Abuse Books

Essential reading for any thinking, mature Catholic who is dismayed at the current efforts to downplay Vatican II, consolidate power of the hierarchy, and limit the development and active participation of parishioners.

An honest, mature and authorative view of our church today: how we got here; what we have brought with us; our current situation; and a hopeful look to our future. An aid to answering some basic questions: what did Jesus show us and what does Jesus expect from us: sing a new song to the Lord with Me.

An excellent and very readable book that has provided me with much needed insight as a very troubled Episcopalian at this time of our schism over the ordination of an openly gay bishop in 2003.

Thank goodness! Another Catholic bishop "gets it." Bishop Robinson shed light on our images of God, Scripture and sexuality that are unique, balanced, spiritual and realistic. He is honest and fair both to our culture and our religious traditions, to individuals as well as institutions. Robinson does not claim to have THE answer; he is humble enough to admit that his book is AN answer. It is a breath of fresh air - and the Holy Spirit!

Anyone who is interested in the future of the Catholic Church, especially anyone who is interested in staying in it (as opposed to walking away in disgust) MUST read this book. Bishop Robinson paid a heavy price for writing this book and for telling the truth, and yet he still believes in the Church and in its future. Insightful and inspiring.

When you know the author personally as I do, it adds a different dynamic as you read. When I read this book I can hear Lou and knowing Lou I could not put the book down! I take a while to complete a book usually, but this one really grabbed my attention.

I didn't realize what Lou had gone through as a child and after reading this bio, it is amazing how he over came such terrible events. Lou became a success both in his choosen career and did extremely well when he started his own business! If you think life is tough, read this book as it will change how you think.

This was one of those books I couldn't put down and fortunately I didn't have too. The main theme of this well written book is about parental abuse, parental neglect and a man's life long battle to overcome the mental challenges created by growing up in such an environment. What Mr. Panesi shares in his story are details many of us have experienced in our own lives or sadly watched unfold in the lives of others we've known and loved. Although at times a very troubling story, it still shows how his life was also touched by angels. There were people who loved him, people that helped him without expectation of personal gain and the incredible strength within himself to succeed in spite of his tragic childhood. Even though this story ends, you will be inspired with the feeling Mr. Panesi's life, although matured, has just begun.

Abuse is a topic that families try to hide and most people don't like to talk about and therefore it is great when an individual is willing to share their story. The candid overview Author Panesi expresses in this book is a must read for anyone who knows someone who has been abused or who have been abused themselves. Author Panesi reminds us through this book that abuse is real and we have a responsibility to protect our children and report suspected abuse. Panesi has survived and prospered through his own courage and some guidence he received. All of us know someone who may not have been as fortunate. This book is a quick read and well worth your time and money.

I found this life story to be incredibly moving. I really appcreciated how has was able to view himself and realize his downfalls but at the same time be determined to change it for himself and accomplish as much as he did. It was really well written and very smooth. I hope he continues to do well in life.

This is a quick read yet remarkable and heart wrenching story! Mr. Panesi's story touched my heart. It is so sad that he could never rid himself of the abuse that his father inflicted upon him. I know that it took a lot of strength and courage for him to share his story but am sure it will benefit him as he continues his therapy and will hopefully benefit others who may be in a similar situation. I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to Mr. Panesi about his story via telephone and he is truly an amazing person.

Well collected thoughts and words that flow from the page in a language that a reader understands.

As a former resident of Ft Collins, Colorado now living in California, this book really brought me home. The author paints a vivid picture, not only of the beautiful scenery surrounding him, but also the internal landscape created by being in such a magical place. Reading this book is almost like a meditation, allowing us to connect with the solitude of nature, and the stillness within us. If you read it in a very quiet place, it can transport you there, where the only sound is the wind in the trees.

This book made we want to go to Medicine Rock. Only a few pages into the book and I found my mind wandering to all the wonderful wild places to which I traveled, especially in my childhood (parents were rock hounds). Kyle's book brought all of this back, and even a month after reading Medicine Rock Reflections I find myself "reflecting" on my time in the wonderful remote places in this land.

If we're lucky we have something like a Medicine Rock in all of our lives. To have it on the scale of Kyle Gardner would be quite a coo.

During his time L.W., Kyle's grandfather, no doubt raised a few eyebrows as he lived the rather unconventional lifestyle of a wanderer, working a variety of jobs, gathering untold wisdom along the way. His life became the beginning of a legacy.

That legacy was carried on when Kyle's parents purchased Medicine Rock, a wild and rambling 80 acres northwest of Ft Collins, Colorado. While raising their family they couldn't quite pull off the reknown wanderings of L.W., so they chose a place where they and their children could move about with the freedom of L.W. but on a somewhat smaller and safer scale.

But, oh, the opportunities to commune with all that came to be their world at Medicine Rock. Kyle's reflections on their visits will have half of you grabbing your pack and heading for the trail while the other half sit spellbound by his descriptions that leave the air intense with scent and nearby colors heightened.

A heart that comes into contact with nature becomes a heart that sees more then just the surface shades we glimpse as we speed by in today's suburban world. Offered the chance to view things from the ground up and the treetops down, Kyle's heart seems to have expanded with each visit. Sharing all of this with his family in their truly off-the-grid cabin made him yearn for more then just the occasional ramble around the yard.

Kyle Gardner's foray into "nature writing" is exceptional. If you have a love for the outdoors, you will find something to relate to in "Medicine Rock Reflections". Kyle puts a new spin on some of those ageless questions, and the "journey" to Medicine Rock is inspiring.

this book is amazing..... it helped me unblock issues i had blocked. the short chapters are great idea. i definately reccommend doing this with a counselor or trusted friend. be nice if there was a workbook with the book. but the book alone is ok.

This is an excellant book. This book walks you thru the journey of giving youself a voice about the abuse. This book has many stories to relate too and are in a heartfelt way. The title of "On The Threshold of Hope" really says it all. A must read for any sexual abuse survivor. I would recommend this book to anyone.

This is a painfully realistic portrayal of the pain of sexual abuse. She compassionately addresses all of the deep hurts of the women and men assaulted especially in child-hood by their abusers. She is frank, especially about addressing the fact that much time may be involved in the recovery of a sexual abuse victim. Excellent book!

I cant say that i have read every book out the on sexual abuse but have been through several. This book definitely will transform your life cos it did mine. I am really lost for the right words to use to describe this book. But in my healing journey i have been searching for a book that will help me through my short-comings or 'issues' as some might say, but most books i found were just a bunch of stories without much depth. just stuff to make you feel better about yourself or tell you it's not your fault or just some butter and cream recipe to give you an appearance of hapiness. Dr. Langberg books is quite different. Thank you for sharing your insight.

I'm a survivor of 18 years of childhood sexual abuse. I've read several books about abuse trying to understand and make sense of it and to help find a way to live a normal life despite the past.

"On The Threshold of Hope" was the first book I've read that made me feel like there was hope of healing from the painful aftereffects of childhood abuse. I started feeling that maybe God didn't desert me during those years but that He cried with me and He hated what was happening to me just as much or more than I did.

I felt like the author had reached inside my soul and written all the words that I couldn't articulate. Even down to the experiences of others that were so close to mine. I've experienced flashbacks and nightmares for the past two years. Before that, I thought I had pretty much gotten over the past and life was going relatively well. Then at 48 years old, the flashbacks and nightmares started out of know where. The intensity and realness of these flashbacks and nightmares was terrifying.

This book explains all that I've experienced. It outlines and guides you down a path to help you get through the pain and start real healing. As the book states, healing is a process and can take time. I'm in the process of that healing now with a good therapist that understands the issues of childhood sexual abuse and supportive friends who are standing by me to grab my hand when I can't hold on.

Thank you for sharing this amazing book...it has truly helped give me hope for a life that can be full of wonderful memories and experiences.

I've purchased copies to put in our church library and shipped copies off to friends that have family that have gone through similar situations.

The title grabs you right away: Son of Scarface. You dive in expecting to be assaulted with a lot of lurid true-crime details, treading the same kind of ground as any other book about Al Capone. Instead what you get it something more akin to Pat Conroy than Mario Puzo - there's true crime here, but it's of the personal variety. As Chris Knight Capone explores his family and uncovers the puzzles of his past, he struggles to come to grips with not only his father's domestic violence, but also his own bizarre and sequestered upbringing. What emerges is the unexpectedly personal story of a boy and his journey into manhood, who also happens to be the grandson of the most notorious gangster who ever lived. Highly recommended.

This chilling new book has more twists and turns than an amusement park ride. Chris Knight uncovers the shroud of secrecy about his mysterious father Al Capone's son, William knight. The search for the truth brings revelations on leading a double life.
Chris Knight's memoir 'Son of Scarface,'is a must read. And there are
some interesting photographs.

...."If this is the year of truths, Son Of Scarface is a MUST READ! by Chris Knight, Grandson of Al Capone. With tremendous courage, he uncovers secrets of his mysterious father who lived an assumed identity. Compelling and heart wrenching, a Brave Knight has written an unforgettable book in search of ones self. This book inspires us all to go beyond our comfort zone.

Most of us have a proverbial 'black sheep' member of our family. It wasn't until as a 13 year old boy whose father died in his arms that Chris Knight learned that his grandfather was the notorious Chicago mafia boss Al Capone. It was at his father's funeral, attended by a large number of men previously known to Chris that he learned of his father's true identity and began what was to become his life's journey to find out all that he could about his family connection to the notorious Al Capone. Stymied by his mother's abuse and insistence that he and his sister keep his newly discovered connection a family secret, Chris was not allowed friends -- or even to go outside the gates of the family's compound. It was only when he reached adulthood that he could investigate his family's past, from his father's fraudulent birth certificate, to his mother's reluctant confirmation, to genealogical research and private investigator reports confirming and detailing Chris Knight as the grandson of one of the most notorious gangsters of the 20th Century. Of special note is the inclusion of black-and-white photos. His struggle to find out about his family's past, "Son Of Scarface: A Memoir By The Grandson Of Al Capone" is a fascinating, candid, well-written, informative biography and a highly recommended addition to community library collections.

Chris Knight's story is fascinating. It's a tale that comes from the heart, and yet it's also backed by meticulous research. I enjoyed reading about Al Capone, but even more interesting is Knight's own story. This is not just a book for crime buffs, it's a story for anyone who's ever wondered where he comes from and what sorts of secrets are buried in his past.

I had the pleasure of going to high school with Eddie in Pittsburgh. He could always make everyone laugh. His book is the same classic Eddie humor. I took the book with me on a long flight and found myself laughing and smiling as I reading the book. The people sitting around me must have thought I was a little crazy-so I showed them the book. It is a great easy read. His honesty about his career and personal life struggles is what makes the book. Humor helps with healing. This book is great to share with anyone that is overcoming an addiction.
Thanks Eddie for once again making me laugh and may you keep making people laugh with your wonderful humor.

This book was addictive reading about how Ed got his start in comedy and how he dealt with his drinking and insecurity to come out on top. He pulls no punches as he details his relationship with the bottle and his troubles with the opposite sex.

He tells great stories about other comedians, most notably a day he spent with the great Henny Youngman.

It takes a lot to get me to laugh aloud but this book had me chuckling several times throughout. I especially enjoyed Ed's return visit to the jewelry store.

I hope you have another book in you Ed.

Reviewed by Lorraine Robins for Reader Views (5/06)

The author's purpose in writing this book was to inform and entertain readers. Ed Driscoll hit the mark on both counts. The book is about his life, including personal details of his feelings of failure in romantic relationships. This could not have been easy for him to be so open about. Yet, he is open about these feelings. Readers can relate to this, I'm sure, whether they are single, married or divorced. Driscoll touches on the complexity of romantic relationships. However, he does so in an interesting and humorous way.

Humorous may be putting it mildly. There were parts of this book that were so funny, I was laughing out loud. I literally had to put the book down and compose myself. This is a very funny man. He writes about his career and how he became a successful comedy writer. When reading this book, there is no doubt that this is a talented and funny man. Reading this book convinced me that he is a very talented writer.

Driscoll spends much of the book comparing how successful his career is, versus how unsuccessful his love life is. You find yourself rooting for him all the way. You feel the pain of his break-up with his fianc?. You can't help but laugh at his internet dating experience. In my case, laughing hysterically.

The author sees humor in everything. This makes the book light and enjoyable to read. Although there are a few sad realities in the book, they are coupled with humor. The book even has a happy ending. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good memoir, romance and some laughs.

I've been lucky enough to see Ed Driscoll perform stand-up comedy and he wasn't just funny -- he was incredibly hilarious and HONEST. When I found out that he wrote a book about his experiences with addiction and recovery, I bought a copy and was delighted to find out that he is as brilliant on the page as he is in person. The greatest thing about the book is that Ed is able to take an unflinching look at himself and his struggle with alcohol, and make you enjoy the ride to the very bottom and back. His sense of humor is both the way he sees the world and the source of his salvation. Brilliant.

Never has a descent into alcoholism, a tortured psyche and a shattered heart been so hilarious. Ed Driscoll has a genuinely twisted voice, as is evident on every page of this unflichingly honest memoir. Finally, a survivor who retained his sense of humor, and an unparalled one at that. I highly recommend this book as an inspriation to those who share a similar struggle with Ed, and to those who don't drink enough but are looking to laugh their heads off.

As an addiction therapist and recovering addict myself and the author of "Something for Nothing: Shoplifiting Addiction & Recovery" and "Biting The Hand That Feeds: The Employee Theft Epidemic," I found John Prin's book to be an extremely well-written tale of his own life that anybody should be able to relate to and benefit from. Mr. Prin has distilled the essence of all addictions and self-destructive behaviors to their very fuel: secret keeping. I would encourage anyone to read this book who needs to know the difference between healthy and unhealthy aspects of our private lives. Mr. Prin is onto something here!

In a world where we all have skeletons in our closets and many locks to keep them there, John Prin has changed the rules and thrown his closet door wide open. WOW! Is my reaction to this very honest autobiographical account of Prin's life. From a moment where he nearly killed his mother, to alcohol, drugs, adultery and finally to Christ. What courage it took to invite the public into Prin's private world of addictions, how the addictions developed and how he fought each one to become a whole person. We also learn about the toll addictions take on family and friends around the addict. It is extremely well written in a manner that keeps the reader never wanting to put the book down.
This book is well suited to the addict in recovery, the addict looking for help and the therapist looking for insight into the world of addicts.
Kudos to Prin for his unique honesty that is so helpful for all addicts looking for validation that they aren't the only ones with the problems they face.

Stolen Hours is a valuable contribution to the literature on addiction and recovery, especially as it relates to the Christian faith. Having been through drug and alcohol treatment four times myself, but then finally finding freedom from addiction concomitant with my conversion to Christianity ten years ago, I can attest to the experiential validity of Prin's account. A central part of recovery is the realization of one's true identity as fashioned in the image of God, but suffering the effects of a fallen nature. Unfortunately, this is not something that most treatment centers will (or can) impart or even endorse to addicts seeking recovery. Addiction is but one means that points to our need of an eternal Savior. Prin's book is one of the rare accounts in the literature on addiction that recognizes this. Prin uses riveting firsthand accounts and retrospective insights to unpack these concepts for us. I am truly grateful for his efforts.

