Abuse Books

Beyond These Walls presents the story of a young woman who embodies 26 personalities. The story captivates from the introductory phone call Hanna Gabriel made to therapist Rachel Gunner until the final good bye of each alter personality. This painful drama is the true story of a young women who suffered terrible abuse as a child and continued to abuse herself. The book proceeds by alternating the perspective of patient and therapist as both put together the history revealed by Hanna's multiple personalities.

The disturbing practice of self-mutilation, the threat of suicide and memories of abusive adults left me wanting to get behind the reason for such horrible treatment. Hanna is a brave young women who had a spirit that was determined to survive. That will helped Hanna engage with a therapist who was willing to follow her own creativity in accompanying Hanna through the awful experiences she had tried to bury.

Rachel Gunner took on the unknown with Hanna Gabriel. The story introduces layers of questions about therapy, the role of the therapist, assigning labels to disorders, honesty, fear of failure and believing there is always hope. With this book emerge the complex set of responsibilities a therapist must undertake; trusting the patient, using imagination to examine situations from several perspectives, and commitment to the belief in a patients ability to reach solid ground.

Within the professional community Dissositive Identity Disorder/Multiple Personality Disorder (DID/MPD) is a controversial topic but the book balances how Rachels accepting Hanna's experience built a bridge of trust with each personality so they could relinquish their survivor hold and Hanna could gain control of her own life.

Written by psychotherapist Rachel Gunner and Disassociative Identity Disorder sufferer Hanna Gabriele, Beyond These Walls: The True Story of a Lost Child's Journey to a Whole Life is the true story of Hanna's struggle with 26 separate personalities that drove her to the point of attempting suicide. It was therapist Rachel Gunner's challenge to help Hanna find integration and wholeness in her life. Beyond These Walls is not written in the style of a clinical case study, but rather as a gentle, step-by-step recounting of Hanna's long journey toward healing and stability. A profound insight into coping with a life-shattering mental disorder, day by day.

Genre: Nonfiction, Self-Help, Inspirational, Psychology

Title: Beyond These Walls:
The True Story of a Lost Child's Journey to a Whole Life

Author: Rachel Gunner

"Self-esteem is a product of a child's early learning"

The fact that this is a true story about the devastating effects of sadistic child abuse is a remarkable eye opener. If you ever questioned the validity of a person having multiple personalities, there should be no doubt after reading this truly heartbreaking story and the struggle for life.

Chapters alternate between client and psychotherapist. The client is `Hanna Gabriele' (fictitious name) whose life as a child was shattered into 26 personalities of different genders and ages, in a self-protection mode. These `alters' are referred to as Hanna's kids or `the system.' The multiple personality disorder is called DID, Dissociative Identity Disorder. While reading you will discover the depth of abuse, satanic practices and incest that this child was subjected to and understand why her mind became so torn.

Rachel Gunner is an amazing, intuitive psychotherapist. It is through her love, commitment, perseverance, and time that she helps Hanna to become whole and most importantly, live. Some might accuse her of unorthodox methods but the result justifies the means; a life was saved.

Since previous therapeutic episodes were met with medication and hospitalization, it took Rachel some intuition and imagination to gain trust and respect from Hanna and the `alters'. Rachel shares her experience with scoliosis and explains the emotional and physical limitations she has overcome. She also showed willingness to admit her mistakes, accept and learn from their criticism. Since all of the `alters' mistrust adults, it was imperative that she win their trust and respect so the healing could begin.

"Self-esteem is a product of a child's early learning," through years of neglect and abuse the `alters' believed they were unlovable, undeserving and all bad therefore they deserved to hurt and planned on the mortal sin of suicide. As I read, I actually felt like I was getting to know each of the `alters' and as Hanna became whole, I felt sad that they had to go.

The author, Rachel Gunner has a private psychotherapy practice in Texas. She receives unlimited support from her husband and is the mother of a Rhode Scholar. She is an inspirational woman, willing to go the extra mile.

