Until Tuesday

By: Luis Carlos Montalvan

Narrated by: Luis Carlos Montalvan

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

"We aren't just service dog and master; Tuesday and I are also best friends. Kindred souls. Brothers. Whatever you want to call it. We weren't made for each other, but we turned out to be exactly what the other needed."

A highly decorated captain in the U.S. Army, Luis Montalvan never backed down from a challenge during his two tours of duty in Iraq. After returning home from combat, however, the pressures of his physical wounds, traumatic brain injury, and crippling post-traumatic stress disorder began to take their toll. Haunted by the war and in constant physical pain, he soon found himself unable to climb a simple flight of stairs or face a bus ride to the VA hospital. He drank; he argued; ultimately, he cut himself off from those he loved. Alienated and alone, unable to sleep or bend over without pain, he began to wonder if he would ever recover.

Then Luis met Tuesday, a beautiful and sensitive golden retriever trained to assist the disabled. Tuesday had lived amongst prisoners and at a home for troubled boys, blessing many lives; he could turn on lights, open doors, and sense the onset of anxiety and flashbacks. But because of a unique training situation and sensitive nature, he found it difficult to trust in or connect with a human being until Luis.

Until Tuesday is the story of how two wounded warriors, who had given so much and suffered the consequences, found salvation in each other. It is a story about war and peace, injury and recovery, psychological wounds and spiritual restoration. But more than that, it is a story about the love between a man and dog, and how together they healed each other's souls.

©2011 Luis Carlos Montalvan (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Luis and Tuesday were one of the original sources of inspiration for my very first piece of legislation. Luis' story of military service, his struggles with visible and invisible wounds of war, and the dog who helped save his life is as compelling on the page as when you hear it in person." (Senator Al Franken)

“Montalvan’s first-person account of their journey together offers rare insight into the issues facing returning veterans and the lifesaving bond between a service dog and human. Listeners hear the despair, fear, frustration, and, ultimately, the love and hope of the pair. Montalvan doesn’t refrain from discussing his most painful and embarrassing experiences. Hearing the story in his own voice adds to its power and vibrancy.” ( AudioFile)

An introspective look at TBI/PTSD

This book was really an interesting look at life behind a traumatic brain injury, behind the curtain of the battlefield, and behind the mysterious connections that can be made between man and animals. He is an articulate, intelligent, and thoughtful person, and he provided a detailed and compelling look at his new world. I hope that Tuesday enjoys a long, long life, and that Luis continues in his efforts to help others and be an advocate for his fellow sufferers.

At times, however, I grew tired of his (probably justified, but still irritating) hypersensitivity that led him to be occasionally intolerant and egocentric reactions to people/situations. I feel like he expected his situation to be immediately understood by all, but didn't give the same consideration back (that it might take someone a moment (or an explanation) to adjust their own view or expectations, etc.).

I realize, though, that as an advocate, he is showing all the trials people with TBI's and such endure, and highlighting the difficulties and the from-one-angle-perspective is his purpose in order to enlighten others.

Very Good Book

I loved this book. I do not agree at all with the few reviews who felt it was selfish and political. It is no secret that wounded vets have had a problem getting the type of treatment they need and the benefits they deserve. This has been happening since Vietnam. And PTSD is the most difficult to treat. Very few escape the PTSD at one level or another. After reading the book, I was totally disappointed in those who gave bad reviews. The book is about a very personal experience of one of our men in the military. There are hundreds of thousands dealing with many of the same issues from Iraq and Afghanistan. These wars seem to go on forever and they are taking a huge toll, particularly mentally. I hope that Luis writes another book about his continued progress and his life with Tuesday. I will read it and appreciate all of it. Very special book. Well written and I'm also very glad that Luis narrated the book himself. That made it even more personal. I will read this again one day and hope there is another to follow.

Until Tuesday

Much more than a dog story. Mr Montalvan takes us into Iraq for an inside look of the hardships our military personel and the Iraqis suffer every day.Tuesday endured his trials too and together they made this unforgettable story. If your'e not a dog person you should be after this.

Didn't Hold Together For Me

I was eagerly awaiting this book, because I'm very interested in service dogs, and the role that they can play in assisting with psychiatric and neurological disorders. And for the first third of the book, I was right there with Luis and Tuesday. But the book doesn't stay focussed on that, and evolves in my opinion into a soapbox for the author's many, many grievances. And it started to seem like the author was more focused on self promotion than self reflection, but I hung in there. Then at the end it fell apart for me. The premise of the book is that Luiz is pretty non-functional without Tuesday, and Tuesday is indispensible to navigate the world. But voila, he decides it's real important to go on some type of freedom mission to Cuba, where he can't take Tuesday, and he leaves Tuesday behind with the trainer who raised him. And not just for a couple of days, but a couple of weeks. I felt bilked by that revelation, that when it suited him he could be without Tuesday ??? when flies in the face of the whole premise of the book up until that point.

The other thing that undermined it for me was the final chapter, his (and Tuesday's) graduation from Columbia. The ending is a tear jerker, to be sure. What surprised me was the reference to this being the end of two years at Columbia ??? which is the normal length of the graduate journalism program there. Given all the struggles the author had at the beginning, before Tuesday, including frequently attending classes drunk and having other difficulties, I would have assumed he might have flunked a class or two or taken a semester off or taken a lighter class load. But there he is at the end, graduating with his class, right on time. So by the end, this just didn't hold together for me.

Just Wonderful!!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes I have already. I just loved the story and the dog

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tuesday- I have a golden retriever also. altho he is not trained like Tuesday I could see some similar traits that he does by his inate nature.

Have you listened to any of Luis Carlos Montalvan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard any of LC Montalvan;s other narrations if there are any

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

the dog that was more than possible

Any additional comments?

I just loved this book. I laughed, I cried, and I was astounded at what I learned about the Iraq war. I can;t recommend this more highly. expecially if you are a dog lover.

WONDERFUL STORY!

One of the best stories ever! Heartwarming. Uplifting. I recommend it to all my friends & everyone else too.

Until Tuesday

The book was fairly good but it tended to drone on and on. Not something I would recommend to people.

Moving through PTSD with an exceptional dog.

Would you consider the audio edition of Until Tuesday to be better than the print version?

I have enjoyed the audio version better because I can feel the emotion in this special soldiers voice.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tuesday has a special place in my heart because of his patience and perserverance with his owner. Both had been through a lot, but Tuesday never gave up, never wavered.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Luis Carlos Montalvan?

Yes. He has a pretty good voice for audio books.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Until Tuesday...PTSD had ruled my life- now I am free!

Any additional comments?

Great book, very helpful for more than just PTSD survivors or just dog lovers. This book brings together a great bond between soldier and his dog.

I loved this story!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone with PTSD or anyone wanting to learn about how PTSD affects a person. I would also recommend this book to animal lovers.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Until Tuesday?

I loved when the author and Tuesday truely bonded.

Which character – as performed by Luis Carlos Montalvan – was your favorite?

Tuesday

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me feel that there was someone else out there who understood what living with PTSD was like.

Any additional comments?

This is a heart warming story.

Insightful look at post-traumaitc stress and war

Where does Until Tuesday rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

top 25

What was one of the most memorable moments of Until Tuesday?

Tuesday's abandonment when he was being trained as a service dog.

What about Luis Carlos Montalvan’s performance did you like?

Luis has a wonderful speaking voice and since he wrote the book he was passionate about the subject matter.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was upset with the way people treated the service dog and how unaware people are about the service dog laws.