John has told all about his life and how he has kept secrets. This secret keeping he has called "Stolen Hours." A very honest book. John has told his life story along with all his personal weaknesses to wake the reader up to his own life and his own possible stolen hours. He has called my attention to my stolen hours (secrets) and made me aware of them so I can begin to honestly deal with them. A highly readable page turner on one level and a very helpful book on another deeper level. I recomment it highly

STOLEN HOURS relates a true story of one man's recovery and redemption. Even if you believe that you personally have "nothing to recover from"-which may or may not be the case, despite what you admit in your heart of hearts-STOLEN HOURS will ring true and be irresistible to put down. This book resonates with the reader from page one and surges ahead with truth, honesty and power. You may find you harbor more unhealthy secrets than you know. And STOLEN HOURS will help show you the way to break free of their hidden power.

STOLEN HOURS tells the autobiographical life journey of John Prin, Upper Midwest baby boomer: A man who is `normal', functional and `happy' on the outside, yet secretly enslaved by inner demons of drugs, alcohol, pornography and disillusionment within. It took Prin many decades to start freeing free himself from unhappiness, dysfunction and self-loathing; and I suspect the process continues to this day. Although his Christian faith played a strong role in guiding his path to enlightenment, his autobiography is definitely a page-turner... and will ring true... to all secret keepers, those of all faiths or no faith at all. STOLEN HOURS speaks to everyone, and resounds with new life and possibility. Read it now-it's a fast, compelling book that will have you responding, "Yes! And yes... and yes. Me too! And now I understand why". And then you the reader, like I, will be waiting eagerly for Prin's next book.

I picked this book up out of curiosity. I was not prepared for what I read. I wish I had never opened the book. If you get the least bit emotional hearing or reading about child abuse then don't read this book because the details of what this poor child endured - the torture, mental, physical, sexual abuse - are in the book. I fear these images will stay in my head for years to come. (I think Ms. Spencer did an excellent job in the way she presented the story to us regardless of its details). Like a previous reviewer, I too could not put it down because I had to see and believe that Jenny would overcome her horrors and be saved. Unfortunately the book ended before her therapy did so eventhough Jenny made great strides, in the end the readers don't really know if she improved or regressed.

I found this book on my dusty bookshelf and saw I must've started it a long time ago so I decided to try again. Just into the first few pages I realized why i might have put it down. But I continued to read and was instantly brought to tears of the horrific tortures this poor girl went through and the amazing capabilities she had to be able to cope. I was comletely baffled by how this child was able to endure and survive such torment and abuse from her mother, the cult, and numerous men. Though it made me sick, I just couldn't put it down. I had to reach the end to see the amazing outcome of this now grown woman. It was difficult to read but rewarding in the end knowing what those therapists were able to unveil.

Most books leave the reader with a longing for more extensive knowledge of the healing process. Not this one. Judith Spencer does an excellent job of taking the reader from discovery of the abuse, denial, DID effects, and therapy. The details of the abuse can be triggering but also affirming if there are any doubts about the memories of Ritual Abuse. The long search for adequate help within the counseling community was down right disturbing as she was misdiagnosed over and over again. The most informative part of this book is the intimate detail of the therapy relationship and process. Her therapists were absolutely commited beyond the norm to her emotional health. READER BEWARE: don't expect to find similar therapists, they probably don't exist. My only disappointment was the lack of information about the relationship with her husband. As a primary relationship, it was certainly overlooked or intentionally avoided.

This book is amazing. It captivates the reality of child abuse dangers as well as the monstrousity of satanic cults. If this book were a movie, it would make "Sybil" and "The Three Faces of Eve" look like disney shows. It is a psychology course must-read, but I read it simply for its intriguing truth and complexity.

Feels like I wrote parts of it. very scary and triggering . Read with care and if you have a past in satanic abuse, don't read it at all.

I have to tell all of you first off that I am not a reader. It takes me a lot to sit down and discipline myself to read a full book. But the story of this woman's life was so interesting and compelling that I literally flew through this book in a matter of hours. If you have ever been a person who has or who knows someone who has experienced child sexual abuse, this book is very important to the road to self-healing. Even if you are someone who battles inner demons, you will be doing yourself a huge favor by reading this book. It pertains to so many of us whether we realize it or not. I have to applaud this woman in her strength and her courage not only for herself. But to tell her story to the world in order to help others. This book is about bravery and raw emotion of the human spirit. To the author- thank you for sharing your story and bringing a greater awareness of it to society's forefront.

The memoir from Gina McCabe is certainly moving and powerful. I say that as a survivor myself. However, while it can be beneficial to share our stories I think such sharing needs to have a good powerful ending, some great hope to show to those less along the path to recovery than we are. That is what is lacking in this book. It simply ends and we know that she is still in need of medication, still not fully functioning in her marriage, and still dealing with telling her friends and family. Perhaps writing this book is part of her recovery but for others I think waiting a few more years before sharing it would have been more helpful. Survivors don't just to see that others have suffered and are surviving but that others are thriving. I didn't get the impression by the end of McCabe's story. Give therapy and recovery a few more years at least and then you can start to thrive, you can, I did and I do.

By writing this memoir detailing her own experiences, author Gina McCabe has taken a huge step forward in breaking the silence that all-too-often surrounds childhood sexual abuse. Even when McCabe herself finally admitted her history of sexual abuse to a therapist when she was in her 30s, she remained somewhat in denial, blaming the many problems in her life--insomnia, extreme anxiety, and more--on her marriage rather than on the abuse. As the book continues, however, McCabe offers an extremely candid portrait of her gradual realization that the abuse did in fact have a long-term, traumatic impact, and she slowly begins making her way through the painful process of healing.

This book is written honestly if not always expertly (I did notice quite a few punctuation errors). McCabe allows the reader to truly understand how devasting the effects of childhood sexual abuse can be; readers with their on abuse histories are likely to feel a strong sense of kinship. I would definitely recommend this book as a glimpse into the perspective of a sexual abuse victim, and my overall rating is 4 1/2 stars.

Your sub-head could be: brave, eloquent, compelling-- I'm proud to be your friend and colleague. Keep up the writing Gina!

What if I Tell is an unflinching look at child abuse and its effects and consequences. Sexual abuse plagues societies around the world but seems to always stay a level below people's radar, allowing it to continue to flourish and inflict pain on innocent victims. For such a pervasive and devastating problem, it is so rarely acknowledged, recognized, or understood.

McCabe provides a first-hand account in a style of writing that speaks to both adults and children alike, allowing her deeply personal and piercing account to be accessible to everyone who suffers from (or knows someone who suffers from) this particularly egregious form of abuse. Her clarity is refreshing, as is her honesty. McCabe holds no bars, pulls no punches, and shows every aspect of the prism of child sexual abuse and how it renders its victims.

McCabe breaks taboos in a revolutionary way in her memoir that shows, in a bright and profound light, the courage and virility of victims of abuse and their ability to transform themselves from victims to survivors with resoundingly courageous voices. McCabe blazes a trail, with candor and eloquence, for other victims who have been silenced and need a light to show them along the path to speaking out and enacting change.

A must-read not only for victims and those around them, but for all.

Freedom from Relationship/ Co-Dependency/ Sexual Addictions is the greatest asset to this book. I started reading it when my relationship ended with a man I cared for. My bad relationship triggered many unrealistic emotions inside myself that caused me a lot of self damage by acting out and dating guys that were all bad for me because of my low self image since the break-up.
I couldn't see it at the time but I had become Addicted.

Thanks to a friend and this book my healing began two years ago and I feel so much better about myself and about my relationships with others. This book is a MUST READ!

Study it, learn it, then be well...

I, a single, never married, man in my mid-30s, am only partially through this book and am amazed and changed by it. In today's society of lies about sex and relationships, if you are breathing you will be able to find aspects of yourself and people you know and your/their sexuality in this book. It's not whether it's an addiction but whether a particular 'use' is addictive. What a profound concept! Everyone has either done this, had it done to them, or heard about it at least once. It is all around us all the time. It is our culture, at least in the US. Broadening the addictive use of sex to include 'uses' of flirtation, provocativeness, submission/domination and sadism/masochism, fantasy, e-mails/IMing, masturbation, and pornography, as well as full on sex, is clear, effective, and true. If you are sexually active in your dating relationships and wonder why it's not working out (most singles), this applies to you. Use it to understand yourself, your friends, your children. There are a lot of examples involving full-blown addicts, but there is also a lot about sexually acting out in any of the above ways and to any extent, and you can find yourself somewhere among the pages -- men and women, guaranteed. We are all so trained by everything around us to behave in this way. It is sad and destructive. I have used and been used, and picked up this book after three very hurtful experiences with women I really cared about.

All of the Amazon reader and newspaper reviews of this book (and I have used the Book Review Index to find all of the book reviews) fail to do justice to this book, and the explanation is to be found in the book itself. This book is one of the most original and most important books ever written on addictions. The reason appears on pages xii, 393, and 378-9 of the Tichnor & Fields hardcover First Edition:

This book began by request: Kasl started working with groups of women and found that some brought copies of marginally useful books on sex addiction to group. Seeing the need for a book, Kasl began writing something for her group and had it copied for them. Then the grassfire began. She handed out seven copies of her book bound in a red binding (hence her book's first title prior to commercial publication "The Red Book"). Several days later, forty women wanted copies and demand continued. A few months and a few bookstores later, thousands of copies were sold. Then the magic began: the groups changed her book and added to it because she listened to their voices.

I first got this book at a library and found that I had to buy a copy. Kasl says that her groups all found that the book is so packed with information that you want to read it a little at a time and think about it: not for nothing did so many women give Kasl feedback about her book.

I hope Kasl will publish future editions of this book with what used to be called in the nineteenth century an Analytical Table of Contents at the back of the book. Sally Vincent in her 25 May 1990 Psychology Today (page 36) book review entitled "Nymphos or Doormats" goes through the book adequately but an analytical table of contents would do a better job. And yes, as Vincent notes, about a third of the book deals with trying to readjust the self after all the abuse. But her review fails to convey the originality of the book and why it must be read.

Kasl asks readers--both women and men (there is a chapter on men because the book was written for women)--to write to her regarding their reactions to her book. I hope that someone will submit a book review that adequately summarizes this book, because I do not think that one can be written which conveys how good this book is. I have two copies of this book and expect to have my first copy rebound soon because I have worn the binding out with use. I am sure that you will have the same experience. Consider purchasing extra copies to give to friends, as I have: they will appreciate it.

This book is amazing.
It has been extremely helpful in understanding relationship behaviors. I would recommend it to both men and women.
Easy read. Good advice. Great examples.
Buy a copy.

I sometimes work with people who are struggling with codependent behavior or sexual addictions. This is the book I most often recommend and I also think it is a great reference for professionals such as psychologists, personal coaches and psychiatrists.

In one very good book, Charlotte Kasl provides an excellent, easy to understand model for understanding these issues and how to overcome them. She illustrates these principles with just the right amount of relevant case histories and does it without using a lot of jargon.

This book is solid, but very readable and the author develops her topic with deep compassion. If you are only going to buy one book on this subject, I would go with this one. If you are looking for an uplifting book to compliment it that is not just a restatement of what many other books already say, then I also suggest AWAKENING IN TIME by Jacuelyn Small. She takes a very spiritual which is a synthesis of many schools of thought both East and West perspectives.