Book Review: A Short Life Well Lived

Book: A Short Life Well Lived

Author: Tom Sullivan

Brian O'Connor is a successful lawyer, loving husband, and devoted father. He also happens to be blind. Driven his entire life to be independent, Brian has achieved much, but he has been so busy proving his triumph over blindness that he hasn't stopped to consider how his carefully crafted life can all come crashing down in an instant. When his young son is diagnosed with cancer, the long ensuing battle brings Brian to his knees as he comes to terms with his own limitations and his need for faith.

About the Author: Tom Sullivan, known to many as an actor, singer, entertainer, author, and producer, lives and works by “Sullivan’s Rules.” Born prematurely in 1947, Tom was given too much oxygen while in an incubator. Though it saved his life, it cost him his eyesight. The “inconvenience” of being blind has never kept Tom Sullivan from competing in a world where he realized that to be equal, for him, meant that he must be better. Over the years he's made a number of guest-starring appearances in shows such as Designing Women, Highway to Heaven, Fame, M.A.S.H, Mork & Mindy, and WKRP in Cincinnati. But to create the characters and fulfill the role of a blind man on prime time, he also helped write and develop many of these stories. He gained popularity on daytime TV as a regular on Search For Tomorrow and was awarded the 1984 Governors Committee Award for his role. Tom has also been nominated twice for Emmy Awards. As a special correspondent for ABC's Good Morning America, Tom has become a regular morning fixture in millions of American homes. His touching and insightful reports give many that “you can do it” bit of inspiration to start their day. Whether it was snow skiing with his son in Colorado, or interviewing the legendary Jack Nicklaus over a few holes of golf, his reporting is memorable. He is now writing and producing for television and film. He is a bestselling author of fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books.

My Thoughts: This is a heartwarming story of a close knit family who is facing a tremendous obstacle concerning their son's health. I liked how the book was written in the viewpoint of the father. When reading the words you get a glimpse of the emotions and thoughts of a father who is blind trying to cope in a sight dependent world. Brian must put aside his own self reliance as he questions his own faith and belief in God. The book is masterfully written with vivid sensory detail. You will laugh, you will cry but you will not want to put the book down.

It was amazing for me to read how the father who was blind since birth mastered using his other senses to function nearly independently and overcame so many obstacles in his life.  I really enjoyed reading this book and I know you will too.

For more information or to order a copy, visit A Short Life Well Lived.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book courtesy of GlassRoadsPr in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not compensated for this review. Any and all thoughts expressed were solely my own.