Friday 19 August 2011

BookSneeze Review - Thunder Dog, by Michael Hingson

The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero.

I requested this book for review mainly because my friend's son had just received his first Guide Dog, and since I'm not going to get to see them for a while, reading felt like the next best thing.

One man and his dog, and a long walk downstairs on one of the most terrifying days of their lives. It's a story in itself, but this story is woven into the background of Michael's relationship with all his Guide Dogs, with his life before and after the events of September 11th, and with the story of his own childhood growing up blind living in a sighted world.

It did surprise me how much of this book was about events unconnected with the Twin Towers; that was not what I had expected from the title. But this did not detract from my enjoyment of the book; instead I found this to be a fascinating insight into Michael's life, and into the relationship he has developed with his dogs over the years. It has helped me to think about particular challenges my friend's son may be facing at this time, and I hope his own dog gives him as much independence as Michael has had himself. I also sincerely hope he never faces the battles Michael's family had to fight in order for the dog to be allowed on school transport!

Tia
I review for BookSneeze®

1 comment:

Tina said...

Sounds a fascinating book that may be worth trying to get hold of for my months isolation commg up.
School transport hopefully won't be a problem as it's his Dad! Lol.

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