Survived by One


Book Description

On November 8, 1985, 18-year-old Tom Odle brutally murdered his parents and three siblings in the small southern Illinois town of Mount Vernon, sending shockwaves throughout the nation. The murder of the Odle family remains one of the most horrific family mass murders in U.S. history. Odle was sentenced to death and, after seventeen years on death row, expected a lethal injection to end his life. However, Illinois governor George Ryan’s moratorium on the death penalty in 2000, and later commutation of all death sentences in 2003, changed Odle’s sentence to natural life. The commutation of his death sentence was an epiphany for Odle. Prior to the commutation of his death sentence, Odle lived in denial, repressing any feelings about his family and his horrible crime. Following the commutation and the removal of the weight of eventual execution associated with his death sentence, he was confronted with an unfamiliar reality. A future. As a result, he realized that he needed to understand why he murdered his family. He reached out to Dr. Robert Hanlon, a neuropsychologist who had examined him in the past. Dr. Hanlon engaged Odle in a therapeutic process of introspection and self-reflection, which became the basis of their collaboration on this book. Hanlon tells a gripping story of Odle’s life as an abused child, the life experiences that formed his personality, and his tragic homicidal escalation to mass murder, seamlessly weaving into the narrative Odle’s unadorned reflections of his childhood, finding a new family on death row, and his belief in the powers of redemption. As our nation attempts to understand the continual mass murders occurring in the U.S., Survived by One sheds some light on the psychological aspects of why and how such acts of extreme carnage may occur. However, Survived by One offers a never-been-told perspective from the mass murderer himself, as he searches for the answers concurrently being asked by the nation and the world.




One Base at a Time


Book Description

On July 10, 1981, David Mellor was just a baseball-crazed kid, a star high school pitcher preparing to go to college and dreaming of one day taking the mound in Fenway Park for his beloved Boston Red Sox. His dream was derailed as he crossed the parking lot of a McDonald’s. He heard the racing engine, but couldn’t defend himself against the car coming straight at him. It sent him flying through the air and into a wall, where it hit him again and pinned him, severely damaging his knee and destroying his hope of ever being a Major League pitcher. In the wake of the accident, even as he reached the major leagues as a groundskeeper, David was tortured by the aftermath of his injuries and additional traumas, including being struck by a car again, this time in the outfield of Milwaukee’s County Stadium while he was working on overhauling the field for the Milwaukee Brewers. He suffered terribly from anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks, completely unaware that he was experiencing the debilitating symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly known as PTSD. One Base at a Time recounts in vivid detail his subsequent twenty-nine-year struggle with PTSD. This harrowing but inspiring story, documents the remarkable journey of a man debilitated by physical and psychological injuries who refused to give up even when everything seemed hopeless. After a fortuitous event, he admitted to needing help, sought effective treatment and turned his life around. It’s a powerful, helpful outline of the steps one needs to take to overcome the powerful hold PTSD has on one’s life. One Base at a Time is a must read for anyone suffering in silence or anyone who knows someone suffering in the wake of severe traumatic events. Those who seem broken can be fixed and live a happy, fulfilling life. “Dave is a truly unique person. His passion, hard work, creativity, and love for baseball gives life to Fenway Park. It gives intensity to us as ball players and pushes us to put on a show night after night. Dave is as much a part of the Red Sox team as anyone and his life and the adversity he has overcome is really inspiring.”—David “Big Papi” Ortiz “The true star of Fenway Park is not one of the Red Sox players; it is the esteemed groundskeeper David Mellor. This is a powerful memoir, taking David from his days as a potential big league pitcher through the time when, after his dreams came to a traumatic halt, he battled PTSD and eventually returned to the diamond after conquering his demons. It is an inspiring story, and I encourage all baseball fans to read this motivating book.”—Tom Werner, Chairman of the Boston Red Sox “Every now and then someone really special comes into your life. David Mellor is one of those special people. Whether he’s hand cutting the infield grass or making it possible for 30,000 people to run across the plate at Fenway you know you are in the presence of greatness. If you feel the need for inspiration or motivation, read his book, get up off the couch and get back in the game.”—Lenny Clarke, Comedian/Actor “David’s long battle with PTSD and chronic debilitating pain, all while he worked a demanding job full time, is a powerful story that will help many who suffer silently with these conditions. You cannot help but be captivated and inspired by his road to recovery, fueled by a determination to never give up, never give in.” —Padma Gulur MD, Professor of Anesthesiology, Vice Chair, Operations and Performance, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University “The reality is that PTSD is not only found in men and women returning from battle. It rears its ugly head in all aspects of our society, from those abused as children to people scarred from having observed a terrible crime…. If you have PTSD or know someone who does, read this book!”—Jeff Arle, MD, PhD, Neurosurgeon, Harvard Medical School




