Glass Half-Full: A Daughter's Journey Through A Father's Eyes

by Jack Rosen

Book Overview

A father's identity and love for his teenaged daughter are both tested in this tale of emotional struggles. Samantha's life is slowly but surely eroding as she is unable to control her self-destructive behaviors. Her parents, Jack and Elizabeth, are doing everything they can to help but are unable to halt the girl's downward spiral that continues to gain momentum. They come to accept that unless drastic steps are taken, they may lose their child forever.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595386008
• ISBN13: 9780595386000
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.49 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Self Realization, growth as a person and parent.

One does not have to be a parent to learn from this book. It is a realization that we all have to look deep within ourselves to get through difficult times. Jack illustrates through the struggles and angst of being a parent, we find strength in ourselves and also that there is no greater love than the love for your child. His writing style puts you into the scenes and you feel like you are going through the pain with him. While heartbreaking, this book proves to be inspirational and enlightening.

READ IT

As a therapist working with teenagers and their parents, I was curious to learn Jack's story. Most of the professional learning for therapists comes from the patient's point of view, and not the parents'. This book gives the reader a tremendously moving and impactful account of a genuinely loving father - his descriptions of his journey, along with his daughter's, will keep you riveted. In one particularly poignant scene, Jack describes his agony in having his daughter removed from their home by a therapeutic team. His choice of words and writing style make the reader feel as if they are in the house, watching the scene unfold themselves. The reader can sense Jack's vulnerabilities, sensitivities, and deep love for his family in each situation that they face. I liked the book because of how honestly Jack presents his family's struggle. He is incredibly open about his own journey, which was a refreshing change from hearing simply the patient's experience. I think that Jack's emotional outpouring (positive and negative) is both humble and strong, and I cannot imagine a parent out there that could not connect to some aspect of Jack's experience. As a parent, as a therapist, and as an adult, I recommend this reading.

Book of struggle at edge of distruction

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (1/07) This book is written from the perspective of Jack, the father of a young girl out of control. As a father facing agonizing struggles he cherishes the memories of past father/daughter relationship. Jack struggles to continue life in a normal stance while trying to deal with his daughter, Samantha's erratic behavior and substance abuse. He knows his family is facing a major crisis. He and his wife Elizabeth search for answers before they lose their daughter forever. Jack and Elizabeth are loving and good parents. They are willing to do whatever it takes to save their daughter from herself. The couple turns to internet support groups, where they find suggestions for help. They finally find a counselor that can help to discover the true reason for their daughter's behavior. The couple eventually placed their daughter in a residential program. Jack Rosen is courageous in sharing the story of his family's real life struggle to save their daughter from destruction. My emotions ran the gamut while reading this book. Jack tells his story from a personal perspective. Reading this book is like reading his personal journals. Jack leaves out nothing taking the reader on the journey no parent seeks to take. Dealing with a self destructive teen is every parent's nightmare. But Jack offers hope by sharing the successful outcome. The cover is beautifully done the silhouettes of a father and daughter walking into the sunset let me know that there was hope at the end of this book. I have three grown children and well remember the heartaches and times of tribulation. "Glass Half Full" is a must read for parents.

The love of a father

This story is heart breaking. It's a father's story of his daughter's destructive life style. Nobody could love his daughter more than Jack Rosen. He had to do the hardest thing that can happen to a parent - as I had to do it - She did not seem to care until Jack and his wife found out that there was a reason for her behavior. What I liked in particular was his honesty about his fear to approach his daughter after having her escorted to a Wilderness Program. It is a wonderful book a father wrote to share his feelings with other parents. In one word : enlightening

A MUST READ

THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WITH A CHILD.IT CAPTURES THE READER FROM BEGINNING TO END. I HAVE 3 KIDS AND I LEARNED ALOT ABOUT WHAT THEY MUST BE GOING THROUGH ,WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR,AND TO NEVER GIVE UP. READING THIS BOOK PUT ME ON A ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS . THESE EMOTIONS INCLUDE FEAR ,SORROW,NAUSEA ,AND HAPPINESS. EVERY WHERE I TURN I FIND MYSELF RECOMENDING THIS BOOK.