The Wisdom of Sam: Observations on Life from an Uncommon Child

by Daniel Gottlieb

In this heartfelt and generous book, author Daniel Gottlieb shares life lessons taught to him by his eight-year-old grandson, Sam. Readers were first introduced to Sam in Letters to Sam —which has been translated into 15 languages, with more than 50,000 copies sold in the U.S. Now, The Wisdom of Sam continues the extraordinary story of the interaction between a grandfather who is quadriplegic and a grandson who is autistic as they share their discoveries about empathy, compassion, courage, happiness, and the power of laughter. Sam’s uncommon perspective on the world—and the remarkable way he expresses himself—are the seeds of inspiration for his grandfather. And the emotional connection between Daniel Gottlieb and his grandson provide a springboard for wonderful moments of reflection, understanding, and humor. Sam’s candid observations not only teach us what we’ve forgotten but they also show us how to look at the world through a different lens. Just as Sam’s grandfather has found his world view forever changed by the wisdom of his grandson, readers of The Wisdom of Sam will discover unforgettable messages of acceptance, hope, love, and gratitude.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Self Help

136 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2010

About the author

Daniel Gottlieb, Ph.D.
Dan began his practice in 1969 after receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees at Temple University. As a young psychologist, his early career specialized in addictions where he ultimately was the director of a community based treatment program in Philadelphia. He enjoyed early successes and loved spending time with his two young daughters. The first decade of his career felt perfect.

In 1979 Dan was in a near fatal automobile accident which left him paralyzed from the chest down. As expected, there were years of despair and depression. He experienced loss on top of loss as his wife left the marriage and passed away several years later. And in the ensuing years he mourned the loss of his sister and his parents. And for the last three decades, he has been observing life with passion and discussion and learning valuable lessons about what it means to be human and how to find peace in the wake of suffering.

Since 1985, Daniel Gottlieb has been hosting "Voices in the Family," an award-winning mental health call-in radio show aired on WHYY 90.9 FM, Philadelphia's local public radio station. From 1993 until 2008, he wrote a highly regarded column for the Philadelphia Inquirer titled: "Inside Out," reflecting his perspective on the events in the world around us and the many ways we experience those events. He has also previously published a total of four books. His most recent, "The Wisdom of Sam: Observations on Life from an Uncommon Child,". In it, Dan tells of some of the remarkable insights shared by his grandson Sam who is on the autism spectrum. All of his royalties are donated to children's charities.

In addition to his writing and radio show, he lectures locally and nationally on a variety of topics affecting the well-being of people, families and the larger community.

The essence of his philosophy can be found on his business card. After his name there are no degrees and no fancy titles. His card simply says "Gottlieb. Human."

Through personal and professional experience, Dan has learned that our greatest suffering is alienation and loneliness. That is these powerful emotions can produce prejudice, hatred, violence, withdrawal and depression. He has learned that all humans long for human contact, compassion and understanding. And without compassion, our spirits wither.

Dan is the proud father of two daughters who contribute to making the world a better place. He is the blissfully happy grandfather of Sam and he deeply grateful for the life he has.

Reviews

[Angela Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book so much that I was eager to read this second book. Honestly I was a bit disappointed. The book was filled with great insight and thoughtful commentary but I felt it was a bit wordy and ran on a little longer than necessary. Still a good book just not as great as the first.

[Gregory Barron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice easy book to read. Uplifting and tender in some spots and helpful. I especially liked his way of accepting things

[Ariani15d]

Aku baca versi terjemahan bahasa Indonesia dengan judul "Belajar Bijak dari Sam"

Buku bersampul kuning yang terdiri dari 17 Bab + Epilog ini akan mengantarkanmu belajar memahami diri sendiri dan orang lain.

Sebagaimana judul buku ini, Sam memang menjadi tokoh utama dalam kisah yang diceritakan. Pembaca akan dibawa melihat dan memahami "dunia" lewat anak lelaki berusia 8 tahun yang mengidap autisme ini.

Pertanyaan dan perasaan yang dialami Sam adalah pertanyaan dan perasaan yang seringkali dialami oleh setiap orang, disadari ataupun tidak.

Dibuka dengan kisah berjudul "Sedikit Maaf", pembaca akan diajak memahami bagaimana cara merespon perasaan kecewa yang disebabkan oleh orang lain. Sedikit maaf, seperti yang dilakukan Sam mungkin bisa membantu diri sendiri berdamai dengan perasaan itu, tanpa menyakiti perasaan orang lain.

Membaca buku ini aku teringat ungkapan "Semua murid, semua guru". Sam yang merupakan seorang murid, juga merupakan seorang 'guru kehidupan', sebaliknya sang kakek yang merupakan psikolog dan ahli terapi ternama belajar banyak hal dari sang cucu.

Salah satu tips yang diberikan penulis dalam buku ini adalah:
"Jangan menghabiskan terlalu banyak energimu untuk mengejar kehidupan yang kau inginkan atau menghindari kehidupan yang kau takutkan. Miliki keyakinan untuk menjalani kehidupan yang kau miliki dan jalani kehidupan itu secara penuh, dengan rasa cinta dan rasa syukur yang besar".

[Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is written by a man who had a grandson with autism. The uniqueness of the approach was the grandfather had been rendered a quadriplegic following unique automobile related accident. Given the unique circumstances of the grandson and the grandfather created a relationship where each learned from the other in ways they never realized was possible. This would be a good read for anyone who has a relationship with another who resides somewhere on the "autistic spectrum." It will increase one's awareness of how individuals on the spectrum think, perceive and express feelings that may not be understood by the uninformed. Well written and informative if you fit the niche.

[Janis E Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful journey with Sam

The author has such an introspective & simple relationship with his unique & special grandson. It illuminates for the reader how patience & calmness in listening & seeking to guide his grandson (and us) through learning to accept & thrive in the world. Yet, in another level, Sam is the teacher. I will recall the insights gained many times over in loving the people in my life!

[Distorted Memories (Sunny) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay I cried in the end.

[Haniva Zahra · Rating 4 out of 5]

baiklah, baru sempat menuliskan reviewnya sekarang.
jadi, buku ini masih bercerita tentang Sam dan Pop Daniel Gottlieb, yang selalu senang melakukan refleksi diri dan menemukan bahwa ternyata, begitu banyak alasan dalam hidup kita untuk bersyukur dan bahagia.

dari anak-anak, dari Sam yaitu anak dengan spektrum autisme sekalipun, kita bisa banyak belajar tentang hidup. karena sayangnya, semakin dewasa, semakin sering juga kita mereduksi kehidupan sehingga melewatkan banyak hal yang berharga. dari anak-anaklah, kita kembali tersadar, oh hal yang selama ini kita anggap kecil adalah justru hal yang besar, dan apa yang saat dewasa kita anggap sebagai hal yang begitu penting, nyatanya tidak sebegitunya.

termasuk buku yang sepertinya nanti akan saya ulang lagi, mungkin ketika sudah berpraktik sebagai psikolog, atau mungkin nanti ketika saya punya anak, atau nanti ketika saya seusia Pop dan memiliki begitu banyak waktu untuk melakukan refleksi dan mengulang kenangan lampau.

buku ini, untuk saya, bukan sekedar buku bacaan ringan semata, ini buku pelajaran kuliah saya juga hehehe :) terima kasih untuk kakak Neti tersayang yang sempat-sempatnya memberikan saya hadiah, buku ini :)

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam is described as an Uncommon Child, not necessarily because he is on the autism spectrum, but because of his one-liners. Sam is 8-years-old. The author, Daniel Gottlieb, is his grandfather who happens to be quadriplegic.

Sam's comments and questions about life, death, and things in between such as "Why do people have to get naked?" are the backbone of the book. Gottlieb takes the backbone and fleshes it out with chapters about events in their lives. We learn about Sam's first solo night away from home and Gottlieb's first train trip since his accident. This book has a backbone, heart, and wisdom.

[Julianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first of the "to Sam" books from Gottlieb, and was very interested to see where the last few years took him and Sam as they both continued to learn how to interact with the world. This one had a bit less of personal journeys and more of the "life lessons," similar to what you'd get in many self-help/motivational books. It was a nice perspective and had lots of good reminders about keeping perspective on life, being in tune with what you're feeling (and why), and "raising the kid you have, not the kid you want" (something all of us need to remember, but particularly those who have children with special needs).

[Wellington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I'm the the first reviewer.

Now a disclaimer, I don't know anyone diagnosed with autism. Nor am I a parent. But hey I did work with a quadriplegic. But I am a human being. I do ask questions and try to make sense of this thing called life.

The book is a sequel of a quadriplegic grandfather and his relationship with his autistic grandson, Sam. It's a gentle book of sweet tidbits that could people say, "Awwww..."

From all this book I learned that we all have various degrees of autism. And we all do a little to learn from Sam and his grandfather, Pop.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Gottlieb's relationship with his autistic grandson is endearing. Daniel shares Sam's unique perspective on life, as he sees it. But I was extremely impressed with the way Daniel answered Sam's questions and soothed his fears in a very honest, heartfelt manner. What an awesome pair they make!

This is a book in the tradition of Tuesdays with Morrie that is just so uplifting and inspiring -- a must read!

[Jagdish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading it looking for uncommon wisdom in Sam. But then I thought I would learn about autism or autistic children. There was not much on either. There was perhaps more on how live life, how to parent a child, how important empathy is to keep one's heart open and tender. Perhaps I was biased looking for things that weren't much there in it. However, there might be something to take home in it, a little bit.

[Liz Johannes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this immensely. Having a sensitive child myself is a daily struggle and most times I don't know how to speak to her. I've read some books with this subject but this spoke to me a little louder. Some of the things he mentions I've heard before and some not. I loved his little lesson especially. There is a softness in the writing that enthralled me.. It engaged me. Thanks so much.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Widsom of Sam is just a beautiful book for me. I love the way how the author expresses his feelings about his grandson Sam. The book shows you big values to catch in order to put them in practice for life.

[Dinakar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an OK book. Nothing spectacular.

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Both the child and his grandfather were annoying.

[Randy]

Read the Indonesian version published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama.

[Tina Nealen]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13991504