Brick by Brick: A Woman's Journey

by Lynn Donohue

Book Overview

A memoir with all the page-turning drama of a good novel, Brick by Brick tells the author's story of coming of age in the gritty South End of New Bedford, Massachusetts, as a tough teenage dropout... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 093202758X
• ISBN13: 9780932027580
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Spinner Publications
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

To Nikki from NH

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I can't help but wonder what your credentials are for rating this book as "poorly written". I have a BA in English Writing and Communications and I working on my Masters'. I've done a lot of reading, writing, and editing in my educational endeavors and Brick By Brick is by far the best autobiography I have ever read. It is, indeed, very well written. If you would like to read some poorly written autobiographies, I'd be more than happy to suggest a few. As for Lynn Donohue's book, I have read it several times and recommended it to at least 50 people. Yours is the first negative review ever brought to my attention.

Saw her speak

I actually saw Lynn speak at a local Student Council conference, and might I say, her story touched me. I live near New Bedford, and I know how powerless and worthless people living there can feel, but her seemingly endless motivation and drive allowed her to reach her goals, double them, and still move up. I bought her book today; I hope it will be as good as seeing her speak about the very successful life she has made for herself.

An inspiring tale!

What you get from Lynn's book depends I suppose on what you're looking for. The heart truly is a lonely hunter and in her memoir Lynn poignantly details the lives of many unique and wonderful characters, including herself who struggle with various demons on the road to peace. Guardian angels in unlikely form help her along the way, like George Madeiros, local 39's business representative who simply does his job extremely well and in so doing, never wavers from his course of sound advice and encouragement. Like Addie the secretary at the union who supported Lynn with kindness and a warm greeting on her numerous visits to the union's headquarters, and like Whisky Pete - a loyal friend and unlikely spiritual guide in the form of a hard drinking master bricklayer. These are people the reader cares about instantly and who subtly but permanently make their way into your heart. Brick by Brick is a book, which champions the spirit of the rebel in all of us who break with tradition (not necessarily meaning to), and pay the price but in the end emerge victorious, like Rocky Balboa. It is a book which speaks to the disenfranchised, the downtrodden and all manner of lost souls, taking them by the hand to a better place, to the belief in the healing power of hard work, hope and surprisingly to forgiveness. It teaches you to dream even if you dream small but to take it step by step and how when good things happen - no matter how small - to dare and dream a little bigger next time. It teaches you how the goal you think you want to achieve, while it may seem like everything to you, is subordinated to the plans God has for us all and the lessons we learn along the way are in fact the worthiest goal. It teaches you the true meaning of success and the road to happiness.Lynn is an inspiration to all but also makes the reader fully aware of the heroic feats of those around her, like her mother and her best friend Pam, and Geraldine to whom the book is dedicated. These 'everyday people' quietly and bravely manage to keep their spirits in tact in the face of huge challenges, never becoming the victim while taking care of their families and friends as well. Brick by Brick pays homage to lots of everyday heroes and in so doing gives us all hope and the spirit to never give up.

WORD BY WORD

From the time she perched atop her favorite tree as a child to her rise to astounding success on top of the world, Lynn Donohue had a vision; she just wasn't always aware of it. Some inner spirit propelled her toward a goal, step by step. Although many of them led in the wrong direction, each step became a learning tool and she stumbled, then charged, through her life with determination, grit and a unique style. More Molly Brown that Rosie the Riveter, more "sex, drugs and rock'n' roll" than "home, mother and apple pie," she reversed her direction and set a new course. She paved the walk and walked the walk. She learned the language and the trade and talked the talk. She married, became a nest-builder, mother, corporation president and an indomitable, respected and loveable woman using forgiveness, a sense of humor, street smarts and bricks. Word by word, Lynn Donahue and Pam Hunt have documented an indredible journey of two lives entwined through a chance meeting. This tightly scripted narrative never leaves the reader wondering who each character is........each is well crafted and real. Each page heats up as it's turned in rapid succession. A unique feature of this fast-moving book is that it actually energizes the reader rather than lulling them in their favorite chair. The reader is consummed with Lynn's ambition, with her ability to forgive and forget, to forge ahead. Does she actually have more hours in her day than the rest of us, or is she so challenged and goal-oriented that it just seems that way? This beautifully crafted first book is clean and concise, easy to read, a gift to all people who are stumbling and need direction. Word by word, Donahue and Hunt take their captivated audience through the streets of a city in decline to non-traditional success. Heart to heart, they have paved a road built on more than good intentions and used their resources to help others. There will be tears on some pages and belly laughs over others. This s a sure success. I've bought this book for my three best friends as well as for myself and I'm delighted to recommend it to men and women, old and young alike.