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Arnold R. Beisser
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Flying Without Wings: Personal Reflections on Loss, Disability, and Healing Paperback – February 1, 1990

by DR. Arnold Beisser (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 39 ratings
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“Give yourself a gift and read Flying Without Wings. You will be kinder, wiser, and more compassionate for having read it. I am.”—Abigail (Dear Abby) Van Buren

At twenty-four, Arnold Beisser was a recent medical school graduate and a nationally ranked tennis player. But overnight a devastating bout of polio left him permanently paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on an iron lung to draw his next breath. Polio robbed Arnold Beisser of his strength, his athletic ability, and almost his life. Yet he discovered in this unthinkable trap not only the expected sadness and despair, but wonder, delight, and the pleasure of everyday living.

This is the wise, deeply moving, and warmly humorous account of Arnold Beisser’s search for a new life and meaning as he comes to terms with his disability and then transcends it . . . to practice psychiatry, to fall in love, truly to soar without wings. His spirit and determination to fight for happiness will inspire any reader faced with unbearable loss. Dr. Beisser shows us why the contrast between winner and loser, athlete and cripple, is in our minds much more than in our bodies. And he shares with us the experiences that taught him life’s greatest truth: Nothing can keep you from love, laughter, meaningful work, or enlightenment—except yourself.

“A book of blazing honesty and openness. It goes right to the heart of the reader.”—Norman Cousins, author of Anatomy of an Illness
Previous page
  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Random House Publishing Group
  4. Publication date
    February 1, 1990
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.51 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    055334868X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0553348682
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Give yourself a gift and read Flying Without Wings. You will be kinder, wiser, and more compassionate for having read it. I am.”—Abigail (Dear Abby) Van Buren

“A book of blazing honesty and openness. It goes right to the heart of the reader.”—Norman Cousins, author of Anatomy of an Illness

About the Author

Arnold Beisser was a graduate of Stanford University and its medical school. He was a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA, a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and a recipient of its Gold Achievement Award. He published over 100 articles, reviews, book chapters, and books, including Madness in Sports and Mental Health Consultation. Arnold Beisser died in 1991.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House Publishing Group; Bantam ed edition (February 1, 1990)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 055334868X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0553348682
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.51 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 39 ratings

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Arnold R. Beisser

Arnold R. Beisser

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
39 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ken R.
5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding book, inspiring, and full of insight.
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2015
Verified Purchase
True story of a medical student stricken with polio in late twenties, landed in a iron lung. Emerged a lifelong quadrapalegic and found his way to a long successful careers as a psychiatrist, administrator, and author. In this book at mid life he reports on his experience and survival strategies that carried him through his worst and best experiences. When originally published, this book was widely distributed across the Nation for it's inspiration value for persons with learning and other lifelong disabling disabiities.

Flying without wings is a precursor for his final book, A Graceful Passage in which, while still in a wheel chair, he again musters his strategies of attitude and survival as he deals with progressive aging issues.
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Bonnie Young
5.0 out of 5 stars Flying Without Wings by Arnold Beisser
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book has helped me understand that we can overcome life's trials. I have MS and find it very hard to accomplish most things and in this book are coping ways and healing the ways we don't even realize we are broken. lost of independence is tough but can be a "new" beginning just around the corner. how to manage the life you are given, whatever life throws at you.
tough love, realistic life and a new lease on life is shown possible in his self reflected disability. a good book for ANYONE dealing with disabilities.
4 people found this helpful
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Bianca U
4.0 out of 5 stars Condition and Buyer Beware Note
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2021
Verified Purchase
I bought this book new and there were black marks on the book both (felt pretty sticky) front and back and one of the pages was bent around the corner, as well as a scratch mark on the back. I disinfected the book and cleaned it but the marks do not want to go away. Aside from that, it is the book I needed for class. I will update this review once I read the book as I just got it yesterday. However, just know that this seller just not put any protected plastic to protect the book so your book may arrive in the same condition as mine. It is still in good condition and there are no other issues so I give it 4 stars for now.
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LuLu
5.0 out of 5 stars Finding Peace in Loss
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2007
Verified Purchase
When we lose just a part of our physical or mental being, we can suddenly feel that somehow we are not really ourselves anymore. Dr. Beisser had lost almost his whole physical self, but he shows us so eloquently how to overcome loss by changing his "point of view" both literally and mentally. I have gven a copy of this book to more than one person that I felt by their reading it, it could be of service in some way. I think anyone can benefit form this book, disabled or not and I highly recommend it!!
3 people found this helpful
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Rachel G
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired Piece; Very easy to read
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
I got this book for one of my psychology courses and I thoroughly enjoy it. It's a great read for anyone who has someone close to them that has a disability. Sometimes the hardest part is understanding what they go through. This book is inspirational and it's a great source of information for people who want to learn more.
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Ggina Lawrence
5.0 out of 5 stars such an excellent book for anyone suffering a physical ailment or limitation
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2015
Verified Purchase
such an excellent book for anyone suffering a physical ailment or limitation, and or their caregiver! Actually this book is good for anyone!
2 people found this helpful
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Therese C. Hosfield
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2015
Verified Purchase
Great memoir of dealing with his life life gone out of control. A reference book in my library.
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Top reviews from other countries

Ryan Smoluk
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Canada on August 13, 2023
Verified Purchase
it would be great to put this book back into Print
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Gary
5.0 out of 5 stars Book: Flying without Wings, Arnold R. Beisser
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2013
Verified Purchase
I initially read an article "The Paradoxical Theory of Change" and realized Arnold Beisser was more than interesting.

I believe this book is about not giving in to disability, but having the ability to adapt.
One person found this helpful
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Svetlana Vasileva
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend to every person on this earth to read
Reviewed in Canada on April 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is a masterpiece! Highly recommend to every person on this earth to read. Every page is a wisdom for life. And inspiring.
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MNKYD
5.0 out of 5 stars Flying Without Wings
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2013
Verified Purchase
A fascinatingly moving book which really does put your own life into perspective and makes you instantly aware of how lucky you really are. Totally recommend reading this book!
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Corellon Larethian
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2015
Verified Purchase
Excellent, touching and inspiring book.
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