Author of "Raising Cole" Begins Book Signing Tour

Just in time for the holiday Season, Marc Pittman author of "Raising Cole Developing Life's Greatest Relationship, Embracing Life's Greatest Tragedy - A father's Story" spreads a hopeful message in a series of book signing appearances beginning at the end of November.

(PRWEB) November 23, 2004 -- Just in time for the holiday Season, Marc Pittman author of "Raising Cole Developing Life's Greatest Relationship, Embracing Life's Greatest Tragedy - A father's Story" spreads a hopeful message in a series of book signing appearances beginning at the end of November.

"A must read...Marc Pittman crosses the boundary and stigma of the tough guy and shows that while being very tough, you can also be very compassionate. This book will make you appreciate not every hour, but every second you spend with someone you love."

-Mark Gastineau, former Pro Bowl defensive end, New York Jets

Marc Pittman was one of 16 children of a dirt-poor farmer who remains to this day the only man to knock him unconscious. As a young man, he survived being hit by a van and having a 250-pound scaffolding fall five stories onto him. He's wrestled bears and swam with 12-foot alligators. On the night before his wedding, he got in a bar fight that ended with his soon-to-be brother-in-law in the hospital.

But when he had a son, he became the father he had always wanted. When seven-year-old Cole asked him about beer, Marc Pittman put down his can and never drank again. He told his boys everything, and they were honest with him in return. They unburdened their fears; told him their dreams; and even admitted their sins. Despite the fact that his sons were star football players, they felt no shame in holding their father's hand in public. People told him he was lucky to have the relationship he did with this children, but Marc Pittman knew the truth-it wasn't luck, he worked at it every day.

And then his eldest son, Cole, was killed in a traffic accident on the way to football practice at the University of Texas.

Raising Cole: Developing Life's Greatest Relationship, Embracing Life's Greatest Tragedy ($10.95 - HCI Books, May 2004) tells not only of how Marc Pittman dealt with the tragic loss of his beloved son, but of the 21 years he lived with Cole and the lessons he learned about being a good father, a good friend, and a good man. It is a story about fatherhood, love, respect, and about the simple, honest ways to create all three.

"Initially [I wrote this book to honor my son who I had lost to a tragic traffic accident. But it became much more than that. As I poured my heart out on paper I began to understand that if we would apply the same passion to every aspect of our lives as I did being a father, then this world would certainly be a much better place. Success is not the number of toys or the amount of money we have when we die. Success to me is the number of people we have touched in a positive way while we are here on earth. It would take only one reader to grasp the true meaning of the book for me to consider the book a success, because that one person, who might even be you, could make a difference in numerous people¹s lives." Marc replied when asked about his reasons for writing this book.

For tour dates & locations, please visit the author's website at http://www.raisingcole.com

About the Author

Marc Pittman is the owner of a construction firm in Shreveport, LA, where he lives with his wife Annette and his son Chase, a freshman football player at the University of Texas. He dedicates much of his time to speaking locally and nationally about his relationship with his sons.

To Order from the Publisher:

Telephone: (800) 441-5569 or online at

http://www.hcibooks.com/book-description.asp?BookID=639 (trade) or

http://tinyurl.com/3ryqd (consumer)

Media Contact:

Kim Weiss (800) 851- 9100 x 212

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