Pointing Is Rude: One Father's Story of Autism, Adoption, and Acceptance

Five-time Emmy Award-winning television producer Digger O'Brien gets to the heart of being a dad in his brave debut memoir, Pointing Is Rude. When his son Frederick was diagnosed with Autism, Digger embarked on an exhausting, emotional, and often comical journey to find a cure, visiting several prestigious hospitals and a long list of specialists-including one who referred to himself as "The Poop Whisperer." Digger's poignant and occasionally outrageous adventures hit multiple dead ends before taking off in a surprising new direction with the adoption of an infant boy from Ethiopia. Pointing Is Rude chronicles how one person beat back despair and, in doing so, opened up endless possibilities. It's a book that will make you laugh and cry, often on the same page.

*******"An honest, riveting work…told with wry wit…that will enlighten and offer hope to readers."
-Kirkus Reviews*******

******* "The story within Pointing Is Rude breaks your heart, as a father or just as a human being. But then Digger O'Brien and his family lift you up, with their strength, their love, and their good humor about the challenge at the center of their lives. This extraordinary book is less about autism than it is about the beautiful power of family."
-Willie Geist, Host of NBC's TODAY and Morning Joe*******

******* "People know me as the longtime Dallas Cowboys quarterback and now a FOX broadcaster but my most important job is dad; Pointing Is Rude provides a great playbook for any parent on how to handle life's ups and downs with humor and grace."
-Troy Aikman, 3-time Super Bowl Champion, Pro Football Hall of Fame 2006*******

******* "Pointing Is Rude illuminates the challenges, triumphs, heartbreaks and joys of parenting a child with autism with such candor and wit that every reader will feel they have lived the O'Briens' remarkable journey... and feel lucky to be a part of this extraordinary family."
-Ron Suskind, author of Life, Animated: A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes and Autism*******

******* "As a father, grandfather and sporting icon who has always tried to use my fame to help children all over the world, I can appreciate Pointing Is Rude and the lessons it offers people everywhere. All children are a gift from God. I celebrate this family as they fully embrace their life journey by welcoming a young boy from Africa-a part of the world that has always been close to my heart-to take their journey with them. I encourage everyone to read this wonderful story."
-Pelé, Soccer's only 3-time World Cup winner, FIFA's "Football Player of the Century, Time Magazine's "Top 20 Most Important People of the 20th Century" *******