THANK YOUR WICKED PARENTS

"It isn't up to my parents to change my past . . . even if they want to change it, that's not in their power. It is, though, in my power. I can let the past go! If it's never our fault, we can't take responsibility for it. If we can't take responsibility for it, we'll always be its victim." The primary appeal of this book, and its title, is the shock of its truth. Some parents are wicked, and even if they aren't, they can seem that way to children when their mom and dad do less than reflect love and kindness. Even when we've been helpless children at the mercy of parents who haven't a trace of caring for us, who lash us over and again with abuse and humiliation, they're lashing us with lessons they don't imagine. I want to offend the wicked, and readers do, too! This one's a call-it-what-it-is book. No title such as Thank Your Wicked Parents can be passed in a bookstore by anyone, even if they had angels for parents. The juxtaposition of thanking (being kind to) someone who's been wicked to us also appeals to our highest self . . . that's the intent. This is a novelty book, but it's got a lot of truth in it, and it must not be varnished. Richard Bach is the author of seventeen books, including Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Illusions, and The Bridge Across Forever. His books have sold tens of millions in over 40 languages throughout the world. Back to back, his work has been on the New York Times bestseller lists for more than four years. He deals, most simply and effectively, with ideas that have the power to change the world.