Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars:
5.0 out of 5 stars Crime Might Not Pay, But The Lessons Learned Are Priceless, September 29, 2009
By C. A. Webb "Conversations Book Club" (Jackson, MS)
There are so many reasons why the book YOU GOTTA DANCE is by far one of the most literary works I have read in 2009. One is that Michael Daluz is man that even when wronged is able to see the lessons that many of us take for granted. They say you can't keep a good man (or woman) down, and that proves not only true but needed at a time when many are just looking out for themselves.
Single mothers who complain about their "Baby's Daddy" will also see that there are some good men out there who want to be a part of their child's life--if allowed. YOU GOTTA DANCE also shows what can happen when parents choose to use the children as helpless pawns in the game they play with each other. Lastly a point I have to mention that rings true is that we have to be able to deal with any type of trial or challenge, not allowing it to defeat or destroy us. When you reach a obstacle---and all of us do---we have to dust ourselves off, learn from it and move on.
YOU GOTTA DANCE is one of those books you will read and have to buy another copy so you can loan it out instead of your own. Well worth reading.
4.0 out of 5 stars AAMBC Book Reviews, September 22, 2009
By African Americans on the Move Book Club "AAMB... (San Antonio, USA)
The story of Michael Daluz is one of spiritual and emotional faith. Author Bryant Daluz carries the reader on a journey of failure, success, incarceration, and fatherhood. This was an easy read and the language allowed the writer to connect with the audience. The pain Michael felt when he couldn't see his daughter and when he was disowned by his parents was riveting. Undoubtedly, this is a story of disappointment that is all too common for minority males. The author is commended for presenting a male perspective that is so often overlooked and disregarded.
Natasha R. Hines
AAMBC Book Reviewer
4.0 out of 5 stars You Gotta Dance, July 11, 2009
By D. Nelson
Great story line; makes you aware of life lessons. Made me laugh and cry (I felt the joy and pain of the character).
Nubian Lit, April 1, 2010
It has often been said that the actions or decisions a person makes can change their life forever. In 1987 Michael Daluz’s act of self decision changed his life in ways he could have never imagined. That one simple act brought about changes in which would cause some to break but in his case it made him stronger. The reader is taken on a journey of failure, success, fatherhood and religious awakening. With so many obstacles facing young men today this is a book they should be given so they is not the end of the road but can be the beginning of life anew. In YOU GOTTA DANCE, Bryan Daluz, tells the story of how his brother overcame the obstacles placed before him. You meet family that turns their backs on him and friends that are there for him and building him up even when he doubted himself.
This was a very easy book to read. I laughed, got misty eyed, prayed and cheered at the end. I would highly recommend this book and know that the person reading it would enjoy it as much as I did. I say well done Mr. Daluz and look forward to reading your other works.
Elizabeth “Libby” Edwards is a retired secretary, avid reader and enjoy various hobbies. She is a single mother of three adult children and a lover of life.
Libby is the Head Moderator of Nubian Lit Review Team.
Gary A. Enos- Counselor Magazine Article, March-April 2010
The brawl that landed Michael Daluz behind bars was not the Connecticut man's first brush with trouble, but it would end up affecting him in ways that the self-described street kid never could have envisioned at the time. The resulting assault conviction would keep his dreams out of reach long after his time behind bars ended. However, during his relatively short incarceration, he experienced what he calls a spiritual awakening that would move him away from a life of crack cocaine use and drug dealing and open a different path.
Today, the 44-year-old Daluz has a director's title with the services agency New Connections, Inc. in New Haven, running a children's program that he says combines mentoring with therapeutic intervention. Working with the city youth of today fits him perfectly. “The street is the same as it was years ago,” Daluz says. “It's all about failure, and the notion that you can never make it.” That seemed to be what played out on a December night in 1987, when the then-Connecticut College student who had served a stint in the Army was attacked by a group of young people as he and two classmates walked back toward campus from a club. During the melee that ensued, Daluz pulled a gun and shot one of the young men. He would be convicted of first-degree assault and would serve 18 months behind bars. The crime would make headlines in Connecticut two decades later because of controversy over the procedures leading to Daluz's being considered for a pardon, essentially an affirmation that a perpetrator of a crime has reformed. Although the state's failure to notify Daluz's victim of a potential pardon led to calls for reviewing the state's system for granting pardons, Daluz's pardon did become official last summer, after months of waiting. He calls the turn of events a blessing. “The system held this against me for a long time,” Daluz says. “Now doors have opened for me, and I can take care of my daughter better.” He adds that the pardon helped confirm after all these years that others also bore some responsibility for what happened that fateful night. “For years they never acknowledged that I was beaten,” he says. “I'm not saying I was right for what I did. I was wrong. I had no business carrying a gun.”
Will to succeed
While Daluz says he did attend 12-Step meetings at various times, including while living in a halfway house post-release, his recovery more closely fits that of an individual who succeeds without formal treatment participation. “I did go to meetings to educate myself about the disease,” he says. He considers his recovery a combination of willpower and the grace of a Higher Power. Friends persuaded Daluz to put his story to words, which resulted in publication of the book You Gotta Dance (Universe Publishing Co.; http://www.yougottadancect.com). He calls the book less of a story about his life (he admits that reliving some events for the project was difficult) and more an inspirational reminder to others.
“I want people to know that anybody can do this,” Daluz says, referring to transforming a broken life. A book reviewer wrote last September for the African Americans on the Move Book Club, “The pain Michael felt when he couldn't see his daughter and when he was disowned by his parents was riveting. Undoubtedly, this is a story of disappointment that is all too common for minority males. The author is commended for presenting a male perspective that is so often overlooked and disregarded.”
Life's bounty
Daluz says life's “at its best” for him right now, with doors seemingly opening everywhere. He worked as a clinician at the Community Renewal Team in Hartford prior to his current job. The agency where he presently works recently entered the nonprofit world and is seeking ongoing Department of Children and Families funding support. Daluz, who has a daughter in college and one in high school, is spending a great deal of quality time with his seven-year-old daughter these days. He also is on track to receive a PhD in counseling studies from Capella University this fall. His dissertation focuses on the impact of afterschool programs for African-American children in single-parent households. “At one time, I never believed that I could succeed at anything but hustling,” Daluz says. He adds that the praise he now receives for his clinical work humbles him, and he tries to remind others of the enviable place counselors find themselves in as they help to transform lives. To those who sometimes fret about the counselor's overall working conditions, he says, “We're going to get paid on the back end, so give it your all.”
Addiction Professional 2010 March-April;8(2):48
Paula of PaulaZone.com
With this story, I don't normally read Non-Fiction, but I am glad that I
ventured out and read this. It is one of those touching memoirs about a Guy called Michael who in 1987 was a Black US Army Veteran and a college student with a nearly 4.0 GPA (his was 3.6) and on his way to becoming somebody. One phone call is all it took , for his life to start coming down around him, from then on -a domino effect of bad choices and options. After finishing his college essay , Michael and his girlfriend at the time were going to have a quiet dinner, nice night in . When the phone rings and it is Michael's friend -inviting them out for a drink. Michaelaccepting, this was the start of his trouble. As one thing leds to another and Michael and his friends get into a fight which eventually lands Michael in jail and facing attempted murder charges. Between 1987-the incident and 1988 when he eventually went to Jail , Michael's life became a life of drugs ,alcohol and bad choices -Their was no God or motivation in the picture. Just before he went to Jail, Michael decided to stop what he was doing, he did rehab and found God-the one person who had always been