What do you think?
Rate this book
Living as a Dead Man: Life Lessons Gained from Losing One Life to Receiving a Greater Purpose
Lester, who has lived with ALS for 26 years, opens up in this affecting, wise memoir. ... This is a remarkable look into a life of courage, resilience, and purpose. - Publishers Weekly What would you do if you were told you had a terminal disease in your twenties and given three years to live? What would you do if your doctor told you to go home and plan your funeral? Jeff Lester, diagnosed with ALS in 1993, faced this dilemma when he was twenty-six. Unmarried and childless, he was advised to plan a party, since that's all Jeff could look forward to with the remaining part of his life.
The day Jeff Lester was diagnosed with ALS started his darkest days. Life was over in his mind at that moment. The prospects were bleak. When the doctor told Jeff that he would be lucky to see the age of thirty, so plan a big party as a pseudo funeral. What? When someone doesn't have much life experience to celebrate, that advice falls flat. Jeff was adrift in despair, thus started his winter of discontent. Who would blame him forgiving up? Something happened on the way to his funeral.
GOD HAD OTHER PLANS!
Jeff's story is about the destruction of the life he expected to live then rebuilding a new, more purposeful life out of its ashes.Along the way, he weathers massive storms and overcomes what seems to most people insurmountable odds. It occurs while he endures the daily challenges created by the devastation from one of the worst diseases experienced.
Ultimately, it is a story about being led into the light emerging from the darkness that enveloped his life even before ALS entered it.Jeff learns to focus on the blessings in his life instead of what he has lost and the difficulties he faces. Jeff shares the lessons he learned and what is essential to living a happy and fulfilling life with a higher purpose.
The day Jeff Lester was diagnosed with ALS started his darkest days. Life was over in his mind at that moment. The prospects were bleak. When the doctor told Jeff that he would be lucky to see the age of thirty, so plan a big party as a pseudo funeral. What? When someone doesn't have much life experience to celebrate, that advice falls flat. Jeff was adrift in despair, thus started his winter of discontent. Who would blame him forgiving up? Something happened on the way to his funeral.
GOD HAD OTHER PLANS!
Jeff's story is about the destruction of the life he expected to live then rebuilding a new, more purposeful life out of its ashes.Along the way, he weathers massive storms and overcomes what seems to most people insurmountable odds. It occurs while he endures the daily challenges created by the devastation from one of the worst diseases experienced.
Ultimately, it is a story about being led into the light emerging from the darkness that enveloped his life even before ALS entered it.Jeff learns to focus on the blessings in his life instead of what he has lost and the difficulties he faces. Jeff shares the lessons he learned and what is essential to living a happy and fulfilling life with a higher purpose.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2019
8 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 20, 2019
This book is more than amazing! Jeff is inspirational on so many levels. The obstacles he has overcome are very personal to me because my 30 year old son has ALS, diagnosed at age 25. Our story is very similar to Jeff’s in the beginning. Charley can still walk, talk and breathe on his own. God has blessed us more than we could ever be worthy, just like Jeff. I want everybody that I know to read this book‼️ I am a nurse practitioner, and can relate to all of the “care” struggles. Keep sharing, Jeff! I love it and I know God does too! Love and prayers for you and all of those “living with ALS”♥️🙏🏼♥️
July 9, 2019
I just finished reading Living As A Dead Manas a beta reader prior to publication. I cannot Express how blessed, awakened, inspired, I am for the reading of it. This is a book that will touch the lives of every reader. It transcends any one particular journey or struggle to enrich and fortify the lives of us all, in every journey.. every struggle. It is a story of embracing life, discovering beauty from ashes, purpose in the darkness and unrelenting grace. - Laura Bailey , Blogger @ All The Shoes I Wear alltheshoesiwear.wordpress.com
July 9, 2019
Every one should read this book. I can’t imagine living as Jeff has for 25+ years.
