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Richard L. Rotelli Books |
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A Creative Odyssey: The Story of Floyd and Richie
Let Me Be a Light: The Faith Journey of Father Ron Lawson
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by Richard L. Rotelli |
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Below are reviews from a few sources.
Review from Ann
Connery Frantz |
ANN CONNERY FRANTZ
REVIEW
Published in The Lowell Sun
Sunday, November 23, 2003
With a little help from his
friends, Floyd lived life fully
By Ann Connery Frantz
Sun staff
Title:
A Creative Odyssey:
The Story of Floyd and
Richie
Author:
Richard L. Rotelli
Publisher:
Infinity Publishing, 2002
Genre:
Biography
Ranking:
Readability:
Rotelli’s recounting of a
remarkable individual who
persevered despite his
paralyzed limbs to grab life
by the seat of the pants,
and the people who helped
him do it.
Selected
Passage: “One half of
it stood tall and proud and
flourished, its branches
reaching skyward with good,
vital foliage. The other
half was dead, its branches
gnarled and twisted . .
.Other people may have only
seen a half-alive tree, but
to Floyd it was a metaphor
for his own body.”
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What do you do when life deals you bad
cards, decimating your ability to walk,
run, play sports, even live a simple,
independent life? In short, what happens
when dreams are cut short – in an era
before motorized wheelchairs, physical
therapists and handicapped access?
Floyd Walser, a Texas cowboy who loved to
ride, a restless youth in search of his
first big job, had to face those
questions. In 1909, just as he embarked
on the adventures of a western manhood,
polio struck. The disease left him
nearly helpless at age 21, with control
over one arm only, and his head.
It was a cruel twist of fate.
What he did despite his handicap, however,
underscores how vastly a person can
exceed expectations. Floyd’s “creative
odyssey” is a lesson in making the most
out of life.
If kids today read about Floyd Walser, they
wouldn’t relate. They might not even
believe that a man so burdened could
embrace life as he did. But Chelmsford
resident Richard L. Rotelli grew up
knowing Floyd and has told his story in
A Creative Odyssey: The Story of
Floyd and Richie. Rotelli, who grew
up on Waushakum Pond in Framingham, was
Floyd’s neighbor. His father, the
“Richie” of the title, became Walser’s
friend. More than that, Richie was a
born inventor, constantly challenged by
Floyd’s unmet needs. Perhaps Floyd
struck a sympathetic chord with Richie,
who had been pulled out of school to
help his Italian immigrant family
financially, and knew what it was to
have your dreams altered.
But much transpired before these two met.
Floyd, not stopped by his paralysis,
possessed of an unusual tenacity and the
courage to take risks, followed his
instincts - - to try what most people in
his situation simply would not have
dared to brave.
He began to draw, something he’d always had
a whim to do, and something that seemed
possible to achieve with only one hand.
What followed his fledgling effort was the
first of several “chance” meetings in
Floyd Walser’s life that led to
opportunity. A traveling journalist met,
then wrote about, Floyd. With his life
thus revealed in an article published in
the East, Floyd heard from Edith Noyes
Greene, truly a matriarch of the arts
for Framingham in the early to mid-
1900s. Edith, a talented performer,
teacher and composer of music - -
married to her former music student from
Harvard, Mass., Roy Greene - - was so
amazed at Floyd’s efforts to accomplish
an artistic career, that she impulsively
invited him to live with the couple in
Framingham. Husband Roy only figured
that out when he met Floyd at the train
station - - and needed to carry him into
a vehicle, to a house with no
handicapped access. Their home still
stands by Lake Waushakum, known as
“Harmony House”, thanks to its musical
roots.
The Greenes never balked at the daily care
Floyd required, encouraging his
development as an artist while taking
care of meals and hygiene. They also
made sure Floyd saw more of the world,
taking him out for rides in the country
and ice cream runs, including him in
their dinner parties and social events.
At one point, the Greenes had a car fitted
with enough equipment to allow Floyd to
drive one-handed. Floyd used that
vehicle to go cross country. He couldn’t
get himself in or out of it, couldn’t
even take care of his basic needs, but
he could drive that car. The rest he
worked out, relying on strangers and
friends. With that, his world opened up,
and Floyd saw his Texas family again,
the Northwest, the Plains states and the
South. It would be in his artwork
thereafter.
Much like the Greenes, the Rotelli family
accepted Floyd Walser into their lives.
As the Greenes aged and were unable to
assist him, the Rotellis took over.
Richie Rotelli couldn’t stop tinkering,
finding ways to make Floyd - - now 59
and still lacking the freedoms enjoyed
by able-bodied people - - mobile. First
came a motorized pulley arrangement to
help him get out of bed in one minute
instead of the 45 he was used to. Then a
wheelchair Floyd could operate with a
power switch - - the source of many a
trial-and-error experience for them all.
When Floyd became a determined
fisherman, without the means to really
explore his new avocation, Richie made
it possible. First came “projectile
fishing” something you must read for
yourself to enjoy, then a motor boat
that truly liberated him.
Men especially may like Rotelli’s book, as
the author goes into a lot of detail
about the engineering challenges
surrounding Floyd’s handicaps as well as
the details of building projects and
Richie’s cars. There’s more than a
little local history tucked in as well.
My eyes sometimes glazed over at all
that detail, but history buffs and gizmo
lovers will eat it up. Most engineers
are a little wacky about solving
problems, and Floyd’s needs offered a
lot of opportunities to go nuts. As the
guinea pig, Floyd suffered from fear
more than once while trying out their
inventions.
There are some terrific vignettes in A
Creative Odyssey, including an
incident with the Rotelli’s cat and dog
that I truly would have loved to see.
The book . . . is a fascinating,
down-home read about the way people come
together to accomplish great things. |
Reviews from
Buybooksontheweb.com |
Courage and Caring
Reviewed by: Joe Scole (3/10/2004)
Does one's inspiration and motivation
for living a meaningful and gratifying
life get any better than this? A
Creative Odyssey is a real story about
how two very special individuals, Richie
and Floyd, met despite distances and
backgrounds far apart, resulting in a
captivating combination of courage and
caring. It is a story that had to be
told. Author Dick Rotelli had a huge
advantage in relating the human bonding
aspect while interweaving much of the
history of the times and locale of
Framingham, Massachusetts. Richie was
the author’s dad. Floyd Walser, stricken
as a young man with polio, refused to
allow his adversity to become an
obstacle in experiencing a rewarding and
productive life as an accomplished
artist. Richie, a neighbor and
mechanical wizard, one of Floyd’s
closest supporters, provided not just a
spirit of hope and friendship, but took
his mechanical ingenuity to the next
level in building several apparatuses
that would miraculously facilitate
Floyd’s mobility- including a fishing
boat in which Floyd spent many enjoyable
days on a nearby pond. An interesting
assortment of historical photographs
sprinkled throughout the book capture
the colorful flavor of the times and the
closeness of an immigrant Italian
family, while much of Floyd’s remarkable
artwork demonstrates his true genius.
Dick Rotelli has a down-to-earth style
of writing that effortlessly conveys the
intended message of his story; a message
of courage, human kindness, generosity,
caring and of course, family pride. This
is a must read for anyone who needs a
little inspiration now and then.
Screenplay ingredients.
Reviewed by: Frank Porter (1/5/2005)
"A Creative Odyssey" relates a true
story about real people, especially
Floyd Walser and Richie Rotelli, and it
is an outstanding testament to their
human spirits. While I had the pleasure
of working with Richard Rotelli for many
years at Raytheon Company I was unaware
of this background in his family
history. Upon his retirement, family and
friends convinced Richard to write this
story about Floyd and his father, also
named Richard. They thought it was that
important to do and Richard (thankful
for us who read it) under took the task.
It was certainly a labor of love and
Richard is still collecting data for
future editions. This is an amazing
story and Richard has presented a truly
splendid accounting. Take the time to
read it; it is well worth the effort. I
also think it has all the ingredients
for a splendid screenplay. Frank K.