there for him , though he didnt realise. Finding God was the best thing that happened to him. He entered Jail - a different man entirely than the one he had been sentenced by the court as . Once released from Prison, if Michael thought life was going to be easy then he had a big shock coming straight for him-as he finds difficulty finding work, moving past his criminal background and then - during his work a huge pile of bricks come crashing upon him-Literally leaving him near death. Now a god-fearing christian walker we read as Michael goes for Justice in what is right in both his worklife and family. All this while aiming for his doctorate. Michael then becomes a Counsellor , talking and sharing his experiences with those who are presently in the same boat as he was those many moonights ago. This is where the title originates from - Good Old Ali. (Muhammed that is). I really enjoyed this novel and it was so touching and inspiring to read how somebody from the background that Michael went through can come up on-top and change his life around with a little inspiration from above as sadly enough we read about many People that when the going gets tough - they quit and sometimes the quitting leads to a deathly result. Michael Daluz is an inspiration and role model who to the Black community should be recognised and shows the children and teens that someone who walked that life and was ignored can become a somebody and that no matter who you are , or what youve been told - You are not useless , youv'e just Gotta Dance :). When you put your mind,soul and heart to anything, you can always achieve the impossible . Being a Christian myself, the verse when I read this book was the one "That through Christ who strengthn me all things are Possible". Nothing is impossible when you have God on your side,
OOSA Online Book Club gave 4 stars to: You Gotta Dance November 14, 2010
OOSA Online Book Club reviewed:
You Gotta Dance by Bryant K. Daluz
The Choices We Make, November 14, 2010
"You Gotta Dance" is a compelling story of an African American Army veteran turned college student whose life took a downward spiral after one phone call that caused him to change his plans. A phone call that led to an altercation in which he was nearly beaten to death, defended himself and served jail time as a result. The events that unfold bring to light a true act of racism, that caused Michael`s life to take a turn he never saw coming.
Michael had some highs and lows that helped shape his future and build his character.
I enjoyed this short glimpse into the life of Michael and the steps he took to build himself up and not become another statistic. I see this book as being a helpful tool in molding our young men today as it gives them a personal story to relate to and learn from. Sometimes the choices made are not the wisest. Often it is the chain of events that follow the initial trigger that makes or breaks us as a person. This is not a cookie cutter story. This is not a preachy life lesson learned book. It is just Michael's story as he learned to pick himself back up from his setback.
Reviewed by: Lashonda
John T Wills Book Tree Radio Show
January 2011
There are so many reasons why this book YOU GOTTA DANCE is by far one of the most profound literary works of 2009. The story of Michael Daluz is one of spiritual and emotional faith written by Bryant Daluz, who carries the reader on a journey of failure, success, incarceration, fatherhood and a spiritual wakening. This is a story o...f disappointment that is all too common for Black males.
This is not a preachy life lesson book rather a story of redemption. It is Michael's story of how he learned to pick himself up from a huge setback. Michael is man that even when wronged is able to see the lessons that many of us take for granted thought this story that needed to be told. They say you can't keep a good man down, and though this story you will find that statement is true. So mother’s, this is a show that your son’s (and daughters) need to hear and one in which you will learn to shape their future and character.
It has often been said that the actions or decisions a person makes can change their life forever. In 1987 Michael Daluz’s act of self decision changed his life in ways he could have never imagined. That one simple act brought about changes in which would cause some to break but in his case it made him stronger. "You Gotta Dance" is a compelling story of an African American Army veteran turned college student whose life took a downward spiral after one phone call that caused him to change his plans. A phone call that led to an altercation in which he was nearly beaten to death, defended himself and served jail time as a result. The events that unfold bring to light a true act of racism, that caused Michael`s life to take a turn he never saw coming.
I see this book as being a helpful tool in molding our young men today as it gives them a personal story to relate to and learn from. With so many obstacles facing young men today this is a book they should be given so they is not the end of the road but can be the beginning of life anew. Sometimes the choices made are not the wisest. Often it is the chain of events that follow the initial trigger that makes or breaks us as a person.
John T Wills
