Face-value

Like it or not we live in a culture that celebrates youth and beauty; how you look can affect your ability to get a job, find a mate, or even to be taken seriously. Dr. Sundaram has made a significant contribution to those of us over 40 by dispelling the guilt that many of us feel when we consider cosmetic procedures. She also provides an honest and thorough evaluation of what we can expect from these procedures. Dr. Sundaram recognizes, however, that some of our insecurities come, not from how others view us, but from how we view ourselves. Her book, therefore, includes a positive program for learning to accept and appreciate who, what, and where we are.

I recently read Terry's inspirational story of his battle with a disfiguring cancer, his struggle to deal with the challenges he was faced with as a senior in college as he embarked on a tough road, and the ultimate enlightenment he was blessed with that was the outcome of such a painful journey. After enduring the painful struggle of seeing one of my own children who is battling pediatric cancer, Terry's self-told story only reaffirmed my belief in the unbelievable strength of the human spirit and the fact that this is the only life we have. There is no second chance; no replay. His faith and the love and support of friends and family helped him overcome a challenge that few of us will ever encounter. A fast read. I couldn't put it down. Thanks to Terry for sharing his story with us all!

Terry Healey's book, At Face Value is a lesson in hope and the power of positive thinking. Terry is a cancer survivor who's disfiguring scars become much more than physical - they become emotional because after over 30 surgeries he isn't who he once was. Terry teaches everyone a lesson in valuing a person for what's inside - not their cover. Terry takes a very honest approach to the way the book is written - he doesn't hide his feelings nor the descriptions of his surgeries, or the people he deals with in a day to day fashion. His mental and spiritual growth throughout the book teach everyone who reads it a lesson in their life and the love of his friends and family throughout his ordeal teach us not to take those people for granted. Terry not only writes about cancer but he writes about the power one has in keeping an open, honest and positive outlook on life and to never give up.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be very easy and interesting reading. I can honestly say that it took me for a ride through all the many emotions that Terry experienced. You feel like you really get to know him well through his candid and very honest description of his experience. Whether you're a cancer survivor or know someone who is or who may be going through a similar journey, or whether you simply want to read a very worthwhile book and experience how one person can influence change in others in a positive way.

I was surprised at how it educated me and made me aware of how I unwittingly behave sometimes toward someone who may look different from what has become accepted as the "norm." I feel I'm much more sensitive in things I say, things I do, and how I react to situations that bring challenge into my life. This book teaches you about perspective and how to maintain a healthy outlook on life. It teaches you about love and family, adversity and despair, friendship and rebirth. It's wonderful. I loved every page and would highly recommend it.

I've the utmost respect for the author. And this world is a better place having people like him in the world to help teach us all about what's important and how human and imperfect we all are and how we can rise above those bumps in road in this journey we call life. And how important it is to influence change by sharing life experiences from which we can all benefit.

I have used this book and the previous edition for about five years for a one-semester course for non-majprs. I have emphasized both the history and values aspects of the case studies. I find that a case study approach works well for business, social sciences, and education majors. I also supplement this book with videos that discuss the Wright Brothers and powered flight, the Manhattan Project, and Andrew Wiles proof of Fermat's Last Theorem, etc. I don't always agree with some of the negative perspectives of science and scientists expressed by the authors but try to let the student decide how to interpret the various cases covered in this book.

a great book with lots of examples from history.Giving enough perspective to understand why human does science.

"The Man Without a Face" is the story of Charles, a 14-year-old boy from a chaotic family that has given him little love and support, and Justin, a former teacher who became a hermit after losing his job subsequent to a car accident that resulted in a student's death. Charles desperately wants to flee his family and go to the boarding school that his deceased father attended, and he begs Justin to tutor him in preparation for the entrance examination. Justin, whose face was badly burned the car accident (but he is NOT the man without a face in the title, at least not to begin with; that is Charles', father, later supplanted by Justin), finally relents and sacrifices the lonely peace of his reclusion to help Charles.

This brief description fits the film by Mel Gibson as well as the book by Isabelle Holland. However, the stories diverge as they progress. In the film, the Justin-Charles relationship remains purely Platonic, although other characters in the film suspect otherwise, and an excellent theme emerges: men who Platonically befriend needy boys can be falsely accused of pedophilia. I volunteer as a mentor for a Court-run program for at-risk youth, and this factor seems to depress the numbers of men who will volunteer as mentors.

In the book, it is not at all clear that the relationship remains Platonic. Charles certainly experiences confusion about his relationship with, and feelings toward, Justin, and Justin does nothing to help clarify the situation or ease Charles' confusion. There is even a pivotal scene that can easily be construed as sexual, after which the Charles-Justin relationship deteriorates and changes significantly.

Both the film and the book treat the issue of the relationship in important ways, but also in quite different ways. Some Amazon customer-reviewers have expressed concern over the book being a how-to guide for pedophiles. I think that view is a bit overstated, although a pedophile, a victim of pedophilia, or a family member of a victim of pedophilia might see the book in this way, and a pedophile might be able to use the book in this way. The book can also be viewed as a case study in how confusing relationships can be for teens from chaotic families.

Technically, the book is well-written and it flows well. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is certainly complex and loaded with issues of import. The character of the book, however, is open to different interpretations.

Man Without a Face engaged me from the first page. I picked it up because I had heard of (but not seen) the movie, and was further intrigued because I have read and liked some of Holland's mysteries. Finished Man without a Face in one sitting. Among other things, this book shows the complexity of human relationships, and how difficult it is to judge any relationship from the outside. One of the other reviewers takes the most negative view of the relationship: that it is predatory, with Justin's goal being the seduction of Charles. The most generous view is that the sexual event happened with no action on Justin's part other than holding Charles to comfort him. Given Justin's actions throughout the book, the latter is the interpretation I would place on it. I am curious, of course, what Isabelle Holland intended, and would love to know the genesis of this story.

I do think she copped out on the ending. While it neatly tied up the close of the book, life is rarely that tidy, and what's more, Charles will be haunted by Justin the rest of his (fictional) life. Thank god he has Barry, who becomes a real person to Charles toward the end of the book.

A book to be read and discussed in the family. Freedom and consequences, love, trust, intimacy, affection, and boundaries: all important themes that are worth considering whether one is 14 or 44.

This novel was a about a boy, Charles Norsradt he really dosen't know much about life being stuck with a family full of girls; he hates living with them. Feel like he's not manly maybe?He decides t o get away and go to St.Matthews a all-boy private school.He meets a strange man with a disfigured face Justin Mcleod, A writer and teacher, he decided to help him pass a entrance exam to get in,Charles takes to him and loves him and justin helps him like a father, but in the story the writer makes it seem more than father -like love, this story is very intresting and the charcters are complex this is a must read book

Glory Bea Goode is an average girl in the town of Turnback, Missouri, at least if you don't count her birthmark. Marvalene Zudlig is a carnie of wants a home besides her family trailer. When the two meet Marvalene dreams of getting inside Seven Cedars, Glory's house, and enjoy being a normal girl. In the effort of getting what she wants, Marvalene pretends to be psychic and prowls to far into the mystery of Glory's mom who died years ago of cancer. Through their friendship Glory becomes more able to face people and not just stare down at her shoes. To find out if Marvalene gets her wish or to find out if Glory finds out Marvalene is a fake, read this book.....

HR# 3051Rosemary Hammond- Face Value 5/90

Five years was more than enough. Christine Connors had decided to pack in her successful modeling career to pursue her real dream. She was going to teach deprived kids. Then, for the sake of her friends in the New York agency, she gave in to their persuasion and agreed to do one more job. For John Falconer, supposedly a sedate stockbroker. Except that John had devised the offer of making a television commercial simply as a way of meeting Chris. And his proposition turned out to be anything business!

Beau Collins was frantic -- where would he find a fresh face
to launch a national ad campaign? Then he noticed his
next-door neighbor, quiet, bespectacled Caitlin Welch...

I do not know what this dude is trying to say in this book. I have tried reading it a few times, and it seems like he points out what I already know and learned through 21 years of life. DO NOT waste your money!!!!

One of the best and most useful self-help books that I have ever read! This book offers invaluable advice for young people, especially those that are college-bound and want or need help in making some crucial decisions about their future. It includes advice on how to overcome worry,despair and self-doubt via some real life examples. A great book to read as a young adult who is interested with help in planning the future or as a parent wanting to help guide their child in making some important life decisions. The advice and ideas offered are well-organized and presented in a style that makes this book extremely hard to put down!

I was a young boy in mechanical engineering. After reading this book, i felt the need to change to Chemical engineering because thats where i was able to face Worry, Defeat, and Uncertainty and Rise Above Them All.

Thank you Bahman! Your the best!

As a teacher in a multi-cultural district, I was looking for a book to show children the beauty and self worth of all races and nationalities. This book only does this for Afro American children.

a high tech guru morphs reality and sexual fantasy for his 'fin de siecle' devotees on a remote island enclave off san francisco. off-beat, provocative theme, steady pacing and a narrative which shows a depth of insight and introspection beyond the norm.