Amazon Fish Stew Jack Revalle addiction & substance abuse recovery book for body, mind and spirit Category:  Action/Thriller Publisher: Go Fish Publishing ISBN-10:  0979771226 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 100 Copyright: July 25, 2007 ISBN-13: 9780979771224 The new book by Jack Revalle a surreal walk into the world of addiction casting a light on a tragic existence in a candid and humorous way. In a series of short stories based on his real-life experiences as a recovered drug addict, author Jack Revalle takes readers on a poignant journey from his childhood in the `60s and `70s to his recovery during the politically charged drug-war era. What lifts Fish Stew above the well-worn addiction story is Revalle’s stream-of-consciousness style and original voice. He tells his story with a compelling mix of tongue-in-cheek sarcasm and childlike innocence that will have readers laughing one moment and weeping the next. Revalle, whose recovery included a controversial snatch-and-grab program, cleverly weaves in musical themes that not only help define the periods of his tumultuous youth and adulthood but also bare his artistic soul. Entertaining and thought-provoking. Fish Stew is an extraordinary tale about a man and a generation, as seen through the well-focused lens of Jack Revalle.      Excerpt Dream police It was spring break on South Beach, and these kids were partying, a little more sophisticated college crowd. I think I only saw one spring break reveler, a female, doing a beer bong. She wears a small bikini on the beach, drinks till intoxication, gets up at noon, shakes it off, and goes back for more. College girls on the cell phone — “Hey, it’s totally awesome down here, we’re going to go shopping…let’s take the Yukon,” with that snobby voice, like “The Caddie.” Then you got the dudes, nervous high-tech college frat boys with tan lines around their knees “checking out the bitches.” These kids are probably just burning through their first student loan. I mean there is a lot of cloth on that beach. I’ve had enough of the drug culture. Rockers satisfied to have a backstage room with groupies and a bottle of whiskey, their counterparts “chilling at the Holiday Inn.” Who’s to say selling decadence is wrong, unless your daughter has been knocked up by that “Bang a Gong” T-Rex. This is a far cry from what the early rockers’ culture with the pleated skirts and Bobbie socks — the modern pop credo, making money getting over on people, because the world is a ghetto, where tragedies happen every day. I grew up with music from the ‘70s, music that was a product of its culture, groupies living in VW buses going from town to town working odd jobs to make it to the next concert. Rock and rollers postured and crooned, lamenting that rockers love fantasy, ritualistically bedding a chick for the night. Why didn’t things evolve like we were taught in grammar school about futuristic living, or like at Disney’s “Carousel of Progress.” I never thought you would be able to order food with a computer, and well all those people zooming around in solitary vehicles and all. I guess a greedy culture nixed all that. American culture bought us all-time T&A standouts like Charlie’s Angels and Happy Days’ Pinky Tuscadero. I love people who drive around in the family minivan with window stickers — i.e. NASCAR, high school activities, favorite rock groups etc… express drive-thru friend takeout concept. I like the high school days, when other people would tell you what to like. Journey is way cool…sounds like bubble gum music to me. Actually, the rock group Journey is cool… I guess have a chip on my shoulder about not taking advantage of the romantic rock music of the day. It beat my plan, which was to become disassociated. Hey, where’s that Harley-Davidson sticker? I can see clearly now I joined a gym where the street ends at the Atlantic Ocean; club music on the overhead sound system - the gym overlooking the beach. I finish another great workout, and then a five-mile bike ride down to South Beach. Beautiful blue water, saline enough to lie on my back and float, gazing at the blue sky; the water is clear enough to open my eyes under the water. I am a fanatical bike rider, complete with those cool-looking sunglasses and Lycra shorts. I ride as fast as I can through curves, the ocean on one side and a channel to my right with drawbridges and large yachts. As night falls, I trek back on to the mainland, taking a break from a bike ride in front of a bakery that you will only see in a large city. A little marble dachshund sporting large leopard spots on light brown fur jumps on his hind legs in front of the store. I try the crème de leche, a three-inch high cappuccino crème custard layer dessert tower…I’m in coffee lover’s heaven. I ride my bike over a couple of drawbridges, and onto the continental United States, the sun setting over the bay, wearing blue corduroy shorts and a tropical flowered shirt. I have finally cultivated the scruffy tropical look.

Christine Connors Author/Psychotherapist
The title reveals little of its contents. So I was actually surprised at how much I liked Fish Stew. The book is essentially the reflections of a recovering drug addict who began his life as a son of a military officer and his ultimate fall into the bizarre culture of drug addiction. It is as fascinating as it is sad. As a psychotherapist, I would say that this book is a must read for psychotherapists, chemical dependency counselors, psychology professors and their students desiring to have a better understanding of the challenges faced in the world of drug addiction and recovery. It is a book that would be sure to spark interesting discussion in the classroom or group setting or even at home with an older child ready to spread their wings in a dangerous world. Fish Stew will lead all readers to pray, to ponder, and to think.



Gary Roen--Midwest Book Review
The symbolism I see is that our lives are like a fish stew made up of all kinds of things that all come together. The writer has told a revealing story of one man's drug addiction and how it influences every aspect of his life.





Ailyn Cortes--Lifestyle magazine
Jack grew up in the 70’s, also known as the drug war years; where he watched his parents drink, gaining curiosity to try alcohol; and seeing that his parents enjoyed consuming it made him desire the poison more. He began to drink on a regular basis at a young age. However, the drinking became a lot heavier when sent off to college.

The stew was a representation of the people in the rehab center [years later] and the one person who wanted to help tried the stew, being Dave who is not afraid to step out from the crowd and help make a difference. Even though he met individuals who brought him down in life, he also met people who were accounted for helping him rise up to a better
stage in life.