True courage can't be measured by age!!!!!
592584
I enjoyed this movie very much mainly because of the courage displayed by this young girl even when faced with such uncertain odds of survival. I love revenge movies and this movie combined the two very well. Survival and revenge made this one of the best I've seen in a long time....very refreshing!
2808527
I met Alter when he made time for our History Holocaust class at Rock Creek P.C.C. in 2006.

I was humbled and brought to tears to meet this kind, gentle soul. Our class was asked to speak near the end of Alter's visit. I was moved to tears when I talked about Alter's courage. Everyone cried, even Jack.  I acknowledged that I had new-found courage within myself; to know that somehow we can make it (whatever "it" is.) I cried again while turning the pages of his autobiography: "From a Name to a Number."

I strongly feel that the community of humanity is very blessed to see, hear or read the struggles of Alter Wiener. To realize the connectedness we share in our current day-to-day life with strangers who otherwise may go quietly into the night if they had not the courage to open the pages of their hearts and their life experiences as Alter has.

We all know of the atrocities that mankind has bestowed unto itself.  Even today countless ill-fated actions go on throughout the world. Horrific, cruel, senseless...

Alter survived probably the single biggest, shameful event from antiquity to this day in history.  His accounting of his personal experience is very moving.

When Alter speaks and writes he also reminds us that there is good among evil.  Many good people risk their safety and lives when it may be easier to look the other way.

Know that we are blessed to be free to choose to pick up a book, grab a fresh piece of fruit, walk to the park and read.  Honor Alter and millions of those who perish because of bigotry, power and cowardice.

Honor Alter and those with the courage to survive the unsurvivable. I plan to honor Alter and my many mentors from family, education and art by soon sharing my life through my "pages of the heart."  I am blessed in countless ways and Alter Wiener is one of my most memorable blessings.

Thank you Alter for all that you do for each of us.

Twyla
1499395
I have just watched  "Oranges and Sunshine" I've had it for awhile but was not ready to watch it. If you have not you have missed a truly amazing heart warming and heroic story that will touch your heart. It is not only of the children's plight but that England discarded nearly 130,000 children from the 1940's and on.
In 1986 a woman came to Margaret to try to find out who she was and to find her mother, and then Nicky came to her looking for her brother Jack, these  two stories had the same beginning so Margaret looked into their stories. Until the early 1970s, thousands of British children -- many orphans, others taken by social workers from broken homes -- were packed onto ships bound for Australia. Promised "oranges and sunshine," they were gong to the land of Oz! But instead endured abuse in workhouses as virtual slaves. In 1987, Nottingham, England, social worker Margaret Humphreys learns the horrific extent of this program as she attempts to help these two of its survivors, the timid Jack and the violent Len and find out so much more.
Based on true events, the real Margaret Humphreys was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1993, and awarded Commander of the British Empire in 2011 for her work.
It's the story of the children who survived and of Margaret Humphries and her husband Melvyn social workers who tried  to help these children who were discarded and sent off to Australia on ships to work on farms beaten,raped and made to work until their debt was paid. They like so many wanted to know the Who, what, and why were they there and if anyone truly loved them, and why did no one care. Some never made it!
I thought I had it bad at St. Annes Orphanage in Worcester Mass but truth be told I now see we were just disciplined for our mischievousness and bad behavior. I do know that I felt the same as these children because I felt empty and unworthy not knowing the why's. I was fortunate I got a second chance in life and believe I made it count.
It took so many years for England to admit their wrongs to these children nothing in the world could repay what they had done! Their wounds would never heal. In 1986 victims were pressing for an apology from the British government, which ultimately was delivered by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in February 2010.
Bearing in mind the shocking truths of this story, I know it will be with me for a long time. Watch this and consider how lucky you are!

Sent from my iPad
237588
This is a true story of a boy, Rob, who is left at an orphanage when he is three years old and lives there until he graduates from high school.  He has many struggles as he grows up being "a kid from the Home".  Kids in the school system don't like him, girls don't want to date him, his family doesn't seem to want him, and the other boys in the Home aren't crazy about him either.  He has a lot to overcome and he eventually decides perhaps God is the one to turn to for help and trust.  But can God really help an out of control orphan boy?  Will Rob find God in time to change his perspectives enough to save himself?

This is truly an emotional read with great lessons.  This was a true story that read as interesting as a fictional one.  It was an in depth and great read.  The journey that Rob went through in his life is truly an amazing one, and one that was not easy for him.  I found it amazing that he would share his journey with us readers to try and help or inspire anyone he could from his life events.  It took real courage to relive his life as he wrote it and be willing to share it with readers all over the world.  I was very impressed with the telling of his life story.  Some non-fiction reads are "dry" to me, but this one was written in such a way that I couldn't wait to see how it all turned out and how he carried on through his hard times.  It was very well written and I could tell that he really put his heart and soul into writing this book.  His goal of helping anyone he could through his writing about his life story is truly amazing and inspirational.  He had a hard time talking about his life as he grew up, but then to share it in hopes of helping others is truly an inspiration.  I felt bad for him and how he was treated at the orphanage and as he grew up.  I was glad to see that he could find guidance eventually in God to help him get through it all.  This was a a very inspirational read for me.

5/5 Stars!!!
3381534
This book goes in to more depth of the case than one could have imagined, a 17 year old story that continues to this day. It is an amazing feat to have written such a daring and honest story told to the depth that I would wonder how it could be refuted. Kudos to people like Rabia Chaudry and the whole "Village" of supporters who continue to pursue justice and a fair hopefully re trial in this day and age, where bias of many kinds come full force against many innocent victims of the system we live in. More stories like this need to be told!!
4808748
This book was very hard to read at times but the courage and bravery showed by these young women in such a hopeless situation is inspiring.
This story will stay with me for a long time...
3845037
Just out of curiosity, I picked up this book from my 15 year old's pile of summer reads. I didn't put the book down until I finished. The only time I put it aside was to wipe the tears from my eyes or move to a quieter location. At 43 years old, I have to say that this was one of the most moving books I've read (younger audience genre) - it is a book that will inspire any age. This story is about friendship, loyalty, life, God, free speech, free thinking, and most of all, compassion. The subject matter is sometimes difficult - as a mother of 3, it was hard to read about the abuse. Sarah's father, as someone mentioned in another review, is one of the scariest characters in fiction - there are parts of the book which will keep you at the edge of your seat.  This book has a life lesson for any age!
2467354
This book is the true story of a young womans amazing adventure as a photojournalist in some of the most dangerous places in the world!
Melissa Burch started a journey at the age of twenty-one, that most people would never have the courage to even attempt! The first 1/3 of the story is exciting, amazing and unbelieveable.  The middle 1/3 is a little slow, but the last 1/3 is a very moving spiritual adventure!  I am amazed at her honesty and openness and courage.  This story really helped me to understand the "hidden truth" behind a lot of the current unrest in the world. This is a well-written memoir with a lot of important messages about the journey to find one's own self.
4759878
Almost unbelievable story - will leave you with your mouth wide open! A powerful and compelling story told accurately and with remarkable detail. Human courage and bravery at it's finest. Do watch the docu-movie too!! I thoroughly recommend this to anybody who likes books on human survival and determination and courage.
3337831
I loved this book!!! It was just what I needed to read at the exact time in my life. The author went through an amazing journey and shares her story in detail. The book and the story it contains has an incredible message - Never .... ever give in to Fear!!! And shares a heartfelt message at the end from people you would least expect. Thanks Marti for having the courage to live through this and share your tale with us. It has helped me on my Way in a big way and I am forever grateful : ))) - Phil Chisholm (London Ontario Canada)
4311146
unbelievable story of courage and strength.....that a cult can be allowed in this country at this time is beyond the pale.....you need to read this book...
4552025
I bought this book years ago and it made me so proud to see there were men like Colonel Broughton who had the courage to stand up for what was right during a time when men were being killed every day as a result of the absolute insane people micro-managing the war on every level. People who had no more qualifications to write the rules of engagement than Hanoi Jane. Rules that were responsible for husbands, fathers, brothers and lovers never returning home. History has yet to assign the level of shame needed to men like Lyndon Baines "Micro-Manage" Johnson and Robert "Sorties" McNamara". We're all aware of the media's disdain for Nixon, but does anyone other than those who fought in Vietnam ever credit him with bringing the Vietnamese to their knees, ending the war and bringing our POWs home who, for some, endured torture and deprivation for as long as 8 years? The Vietnam War gave us many, many heroes - the vast majority of which most people have never heard of or sadly seem to care. Most of my adult life has been lived with these men never far from my thoughts. Men like Lance Sijan, James Stockdale, Jeremiah Denton, Sam Johnson, George Coker, George McKnight, Howard Rutledge, Leo Thorseness, Harry Jenkins, James Mulligan, Bob Shumaker, Ron Storz, Nels Tanner, Everett Alvarez... etc, etc. I could go on and on.... there were so many men who suffered torture at the hands of the Vietnamese and so few people know their stories. It's been how long since the war's end, and the media does nothing to bring their stories to light. Why you might ask... because the liberal media doesn't want to put a microphone and a camera in front of men who are going to discuss how their faith in God got them through the toughest period of their life. I recommend a great DVD titled "Prisoners of Hope"' that includes interviews with some of these men. And one last comment, Colonel Broughton is a hero who had a lot of backbone and wasn't afraid to stand up against the powers that be and how I wish more people were like that today - don't ever be afraid to take a stand for what is right because we are living in times where we need people like these more than never before.
3160264
This is a terrifying true story that should be made into a movie!!!  That might help to make non-readers aware of how our highest officials really serve,  not the people of America but themselves and their foreign criminal partners.  The patriot act should have been repealed long ago, but no one can stop the flow once the dam is breached.  Our civil rights are only as strong as the voice of its citizens.  This story reveals how impossible it is to speak and reveal the corrupt elite in our country, where judges are chosen not for their integrity but for their foibles which leave them vulnerable to manipulation by the royalty in control of the executive branch of government.  Constitution be damned, if the king doesn't want his cronies held accountable you can be sure that executive privilege or national security, or if all else fails pardons will be used.  The author of this narrative is an inspiration.  It is unreal that it took a person from a foreign country to fight so hard for things Americans just let be taken away.

I highly recommend this book to those who wonder why no one was prosecuted for 9/11.

 I am going to make sure my library has a copy for all to read and heed.
1285873
I wasn't sure if this book would be one for me but I decided to give it a try after reading some of the reviews.  I've read well in excess of 100 books on our Special Forces & especially the navy SEALS  >>> both fiction & biographical.  Most all of the good books I rated at 4 stars.  I gave this 5 stars because it was truly inspiring and insightful.  The lessons that Jason learned in his SEAL career will translate to any young man who wants to become successful and achieve the absolute most he can in his chosen career.  I have copied many of the highlighted portions in the book and put these "Pearls of Wisdom" into book/notebook form to give to my 19 year old grandson.  If he takes any of this to heart & is able to apply these "lessons" to his career he will be properly rewarded.  I just wish I had had the benefit of these lessons to learn from when I was a young man.
In reading this book you get the feeling that you have the honor to be sitting down with one of the elite members of the navy's SEAL team 6 and listening to his life story.............an amazing and spellbinding read !!! Do yourself a favor and read this book and if you have any young people in your life .... give them the list of "Lessons Learned" by the author ----- they will benefit from this and could possibly be a life changing experience for them.
Thank you Jason for letting us share your story and the lessons you learned.

Respectfully,  Jack K.
188030
Wow! I just finished "True Spirit". I am still amazed by the incredible story of that young Australian girl, who believed in her dream, and made it come true. A gutsy adventure that I thought impossible to see taking place in our modern world, and a heart-taking story. Jessica Watson not only achieved a huge performance with her solo non stop unassisted circumnavigation, but she did it gracefully, and now she is publishing a wonderful book, that makes all its readers share her progress, her daily feelings, and her success.
An incredibly inspiring book for all ages, one of the very top books I shall have read in my life by the pleasure and the emotions it brought me.
Mmmm I'm just considering reading it again to savour it better.
4950767
What an amazing book!!! The statement "It's not about you" was so impacting and Nabeel's courage! God bless such a pure heart!!!
3430017
This is a real life account of persons providing shelter to others in The Netherlands during the Nazi occupation in World War II.  It is a story of unflinching courage.  It is also a story of unblinking faith.  As such it is both a work of great inspiration and also a work that provides a counterbalance to stories of moral failures.

I recently read an excellent non fiction history by Tony Jundt.  It is a history of Europe after World War II.  I found the work to be extremely educational to me.  The work is extremely detailed and well researched.  Therefore Mr. Jundt has earned the right to express his opinions on various subjects and does so.  He proceeds to skewer everyone, including my country, America, and, of course, The Netherlands.  This book under review shows there is another side to that coin.

True courage and true faith have always been a distinct subset of human nature.  But it is not nonexistent.
I have often asked myself the following questions.  Without "wrong", how can there be "right"?  How can courage exist if there is no fear?  How can virtue exist if there is no vice?  This book and other works like it, can prove the greatest source of inspiration, to someone such as myself.  I am very grateful to have read it.  Thank You...