Abuse Books

This book is written with such clarity, love and hope. After surviving being shot in the head by her husband, Ms. Morris-Grant uses her total recall of the events leading up to and following that event to give readers a clear understanding of the confusing/contradictory emotions and circumstances that make domestic violence so dangerous and difficult to escape. A must read for anyone who is supporting someone as they deal with an abusive relationship.

Ms. Morris-Grant has truly been through a MAJOR life event and has shared her experience with the world. She is a gifted writer and her story is compelling. As a man, I had no idea that what Ms. Morris-Grant went through would be considered abusive behavior. My eyes have been opened and I am ashamed. Buy this book! It will open your eyes. I await her next book!

I am pleased to recommend "whom Shall I fear" to any and all readers. Ms. Morris-Grant reveals all sides of the story in dissecting her life from her childhood up through the present day in relation to her own self-image and her relationship with herself, God, and, most compellingly, her husband.
She is typical of many women who are abused verbally but who don't know what to do and are actually in denial about the existence of a real problem. Her husband is portrayed as endearing. I found that I, too was as surprised as the author when unappealing aspects of his character pop up. Ms. Morris-Grant strikes a balance. There is no glorification of herself and her actions. She is brave, she is strong, but one never feels that she finds herself to be infallible. Indeed, the flawed and honest portrayal of a wife and mother breaking away painfully, trying to identify the issues that plague her life, and to cope with them is done expertly. You feel as if you know a man who one could portray easily as a monster, as a man who has the chance to follow several roads, but who follows a tragic one. You feel as if you know the author extremely intimately, and she is also a regular woman who has several paths to choose from. She, however, chooses a path filled with light and makes the best out of what could be a devastating turn of events.
For anyone who thought that batterers (or worse) have horns on their head or have 'DANGER' clearly written on them, and who don't understand what goes on inside the life of a victim, here's a great book. to anyone, like myself, who has witnessed abuse of this nature, I say the same. In truth, there is no one who could not benefit from this compelling story.

This is an incredible story of courage, love and strength and a real page turner! After reading this book, I realized that others may try to victimize you, be you never have to "own" victimhood. Ms. Morris-Grant proves this point again and again in her story. She isn't afraid to reveal the truth about herself (all of it), and in doing so, she challenges the conscientious reader to do the same.

While I would highly recommend this book to anyone, I would ESPECIALLY recommend it to women who feel trapped in abusive relationships. Ms. Morris-Grant proves that you can truly rise above even the worst circumstances with faith, love and a continued sense of hope.

I find Lavon Morris Grant to be a very brave and trueful woman and writer. The book is very enlightful for all woman and men also who has been either a batter or battered woman. It lets people know that they are not the only ones out there with that problem. Its makes you stop and think that maybe this is happening to me or someone I know. The book is very helpful to let you know that it's not your fault and you do have choices. I really enjoyed the book and hope that every woman would read it and tell all their friends that it is easy reading.

This was the key book for me in my search to escape a violent relationship. The author has obviously lived through and survived things that anyone in an abusive relationship has experienced first hand. More than anything else I read (and I read everything I could get my hands on) this book helped me get out and then beyond an awful situation. I highly recommend this book!!!!

She had it all. Good looks. Her own business. Even a Mrs. Arizona title. But Dianne Schwartz hid a gruesome secret. She was a victim of continued physical abuse by her first husband. How does a seemingly successful, beautiful woman fall into the snare of an abuser? Schwartz tells us, beginning with childhood issues that evolved into setting her up as a victim for domestic violence.

In the preface to Whose Face is in the Mirror, the author introduces us to an essential part of healing from abuse-ridding oneself of shame. Through her story, Schwartz seeks to share her abuse, insight into how and why she came to be abused, her steps to recovery and her ongoing journey and encouragement to other survivors of abuse.

Painful at times, this true story rings more than true - it resonates within the soul. We all have known a woman just like Dianne Schwartz - a woman who we shake our heads at and wonder, "Is she nuts? Why does she listen to that loser? Why does she go back? How can she trust him again?" No, Dianne isn't nuts, and neither is any other woman caught in the deadly game of domestic abuse. For the abuser, it's just that: a game of control. For the victim, however, it's a test of survival.

Whose Face is one short portrait into the lives of the abused and the abuser. It shows the damage done to children. It brings out childhood issues that might contribute to one's being abused. It provides answers and courage to take the steps to safety, to life.

