Verdict: “The Burly Man”, a book of particular interest for anyone diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, is a testimony of faith and courage that provides more than just a glimmer of hope.

Zachary Lewis, a.k.a “The Burly Man”, writes an insightful and intimate biographical journal disclosing his struggle with Polymyositis, a rare and painful autoimmune disorder.

Once a strong, vigorous and healthy young man, Zachary wakes up one morning to find himself in excruciating pain. After two visits to an Emergency Room, several more to various doctors, and an array of diagnostic tests, he and the medical professionals are still without an answer. Left feeling ill, weak and defenseless, Lewis navigates his personal life with the loving support of his new wife and stepdaughter. As a security professional, Zachary barely manages to work, but finds it a daily challenge that continues to test his endurance physically and emotionally. He is determined not to give up.

“The Burly Man” is not just an intimate daily journal; it is also a love story and a visual multimedia portrayal of a family man who comes up against insurmountable odds. “The Burly Man” contains daily journal entries that are candid and humorous despite Lewis’ circumstances. It contains poetry, illustrations, photos and the wisdom from his earlier writings, “The Principles and Philosophy of Weishendo.” From this he quotes “Even in Darkness, There is a Light”, words that inspire him to keep moving forward.

“The Burly Man”, a book of particular interest for anyone diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, is a testimony of faith and courage that provides more than just a glimmer of hope. Life is not always easy, and chronic illness is the ultimate test of our own ability to see—as Zachary Lewis does—the light within the darkness.

Reviewed by Peggy La Vake for IndieReader