I Love you Mom: Please Don't Break My Heart

By: John Borgstedt

Narrated by: Stephen H. Marsden Ph.D.

Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

I Love you, Mom: Please Don't Break My Heart is the true story of one boy's journey through a childhood of physical, mental, and emotional abuse. John endured neglect, isolation, physical beatings, mental degradation and malevolent admissions into numerous mental institutions, and eventual attempted murder within the custodial supervision of his unscrupulous mother. This literary work is indeed John's factual account of his small, bruised body clinging to life, his struggle as a teenager fighting and winning against insurmountable odds, and his entrance into young manhood as a warrior for the young and innocent, protecting them from experiencing a similar childhood of hell on earth.

©2009 John Borgstedt (P)2013 John Borgstedt

BEWARE: This author is out to take advantage

I begin by saying that I have read the book, listened to the book, met the author on a number of occasions, and wanted to share what I've learned through John's story so that I can share it with others. I have no financial or personal ties with this person.

From the start, this story grabbed my heart. From there, it was easy for the author, who makes his living primarily through traveling and asking for payment in return for his story, to not only grab the heartstrings but also the purse strings. I have firsthand experience with this person and can attest to some little-known facts about this "author."

First, he did not write his own story. He paid a ghostwriter to tell his story and convinced a family friend to help fund this self-published title, putting his name as the author. You will see other "books" with his name listed as the author where what happened, in reality, is that this man put his name on someone else's work and profited from them paying him to "self-publish" their work (Ex - "Stephen", "Love Comes Again", "Sandy's Miracle", Dinosaur coloring book, etc). None of these were written by him, but are part of the gimmick he offers to others as a way to make money for himself.

Second, he solicits non-profit organizations and for-profit organizations alike to pay exorbitant amounts for him to share his story. He claims to be raising money for a foundation that doesn't really exist (there is no boys' home or plans that have been established) and I've seen firsthand how that money goes to pay for the lifestyle he enjoys.

Finally, Borgstedt has continued his criminal lifestyle, even into recent years when he was arrested for running illegal gambling in his hometown region in Texas. This behavior does not line up with the story of redemption and transformation that John tells about himself.

I share facts - many of which you can validate for yourself if you are adept with Google. Don't waste your time with this kind of person - I'm sorry for whatever pain he experienced and I'm even more sorry for having ever been convinced that his transformation and healing were genuine.

Heartbreaking Story

I can't say I "enjoyed" this book b/c that would be rather sick. I believe the book is credible, though some instances may be enhanced either in the child's mind or to make the story more sensational. Having worked in legal settings dealing with child abuse and abusers, I do, for the most part, believe the cruel instances in this book did happen.
Not quite finished reading the book but can't imagine anything towards the end that would take away a star.