)
Reviews
Here's what readers are saying...From reviews posted on Amazon.com
"Fantastic read, truly inspirational...I wasn't looking for 'self-help' when I received Hurricanes & Rainbows as a gift. What I found was self-awareness and confidence to meet life's disappointments with grace and hope. Mr. Armstrong's poignant story of his life's experiences--both tragic and happy--was true inspiration. He writes from his soul bringing his readers along on his journey as if you were going through the experiences at his side. If you didn't know Mark before reading Hurricanes & Rainbows, you will call him friend at the end of his story. To have survived any of the events described takes courage and strength. Having survived all of the events since August 2005 and still be able to smile and have compassion for others is simply amazing. Finding a penny will now always be a blessing thanks to this book. I look forward to reading the sequel once Mr. Armstrong finds his rainbow."--Poppy 9 (1-3-08) "I didn't like this book...I loved it! This was not an enjoyable book to read--at least not the parts that described all of the life events that led to Mr. Armstrong's depression. However, it was a highly rewarding read. I am happy that Mr. Armstrong got his life back. I am glad he learned how to cope with the lousy hand his life dealt him. I am grateful that he wrote about his experiences, however painful it must have been for him to do so. His book will serve an important purpose. His words will inspire the downcast, encourage the weary, and lift up the fallen. His book did all three for me. No, I didn't much like this book...I loved it!"--H. R. Truman (9-14-07)
"Sad, yet victorious journey. Nearly everyone has suffered loss and grief at some point in their lives. Many people battle depression following these painful events. Most of us have experienced many of the same losses as Mr. Armstrong. We've had our hearts broken after a failed relationship ends in a breakup or divorce. We've lost loved ones to death, maybe even violent death. We've dealt with financial problems, perhaps even bankruptcy. We've moved to new cities, taken new jobs, leaving behind family, friends, and our sense of security. We've buried our beloved pets. We may have even been hit by natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. The difference between most of us and Mr. Armstrong is that for the vast majority of people, painful episodes such as these are usually spread out over a lifetime. For him, they all occured in less than a year! How he recovered from such a series of events is beyond me. But he did. His book can and will enoucrage any reader who faces hardship and pain in life, like me and like you. This book will show you how to never give up. It will show you how to learn and grow in your faith, not only in God, but in yourself. If you have faced problems in your life, read Hurricanes & Rainbows. You'll be stronger for having read this sad yet victorious journey."--Belle Manning (9-9-07)
"There is hope after hopelessness. It's been two long years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans, the city I call home. In those two years, I've read everything I could get my hands on that had been written about the storm, including Douglas Brinkley's The Great Deluge, Jed Horne's Breach Of Faith, as well as countless others. I've watched Spike Lee's documentary, The Day The Levees Broke. And they are all wonderful! This book, Hurricanes & Rainbows, gives the storm's fury a human face--one man and his dog struggling to get out of harm's way. But that man was already beaten down by another storm he endured three weeks before Katrina. That storm clouded his thinking and caused him to think irrationally in a seemingly hopeless situation. Katrina was only his second storm; there would be eight more to follow. The city of New Orleans has been slow to rebuild. Fortunately, Mr. Armstrong has rebounded much quicker. His storm story is an inspiration to me as a New Orleanian, but more importantly, as a kindred spirit who has endured his share of his own storms in life. If he can find his rainbow, then surely so can I. I have and I will continue to ride the waves and somehow manage to stay aloat. This book will encourage you to weather life's storms, knowing that you can and will prevail in the end. Extremely well written and blatantly honest, I highly recommend it."--Karl Glad (8-28-07)
"This book is filled with hope! Hurricanes & Rainbows is one of the most hopeful books I've ever read. I love the way Mr. Armstrong relates his story of hardship and misfortune. As I read about the many people who have touched his life, I felt as if I knew them (and him). I found myself empathizing with him as he got dumped on time after time. It's not difficult to see how he may have considered throwing in the towel. But he found a way to be triumphant. He found a way to overcome his circumstances and beat his depression. Good for him! All of us have trials and challenges in our lives, but we can get through the hard times if we just hang in there--like he did. I felt better about life after reading this book. I've been reminded that nothing life throws at me is too much for me to handle. I especially liked his list of "Depression Dos & Don'ts" and found them to be both practical and helpful. Rush out and get this book...you might just get a whole new lease on life!--Yeni Adam (8-20-07)