Living When a Loved One Has Died


Book Description

When someone you love dies, Earl Grollman writes, "there is no way to predict how you will feel. The reactions of grief are not like recipes, with given ingredients, and certain results. . . . Grief is universal. At the same time it is extremely personal. Heal in your own way." If someone you know is grieving, Living When a Loved One Has Died can help. Earl Grollman explains what emotions to expect when mourning, what pitfalls to avoid, and how to work through feelings of loss. Suitable for pocket or bedside, this gentle book guides the lonely and suffering as they move through the many facets of grief, begin to heal, and slowly build new lives.




Only One Survived


Book Description




Always Remember Me


Book Description

A family's survival of the Jewish Holocaust during World War II in Hitler's Germany.




Survived By No One?


Book Description

Angelika's obituary had to be wrong...In the summer of 2014, Angelika Harder-Russo passed quietly from this earth. Little did Karen Spicer-Wolven know that the search for Angelika’s family would help her survive her own darkest days and learn the true value of human connection. This story began based solely on the 82 letters and over 300 photos that Karen retrieved from the trash in Angelika’s home. As she tried to piece together Angelika’s life story, Karen learned that there are no “facts”—simply documented accounts of events recorded through someone else’s lens, which is what Angelika’s photos and letters provided: her version of life in post-WWII Germany; her perspective of her own romance, family conflict, survival and the fear and excitement of leaving Germany to become an American military wife. Survived by No One? is told through the eyes of a brave young mother who endured war, poverty and incredible heartache. Angelika survived it all, but who survived her? This book takes the reader on Karen’s journey through Angelika’s letters, photos, documents and eventually a trip to Bavaria, Germany, to finally share Angelika’s story with her family. It turns out that Angelika Harder-Russo has many "survivors."




American Lumberman


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The Lady Who Died One and A Half Times and Other Fantasies


Book Description

Embark on a spellbinding journey into the realm of imagination with "The Lady Who Died One and A Half Times and Other Fantasies" by Manoj Das. This captivating collection of short stories invites readers to explore the magical worlds and fantastical landscapes crafted by one of India's most celebrated authors. Join renowned storyteller Manoj Das as he weaves a tapestry of enchanting tales, each brimming with mystery, wonder, and the supernatural. From ancient myths to modern fables, these stories transport readers to realms where anything is possible and the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. In "The Lady Who Died One and A Half Times and Other Fantasies," Das showcases his mastery of the short story form, effortlessly blending elements of folklore, mythology, and the supernatural to create narratives that are as thought-provoking as they are entertaining. Through his evocative prose and vivid imagery, he invites readers to suspend disbelief and immerse themselves in the magic of storytelling. With its eclectic mix of themes and settings, "The Lady Who Died One and A Half Times and Other Fantasies" offers something for every reader, whether you're a fan of traditional folklore or contemporary fantasy. Das's rich imagination and keen insight into the human condition ensure that each story leaves a lasting impression, sparking contemplation and wonder long after the final page is turned. Since its publication, "The Lady Who Died One and A Half Times and Other Fantasies" has captivated readers with its enchanting tales and evocative storytelling. Das's ability to blend the mundane with the magical, the ordinary with the extraordinary, has earned him widespread acclaim as one of India's foremost writers of fantasy and speculative fiction. As you journey through the pages of "The Lady Who Died One and A Half Times and Other Fantasies," you'll be transported to worlds beyond imagination, where dreams come to life and the impossible becomes possible. Das's lyrical prose and imaginative storytelling will captivate your senses and ignite your imagination, inviting you to explore the boundless realms of fantasy. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of "The Lady Who Died One and A Half Times and Other Fantasies" by Manoj Das. Grab your copy now and prepare to be enchanted by a collection of stories that will transport you to worlds beyond your wildest dreams.