What makes a happy person, a happy life? Dawson, who learned how to read when he was 98, tells how as he describes his own remarkable odyssey across the span of the 20th century.
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What makes a happy person, a happy life? Dawson, who learned how to read when he was 98, tells how as he describes his own remarkable odyssey across the span of the 20th century.
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Worth reading. It's a wonderful look at everyday happenings thru the eyes of someone who has lived so long and appreciates so much.
katymontrose
Jun 30, 2011
A Must Read
This book joins the list of my all-time favorite reads. As an avid reader for over 53 years, that's my highest recommendation for a book. The story was touching and inspirational. The way Mr. Dawson slyly taught Mr. Glaubman so many life lessons was amazing. The book had me taking a look at my own life and realizing just how fortunate I've always been. What courage and sense of responsibility Mr. Dawson had. We should all be more like him.
The Pageturner
Apr 30, 2011
The Lessons I Learned From George Dawson
On the second day of my Easter break (April 22, 2011), my 30 year old cousin died of cancer. After his mother had died suddenly last year, his body and spirit seemed to break down and follow her path. I only met him once, at age eight and didn't know too well except that he is my blood uncle's son. On the day that he died, a tornado hit Missouri (my state) in the St. Louis area (where I live mostly). Some houses were spared, some lost everything. Nobody died fortunately. It seemed to be a week to remind everyone how very very fleeting all things are. And even though sadness was hitting everyone, I was joyful.
On that particular day, I began to read a book called "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman. Mr. Dawson was a Black man born in Texas in 1898 and he learned to read when he was 98 years old. He died at 102. While reading, I was given the story of his entire life and of all of the lessons that he learned as he matured. The theme that seemed to resonate was "DO NOT WORRY" and I feel that reading this book at this time was a blessing from God.
Many people mourn at the end of a life, or they are in panic and despair when a twist of nature destroys their haven. But as Mr. Dawson said, "Life ain't all good or all bad. It's full of everything." And it is. Sometimes even the bad things can lead to the good things that is what makes life so enticing. Why worry about the negativity in life when we all have similar results in the end: the final chapter of our lives? Don't waste the climax in your story fretting over the things that either do not matter or those that you cannot change. Appreciate your story for what is is and only alter it if it is for the better.
In the words of the late Mr. Dawson "Life is so good and it gets better everyday."
JenBrocato
Dec 27, 2009
An eye opening read.
I found this book appealing because the main character was born the same year as my white great-grandmother, and I thought of the disparity between their two lives. As a country, we should not forget where we have come from and this story tells part of our past. The story is not preachy, but lovingly told, just like sitting at gramma's kitchen table.
wfjorgen
Mar 19, 2009
Great Book!
This book is a very well written memoir. It reminds the reader that it is the basic things which give true meaning to our lives--family, faith, good health, and hard work. The shifts between the past and the present are woven together seamlessly, enabling the reader to be immersed in the story and simultaneously ponder the life lessons shared by the main character.