"Incredibly inspiring! I didn't know quite what to expect when I began reading Mark Armstrong's Hurricanes & Rainbows, which was recommended to me by a friend. I assumed just by reading the title that it had something to do with hope after despair. As I read the episodes in Mr. Armstrong's life--broken relationships, deaths of friends and his beloved "Mardi," financial collapse, leaving the security of home and starting over in a new place, not to mention the ravages of Hurricane Katrina--I was filled with compassion for him. His story of survival encouraged me to be a survivor, too. I have had my share of bouts with depression. But after reading about his emergence from the deep, dark place he found himself in, I am convinced that I, too, can perservere. Mr. Armstrong has shown me that I can find hope and promise after storms in my life. I am looking for my rainbow. I wholeheartedly recommend Hurricanes & Rainbows to anyone who is going through (or has been through) a hard time--and that's pretty much all of us!--Zuruck Lassen (8-19-07)
"A Story of Hope and Healing. Mr. Armstrong's Hurricanes & Rainbows is a most inspiring book. Reading about his triumph through adversity has challenged me to persevere through the storms in my own life. I am eager to read from his bibliography some of the books that guided him through his depression, anticipating that they will encourage me, as they did him, to never give up. His story of hope and healing resonates with me, as I know it will with other readers going through their own life struggles. I highly recommend Mr. Armstrong's Hurricanes & Rainbows; it is one book you won't want to put down!"--Christina M. Mattox (8-18-07)
"The promise of a happy ending. Mark Armstrong's Hurricanes & Rainbows is a very candid look at how one man has dealt with a number of life's great issues...love, loss, depression, sexuality, spirituality, and most importantly, the need to persevere and triumph. I found the book to be inspiring in the author's ability to draw you into his life and make you understand how each and every person he's known, and each and every situation he's encountered has affected his life in ways that most of us are unable to appreciate in our own. His willingness to share his feelings and insights encourage us to stand back and take stock of our own strengths and weakness, assess our own relationships, and then pursue the paths that will make our lives better. Very, very inspiring. I would especially like to mention that I thoroughly enjoyed reading each of his penny blessings. Again, they showed Mr. Armstrong's unique finger on the pulse of all of the things that have happened in his life and his appreciation for even the smallest of blessings. Obviously, he will continue to grow and thrive in the future. I heartily recommend this book."--Visionary56 (7-24-07)
"This book shows you how to triumph after surviving life's storms! Absolutely one of the most inspiring books I have read in a long time. I can honestly say that there is something for everyone in this book. Mark Armstrong tells a poignant tale with honesty, humor, and humility, and I had chill bumps, laughter, some tears, and an uplifted, optimistic spirit when I regretfully finished the book. I have post-it notes in many places in this book, so as I'm working and struggling through my personal drizzles, showers, and storms throughout my daily life, I can see the hope of the clouds clearing and my own rainbows." --Margaret Wilson (7-22-07)
"Wow! Mr. Armstrong has written a wonderful book. It is moving and powerful. I didn't think it would be as uptlifting as it is because of the subjects addressed, but I was wrong. I found myself laughing in parts and crying in parts and basically completely absorbed. It made me put in perspective my life and the little things I find annoying. They are nothing compared to what he has been through. I also know that through faith, family, and friends, you can make it! Good read and very helpful!" --L. LeNoir (7-19-07)
"I am better for knowing Mark. When I first came to know Mark, he was in the worst possible shape a person could be in. We became fast friends and I'm a better person for knowing him! Even after knowing so much about him, the book gave me an insight to what an amazing person he really is. He has overcome so many hurdles in life, and is a much stronger man because of all of it. I enjoyed this book. Some portions I lived personally with Mark, which brought back good and sad memories. It made me cry. It made me laugh. It gave me hope. Thank you, Mark, for including me in your stories, and in your life. I love you more than my luggage!" --Jennifer Eichler SBPC (7-2-07)
"Mark can see rainbows. I did not know what to expect when I started to read the book, but I got hooked early on. It was as if I could not wait to see what was going to happen next and how he was going to prevail. I love the humor! I love the details of all the travels. I can't wait to see some of the places talked about simply because of what was written about them. The love and passion in the book is incredible, not only between partners, but friends and family. The book will keep you wanting more with each page. It also lets people know that depression is serious and help is available in many forms from friends and family to doctors and prescriptions. I can't wait for the next book." --Deena Phillips (7-1-07)
"Great read! I also suffer with depression and have found help and have learned to cope with all that life throws my way. This book made me realize that I am not the only person who has battled depression, and there is life after the storm. I highly recommend it." --Crazy Cajun CBM (6-14-07)
"Easy, fun read. This book provides amazing insight into the storms of life that many of us are forced to succumb to, from cancer to natural disasters to bankuptcy to the loss of a loved one. This inspiring journey through one man's life can alter the perspective of generations; such a valuable work! Its ability to keep you waiting for the next page allowed me to devour the entire 474 pages in just three days. As for the icing on the cake, you get a mental depiction of several U.S. cities throughout the book. And you may even learn a word or two. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is open minded enough to learn a thing or two about human relations in the twenty-first century."--J. McDowell (6-13-07)
