Review of First Survivor

[Sbitan Mohammad]

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

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5 out of 5 stars

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First Survivor by Mark Unger is a non-fiction book that details the experience of the author's son, Louis, as he battled life-threatening cancer and became the "First Survivor" in the line of treatment that was given to him to manage his ailment. The experience began in August 2001 when Mary Ellen, Louis' mother, noticed him walking with a gait, and in addition to that, he had become quieter than his usual self. After a visit to the pediatrician, the pediatric orthopedist diagnosed that Louis (Lou) had Perthes disease after a series of X-rays and examinations.

Louis' symptoms did not decrease, and on further diagnosis, he was found to have a sporadic and life-threatening cancer, neuroblastoma. The family was devastated, and instead of giving up, they devoted time, research, finances, and care to making sure their son Louis had the best treatment and management. This book details the meticulous documentation by the author of his son's fight against the ailment, the notes serving as something to hold onto as the tumultuous years rolled by.

This book was a bittersweet experience for the Unger family. Told by Mark Unger himself, it is a documentation of Louis' experiences, how they affected the family, and the highly emotional and harsh reality they had to face along the way. The audience is exposed first-hand to little Louis, a true child warrior, as he went head-on against his ailment with the support of his father, brother, Harry, and his mother, Mary Ellen. His mother, Mary Ellen, was always there for him; her devotion to him was touching and worthy of commendation. Louis' brother, Harry, was also included, as he always played with him and showed him love; the family was a solid support system.

There was nothing I disliked about this book; instead, I encouraged the audience and those in a similar situation to read it, as it can serve as a beacon of hope that the end will be good. I appreciated the pictures the book had; it brought tears to my eyes to see little Louis go through those phases. The author also includes a glossary, which I found very helpful as the book contained medical jargon and helped me decode some. I encountered no errors, showing that this book was excellently well-edited. I'm rating it a solid 5 out of 5 stars. I urge audiences interested in non-fiction—those who are going through illnesses or have family members going through any.

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First Survivor
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[Grace Jane]

Unger's writing is both compassionate and informative, offering valuable insights into cancer treatment.