2024 the best of us a memoir review

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(as of Dec 15, 2024 00:58:08 UTC - Details)

There’s a certain kind of lost a boy feels in this world without a father. Tim felt it. I felt it. And we realized our only way out would be together.

In an openhearted memoir of faith on the fringe, Roger Thompson meditates on the life and premature death of his best friend and business partner, Tim Garrety, cofounder of Skate Street Ventura.

Roger and Tim’s twenty-year friendship was forged in the surf and on the streets of 1980s California. Together they hazarded countless waves and every rite of passage—from guitars to girls to God—and influenced the lives of thousands of skateboarders, musicians, surfers, and otherwise disconnected youth in the process.

With unrestrained honesty and a punk-rock soundtrack, My Best Friend’s Funeral is a memoir of friendship, doubt, surfing, and the complex relationships between fathers and sons. If life has ever left you feeling abandoned—or if you simply prefer a rock show to a sermon—My Best Friend’s Funeral is a memoir you won’t want to miss, and a confirmation that you are never alone.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas Nelson; Illustrated edition (November 4, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1400206138
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1400206131
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.45 x 0.85 x 8.35 inches
Reviewer: K. Bayless
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Must Read!
Review: It sounds cliche to say that this book will make you both laugh and cry as you follow Roger's journey, but it's true! Roger has an amazing way with words as he tells the story of boys and fathers, the role of friends, loss and love, and creating a life of meaning amid tragedy. My Best Friend's Funeral not only tells a beautiful and heart-wrenching story, but will challenge you to think about the people and purpose of your own life. A great book to read and give as a gift to those struggling with the impact of addiction, loss and a search for meaning. A must-read!

Reviewer: Matt Mowad
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I could not put it down!
Review: I could not put it down! I read the first 21 chapters straight and finished the book within the day. Roger's descriptive and beautiful writing transported me back to my hometown and high school where I knew Roger and Tim. Each chapter touched my soul in a unique way. Like Roger, I lost my father at a young age and a best friend came alongside my life a desperate time of need. Roger and Tim's story is a must read for anyone with a best friend, a father, a son, surfers, skaters, musicians and those who have lost loved ones. I bought extra copies to give to friends and family. Roger, thank you for sharing your life and preserving Tim's memory for us.

Reviewer: cbsou222
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Just Beautiful
Review: Such an honest and pure book. A coming of age book for life and spirituality. A must read for every young man searching to grow up, every grown man searching for a lost youth and every mother of sons searching to understand the heart and mind of her little boy. Beautiful story. Wonderful heart. Thank you, Roger and Family for sharing a piece of yourselves.

Reviewer: frequent buyer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I too lost my best friend, merely a year ago
Review: I too lost my best friend, merely a year ago. My life is forever changed. I am getting better, I guess. I am learning to feel grateful for having had him in my life for over 35 years. He was my right side, I am my left side, now I am forever unbalanced. It is the loss of the person who just plain got me. In all aspects, he got me. I never needed to explain, sitting in the same room in silence was often our best way of communicating.Mr. Thompson found refuge in God and dove deeper into his faith. I understand that approach, but it is taking me time to accept that my loss was God's plan. Still does. I miss him daily. I am grateful to have read this book. For a brief moment, the time it took me to read the book, I was not alone in my journey. Someone understood what it feels like to walk down a safe, secure, familiar street and suddenly fall into an abyss you never knew existed. I will never be as carefree, secure or happy as I once was but I know now that I am not alone. Thank you Mr. Thompson. I'm truly sorry for your loss.

Reviewer: Erin Mendez
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Read My Best Friend's Funeral!!!
Review: Don't let the title scare you, this is a great read! This book about two boys growing up on the beaches of CA is timeless. The story is peppered with great insights and subtle life lessons. The best message is that people matter. Even though both boys have their struggles with their relationships with their dads they never give up on them. Great lessons on life and relationships. Highly recommend!

Reviewer: Socio-physicist
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Tearjerker
Review: Must must read. I can assure you that once you take this book in your hands, it will be hard to put it down. The writing is smooth. It could have been a tad short. What is life without friendships? We all have some friends but when we lose them, at a young age, oh my! how cruel life could be. After reading this book, you will appreciate your friends more deeply and care for important things in life.

Reviewer: Kala Jakobsen
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A thoughtful and well written book
Review: I wouldn't say that this book is for everyone, but perfect for those who have struggled with loss. Loss of a loved one, loss of a friend, loss of direction. Well worth you time.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: and the everyday conversations with a best friend. He writes about familiar places in our ...
Review: This is a heart-warming story about friendship, fatherhood, brotherhood, marriage.. Roger writes about family life, hardships and joys in growing up, sorrow in loss, hope in healing, business endeavors, and the everyday conversations with a best friend. He writes about familiar places in our coastal city. It is funny, thoughtful, sad, but with hope and purpose interwoven throughout. Roger paints an amazing picture with his words. I highly recommend this book!!

Reviewer: Chrissie Abbott
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Very moving and thoughtfully written book.