ONCE, Richard LeMieux was the envy of all his friends. He owned a publishing firm in Washington State that produced medical and university directories. He also owned a beachfront house, three boats and assorted luxury cars.
But the rise of the Internet contributed to his downfall, and in 2002, Mr. LeMieux’s business failed. In short order, he lost almost everything he had held dear. He became estranged from family members. The bank foreclosed on his house and evicted him. At 59, he was left with his clothes, his Oldsmobile van and a little white pooch he called Willow the Wonder Dog.
For 18 months, Mr. LeMieux was homeless. In what can be seen as a cautionary tale for our time, he recounts his descent in “Breakfast at Sally’s: One Homeless Man’s Inspirational Story” (Skyhorse Publishing, $24.95).
Mr. LeMieux slept in his van in church parking lots in Bremerton, Wash. He hung out at the local Salvation Army, which he and other homeless people affectionately called “Sally’s.” He started writing his book on a discarded manual typewriter.
I must read this book.
So should you.
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