I would not only Highly Recommend but encourage adults and Health Professionals to read this book. This is a haunting story that readers will not soon forget. Reviewer: Cheryl Ellis, Allbooks Reviews

This compelling story about multiple personalities is also about so much more: the exercise of power over the powerless, child abuse in it's rawest forms, and the interplay of good and evil.

The book is also about hope. In the face of such pervasive cruelty at such an early age, Hanna's creative mind found ways to survive. And when the abuse stopped, this mind reached out for help and eventually, miraculously, found Rachel, whose equally creative mind found ways to help Hanna cross bridges to reality. Not "back to normal" -- for Hanna's existence from infancy was never normal -- but forward to health, stability, productivity and peace.

It is also about family: many personalities formed their own internal family which perpetuated the already chaotic beginning-of-life lessons learned from an external abusive family. This internal family, helped Hanna survive a life of great peril. This is the genius of dissociation.

Hanna's life and Rachel's work proves that survival and healing are nearly always possible. It also shows that love is a legitimate and necessary component in therapy, if it is genuine and freely given and courageously accepted.

When I was younger I read Sybil many times, over and over. I was fascinated by this idea of multiple personalities and how to help someone who has many people, men and women trapped inside of them.
I have enough trouble keeping my life together at times without having multiple personalties so imagine Hanna's distress. Rachel Gunner has expanded on her therapy with this book, this book is the true story of Hanna Gabriele and the 26 men and women she has inside her, each one is thoroughly explored in Rachels book. This book will spread the word that therapy can be a very positive experience in the case of multiple personaltiy disorder. This book had to be therapeutic to Hanna and Rachel during her therapy. Multiple personality is very seldom talked about and very few people know much about it. I beleive this book will open the doors to educating people about DID (Disassociative Identity Disorder)and the fear, despair, and pain that goes along with it.
Rachel has done an outstanding job of sharing Hanna's story, you will see inside the mind of someone who is struggling with this disorder, how hard it is, and how it can be handled. I am very happy to see that Hanna chose life, because after reading this book, the easy choice for her would not be life.
An exceptionally moving story that we can all learn from.

If you are looking for some advanced info on a variety of marajuana strain's, then this is the book for you. From growing conditions to flowering time, this book has it all. Although the tasting notes are thorough, keep in mind that they are only an opinion and that there is a variety of goodies out there, especially here in the Humboldt Nation!

I have read many cannabis books and "The Cannabible 3" is by far the best.

Too many cannabis books are written by botanists who enjoy marijuana. Jason King is a cannabist (cannabis enthusiast) that also happens to like botany. The pictures are great, including many dried bud shots that other books lack. Jason really knows his stuff and I truly believe that he has smoked every one of the strains in this book.

This book is amazing, best of the three(i own them all). Better layout and pictures. Some more easy to find strains then the other versions. I'll say on thing, if you like cannabis at all you will love this book. HOWEVER, there is something in this book that really upset me. There is a large tone of vegan elitism in this book. The intro is a 12 page essay on the evils of modern society in every way including bashing many things used to create and sell his book. I felt it was insulting and over the top in every way.

But dont let that stop you from a other wise great book.

You would be a fool not to own this book...that is, if you like trees that is!

"plus I light up trees like everydays christmas!!!"

If you smoke it you'll like it!! It'a a good photo album.. it's like taking a picture before you went on vacation...but didn't need to pack the camera or go to the photo lab afterwards. yeaaaaaaaaaa!

Full of insight, understanding, and practical advise. This is a book from someone who's been there, done that, and found others to share the journey with. Together the people in this book share their experiences, challenges, and solutions. I highly recommend this book for anyone struggling with a chronic illness.

This book is not so much about self-care -- exercise, diet, medications, relaxation and such -- but it is very strong on getting the support you need to live successfully with a chronic condition. I used her material extensively in writing The Art of Getting Well: Maximizing Health When You Have a Chronic Illness.

Most of us don't like to ask for help. It makes us feel weak, guilty, needy or even "un-American." But mutual assistance is the way the world works. Register gives powerful reasons to ask for and accept help, likely places to find it, and ways of paying people back. She points out that most people like to help, and that we can help others in our turn.

Her book is also very strong on dealing with the medical profession and financial issues, how to keep your illness from impoversihing you. She continues to thrive with her condition, teaches at a university and has written several more books. She is an inspiring and practical teacher.

I read this book under the original title, and went right back to the bookstore and bought all the other five copies they had in stock. One went to my lupus support group's library, and I wanted to have extras to give to others struggling with new and lifelong diagnoses (while holding fast to a copy for me to re-read over and over over the years--I knew I was going to want to, and I have.) A dozen or so years later, it is still the best-written book on the subject.

When I was first diagnosed with three chronic illnesses (all within a few months in 1999), I read up online and in the public library. I started with the CDC web site for reliable medical info and also found a disease-specific local support group. But what really gave me the aha! that I'm connected to all people with chronic illness was reading The Chronic Illness Experience by Cheri Register. Reading the words of so many people in that book - they were so much like me, even though our illnesses were different. It really helped me develop my identity as a person with a disability and I've made fabulous connections with other people with disabilities who understand disability as a way of being more than just medical deficit. Many of my symptoms have been lifelong, but I no longer identify (most of the time!) as a weak runt, which was how I saw myself before. Hooray for disability culture and for being able to recognize and appreciate the experiences of other people with invisible chronic illness. -- it becomes less invisible when you see yourself (and your fatigue, pain, etc.) in others.

This book was recommended by the Arthritis Association, so I picked it up at the library first. I kept it well past the due date, and finally purchased a copy of my own because I know I need to read it again and again. It is first hand experiences from real people, confirming that what I am feeling is not unusual. I'm coping better since reading The Chronic Illness Experience. This is one book I will never lend out.

As the wife of an incest trauma survivor, I found this book to be very insightful, particularly in light of the fact that trauma can be buried for decades, and surface at a time when the survivors are married. Given his intellect, I really appreciated the author's ability to convey his humiliation, humility, and humanity.

I am 27 years old now and I first read this book when I was 18 years old.At which time I lived in a girls home.We had a banquet in honor of this author; and yes he attended.He is very respectful and very strong for sharing his story and I admire him for that.I plan to find this book again and reread it.But this book is something I will never forget.Even though I am a girl; I found it to be very interesting.It was read by alot of the staff at the girls home also.I would recommend this book to anyone who has been a victim theirself.

Why haven't more books like this been written in the last decade?
(If they have and I missed them, would somebody please let me know?) That was my first thought almost from the moment I started reading this book.

If I didn't know better, I'd think the author knew my story and was writing about me. The more I read, the more I learned or remembered about my own very similar experiences.

Actually, in a sense, he knows my story very well. Reading about the horrible sexual and emotional incest, along with the other abuses that Richard Berendzen went through at the hands of his own mother, is still helping me find & place pieces of the puzzle that is my life. Thanks, Doc!

I hope soon to contact Dr. Berendzen. Having already gotten to know him so well by reading his story, it would be my pleasure and privilege to hear from him, and especially to meet him face to face.

If you even think you might be a male victim of child sexual abuse, especially incest by your mother, PLEASE read this book. There are stll very few volumes and fewer true stories written about these tragic topics, especially by someone as prominent as Dr. Bernedzen. You will get to know Richard Berendzen; most importantly, you will no doubt get to know yourself better.

Actually, this book is a great source of courage & encouragement for anyone who has suffered any kind of abuse and the resulting trauma, as well as those close to them who suffer with them.

Ultimately, however, the story of Dr. Richard Berendzen is a story of self-discovery & growth, of struggle & victory, of love & life. It gives me hope that I can overcome the abuse I like Dr. Berendzen am just beginning to remember in my middle age. It is a light helping to show me the way through the darkness of this abuse that has for years overshadowed everything that I do and that I am. Richard Berendzen inspires me to follow in his footsteps to go beyond my abuse and even to help the many other victims, many unknown, out there in my world.

Truly this book contains "hope and light for male survivors of child sexual abuse."

