Review of First Survivor

[Austin Rhodes]

[Following is a volunteer review of "First Survivor" by Mark Unger.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough, written by Mark Unger, details the brave battle young Louis Unger faced as a toddler with aggressive neuroblastoma cancer. Louis, Harry, Mary Ellen, and Mark Unger were a family of four.

Mary Ellen, Louis's mother, found something unusual about the way her son walks. After meeting with the doctor, a series of tests and scans showed stage 4 neuroblastoma. Louis's father went into research mode to make sure his son had the best chance of survival, while Louis's mother took on full-time responsibilities. Louis had to go through a terrifying array of intrusive procedures as well as negative effects from the therapies. Up until the very end, the family never wavered. Pick up a copy of the book to read up on Louis journey through survival.

Louis's growth is chronicled in the book through endearing pictures that highlight his lively eyes and contagious smile. During these trying years, Louis experienced agonizing moments of anguish as well as joyful times spent playing with his brother. These vivid accounts take us through the highs and lows of Louis' life. A new dimension to the family's struggle is the examination of its influence on everyone's lives and emotions. Based on their reflections and notes, Mark and Mary Ellen realized how tough it was to handle such a demanding circumstance.

I like the writing style of the author, as he gave a well-detailed account of what happened and the steps they took to ensure Louis was okay. The author, Mark, exhorts readers to absorb the medical knowledge he has learned. I also like the fact that the book has a well-written glossary at the end that breaks down processes, medications, and vocabulary so that everyone can comprehend it, even if you find some of the medical phrases a little confusing. There was nothing to dislike about the book because I found it easy to understand, and it was also interesting to read about because of the educational contents in it. I learned a lot from it.

I'm rating the book five out of five stars because of its storyline and other positive aspects. I found a few errors in the book. This shows that it was professionally edited. I recommend the book to readers who enjoy heartfelt, true-life narratives because it would best pique their interest.

******
First Survivor
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon