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Nicholas Ponticello
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Do Not Resuscitate Kindle Edition

by Nicholas Ponticello (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 177 ratings
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  1. Foreword INDIES Book of the Year AwardWinner, 2015
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Jim Frost thinks that when you’re dead, you’re dead. Gone. Finished. Kaput. But on the eve of his seventy-third birthday, his daughter suggests he have his brain downloaded to a microchip for safekeeping, and Jim is forced to consider what it really means to die—and what it might mean to live forever.

Winner in the 2015 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards and semifinalist in the 2015 Kindle Book Awards, Do Not Resuscitate is the firsthand account of Jim Frost, an aging misanthropist who witnessed the rise and fall of the United States as a world power, the digitalization of the planet, the advent of the water wars, and the near collapse of the global economy. Yet he remains impervious to it all. Concerned more with his plasma TV, high-speed Internet, and continual supply of hash, twentysomething Jim takes an under-the-table job off Craigslist delivering mysterious red coolers to strangers in cafés in an effort to pay the bills. But when Jim’s enigmatic employer asks him to fly to North Korea for a delivery, Jim starts to wonder what he’s gotten himself into.

Do Not Resuscitate received honorable mention at the 2015 Green Book Festival, which spotlights "books that contribute to greater understanding, respect for and positive action on the changing worldwide environment."
  • Winner, Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award
  • Winner, 2015 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award
  • Winner, 2016 CIPA EVVY Awards
  • Finalist, 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
  • Semifinalist, 2015 Book Pipeline Contest
  • Semifinalist, 2015 Kindle Book Awards
  • Honorable Mention, 2015 Green Book Festival
Previous page
  1. Print length
    302 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 2015
  5. File size
    777 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Maybe it's the cadence of the words, or the patter of a slightly odd person talking about the insane world around them, but Do Not Resuscitate continually reminded me of Vonnegut, and that's never happened before, in decades of reading science fiction." - Best-Sci-Fi-Books.com
"Ponticello's style is like a wholesome Palahniuk or less trippy Vonnegut. ... an excellent read..." - Reader Views
"What is perhaps best about Nicholas Ponticello's DO NOT RESUSCITATE is its sheer weirdness and oddness. It's a very difficult book to categorize, and, in many ways, I often feel that that is the best kind of book." - Judge, 23rd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards

About the Author

Nicholas Ponticello is an educator and writer in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from University of California, Berkeley with degrees in mathematics and astrophysics and later earned his masters in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ponticello is interested in exploring the intersection of science, sustainability, mental health, and education, and hopes to encourage more systems thinking and sustainability-themed curricula at the secondary school level.

Mr. Ponticello is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. In 2020, he was awarded the Sue Alexander Grant for his work on a YA novel provisionally titled WHAT IF I DID?

Mr. Ponticello grew up in Northern California and began his career as the operations manager at KOMENAR Publishing in Oakland, CA. He is a longtime runner, and has coached champion cross-country and track & field teams at the high school level. Mr. Ponticello is also the author of Do Not Resuscitate, a fictional biography that considers transhumanism and the intersection of technology and sustainability. He has studied writing under Kim Krizan (Before Sunrise, Zombie Tales 2061) and Bruce Miller (Handmaid's Tale, Eureka, Medium, ER). Do Not Resuscitate won a Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award, an INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award, and a CIPA EVVY Award. His second novel, The Maiden Voyage of the Destiny Unknown, also won a Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award and was listed as one of 100 Notable Books from the Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Competition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00VKSQFIC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Nicholas Ponticello; 1st edition (April 1, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 1, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 777 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 302 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 177 ratings

About the author

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Nicholas Ponticello

Nicholas Ponticello

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Nicholas Ponticello is an educator and writer in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from University of California, Berkeley with degrees in mathematics and astrophysics and later earned his master's in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ponticello is interested in exploring the intersection of science, sustainability, mental health, and education, and hopes to encourage more systems thinking and sustainability-themed curricula at the secondary school level.

Mr. Ponticello is also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. In 2020, he was awarded the Sue Alexander Grant for his work on a YA novel provisionally titled BOY, OBSESSED. BOY, OBSESSED is based on his experience coping with debilitating OCD and his struggle to overcome it through years of cognitive behavioral therapy. Mr. Ponticello completed the six-week intensive outpatient clinic at UCLA and went on to become an advocate for the International OCD Foundation. He has written for the IOCDF blog and has spoken on a panel about relationships and OCD at the annual IOCDF Conference.

Mr. Ponticello grew up in Northern California and began his career as the operations manager at KOMENAR Publishing in Oakland, CA. He is a longtime runner, and has coached champion cross-country and track & field teams at the high school level. Mr. Ponticello is also the author of DO NOT RESUSCITATE, a fictional biography that considers transhumanism and the intersection of technology and sustainability. He has studied writing under Kim Krizan (Before Sunrise, Zombie Tales 2061) and Bruce Miller (Handmaid's Tale, ER). DO NOT RESUSCITATE won a Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award, an INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award, and a CIPA EVVY Award. His second novel, THE MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE DESTINY UNKNOWN, also won a Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award and was listed as one of 100 Notable Books from the Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Competition.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
177 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ixiny
5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect kick-back day read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2016
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I've had this book on my Kindle for a while, and decided this morning to read it after a search for something different. Well this little gem certainly fit the bill. The way it was written was more like having a conversation than reading; I finished it in one day, and I never felt disengaged. That's really something, considering how the narrative jumps around between past and present. The writing style itself brought to mind Phillip K. Dick or Kurt Vonnegut, just easy and breezy and a little off-kilter. I really liked and related to the protagonist and marveled along with him at the absurdly complex yet simplistic events in his life. The book was very well edited, and all in all a big breath of fresh air! I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to get away for a bit and immerse themselves in a story that is fun and touching and intriguing, yet flows by like a leaf on a lazy stream.
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Marcella Bremer
4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining read - easy and fast - full of action
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2015
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Very entertaining read - easy and fast - full of action. A nice view of the future - interesting and well done. What if... all these things did happen in the near future? Jim Frost is telling his life story a bit crisscross and I understand that that keeps the reader's mind puzzling and engaged, but it may not be really necessary to create a compelling, entertaining story. I think the characters could use a bit more depth and dilemmas but, on the other hand, why not enjoy this ride and see this action movie with a sustainability theme with your mind's eye - and ponder the philosophical questions later, when you sit by the fire with a glass of wine? Do no resuscitate? What's worth to last after our mortal bodies are gone...? Well done and impressive for a debut novel! Grab this book and discuss it with friends, family and others!
Thank you, Nicholas, I found you by coincidence and I'll keep an eye on your work. I'll post a review on Goodreads as well to support your work. (As a nonfiction author, I know you need reviews to be found!).
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Isaac
3.0 out of 5 stars Well written, the story displays well defined characters. ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2015
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The main theme and premise are really compelling. Genuine curiosity made me buy this book. But in the end it didn't resonate with me as much as I wanted. The writing is impeccable for this kind of style, but I found out it is not for me because I like books that motivates me to not only ponder, but remember events and characters. This is a book where nothing unexpected happens (until the abrupt ending) as the main character writes a memoir of himself non-chronologically. If you like the kind of book where you just read about a person's daily life and memories/past stories, this book is for you.
One person found this helpful
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Diane L. Pearson
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2020
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I found this book to be very interesting and enjoyable. The writing is different from other modern books that I've read. The story is a combination of mystery, memoir, romance, and science fiction with some takes on climate change impacts in the future. As someone who is actively working to combat climate change, I found both the predicted path and the matter-of-fact acceptance of it good. Perhaps a work that will open some eyes to what is coming. Also, there were many time changes - present to past to future. These are hard to do competently but I never lost track of where the protagonist was in his life. All around a great effort. I will be reading more from Nick Ponticello.
2 people found this helpful
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Tyler Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read that promises intrigue with every chapter and doesn't ...
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2015
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In a world that clings to remakes, sequels, prequels, and everything else that eradicates originality, Do Not Resuscitate is a breath of fresh air! It lured me in from page one and seized my attention the entire way through. A must read for any fan of literature and storytelling.

Nicholas Ponticello takes the reader on an adventurous and unique journey via his hero, Jim Frost, with the eccentric charm and wit a la Kurt Vonnegut. With the looming fact of death lingering over Jim, and the obsessive need for his daughter to keep him around forever, in some form or fashion, propels the reader on a journey into the past, present, and future that they soon won't forget.

A great read that promises intrigue with every chapter and doesn't disappoint! I highly recommend Do Not Resuscitate.
8 people found this helpful
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propertius
4.0 out of 5 stars A Math Teacher Who Can Write With A Sense Of Humor
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2015
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Tipping my hat to Nicholas Ponticello, I will try to be understated, a bit wry, and well, ornery. This is the story of a man looking at the his past life, while his daughter convinces him to have his memories put on a computer so he will live forever. And then the reminiscences start. There is no center of gravity in this story.

The future is bleak, there is famine, starvation, curiously non-evils scientists, love, death, copulation and death. What makes this satiric exercise so enjoyable is that the author takes this tale with a pithy sense of comedy. How does the protagonist ... forget it its too complex and absurd but entertaining (the protagonist's sister becomes a saint, a one sentence mentions the nuclear bombing of Atlanta, Ga.and then no more.) The Past, Present, Future all are commented on and everything seems to be lacking.

So if you are looking for a second level Kingsley Amis from California and a good time treat yourself, but only on Kindle, its cheaper and will last forever.
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S.
3.0 out of 5 stars Unmemorable
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024
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This one went straight to the donation box after I finished reading it. No need to share it with anyone...
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Suz
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read!
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2022
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Terrific book! It deserves all of the awards it received and more. Nothing I didn't like. Entertaining, thought provoking, and unique!
Do I need more words? (You'll get the joke when you read the book!)
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Top reviews from other countries

Angel Wedge
5.0 out of 5 stars Immediately engaging
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 23, 2015
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The first thing that struck me about this book was that you get a really strong feel for the narrator almost immediately. You know the kind of person who's telling the story, and you want to know what's in that cooler right away. I only got this because it appeared on "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought" for my own book, and now I'm really gad I did. I'm only about 5 chapters in now, but I think that's enough to know that this is a book I'm going to recommend.
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CS Professor
4.0 out of 5 stars An intelligently conceived ecological semi-disaster
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 7, 2015
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This is the first novel for this author but it doesn't at all seem like it. I thought it was very accomplished. The protagonist narrator is highly engaging and Mr Ponticello's vision of future ecological semi-disaster is convincing and intelligently conceived. The supporting characters are interesting and amusing. The "discussion" about longevity/immortality and economic inequality is an important one. I found the ending came rather earlier than I would have liked and the denouement less interesting than journey to it - that is not a criticism. There is a lot in this book that would have benefited my own ecological catastrophe novel, Glass House  Glass House: Climate Change in the Third Millennium .
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Janet
4.0 out of 5 stars Humorous and captivating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2015
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A very enjoyable read, I only need another eight words, this is number fourteen, laughter, still need five, there, done with one extra lol
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