I have read some books about (sexual) misuse. Some of them are well written ("I don`t want to talk about it" from Terrence Real) , but this book touches my heart like no one did. I know, I`m not the only one with this experiences. If you know someone who had survive, or if you are a survivor, read this book!

The right time to reflect the own childhood will never come. But Mr. Berendzen shows how to manage it, if you have to face the facts: Reflect, take care of your hidden soul, speak about it, stand up and let friends be there for you. YOU CAN FIND A HELPING HAND !!

I want to thank Mr. Berenzden for his enormous courage to face his monsters of his past and I'm thankful that he was able to write and speak about it. This is something very special.
I also want to thank his wife and his children, they are the living furnish proof of the helping hand.

It wasn`t easy for me to concentrate on normal life. But this book helps me calming down and carry on.

Thank`s

I am currently enrolled in Professor Berendzen's astronomy class at AU. Even before the beginning of the semester, I knew his reputation as the best teacher AU has to offer. I have respected him as a wonderful teacher ever since his class begun. Only upon reading "Come Here" did I realize how much I respect him as a person. I read "Come Here" in one afternoon. It was well written, lucid, and informative. The horrors of Professor Berendzen's childhood should never have to be faced by children, or anyone else for that matter. The fact that he has gone on to be a major intellect in astronomy and in education, as well as the most successful president in the history of my university, is a testament to his drive and his ability to overcome the awful adversity of his early life. Professor Berendzen's coming to terms with the abuse he faced was one of the most painful experiences I can ever imagine. I don't know how he survived it, much less wrote about it to try to help others. His dedication to assisting other people to recover from childhood sexual abuse, and his continued excellence in teaching make me admire him a great deal. If you need hope for recovering from abuse, read this book. If you want to look inside a brilliant mind from a troubled background, read this book. It is an inspiring recovery story from a truly great man.

I have gotten a lot from the stories I have read so far. The ones I choose to read were perfect for me and told my own story. I don't feel so alone and am working on my money issues with more confidence and less shame right now. I have looked into meetings in my area and will try them out to see what works for me. I am thankful I was able to get this book online.

This book is probably the best book for a person who is suffering from the addiction of debting. The stories are wonderful and really help when it comes to the issue of debting.

I have found by going to Debtors Anonymous meetings and reading this book I can now live a life free of debt.

Thanks DA!

What good does it do to know all the best financial advice, if you are powerless over putting it to use? This book reveals how people powerless over compulsive spending and debting have been able to apply good financial principles to their lives by living the twelve steps and asking a power greater than themselves to take the lead in their life.

Mostly a collection of stories from members of Debtors Anonymous. What I like is how there are many stories that I can relate to. And from those you see that many others have gone through financial trials a tribulations and survived through adoption of DA principles. It's not a reference for how to get out of debting problems, but it provides a sense of hope that there is a way out.

This book helped me to put my spending in a different perspective - it is excellent reading and I will be using it as a reference whenever the "urge to spend" comes up again.

Great resource for clinicians treating trauma victims. Very clinical writing style. Gives perspective to how individuals respond to and recover from trauma.

Almost the bible in relation to the chameleon complex resulting from forced submission and assimilation and pathological identification with chronic abusive adults.

I found this to be an excellent book on this subject. I am a layman in this area, but it helped me to understand more of the dynamics at play in some people who are very dear to me. I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes an indepth consideration of this area. It is not easy reading, but it is very clear and pays back the time put into its study. I found myself something reading and rereading passages and gainingmore from each reading. There are many layers to understanding the types of individuals that Dr. Schwartz describes, and I found that the text delicately and with compassion, revealed this depth and gave keys to treatment that were as sensitive as they were insightful.

Schwartz's book is a gift for clinicians, most of whom were never adequately trained to work with patients who have complex dissociative disorders. If you're a therapist, and you haven't read this book, then you are missing out on critical theory about how to work fearlessly and respectfully with these patients who have suffered severe harms as children.

I also think the book should be read as cultural commentary. Schwartz discusses the complicity of groups such as the False Memory Syndrome Association in the sexual abuse of children.
Dialogues with Forgotten Voices also has carefully documented evidence regarding ritual abuse - where highly organized groups of pedophiles and their lawyers and doctors make a religion out of torturing children.

