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Book Reviews of Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic

Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic
Expecting Adam A True Story of Birth Rebirth and Everyday Magic
Author: Martha Beck
ISBN-13: 9780812929805
ISBN-10: 0812929802
Publication Date: 1/19/1999
Pages: 336
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 19

4.1 stars, based on 19 ratings
Publisher: Crown
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

35 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 222 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
I couldn't put the book down. Utterly fascinating and completely enchanting. Martha Beck is an unbelievably good writer. My "kids" are ages 22 to 32 - so I have long since given up reading expectant mother memoirs....but this one grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I was sorry to get to the end. Highly recommended.
azmom23 avatar reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This book was given to me when I was pregnant and it was one of the best ones I have read! The transformation that they go through is wonderful and they come to realize that "handicap" is not descriptive of most special needs people. It makes you think about what is important and valued. I love this book!
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
A personal account from a Harvard-educated woman as she becomes a mother to a son with Down Syndrome...while she and her husband are caught up in the academia and intellectual elitism of Harvard. Her writing also enters a spiritual realm, as she experiences the presence of angels during her pregnancy and following Adam's birth. Beck's experiences bring a fresh perspective to welcoming and raising a child with a syndrome.
dreambeliever avatar reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 56 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This book will make you laugh, and cry and make you believe in a power greater than ourselves! Wonderful book!!!
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 35 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
love love love this book. A beautiful look at a pregnancy and child that is not pretty in the eyes of society. Describes the path the parents take from being smart to being wise, from success to satisfaction.

"Adam has angels like dogs have fleas...."
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I enjoyed this book and found the writing style to be quite readable. My mistake was doing a search on this author and reading an up-to-date biography, which cast a different light on some relationships in which she was involved in this story. (After doing so, I questioned her forthrightness, rather than simply trusting her as an author.) I loved the basis of this memoir, esp. as a woman in her late 30s still considering having children. It helped to quell some of my concerns regarding the increased likelihood of a child with Down syndrome.
stocktonmalonefan avatar reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 58 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This is by far one of the most beautiful and inspiring books I have read in a very long time. If you are open to believing in miracles and the possibility of unseen guides--you will be uplifted by Martha Becks words. I found that the book reinforced what I have come to believe in. That we all have helpers (unseen spirits) available to us whether we see them or not. That there is meaning in this life and that we are here for a reason--and it ain't to be the best professor at Harvard who believes success is measured in his published articles and scholarly achievements rather than in human relationships and reaching out to individual souls. A beautiful, beautiful story. This one is going on my shelf to keep.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A wonderful book, telling of a life with all it's hardship, and the rewards of giving birth to an exceptional child. Wonderful story of learning and loving.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
WONDERFUL book! I have three special need children and this was a magical experience... to read another mother's experience through the journey...amazing.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Loved this book, seemed spirtual at times. As a parent I was especially touched.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
What a great book! Martha is totally honest in what she is going through. I expected it to be more about the Down Syndrome, and it was to a point, but it was much more about angels and miracles. As a Christian I did not agree with her viewpoint in all matters, but it was so interesting to hear about her experience. The thing that impressed me the most was the way she came to value Adam's life and see the value in it, even as many around her did not. I totally recommend it!
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 44 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A wonderful book that takes you thru the emotional rollercoaster of an expectant mother of a child with Down's Syndrome. It makes you question the so called "normalcy" dictated by society.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 39 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a memoir about a woman expecting a Downs Syndrome baby. She retells her spiritual changes from the life of a Harvard student to the life of a mother. Very funny and engaging and moving.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful, inspiring story of two well Harvard educated parents who find out they are expecting a child with Downs Syndrome--their first. Obviously, Martha Beck decdided against ending the pregnancy. This is her story and also Adam's story.
A sweet and inspiring read!
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
An excellent read, funny and inspiring.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting perspective on pregnancy and life. Author shares her first hand experience with her unique pregnancy and how her life is changed dramatically by her unborn child. I enjoyed reading about her experience!
anjil avatar reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 45 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book is full of joy, hurt, determination, laughter, sadness, happiness, grace & most of all... LOVE. After reading it, I feel like I know Martha & her family. This is a beautiful memoir of a pregnancy that was magical from the start!
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
An exceptional book. the memoirs of a woman expecting a child with Down's Syndrome. very uplifting.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book is so fantastic, heartwarming, and heartbreaking. I could barely put it down once I started reading this. Whether you are a mother, or a woman contemplating motherhood, or plan to be childfree, this is a great read for anyone. It touches on raw human emotions and the basics of communication in a unique way.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Extraordinarily well written about overachievers and their downs syndrome child.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 112 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful novel about a mother's adjustment to a difficult pregnancy, and finding out that her child has a birth defect. Inspiring and touchable for all parents.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A great cry!
witney avatar reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 7 more book reviews
I loved this book!
grimefamily avatar reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on
For anyone who has ever felt scared or anticipation about a child's birth. Great book!!!
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 2 more book reviews
A very interesting read, but I found the author's response to her situation to be unbelievable.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 12 more book reviews
An inspirational read.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 15 more book reviews
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author has a wonderful way of writing which is hilarious and engaging while also capturing the serious nature and heartbreak of the subject. A true story with difficult to believe events surrounding the pregnancy and birth of her downs sydrome son, Adam.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on
An amazing story!
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 3 more book reviews
I laughed, I cried....This was an awesome book.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 6 more book reviews
Wonderful. Very inspiring.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on
A must read!!!
berries674 avatar reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 92 more book reviews
An absolultetly beautiful book...it unteaches what education and society teach us about life, love and normalcy. I adored Beck's honesty, wit, sincerity and style. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WITH A HEART.
SouthWestZippy avatar reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 265 more book reviews
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::SPOILER ALERT::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


John and Marsha Beck are expecting their second baby, a baby who has Down Syndrome. Marsha writes about her experiences, concerns and choices she makes before, during and after her pregnancy.
This book has left me with mixed feelings. I enjoyed the read. I found it to be very moving, touching and at times educational.
I also found myself questioning events, the time period of things and choices. I consider myself to be a very open minded person.
I don't question her experience with the angels and her ability have visions and feel the people she loves. The time period of all it happening in just 9 months just not feel truthful. It felt pushed and that fiction parts were added to it to make it more interesting and exciting.
I also question how she handled her pregnancy. If I had even half of this things happening to my body she did I would be in the emergency room or Doctors office to make sure my baby is ok and what I need to do to stop what is happening. Marsha's lack of common sense that deeply troubled me. She could have easily lost that beautiful, precious little one.

I did a little research on this book after I read it. The Author has come forward and confessed that is started off as a fiction book but changed her mind and made it nonfiction. This too left me with questions. Was she afraid no one would take it seriously about the super nature events? The fact all these happen in short amount of time? Is there fact and fictions mixed in the book and she was unsure of how to have it published?

I am not one to reread a lot of books but I will be reading this one. I feel I might have miss or misunderstood something.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 10 more book reviews
pretty good read, fairly spiritual, life lessons and the such.
reviewed Expecting Adam : A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic on + 40 more book reviews
True story about a woman's pregnancy with a baby with down's syndrome.