IN THE SHADOW OF A TREE (book)
$17.95
IN THE SHADOW OF A TREE, a book of non-fiction (2014)
In this newly released, gripping and true life story, the author describes a personal struggle that was faced and how hardships and obstacles were overcome, while sharing what was learned along the way. Listen to an interview about this book below.
Interview
IN THE SHADOW OF A TREE (audio book on CD)
$30.00
IN THE SHADOW OF A TREE, audio book (2016)
Now available as an audio book on CD. Hear this dynamic and compelling story as it was meant to be. Put your armchair on autopilot and let this true life tale take you away!
Reviews
‘”In The Shadow Of A Tree’ by David M. Melesky is a testament to the enduring human spirit. In concise, yet evocative prose, Melesky shares a journey from the brink of despair to the light of hope. This memoir is a powerful reminder of the strength we hold within, making it a compelling read for anyone facing life’s challenges.” -Peter A.
“Very inspirational and uplifting. Also read ‘I Remember Bethlehem’. This book brought back so many memories from my childhood in upstate New York. I can’t wait to read his other books.” -Dianne W.
“In the Shadow of a Tree: An Adventure to Recovery”
“David Melesky’s memoir, In the Shadow of a Tree, is the masterful account of the author’s convalescence from a life-threatening accident suffered while cutting a tree.
While the story is an adventure to recovery, it is also a journey to regain normalcy. Months of pain and deep bone pain are his constant companions page after page of this memoir. The author’s writing skill is evident as he presents these traumas so that the reader understands them without allowing the narrative to become burdensome. Obviously, Melesky’s recovery was a painful trek, but the prose has us rooting for his delivery from this pain, rather than cringing at it.
Along that journey we meet paramedics, doctors, advisers and neighbors. Some of these characters are helpful, others not. Melesky avoids the standard clichés in telling his story. He could have easily used his tale as a backdrop to rant against our health care insurance system. Instead he tells the reader enough of his experience with hospitals and administrators to let the reader draw his, or her, own conclusions. Prescribed drugs lead to additional drugs to address the side effects of the first drug. As if in a Kafka novel, Melesky see his progress replaced by hospital bills, painful trips to surgery-hungry specialists and physical therapy.
The narrative shifts when Melesky takes charge of his situation and the story’s tone begins to turn to one of self-determination. It is easy for the reader to get caught up in Melesky’s new attitude. His willful push to heal leads to more insight. Accidents happen, but how each individual reacts to accidental hardship is a key theme in this story. From chapter one of the story we know that life can drastically change when we least expect it. It is in the triumphant finale of In the Shadow of a Tree, which reminds us, however, to live life now and not wait until a tomorrow because tomorrow may not be what we presume.” -Allen Morrill, Library Director Langenheim Memorial Library, Thiel College, Greenville, PA