Schwartz's no-nonsense approach is a wakeup call to women who are being abused. She challenges the many abuse victims in today's world to look in the mirror and recognize the part they play in being abused. For without a victim, the abuser cannot abuse. She exposes the lies that litter an abusive relationship, such as:

* He will change.
* We cause him to be angry and abusive.
* We want people to like our spouse (so we cover for him).
* I'm nothing without him.
* I can't make it on my own.
* I deserve to be beaten. I'm useless.
* All men are terrible.
* No other man will be attracted to me.
* I stay because I love him.
* My children need their father.

Schwartz doesn't stop there. For every lie, she exposes the truth and gives real-world answers to getting out and staying safe.

In Part Three of Whose Face, Schwartz details the healing process, including recognizing the signs of an abuser. More importantly, she educates women, through her own process of healing, of how to recognize if they are attracted to an abuser. Some of the personality traits an abuser attracter might have are:

* The need to rescue.
* Accepting abuse during the dating stage.
* A dysfunctional family history of verbal or physical abuse.

Schwartz goes several steps further and looks into the effects our abuse may be having on our children. Are we setting our children up to be either abused or to be an abuser?

Healing from abuse is not something to be done alone. Schwartz's life example illustrates the importance of therapy and recognizing a Higher Power - in Schwartz's case, that power is God. Through therapy and God, she discovered her passion in life and finally recognized whose face was in the mirror. After 42 years of living with self-hatred, this woman chose to heal, and to share her journey to self-love.

Today, Schwartz is the founder and president of Educating Against Domestic Violence, a nonprofit organization providing assistance to battered persons. She is happily and healthily married and continues to heal, as are her children.

Dianne's husband was verbally and emotionally abusive and also a batterer, but no matter what form of abuse you are dealing with this book is one you must read, because all forms of abuse are damaging to the body, mind, and spirit. As a survivor of domestic abuse this book helped renew my strength and helped me keep my resolve not to return. There were so many aspects of Dianne's story that I could relate to; from the struggle she had with leaving, to the emotional damage done to her spirit, to the extreme conditioning that happens in abusive relationships. Dianne is a true survivor and her very candid and honest approach in telling her story will help any woman, whether she is just coming to terms with the fact that she is being abused, just gathering the strength to leave, or has already gotten out and needs the validation and strength that comes from reading about others who have been there.

If you could give a book 6 stars on Amazon, I would give this book 6 stars.

Once in a while, a book comes along that actually SAVES LIVES. This is one such book.

If you know someone in an abusive situation and you can only do one thing for her, give her a copy of this book.

There is magic in this book in that Ms. Schwartz knows the many denials, repressions, and fears in the mind of the battered woman and slays them all with her mighty sword of truth.

She tells it like it, sparing no one, and by sparing no one, she saves the lives of the battered women reading this book.

I recommend this book with all of my heart and soul. Anyone who reads this book will find her life to be changed -- for the better. It is a very powerful and important work.

Dianne's book is the best I've read ever. She really lays it all out and gives the honest to goodness truth about domestic abuse. It takes a rare and brave person to step forward and do what she has done in this book. I hope women everywhere, no matter if you are in an abusive relationship or not, read this book and learn from it. The best chapter is "In the Mind of a Battered Woman". For anyone wanting to know what goes on in women's minds this chapter is it. Read it and know there are millions of women and men facing this everyday. Domestic violence isn't only physical violence it is mental warfare. Congrats to Dianne for writing such a wonderful book. Honesty truly is the best way to go. Good luck to Dianne in her work and her new life.

I have recommended this book to parents in our school system that I know need it. The problem is the kids continue to manipulate them and lie about their drug use. This book is a life saver! It takes you through the initial assessment of the problem, to teaching you how to live with it. It is easily readable and so much of it applied directly to our situation.

This book is replete with good quality advice and information, The short personal anecdotes compliment the central narrative convincingly, rather than as mere literary frills. It deals with the problem from both the drug user's perspective and importantly also from that of the family. Often overlooked in the whole troubling saga is the need for the family to continue functioning even without the presence of the drug abuser. The book is strong in this area and many parents will nod their heads in agreement with its points. All in all a very useful guide.

