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A review by carolpk
Bringing Adam Home: The Abduction That Changed America by Les Standiford
I knew going in that this would be a hard book to read. It seems odd to say I read it for closure. Closure usually is something reserved for family or close friends when someone they love is missing or violently murdered. Though I cannot know how John and Reve’ Walsh felt, I was there right from the beginning on that horrible July day in 1981 when their son, Adam, disappeared from a Sears store in Hollywood, Florida. I was a mother of two girls under ten and I was horrified at what had happened to Adam Walsh. When some of his remains were found I was saddened that the hope for Adam’s coming home was extinguished.
Like many in our country I followed along as details about the case were revealed and the lack of a real suspect became apparent. The thought that the person who committed this crime was still out there haunted me. I also followed Walsh’s attempts to make changes in the system of reporting missing children and moves to keep our young people from being exploited. Of course, I watched America’s Most Wanted and was glad to see that TV and then the website could do some good to catch criminals. I applauded the Walsh’s efforts to make certain that what happened to them did not happen to other families and the help they gave to other families whose children were missing.
As I said in the beginning I read Bringing Adam Home for closure. I cannot say that I enjoyed this book. Given the subject matter that seems wrong. I don’t want to give it any stars…it’s not that sort of book. I did learn a great deal reading this and not all was encouraging. I am always upset by sloppy work, police work or otherwise and this case had its share of this. I was sickened to read about the disregard for life exhibited by so many in this case and others. I am disappointed that the person responsible for Adam’s death was not brought to justice. In the end though, there were some moments to bring me continued hope, that there are good people in our world, that there are dedicated persons who will give their all to their job or a cause. I am glad to know that so many people have not forgotten Adam Walsh, a boy who remains frozen in time, baseball bat, cap and smile, always in my mind. I am glad that the Walsh’s, John and Reve’, feel that Adam has been brought home.
Like many in our country I followed along as details about the case were revealed and the lack of a real suspect became apparent. The thought that the person who committed this crime was still out there haunted me. I also followed Walsh’s attempts to make changes in the system of reporting missing children and moves to keep our young people from being exploited. Of course, I watched America’s Most Wanted and was glad to see that TV and then the website could do some good to catch criminals. I applauded the Walsh’s efforts to make certain that what happened to them did not happen to other families and the help they gave to other families whose children were missing.
As I said in the beginning I read Bringing Adam Home for closure. I cannot say that I enjoyed this book. Given the subject matter that seems wrong. I don’t want to give it any stars…it’s not that sort of book. I did learn a great deal reading this and not all was encouraging. I am always upset by sloppy work, police work or otherwise and this case had its share of this. I was sickened to read about the disregard for life exhibited by so many in this case and others. I am disappointed that the person responsible for Adam’s death was not brought to justice. In the end though, there were some moments to bring me continued hope, that there are good people in our world, that there are dedicated persons who will give their all to their job or a cause. I am glad to know that so many people have not forgotten Adam Walsh, a boy who remains frozen in time, baseball bat, cap and smile, always in my mind. I am glad that the Walsh’s, John and Reve’, feel that Adam has been brought home.