Too Late to Die Young: Nearly True Tales from a Life.

New York, NY Henry Holt and Co., 2005. Hardcover First Ed; First Printing indicated. First Ed; First Printing indicated. Near Fine in Fine DJ: Book shows only the slightest spine lean; else flawless; binding perfectly secure; text clean. DJ flawless; price unclipped; mylar-protected. Virtually 'As New'. 8vo. 261pp. Hardback with DJ. Rarely have I read a book with so many compelling reasons to be read. First, it is a wonderful read, full of fabulous prose, compelling personal stories and humor. Second, it addresses topics that currently transcend just a "disability" story. For people just recovering their sensibilities after the excesses of the Shaivo case, or others of the "better dead than disabled" school the simple "normalcy" of the author's life will entertain, shock and amaze you. This woman is, afterall, just like most everyone else. With the exception that the author does not let you forget that she is a southerner, proud of Charleston, fond of regional cuisine and appaled by such things as confederate flags and pity. But what makes Johnson's tale stand out is her personal analysis of mainstream culture's preordained attitudes on disability. Whether she is trashing the "telethon-pity-do-gooder' ethos or demonstrating the limits of freedom for a person with a disability in a for-profit economy, Johnson rejects most commonly held views and specifically the "snivelling for nickels" school of so called advocacy that forces people to become more and more dependent on the whims of public policy decisions. There is nothing tragic here. In fact, Johnson is very, very funny. Disability has been around a long time but rarely has it been portrayed with such honesty, humor and analysis. Do yourself a favor ... read this book!!