"Fantastic read, truly inspirational...I wasn't looking for 'self-help' when I received Hurricanes & Rainbows as a gift. What I found was self-awareness and confidence to meet life's disappointments with grace and hope. Mr. Armstrong's poignant story of his life's experiences--both tragic and happy--was true inspiration. He writes from his soul bringing his readers along on his journey as if you were going through the experiences at his side. If you didn't know Mark before reading Hurricanes & Rainbows, you will call him friend at the end of his story. To have survived any of the events described takes courage and strength. Having survived all of the events since August 2005 and still be able to smile and have compassion for others is simply amazing. Finding a penny will now always be a blessing thanks to this book. I look forward to reading the sequel once Mr. Armstrong finds his rainbow."--Poppy 9 (1-3-08) "I didn't like this book...I loved it! This was not an enjoyable book to read--at least not the parts that described all of the life events that led to Mr. Armstrong's depression. However, it was a highly rewarding read. I am happy that Mr. Armstrong got his life back. I am glad he learned how to cope with the lousy hand his life dealt him. I am grateful that he wrote about his experiences, however painful it must have been for him to do so. His book will serve an important purpose. His words will inspire the downcast, encourage the weary, and lift up the fallen. His book did all three for me. No, I didn't much like this book...I loved it!"--H. R. Truman (9-14-07)
"Sad, yet victorious journey. Nearly everyone has suffered loss and grief at some point in their lives. Many people battle depression following these painful events. Most of us have experienced many of the same losses as Mr. Armstrong. We've had our hearts broken after a failed relationship ends in a breakup or divorce. We've lost loved ones to death, maybe even violent death. We've dealt with financial problems, perhaps even bankruptcy. We've moved to new cities, taken new jobs, leaving behind family, friends, and our sense of security. We've buried our beloved pets. We may have even been hit by natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. The difference between most of us and Mr. Armstrong is that for the vast majority of people, painful episodes such as these are usually spread out over a lifetime. For him, they all occured in less than a year! How he recovered from such a series of events is beyond me. But he did. His book can and will enoucrage any reader who faces hardship and pain in life, like me and like you. This book will show you how to never give up. It will show you how to learn and grow in your faith, not only in God, but in yourself. If you have faced problems in your life, read Hurricanes & Rainbows. You'll be stronger for having read this sad yet victorious journey."--Belle Manning (9-9-07)
"There is hope after hopelessness. It's been two long years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans, the city I call home. In those two years, I've read everything I could get my hands on that had been written about the storm, including Douglas Brinkley's The Great Deluge, Jed Horne's Breach Of Faith, as well as countless others. I've watched Spike Lee's documentary, The Day The Levees Broke. And they are all wonderful! This book, Hurricanes & Rainbows, gives the storm's fury a human face--one man and his dog struggling to get out of harm's way. But that man was already beaten down by another storm he endured three weeks before Katrina. That storm clouded his thinking and caused him to think irrationally in a seemingly hopeless situation. Katrina was only his second storm; there would be eight more to follow. The city of New Orleans has been slow to rebuild. Fortunately, Mr. Armstrong has rebounded much quicker. His storm story is an inspiration to me as a New Orleanian, but more importantly, as a kindred spirit who has endured his share of his own storms in life. If he can find his rainbow, then surely so can I. I have and I will continue to ride the waves and somehow manage to stay aloat. This book will encourage you to weather life's storms, knowing that you can and will prevail in the end. Extremely well written and blatantly honest, I highly recommend it."--Karl Glad (8-28-07)
"This book is filled with hope! Hurricanes & Rainbows is one of the most hopeful books I've ever read. I love the way Mr. Armstrong relates his story of hardship and misfortune. As I read about the many people who have touched his life, I felt as if I knew them (and him). I found myself empathizing with him as he got dumped on time after time. It's not difficult to see how he may have considered throwing in the towel. But he found a way to be triumphant. He found a way to overcome his circumstances and beat his depression. Good for him! All of us have trials and challenges in our lives, but we can get through the hard times if we just hang in there--like he did. I felt better about life after reading this book. I've been reminded that nothing life throws at me is too much for me to handle. I especially liked his list of "Depression Dos & Don'ts" and found them to be both practical and helpful. Rush out and get this book...you might just get a whole new lease on life!--Yeni Adam (8-20-07)