I can't say enough for this book! It was clear, easy reading that helped me to understand what it means to be an addict. I have recommended it to other family members who are dealing with just this problem. It has been hard watching them struggle with this problem. I truly believe that they can begin to empower themselves and help their addicted adolescent if they read this book. I think that they could eliminate a lot of the misery that they go through by learning about their son/daughter's addiction and how it effects all family members. I learned about the role I play as an extended family member and how not to be an enabler. I recommend this book not only to parents, but to grandparents, aunts, and uncles. This is the most important book they will read to learn how not to enable their loved one to continue their addiction. The resources are valuable to those who don't know where to turn for help in dealing with addiction. The author, Nikki Babbit, not only has professional experience and training in working with adolescence and families; she, also, is the mother of a recovering son. I would highly recommend this book to all parents, not just those who are dealing with a teenage addict, because it will help you to be aware of and spot the signs of drug abuse before it becomes a problem in your family. Like the book says, it can happen in any family. Once again, BUY and READ this book! You will be thankful you did.

Dr. Babbit's book for parents with children who have a problem with alcohol and drugs is accessible and comprehensive, covering the disease concept of addiction, nature of assessments and treatment for children, and tools for personal recovery for parents. The book's appendices provide an excellent overview of descriptions of drugs and their effects, along with a guide on resources for further reading. Babbit brings to life this roller coaster ride parents experience from having children who abuse alcohol and drugs by providing the voices of parents who have gone through it. Information is always essential for recovery, but the private hell parents experience often entails isolation, guilt, and despair. And there is nothing more powerful than identifying with others who have rode that same roller coaster-a crucial step for parents' own recovery in gaining the awareness that they are not alone with and not unique in their feelings. But why this book is a must for parents with or without children abusing alcohol/drugs is Babbit's insistence on parents taking care of themselves. This recurrent theme of taking care of yourself at the end of each chapter is the constant reminder needed to parents that getting off the seemingly unstoppable, uncontrollable roller coaster is possible. Babbit's book is empowering to and breaths hope for parents in knowing a new freedom and a new happiness.

In a nutshell, this book was one of the elements that SAVED MY SON'S LIFE!! If I hadn't read about the stages of addiction (easily described and organized within the book for quick intervention)I wouldn't have realized how serious a situation he was in already. There he was, crashing through the wall to the final stage (despair/suicidal)of addiction and, because he had woven such a web of chaos (balls in the air for me to keep busy catching)I was totally missing the desperate truth, that he was going to die if he wasn't stopped! If I hadn't reacted quickly I truly know he would not be here today.

Babbit describes the ways addicts and abusers foil our best efforts to find out what they're up to. Our kids are experts at manipulation, and will go to great lengths to "protect" their addictions. They distract us from our instincts, avoid our attention, and unfortunately can plummet downward in a deathly spiral, under our very noses. Babbit describes ALL THE POPULAR DRUGS, the corresponding paraphernalia that can identify each one's use, and the symptoms displayed by someone using them. YOU WILL BE SHOCKED as you read the myriad of ways our children have found to get high! Have you ever grabbed a can of whipped cream out of the fridge only to find it's gone flat?? (they "huff" the gas out of the can!)...some even unscrew the gas cap and huff gas fumes right out of your car (keep a locking cap on yours!)

Nikki Babbit's well written, non-judgemental book is an ESSENTIAL primer for Parents of substance and alcohol abusing teenagers!! This is NO-NONSENSE, "IN YOUR FACE" information, effectively organized for quick reference to deal with your individual situation (stage of chaos) quickly! I am ordering several copies now to distribute to those is immediate need, and to display while speaking at parent's groups/community outreach, etc. Sometimes the despair and pain we parents go through is best channeled back into the world by sharing a story or insight or knowledge. Once you've "interrupted" their progression and gotten them help, your kids basically have a long process to recovery and have to work their programs on their own. If parents then try to channel their pain and worry back into community involvement it helps keep you a little more sane and helps the effort to reduce the distribution of drugs. God bless, and good luck to you!

What I mean is that I think its Cool that this Girl is speaking her mind,telling us what she wants in a relationship.And Althou I Might not Knowtis(?)a flower poking its head threw a crack in some cement I would do all that i could to live up to that And other simmiler ideals.(If Any Girl Is Interested)

Am I The Last Virgin? is a collection of frank and honest short stories about african-american female sexuality. I cried...I laughed...I could relate... The book is a courageous dialogue about a very important aspect of life and living. A must read for young girls, their mothers, their fathers, their brothers, their sisters, their friends. I have passed copies along to many of my family members.

