The Five People you Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

This book takes you on a journey through life and death. It encourages you to evaluate your life and the people in it. The main character in the story is Eddie. He is a crippled WWII veteran. He has had a long and difficult life. He was born into a broken home with a father who was an alcoholic who regularly beat and abused him. His father made ends meet by working at the local amusement park, Ruby Pier. His mother however, was his whole world because of her kind and nurturing behavior. Despite his mother's love, Eddie was still subjected to his father's addiction and rage. The story begins with Eddie's death. We learn about Eddie's life through flashbacks to his younger years.