“As I read Anthony’s book, Johnny Cash’s song “Hurt”, on the wickedness in our human condition, kept coming to mind.  “And you can have it all, my Empire of Dirt.  I will let you down, I will make you hurt.”  This book made me hurt.  I realized I did not really know my dear friend Anthony.  I mean, really know him.   After reading this masterpiece I had to summon the courage to honestly ask, “Do I really know myself?”

“In a world where many who state their faith seem focused on “looking” perfect, Anthony simply shares his life-the highs and the lows. This book is relatable, surprising, inspiring, shocking and believable. I really wanted to see how this high school senior turned out. While many share their best, or “Facebook look”-appearing strong, accomplished, with a perfect family, and completely self-made, Anthony’s story is real. He turned out pretty well, and I would bet money his story helps more people make the right decisions much more so than the Facebook crowd ever has.”

“As the author examines his past, his bleak periods, and times filled with joy, the reader is invited to travel with him on a journey of self-discovery. Readers are drawn into a path of self-examination, introspection, and soul-searching as they delve into the author’s narrative. Anthony’s emotionally vulnerable account gives readers an opportunity to give a clear-headed analysis of their own lives as well as encouraging them to scrutinize their own pasts. Although portions of the life story are painful to read, the author offers hope for those brave enough to scrutinize their own stories.”

I admire that, although the author had traumatic experiences in his earlier years, including complete rejection by a father who left the family when he was twelve years old, he was able to use those experiences to build resilience. You find yourself being his cheerleader one moment and wanting to shake him back to reality with his self-inflicted missteps in the next. His story is told with unflinching honesty, admitting the mistakes he made along the way. His experiences allowed him to strengthen his resolve, and he became a successful, educated man of integrity. This is a well written, must read book for all who enjoy autobiographies

This is a powerful book with a powerful and ultimately uplifting message of strength and perseverance through a lifetime of challenges. In some ways it is reminiscent of J.D. Vance’s “A Hillbilly Elegy” through the eyes of a man who has faced a lifetime of challenges and setbacks yet has persevered and survived. Ultimately the book is life affirming and I am better off for having read it. I recommend this book.

This is one of the best memoirs i have ever read. The style of writing is unique. It tells of experiences that have happened already and helps understand what one could have done differently. Anyone trying to figure out what decisions they need to make can get real insight from this author’s experiences. Life moves along irrigardless of the decisions made. I could not put it down until finished.

An inspiring book on many levels! To bear one's life story, one must be willing to be brutally honest about his/her life and about others who either influenced or impacted one's life. It was such an interesting read; Gurley's style of writing easily connected his story to his audience. He writes about a lot of similarities that many of us have in common, but how he worked through and overcame huge obstacles in his life is inspiring and very honest.

This is one of the most unique memoirs I've ever read. Anthony shares the raw and honest story of his childhood to his current adult life. Having known him for many years this memoir has given me so much more respect and admiration for him for opening the curtains of some of the darkest periods of his life but yet coming to the conclusion that the love of his family and their love for him ultimately prevailed. From this story Anthony taught me a lot about family, perseverance, and forgiveness after reading it. This book is very well written and I highly recommend it.

This is a must-read book for those who go throughout life feeling like they aren't enough and nothing they do is good enough. These thoughts often lead to despair and depression. Anthony opens himself up and makes himself vulnerable so that we can know we aren't alone. He encourages us to live in the time and space we are given, cherish the peaks in life and learn from the valleys. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy hearing story-tellers and are inspired by their life stories!

Anthony is open and honest as he unveils his life journey. His writing style makes this book easy to read but at the same time leads the reader to think deeply about his own life and decisions made. In the epilogue, Anthony gives some sound advise to hold on to. Highly recommend!

When you told me about your book at our reunion, I knew I would buy it and read it, if only because we grew up together and I was always fond to you. What I wasn’t prepared for was how good your book would be! The book arrived on Monday afternoon, and I finished it on Tuesday evening. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down. You’ve written a wonderful and beautiful autobiography. You have a real gift as a storyteller and your willingness to expose yourself emotionally is so impressive and refreshing.

Anthony's story was woven like a serendipitous tapestry of interesting people and life changing moments. It was like sitting down with a good friend.

Anthony was a childhood and high school friend of mine. We grew up together in Goldsboro, NC. He mentions many mutual friends. He had many accolades in high school. Anthony is a very talented person who sold himself short in so many ways. He always seemed to doubt himself no matter how many successes he had which were many. I really enjoyed reading it.

It takes courage to open up your life and heart with honesty and raw emotions. Well done!!!

I so appreciate Anthony's transparency in this powerful and engaging memoir. Each of us have elements of our childhood that can color the way we view the world and our lives. I love how Anthony helps us to find the courage to look at our own story as he shares his, and to recognize the importance of our "anchors." Highly recommend!

A sprawling and uplifting memoir torn from a memory bursting with recollection, Deadly Dilemma: Suicide, Faith, and the Search for Identity and Purpose by Anthony Gurley offers a healthy slice of nostalgic Americana and timeless wisdom. From the Friday Night Lights of eastern North Carolina and the losing side of vicious internal battles to finding fulfillment and peace with the love of his life, this is a gem of an autobiography that captures snapshots of the past with remarkable clarity. Whether recounting his moments of self-doubt, reflecting on his relationship with faith, praising the sources of love in his life, or confessing to his own failings and weakness, the author fearlessly leaves no stone unturned or belief unexamined. Putting powerful words to the painful truth of chronic depression and the creeping fear that we simply aren’t good enough, Gurley’s memoir exposes raw and relatable nerves with his vulnerable storytelling. The folksy and conversational writing style is both casual and compelling, peppered with intriguing tangents and anecdotes, as though the wandering text is the transcription of a lengthy yarn around a campfire. Challenging readers to overcome their own demons while also acknowledging the pain and difficulty of taking that sage advice, this memoir is a potent blend of well-aged wisdom and unapologetic self-reflection from a sharp and critical mind.

To many who knew him during his 40-year run at Guilford, Anthony Gurley ’77 seemed to have it all: an irresistible personality with a matching smile, and the affable energy to charm students and alums alike. The reality, though, was more complicated. Anthony’s autobiography, released earlier this month, Deadly Dilemma: Suicide, Faith, and the Search for Identity and Purpose, addresses the other, often darker, side of his life. It tells the story of a young boy growing up poor in eastern North Carolina, smothered in fears and doubts of self-worth. Decades later, those fears evolved into ongoing periods of depression. “There’s a lot of emotion, good and painful, in the book and putting them on paper was incredibly therapeutic.” Anthony, now retired (after a 30-year career at his Alma Mater), continues living in Kernersville, N.C. Anthony says he originally wrote the book for a limited audience: his wife, children, and grandchildren. But when a friend read a manuscript, they told him he was not finished. “I remember exactly what she told me,” He says. “She said, ‘This is your story, Anthony, but there’s a plumber in Dubuque, Iowa, with their own story and he hasn’t been willing to confront his story and deal with it.’” Anthony went back to work. More than four years later, he’s hoping others – plumbers, doctors, students, teachers – read his story and confront their own issues. “If I can get through to that plumber in Iowa or wherever they are, then mission accomplished,” he says.

Anthony Gurley’s Deadly Dilemma: Suicide, Faith, and the Search for Identity and Purpose is a raw and intimate memoir that explores the tumultuous emotional journey of a man grappling with his past, his fears, and his place in the world. From his childhood to his struggles with self-worth and his attempts to reconcile with faith and family, Gurley paints a vivid portrait. The story begins with a poignant letter that sets the tone, one of unvarnished truth, pain, and introspection, before taking the reader through a labyrinth of formative moments, personal trials, and eventual reckonings. What I liked most about the book was Gurley’s ability to convey vulnerability without self-pity. The letter at the beginning is a gut punch, laying bare his struggles with depression and fear. As he recounts his childhood memories, such as a terrifying encounter with Hurricane Hazel or his days playing sports at the Boys Club, Gurley brings a sense of nostalgia tinged with melancholy. These anecdotes felt relatable. His descriptions of trying out for the basketball team and the heartache of not making it are heartbreakingly universal moments of rejection that linger long after adolescence. I appreciated Gurley’s reflections on his relationship with faith and community. The story of his father leaving when he was a child, coupled with his own feelings of inadequacy as a parent, hit me hard. It’s in these moments that the memoir transcends its specific context and becomes a universal exploration of loss and resilience. By the time I reached the conclusion, I felt both drained and inspired. Deadly Dilemma is not a light read. It forces the reader to confront uncomfortable truths about fear, loneliness,and the human need for love and belonging. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys deeply personal memoirs that wrestle with life’s big questions.

Sweet Relatable Story! This is a delightful children’s book about how an abandoned kitten became an important part of a family. It is beautifully illustrated in soft restful colors that makes it a perfect book for bedtime reading.

Heartwarming children’s book! What a wonderful children's story about a cat bringing love to a family. I can't wait to read it to my grandchildren after they open it this Christmas!!

Kids will love it! What a great book! It focuses on the love we give to and get from animals. Children are also reminded of how loving and giving grandparents are . This book is enjoyable for young readers. They will love Jethro!

An Unexpected Answer to Prayer This is a sweet story about finding a cat on the porch and trying to find a home for it, but with no luck. Soon after deciding to keep '"Jethro" the family and Jethro fell in love with each other. The book describes the adventures they have. It is well illustrated.

A sweet children’s book A sweet book with lovely illustrations! This story appeals to all who are pet owners, both young and old. The book is especially appealing for those who were adopted by their “fur babies.”

Simple reminders of love We rescued a dog one year ago and this was a great reminder to my son and me that the animals in our life actually rescue us!

Cat love Lovely book. Kids love!

Children will love this book! This is a wonderful story about a kitten named Jethro. The illustrations are beautiful. Children will love this book!