Porter Jr.
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Reviews from
Amazon.com |
This book
has made my top 10 list, December
28, 2013
Reviewer: Peter Barbella
Once in a while a book comes along which
has the power to alter your life; make
it more fulfilled. This is just such a
book.
The author has a writing style which
makes you feel like you are living in
the story; and what a story this is. A
Creative Odyssey is a whirlwind of
dogged determination in synergism with
staggering human compassion.
You cannot come away from this book
without feeling envious of the people
who lived the story.
Well done!
America in its Infancy, July 21, 2002
Reviewer: Madlyn A Fafard (Framingham,
Mass)America was still young, when this story
began. Hardships were common among the
general population. Immigration from
Europe was still heavy in the early part
of the Century, and the story is alive
with the kindness, and helping of recent
immigrants.
It brought back so many memories for me,
things I had forgotten, about how good
family and neighbors could be for and to
each other.(It is especially
interesting, if you grew up in
Framingham, with Fred Bortolussi, Henry
Belloli, and Richard Rotelli, as I did.)
Here was a man, Floyd, born over two
thousand miles away from New England,
who came as a stranger, and ended up
being supported, loved, cared for and
encouraged, by total strangers who in
essence became his family. It is more
than the story of Floyd Walser and the
Greenes, who took in Floyd Walser , it
is the story of the neighbors, the
Rotelli's, the Bortolussi's, the
Belloli's and especially Richard Rotelli,
who invented an electric wheelchair and
a boat for Floyd, and of Carlo Belloli,
who was with Floyd to the end. We can
not forget the author's part in this
story, obviously he was awed and
impressed by the interaction of the
people involved in doing what we are
here on earth to do. Give of ourselves,
our love and caring, to help others
learn to overcome the obstacles in their
lives. Truly an all American story,
garnished with history, as it was
occurring around us.
No man is an island ..., July 7, 2002
Reviewer: corvidmind
"A Creative Odyssey" is the engaging
narrative of a young Texan man by the
name of Floyd Walser who answers
adversity with courage, and finds
meaning in a life of art. It is also the
story of his inspired patrons - the
Greenes, husband and wife musicians who
bring a young Walser to Massachusetts to
live with them and to study art at the
famed Museum School in Boston. Lastly,
it is the story of Walser's neighbor
Richie Rotelli, and how the courage of a
disabled man facing life without excuses
can inspire the generous support and
incredible ingenuity of a man and his
family. This is a true story of
Americana, with threads of interesting
historical detail supplied by the
author. The most compelling aspect of
the book is the human drama - how people
respond to challenges, whether their own
or someone else's. This is not history
writ large, but the rich history of
extraordinary people you find next door
to you. This book should resonate
particularly with residents of
Framingham, Massachusetts, where most of
the story is set. Well-researched, the
book is written with a personal,
refreshingly unmannered voice. The book
is illustrated liberally with examples
of Walser's art, and with many
interesting period photographs.
An Odyssey of the Human Spirit, July
6, 2002
Reviewer: Larry & Judy Pumfrey (Saugus,
MA United States)
A heartwarming story. Not only the story
of one man's courage and determination
to overcome the challenges of near total
paraplegia to become a successful
artist-----but also the story of the
generosity of spirit that he encounters
in the benefactors and friends that he
meets along the way.
The author brings us into this "Creative
Odyssey" and with clarity and wit
enchants us and puts us in touch with
the best the human spirit has to offer,
filling us with warmth and hope and the
appreciation of life's gifts.
Memories Revisited, July 4, 2002
Reviewer: Jean M. Goodwin (Goodyear, Az)
Dick Rotelli has written a facinating
book. He has a unique way of blending
the love of family, friends and history.
The Town of Framingham, Massachusetts
will be proud to have a "son" so
talented.
