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Dear Marcus: A Letter to the Man Who Shot Me

Dear Marcus: A Letter to the Man Who Shot Me

Overview
“Inspiring.” —Lorrie Moore,The New York Review of Books“As I started readingDear Marcus,I found I couldn’t put it down. This is a compelling marriage of remembrance and forgiveness, absolution and compassion, cynicism and understanding.” —Wes Moore, author ofThe Other Wes Moore“Written with passion, honesty, humor, and a stubborn, rebellious optimism,Dear Marcusis like nothing I’ve ever read. When a bullet in the back told Jerry McGill not to go on, Jerry went on—smiling.” —Shalom Auslander, author ofHope: A Tragedy “It’s hard to remember how out of control our cities were back in the 1970s and ’80s. If you want a firsthand account, there’s no better place to turn to thanDear Marcus. ButDear Marcusis more than that: It’s an incredibly intense story of triumph over tragedy that can inspire people dealing with any sort of challenge in their lives. It’s rare to find a book that speaks to you on the most personal level while illustrating much bigger themes, and is so compelling to read to boot.”—Dalton Conley, dean of social sciences at New York University and author ofHonky“A moment of senseless violence transforms a young man inthis inspiring memoir of disability. In 1982, McGill was 13 years old and living in a Manhattan housing project when he was randomly shot in the back by an assailant who was never found (he dubs the unknown gunman ‘Marcus’). The wound left him a near quadriplegic, and the once athletic boy faced an agonizing struggle to recover some bodily function, and adjust to losing most. McGill takesan unsparing though humorously insightful lookat the frustrations and humiliations imposed by his handicap and at the permanent rifts his family suffered from the strain….McGill moves from bitter contempt for his attacker to a deeper analysis of the ghetto culture of violence, fatherlessness, and misguided machismo that victimized him—and eventually to understanding and forgiveness." —Publishers Weekly“An inspirational memoirby a writer who refuses to be defined by his paralysis, as he comes to terms with the unknown man who shot him.”—Kirkus Reviews"A powerful book."—The Oregonian“An unforgettable and intriguing journey . . . Violence, hope, despair, forgiveness, anger, and living with a disability are explored both lightly and deeply, humorously and profoundly, and always honestly.” —Library Journal(starred review)"Thoughtful and profound...written in gritty and brave language...McGill presents the pivotal moments of his life with the clarity of a cinematographer's lens."—Shelf Awareness“Dear Marcusis my current favorite book….This is a literary page-turner that explores the reverberations of an action and a moment, the ways in which perpetrators and victims are connected…From the packaging, to the insights, to the defiance and challenge of assumptions, to the writing, this is a straight up gorgeous book.”–The Rumpus
ISBN: 0812993071
ISBN13: 9780812993073
“Inspiring.” —Lorrie Moore,The New York Review of Books“As I started readingDear Marcus,I found I couldn’t put it down. This is a compelling marriage of remembrance and forgiveness, absolution and compassion, cynicism and understanding.” —Wes Moore, author ofThe Other Wes Moore“Written with passion, honesty, humor, and a stubborn, rebellious optimism,Dear Marcusis like nothing I’ve ever read. When a bullet in the back told Jerry McGill not to go on, Jerry went on—smiling.” —Shalom Auslander, author ofHope: A Tragedy “It’s hard to remember how out of control our cities were back in the 1970s and ’80s. If you want a firsthand account, there’s no better place to turn to thanDear Marcus. ButDear Marcusis more than that: It’s an incredibly intense story of triumph over tragedy that can inspire people dealing with any sort of challenge in their lives. It’s rare to find a book that speaks to you on the most personal level while illustrating much bigger themes, and is so compelling to read to boot.”—Dalton Conley, dean of social sciences at New York University and author ofHonky“A moment of senseless violence transforms a young man inthis inspiring memoir of disability. In 1982, McGill was 13 years old and living in a Manhattan housing project when he was randomly shot in the back by an assailant who was never found (he dubs the unknown gunman ‘Marcus’). The wound left him a near quadriplegic, and the once athletic boy faced an agonizing struggle to recover some bodily function, and adjust to losing most. McGill takesan unsparing though humorously insightful lookat the frustrations and humiliations imposed by his handicap and at the permanent rifts his family suffered from the strain….McGill moves from bitter contempt for his attacker to a deeper analysis of the ghetto culture of violence, fatherlessness, and misguided machismo that victimized him—and eventually to understanding and forgiveness." —Publishers Weekly“An inspirational memoirby a writer who refuses to be defined by his paralysis, as he comes to terms with the unknown man who shot him.”—Kirkus Reviews"A powerful book."—The Oregonian“An unforgettable and intriguing journey . . . Violence, hope, despair, forgiveness, anger, and living with a disability are explored both lightly and deeply, humorously and profoundly, and always honestly.” —Library Journal(starred review)"Thoughtful and profound...written in gritty and brave language...McGill presents the pivotal moments of his life with the clarity of a cinematographer's lens."—Shelf Awareness“Dear Marcusis my current favorite book….This is a literary page-turner that explores the reverberations of an action and a moment, the ways in which perpetrators and victims are connected…From the packaging, to the insights, to the defiance and challenge of assumptions, to the writing, this is a straight up gorgeous book.”–The Rumpus

Books - New and Used

The following guidelines apply to books:

  • New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
  • Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.

Shipping Fees

  • Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
  • Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
  • No additional fees and charges.

Delivery Times

The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.

Estimated delivery times:

  • Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
  • Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days

Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.  

Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times. 

Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.). 

If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.

You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.

Additional non-returnable items:

  • Gift cards
  • Downloadable software products
  • Some health and personal care items

To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)

  • Book with obvious signs of use
  • CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
  • Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery

Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.

Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.

If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:

  • Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
  • Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
  • Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.


Shipping Cost


We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.

If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

$13.90
Out of Stock
Overview
“Inspiring.” —Lorrie Moore,The New York Review of Books“As I started readingDear Marcus,I found I couldn’t put it down. This is a compelling marriage of remembrance and forgiveness, absolution and compassion, cynicism and understanding.” —Wes Moore, author ofThe Other Wes Moore“Written with passion, honesty, humor, and a stubborn, rebellious optimism,Dear Marcusis like nothing I’ve ever read. When a bullet in the back told Jerry McGill not to go on, Jerry went on—smiling.” —Shalom Auslander, author ofHope: A Tragedy “It’s hard to remember how out of control our cities were back in the 1970s and ’80s. If you want a firsthand account, there’s no better place to turn to thanDear Marcus. ButDear Marcusis more than that: It’s an incredibly intense story of triumph over tragedy that can inspire people dealing with any sort of challenge in their lives. It’s rare to find a book that speaks to you on the most personal level while illustrating much bigger themes, and is so compelling to read to boot.”—Dalton Conley, dean of social sciences at New York University and author ofHonky“A moment of senseless violence transforms a young man inthis inspiring memoir of disability. In 1982, McGill was 13 years old and living in a Manhattan housing project when he was randomly shot in the back by an assailant who was never found (he dubs the unknown gunman ‘Marcus’). The wound left him a near quadriplegic, and the once athletic boy faced an agonizing struggle to recover some bodily function, and adjust to losing most. McGill takesan unsparing though humorously insightful lookat the frustrations and humiliations imposed by his handicap and at the permanent rifts his family suffered from the strain….McGill moves from bitter contempt for his attacker to a deeper analysis of the ghetto culture of violence, fatherlessness, and misguided machismo that victimized him—and eventually to understanding and forgiveness." —Publishers Weekly“An inspirational memoirby a writer who refuses to be defined by his paralysis, as he comes to terms with the unknown man who shot him.”—Kirkus Reviews"A powerful book."—The Oregonian“An unforgettable and intriguing journey . . . Violence, hope, despair, forgiveness, anger, and living with a disability are explored both lightly and deeply, humorously and profoundly, and always honestly.” —Library Journal(starred review)"Thoughtful and profound...written in gritty and brave language...McGill presents the pivotal moments of his life with the clarity of a cinematographer's lens."—Shelf Awareness“Dear Marcusis my current favorite book….This is a literary page-turner that explores the reverberations of an action and a moment, the ways in which perpetrators and victims are connected…From the packaging, to the insights, to the defiance and challenge of assumptions, to the writing, this is a straight up gorgeous book.”–The Rumpus
ISBN: 0812993071
ISBN13: 9780812993073
