Written as a motivational "how to" self-help book designed to assist the reader in getting the most out of life by realizing his or her full personal growth potential, this book had broad and general, rather than narrow and small niche, appeal to the mature and young adult reader. It contains some adult language and some sexual content in a few chapters. The book's "say yes" philosophy is presented in a series of memoir vignettes that, while light and entertaining, are encouraging and convincing. Its "how to" element is neither dryly instructional, preachy, nor task oriented but, instead, focuses on the "anybody can do it" aspect of embracing a positive "go for it" affirmative attitude and rejecting the negative ingrained societal "no" response. The author's personal experiences serve as testimony that if he--an average, nobody special person--could do it, YOU can do it. "NEVER SAY NEVER, NEVER SAY NO" is an easy read that has lasting impact on the reader rather than a temporary and fleeting "I can't put this book down" suspense story. The book's philosophical thesis is confronted by the average person with regularity in real life situations. The book is designed to help the average person recognize these everyday opportunities for growth, and it encourages a "yes" response to the potential they offer.
About the Author: Charles A. Sullivan did his undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate studies at Montclair State College, NJ, earning his Bachelor's and Master' Degrees and his secondary teacher's, counselor's, supervisor's, and principal's certifications. Mr. Sullivan taught Honors American History, civics, English, and journalism for eight years from 1958 to 1966 and was a class advisor, tennis coach, newspaper advisor, and president of the 140-member Teachers Association in the Northern Valley Regional High School District in northern NJ. Leaving education temporarily for a four-year period, Mr. Sullivan became Assistant Executive Director of St, John's Guild Floating Hospital, an independent, non-sectarian, social service enterprise providing a combined program of clinical, recreational, and educational services for children and their mothers from the low income areas of New York City. In this capacity, Mr. Sullivan oversaw the program, budget, social services, and personnel of the Floating Hospital including the recruitment, development, and supervision of an interracial staff of 70 college social service trainees, dentists, physicians, nurses, oral hygienists, and psychologists, as well as ship crew members and household staff. During this time period, Mr Sullivan served as a Board of Directors member and elected Secretary of the Bergen County Association of Mental Health, a member of the Westwood Interracial Council, the regional Narcotics Education and Prevention Committee, and the North Bergen County Council of the Boy Scouts of America Exploring Steering Committee, all in New Jersey. He also was a camp and education evaluator for Jeffgo Evaluative Services, Inc., NYC Board of Education Title I summer camp program, on location, Hunter, NY; Assistant Director of a day camp and swim club in Old Tappan, NJ; and Administrative Assistant and tennis instructor/coach at a day camp in Spring Valley, NY. Mr. Sullivan returned to public school education in September, 1970, as a high school counselor in Teaneck, NJ, where he remained for 30 years, twice serving in an administrative position as Acting Director of Guidance. He was one of the co-founders and the first Coordinator of Teaneck's Alternative School, designed as a small student-centered learning community of 105 students, six full-time and several part-time certified teachers, and numerous community resource people. Retired since 2001, Mr. Sullivan lives with his wife, Lynn, in Boynton Beach, Florida.