This book is a great read.some of the stories made me cry and feel the writer's pain.There are stories of incest and rape,first
love and menstration.This book is a must read for any women who
has been hurt by a man .For we all share a bond in sisterhood

I didn't notice it until I sat down to write this review, but this book was written for adolescents. However, I got a lot out of the book, and I'm 27 years old! This is a very short book (you could read it in less than an hour), but it's chock full of beautiful, and painful lessons about female sexuality, love, relationships, and healing. My favorite story was House Arrest, which was written in "Dear Diary" form, and is about a young woman having to overcome her fear of leaving the house after being raped coming home one evening. Even though that's a painful issue, the writer handles it in a rather humorous way. Other issues addressed are remaining a virgin, incest survival, a lesbian coming out to her family, and losing oneself in an unfulfilling relationship, to name a few. As another reviewer mentioned, this is an excellent read for ladies of ALL ages, because we, or someone we know, have faced, or will face some of the issues addressed in these powerful stories.

I am Executive Director of Sisterhood Infinity, a mentoring program for young women in Brooklyn, NY. We, the mentors and mentees read "Am I the Last Virgin" to prepare for a seminar on Human Sexuality. In discussion, we found the stories to be wonderful tales of young womanhood that touch on several experiences that are pertinent to issues of past and present. This book of insightful and honest essays is a great introduction for teenagers considering taking that serious step into womanhood. Furthermore, it is a great conversation piece that could bridge the gap between older and younger generations in conversations around womanhood and sex. I would highly recommend this book to anyone of any age.

I liked the book, but found some of it boring.

I got a note from an amazon customer, congratulating me on my quitting. For all the ones that will be cosidering this book now and feel it is impossible to quit, I strongly reccomend it and its methodology. I myself, after seeing my father quit smoking when he had his third heart surgery and my mother after her eye surgeries, thought I would not be able to do it. However, today is June 6 2007 and since Dec 20 1998 I have been smoke free. Should you know someone who needs help to quit smoking, I am willing to be part of the network support.

Very simple and easy to read guide. Up to date with lots of reccomendations that help. I was a pack and a half a day smoker. I smoked for 17 years. Feel free to contact me should you need support to help you quit. I am buying copies for my friends.

I found this book to be full of helpful ideas to keep you or a loved one off tabacco. It takes you through pre-quiting with great ideas to help you prepare, all the way through to staying smoke free forever. I have been very greatful for this book and recommend it to everyone!

This book helped me realize that I too can quit, and for good!!! It carefully explains statistics, effects and mortality rates, be it gender or age. Each step is very clear and very easy to follow. The Pack Track, notes and defense mechanisms that are given to you in this book will help anyone kick the butts for good!!! Very easy reading and easy on the eyes. Step by step until you are smoke free is the success that comes with this book. Mr. Fisher and Mr. Koop did an outstanding job on this book. The alternatives and attitude changing methods toward smoking are simply superb. Realizations are met on all sides of quitting in this book. From the ones who have quit numerous times to the struggle of relaspes. This book has it all covered. Hypnosis, gum, patches, fading, or whatever method exists, is clearly explained and can be tailored to suit anyone's need on any level!!!

People often ask, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" When things happen that we just don't believe can be in GOD's plan, we begin to question HIS existence. Where is GOD when a young child is being molested? Where is GOD when innocence is being stolen by evil? People are quick to compare their pains to those of Job, however, not many can actually identify. I believe, however, Janice Romney Farnsworth can.

Author, Janice Romney Farnsworth's life's testimony, Beneath Wings of an Angel: Healing the Child Within, A Spiritual Healing Journey to Recovery from Domestic Violence is a true, modern-day version of the Book of Job. Ms. Farnsworth reveals the torment of her inner soul, as Satan seems to hijack every male that enters into her life and take away everything she has, except her life. She readily admits that even though these men did not end her life, she wanted to end it...and tried.

Beneath Wings of an Angel, the inspirational and spiritual journey of Janice Romney Farnsworth, travels in both directions...into the future and deep into the past. During this journey, she realized that she'd been programmed to be a victim from her earliest of memories. She had dealt with abuse so much; she thought it was the way her life was supposed to be. So what changed Janice Farnsworth? At one of the lowest points in her life, GOD spoke to her.

Since that revelation, Janice Romney Farnsworth has become a champion for women dealing with domestic violence and abuse (and the abuse is not always physical). She is a hero to ALL victims because her story does not stop with her abuse. The abuse is only a steppingstone to the inspiration she received directly from GOD, which she now wishes to share with the world.

Not only does Beneath Wings of an Angel contain the trials of the author, but invaluable information regarding domestic violence. This is an inspirational book that could change your life if you are willing to accept the message. If you are not in need of its powerful message, I'm sure that you know someone who does. Through this book, Janice Romney Farnsworth can supply the tools to help them free themselves from abuse's evil bondage.

