Seeing Lessons

September 15, 2003
In this celebrity-heavy motivational work, a minor star from the 1970s brings his life lessons to the page. Sullivan, best known for his autobiography If You Could See What I Hear, had his heyday appearing in films such as Airport '77, and serving as a special correspondent on Good Morning, America. Judging by the contents of this volume, his career seems to have introduced him only to celebrities who had good advice to share with him, from Helen Keller to Jack Lemmon, Merlin Olsen to Betty White, Muhammed Ali to Bo Derek, and he mines these encounters for the book. Sullivan doesn't miss any opportunity to praise himself either, informing readers that he"exploded onto the music scene" and that he is"the best Tom Sullivan possible." Sullivan's varied accomplishments are remarkable, especially for a man blind since birth. When he writes about his family, his childhood and his disability, readers will glimpse the ambitious, but caring, individual behind this text's cliche-riddled prose. Sullivan makes convincing assertions that his blindness has given him the ability to"see" deeper than most people, writing,"I never met an ugly person, unless that person wanted to be ugly." Unfortunately, the life secrets promised in the subtitle--"create a life plan,""love people," etc.--go no deeper than cheerleading. Few actual ideas for implementing his secrets are included. Sullivan's fondness for golf stories--and his friendship with golf world stars--as well as his Republican politics may appeal to some; other readers might prefer a more practical motivational guide.

October 1, 2003
In this celebrity-heavy motivational work, a minor star from the 1970s brings his life lessons to the page. Sullivan, best known for his autobiography If You Could See What I Hear, had his heyday appearing in films such as Airport '77, and serving as a special correspondent on Good Morning, America. Judging by the contents of this volume, his career seems to have introduced him only to celebrities who had good advice to share with him, from Helen Keller to Jack Lemmon, Merlin Olsen to Betty White, Muhammed Ali to Bo Derek, and he mines these encounters for the book. Sullivan doesn't miss any opportunity to praise himself either, informing readers that he"exploded onto the music scene" and that he is"the best Tom Sullivan possible." Sullivan's varied accomplishments are remarkable, especially for a man blind since birth. When he writes about his family, his childhood and his disability, readers will glimpse the ambitious, but caring, individual behind this text's cliche-riddled prose. Sullivan makes convincing assertions that his blindness has given him the ability to"see" deeper than most people, writing,"I never met an ugly person, unless that person wanted to be ugly." Unfortunately, the life secrets promised in the subtitle--"create a life plan,""love people," etc.--go no deeper than cheerleading. Few actual ideas for implementing his secrets are included. Sullivan's fondness for golf stories--and his friendship with golf world stars--as well as his Republican politics may appeal to some; other readers might prefer a more practical motivational guide.

Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.