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Strength Within: Surviving by the Grace of God
A mesmerizing,heartfelt,and inspirational true story about two brothers who had no where to hide, no where to run, and no family support.Read how physical and mental abuse combined with crimes,drugs,near death experinces and so much more took these two brothers down a path. A path that led each of them to give up on God,Faith, and Prayer the three things that hold our lives togehter. Read how by the age of twenty one the youngest of the two became mentally disabled while the oldest brother still continued to be a menace to society.
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 21, 2009
You Can’t Judge a Book by its Cover
I won this book in a Father’s Day contest but didn’t receive it until September. During the wait, the author emailed me twice wanting my opinion. When it finally arrived, I took one look at it and my heart sank. Judging by the title, and the lack of a back-cover blurb, I automatically assumed Strength Within was a Self-Help book, which I hate. But since I’d promised Mr Tyler I’d review his book, I felt compelled to read it anyway. Reluctantly I turned to the first page.
Boy was I wrong.
Strength Within: Surviving by the Grace of God was Tyler’s hard-knocks life story.
Gut-wrenching, and at times sob inducing, it made me wonder how, or why, a person could go through so much yet still come out on top. Vincent and his younger brother Andre were the products of a short-lived shotgun wedding. They were poorer than any family has the right to be, and their mother took out her frustrations on them using whatever she could get her hands on: belt, shoe, handmade paddle…you get the picture.
This is not to say that these kids, particularly Vincent, weren’t the classic definition of “bad:” he smoked, he drank, he ran away constantly, he stole (mostly from his family, but he broke into other people’s houses often) and he rarely went to school. Who could blame him though? Not only did he have to deal with his mother’s rages, but his father only seemed to show up to whip his a-word. Once, Vincent’s father shoved Vincent’s head through a closed window. And Vincent’s aunt called him everything but a Child of God.
There is too much to tell you about here without being the bearer of spoilers, but trust that every time you think Vincent’s life couldn’t get any worse…it does. Vincent finally limps his way into adulthood, but damaged by his childhood experiences, his life goes nowhere fast. How Vincent finally gets his victory will make you practically Stand Up & Cheer, but even Victory is not without a price.
I thought the first two thirds of the book, which dealt with Tyler’s childhood, were more focused than the later part, but that may be because Tyler’s adulthood seemed to lack focus as well. I understand there is another edition of this book, which author Tyler cautions readers to avoid due to extensive typos. Thankfully Tyler was able to clear most of those up for this edition. Most of the remaining errors are concentrated in the later third portion. However, the compelling nature of the storyline makes it very easy to overlook them. And although the brutal nature of this story will test many reader’s fortitude, those who stick with it will be well rewarded for their effort.
I won this book in a Father’s Day contest but didn’t receive it until September. During the wait, the author emailed me twice wanting my opinion. When it finally arrived, I took one look at it and my heart sank. Judging by the title, and the lack of a back-cover blurb, I automatically assumed Strength Within was a Self-Help book, which I hate. But since I’d promised Mr Tyler I’d review his book, I felt compelled to read it anyway. Reluctantly I turned to the first page.
Boy was I wrong.
Strength Within: Surviving by the Grace of God was Tyler’s hard-knocks life story.
Gut-wrenching, and at times sob inducing, it made me wonder how, or why, a person could go through so much yet still come out on top. Vincent and his younger brother Andre were the products of a short-lived shotgun wedding. They were poorer than any family has the right to be, and their mother took out her frustrations on them using whatever she could get her hands on: belt, shoe, handmade paddle…you get the picture.
This is not to say that these kids, particularly Vincent, weren’t the classic definition of “bad:” he smoked, he drank, he ran away constantly, he stole (mostly from his family, but he broke into other people’s houses often) and he rarely went to school. Who could blame him though? Not only did he have to deal with his mother’s rages, but his father only seemed to show up to whip his a-word. Once, Vincent’s father shoved Vincent’s head through a closed window. And Vincent’s aunt called him everything but a Child of God.
There is too much to tell you about here without being the bearer of spoilers, but trust that every time you think Vincent’s life couldn’t get any worse…it does. Vincent finally limps his way into adulthood, but damaged by his childhood experiences, his life goes nowhere fast. How Vincent finally gets his victory will make you practically Stand Up & Cheer, but even Victory is not without a price.
I thought the first two thirds of the book, which dealt with Tyler’s childhood, were more focused than the later part, but that may be because Tyler’s adulthood seemed to lack focus as well. I understand there is another edition of this book, which author Tyler cautions readers to avoid due to extensive typos. Thankfully Tyler was able to clear most of those up for this edition. Most of the remaining errors are concentrated in the later third portion. However, the compelling nature of the storyline makes it very easy to overlook them. And although the brutal nature of this story will test many reader’s fortitude, those who stick with it will be well rewarded for their effort.
May 31, 2010
Strength Within: Surviving by the Grace of God. Kingdom Living Publishing. 2008. Rating: 3 stars. Dream 4 More Rating: What a Dream!
Roland takes the audience with his childhood memories, stern discipline, and how they were separated from his parents to live with his Aunt Rosa. We see how many families have to face the hardships of life and economical status, especially living in the city of Roosevelt, New York, a subdivision of Long Island. We see how a young boy takes write a letter to his mother’s past employer to help get her old job back but when his mother finds out, she chastises him. He was tired of his mother’s verbal and physical attacks against him and his brother, where he was willing to poison his mother by putting Lysol in the Kool-Aid. Parents need to be mindful how they discipline and chastise their children, does abuse get us anywhere? We are the examples; we mold our children by being the example in their lives. Instead, with abusive parents, we see children learn to lie to avoid another violent attack to their well-being or involved in fights at school to have a sense of belonging. Moreover, they grow up to believe that they will never succeed and God does not want the best for them. We have to be careful what we instill in our children and our methods for discipline. Is running away, the answer?
