A World Without Tears: The Case of Charles Rothenberg

(Hardback)

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On March 4, 1983, Charles Rothenberg deliberately set fire to the bed where his six-year-old son, David, lay sleeping. Although David did not die, burns covered 90 percent of his body and left him severely disfigured. Rothenberg admitted his guilt and spent seven years in prison. This book is the troubled life story and in-depth study of Charles Rothenberg through over 140 letters, personal interviews, and his own writings. It is told by Harry J. Gaynor, a recognized authority on child abuse by burning and President of the National Burn Victim Foundation; the Rev. Dr. Jack Wilson, a minister and counselor; and Dr. Andrew Savicky, a psychologist. The authors reach beyond the bizarre facts of this story and enter the mind and emotions of Rothenberg to gain some understanding of what led to this crime. They attempt to employ that understanding to protect children from abuse.

Reviews

"Child abuse is a growing national social problem. Solutions must be found for the sake of children who are victims of parental violence, leaving them physically and emotionally scarred, and sometimes dead. . . . Everyone interested in the safety, health, and welfare of children should read A World Without Tears: The Case of Charles Rothenberg."-Cary Edwards former Attorney General of the State of New Jersey
A World Without Tears: The Case of Charles Rothenberg' was controversial even before its publication, but co-author Harry Gaynor believes the book will help in the fight against child abuse. In 1983 Rothenberg set fire to the bed where his 5-year-old son, David, slept. He served seven years of a 13-year prison term. The case was widely publicized in the media. The founder and president of the non-profit National Burn Victim Foundation, Gaynor is an expert in child abuse by burning. Through his experiences with the foundation, he has been involved in more than 900 such cases. Gaynor joined psychologist Andrew Savicky and the Rev. Jack Wilson to write the book, which includes an autobiographical manuscript by Rothenberg. Controversy about the project arose when some thought Rothenberg would profit from the sale of the book. But all royalties from the book, Gaynor said, will benefit the National Burn Victim Foundation's child abuse programs. Neither Rothenberg nor the authors will make money on it. In addition to manning a hot line, the foundation investigates cases of child abuse and neglect by burning and helps children who are burned readjust psychologically. The group also has educated more than 1 million children in New Jersey in burn awareness. It is (our) hope that this book will have an impact on the national problem of child abuse.' Gaynor said. By analyzing Charles Rothenberg's background, and the circumstances leading up to his heinous act against his son, we have provided a vehicle for professionals as well as the general public to gain an understanding of how such a act of violence on a child can happen. . . .-Daily Record
Harry J. Gaynor admits he spent many restless nights wondering whether he should have anything to do with a book about Charles Rothenberg, the former New York waiter who spent almost seven years in prison for severly burning his son, David, in a Buena Park motel room in 1983. As founder and president of the National Burn Victim Foundation in Orange, N.J., Gaynor has dedicated 16 years to problems associated with child abuse and neglect by burning, and he wasn't eager to jeopardize the foundation's reputation. I felt people would assume things--that we were an advocate for Charles Rothenberg, ' he says. God forbid if we should be an advocate of Charles Rothenberg.' As a co-author of A World Without Tears: The Case of Charles Rothenberg, ' Gaynor felt that a book that delves into the mind and background of a man who deliberately set fire to the room where his 6-year-old son slept would shed some light into the dark corners of child abuse.' . . . But Gaynor hopes people will look beyond their emotional response to what Rothenberg did and see the book's objective. To draw attention to child abuse by burning, which he likens to a runaway train. Says Gaynor: I'd like to see that train slowed down and stopped.'-Los Angeles Times
"Harry J. Gaynor admits he spent many restless nights wondering whether he should have anything to do with a book about Charles Rothenberg, the former New York waiter who spent almost seven years in prison for severly burning his son, David, in a Buena Park motel room in 1983. As founder and president of the National Burn Victim Foundation in Orange, N.J., Gaynor has dedicated 16 years to problems associated with child abuse and neglect by burning, and he wasn't eager to jeopardize the foundation's reputation. I felt people would assume things--that we were an advocate for Charles Rothenberg, ' he says. God forbid if we should be an advocate of Charles Rothenberg.' As a co-author of A World Without Tears: The Case of Charles Rothenberg, ' Gaynor felt that a book that delves into the mind and background of a man who deliberately set fire to the room where his 6-year-old son slept would shed some light into the dark corners of child abuse.' . . . But Gaynor hopes people will look beyond their emotional response to what Rothenberg did and see the book's objective. To draw attention to child abuse by burning, which he likens to a runaway train. Says Gaynor: I'd like to see that train slowed down and stopped.'"-Los Angeles Times
"A World Without Tears: The Case of Charles Rothenberg' was controversial even before its publication, but co-author Harry Gaynor believes the book will help in the fight against child abuse. In 1983 Rothenberg set fire to the bed where his 5-year-old son, David, slept. He served seven years of a 13-year prison term. The case was widely publicized in the media. The founder and president of the non-profit National Burn Victim Foundation, Gaynor is an expert in child abuse by burning. Through his experiences with the foundation, he has been involved in more than 900 such cases. Gaynor joined psychologist Andrew Savicky and the Rev. Jack Wilson to write the book, which includes an autobiographical manuscript by Rothenberg. Controversy about the project arose when some thought Rothenberg would profit from the sale of the book. But all royalties from the book, Gaynor said, will benefit the National Burn Victim Foundation's child abuse programs. Neither Rothenberg nor the authors will make money on it. In addition to manning a hot line, the foundation investigates cases of child abuse and neglect by burning and helps children who are burned readjust psychologically. The group also has educated more than 1 million children in New Jersey in burn awareness. It is (our) hope that this book will have an impact on the national problem of child abuse.' Gaynor said. By analyzing Charles Rothenberg's background, and the circumstances leading up to his heinous act against his son, we have provided a vehicle for professionals as well as the general public to gain an understanding of how such a act of violence on a child can happen. . . ."-Daily Record

Author Bio

HARRY J. GAYNOR is President of the National Burn Victim Foundation. JACK WILSON is Senior Pastor of Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Essex Fells, New Jersey. ANDREW SAVICKY is Psychology Director at the Southern State Correctional Facility in Delmont, New Jersey.