Prof. Ken Bode Praises "Inspirational" Book by Upcoming Crain Lecturer, Richard M. Cohen
February 1, 2008
Also: Richard M. Cohen at DePauw February 11
February 1, 2008, Greencastle, Ind. - Strong at the Broken Places: Voices of Illness, a Chorus of Hope, the bestseller by Richard M. Cohen, "is not a book about despair, just the opposite," writes Ken Bode. "It is about coping, maintaining control, resisting victimization and shoving aside self-pity. It is about surviving and flourishing. And it is one of the most inspirational books I have read, ever."
Bode, Eugene S. Pulliam Distinguished Visiting Professor of Journalism at DePauw University, dedicates his Indianapolis Star op-ed to the new book, which "profiles five strong people on the frontline of illness, some life-threatening, all life-altering ... Cohen, who has multiple sclerosis, spent three years with what he calls 'this gang of five,' winning their confidence, getting to know their families, understanding their strategies 
for coping. As he puts it, 'In this book you hear the sound of steel, the toughness at the core.'"
The professor's column continues, "In the book's opening passage, Cohen says, 'These are the faces of illness in America. Do not look away.' One of the big problems for the chronically ill is that they become the personification of their illness. People only see the wheelchair or the walker or the cane."
The five individuals featured in the book "have risen above their illnesses by becoming advocates for more research, more understanding," notes Dr. Bode. "After each profile, Cohen writes a small section called 'Reflections,' discussing what he has learned from his deep immersion in the lives of these folks and how they cope with incurable chronic illnesses. They all have their own strategies, in many cases aimed at dealing with the inevitable end of life. For example, Buzz Bay, the devoutly Christian Indiana florist, relies on his a deep faith in God and visions of the heaven that awaits him. In dealing with Buzz and his family, Cohen, the nonbeliever, admits to learning a powerful lesson -- the danger of having a closed mind."
In closing, Professor Bode points out, "DePauw University has invited Cohen to come to Greencastle as part of the Crain Lecture series. He has agreed to do so and bring Buzz Bay along. They will talk not about suffering or sickness, but rather about rising above fear and self-doubt, and the refusal to become a victim. I will moderate a conversation with them about Strong at the Broken Places a
t 4 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media. You are invited." (at left: Cohen with his wife, NBC Today anchor Meredith Vieira)
Read the complete essay at College News.org.
At this site, you'll find a story previewing Richard Cohen's Crain Lecture; another article describes how DePauw University is mentioned in Strong at the Broken Places.
Ken Bode was quoted in yesterday's News & Review of Reno, Nevada, and last night participated in a program at the National Archives, "Back Rooms to Ballot Boxes: Primary Reform, the People, and the Press." Learn more in this previous article.
Source: Indianapolis Star
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