A Little Bit About David Cole David Cole hasn't led an easy life, but he hasn't led a hard one compared to some people either. He's been through abuse, including some that was self-inflicted. He's been betrayed. He's been abandoned. He's been cheated on. He's lied. He's stolen. He's even betrayed the people that have loved him. He's also experienced deep and passionate loves, had many friends, been very successful, and from what people tell him, he's touched many lives. David has never been able to find a church or a belief system where he fits in. That's because even though David is a Christian, he thinks that when we all get to heaven God is going to tell us that we got it all wrong. The Muslims weren't right, the Jews weren't right, the Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others weren't right. They were all right. God manifested himself to different people and cultures in different ways; and we went and screwed it all up by dividing the human race into religions, political views, sexual orientations and any other uncommon ground we could find. David believes that everyone is truly equal, which may sound utopian or even na?ve, but that is how he has tried to live his life. He also believes that no matter how people try and put each other down for their beliefs, their actions, or their sexual orientations that only God can see into your heart. Only he or she can judge you. Therein lies David's biggest problem. David has been carrying a secret for most of his life, and it's about to tear him apart. David's journey is one of pain and anguish, but ultimately, one of faith, hope and miracles. If you want to know more turn the page.
Prepare to have your mind blown. My Name is David Cole takes you on a journey through childhood and adolescence into adulthood and the spiritual realm and a world of possibilities. The beginning of the journey is a no-holds barred depiction of an abusive childhood. As a reader, I felt like my head was being held underwater experiencing the pain of David Cole, but then the author pulls you back out and as you gasp for breath, you head straight into a lighter moment of childhood friends, Sox games, girls, or Wiffle Ball. The author reminds you that not every single moment can be bad, or good, and you get to experience both along with his main character. You experience the psychological roller-coaster of thinking that the bad times are fading, perhaps all will be better, and then, sadly, it is not. But then, for a while, it gets better again. This seems like a very realistic abuse pattern and a true testament to a child's ability to continue to hope for the best and the power within to recover. As a young adult, you'll want to high five him for a chapter or two of good old fashioned debauchery that should be a rite of passage for everyone (pity, David's experiences in this section are fantasies to most of us). Then reach for your black clothes and plunge headlong into a period of depression, surprisingly, after the worst of it is over. But this also seems realistic that after the storm has passed, and you survey the damage, that you truly take it all in. Sprinkled throughout the childhood to early adulthood period of this book are spiritual contemplations, conversations, visions and most likely hallucinations. The author starts to lay the framework for his thesis that God is available to all of us in many forms, that no one religion holds the truth or the path to heaven, and that we should be accepting of our differences because it is only for God to judge us and that we do not know God's mind. I could not agree more wholeheartedly but for those who disagree, well, I guess that's your right too. This brings me to what could be a potential downfall for some, although not myself. This book takes a deep dive not just into what you could call "spiritualism" but also the supernatural (although it's hard to say where one ends and the other begins), with a smattering of science/science fiction. Some readers may find that their religious beliefs do not have room for the unknown, and it's possible that this book will not end up in all church libraries across the US, but that's ok by me. If you can't keep an open mind, this book may not be for you. Once David decides to leave his family, friends, and education behind and embark on a physical and spiritual journey of discovery, this is where the fun begins. If you could imagine a little bit of the Twilight and Harry Potter books (with regards to learning how to use your own unique gifts, battles, and sheer imagination), Augusten Burroughs (I've only read his book "Dry" but get the idea that he has had
Life Changing
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
I am so moved and changed by this story, even more so than "The Shack". Thank you for writing this and for strengthening my beliefs on life and death. I finished this book about a month ago and still bring the story into my daily life. (more to come)
If this doesn't make you think, check your pulse.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
This book is amazing. Take "the shack" and give it muscles, and you have "My Name Is David Cole". I laughed, I cried, I looked inside myself. David's story is one of despair, hope, love, and above all faith and equality. This should be required reading in our schools.....it's about tolerance.
WOW!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
I just finished reading My Name is David Cole and I find myself speechless and in awe and just enjoying the moment. It's reminiscent of The DaVinci Code, but also different, if that makes any sense. . . just buy this book and then read it. . . and then draw your own conclusions. My Name is David Cole
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