A Creative Odyssey, July 3, 2002
Reviewer: Thad Risinger (Blanco, TX)
"A Creative Odyssey" is the story of
Texas native, Floyd Walser, who was
badly crippled by polio in the early
1900's. He overcame despair and
eventually became an accomplished artist
although he had only the use of his
right arm. Factors in his remarkable
accomplishment were the help of his
family, the altruistic efforts of New
England musician and composer, Edith
Greene, and the Edison like
inventiveness of Richie Rotelli who was
ahead of his time in developing aids for
the disabled.
The story of Floyd should serve to
remind most of us that our problems are
not as cataclysmic as they might seem.
The book is well organized, clearly
written, and flows well for the reader.
Courage, Love, and Creativity, June
30, 2002
Reviewer: Mary Starr (Del Mar, CA United
States)
A Creative Odyssey is the biography of
three people connected by chance and
their exceptional qualities.The story
takes place primarily in the first half
of the 20th century.
Edith Greene, a New England society
woman and composer; Floyd Walser, a
Texas cowboy artist who could move only
his right hand; and Richie Rotelli, a
factory worker who invented and built,
share this odyssey.
All three characters were fascinating,
but it was Floyd who intrigued me the
most; however, Floyd would not have been
able to have done the things he did
without the help and generosity of the
other two.
This is a story of courage, of love, and
of creativity which is a very worthwhile
read.
Art and Science; Love and Respect,
June 27, 2002
Reviewer: Susan Bassler Pickford
(Portland, ME)
A Creative Odyssey is a page turner. It
appeals to the reader on many different
levels. Art enthusiasts will marvel at
the obstacles overcome by Floyd N.
Walser who suffered from the ravages of
polio. He became a respected painter and
engraver. Engineers will respect the
native imaginative genius of his friend
Richie Rotelli who designed and created
whatever Floyd needed to be an
independent person including a
customized wheelchair and fishing boat.
History buffs will enjoy the story of
Framingham as seen through the
relationships of an Italian immigrant
family. Everyone can relate to the warm
unique friendship between Floyd and Richie. The author has woven all these
threads into a fascinating narrative and
a wonderful inspirational story.
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Reviews from
Barnes & Nobles |
A reviewer, November 25, 2002,
A Fascinating Book
I found "A Creative Odyssey" by Richard
Rotelli a fascinating "read". Foremost
it was an inspiring story on how one
man, the artist Floyd Walser, managed a
handicap that would have made most
people give up. At the same time it was
a celebration of the impact of the
author's father on his family, friends
and the artist. But, what I found
particularly intriguing was its glimpse
into life in a small New England town
during the World War II era as well as
the warmth and contribution of the
Italian community. A demographic pattern
that was duplicated in so many New
England towns by all ethnic groups.
A reviewer, November 22, 2002,
Two Lives Intertwined
A Creative Odyssey by Richard Rotelli
spans a fifty-four year journey of two
very different individuals describing
how they met and how their subsequent
friendship impacted their lives. This
true story is filled with factual
documentation and is a fascinating,
entertaining book of the trials,
tribulations and triumphs of two diverse
families in the early 20th century whom
those with similar ethnic backgrounds
will identify. One is an Italian family
of immigrants who migrate to Framingham,
Massachusetts, and the other is an early
American Texan family entrenched in
early American southwestern culture. The
reader’s curiosity is heightened with
the eventual meeting of two
extraordinary talented men, one from
each family: Richie, who is mechanically
inclined and a clever inventor in his
own right and Floyd a strong willed,
incapacitated crippled artist. These two
men with vastly diverse aptitudes and
family backgrounds, impact and bind with
each other to form an incredible strong
friendship. A Creative Odyssey blends
factual historical information with the
emotional impact and sense of
responsibility that motivates Richie to
devise creative inventions to overcome
obstacles that virtually salvages the
talents of his friend Floyd.
J. Manning, a reader who enjoys a
good story., November 20, 2002,
" A Creative Odyssey" is worth the trip.
"A Creative Odyssey" is a wonderfully
warm and sensitive story of the
remarkable life-long friendship of two
talented and creative men. The impact of
each of these men on the author is so
powerful that he seems to be relating
the story rather than writing it. This
sense of narration is a gentle urging
for the reader to continue and not put
the book down. |
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