R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed A Bum Deal: An Unlikely Journey from Hopeless to Humanitarian on + 1438 more book reviews
Two men find their lives completely changed by a chance meeting. When Rufus Hannah, a homeless man, climbed into an alley dumpster he was seen by Barry Soper who decides to met Hannah. Hannah was known by many as Rufus the Stunt Bum fighter for his participation in Bumfights. Bumfights was an underground video series where homeless men received alcohol and money to fight or do dangerous bone breaking stunts.
But Hannah's story is not really based on the videos. It began when he was a baby receiving beer in a baby bottle from his parents. His life went ever downward. Many failed relationships with women and bad trips to Arizona and San Diego It was in San Diego stupid kids hired him at $5 per to film him for silly dangerous stunts. It depicts his determined pride and perseverance and the way to recovery that he did not think he could ever achieve.
Fighting his own demons, he climbs from lowest despair to recovery and a new life. He becomes somewhat of a professional ex-homeless person who lectures others to help the lost no matter how they became homeless. Barry Soper, helped him leave his homeless life and Bumfights behind, standing by his side and encouraging him. Together they wrote this book demonstrating that the homeless can find a better life. This one ordinary man proved that homelessness and despair can be left behind. And, he proves it by sharing his story through lectures to help others.
But Hannah's story is not really based on the videos. It began when he was a baby receiving beer in a baby bottle from his parents. His life went ever downward. Many failed relationships with women and bad trips to Arizona and San Diego It was in San Diego stupid kids hired him at $5 per to film him for silly dangerous stunts. It depicts his determined pride and perseverance and the way to recovery that he did not think he could ever achieve.
Fighting his own demons, he climbs from lowest despair to recovery and a new life. He becomes somewhat of a professional ex-homeless person who lectures others to help the lost no matter how they became homeless. Barry Soper, helped him leave his homeless life and Bumfights behind, standing by his side and encouraging him. Together they wrote this book demonstrating that the homeless can find a better life. This one ordinary man proved that homelessness and despair can be left behind. And, he proves it by sharing his story through lectures to help others.
Frank F. reviewed A Bum Deal: An Unlikely Journey from Hopeless to Humanitarian on + 353 more book reviews
An amazing story of a man going from the bottom of life to overcome his alcoholism and create a healing and successful life. Almost hard to believe that people can reach such depths from alcohol or any other drug.
Elizabeth R. (esjro) -
"A Bum Deal" chronicles the events in Rufus Hannah's life that result in him living as a homeless alcoholic. While existing with another homeless veteran in La Mesa, Rufus meets a sadistic high school kid who fancies himself an aspiring film maker. In exchange for booze and small sums of money, Rufus and his friend engage in increasingly violent and humiliating "stunts" for the camera, eventually resulting in a fight between the two that leaves one permanently disabled.
The "Bum Fights" video series that resulted garnered much publicity and controversy at the time, so surely some will pick up this book because of the association. Hannah's book is fascinating because he explains how alcoholism and bad decisions led to his participation, and ultimately how ultimately he got sober and turned his life around with the help of his co-author. Hannah's honesty is admirable in that he accepts responsibility for his actions and expresses genuine remorse, although he was also a victim. His descriptions of the sense of humiliation and regret he still faces about the "Bum Fights" videos is gut-wrenching.
Ultimately this story is one of hope, and is very inspirational. I read the book in one sitting, and highly recommend it.
The "Bum Fights" video series that resulted garnered much publicity and controversy at the time, so surely some will pick up this book because of the association. Hannah's book is fascinating because he explains how alcoholism and bad decisions led to his participation, and ultimately how ultimately he got sober and turned his life around with the help of his co-author. Hannah's honesty is admirable in that he accepts responsibility for his actions and expresses genuine remorse, although he was also a victim. His descriptions of the sense of humiliation and regret he still faces about the "Bum Fights" videos is gut-wrenching.
Ultimately this story is one of hope, and is very inspirational. I read the book in one sitting, and highly recommend it.