We see Roland ‘Tyler’ blaming himself for his parents’ deaths, especially his mother’s. He wants to know GOD, and learn about ‘faith’ but eventually he finds God and discovers the true meaning of faith. We all carry baggage, but what we do with our baggage is the ultimate question. Read the book to find out what Roland Tyler does with his past issues and baggage.
*There were some parts that may be quite boring but he is giving chronological reference and what he finds important to share in his memoir to show how he discovers the strength within regardless of his circumstances.
*This is the opinion of the reviewer that does not reflect the views of Dream 4 More Firm. We received a copy from the author for a book review.
Dream Reviewer,
Adrienna Turner
Roland takes the audience with his childhood memories, stern discipline, and how they were separated from his parents to live with his Aunt Rosa. We see how many families have to face the hardships of life and economical status, especially living in the city of Roosevelt, New York, a subdivision of Long Island. We see how a young boy takes write a letter to his mother’s past employer to help get her old job back but when his mother finds out, she chastises him. He was tired of his mother’s verbal and physical attacks against him and his brother, where he was willing to poison his mother by putting Lysol in the Kool-Aid. Parents need to be mindful how they discipline and chastise their children, does abuse get us anywhere? We are the examples; we mold our children by being the example in their lives. Instead, with abusive parents, we see children learn to lie to avoid another violent attack to their well-being or involved in fights at school to have a sense of belonging. Moreover, they grow up to believe that they will never succeed and God does not want the best for them. We have to be careful what we instill in our children and our methods for discipline. Is running away, the answer?
We see Roland ‘Tyler’ blaming himself for his parents’ deaths, especially his mother’s. He wants to know GOD, and learn about ‘faith’ but eventually he finds God and discovers the true meaning of faith. We all carry baggage, but what we do with our baggage is the ultimate question. Read the book to find out what Roland Tyler does with his past issues and baggage.
*There were some parts that may be quite boring but he is giving chronological reference and what he finds important to share in his memoir to show how he discovers the strength within regardless of his circumstances.
*This is the opinion of the reviewer that does not reflect the views of Dream 4 More Firm. We received a copy from the author for a book review.
Dream Reviewer,
Adrienna Turner
August 18, 2009
Strength within Surviving by the grace of God was one of the most moving piece of work I have read in a very long time. Author Roland V. Tyler took his life to another level when he decided to tell his story in his own words. I couldn’t help but not put this book down once I opened it. Imagine going through life and seeing that everything that could possibly go wrong does. Imagine going through life and experience death after death of people you know and love. This is a story of a young boy, who some how manage to go through high hell and beyond, to turn his life around. The fact that he turned his life around and did it alone was the most moving portion of this novel. I cried, I laughed, I got angry, I felt sorry for him, but most of all I related to his life, his struggle, and his testimony. This novel was a testimony of Roland overcome child abuse, foster care, living in a mental hospital, drugs, violence, disobedience, loneliness, and most of all Roland testified to his struggle with who God really was. We all have had that moment where we questioned God. Why would he allow something’s to happen? If you ask Roland I am sure he would say that by the Grace of God you are tried, you are challenged to become a better person, but in this process God never leaves. He stays with you. I truly understand Roland’s words when he says, “surviving by the Grace of God.” This is my most highly recommended read for 2009.
Tamika Newhouse
AAMBC Reviewer
Tamika Newhouse
AAMBC Reviewer
April 8, 2012
God Help Me!
A memoir, Roland effortlessly pens his life. Vincent, the oldest of the brothers, is of course the instigator, which almost always leads to trouble. Abuse, abandonment and illness are just pieces of his story.
“Strength Within: Surviving By the Grace of God” is a quick read that deals with trials and tribulations by Roland V. Tyler. It is a very good book worthy of a recommendation. I was truly touched by this read.
Reviewed by: Carmen
Merged review:
God Help Me!
A memoir, Roland effortlessly pens his life. Vincent, the oldest of the brothers, is of course the instigator, which almost always leads to trouble. Abuse, abandonment and illness are just pieces of his story.
"Strength Within: Surviving By the Grace of God" is a quick read that deals with trials and tribulations by Roland V. Tyler. It is a very good book worthy of a recommendation. I was truly touched by this read.
Reviewed by: Carmen
A memoir, Roland effortlessly pens his life. Vincent, the oldest of the brothers, is of course the instigator, which almost always leads to trouble. Abuse, abandonment and illness are just pieces of his story.
“Strength Within: Surviving By the Grace of God” is a quick read that deals with trials and tribulations by Roland V. Tyler. It is a very good book worthy of a recommendation. I was truly touched by this read.
Reviewed by: Carmen
Merged review:
God Help Me!
A memoir, Roland effortlessly pens his life. Vincent, the oldest of the brothers, is of course the instigator, which almost always leads to trouble. Abuse, abandonment and illness are just pieces of his story.
"Strength Within: Surviving By the Grace of God" is a quick read that deals with trials and tribulations by Roland V. Tyler. It is a very good book worthy of a recommendation. I was truly touched by this read.
Reviewed by: Carmen
May 31, 2010
*reviewer did not read and somehow lost book, or never sent to other reviewer...therefore, I will read to write review for author since it has been since late January we had his book and these transitions have taken too long.
November 4, 2015
This is a story of strength and courage to get up and go. Reading this story , one cannot say because of my pain I cannot make it , it is because of my pain that j can make it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews