Product Description
The 1930s were a decade of enormous uncertainty--for the world, for America, and in particular for one lonely, struggling mother and her disabled son. Their story is one of love and enormous sacrifices in the face of circumstances horrendous beyond belief. When her husband leaves her for someone whose time isn't wrapped up in a silent, handicapped kid, Mary and little Jack are out on their own in a world that has no room for the poor and disabled. Especially not at a time when most Americans are simply trying to survive their economic woes and job losses. But then arrives The Gift...where has it come from, and why? How can a young boy who can neither hear nor speak provide comfort, direction, and sometimes challenges to seekers who learn of the special ability? Whatever the source, its presence brings a single shaft of light and hope to Mary and her beloved Jack. Will it be enough? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (51)

Hard to put down.
I really loved this book.I looked forward each night to reading about the sweet, deaf, boy Jack and his faithful, mother Mary.Even after I finished the book I kept thinking about the characters.Great job by both authors!Fantastic book at a terrific price.You won't be disappointed.

Totally Strange,as in "WEIRD"!
As a huge fan ofall the Love Comes Softly,The Last sin Eater, and Saving Sarah Cain movies,I am totally surprised and saddened to say that I am sorry for the time I wasted reading this book instead of one that actually makes sense!

This book makes no sense,whatsoever,and leaves the reader with many unanswered questions for the horror that happens while Jack and his mother are separated,and the book actually does verge on the 'horror realm' then!

The unbelievable HEA left me totally unsatisfied and the last few pages supposedly being told by Jack only furthered my confusion,since Jack was a mute,how on earth was he suddenly able to tell this story!

One totally WEIRD book and I have no idea what category it could even fit in,maybe horror/suspense?

Unless you enjoy reading books that leave you with unanswered questions,and a feeling that you just wasted every hour it took to read it,I recommend skipping this one!

The Strength of a Mother's Love
Imagine your life lived in a cocoon not penetrable by sound, or for that matter, much of anything.Now, imagine your life as the mother of a little boy, whose less-than-ideal entrance into the world, left you with a love so strong that you would do absolutely anything to protect that little boy, but not strong enough to break through his silent cocoon.

In this book, Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley bring you immediately into a time of desperation and confusion in the height of the Great Depression as the mother of a little boy who is deaf and mute, but endowed with a gift far greater than either one of them can comprehend.You will go through the ups and the downs of their lives;from the palace to the prison and back up again.You will be brought to the brink of desperation and cheer with them as their lives begin to make sense.You will be brought to tears at the hard and lonely times of this little family as time and time and time again they have to fight for everything they have only to end up exactly where God wanted them with the maximum amount of lives being touched.

This book was provided to me free of charge as part of Bethany House Book Reviewers.

A book to lift your spirits
I enjoyed this book tremendously.It was one of those books that renew your faith in the goodness of mankind.

Amazing book. Could not put it down!!
This book was amazing.It kept me turning pages and wanting to know more about what happens to Jack.Looking forward to any future books by these authors. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

New insight!
Since our area has reruns of 'Little House' every day, and I now have more time to watch, I developed an interest in Michael Landon and wanted to know more about him.
The book answered many questions about Michael as a man, and businessman.
He was devoted to his children and held tight to his ideals concerning Little House and his other projects.
The book was a fast and interesting read.

Quicky Tabloid Release With Some Interesting Moments
This is one of those quickly thrown-together books that is published right after a star dies.It is merely a gathering of information from magazine articles and lacks a lot of detail.There are times when a couple of years of Landon's career is summarized in a paragraph or two.

The mostly-positive book does include a couple of the famous stories where Landon blows his stack or shows that he is a control freak.Those are actually the best parts of the book, because it appears that many, many people did NOT like Michael Landon because he treated almost everyone so terribly (except his real-life and television daughters).

He also was the opposite privately than he was in his moral TV roles.He freely cheated on his wives and then excused each one away as that his philosophy is that if he isn't happy, he needs to move on.His quotes prove him to be a very shallow person.

This book also confirms that Landon intentionally did not follow the real-world of the Little House books (much to the horror of the show's creator/producer, Landon made the family much more well-off and included contemporary issues that would have never occurred in the late 1800s), but the star exerted so much power over the production that he pushed out those who were concerned with authenticity and turned the show into his own therapy for dealing with a terrible childhood. His Jewish father ignoredhim and his Catholic mother appears to have despised him, though it's never clear which faith he was raised in nor why he supported his mother and sister in later years even though he refused to have anything to do with them!

This book has enough basic information to make it interesting--but there needs to be a serious biographer (other than a familiy member) who is willing to tackle the complex star. At the end of this book you won't like Landon and will especially feel sorry for the kids and wives he abandoned along the way of trying to make himself feel happy. ... Read more

Product Description
Michael Landon's eldest daughter describes her father's roles in Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, and Highway to Heaven, and offers anecdotes about his private life and his perspectives on dying. 100,000 first printing. Tour. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Excellent, butyou shouldn't stop here.
This is a terrific book for any Michael Landon fan who wants to know the more personal side and home life of the man.But if you truly want to know all sides of him, there are other books out there that show a more unbiased look you should read as well. You have to keep in mind that this comes from a grieving daughter who is still bitter over his divorce from her mother.Although there's no doubt that she loved him dearly, being an actual step-daughter, it's obvious that she took her mother's side in the divorce.There are always two sides to any dispute.I'm not saying he did nothing wrong.But she conveniently leaves his side out, not only about the divorce, but about how unfair she makes his will seem.After reading several other books on Michael Landon, the whole picture comes more clearly into view.Over all, I would still strongly recommend this book, but it shouldn't stand alone.

A promise
This book was more about Cheryl than it was Michael. that is why I gave it 3 stars. it does have some interesting reading about the Landon family. it was not a bad book but just not what I expected I wanted to read more about Michael and his life. an ok read.

Hang your head low, Cheryl
Years before his death, in an interview, Michael Landon stated that, his greatest heartbreak would be that, after his death, one of his kids write one of those "tell all" trashy books.

Cheryl Pontrelli, you have succeeded in doing the one thing your step-father feared. You ruined his reputation and put him among those stars who have had a trash book written about them. I hope you have since squandered the profits from this book and are working at a supermarket reading the tabloids during your lunch break.

No Intimate Portrait of Michael Landon
I totally agree with Kandice Esposito's excellent, articulate and objective synthesis of this book. Michael Landon deserves an infintely better biography than this.

Michael's journey through life was not an easy one and he had both his good and less good sides as we all do. But I would like to read a book that compassionately reflects his life's journey from being a survivor of child abuse to one of the most beloved and successful individuals in the history of television.

Cheryl Landon's book seems to me to be the autobiography of a needy individual not yet able to fully resolve her relationship with her late stepfather. The book is poorly written in terms of content and structure and is very poorly illustrated. There are so many wonderful and evocative photos of Michael that could have been used to make this book a collector's item for that aspect alone.

I am so glad that I didn't waste my money on this book and, instead, bought the A&E Michael Landon Biography from Amazon. It is a fascinating, compassionate and respectful video that tells the viewer so much about Michael and it also contains many utterly delightful family photos as well as very interesting comments from his family, friends and colleagues. This video is a fine tribute and one that all of us who hold Michael in affection can enjoy

Disappointing
I had mixed emotions after reading this book.I felt it was extremely self-serving and biased, both on the part of the writer. I feel that Michael Landon, had he wanted a book written about himself, should have been respected enough to make that decision for himself. This book wallows way too much in the emotions of the writer, often seeming whiny and desperate. It also seems to be a biography of the writer herself, not only about herstepfather. "I promised my dad" -Promised your dad to writea book about elements that were best left private and sacred, or at the very least, should have had his permission to disclose? Promised him to write a book about yourself and your own misgivings?There were also many subtle negative inferences to Michael Landon's wife Cindy, as well as her relations.This book seems to be a poor attempt to salve regret. Michael Landon deserved much, much better. I think Michael Landon's memory would have been better served through a more professional, gracious and respectful medium than the spirit in which this book was created. This book does not seem a fitting tribute to such a fine individual, actor, director, writer, husband, father, friend and grandfather. ... Read more

Product Description
Countless fans remember Michal Landon from his leading roles in the popular television series "Bonanza," "Little House on the Prairie," and "Highway to Heaven."Far fewer, perhaps, know Landon as a caring father who changed the course of his own life to save his daughter's.Cheryl, a motivational speaker who travels throughout the world to share her father's legacy, has combined the simple beliefs Michael Landon tried to exemplify - both at work and at home - with family stories, her own experience, and the loving touch of her father's spirit.This special book is guaranteed to charm "and" inspire.Includes a special introduction and photo section.

- A motivational speaker and daughter of acclaimed actor Michael Landon shares a legacy of love that reaches beyond the grave

- Outlines the "7 Keys:" principles that helped the author through her most difficult times and shaped her life

- Enhanced with stories, thoughts, and photos from the family of one of America's most beloved entertainers ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Don't bother, Michael Landon fans.
As a Michael Landon fan, I was totally disappointed in this book.Cheryl is riding on her father's name here.Her philosophy in this book has nothing to do with Michael Landon's legacy.After all the research I've done on him, I think he'd be disappointed with her far-fetched ideas.If this is the way she wants to live and believe, fine:If she wants to write a book about it, fine.But don't attribute it to Michael.

Michael Landon�s Legacy
Cheryl Landon has endured tremendous amounts of physical and mental pain.She struggled through many of those years of pain with the help of her beloved stepfather, Michael Landon. When he lay dying of cancer, Cheryl promised him and God "to honor and protect his name and to continue his legacy-his work to secure a healthy future generation."

Michael Landon's Legacy is the fulfillment of that promise.But it's more than just a tribute to a man who gave a child unconditional love at a time when she most needed it.As Cheryl grew and learned, she discovered what she calls "7 Keys to Supercharging Your Life," based primarily on her observations of how Michael lived.The keys are simple: "Trust in God; Choose love over fear; Believe that daily miracles do occur; Take action now; Believe in truth between people; Build bridges; and Don't judge each other."She illustrates each key with personal stories from both their lives.

Cheryl Landon is now an internationally known speaker, writer, and teacher.Her message is always "create a healthier and safer world for our children."Like her famous stepfather, she believes in the power of love and that God resides in all humans.She seeks to help people focus on that love rather than on fear.She uses Michael Landon as an example-an abused child, he became a loving adult dedicated to doing good for others.

She has devoted her life's work to handing down "to our future generation a world where dreams to come true; a world filled with hope, unity and love; a world in which we do truly love one another."Sheuses intensely personal experiences from her life to teach others how to replace hate and anger with love, and to show how love continues even after death.Readers wanting to change their own lives will discover inspirational and powerful guidance in Michael Landon's Legacy. ... Read more

Product Description
A look at the life and career of Michael Landon, who believed television could make life better for everyone, as evidenced by his creation of the show "Highway to Heaven." ... Read more

Product Description
A loving tribute to the legendary Hollywood actor by his longtime friend and publicist, Harry Flynn. Michael Landon was a great storyteller as well as a creative practical joker. One of Landon's favorite straight men, Flynn recounts many of the gags he experienced and witnessed at the hands of one of America's most beloved stars. 35 photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Life changing.
After ordering the entire 2nd season of LHOTP impulsively late one night while watching infomercials and eating onion rings from Fudruckers I absolutely fell in love with Michael Landon.He's everything I wish I could be.I mean, here I am; forty-four years old, unemployed, pretty overweight, recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and not doing a great job controlling it, rarely cleanly shaven, divorced, childless (as far as I know), and without so much as a decent american made car that runs reliably.But Michael, now there's a quality guy, a real role model.

I heard from a friend in my favorite gaming chat room that there was a great book about Michael.I don't really care to read much, aside from an article every once in a while about Dale Earnhardt that my mom will send me.But I picked up this book and read it cover to cover in only a month.

If you have any self respect, you'll probably be disappointed by this book.Hopefully you'll at least be embarrassed to admit that you considered buying it.But, if you're like me, without many other quality sources of entertainment, it might be just the thing.

A Thrown-Together Mish-Mash of Memories
I picked up this book thinking that it would provide information about Michael Landon from the people who knew him best. And to a certain degree at least, it did. The book contains some great photographs of Landon behind the scenes in his many television projects and with his family and friends. But the book is essentially a disconnected group of stories told to the authors by friends and former coworkers of Landon's, with a very thin thread tying them together. What you walk away from after reading this book is a sense that Landon was a good man, a great father, and a perfectionist in his work -- with wonderful stories to back that up. But what the book is missing is depth. I would have preferred to see lengthy interviews with a fraction of the people this book quotes, because those would have been more illuminating about Landon as a person. Instead, the reader is left to piece together the half-page anecdotes of dozens and dozens of people, some of whom knew Landon for years and others of whom knew him only briefly. Maybe this was the intention of the authors and of Landon's family. Any fan of Landon's work will certainly enjoy what's here. But I think a man like Michael Landon is deserving of a more substantial treatment, and I was left wishing the authors had taken some more time and done a better job (the kind of job Landon himself apparently would have done if the job had been given to him). ... Read more

Product Description
The daughter of the late television star offers candid insights about her famous father, from his role as a devoted parent and his talent as a writer/producer/director to his marital troubles. Reprint. LJ. AB. K. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Wonderful
This book is a must read for all Michael Landon fans. It gives in side details of the man that we all loved and miss.
His daughter did an excellent job writing his life story. This book is really touching. I have read it about once a year since the day it was out on the shelf to buy. ... Read more

Product Description
Michael Landon's eldest daughter describes her father's roles in Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, and Highway to Heaven, and offers anecdotes about his private life and his perspectives on dying. (Biography). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Informative and Heart-Warming
I enjoyed this biography alot. I learned so much about this man that we all loved so dearly, written by his eldest daughter who loved him even more. She tells his story with such love that it brought tears to my eyeson many occaisions. Highly recommend it to anyone who has seen Bonanza,Highway to Heaven or Little House On The Prairie. ... Read more

Product Description
Sweating it Out explores poverty in the United States through the viewpoints and arguments of academic and political _experts,_ low-income adults from Louisiana, and the Bible and Christian theologians. In detailed chapters, Michael Landon presents each group's opinion on the causes of poverty, which include stress or mental illness, personal irresponsibility, social injustice, and family upbringing, among others. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Not for the general reader
I bought the book thinking that it would give me kind of an atlas of native images but it turned out to be more scholarly. Still a very informative and great book on its topic. ... Read more

Product Description
Since its founding in 1854, the University of Mississippi School of Law has been an institutional bulwark of the state. Generations of Mississippi’s prominent lawyers and politicians were graduates of the school, and these individuals have dramatically affected the state’s political and cultural life. Governors William F. Winter and Ronnie Musgrove, U.S. Senators Trent Lott and Thad Cochran, and former state Attorney General Michael Moore are all alumni of the School of Law.

The University of Mississippi School of Law: A Sesquicentennial History gives a full overview of the institution’s development from its inception in 1854 to 2004. The book examines the school during Reconstruction, its growth from a "law department" into a "law school," the impact of World Wars I and II on its students and faculty, and its transition from a male-only program to a co-educational one.

Author Michael de L. Landon discusses how notable leaders ensured that, despite its problems, the school maintained its high academic standards and its worthy reputation both within its home state and nationally. The book discusses the school’s struggles in dealing with racial segregation, as well as periodic confrontations with state political figures. The history examines the school’s expansion, basic curriculum, and supplementary programs to show how it achieved a place among the finest law schools. ... Read more

Product Description
8 X 10 BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO. ... Read more