NardisPress, Ottawa, Canada
January 2005

Featured below is the new book "A Reason for Living” by Laurent Grenier, the victim of a disabling accident who turned this tragedy into a steppingstone to wisdom.

For any follow-up, please contact the author. Thank you.

	“A Reason for Living” by Laurent Grenier ISBN: 1589611659 SUBJECT: Inspirational and philosophical nonfiction EDITION: 1st PUBLISHER: NardisPress BINDING: paperback (also available as ebook) PAGES: 212 LIST PRICE: 12.95 USD for the paperback and 6.50 USD for the ebook RETAIL OUTLETS: Amazon.com and many more

The way to fulfillment against great odds BOOK DESCRIPTION: “A Reason for Living” is Laurent Grenier’s extremely moving story of his triumph over a disabling injury as he found meaning in life despite everything. Part autobiography, part philosophical essay, “A Reason for Living” looks back on the author’s past – his active, athletic youth abruptly interrupted by his diving accident, which left him a near quadriplegic and led to further hardships – and shows us the way to fulfillment against great odds through the courageous pursuit of wisdom and happiness. “My diving accident was a misfortune that deprived me extensively of my life’s meaning. It was also a chance to discover a deeper and truer reason for living. Why live? See what my answer is. I trust it will help you live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.” L. G. FURTHER INTRO TO THE BOOK: Every year a great many people suffer disabling injuries that turn their lives upside down. This disruption is often accompanied by overwhelming grief. Indeed, many victims of disabling injuries feel it is fundamentally their ability to achieve happiness they have lost. “A Reason for Living” by Laurent Grenier was written especially for them, in an effort to help them adjust and view life in a most positive, meaningful way. “Today I concede without reservation that the absurdity of my reality was an illusion that my adaptation to this reality could dispel. The lack of meaning was a want of awareness. What I failed to see was the flexibility of my nature. More than an individual (in terms of my habits), I was a human being capable of shaping and reshaping my individuality in accordance with my changing situation,” Grenier writes. The book proceeds from a determination to provide a solid and wholesome answer to the ever so pressing question “Why live?” It is about helping people lead wiser and happier lives – stricken people in particular who not only crave such an improvement, but also strive to satisfy this craving. Furthermore – and this adds to the unique and resolute positiveness of the book – “A Reason for Living” is both philosophical and autobiographical, and does more than deliver a message; it sets an example. On the one hand, it is a view of life, and on the other, a life story, the latter serving as a backdrop for the former in a very illustrative, relevant, and convincing way. The author thinks what he says and lives it. His words are all the more credible and inspiring as they are matched by his actions. Now 48, he was once a teenage athlete who became severely disabled due to a sports injury and slowly rebuilt his life from the ground up by means of considerable efforts, including much study and reflection. BIO: Laurent Grenier’s career as a full-time writer and thinker spans over twenty years. He has released various articles in art and philosophical magazines. He has also written some philosophical essays, a collection of memories and thoughts, and a compendium of physiology and nutrition, still unpublished. “A Reason for Living” constitutes his best work to date. TOC (main headings): Introduction Chapter 1—Denial Chapter 2—Bitterness Chapter 3—Death wish Chapter 4—Poetic instinct Chapter 5—Happiness SHORT EXCERPT: “Through the years, I have met... remarkable persons, who had much experience and wisdom. When their situation turned rather bad, they said, ‘I have seen worse,’ and they kept cheerful. To them, a trouble that was not disastrous was petty, a mere inconvenience not worthy of a single tear. They did not indulge in wistful, wasteful thoughts either. They simply dealt with things in the most favorable way. I admire their no-nonsense attitude toward life, which can prove messy. I imagine their motto: Don’t whine, nor cuss; tackle the muss and clear it up, or grin and bear it! All in all, they were well-adjusted realists who believed detriment and merriment can coexist when the former leaves room for something that makes life worth living, loving, despite everything. The secret is balance: The worse the detriment, the better this something must be to compensate for it and bring merriment. Great achievers are often great sufferers who had the will and the ability to redeem their condition with a profound dignity and joy in the pursuit and attainment of a high goal. Other great sufferers, of lesser will and ability, either lived passively and bitterly or killed themselves. In short, suffering enervates the weak and motivates the strong. Yet, beware! The strong may be weak at first and yield to morbid temptations or contemplate suicide for some considerable time; but at last they discover and develop the strength beneath their weakness, like a seed that lies in the parched soil of a neglected pot and needs the care of a flower lover to grow and bloom, and generate wonder.” REVIEWS: 1. “‘A Reason for Living’ offers... a philosophy that is as uplifting as it is honest.... Highly recommended.” Nancy Morris at Allbooks Reviews. 2. “... writing is very in-depth and scholarly.... a fantastic job!” Lisa D’Angelo at BookReviewNU. 3. “Physical adversity and mental triumph. “This book succeeds less as a memoir and more as a guide.... Grenier does find his ‘reason for living’ as the title promises.” Alice Barnstead at ForeWordreviews.com 4. “Rating: 4/5. Two thumbs up for ‘A Reason for Living’ by Laurent Grenier. The author... shows us with great depth of thought how he achieved happiness in spite of everything.” Jennie S. Bev at BookReviewClub.com. 5. “Excellent book... for a better, wiser, happier life.” Sandra Vassallo at e-bility.com. 6. “... your writing is very strong – stylistically, grammatically, and in terms of content.... The depth and breadth of your knowledge in philosophical and scientific matters are extremely impressive.... Wonderful!” Eric Barstad, author of the book “A Gloss on Our Painted Gods.” 7. “I justifiably applauded as well as enjoyed your book.... Your stamina, both physical and spiritual, can be admired if not envied. Above all, however, I admire your ability to see good, to perceive beauty and experience joy in everyday life. It is a gift to you and from you to those who have not been as fortunate yet.” Gundega Cenne, artist. 8. “Bravo and again bravo! You have become a man in the noblest and wisest sense of the word.... Thank you for this beautiful account of your life, these beautiful descriptions of people and places, and philosophical reflections.” Dr. Gaston Sauvé. 9. “You are a remarkable man. When reading your book, I am filled with a desire to learn more and to acquire the deep compassion and philosophical meaning that you bring out so brilliantly… It is wonderfully written.” Lori Perkins. 10. “‘A Reason for Living’ has greatly interested me and deeply moved me.... Not only does your book give much food for thought, but it also gives the means to keep oneself fit, both mentally and physically. And this fitness is most certainly needed to face the difficult reality of life.” Margot Lebas. AWARD: (November 2004) A REASON FOR LIVING is one of the highlighted titles by Independent Publisher online, who “recognize[s] the latest and greatest in independent publishing.”