Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

A Voyage Without My Father: Walking with You through Grief, to Growth, to Gratitude by Dexter Moscow is an autobiography with a difference. Moscow takes you on his life’s journey but from the perspective of a young boy who lost his father at age ten and did not have the opportunity to even say goodbye. He uses his experiences, what worked for him in coping with this loss to impart strategies and solutions for others to deal with their grief at the loss of a loved one. Dexter grew up in a generation when boys and indeed men, especially Englishmen, were actively discouraged from showing emotion publicly and were encouraged to bottle up their feelings inside. This book examines how unresolved grief can haunt us and influence our directions and decisions at the time of loss and for our entire lives. Using his journey, Dexter offers valuable tips and advice on coping with loss, grief, and loneliness.

A Voyage Without My Father is a practical and helpful guide to dealing with not only the loss of a loved one but all difficulties and challenges experienced in life. I was particularly drawn to Dexter Moscow’s words because his wisdom aligns with my views of life, the universe, and purpose. As an English Jew, Dexter experienced the prejudice, anti-Semitism, and bullying that sadly appears part and parcel of being Jewish, but it was also the same tight-knit Jewish community that ultimately gave him the courage and opportunities to move forward with his life. I particularly appreciated the practical advice and strategies that he presents to deal with the loss of a parent, especially at a young age, and I marveled at the strength and resiliency of the human spirit that allows us to deal with loss, pain, and inequity without losing out innate humanity. I so appreciated that it is specifically targeted at men because it is men, especially our generation, who have always had such difficulty openly expressing our emotions and dealing healthily with loss and grief. This is a beautiful read for anyone who has lost someone dear to them, but more than that, it is a testament to the pillars of our lives; our family, our friends, and our communities. In every life, there will be pain, but how we react to it fashions who we are and how we will live. I can highly recommend it.