I can't thank the author enough for the book she has written and shared with others. She is awesome! So courageous and genuinely compassionate. I'm an abuse survivor. I'm also a young girl who has struggled with self esteem issues, she opened my eyes to my authentic power and spiritual identity, and taught me so much through her example of love and forgiveness. If your life has been affected in anyway that has troubled you or created obstacles in your life and prevented you from living authentically and powerfully, read her story. You too will feel the love with which she writes and lives her life today.

If you have ever been affected by abuse, this book will greatly impact your life. The author writes about her experiences in a powerful way that is captivating and enlightning. But what I loved most was her healing journey and how she teaches others to do the same for themselves. It is self-empowering and life-changing. This is a book I highly recommend for friends and family members of abuse victims as well, it will help them understand and know how they can help. It is a perfect book for those who suffer from low-self esteem or depression - it's so inspiring and educational.

This book literally changed my life! The author writes with such brutal honesty, yet with such compassion and integrity, you cannot help but be moved when reading this. It reaches out with help and encouragement to those who are in the cycle of abusive relationships, and educates those who have not experienced these horrors. While reading this book, I was able to both see and stop my own dysfunctional cycle from passing down through generations, and for that I am deeply in gratitude to the author.
A fantastic read for anyone wanting to take the reins in their own lives.

Monsters are real. Janice Romney Farnsworth lived with one for fifteen years and bore six children for him. A devout Mormon, Farnsworth believed in the sanctity of marriage, of being a submissive wife and honoring her husband. But what she didn't understand was why her husband repeatedly beat her, demeaned her, turned her children against her, convinced others she was mentally ill and a danger to her children, and raped her.

Faced with this ongoing horror, Farnsworth turned to her Church for help. She was advised to go back and be a better wife, while her batterer enjoyed the full benefits of church membership.

Poignant and eye opening, Beneath Wings of an Angel, is a fascinating look inside the mind of a woman who became a victim of domestic violence. Her nightmare, told in her own voice, complete with her own thoughts of no self-worth so she must deserve it, and the downward spiral of her life, physically and mentally is torment to watch. But it also inspires understanding and a longing to reach out.

Farnsworth has brought forth a look inside the terror of prolonged domestic violence that helps the outside world understand why a woman would stay and submit to the lies and blows of an abuser. She also tells, without excuse, the damage an abusive home heaps upon the children of that home.

Anger, disbelief, understanding, empathy, and rejoicing - all are emotions Farnsworth's story brings about in the reader as the reader experiences the writer's life.

Farnsworth found her path to healing, but only after experiencing the worst that can be dealt.

"During those awful days, I felt like yesterday's trash, and for the most part, really didn't care. I don't know how others coped, but I faced each day with a tear-stained face too tired to take care of myself, emotionally drained and obsessed with revenge."

When Farnsworth was finally able to escape her abusive husband, she then faced trouble with the courts and the danger of having her children taken from her. Her children suffered dreadfully at the hands of their father - not only physically, but emotionally. Today, Farnsworth is still praying for her children's healing.

Beneath Wings of an Angel is unique in several ways - it gives a glimpse inside the Mormon religion and tradition; it chronicles fifteen years of abuse, and more importantly, why she stayed; it also offers hope as Farnsworth details her therapy, a new love that is not abusive, a deeper spiritual awakening and her acknowledgment of the necessity of the continuance of the journey.

Abuse knows no class, race or religion - this book is a stepping stone to freedom from abuse, for counselors and pastors to understand the dynamics of abuse and the need for the Church to be proactive and provide safety for women under attack.

Richard Gartner's book, his words, his depth of understanding, his ability to connect with the reader in a safe and compassionate and empowering way, is stunning. It has been like holding up a mirror to our life, to the nuances and difficulties in our marriage, to the rage and shame that my husband has lived with for decades. He has never been able to read a book on this topic until this one - Gartner speaks as though he's speaking directly to the reader. It feels as though he's written this just for you. Read this book if you are a male survivor of sexual abuse - and read it if you are a spouse or partner too. As a spouse trying to understand the complexities of these issues, this book is a life saver. I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you want one single book on this topic, choose this one. I have several others that can't even come close to the precision and insight and simplicity and understanding that exist in these pages. Thank you Richard Gartner for this gift.

