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A Beautiful World: One Son's Escape from the Snares of Abuse and Devotion
Gregg Tyler Milligan's personal history reflects a pattern of accomplishment in academic, military, and professional areas, though his most prized achievement is a personal one.
Simply said, he is a survivor of child abuse and has raised his son to know only love and compassion. Gregg's success has directly contrasted the dire upbringing he had and is indicative of the powerful spirit he has chosen to believe in throughout his life.
A Beautiful World is the story of a small boy who escapes the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of a vicious mother - only to find his love for her and the effects of his past will ever remain. A Beautiful World details the truth of millions of abused; they must escape to survive, but breaking away will tear them apart.
A Beautiful World reaches out to each and every person facing adversity - letting them know they are not alone. The book was intentionally written not only for the abused, but for all of us who refuse to give up in a weary and sometimes beautiful world.
Most of us on this great big planet stand alone against all odds, shoeless with cracked knuckles, biting our busted lips as the tears tumble and roll down our dirty cheeks. Few rise above all the decadence done unto them. Those blessed few leave a great influence of a better day filled with clean hope and blossoming opportunities. We are all capable of leaving this mark - no matter what we've been through.
Break the cycle, so that we may save one another. - Gregg Tyler Milligan
Simply said, he is a survivor of child abuse and has raised his son to know only love and compassion. Gregg's success has directly contrasted the dire upbringing he had and is indicative of the powerful spirit he has chosen to believe in throughout his life.
A Beautiful World is the story of a small boy who escapes the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of a vicious mother - only to find his love for her and the effects of his past will ever remain. A Beautiful World details the truth of millions of abused; they must escape to survive, but breaking away will tear them apart.
A Beautiful World reaches out to each and every person facing adversity - letting them know they are not alone. The book was intentionally written not only for the abused, but for all of us who refuse to give up in a weary and sometimes beautiful world.
Most of us on this great big planet stand alone against all odds, shoeless with cracked knuckles, biting our busted lips as the tears tumble and roll down our dirty cheeks. Few rise above all the decadence done unto them. Those blessed few leave a great influence of a better day filled with clean hope and blossoming opportunities. We are all capable of leaving this mark - no matter what we've been through.
Break the cycle, so that we may save one another. - Gregg Tyler Milligan
142 pages, Paperback
First published August 13, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 13, 2013
From the first six words of the Introduction, you are drawn into the world of the author, Gregg Milligan, as he delves back into childhood and the last three years spent in his mother's home. Before Gregg's story even begins, the message of the book is as clear as if it were spoken - he shares his experiences hoping to help others "buckle down and bear the ride" through their own hell - and know that they are not alone.
Chronicling a young boy's endurance of incredible abuse, A BEAUTIFUL WORLD is a tribute to hope. Through the years of brutal molestations, beatings to the brink of death, horrific manipulation, and severe mental abuse - this young child keeps his hope alive. As time passes, seeds of awareness and independence slowly begin to grow inside Gregg's heart - molding into a plan of escape to save himself and his siblings.
The narrative is written with an exceptionally visual style, which plunges you deeply into the story alongside young Gregg. (FYI- If you research the author's background, you'll find that he is actually an award-winning writer - with his work winning first place in the Memoirs/Personal Essay category of the Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition, in addition to several other awards garnered over the years.)
Readers who join Gregg's journey will find themselves carried in the momentum of events, including a frenzied search for Gregg's younger sister while the children are left home alone. The night ends in unexpected chaos, and the story hurtles forward, opening the lens on Gregg's world to a full view of the horror endured.
In the face of the physical, mental, and emotional anguish, a valiant heart shines forth. Readers will feel the binding devotion Gregg has for his mother despite her abuse, and the lengths he goes to in order to care for her. And - with all the strength he has - Gregg does his best to also care for his siblings. He even takes in a young kitten cast away from its mother. His kind, loving spirit remains unbroken in the cruel torrent of abuse.
As the years progress, desperation builds - and readers follow Gregg to the absolute edge of sanity and survival.
This is a book you won't be able to put down. It's an incredible account of the perseverance of the human spirit with the resounding message to never give up - whatever adversity you may face.
From the Epilogue of A BEAUTIFUL WORLD: "What I do know is that I tried and I am still trying. I will not quit. It is my anchor that holds me in place, so the world (sometimes ugly . . . sometimes beautiful) does not bowl me over. It is my anchor keeping me in place waiting for you."
Bottom line - read A BEAUTIFUL WORLD and find out for yourself.
Those that do will never forget it.
Chronicling a young boy's endurance of incredible abuse, A BEAUTIFUL WORLD is a tribute to hope. Through the years of brutal molestations, beatings to the brink of death, horrific manipulation, and severe mental abuse - this young child keeps his hope alive. As time passes, seeds of awareness and independence slowly begin to grow inside Gregg's heart - molding into a plan of escape to save himself and his siblings.
The narrative is written with an exceptionally visual style, which plunges you deeply into the story alongside young Gregg. (FYI- If you research the author's background, you'll find that he is actually an award-winning writer - with his work winning first place in the Memoirs/Personal Essay category of the Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition, in addition to several other awards garnered over the years.)
Readers who join Gregg's journey will find themselves carried in the momentum of events, including a frenzied search for Gregg's younger sister while the children are left home alone. The night ends in unexpected chaos, and the story hurtles forward, opening the lens on Gregg's world to a full view of the horror endured.
In the face of the physical, mental, and emotional anguish, a valiant heart shines forth. Readers will feel the binding devotion Gregg has for his mother despite her abuse, and the lengths he goes to in order to care for her. And - with all the strength he has - Gregg does his best to also care for his siblings. He even takes in a young kitten cast away from its mother. His kind, loving spirit remains unbroken in the cruel torrent of abuse.
As the years progress, desperation builds - and readers follow Gregg to the absolute edge of sanity and survival.
This is a book you won't be able to put down. It's an incredible account of the perseverance of the human spirit with the resounding message to never give up - whatever adversity you may face.
From the Epilogue of A BEAUTIFUL WORLD: "What I do know is that I tried and I am still trying. I will not quit. It is my anchor that holds me in place, so the world (sometimes ugly . . . sometimes beautiful) does not bowl me over. It is my anchor keeping me in place waiting for you."
Bottom line - read A BEAUTIFUL WORLD and find out for yourself.
Those that do will never forget it.
January 24, 2011
Shocking and haunting. Almost unreal. I must of cried about 10x reading this.
February 21, 2024
[1.0/5] Content warning: physical/emotional/sexual abuse of minors, domestic abuse/attempted murder, alcoholism, graphic description of rape
Just no. This is less of a memoir and more of a laundry list of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of young children that just continues to spiral ever downwards as government oversight turns a blind eye to murder attempts, neighbors find their own ways to profit (literally and metaphorically in the form of rape/molestation), and family members bring the children back to this awful environment, which they themselves were abused in. While there is a disorganized narrative of the children's plan to escape their situation it's very hard to follow. Between the graphic descriptions of the horrific situations, apathetic reactions of all parties, and the overall flat tone and lack of structure mean it doesn't really read as story of over-coming horrific abuse. Although the author implies that their escape was a 'happy ending' the mood of the memoir remains overwhelmingly hopeless. Despite the author's intentions, I can't think of anyone who would gain anything from reading this, aside from trauma.
Just no. This is less of a memoir and more of a laundry list of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of young children that just continues to spiral ever downwards as government oversight turns a blind eye to murder attempts, neighbors find their own ways to profit (literally and metaphorically in the form of rape/molestation), and family members bring the children back to this awful environment, which they themselves were abused in. While there is a disorganized narrative of the children's plan to escape their situation it's very hard to follow. Between the graphic descriptions of the horrific situations, apathetic reactions of all parties, and the overall flat tone and lack of structure mean it doesn't really read as story of over-coming horrific abuse. Although the author implies that their escape was a 'happy ending' the mood of the memoir remains overwhelmingly hopeless. Despite the author's intentions, I can't think of anyone who would gain anything from reading this, aside from trauma.
February 10, 2017
Really tough to read - some terribly graphic stuff. So important for those that work with abused and neglected kids to understand their mindset
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews