Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Michaelis had the opportunity of a lifetime. The family, friends and business interests related to Sparky Schulz gave Michaelis unfettered access to their archives as well as to themselves, everything a writer could possibly want. There was one major exception; Michaelis never met the man and he formed many opinions from the ashes of a former marriage, a recipe for disaster. My wife, Donna, and I knew Sparky for many years. We began the relationship from a business perspective and it evolved into a personal friendship. Over time, we met most of his family and several of his close friends. Sparky exhibited the traits of a tremendous creative talent but often wondered why people liked this strip. Yet, no one worked harder or did a better job of delivering a final product that touched people and made them reflect, ponder or laugh. Underneath it all was a warm and generous heart. He gave so much to the world beyond a comic strip and his philosophy. By example, he sponsored an annual golf tournament in Santa Rosa from which all proceeds went to the Santa Rosa Hospice. After the tournament each year, he opened up the Redwood Ice Arena as a fund raiser, giving much of himself and his signed work, signing autographs, doing whatever he needed to do to ensure success. He and Jeannie were prime movers and donors for the Santa Rosa chapter of Canine Companions for Independence (acquiring and training assistance dogs then matching them with their new masters). The CCI campus would not exist without his contributions. An incredible number of people have been touched by his generosity over the years never knowing Sparky was the benefactor. There isn't enough room here to begin to list his benevolent deeds. One of the things we loved about him was his humorous side. He possessed a sharp wit and could laser through a social situation with few words that would have you in stitches. Sparky was a "kidder" and could take it as well as give it. None of this warm and funny side of Sparky shows up in the book. This is a book that does not portray the warm, kind-hearted and loving man that we knew as Sparky Schulz. Apparently, Michaelis had another agenda and it did not include a balanced representation of the life of Charles Schulz. Too many assumptions were made and, consequently, too many falsehoods were generated that leaves a golden opportunity wasted. In time, there will be an authentic biography that accurately depicts the life of this incredible man.