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Who Am I Really: An Adoptee Memoir
"Who Am I Really?" is a question many adoptees ask when they realize they have another family of genetic relation. Damon L. Davis shares his journey through life as an adoptee to becoming an adoptive parent himself. He explores his desire to find his birth family as sparked by the flood of emotions that accompanied the birth of his son, Seth -- the first blood relative he had ever known. In his story, you'll follow his introspection when considering a search for his birth family, while coping with the heartbreak of his adoptive mother's mental illness. Within months of taking his post in the Obama Administration in 2009, Damon found his birth mother working only two blocks away and years later, his real birth father's identity was revealed unexpectedly on AncestryDNA. You'll be amazed by the coincidences that brought Damon face to face with his birth mother in a tearful, yet joyous, reunion. And your heart will be warmed by the acceptance of his birth father who didn't even know he existed.
- GenresAdoption
208 pages, Paperback
Published April 20, 2019
11 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 10, 2022
I first heard about Mr. Davis from his podcast, “Who Am I Really?” I was interested in the adoption podcast because my brother and his wife had adopted a newborn girl at the hospital right after the birth mother relinquished her. Mr. Davis is one of the most empathetic and down-to-earth podcast hosts I have ever listened to. I highly recommend the podcast. After listening to the podcast for a couple of years, I finally got around to buying the author’s memoir. It was like reading a novel, with many rollercoaster twists and turns. There was much sadness, tragedy, and also a lot of joy. My niece (who is 17) with the help of my brother, has submitted her DNA to a commercial database. It will be very interesting to see what she finds out. Yet, I hope she will remain grateful to my brother (an engineer) and his wife (a doctor), who adopted her and gave her a very privileged upbringing.
May 9, 2022
Just finished this. Appropriate for this weekend of lots of reflection and contemplation. Birth mothers, adoptive mothers, all the ways we are mothered…or practice mothering.
My review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really appreciated this memoir. As an adoptee, I have been a fan of the “who am I really?” podcast for a couple of years now and I really appreciate Damon Davis as a host and his ability to sensitively listen and draw out his guest’s stories on the show. And I feel like this memoir reflected that about his personality and character.
There is a message of bravery and optimism woven into his story that is very inspiring even though he dealt with some very significant challenges in family structure, mental health issues, accepting the responsibilities of extended family and expanding family, as well as creating his own home. Wow. A lot.
He does mention that he’s a pretty easy-going person but at the same time he does not shy away from the very difficult, emotional, life altering ways his family shifts and twists and turns. I found a lot to be motivated by with this book and I find myself admiring what Damon Davis has accomplished, and built as a result of his journey.
My only critique of the book was that it was a bit redundant in parts but this is someone’s very personal story, to be told in the way they see fit.
#WhoAmIReally
#AdopteeMemoirs
#AdopteeVoices
#AdopteeReads
#AdopteeResources
#Adoptee
My review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really appreciated this memoir. As an adoptee, I have been a fan of the “who am I really?” podcast for a couple of years now and I really appreciate Damon Davis as a host and his ability to sensitively listen and draw out his guest’s stories on the show. And I feel like this memoir reflected that about his personality and character.
There is a message of bravery and optimism woven into his story that is very inspiring even though he dealt with some very significant challenges in family structure, mental health issues, accepting the responsibilities of extended family and expanding family, as well as creating his own home. Wow. A lot.
He does mention that he’s a pretty easy-going person but at the same time he does not shy away from the very difficult, emotional, life altering ways his family shifts and twists and turns. I found a lot to be motivated by with this book and I find myself admiring what Damon Davis has accomplished, and built as a result of his journey.
My only critique of the book was that it was a bit redundant in parts but this is someone’s very personal story, to be told in the way they see fit.
#WhoAmIReally
#AdopteeMemoirs
#AdopteeVoices
#AdopteeReads
#AdopteeResources
#Adoptee
May 13, 2024
excellent I can totally relate !
Damon you are an excellent storyteller! My story is vey similar in that our approach was very calculated and done with the same level of understanding how our message would be received and the potential of rejection. We were both very lucky to have been accepted FULLY by our biological mother and father. I would be open to be on your podcast some time.
Damon you are an excellent storyteller! My story is vey similar in that our approach was very calculated and done with the same level of understanding how our message would be received and the potential of rejection. We were both very lucky to have been accepted FULLY by our biological mother and father. I would be open to be on your podcast some time.
June 5, 2019
Loved this memoir. The author’s courage to seek his birth parents and become an adoptive parent is amazing. His life story kept my attention throughout. Even more phenomenal, the work that he’s doing with other adoptees is admirable.
June 26, 2019
An incredible read of one adoptee’s journey! It made me laugh and cry, but it also gave me insight and perspective. Definitely recommend.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews