Reason For Living (2005, George Pessotti)

$16.95

Rising from the ashes, October 30, 2005
By pedxing (Cambridge, MA United States) - - Amazon.com Review
This book tells an amazing and inspiring story. It is told in straightforward terms. If you want to read a very literary biography by a master of style, this is not it. However if you want a highly readable book that relates an extraordinary and true tale of triumph and transcendence, this is for you. It is honest, earnest and lucid. In the late 1970s, George Pessotti had a fairly ordinary life. He lived with his wife and two children in a nice house in a suburb of Boston. He appears to have been hard working, entrepreneurial, and increasingly successful, when his life threatened to unravel and nearly came to an end. The pivotal life trauma was an explosion of flames that consumed his house and his body. This event, which he was not expected to survive, left him in a prolonged and painful struggle to overcome disfiguring and debilitating injuries. This was compounded by a series of betrayals, by his wife and a close friend in his business and more fires (this time, set deliberately). Pessotti tells us how, struggling through one disaster after another, he rebounded, building a new business, a new marriage and a new life. In addition he became deeply involved with other burn survivors in nurturing the Phoenix Society, an organization of burn survivors helping each other. Years ago, I read in a book by Kierkegaard that most of us would be unable to recognize a truly spiritually awakened individual if we looked right at them. The most remarkable individuals, suggested Kierkegaard, are often hidden in plain view. If this is true, the author is one of these people. Surviving blows far worse than those that many have cited as reasons for failure and despair - Pessotti has created a life filled with service, generosity and love for others - but in which he has not lost sight of himself either. He doesn't trumpet his goodness, but it is there to be seen by anyone who cares to look. He recently won the Phoenix Society's Alan Breslau award for service to burn survivors. This book will may be of greatest interest to those who care about the world of Burn Survivors, but it should be of great value to anyone interested in power of love and the human spirit.

Rebirth, February 21, 2009
By S. J. Potter (Haverhill, MA) - Amazon.com Review
"Reason for Living" is an inspirational account of one man's journey from near death to exuberant life. George Pessoti's story is a realistic personal account of the accident that nearly claimed his life; his long, painful recovery; the heartbreaking unraveling of his personal and professional life and its reconstruction; and his commitment to the burn community and a life of purpose. It is a beautiful story of the power of perseverance, hope and love told in a very down-to-earth style. This book is a must read for a burn survivor or anyone else seeking inspiration to overcome their own personal challenges. George Pessoti is a very real, compassionate man who lives his life with a positive attitude, embraces each day with thankfulness, and looks for opportunities to make a difference because he discovered 30 years ago that his life began anew the moment it almost ended. "Reason for Living" captures the essence of the man, and his message of hope and triumph.

An Inspiring Story, August 12, 2008
By Jeanne Yocum (Granby, MA United States) - Amazon.com Review
This is much more than just the story of how the author survived the horror of being seriously burned over a large portion of his body, although that story of determination and recovery is enough reason alone to read this book. But this is also the story of someone who refused to quit even in the face of a series of setbacks in his personal and business life that would have had most people taking to their beds and pulling the covers over their heads. All in all a most inspiring book and something to keep handy for those times when you're feeling like life is about to get you down. If George Pessotti could overcome the mountain of obstacles that were thrown his way in one short period, so can you!

A story of survival and true love., July 2, 2008
By J. J. Mcneil - Amazon.com Review
My father was in the middle of reading this book when I picked it up and read a few pages. 24 hours later I was left full of such admiration for this man George Pessotti. I felt blessed that he had the courage (yet after reading the book I should not of been surprised by his bravery) to share his deeply moving story of survival and faith. I am also very honored to follow the journey of such a beautiful love story that developed through his retelling. Thank You for this special story and for enlightening me on what burn victims really endure. Read this book, you'll say thank you too.

Up Lifting and Inspirational, April 22, 2008
By stone lover (Naples,FL) -Amazon.com Review
I read George's book when it came out and found it to be the most motivating and uplifting book I have ever read. Get it, read it, share it. Jerry