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Unchained: A Journey from Abuse to Inspiration
This is the story of an abused, troubled, twelve-year-old boy who was taken from his mother and stepfather and placed in Boys Home of Va. from 1956-1963. How did it come to this, and what happened to this boy going forward? Who were the people and what were the themes and experiences that against all odds, helped shape him and turn him into a functioning member of society? A boy who escaped his beleaguered past to become a husband, father, church leader, and Christian summer camp director. He spent thirty plus years teaching and coaching, impacting thousands of lives in a positive way. That boy is me, and these are my stories of faith, love, brotherhood, compassion, transformation, and resilience.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2023
9 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 28, 2023
Incredible story of an incredible person. So glad to know him and that he shared this in book form!
October 19, 2023
How childhood abuse led to a life of faith and giving
I just read this book and couldn’t put it down. The author, as a child living in Virginia, suffered horrifying abuse. Yet he had a resilience about him, knowing right from wrong and always tried to do right. Abuse is always difficult to read but this memoir does not dwell on it but rather it sets the background to his story. Eventually he became a ward of the court and was sent to live at a Boys Home. I read about his adjustments to dormitory living with many other boys and his love of sports. He continued his path toward becoming a whole person through education, sports, faith and coaching. I highly recommend this book. It shows what the human body and mind can do to recover and go on to help others. Anyone working with or knowing a child who is going through difficult times should read this for a first hand perspective.
I just read this book and couldn’t put it down. The author, as a child living in Virginia, suffered horrifying abuse. Yet he had a resilience about him, knowing right from wrong and always tried to do right. Abuse is always difficult to read but this memoir does not dwell on it but rather it sets the background to his story. Eventually he became a ward of the court and was sent to live at a Boys Home. I read about his adjustments to dormitory living with many other boys and his love of sports. He continued his path toward becoming a whole person through education, sports, faith and coaching. I highly recommend this book. It shows what the human body and mind can do to recover and go on to help others. Anyone working with or knowing a child who is going through difficult times should read this for a first hand perspective.
January 26, 2024
A bittersweet life
This was a deep and sometimes dark book to read. Mike’s journey through life was certainly a struggle as a young boy and young adult. Not only has he had lots of angels to help him through low times, but he has been an angel to many kids and adults. This is certainly a feel good book and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
This was a deep and sometimes dark book to read. Mike’s journey through life was certainly a struggle as a young boy and young adult. Not only has he had lots of angels to help him through low times, but he has been an angel to many kids and adults. This is certainly a feel good book and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
January 21, 2025
I Felt What Mike Felt!
Not all authors are able to convey what they are feeling the way Mike did. My husband is Boys’ Home Boy, and reading Mike’s book finally made me aware of what life was like for my husband on the Hill. Mike took me along from beginning to end, what he felt, I was able to feel. Thanks, Mike, for making it real.
Not all authors are able to convey what they are feeling the way Mike did. My husband is Boys’ Home Boy, and reading Mike’s book finally made me aware of what life was like for my husband on the Hill. Mike took me along from beginning to end, what he felt, I was able to feel. Thanks, Mike, for making it real.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews