Review: So Vivid and Honest!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 1, 2013
Title:  The Courage to SurrenderAuthor:  John W.Reviewer:  George ShadowSummary:This is a book for individuals and the collective family. It is about the dangers of excessive drinking and drug abuse. A true story chronicled for everyone with this problem by an ex-notorious drunk and drug abuser, whose life-changing story is really a revelation for those in need of help from this ignoble and addictive behavior fueled by the pop culture of our world. John W. narrates in this heartbreaking tale the many years of his youthful life during which he wasted away in the throes of getting high with addictive drugs like marijuana, and `going away' to a `happy place' after a fitful episode of binge drinking. At the point in life where he would have lost his life had he taken a step further into this offensive lifestyle or disease as he so aptly calls it, he decides it is time to make a u-turn, and a u-turn he did eventually make after a bitter struggle with himself and his behavior. This book is his story, of one holding on to something even in the face of blinding defeat. Of one who saw the truth in the words of President Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States; that the definition of hope is to still believe, even when it is hard.Social/Historical Context:So what can one add to the many pieces of detailed literature clogging the internet and our libraries on the dangers and effects of drug use or addictive alcoholism? Not much, really, except that the presence of these two social vices has been with us for many centuries. Alcohol dependence affects a broad section of the public around the world. Figures show that it touches thriving business administrators, skilled work force, laborers, homemakers, and members of every religion. Drug abuse has a similar pattern.Writing Style:The book is written in the first person and as a memoir by the author. The English is fluent and the writing is fluid, detailed and quite revealing. Apart from a misplacement of very few words, no other grammatical error was noticed by the reviewer. Since the author was writing his life's story, it also cannot be said that the story is an exaggeration since it does not contradict itself.My Thoughts:The author chronicles the early years of his life, what got him drinking and how he adapted to this gaudy lifestyle, even when he got married. It also details his wife's role in the downhill story, as well as the embarrassing moments and events involving his kids, which he would do anything to take back. In this book, the author really broke down his life's journey, and the last pages are quite hopeful for the teeming millions on Earth still bugged down with this seemingly perpetual disease, which continues to evade a cure through the intervention of modern orthodox medicine. This book is worth recommending to any alcohol and drug addict in need of help, and this I gladly do with heartfelt praise to John W.George Shadow is the author of THE BLACK BOOK.