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True Identity
- Cracking the Oldest Kidnapping Cold Case and Finding My Missing Twin
- Narrated by: Paul Joseph Fronczak
- Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
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Publisher's Summary
A man desperate to know his true identity struggles to solve the infamous kidnapping that nearly destroyed his family - and find his twin sister, who has been missing for more than 50 years.
When he was 10 years old, Paul Fronczak was snooping around for Christmas presents in a crawl space in his family’s Chicago home. There, he found hundreds of old newspaper clippings about the kidnapping of a one-day-old infant in a hospital in 1964. He also learned that, two years later, the boy was found and returned to his family - and that the boy was him.
Nearly 50 years later, Paul, acting on long-held suspicions, took a DNA test that proved he was not the kidnapped boy. In an instant, he found himself at the center of two half-century-old mysteries - who was he, and where was the real Paul?
True Identity is about three separate major investigations - the hunt for the real Paul Fronczak; the search for the author’s missing twin sister, Jill; and finally, the investigation into his true identity, his heart and soul and the demons inside him - inherited and created - that still need to be confronted.
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Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- bookworm
- 12-28-21
Amazing Quest
There is so much to say about this follow up book to "The Foundling," but so much that cannot be said to avoid spoilers. First, Paul, (born Jack), is a remarkable man. The hardships endured during those crucial, formative first few years in his life have impacted him in ways that he is open and honest about. His insights as he learns more about the trauma he went through are profound and resonate deeply with others who have experienced estrangement during their formative years and have unanswered questions about their past. I commend him for willing to be vulnerable and find the missing pieces of this puzzle, and for his enduring spirit given how many doors have been slammed in his face.
I see so much of the Jungian Seeker and Hero archetype in his story. I am also so impressed by his strong, beautiful relationship with his daughter. People with far less trauma, or none at all in their past often fail miserably to have such a bond with their children. I believe his journey has given him many healing gifts, as well as the amazing gift he was able to give to his mother. I applaud him for trusting his instincts, knowing what he had to do, and for having the courage to do it. So many ignore the inner calls from their soul and end up stagnant, bitter and miserable having missed opportunities to learn, heal and grow. I have no doubt that though there have been losses, the wisdom and knowledge gained is what will allow him to bridge his past to his present and continue to grow. Sometimes things are found that someone didn't even know they were looking for on these types of paths. I look forward to hearing what he discovers next about his past, his family, as well as his discoveries and insights about himself. Bravo, this is a 5 star read!
2 people found this helpful
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- veebeethefirst
- 05-11-22
Poignant
This story is well written and well read. I felt the author’s hope that the right approach, the best investigative work might yield answers…and the pain and grappling with acceptance when that doesn’t happen. I appreciated the author’s realization that there are no answers in this life to some painful questions.
This book also helped me realize there’s a time to stop the relentless quest for more and find peace with what I have been given.
To those of you who are critical of this book: just be thankful you have had a different life. There is nothing more cruel than to strip a person of their very identity. There is an identity that you’re always missing until you know who your biological family is. No matter how loving the adoptive family, for the majority of adoptees, knowing and coming to terms with biological family and finding out as much as possible about the circumstances surrounding your birth/abandonment/adoption is vital to healing and acceptance of who you are as a person. No, i am not adopted, but my father and husband are and I have witnessed and been part of their journey for decades.
1 person found this helpful
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- ninewest57th
- 12-23-21
busy work of a fool
This book was very difficult to listen to. The author himself says "trying to change the past was the busy work of a fool." Yet despite saying that, he deliberately keeps poking in dark corners trying to solve puzzles about his origins. He was a foundling who ended up replacing a kidnapped child.
He finds he is the son of alcoholic parents who mistreated him and his twin sister (who is still unfound at the conclusion of this book) so much so that they abandoned him in front of a store in NJ and did 'god knows what' to their daughter.
His biological siblings decline to help. His biological brother in fact says he doesn't believe the DNA tests (yet another flat earth believer!). So there is no help getting answers there.
Another person 'the old man' gives answers to questions that seem like story lines out of an X Files episode invoking the Chicago mob's involvement in this sordid tale.
What a bunch of dreck. Sometimes its best to let sleeping dogs lie. His biological sister gave the best line of in both of these books when she tells the author that he got out of the bad life that his biological parents gave the other siblings.
The author should spend his time trying to find out where Jimmy Hoffa is buried than beating this dead horse anymore.
1 person found this helpful
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- diane ragland
- 05-15-22
Exciting story.
Really enjoyed listening to this book. Good reader. I hope the author finds his twin.
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- AmyCha
- 05-12-22
Amazing true story with twists and turns
and excellently told.... I enjoyed this true story because it was very exciting and shows you can't hide from your DNA!
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- DFW
- 05-09-22
And the Mysteries Just Keep on Coming
I was hoping that there would be an acceptable ending for Paul Joseph Fronczak but I guess that just isn't to be. By acceptable I mean that he would find some of his birth family who will be willing to fill in the blanks and maybe even lead him to his twin and he can accept whatever comes his way. He has no choice but to accept it but I was really rooting for a happy end to this tragic story. So glad that he has made amends with his mom and brother and that they are onboard with his journey to find his true heritage.
What a story. They say fact is stranger than fiction and this is a perfect example. Good luck, Paul. I'm hoping it goes well for you!
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- Amy Alsup
- 05-07-22
Cannot wait for a follow up !
Only critique: use of “and I” instead of “and me” in correct grammatical context drove me insane!
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- Dansu
- 05-06-22
Narrator
The narrator made this enjoyable for me, yet I was so hoping for a ending that was more happier. Very happy that he was able to accept himself for who he was.
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- Amber
- 05-05-22
Just Get it!!!
This story has so many twists and turns!!!!! I had to pause and couldn't believe I still had over 5 hrs. of listening time left! What more could happen in 5 more hours????!!!! I was in shock throughout the whole story - well worth the listen!!
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- Kirstin Pires
- 05-05-22
Deadly
An editor would have cut this down by half at least. The repetition, the endless internal dialogue that illuminates nothing. The bad grammar, it’s the audio version of watch bait. I understand why it was free.
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- Linda T
- 05-11-22
Good
But don’t expect a conclusion. Because there’s none. Listened all the way through to find it was the exact same as the beginning
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- Sue Black
- 01-04-22
Wow! What a story!
The incredible story of Paul Fronczak, well, the 2 Paul Fronczaks. I first learnt of Paul’s story when we connected through our DNA match several years ago, we are only distantly related and I’m not sure the exact relationship, but something like 5th cousins. I’ve followed Paul’s story sporadically over the years with interest and when I saw this book on Audible just had to listen. Such an incredible story so well told. Utterly gripping from start to finish, and still more to come I’m sure. Very highly recommended listen.
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- Judith Ann Henderson
- 12-23-21
I was eager to find out more of Paul's story,
Loved it and sincerely hope he finds Jill, can't believe his own siblings won't help. He was the lucky one in this story.