"Incredibly inspiring! I didn't know quite what to expect when I began reading Mark Armstrong's Hurricanes & Rainbows, which was recommended to me by a friend. I assumed just by reading the title that it had something to do with hope after despair. As I read the episodes in Mr. Armstrong's life--broken relationships, deaths of friends and his beloved "Mardi," financial collapse, leaving the security of home and starting over in a new place, not to mention the ravages of Hurricane Katrina--I was filled with compassion for him. His story of survival encouraged me to be a survivor, too. I have had my share of bouts with depression. But after reading about his emergence from the deep, dark place he found himself in, I am convinced that I, too, can perservere. Mr. Armstrong has shown me that I can find hope and promise after storms in my life. I am looking for my rainbow. I wholeheartedly recommend Hurricanes & Rainbows to anyone who is going through (or has been through) a hard time--and that's pretty much all of us!--Zuruck Lassen (8-19-07)
"A Story of Hope and Healing. Mr. Armstrong's Hurricanes & Rainbows is a most inspiring book. Reading about his triumph through adversity has challenged me to persevere through the storms in my own life. I am eager to read from his bibliography some of the books that guided him through his depression, anticipating that they will encourage me, as they did him, to never give up. His story of hope and healing resonates with me, as I know it will with other readers going through their own life struggles. I highly recommend Mr. Armstrong's Hurricanes & Rainbows; it is one book you won't want to put down!"--Christina M. Mattox (8-18-07)
"The promise of a happy ending. Mark Armstrong's Hurricanes & Rainbows is a very candid look at how one man has dealt with a number of life's great issues...love, loss, depression, sexuality, spirituality, and most importantly, the need to persevere and triumph. I found the book to be inspiring in the author's ability to draw you into his life and make you understand how each and every person he's known, and each and every situation he's encountered has affected his life in ways that most of us are unable to appreciate in our own. His willingness to share his feelings and insights encourage us to stand back and take stock of our own strengths and weakness, assess our own relationships, and then pursue the paths that will make our lives better. Very, very inspiring. I would especially like to mention that I thoroughly enjoyed reading each of his penny blessings. Again, they showed Mr. Armstrong's unique finger on the pulse of all of the things that have happened in his life and his appreciation for even the smallest of blessings. Obviously, he will continue to grow and thrive in the future. I heartily recommend this book."--Visionary56 (7-24-07)
"This book shows you how to triumph after surviving life's storms! Absolutely one of the most inspiring books I have read in a long time. I can honestly say that there is something for everyone in this book. Mark Armstrong tells a poignant tale with honesty, humor, and humility, and I had chill bumps, laughter, some tears, and an uplifted, optimistic spirit when I regretfully finished the book. I have post-it notes in many places in this book, so as I'm working and struggling through my personal drizzles, showers, and storms throughout my daily life, I can see the hope of the clouds clearing and my own rainbows." --Margaret Wilson (7-22-07)
"Wow! Mr. Armstrong has written a wonderful book. It is moving and powerful. I didn't think it would be as uptlifting as it is because of the subjects addressed, but I was wrong. I found myself laughing in parts and crying in parts and basically completely absorbed. It made me put in perspective my life and the little things I find annoying. They are nothing compared to what he has been through. I also know that through faith, family, and friends, you can make it! Good read and very helpful!" --L. LeNoir (7-19-07)
"I am better for knowing Mark. When I first came to know Mark, he was in the worst possible shape a person could be in. We became fast friends and I'm a better person for knowing him! Even after knowing so much about him, the book gave me an insight to what an amazing person he really is. He has overcome so many hurdles in life, and is a much stronger man because of all of it. I enjoyed this book. Some portions I lived personally with Mark, which brought back good and sad memories. It made me cry. It made me laugh. It gave me hope. Thank you, Mark, for including me in your stories, and in your life. I love you more than my luggage!" --Jennifer Eichler SBPC (7-2-07)
"Mark can see rainbows. I did not know what to expect when I started to read the book, but I got hooked early on. It was as if I could not wait to see what was going to happen next and how he was going to prevail. I love the humor! I love the details of all the travels. I can't wait to see some of the places talked about simply because of what was written about them. The love and passion in the book is incredible, not only between partners, but friends and family. The book will keep you wanting more with each page. It also lets people know that depression is serious and help is available in many forms from friends and family to doctors and prescriptions. I can't wait for the next book." --Deena Phillips (7-1-07)
"Great read! I also suffer with depression and have found help and have learned to cope with all that life throws my way. This book made me realize that I am not the only person who has battled depression, and there is life after the storm. I highly recommend it." --Crazy Cajun CBM (6-14-07)
"Easy, fun read. This book provides amazing insight into the storms of life that many of us are forced to succumb to, from cancer to natural disasters to bankuptcy to the loss of a loved one. This inspiring journey through one man's life can alter the perspective of generations; such a valuable work! Its ability to keep you waiting for the next page allowed me to devour the entire 474 pages in just three days. As for the icing on the cake, you get a mental depiction of several U.S. cities throughout the book. And you may even learn a word or two. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is open minded enough to learn a thing or two about human relations in the twenty-first century."--J. McDowell (6-13-07)