAH I'd heard a guest state that if we white people say we are not prejudiced, then we ARE and we are in denial. I was worried. Did she mean me? Lately I've been reading a lot about dwarfism, fiction and nonfiction. (The LPA/Amazon booklist has been a great resource). Richardson's book was the one that forced me to rethink my feelings and opinions about the little world. I am an average sized woman with a baby niece with achondroplasia. For years, even before she was born, I had been fascinated by dwarfism so I welcomed her with a soaring heart. I felt special, chosen, to be family to this little person. I saw IN THE LITTLE WORLD as another book that could add to my awareness and it did, but not as I'd expected. The words are sometimes brutally honest, sometimes irritating, but always moving and informative. Just as many authors have done with fictional accounts, average sized people can use dwarfs' sometimes traumatic experiences as metaphors to their own personal anguish. John Richarson bares his soul striving to see how patronizing it is to use dwarfs' struggles in this tall world for our own benefit; "They're different, and they're brave", we say, "...just like me!" This is still stereotyping and discriminatory thinking, not to mention egoism! Well, Richardson's reporting caught me in the act, so to speak. Dwarfs are people. Why should they be arbitrarily elevated onto a pedestal or be dropped into the depths of pity for simply living their lives? Attitude is the disability! Here is a strong voice and a new perspective from the average sized world saying: Stop the brazen condescension! Thank you to all the little people who spoke so honestly through this account and to John Richardson for taking risks telling an often difficult story.
Rating:
Summary: Harsh and Human.
Review: Richardson crafts a skillful read of his journey from a Little People of America convention through a year of continued association with several of the people he meets. As he explicitly states, Richardson isn't out to show holy triumph over physical limitations, but rather presents his subjects and self in all of their imperfect, neurotic glory. The conventional-sized mother of a dwarf needing expensive and painful surgery becomes consumed by her daughter's needs and develops an internet obsession as her family fractures. Richardson honestly grapples with his physical discomfort regarding dwarfism. Strangest of all is his description of the borderline stalker relationship with "Andrea", his unrelenting and militantly-opinionated correspondent. Tall or small, they're all a bundle of nerves and it's a fascinating read. Drags a bit in places, with tiresome but necessary repetitious descriptions of e-mail correspondence, but well worth checking out.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating psychological study
Review: This book is a fascinating study of dwarfism, disabilities, beauty, and prejudice. Richardson's honesty with himself and the people he meets at the LPA convention, along with his keen insight into human psychology makes for a riveting, eye-opening, enlightening book.
Rating:
Summary: Gossip and Details
Review: This book is about someone who goes knocking on someone's door and listens to their family genetics and secrets. I truely doubt the public will be interested, unless your a dwarf. Especially if you want to see where your at in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating!
Review: This book is informative and a must-read. I never really knew too much about dwarves, their lives and what they go through on a daily basis. More importantly, I had no concept of the struggle they endure due to their obvious differences from others. This amazing book documents the lives of numerous dwarves and their families lives and how it affects them. Though I will never truly know what it is like to be a "little person," this book definitely gave me valuable insight. Don't be fooled: this book is not just depressing - it has many funny and inspiring stories that makes it hard to put down. Most importantly, Richardson's honesty is what makes this book really work because you can identify with him throughout the book because he came into writing this book as an outsider - and when he was done writing the book, and I was done reading it, we both had a better understanding of a world that was once foreign to us.
Rating:
Summary: Insight for everyone -- short or tall
Review: What could have been simply a voyeuristic look into an underreported world becomes something much greater in the hands of John Richardson. Unlike many reporters, Richardson has the philospohical chops to provide real meaning to what he witnesses, and to bring out truths that aren't obvious to the naked eye. Throughout the book, Richardson surprises by often focusing his energy on the fears and hidden motivations of "normal" people -- the parents, the siblings, the doctors, the gawkers. If anyone should feel discomfited by the book, it's not the dwarves, it's the tall people -- myself included -- who have so much difficulty dealing with what the "little people" represent.
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