“Inspiring.” —Lorrie Moore,The New York Review of Books“As I started readingDear Marcus,I found I couldn’t put it down. This is a compelling marriage of remembrance and forgiveness, absolution and compassion, cynicism and understanding.” —Wes Moore, author ofThe Other Wes Moore“Written with passion, honesty, humor, and a stubborn, rebellious optimism,Dear Marcusis like nothing I’ve ever read. When a bullet in the back told Jerry McGill not to go on, Jerry went on—smiling.” —Shalom Auslander, author ofHope: A Tragedy “It’s hard to remember how out of control our cities were back in the 1970s and ’80s. If you want a firsthand account, there’s no better place to turn to thanDear Marcus. ButDear Marcusis more than that: It’s an incredibly intense story of triumph over tragedy that can inspire people dealing with any sort of challenge in their lives. It’s rare to find a book that speaks to you on the most personal level while illustrating much bigger themes, and is so compelling to read to boot.”—Dalton Conley, dean of social sciences at New York University and author ofHonky“A moment of senseless violence transforms a young man inthis inspiring memoir of disability. In 1982, McGill was 13 years old and living in a Manhattan housing project when he was randomly shot in the back by an assailant who was never found (he dubs the unknown gunman ‘Marcus’). The wound left him a near quadriplegic, and the once athletic boy faced an agonizing struggle to recover some bodily function, and adjust to losing most. McGill takesan unsparing though humorously insightful lookat the frustrations and humiliations imposed by his handicap and at the permanent rifts his family suffered from the strain….McGill moves from bitter contempt for his attacker to a deeper analysis of the ghetto culture of violence, fatherlessness, and misguided machismo that victimized him—and eventually to understanding and forgiveness." —Publishers Weekly“An inspirational memoirby a writer who refuses to be defined by his paralysis, as he comes to terms with the unknown man who shot him.”—Kirkus Reviews"A powerful book."—The Oregonian“An unforgettable and intriguing journey . . . Violence, hope, despair, forgiveness, anger, and living with a disability are explored both lightly and deeply, humorously and profoundly, and always honestly.” —Library Journal(starred review)"Thoughtful and profound...written in gritty and brave language...McGill presents the pivotal moments of his life with the clarity of a cinematographer's lens."—Shelf Awareness“Dear Marcusis my current favorite book….This is a literary page-turner that explores the reverberations of an action and a moment, the ways in which perpetrators and victims are connected…From the packaging, to the insights, to the defiance and challenge of assumptions, to the writing, this is a straight up gorgeous book.”–The Rumpus

Books - New and Used

The following guidelines apply to books:

  • New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
  • Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.

Shipping Fees

  • Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
  • Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
  • No additional fees and charges.

Delivery Times

The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.

Estimated delivery times:

  • Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
  • Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days

Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.  

Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times. 

Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.). 

If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.

You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.

Additional non-returnable items:

  • Gift cards
  • Downloadable software products
  • Some health and personal care items

To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)

  • Book with obvious signs of use
  • CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
  • Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery

Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.

Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.

If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:

  • Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
  • Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
  • Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.


Shipping Cost


We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.

If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

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