This book has been on the shelf closest to my computer ever since it came out, and I refer to it constantly. A must-read.

Having read extensively on childhood trauma and dissociation, I can easily recommend this book as one of the most impressive works on a very misunderstood mental disorder. Dr. Schwartz writes with tremendous compassion and insight about the real needs and struggles of his patients who face ridicule and outright hostility because of the many myths and disinformation surrounding DID. As an author and clinical psychologist, Dr. Schwartz breaks new ground in this bold, unblinking look at the pathology, courage and brokeness of these clients. Most have survived horrific abuse that essentially amounts to the torture of children by parents, other relatives, the government and cults.
Dr. Schwartz, unlike many experts in this field, clearly and truthfully points out how society and institutions collude with perpetrators in the rape, beating and sexual torture of our most vulnerable citizens. Well-written, clinically and scientifically accurate.

Dorie, The Girl Nobody Loved is one of the best books for the abused and those who wish to get in touch with those you love, for an individual, or a group. If you are struggling to understand, please take the time to read this.

What an exceptional story, What an exceptional Lady, What an Awesome God. Why God let this happen is beyond me but how Dorie didn't end up with a victim mentality and a wasted life is only because of God. I love to read accounts of people who came through incredible difficulties with flying colors and best of all attributes their success to God. This is that book. And in reading the other reviews I learned there's even more in another book Dorie wrote. In my prison ministry this book will prayerfully be an inspiration to a young gal who has a similar horror story and needs to know it's possible to overcome. I also read this book in one sitting, about 4 hours, couldn't put it down.

Another benefit I hadn't expected, I'm always analysing what I say and do for my little girl and thinking I'm going to mess her up for life sometimes by not saying or doing the exact right thing all the time. Dorie showed me otherwise. Whereas my little girl in no way will experience anything close to what poor Dorie went through (Lord willing) I pray her walk with our Lord will be as strong and I know He can protect her from my inconsequential by comparison mistakes.

I was totally captivated by this book. I read it at one sitting. My heart went out to Dorie as a child and soared with her in her triumphs throughout the book. Although I order the book used, and it was a bit tattered, it did not detract from the content at all. I shall recommend it to many and share with my dear friends.

Dorie has been a very very good friend of mine for the past 15 years. The story of her early life is true and tragic, but the second book, No Place to Cry fills in the blanks in the first book. Dorie, The Girl Nobody Loved was published before anyone wrote autobiographically about sexual abuse. As Dorie has courageously opened these chapters of her life, so has the Lord opened her world wide ministry of speaking. She has been 12 times around the world telling of the sexual abuse, the damage of shame and the way the Lord has brought change in her life by facing the past. I often tell her that her book needs to be renamed, The Woman Everybody Loves. She is loved and is hugged by more people than could ever be counted. She is truly a picture of the grace of God and the fact that He delights in taking what others meant for evil and turning it into good.

Hi my name is Alex and i love this Book !! My health teacher read part of it in my Health class .I think this is such a good book it is when your 13 ..... I love this book I think it is soo sad but I love how she knew the lord was there ... It is soooo sad but it is a excellent book I want this soo much I love it @!!

I bought this book hoping to "validate" the experiences that I have gone through. I was very interested to know how Mrs. Adams won her victory over childhood ritual abuse. However, I did not feel that for me she answered that question. She went into intense step-by-step detail of what happened to her over and over again which I feel was over-kill. I wanted her to spend less time on all of the details of the abuse and more time on how she actually won her victory step-by-step. The book switches back and forth from her host self to her little girl alter who tells of the actual abuse. Little information was written about her experiences in therapy. I would have liked to hear more about that too. Mrs. Adams is a very brave person to write her story. It seems to have helped her tremendously in her recovery. I had hoped that she would have thought about the reader's recovery as well. This is an excellent book if all you are looking for is detailed information regarding what actually happens. However, be prepared for graphic details and triggers. If you are looking for a book that helps in the actual healing process, try "Safe Passage To Healing" by Oksana which gives the right amount of details with some excellent how-to skills.