January 14, 2020
A wonderful, life changing book! makes me fell bad when i think i have a problem. i think his truthful writing about his life with a incurable disease, the faith he had, and the shining light he becomes. I recommend this book for everyone who thinks they have suffered, and need a fresh prospective of the trails of life, and the wonders of faith in God.
January 15, 2020
Review of Living as a Dead Man
Jeff Lester, the author of Living as a Dead Man got one thing terribly wrong in his book, and that would be the title! He lives life like a champion with undying love, courage, faith, and tenacity that I have never heard of until this point in my life! He covered many complications of which I was unaware, and presented it in a manner that doesn't allow sympathy, but rather hope for all of us! I was so impressed by his attitude toward life, and how blessed he has been by God through all of his struggles, never losing the will to live life to the fullest! His wife, Lisa, has to be one of the strongest, most courageous, and loving women on Earth! This book is meant for all of us to live by his hopes and standards, never losing our faith. Jeff has brought out feelings in me that I haven't felt in several decades, and the only thing that could make this book any better would be to meet this incredible family in person! God Bless You, Jeff, and all of those loving people surrounding you with the love that is the source of your strength! You are all simply amazing!
Jeff Lester, the author of Living as a Dead Man got one thing terribly wrong in his book, and that would be the title! He lives life like a champion with undying love, courage, faith, and tenacity that I have never heard of until this point in my life! He covered many complications of which I was unaware, and presented it in a manner that doesn't allow sympathy, but rather hope for all of us! I was so impressed by his attitude toward life, and how blessed he has been by God through all of his struggles, never losing the will to live life to the fullest! His wife, Lisa, has to be one of the strongest, most courageous, and loving women on Earth! This book is meant for all of us to live by his hopes and standards, never losing our faith. Jeff has brought out feelings in me that I haven't felt in several decades, and the only thing that could make this book any better would be to meet this incredible family in person! God Bless You, Jeff, and all of those loving people surrounding you with the love that is the source of your strength! You are all simply amazing!
July 30, 2019
I truly believe this book is a must read! It is one that anyone can benefit from reading. Life is a journey filled with ups and downs no matter who you are and at some point, most of us find ourselves wondering why we must endure the trials we are going through.
In his book, Jeff Lester takes you on "his" journey, one whose trials make most of ours pale in comparison. I found myself wondering how can someone endure so much and remain so positive? I ran the emotional gambit as I read Jeff's story. While there was laughter, some of which through tears, at times there were only tears. I also found myself angry and overcome with heartache at what cruel realities this world presented to him. However, despite those emotions, I am ultimately left truly uplifted and inspired.
I normally do not give reviews of books I have read but this one I highly recommend for everyone.
In his book, Jeff Lester takes you on "his" journey, one whose trials make most of ours pale in comparison. I found myself wondering how can someone endure so much and remain so positive? I ran the emotional gambit as I read Jeff's story. While there was laughter, some of which through tears, at times there were only tears. I also found myself angry and overcome with heartache at what cruel realities this world presented to him. However, despite those emotions, I am ultimately left truly uplifted and inspired.
I normally do not give reviews of books I have read but this one I highly recommend for everyone.
July 17, 2019
I couldn't put this book down and read the whole thing in about 5 hours. I laughed, I cried, I sympathized, and I related because my dad passed away from ALS and so many of Jeff's experiences brought it all back to me. Living as a Dead Man will provide inspiration and insight for whatever situation that you are dealing with and remind you that the greatest thing you can do is love, trust God and let your light shine through! It will be worth your time and money!!!
July 18, 2019
Amazing memoir. The brutal honesty that Jeff chose to share with the world is humbling. Many people only share the good with others. Being transparent isn’t easy. Jeff, thank you for writing this book. I will continue keeping you and your family in my daily prayers. And, again, thank you. Your book, I believe, will change many people...physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Currently reading
April 5, 2023Loved this book. Truly inspiring!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews