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The Boy Born Dead: A Story of Friendship, Courage, and Triumph
In 1953, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, a baby boy was born--dead. The attending physician set his little body aside and tended to his mother for eighteen minutes. Now, more than sixty years later, that boy leads an internationally known ministry that encourages hundreds of thousands every year. The Boy Born Dead traces the roots of this harrowing, humorous, and heartfelt story.
Few American epics of tragedy, intrigue, friendship, and faith will entertain and challenge the soul like the narrative inspired by the real-life events of David Ring--a boy literally born dead who survives but not without sobering consequences. Living with the harsh realities of cerebral palsy, Ring faces impossible odds yet stumbles into an improbable life of inspiration and influence in the small, unassuming town of Liberty, Missouri, in the 1960s.
As a teenage boy, Ring finds himself tragically orphaned and being shuffled about to various homes. Along this journey, he faces secret, unspeakable atrocities that eventually plunge him into the depths of depression and attempted suicide. But amid the harsh troubles of life, he encounters another boy his age named David, the son of a local pastor. Their unlikely friendship begins on the rocks, but eventually develops into something extraordinary and unique that alters the trajectory of both of their lives--and the whole town of Liberty--forever.
Few American epics of tragedy, intrigue, friendship, and faith will entertain and challenge the soul like the narrative inspired by the real-life events of David Ring--a boy literally born dead who survives but not without sobering consequences. Living with the harsh realities of cerebral palsy, Ring faces impossible odds yet stumbles into an improbable life of inspiration and influence in the small, unassuming town of Liberty, Missouri, in the 1960s.
As a teenage boy, Ring finds himself tragically orphaned and being shuffled about to various homes. Along this journey, he faces secret, unspeakable atrocities that eventually plunge him into the depths of depression and attempted suicide. But amid the harsh troubles of life, he encounters another boy his age named David, the son of a local pastor. Their unlikely friendship begins on the rocks, but eventually develops into something extraordinary and unique that alters the trajectory of both of their lives--and the whole town of Liberty--forever.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2015
69 people are currently reading
860 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
April 16, 2016
David Ring is one of the most inspiring people I've ever met. This book does him a great injustice and it's filled with lies all in the name of "creative non-fiction." It's truly sad because David Ring's story should be told as a simple chronological narrative by an outside biographer. There is no need to embellish it. If someone took the time to research his background and interview people involved, the simple story could change readers' lives.
The lie starts on the cover. David Ring's name is listed as the main author but he didn't write it. Instead, it's actually "written" by someone else from the perspective of a childhood friend Wideman that they asked to use his name. Confused? It's just plain bizarre.
Here's my biggest suggestion before you read this--go to the back of the book and read the "Writer's Note." You'll find that the writer is actually John Driver, a guy who appears to be hired as a type of named ghost-writer who was supposed to spice up Ring's story with all sorts of made-up scenarios and dialogue that just plain weren't true. Those few pages in the back will reveal that Ring didn't write the book even though Ring's name is on the cover (thus it's accurately categorized on the back cover as a "biography"). Just ask yourself--when's the last time you read a book with the person's name on the cover as author but it's called a "biography" instead of an "autobiography?" The answer is probably never. So we know right away something's wrong.
Then in the back Driver admits that there are "ribbons of fictitious elements running throughout...I took the liberty of adding other minor characters, changing names or dates to protect certain people, or adding events to help the story move along." HUH? You mean the amazing story of Ring's tragic family, birth, cerebral palsy, and conversion were not dramatic enough??? Then the writer says that his approach was similar to movies like Blind Side and A Beautiful Mind, where it's a fictionalized version "based on a true story." So he uses a two-hour movie structure to create a supposedly non-fiction biography. It makes no sense because there's no need to create fake characters or dialogue on the written page.
Since he doesn't tell you this information up front (as he should have) you read the entire book thinking it's all true, only at the end to find out it's not all true. So what is true and what isnt'? Well, we don't know. It's obvious that they have no way of knowing the exact words the doctor said in the room when David was born, but that doesn't stop them from making the words up! They have no idea what words David's late mother used when she told the 3-year-old boy that she just kicked his daddy out after she cheated, yet they use quotation marks and paint a story of a mother holding a child to her bosom. Those things didn't happen that way because they have no idea how they happened, so they made things up.
Why would a Christian publisher allow such lies and fiction in a book called a "biography?" This was so poorly conceived. Ring's story is so amazing it gets lost in the ridiculously over-dramatic storytelling that sounds like a bad soap opera, then in the time-shifting structure of jumping around to different years which only confuses everything. And the book ends with the year 1970! The rest of his life is summarized in a few pages tossed in as an afterthought. This preacher must have amazing stories to tell about his ministry and what has happened since then...where are they?
Driver's writing is worse than a red-inked high school creative English project. Wideman should be embarrassed for allowing his name to be improperly used in the first-person account, where 250 pages of words put into his mouth. And David Ring made one really bad choice in how to approach this book. Now I don't believe anything about his story because they've admitted that they lied throughout the book.
How could they possibly wreck such an amazing spiritual transformation? My guess is that someone convinced somebody that this type of over-dramatized fakery is the stuff Hollywood gobbles up to make into a movie, making it bait for a possible movie treatment (thus the author's comparison to "based on a true story" films). They didn't trust that Ring's story alone was interesting enough. So this "Christian" book, that could have let the pure truth of the word inspire readers, is filled with lies, and they should all be ashamed.
The lie starts on the cover. David Ring's name is listed as the main author but he didn't write it. Instead, it's actually "written" by someone else from the perspective of a childhood friend Wideman that they asked to use his name. Confused? It's just plain bizarre.
Here's my biggest suggestion before you read this--go to the back of the book and read the "Writer's Note." You'll find that the writer is actually John Driver, a guy who appears to be hired as a type of named ghost-writer who was supposed to spice up Ring's story with all sorts of made-up scenarios and dialogue that just plain weren't true. Those few pages in the back will reveal that Ring didn't write the book even though Ring's name is on the cover (thus it's accurately categorized on the back cover as a "biography"). Just ask yourself--when's the last time you read a book with the person's name on the cover as author but it's called a "biography" instead of an "autobiography?" The answer is probably never. So we know right away something's wrong.
Then in the back Driver admits that there are "ribbons of fictitious elements running throughout...I took the liberty of adding other minor characters, changing names or dates to protect certain people, or adding events to help the story move along." HUH? You mean the amazing story of Ring's tragic family, birth, cerebral palsy, and conversion were not dramatic enough??? Then the writer says that his approach was similar to movies like Blind Side and A Beautiful Mind, where it's a fictionalized version "based on a true story." So he uses a two-hour movie structure to create a supposedly non-fiction biography. It makes no sense because there's no need to create fake characters or dialogue on the written page.
Since he doesn't tell you this information up front (as he should have) you read the entire book thinking it's all true, only at the end to find out it's not all true. So what is true and what isnt'? Well, we don't know. It's obvious that they have no way of knowing the exact words the doctor said in the room when David was born, but that doesn't stop them from making the words up! They have no idea what words David's late mother used when she told the 3-year-old boy that she just kicked his daddy out after she cheated, yet they use quotation marks and paint a story of a mother holding a child to her bosom. Those things didn't happen that way because they have no idea how they happened, so they made things up.
Why would a Christian publisher allow such lies and fiction in a book called a "biography?" This was so poorly conceived. Ring's story is so amazing it gets lost in the ridiculously over-dramatic storytelling that sounds like a bad soap opera, then in the time-shifting structure of jumping around to different years which only confuses everything. And the book ends with the year 1970! The rest of his life is summarized in a few pages tossed in as an afterthought. This preacher must have amazing stories to tell about his ministry and what has happened since then...where are they?
Driver's writing is worse than a red-inked high school creative English project. Wideman should be embarrassed for allowing his name to be improperly used in the first-person account, where 250 pages of words put into his mouth. And David Ring made one really bad choice in how to approach this book. Now I don't believe anything about his story because they've admitted that they lied throughout the book.
How could they possibly wreck such an amazing spiritual transformation? My guess is that someone convinced somebody that this type of over-dramatized fakery is the stuff Hollywood gobbles up to make into a movie, making it bait for a possible movie treatment (thus the author's comparison to "based on a true story" films). They didn't trust that Ring's story alone was interesting enough. So this "Christian" book, that could have let the pure truth of the word inspire readers, is filled with lies, and they should all be ashamed.
November 2, 2015
This book is such an inspiration! The title says it all, David Ring was born dead, he was pushed over to the side while they tried to stabilize his mother. He laid there without oxygen for 18 minutes. It's a true miracle that he survived, the doctor didn't give him much hope, but his mother knew that if survived laying there dead he was going to make it.
It was suggested more than once that David should be made a ward of the state so he would be institutionalized. But his mother wouldn't have any part of it. She was an extremely strong woman and she took care of David the best way she could. She tried to get help for him as far as his education was concerned, but his cognitive skills were great, he suffered physically. He walked in a slow shuffling gate and had a hard time with his hand coordination. David was too smart for the special ed classes but had a hard time in the regular classes because he was extremely slow in writing and getting his assignments done. The other children were cruel and he as bullied so badly that he hated school. Even some of teachers were just awful, they were impatient with him and made it almost unbearable on him.
His mother neglected her own health, she knew she was sick and by the time she sought treatment it was too late. She passed away and left David in the care of his oldest sister. Things were not working out so they just passed him around amongst themselves until finally his youngest sister's family took him in they had him living in a dark basement in an abusive situation. He wouldn't speak to anyone after his mother passed away, he just withdrew, he was so depressed and often thought of suicide.
The first day he went to school in Liberty Arkansas, his sister and her husband dropped him off at the bus stop. He caused quite a stir when the other students notice him all hunched over and shuffling the bus stop. There were a few comments made within the students that were waiting and one of the town bullies decides to have some fun with him. So he pushes him and knocks his books out of his arms. John Driver, the preacher's son who never rides the bus was there because his dad had an early meeting and didn't have time to drop him off at school. John wasn't going to stand for this helpless boy being bullied so he takes the bully on himself knowing he will get the bad end of the deal. When he returns home from school that afternoon, his father is waiting for him on the front porch, this isn't a good sign. David's sister witnessed the fight and stopped by the church to tell John's father what an honorable thing John did for standing up for her brother. She also explained the details of David's situation. John's father shares what she told him and suggests that John visits David the following Saturday. John reluctantly agrees.
Needless to say, the first visit didn't go very well. John wasn't going to hang around this dark basement while this boy lay on the bed not even looking at him. So he starts to leave. David says his first words to John and he stays. This friendship got off to a rocky start. John enlisted help from his two best friends, but it still wasn't helping David. David could be verbally abrasive and push people away. But John still stuck by him, he knew that it was the right thing to do.
After a life changing event, David's life changed for the better. He finally felt the love that thought he would never have since his mother passed away. John's family took him in as their own and he felt they were his family. This is such a beautiful testimony, it's will make you cry, laugh and touch your heart in ways you can't imagine. It's a story of heartbreak, love, faith and true friendship.
This story is told by John Driver, it's well written and the story itself is just beautiful. This is one of those books that can't help but make you feel loved.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley for my honest review.
It was suggested more than once that David should be made a ward of the state so he would be institutionalized. But his mother wouldn't have any part of it. She was an extremely strong woman and she took care of David the best way she could. She tried to get help for him as far as his education was concerned, but his cognitive skills were great, he suffered physically. He walked in a slow shuffling gate and had a hard time with his hand coordination. David was too smart for the special ed classes but had a hard time in the regular classes because he was extremely slow in writing and getting his assignments done. The other children were cruel and he as bullied so badly that he hated school. Even some of teachers were just awful, they were impatient with him and made it almost unbearable on him.
His mother neglected her own health, she knew she was sick and by the time she sought treatment it was too late. She passed away and left David in the care of his oldest sister. Things were not working out so they just passed him around amongst themselves until finally his youngest sister's family took him in they had him living in a dark basement in an abusive situation. He wouldn't speak to anyone after his mother passed away, he just withdrew, he was so depressed and often thought of suicide.
The first day he went to school in Liberty Arkansas, his sister and her husband dropped him off at the bus stop. He caused quite a stir when the other students notice him all hunched over and shuffling the bus stop. There were a few comments made within the students that were waiting and one of the town bullies decides to have some fun with him. So he pushes him and knocks his books out of his arms. John Driver, the preacher's son who never rides the bus was there because his dad had an early meeting and didn't have time to drop him off at school. John wasn't going to stand for this helpless boy being bullied so he takes the bully on himself knowing he will get the bad end of the deal. When he returns home from school that afternoon, his father is waiting for him on the front porch, this isn't a good sign. David's sister witnessed the fight and stopped by the church to tell John's father what an honorable thing John did for standing up for her brother. She also explained the details of David's situation. John's father shares what she told him and suggests that John visits David the following Saturday. John reluctantly agrees.
Needless to say, the first visit didn't go very well. John wasn't going to hang around this dark basement while this boy lay on the bed not even looking at him. So he starts to leave. David says his first words to John and he stays. This friendship got off to a rocky start. John enlisted help from his two best friends, but it still wasn't helping David. David could be verbally abrasive and push people away. But John still stuck by him, he knew that it was the right thing to do.
After a life changing event, David's life changed for the better. He finally felt the love that thought he would never have since his mother passed away. John's family took him in as their own and he felt they were his family. This is such a beautiful testimony, it's will make you cry, laugh and touch your heart in ways you can't imagine. It's a story of heartbreak, love, faith and true friendship.
This story is told by John Driver, it's well written and the story itself is just beautiful. This is one of those books that can't help but make you feel loved.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley for my honest review.
January 9, 2017
Deprived of oxygen for 18 minutes at his birth, David Ring's brain developed cerebral palsy, impeding his speech and physical movement. Ring's story is one of triumph over adversity, particularly given other personal challenges within his family and inherent in educational institutions prior to the ADA.
I met David Ring in the late 1970s when he visited my church in Joplin, Missouri, and I spent some time getting to know him and a bit of his story during that time; I went to college w/ his wife Karen, and we became friends. I remember when David and Karen met. Consequently, I had a personal interest in reading "The Boy Born Dead."
The book, however, isn't so much David Ring's story but the story of David Wideman's relationship with Ring. We hear Wideman's first person point of view in the chapters chronicling the years he and Ring attended Liberty High School. Much of the content of these chapters subordinates Rings story to that of Wideman's. That is, Ring's voice hides in the background as Wideman recounts Ring's story using third-person point of view, although at times Ring's voice does break through this narrative structure.
A more capable writer would have privileged Ring's voice in the chapters chronicling his birth and childhood prior to moving to Liberty, Missouri. This approach would have allowed for two first person narrative voices that would add much-needed balance to the narrative.
Consequently, saying the book is by David Ring is at best disingenuous and at worst a cynical attempt to promote Wideman's life and work. This is a major flaw that I struggle to harmonize w/ my professional ethics.
Moreover, Wideman signals to readers that we should be wary about trusting him as an objective voice by admitting having taken poetic license with both characters and events. This goes beyond changing names to protect individuals and compiling characters into a composite representative of a group to outright fabrication. This leaves readers questioning the veracity of some of the events and narrative details, which is particularly important in Christian literature. Additionally, it's the truths of Ring's life that make it compelling and worth hearing.
David Ring's life deserves chronicling as he has inspired many and has lived a life of service. So important is this that to recount his story demands fidelity to the truth and his voice.
I met David Ring in the late 1970s when he visited my church in Joplin, Missouri, and I spent some time getting to know him and a bit of his story during that time; I went to college w/ his wife Karen, and we became friends. I remember when David and Karen met. Consequently, I had a personal interest in reading "The Boy Born Dead."
The book, however, isn't so much David Ring's story but the story of David Wideman's relationship with Ring. We hear Wideman's first person point of view in the chapters chronicling the years he and Ring attended Liberty High School. Much of the content of these chapters subordinates Rings story to that of Wideman's. That is, Ring's voice hides in the background as Wideman recounts Ring's story using third-person point of view, although at times Ring's voice does break through this narrative structure.
A more capable writer would have privileged Ring's voice in the chapters chronicling his birth and childhood prior to moving to Liberty, Missouri. This approach would have allowed for two first person narrative voices that would add much-needed balance to the narrative.
Consequently, saying the book is by David Ring is at best disingenuous and at worst a cynical attempt to promote Wideman's life and work. This is a major flaw that I struggle to harmonize w/ my professional ethics.
Moreover, Wideman signals to readers that we should be wary about trusting him as an objective voice by admitting having taken poetic license with both characters and events. This goes beyond changing names to protect individuals and compiling characters into a composite representative of a group to outright fabrication. This leaves readers questioning the veracity of some of the events and narrative details, which is particularly important in Christian literature. Additionally, it's the truths of Ring's life that make it compelling and worth hearing.
David Ring's life deserves chronicling as he has inspired many and has lived a life of service. So important is this that to recount his story demands fidelity to the truth and his voice.
April 26, 2016
Heartbreaking, Moving, Extra Ordinary, Unique & Compelling! A Beautifully Touching Read! I Loved It!
February 9, 2025
There is quite the bait and switch with this book. A book should never contract the promised storyline. The farther I got into the book. I realized it wasn’t what I thought it would be. I thought it would be David Ring’s biography, I guess in a way it is, but it’s narrated from a friend’s point of view. I thought it would be the story of a full life, but instead, it’s the story of two high school years. I thought it was a biography, but many sections were heavily fictionalized. So, throughout the book, I kept having to change my expectations. That was once, I figured out the wild timeline jumps and narrator switching. It would jump from the friend’s narration of their high school years to a section narrated by his deceased mother or father about his early life. Those last sections were full of thoughts and personal emotions of the long-dead narrator. It was decidedly strange in a third-person biography.
Not that it wasn’t moving. Any story of a life redeemed from sin and bitterness through salvation in Christ is powerful on some level. And the section about the narrator learning to see others with more respect as he sees their love is good. The writing is elegant at times, even if it’s a little over-the-top artsy sometimes. But –
The Gospel is missing. Christ’s love does change our behavior. But that isn’t the Gospel. Christ does empower us to serve Him and others. But that isn’t the Gospel. We are separated from God by our sins, Christ came to die on the cross for those sins, and He rose from the grave three days later victorious over death. If we accept, believe that, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. That is the Gospel. I deeply hope that is David’s belief, for without that Gospel, this is just a feel-good story of friendship. If it was a biography of an unbeliever, it would be okay. But as it gets the reader so close to the Gospel and then holds back, it was deeply disappointing.
Not that it wasn’t moving. Any story of a life redeemed from sin and bitterness through salvation in Christ is powerful on some level. And the section about the narrator learning to see others with more respect as he sees their love is good. The writing is elegant at times, even if it’s a little over-the-top artsy sometimes. But –
The Gospel is missing. Christ’s love does change our behavior. But that isn’t the Gospel. Christ does empower us to serve Him and others. But that isn’t the Gospel. We are separated from God by our sins, Christ came to die on the cross for those sins, and He rose from the grave three days later victorious over death. If we accept, believe that, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. That is the Gospel. I deeply hope that is David’s belief, for without that Gospel, this is just a feel-good story of friendship. If it was a biography of an unbeliever, it would be okay. But as it gets the reader so close to the Gospel and then holds back, it was deeply disappointing.
July 1, 2021
What an incredible story! It's always so inspiring to hear stories like this - one of tremendous disabilities and setbacks, turned into a life of success... all by the grace of God. I cried so much reading this book. As a mother, I could feel the pain of Leron - and I felt saddened by the cruelties and injustices that Ring faced as a disabled person.
While this book was inspirational, it was also incredibly heavy. Lots of emotional pain, death, divorce, a suicide attempt, and sexual abuse. Most of it was handled tatsefully and nothing was overly graphic, but some of the content made me a bit uncomfortable (for obvious reasons!). I wouldn't recommend this book for younger readers because of the heavy topics discussed.
I also realize the authors took some creative liberty in order to embellish the story and make it more readable - this didn't really bother me because I enjoy a book that flows well and is easy to read.
The Christian message in the book was strong - clearly Southern Baptist. A lot of it seemed emotionally based but I really have no doubt that David Ring's conversion was real - even though the description of what happened the night he got saved left much to be desired.
I would read the book again in a heartbeat. It's quite an unforgettable story!!
While this book was inspirational, it was also incredibly heavy. Lots of emotional pain, death, divorce, a suicide attempt, and sexual abuse. Most of it was handled tatsefully and nothing was overly graphic, but some of the content made me a bit uncomfortable (for obvious reasons!). I wouldn't recommend this book for younger readers because of the heavy topics discussed.
I also realize the authors took some creative liberty in order to embellish the story and make it more readable - this didn't really bother me because I enjoy a book that flows well and is easy to read.
The Christian message in the book was strong - clearly Southern Baptist. A lot of it seemed emotionally based but I really have no doubt that David Ring's conversion was real - even though the description of what happened the night he got saved left much to be desired.
I would read the book again in a heartbeat. It's quite an unforgettable story!!
August 29, 2022
2.5 Held my attention as a swift & inspiring Sunday read
December 31, 2016
Excellent, excellent book. If you have never heard David Ring preach, you are missing a blessing. This is his story told from his childhood best friend. I don't have many quotes but I do have a video or two to share. I highly recommend this book to everyone. I trust you will enjoy the quotes and videos below:
"You know, boys, people are like tea."
"Tea doesn't just appear. It is made through a process of steeping. First of all, the water must be boiling hot. Heat changes things, whether they want to change or not. The cuddles rise, and the steam heats the air. Anything that goes into that water is going to come out different."
"Then a tea bag is dropped into boiling water - like I said, it immediately begins to change. All that is dry and compact begins to seep out of the bag and liquefy. At first, you can even see a brown cloud begin to expand throughout the water - like the winding boundary of two territories: water and tea. They are separate."
"But the longer that bag is in the water, the more the two boarders disappear into each other. The brown takes over, and if you wait long enough, the water is no longer water. Now the whole pot is filled with nothing but tea."
"David, people are like tea. When they are thrown into hot water - whether of their own doing or not - they are changed by their circumstances. How can they not be? And the longer they stay in the heat, the more they become one with their difficulty. It begins to define them. Pretty soon they are just tea. They are just bitter. They are just depressed. They are just angry. They become steeped in their situation. Lost until it consumes them."
"Only God can cool the heat - separate the tea back from the water. Sometimes he even puts other people near the heat. People who can endure it. People equipped to help that person regain hope again."
Click here to watch and listen his story!
Here is another good one to watch!
One more !
Enjoy!
"You know, boys, people are like tea."
"Tea doesn't just appear. It is made through a process of steeping. First of all, the water must be boiling hot. Heat changes things, whether they want to change or not. The cuddles rise, and the steam heats the air. Anything that goes into that water is going to come out different."
"Then a tea bag is dropped into boiling water - like I said, it immediately begins to change. All that is dry and compact begins to seep out of the bag and liquefy. At first, you can even see a brown cloud begin to expand throughout the water - like the winding boundary of two territories: water and tea. They are separate."
"But the longer that bag is in the water, the more the two boarders disappear into each other. The brown takes over, and if you wait long enough, the water is no longer water. Now the whole pot is filled with nothing but tea."
"David, people are like tea. When they are thrown into hot water - whether of their own doing or not - they are changed by their circumstances. How can they not be? And the longer they stay in the heat, the more they become one with their difficulty. It begins to define them. Pretty soon they are just tea. They are just bitter. They are just depressed. They are just angry. They become steeped in their situation. Lost until it consumes them."
"Only God can cool the heat - separate the tea back from the water. Sometimes he even puts other people near the heat. People who can endure it. People equipped to help that person regain hope again."
Click here to watch and listen his story!
Here is another good one to watch!
One more !
Enjoy!
June 23, 2017
As a human interest story, this was OK, but as a Christian biography, it was disappointing. It presents a truncated gospel of salvation from personal challenges rather than from sin and damnation.
The writing was kind of clunky; the reader was very good.
The writing was kind of clunky; the reader was very good.
May 2, 2018
What a heart wrenching, true story. I was shedding tears even in the first chapter! This is a story of an unlikely hero, with a courage that is nearly impossible to have for such a life, especially for this young man David, born with Cerebral palsy.
This deep-telling story brings to reality the cruel nature of 'normal's' with a plaything to laugh at. David was indeed a plaything for certain people (including an abused girl!).
Although he, himself had developed a cast-iron harshness; an internal fortress that proved difficult to break down... he came to know God and this changed so many things about him. This story is a fascinating account of his life, which right off the bat, should never have been. He was in fact declared 'dead' on his birth, for 20 minutes! But oh no, David rose against all obstacles and conquered. A real David, and Goliath story that will have you racking thorough the pages at break-neck speed. I bet not even the toughest of us could not read this, without having those silly water spouts (our eyes) flowing freely. A must read!!
This deep-telling story brings to reality the cruel nature of 'normal's' with a plaything to laugh at. David was indeed a plaything for certain people (including an abused girl!).
Although he, himself had developed a cast-iron harshness; an internal fortress that proved difficult to break down... he came to know God and this changed so many things about him. This story is a fascinating account of his life, which right off the bat, should never have been. He was in fact declared 'dead' on his birth, for 20 minutes! But oh no, David rose against all obstacles and conquered. A real David, and Goliath story that will have you racking thorough the pages at break-neck speed. I bet not even the toughest of us could not read this, without having those silly water spouts (our eyes) flowing freely. A must read!!
June 25, 2019
Touching. Inspiring.
September 17, 2019
Good book
July 16, 2025
This is an amazing true story of friendship, love and fighting for yourself.
April 23, 2023
I enjoyed this story, I'm always a sucker for books that portray male friendships. Likely because my teen years were extraordinarily lonely, and I longed for deep friendships. Still do actually, but thankfully my late twenties haven't been as lonely.
January 12, 2023
An incredible read!
October 27, 2015
This is an extraordinary memoir. It is a story of God's grace and power in a young man's life when he was so discouraged he no longer wanted to live.
David Ring was born dead. He remain dead for eighteen minutes. His mother cried out to Jesus and finally, a nurse noticed movement.
But the time without oxygen to his brain left David with cerebral palsy. His life was harder than I can imagine. His parents separated when David was still young. Then his mother died when he was fourteen. The youngest of his seven siblings, only one sister would take him in.
The book opens with David having arrived in Liberty, Missouri, and his new school. On his first day at the bus stop, he's made fun of. David Wideman came to his rescue and that was the beginning of a life long friendship.
This book is an amazing account of David Ring's high school years. We experience the trials and the victories he had. While living in his sister's house, he was terribly mistreated by his sister's friend. He became so depressed he attempted suicide. Because of his friend David, there came a time when he entered a church and found the truth that gave him a reason for living.
This book is so well written, it feels like a novel. John Driver wrote the book as David Spring's limitations in verbal and motor skills precluded writing it himself. Driver writes, “this book is a work of nonfiction with ribbons of fictitious elements running throughout.” (250) The basic framework of David's teenage experiences were augmented with added minor characters and events. That serves to make a very readable and inspiring story.
This account of David Spring rising above his disabilities through the power of God is amazing. Upon hearing his story while still a teen, his high school psychology teacher said, “I guess for the first time in my life, I see something in someone else that makes me want to believe in something bigger than myself.” (226) That first telling of his story was the beginning of a speaking career that has inspired thousands.
I highly recommend this book. It is such an inspiring story and it is very well written. I didn't want it to end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
David Ring was born dead. He remain dead for eighteen minutes. His mother cried out to Jesus and finally, a nurse noticed movement.
But the time without oxygen to his brain left David with cerebral palsy. His life was harder than I can imagine. His parents separated when David was still young. Then his mother died when he was fourteen. The youngest of his seven siblings, only one sister would take him in.
The book opens with David having arrived in Liberty, Missouri, and his new school. On his first day at the bus stop, he's made fun of. David Wideman came to his rescue and that was the beginning of a life long friendship.
This book is an amazing account of David Ring's high school years. We experience the trials and the victories he had. While living in his sister's house, he was terribly mistreated by his sister's friend. He became so depressed he attempted suicide. Because of his friend David, there came a time when he entered a church and found the truth that gave him a reason for living.
This book is so well written, it feels like a novel. John Driver wrote the book as David Spring's limitations in verbal and motor skills precluded writing it himself. Driver writes, “this book is a work of nonfiction with ribbons of fictitious elements running throughout.” (250) The basic framework of David's teenage experiences were augmented with added minor characters and events. That serves to make a very readable and inspiring story.
This account of David Spring rising above his disabilities through the power of God is amazing. Upon hearing his story while still a teen, his high school psychology teacher said, “I guess for the first time in my life, I see something in someone else that makes me want to believe in something bigger than myself.” (226) That first telling of his story was the beginning of a speaking career that has inspired thousands.
I highly recommend this book. It is such an inspiring story and it is very well written. I didn't want it to end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
October 18, 2015
"The Boy Born Dead" by David Ring with John Driver & David Wideman is the story of David Ring who literally was born dead and his tragic life story until God got a hold of him. David was literally born dead there was no life for 18 minutes but he survived but not without the ramifications of cerebral palsy. David was born in the early 50's and for those who don't know much about the history of how people with disabilities were treated in our society it was not always good but David's mother was a fighter and she fought for him. However when David was 14 almost 15 his mother died of cancer and that's when the worst abuse happened to David. I don't want to give away to much of the story but I will say that it dwells into abuse not at the hands of a man but of a woman. As a society we have a tendency to forget that women can be just as abusive (in all ways including sexual) as men. This book was wrote not with a sensational twist to it but as the truth lived by David and how God rescued him from a path of death to a path of life. David's transformation is so very powerful I had never heard his story before and this was a blessing for me to read. I will add the author also did something that I truly enjoyed which was that when it would have been David speaking he wrote his word just like he would speak them which was not speech patterns. I felt like I was actually hearing David Ring speak. I highly recommend this book for anyone to read.
I was given this book from BakerBooks a division of Baker Publishing Group and was not required to give a positive review.
I was given this book from BakerBooks a division of Baker Publishing Group and was not required to give a positive review.
November 15, 2016
RATING 3.67 Stars.
This is a story of impact. We can all relate to the feeling of being pushed to the margins of life and ignored, mocked, or otherwise excluded from "normalcy". For "Ring," a still-born baby who survived 18 minutes without oxygen before miraculously surviving and living a life with Cerebral Palsy, this isolation could have led to a tortured, unproductive life. Instead, he found friendship, love, and purpose.
Okay - enough of the summary. Here's what I liked about the book. The author(s) made some really smart writing choices and refused to dumb things down. While the writing wasn't always spectacular, there were a number of descriptions, phrases, and word choices that made me smile. On the other end of the spectrum, I didn't particularly like the organization of the book, with some threads suffering for breaks in the narrative in order to jump to a different focus or time period.
Overall, this was a good read (ha ha). I enjoyed it and would recommend it - especially if you feel lonely and out of place at times.
This is a story of impact. We can all relate to the feeling of being pushed to the margins of life and ignored, mocked, or otherwise excluded from "normalcy". For "Ring," a still-born baby who survived 18 minutes without oxygen before miraculously surviving and living a life with Cerebral Palsy, this isolation could have led to a tortured, unproductive life. Instead, he found friendship, love, and purpose.
Okay - enough of the summary. Here's what I liked about the book. The author(s) made some really smart writing choices and refused to dumb things down. While the writing wasn't always spectacular, there were a number of descriptions, phrases, and word choices that made me smile. On the other end of the spectrum, I didn't particularly like the organization of the book, with some threads suffering for breaks in the narrative in order to jump to a different focus or time period.
Overall, this was a good read (ha ha). I enjoyed it and would recommend it - especially if you feel lonely and out of place at times.
October 13, 2015
I received this book through GoodReads First Reads.
Life is not fair. Especially for some.
David Ring didn't breathe for 18 minutes after birth, was left for dead until his mother saw him move and heard a weak cry. Because of this David had cerebral palsy. Friendships did not come easily, his parents divorced, his mother passed away when David was young, he had to live with various relatives. David was bullied in many of his schools, was sexually abused for many years.
With the assistance of David Wideman, his best friend, and his own strong will, David Ring overcame these obstacles and is now a public speaker encouraging everyone who listens to to overcome their own "unfair life".
A truly inspirational book.
Life is not fair. Especially for some.
David Ring didn't breathe for 18 minutes after birth, was left for dead until his mother saw him move and heard a weak cry. Because of this David had cerebral palsy. Friendships did not come easily, his parents divorced, his mother passed away when David was young, he had to live with various relatives. David was bullied in many of his schools, was sexually abused for many years.
With the assistance of David Wideman, his best friend, and his own strong will, David Ring overcame these obstacles and is now a public speaker encouraging everyone who listens to to overcome their own "unfair life".
A truly inspirational book.
November 3, 2017
Story of 2 Davids, as told by David Wideman, friend of David Ring. David was born with cerebral palsy into a poor, Arkansas family. When his mother died from cancer and he was orphaned, he went to live with an older sister in Liberty, MO. He was bitter, rude, and not treated well by others.
Only after a conversion experience at the church where Wideman's father was the pastor did Ring's life begin to change. With the help of his friends, a coach who made him team manager, and a perceptive teacher, Ring begins to find his voice.
Only after a conversion experience at the church where Wideman's father was the pastor did Ring's life begin to change. With the help of his friends, a coach who made him team manager, and a perceptive teacher, Ring begins to find his voice.
June 13, 2016
4.5 stars
Wow! What an inspirational true story. David had so many reasons to want to give up in life, but he turned it all around. Many of his problems are the kind of things that he has to put up with every single day of his life. If you’re feeling down about your circumstances, read this, and you’ll get over it quickly. This book made me so thankful for the life I have.
Wow! What an inspirational true story. David had so many reasons to want to give up in life, but he turned it all around. Many of his problems are the kind of things that he has to put up with every single day of his life. If you’re feeling down about your circumstances, read this, and you’ll get over it quickly. This book made me so thankful for the life I have.
June 23, 2017
This is an inspiring telling of David Ring's life story, the main message being summarized appropriately in the final sentence of the book: God doesn't throw away broken things; God uses broken things. This book would especially be an inspiring read for those who wrestle with why God allows bad things to happen to good people, for those who have dark chapters of sexual abuse in their past, for those who have disabilities or are close to others with disabilities, or anybody who simply thinks that there is no hope for their life.
I did not give it 5 stars because I would have loved the gospel of Jesus Christ to be explained more clearly. The point where David Ring was converted in the story was summarized as "following God and knowing that God loved him." I completely get this summarizing of his conversion, I identify with it, and love hearing his telling of it, but am a bit saddened that so many reading the book (who perhaps have never experienced a personal relationship with God through trusting Jesus Christ as their Savior) could be "left in the dark"- not understanding our universal human problems of sin and shame and how God in Christ has made a way for us to be forgiven and accepted.
Perhaps a full explanation of the gospel, however, was not the intention of this book. Perhaps God is using this book as a tool to get people to ask questions and simply open their heart and start searching for hope in Christ. I trust God has and will continue to use David Ring's life to draw lost souls to himself.
I also did not give it 5 stars because I did not particularly learn anything new and it will not be one of those books that I wish all my friends would read because of how much it could change their life.
I enjoyed the book, though, and am glad I took the time to read it.
I did not give it 5 stars because I would have loved the gospel of Jesus Christ to be explained more clearly. The point where David Ring was converted in the story was summarized as "following God and knowing that God loved him." I completely get this summarizing of his conversion, I identify with it, and love hearing his telling of it, but am a bit saddened that so many reading the book (who perhaps have never experienced a personal relationship with God through trusting Jesus Christ as their Savior) could be "left in the dark"- not understanding our universal human problems of sin and shame and how God in Christ has made a way for us to be forgiven and accepted.
Perhaps a full explanation of the gospel, however, was not the intention of this book. Perhaps God is using this book as a tool to get people to ask questions and simply open their heart and start searching for hope in Christ. I trust God has and will continue to use David Ring's life to draw lost souls to himself.
I also did not give it 5 stars because I did not particularly learn anything new and it will not be one of those books that I wish all my friends would read because of how much it could change their life.
I enjoyed the book, though, and am glad I took the time to read it.
June 8, 2018
One of my fellow reading buddies told me about a book her sister bought her. She said this story was very powerful. She said she thought I should read it. I'm so glad that I did! David Ring's life at first glance reads like a movie. It's fascinating to watch, but you're almost positive it can't really be true. The more you read the more horrified you are that this happened to someone and amazed this person was able to rise above the ugliness.
David Ring's life has not been easy. From the very first he was born dead and his mother was grieving his passing. David's poor mother had lost several babies before this. My heart went out to her with me also being a mother to an angel baby. David was born with disabilities and from many heart wrenching things that happened to him, he was a very angry person. There were those who took advantage of him in a very terrible way. The things that changed his life were good people, friendship, love, and bringing God into his life. This book was uplifting to me as I saw the dramatic transformation that a few changes in his life could bring. Whether or not you are religious, this book can still bring a good feeling to you seeing how someone's life became happier. It showed me how choice of actions and feelings from both boys' named David changed both of their lives for the better.
