Review of Dead Stuck

I found the book profound, inspiring, funny, and insightful. I learned that I, too, speak in footnotes. I was telling my eldest daughter about this because I had never thought of my speech pattern – or anyones’ – in that way. You are extremely articulate. I am extremely not. When you speak, the footnotes flow smoothly. When I speak, I sound as if my thoughts are not organized. Actually, they are, but I am always trying to provide full ‘informed consent’ – I want to provide all the information so that the person or people I am speaking to do not misunderstand or, worst yet, make assumptions that are incorrect about what I am saying. Bottom line. I now know that I speak in footnotes, a fact that up until I read this book, I had not recognized – and I am happy with this revelation!.

I learned more about soccer and find that I now pay attention to the soccer scores (what the hell!! – I just watch to be able to feast my eyes on the good looking Brazilians!)

Profound and insightful – “tall poppy” – what a concept! The reminder “Know when to speak and when to be silent” – good advice and one of those that I instilled in my children even that I can’t seem to instill it in myself – getting better as I learn from my mistakes. What I will carry away with me was “mistakes or their aftermath cause people to change, get sick, or die”. Wow! Energy vampires” – am I the last person in the world to hear this phrase or is it an original Richard? Either way, extremely descriptive and good advice besides.

On marriage: Thank you for writing it so that I don’t have to for my children because I would not have been able to do it the justice that you did. My favorite part (not sure if this is where it was in the book) – “if you can share every file on your computer” then that’s the one. Another “Wow”. What a fantastic yardstick.

Your advice to men is just what this woman wanted to hear. I was a little disappointed with your advice to women. That is the only time in the book that I felt you held back….although the tidbit about men being wanted was worth the price of admission AND the popcorn. I look forward to sharing it with my son and husband to hear their comments on this part.

Inspiring – Your message of pushing the limits, reaching for the stars, and the ever present message of “work hard”. Of course, the term “dead stuck” reminds us to keep our heads no matter what is happening. I grew up on a farm and one Christmas my Mom was buried when a hay stack came down on her while she was doing chores. Once she escaped, she came into the house just ashen from fear and because she had breathed in so much dust and hay mold and through her tears (I only saw her cry for herself twice in my life) said that the main thing that kept her struggling to get out from under that ton of hay was her love for her daughters. Visualizing your panic was very similar to visualizing Mother’s panic, complete with claustrophobia and struggling for air.

“Let peace begin with me” is almost Biblical for me. Your words “Some people are simply wrong and mean to hurt you” are a good mantra to live by. I will never know why he is so intent on ruining my career or making my life difficult. Your words are very helpful. Thank you for these.

Funny – the story about the men’s retreat may not have been meant to be funny but I found it a deep -down -shaking –the- belly laugh, tears flowing down my face funny. Of course, the story about the 29 year old ER doc was kind of MASH funny in a sadistic sort of way – perhaps it is funnier because you were not permanently scarred and from a female perspective it was very funny.

It is so refreshing to have someone allow themselves to be so vulnerable in the telling of their story and in your honesty to your daughters. Thank you for sharing it with the world and for sending me the book Richard. Bravo!