Life Against All Odds


Non-Fiction - Genealogy
240 Pages
Reviewed on 03/10/2009
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Alfred Cave begins his memoir by telling about his childhood. He is about 8-years-old when he lost his mother and 10-years-old when he lost his father. He lived with his grandmother, Minnie Minus. Life with Minnie Minus became unbearable. She beat him repeatedly and eventually sent him to a detention center. Alfred knew he had to escape. The next few years, he traveled from one town to another. Jacksonville, New York, and Miami were just a few of the towns his journeys took him to. He worked at a variety of jobs. Train, a messenger, shoe shine, and farm work were just a few of the jobs he held. Eventually, he joined the military and moved up through the ranks. After 24 years of military service, he retired and returned to civilian employment.

I realize Cave faced racism on a daily basis. However, I felt this book was about much more than racism. This book is about a man that kept going. Like all men, he is not without flaws.   He did not allow racism to keep him from living a full life. He is a man of great character.   
I was hooked from the Prologue. Alfred Cave writes in a conversational manner. I felt as though we were sitting across the table from each other as he shared his story with me