Book Summary
Part memoir, part inspirational guide, Population One: Autism, Adversity, and the Will to Succeed is a groundbreaking book that offers readers the ability to see life through the eyes of a young man with autism. Written by Tyler McNamer at the age of 17, Tyler not only details his challenges, but he also offers hope and encouragement to others who face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Whether you re an educator, a family member of someone with autism, or simply looking for inspiration, you ll appreciate the opportunity to step inside this remarkable young man s mind. As Tyler explains, I ve been called a retard, dumb, and disabled. I ve been bullied, picked on, and made fun of. They put me in special classes and told me that I should not expect to reach my goals. Yet rather than view his diagnosis negatively, Tyler considers his unique viewpoint a gift. It is with this perspective that he wrote Population One: Autism, Adversity, and the Will to Succeed. In this memorable book, Tyler details his experiences with bullying, isolation, and others low expectations of him. But rather than allowing himself to be limited by his autism diagnosis, this courageous and insightful young man rose above his challenges to encourage others to follow their dreams and become leaders in their own lives. The result is this book, an autobiographical recounting of Tyler s journey with diverse essays containing his thoughts about leadership, courage, and adversity. Wise beyond his years, Tyler concludes that despite our differences, we can become a population of one, uniting to serve others. If you want to be uplifted or understand someone with autism better you must read Population of One. This inspirational and engaging book will transform the way you view the world.
Author Tyler McNamer
In his eighteen years, Tyler Allan McNamer has been faced with many challenges, including being diagnosed as autistic. He always knew he was different from the other kids in school and different in how he saw the universe. Regardless, Tyler has embraced his differences and overcome his challenges. Tylers unique vision and leadership have made an impact on hundreds of kids and teachers from elementary to high school. He may be a little strange and different, but his intelligence, desire to help people, and his goal to write a book at such a young age have made him rise to the top. Tyler’s dream is to be a hero. At an early age, he said, “The best kind of freedom is the freedom to do good. It is what makes heroes.” Tyler believes that anyone can be a hero or heroine when that person has the freedom to do good. He wrote this book to show what he meant.
Tyler’s autism provides him with a unique perspective when viewing the world, so unique that he wrote this book as a senior in high school to share his thoughts, feelings, and views, but more importantly, to inspire others to overcome their own obstacles. Tyler hopes his readers will switch eyes with him for a short time because only by seeing things from another's perspective can we come to understand and care about each other.
Tyler’s autism provides him with a unique perspective when viewing the world, so unique that he wrote this book as a senior in high school to share his thoughts, feelings, and views, but more importantly, to inspire others to overcome their own obstacles. Tyler hopes his readers will switch eyes with him for a short time because only by seeing things from another's perspective can we come to understand and care about each other.
Population: One Autism, Adversity, and the Will to Succeed
By Tyler McNamer
Review written by
Heidi Lynn's Book Reviews
First, I want to thank
Tyler McNamer for providing me with this book so I could bring you this review.
Tyler McNamer’s Population:
One Autism, Adversity, and the Will to Succeed is a must-read book! I have read
many books on Autism in the past. However, none of them have impressed me or
touched me the way Tyler’s did. Tyler is Nineteen years old, sharing his childhood,
and how he viewed the world and the challenges that came up. I commend him so much for opening up and sharing
himself with us. He is one incredible young man.
I have read many dedications
but this one touched me and hit home the most. Tyler dedicates this book to all
those who are different, unique and terrific. (I was born different and unique
as I have congenital Hemidystrophy and Scoliosis). He says just imagine if we
were all the same? It wouldn’t be any fun would it? Thank you, Tyler, for
making me smile and realizing that!
Tyler is very thankful
in his acknowledgements and lists everyone individually. It is incredibly sweet
and you can’t help smile at all the love and support he has gotten from so many
people. He is truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in his life by his
side.
Kudos has to be given
to Fusion Creative Works for their amazing job on the front cover! It is beautiful
with Tyler standing on the beach with a beautiful sunset in the background. It
is breathtaking! Great job!
What I love about
Tyler is he is so genuine, everything he Is saying is from his heart, he is
upbeat and so motivating. He has his ups and downs in life but he has come out
stronger in the end. He is truly inspiring!
In this book Tyler
educates you on Autism and what it is. He shares what it is like to live with
the unique ability of having autism, you will learn to focus on your blessings
and not be discouraged on your challenges.
Tyler speaks at schools
and organizations all over the country about leadership, change, bullying, embracing
change, accepting diversity and balancing your life. You will find these chapters in the book.
Tyler taught me a lot
in this book. One thing being that Mormor is Swedish for mother’s mother. That
is his Grandmother.
Tyler also impressed
me that he stood up for what he believed in and wrote an article for his school
newspaper on fixing dances at BHS! This took a lot of guts saying that he was
there to dance and not have it be like a night club with rap music and dirty
dancing. I agree with you Tyler who can dance to that and at a teenage dance
you shouldn’t be dirty dancing! I commend you for speaking up! That was an
amazing article you wrote!
Tyler, I totally
agree that Take On Me by A-ha was a an awesome music video and song!! It was
one of my favorites growing up!! Still is today!
Tyler shared with us
a chapter about his Mom and then a separate one about his father. Previous in
the book he discusses his feelings on their divorce and how it affected him.