I have gotten my hands on a pre-release edition of this book and i am very intreaged. I can't wait to see the released edition as i alreay know its more pages then the pre-released copy i have already. I am a psych major still trying to figureout where i want my focus to be. Thank you Jeanne for shairing your story.

This book is a very powerful accounting of severe trauma experienced in childhood. Sometimes, the author recounted acts that were so heinous they were hard to believe. Having worked with survivors of ritual abuse, however, I had to move through my denial and into acceptance, realizing that this kind of trauma does exist.

The book has an easy style to it, which belies the content. Any survivor reading this book, whether or not a survivor of ritual abuse, may find certain parts of the author's story triggering. Be gentle with your inner child while reading this book.

I highly recommend this book for survivors, family members supporting survivors, and clinicians working with survivors. - Sara Crusade, M.A. (...)

Drawn Swords is one of the most helpful resources on ritual abuse I've located. Jeanne's story is also highly inspirational. It's also one of the few books dealing with ritual abuse that has a happy ending.

We know that Jeanne's overcome many great difficulties associated with ritual abuse. The strength and clarity of Jeanne's determination is expressed in the beginning and this may be comforting to many survivors. Knowing Jeanne survived these traumatic experiences makes it easier to read her story.

Rather than simply being a story about ritual abuse, it beautifully expresses one woman's courageous determination in the face of unimaginable evil. Jeanne's story should serve as an inspiration to survivors and their allies alike.

"Drawn Swords" is a book I frequently recommend to survivors of ritual abuse, their loved ones, and therapists. It is a source of strength, guidance, and inspiration. Jeanne Adams gently moves back and forth between nostalgic reminiscing about the era of her childhood and straightforward descriptions of the horrors of her ritual abuse. Within the worst of it, she provides spiritual sustenance. Poetic and sometimes funny anecdotes work as a salve at the close of her chapters. This book is deeply honest, exquisitely written, and a source of courage and hope. Ellen P. Lacter, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist

Susan Nolen-Hoeksema has provided an informative and encouraging text book on her subject of the toxic triangle. I have learned so many things about myself and this problem and am at last hopeful of making some positive changes in my life.

In her highly readable book, Susan Nolen-Hoeksema illuminates the risks that render women especially vulnerable to the "toxic triangle" of binge eating/drinking and over-analyzing.

In their extreme attempts to please others and be who they think they "should" be, many women lose their voice and internalize their pain. In doing so, they are bombarded with self-loathing thoughts, and often turn to over-eating/drinking to temporarily escape the darkness that haunts them. The cycle feeds on itself, and these women lose not only their selves, but also any joy for living.

Susan's book explains the roots and consequences of this toxic trio of threats, and it also provides clear guidelines on how women can turn their vulnerabilities into strengths, and escape from the triangle. A useful read for patients and professionals alike, this book provides valuable tools for helping women crawl out of the depths of hopelessness and despair and into a life filled with authenticity, meaning, and healthy connections.

I really enjoyed reading this book not only because it was well-written, but because it seems to put these three disorders into perspective as they can be linked to one another. Obviously, not everyone gets trapped in the "toxic triangle" and each of the three disorders can exist on their own. However, for people who find they suffer from two or more, the book has much to offer. The author presents some psychological data along with personal stories and examples that help the reader to understand the interaction of eating, drinking and thinking too much. The begining chapters explain each of the three conditions and how they are detrimental to a person's well-being. The latter chapters deal with creating an action plan to help you "fight" your way out of the triangle and get on a path to healing. For me, it was a very insightful read (especially the chapters on Overthinking) and I highly recommend it to someone who may be suffering from any or all of these problems. It is a good starting point to think critically and understanding any or all of these three issues, but certainly does not provide the cure.

This is the absolutely best & most informative book I have EVER read!!! This book is a must!!! I'm the Queen of self-help books & this book says it all. I even suggested it to two psychologist friends of mine & they purchased it for their clients/patients. I'm telling you now....STOP...& buy this book! It will change your life.....finally.

The author calls the cycle the Toxic Triangle. Many women spend all week carefully keeping themselves in check. They work hard at their jobs all day making sure that they don't say or do the wrong thing. After work, they continue to control their actions by only choosing healthy food in just the right quantities and abstaining from alcohol.

By Thursday or Friday, however, the frustration, pressure, and cravings becomes too much. These same controlled seemingly put together women decide to just have one glass of wine to unwind or just a few potato chips. This simple action starts a chain of excess which is turn fuels the desire to control which turns into a never-ending cycle.

Eating, Drinking, Overthinking brings this cycle of self abuse to light showing women what they are really doing to themselves, likely without even knowing it. The author uncovers the real reasons behind these actions and shows woman healthy ways that they can deal with both their emotions and their unreal expectations of themselves.

Read this book and watch the movie too! The documentary Searching for Angela Shelton is part of the story, but this book tells what was going on behind the scenes during Angela's journey across America. She writes candidly with empathy and humor - I could not put the book down and finished it in one day. Even though it is emotionally challenging to read about some of the things she and others have endured, it is an important testimony and represents so many others who are still silenced.
Thank God for Angela Shelton and all the other survivors of abuse, rape, and violence who are speaking out and paving the way for change in our culture. It cannot come too soon.

It seems every time I work up the courage to really listen to someone else's story, or to share my own, it wrenches another crack into the shell of that hard kernel of hurt and self-loathing I carry around inside of me. This book helped place another crack without too much angst or tears, because Angela tells her story with openness and honesty.

Angela sets off to film women around the country sharing the name Angela Shelton. She's searching for women's attitudes and outlooks. Not surprisingly, she finds many have been abused. Through her travels and interviews, Angela finds what she was really looking for all along - a sense of belonging and acceptance. A victim of extreme sexual abuse, Angela suffered from low self-esteem. At one point she realizes, "I have a flash of how my whole life, losing my virginity, my relationships, my work, everything has been affected by the beliefs that were set in place when I was little." Sharing others' stories helped her with her own. The more I talk about my own abuse history, or write about it, the healthier I become.

The book is not perfect; for example I wish that it had been written in a more linear manner, and it seemed to drag in places. But it is easily read, especially given the subject matter, and I give it five stars for bravery and fulfilling a need. Angela represents all of us in our search to heal. She comes across as courageous and gritty, and I am thankful that she took on this subject.

With at least one out of four women facing abuse during a lifetime, chances are good that even those not victimized know someone who has been. This is our story, our lives, and the more we talk about it, and normalize it, and recognize it, the faster we can heal, and help prevent future victims.

Everyone must read this book. This book is real, its not smoothed over, it tells you what really is going on which is what needs to be heard. Thank you Angela, THANK YOU. You are the most amazing person and you book, is written wonderfully.

This book is a must have for anyone who saw the film "Searching For Angela Shelton." Angela takes the reader behind the scenes on her journey toward healing. She allows us to see what the camera did not show. The book was a quick read and makes a great resource to go along with the film.

Reading Finding Angela Shelton was like reading my story. The details
of what happened might vary, but the thoughts and actions were ME. It
is beyond empowering to know that someone else experienced something
similar and they have the same thoughts and fears. I used to think I
was alone and that no one could understand, but there is something
about another person sharing who has been there. When I read the
truth, it resonated deep within me--in that place I protected fiercly
all these years. Angela touched that spot and I will never be the
same.

Reading this book helped me to feel connected again, and that is huge.
We are all Angela Sheltons and we are not alone. Her brutal honesty
and irreverent humor totally captivated me, and I want to speak the
truth, too. And I learned that the truth WILL set you free. You will
become more than you ever thought you could. You will dream dreams and
imagine a life beyond surviving. You will have a life beyond
surviving.

Finding Angela Shelton is a wake up call to survivors. Talk about your
experience. Stop hurting yourself. Love yourself. We are more than
what happened to us. We all have the capacity to move beyond our
abuse, and this book is our roadmap to healing.