November 11, 2024
This is a compelling story of David Ring, born 9n 1953, and left for dead in the delivery room. He didn't die but did suffer with cerebral palsy. He was teased, bullied, thought to be stupid. His dad left, his mom had an affair, and she eventually died from cancer when he was a kid. He is also sexually abused. Okay, its a very sad tale, But he is befriended by David Wideman, a pastor's kid. He gets saved, the kids at school start to like him. and his life turns around. He tells his story to audiences around the world. Okay, that's the quick summary.
However, it's confusing - the books says it is written by David Ring. It's not.
It is told from the perspective of the friend, David Wideman, so it seems that he's the author. He's also not.
The author is actually John Driver, who by his own admittance says there are "ribbons of fictitious elements running throughout...I took the liberty of adding other minor characters, changing names or dates to protect certain people, or adding events to help the story move along."
UM, so what is true and what is made up? The reader doesn't know.
However, it's confusing - the books says it is written by David Ring. It's not.
It is told from the perspective of the friend, David Wideman, so it seems that he's the author. He's also not.
The author is actually John Driver, who by his own admittance says there are "ribbons of fictitious elements running throughout...I took the liberty of adding other minor characters, changing names or dates to protect certain people, or adding events to help the story move along."
UM, so what is true and what is made up? The reader doesn't know.
April 20, 2018
A is for Arkansas
Well, hmm. . . The story of David Ring is amazing and beautiful. The telling of his story is just plain awful. I have no idea which parts of the story are true, as the ghostwriter, (John Driver, not much of a ghostwriter if you give the name of the ghost) tells the story using David Wideman, Ring's best friend growing up, as the narrator and tells the story through his eyes. What? I'm so confused. Then, after you read the entire book, there is a paragraph telling you that some of the story is made up for creative purposes. What parts of this story are made up, altered or embellished? I have no idea. Again, it's confusing.
It's too bad, too, because this is an amazing story of courage, pain, and struggle, and ultimately triumph.
I have a feeling that if I were to meet David Ring, I would be much more impressed.
Well, hmm. . . The story of David Ring is amazing and beautiful. The telling of his story is just plain awful. I have no idea which parts of the story are true, as the ghostwriter, (John Driver, not much of a ghostwriter if you give the name of the ghost) tells the story using David Wideman, Ring's best friend growing up, as the narrator and tells the story through his eyes. What? I'm so confused. Then, after you read the entire book, there is a paragraph telling you that some of the story is made up for creative purposes. What parts of this story are made up, altered or embellished? I have no idea. Again, it's confusing.
It's too bad, too, because this is an amazing story of courage, pain, and struggle, and ultimately triumph.
I have a feeling that if I were to meet David Ring, I would be much more impressed.
April 6, 2018
I listened to this audio book in record time thanks to its compelling true story and gifted narrator. The memoir revolves around a teenage boy who was a "still born" and set aside by doctors to tend to the medical needs of the mother. But after 18 minutes a cry from the infant let them know he wasn't dead, but very much alive. What transpires in the years following his unusual birth and diagnosis of cerebral palsy is not pleasant (loss of his parents, bullying, sexual abuse, and more) and explains why the boy is full of anger and hopelessness. How his life goes from despondency to one of purpose and joy all starts with an incident at a school bus stop and the amazing work of God. I definitely recommend this book to teachers, parents, and teens as it is full of inspiration and wisdom.
June 30, 2021
This is the biography of a person, David Ring, born in 1953 with cerebral palsy after sitting in the delivery room supposed to be dead but not dead. He suffered brain damage resulting in cerebral palsy (but not retardation). His parents divorced. Then his father died of cancer and his mother died of cancer in 1970 leaving him without parents. He was shuttled among his siblings but because of his attitude things did not go well. This is a story of a life changed by faith in Jesus Christ redeeming powers and living with his difficulties as a testimony to God. David went on to be a public speaker, an evangelist. Speaking in public against all odds. David was born and graduated the same years as I did. Free audio from AudioSync File Summer program 2016.
May 4, 2017
David Ring was stillborn and left on a table that way for 18 minutes until he started to breathe. Because of that time without oxygen, he became a cerebral palsy victim. This narrative is told by his best friend, David Wideman. The story does not focus on the time of his birth but skips ahead to his teen years when he met Mr. Wideman. It is a story of when bad things happen to good people, how they react - - cruelly or kindly, and how people develop - for better or for worse. In both Davids' cases, they learned to depend upon the Lord as He became real to them.
January 23, 2020
A good story which kept me interested to the end. But I could find faults in quite a lot. The story telling is rather laborious, taking a long time to say very little. And I wouldn't call this a standard biography - it is more "based on a true story" kind of book, and it is hard to know what is true and what isn't. Additionally seeing as his conversion is the major turning point of the book, (and his life!), the telling of the gospel is woefully lacking. However I enjoyed reading it (listening!) on car journeys.
December 30, 2021
Good book, I enjoyed the flow of the story line. One has to step back and evaluate the story as a whole ( why it was written the way it was). At times, I was irritated with the view point/narration but at the end, the manner in which the author decided to write David’s story worked. The book contains much detail of David Ring’s adolescent life (until the end of High School). One could call it the turning point, with only a few pages reserved for David’s life following high school. I would buy the book as a gift for someone who needs encouragement.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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