One of the Family: Why A Dog Called Maxwell Changed My Life

One of the Family: Why A Dog Called Maxwell Changed My Life

  • Downloads:7637
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-04-23 00:53:13
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Nicky Campbell
  • ISBN:1529304253
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

The arrival of Maxwell the Labrador in Nicky Campbell's life 12 years ago was a major turning point。 Ever since the death of his beloved dog Candy, he'd craved the unique companionship that had so enriched his childhood。

Co-presenter of ITV's Long Lost Family, reuniting parents with children, as an adopted child himself Nicky knows all too well the tangled emotions and inner conflicts that go with being given up by your birth mother。 It has taken a lifetime - and a miracle dog - to come to terms with abandonment and the feeling of being an imposter in your own life。

Raw, honest and courageous in One of the Family, Nicky opens up about how being adopted has made him always feel like an outsider; the guilt he has carried towards his Mum and Dad for needing to trace his birth mother, and the crushing disappointment he felt when he finally met her。 And for the first time, he writes about his emotional breakdown and how he has learned to live with a late diagnosis of bipolar。

Through it all his passion for dogs and animals has been a lifeline。 It is Maxwell's magic, a lesson from a Labrador in simple unconditional friendship, that has allowed him to see all the good in his life: from the security and safety of his childhood home, the love of his wife and four daughters and above all, to better understand the decisions taken by his birth mother to give him up for adoption。

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Reviews

Julia Stone

Took me a long time to read this book, it was very slow but interesting。

Gillian

I loved this book,the ending was so sad,had me in tears

Barbara Holmes

Interesting but needed editingLove stories about adoption, and love watching Nicky's compassionate way on Long Lost Family。 This book needed editing, however; he went on too long about some of his searching for his mother。 Interesting but needed editingLove stories about adoption, and love watching Nicky's compassionate way on Long Lost Family。 This book needed editing, however; he went on too long about some of his searching for his mother。 。。。more

Vikki

Loved this book, felt all the emotions reading it! Nicky has a great way with words and the love he has for all of his family (including the 4-legged members) shines through so brightly。 Really heartwarming book that demonstrates beautifully what is truly important in life。

Shirley Jones

This is a book that must not be judged by its cover。 Dog Maxwell doesn't appear in the story until quite late and even then it is fleetingly here and there。 Yes, he provides a bedrock and must be special because two other dogs in the household don't rate a mention, but I felt there could have been so much more about this relationship。That said the Nicky Campbell story is none-the-less engaging and relatable。 I'm not adopted but I think most adults struggle with growing up and never getting answe This is a book that must not be judged by its cover。 Dog Maxwell doesn't appear in the story until quite late and even then it is fleetingly here and there。 Yes, he provides a bedrock and must be special because two other dogs in the household don't rate a mention, but I felt there could have been so much more about this relationship。That said the Nicky Campbell story is none-the-less engaging and relatable。 I'm not adopted but I think most adults struggle with growing up and never getting answers to some deep questions about love, belonging, their place in the world and their values。 We are more than just DNA, relationships and an active mind full of doubts and vulnerabilities。This was a galloping read, pacey and interesting and I agreed with the concept that a person who profoundly (and actively demonstrates) loves animals has an important inner core marking them out as distinctive。 I shared Nicky's rage over cruelty to animals and litter - our small efforts to turn the tide seem so weak。 I was pleased Nicky finally added "and cats" when suggesting dogs can give we humans something rather special as mine listen without judgement, absorb negativity from the day and seem to "get me" in ways no one else seems to。 。。。more

Moz Copestake

An emotional autobiography much better written than I expected, although, as a journalist of many years, I shouldn't really have been surprised。 The central theme of Nicky's feelings of alienation because of his adoption and the recurrent feeling of being an imposter are beautifully described。 How much it helped him to meet other families with similar issues thru Long Lost Family is moving 。 I am confident his empathy helped them too。 He lays his feelings of inadequacy bare throughout the book,w An emotional autobiography much better written than I expected, although, as a journalist of many years, I shouldn't really have been surprised。 The central theme of Nicky's feelings of alienation because of his adoption and the recurrent feeling of being an imposter are beautifully described。 How much it helped him to meet other families with similar issues thru Long Lost Family is moving 。 I am confident his empathy helped them too。 He lays his feelings of inadequacy bare throughout the book,which makes it raw and honest。 An easy read, poignant and self effacing。 。。。more

Jane

Very honest, moving account of all the different emotions an adopted person feels throughout their lives。 As a dog owner I completely got the importance of having a dog in your life。

mary munro

A must readVery interesting book on the insight of the author life being adopted as a baby till the death of his mum

Keith Weller

A good book a bit on the slow side in parts by was interesting to read I’m glad I read it

myra miller

TouchingSuch a heart rending read,felt all the emotions ,a fabulous story。Anyone who has been adopted has to read this marvellous story。

Judith Nicholls

A must read for anyone involved in anyway in adoption

Naomi

As an adoptive mum - wow, what a read。 Thank you for the wonderful and extremely moving insight。

stephanie shard, elena anastasiou

A beautiful soul。 Beautifully written。 A very truthful account of adoption and all the emotions involved。 Highly recommended。 What a great read。 And yes !! Dogs are ace !