Gartner has written a must-read book for those of us in recovery. I've read several books on the subject, and "Beyond Betrayal" almost seems to be written directly about MY life. I learned so much about myself by reading and journaling along with this wonderfully helpful book. It has been extremely helpful to my wife as well...she understands so much about me now. Thanks Dr. Gartner!

We just don't have to feel so alone any more. Dr. Gartner's amazing earlier book, Betrayed as Boys, was written for professionals but he used language that many laymen (including me) can find moving and useful. In Beyond Betrayal, he writes directly to men like us as well as to our partners, spouses, and loved ones. Beyond Betrayal speaks so directly to my own experience as a man trying to heal from boyhood abuse that I almost felt he knew me and wrote it specifically for me. There is a stunning description of early betrayal and how it leads to severe problems with trust in relationships later on. He then leads you through how society cheats you by making you believe that men can't be victims. The result of this is that we often believe that our abuse was our own fault -- leading to shame, silence, and guilt. This section was especially startling and remarkable. He covers all the bases, including abuse by priests and other clergy, abuse by women that we are told is "sexual initiation," and so many other facets of boyhood sexual abuse!

But he dioesn't stop there. Dr Gartner also tells us how to find our way. I not only felt understood, but also felt I got specific tools to move me along a path of healing. The section on how to find a therapist (even if you live in an isolated area not likely to have specialists in boyhood abuse) will be a godsend to many men. So is his section on things we can do for ourselves in addition to therapy. And our partners and loved ones -- who are often really left out in the cold in books like this -- will also find relief, comfort, and specific ways to help themselves, us, and our relationships as we journey together.

Thank you, Dr. Gartner!

This book was the first one I read when I finally chose to accept my abuse. It is sensitive, compassionate, and full of positivity. Some of the stories from other surviviors will force you to recall similarities in your life, but in the end, it will help you to appreciate that you're not alone and you will become a Survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse and no longer a Victim. Mr. Gartner will give you the tools that you need to move forward and live a life that you always knew you could live. It will not happen over night or over a month or even a year, but it will happen!!

In the early months of therapy my therapist suggested this book. She had listened to me when I said that the other books seemed to be about victims, but not 'of' victims; she said this book was geared more from the victims' perspective. Reading it was one of the defining moments in my healing; this was a turning point. I read about people just like me; I read about how they felt and how they expressed it to Dr Gartner; I read about them not wanting to say the truth because they feared reprisal or ridicule; I read about things I thought only I felt, suffered, endured and held inside. I read reality and it hit home, it hit home hard and true and I let go of something. I let go of the illusion that I was the only one in the whole world that felt like that. I let go - so simple yet so profound, and in letting go I opened a small window to let my therapist see into my world. If you doubt anyone ever enduring the same as you, read this book. Skim it if you will; jump about through the paragraphs; read one page a day if it hurts but, please, read it. Read the real people. Know, in you heart, that you are truly not alone. You have to do that for 'you' now.

I AM RECENT GRADUATE OF A PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM AND WHILE GOING TO SCHOOL I WORKED PART TIME IN A FACILITY WITH GERIATRIC PATIENTS. EVERY PERSON INVOLVED IN THE CARE OF THESE PEOPLE, RIGHT DOWN TO THE HOUSEKEEPING STAFF, SHOULD READ THIS BOOK. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ANYONE AROUND THE ELDERLY TO WATCH FOR AND REPORT ABUSE. WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR MOTHER OR GRANDMOTHER!! I RECOMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE.

This is a very good and informative book. Anyone who has loved ones in a nursing home facility should get a copy of it today.

Anyone who knows David knows what a loving and caring person he is. David has always put his patients' needs first. He always treats/treated them as if they are/were family. David is one of the best in his profession. I feel he did the right thing in "blowing the whistle". The families need to know what goes on behind closed doors when it comes to their loved ones in facilities such as these. I tip my hat to you, David.

It is sad to know that kind, caring, compassionate nurses like David are the exception when they should be the rule. It is heartbreaking to know that a book like this is even necessary. I applaud all of Mr. Sampley's efforts to make changes in the nursing home system. Once I started reading this book I did not put it down until the final word was read. If you ever contemplate putting a relative in a nursing home, read this book first.

I found Breaking the Code of Silence very informative and enlightening. If you have a friend or relative who resides, or may reside in a nursing home in the future, this is a must read for you and them. The author gives you the true insider look at what goes on behind the scenes in many nursing homes. Lets hope this sends a clear message to the operators of these facilities. It is sad that Mr. Sampley had to endure what he did, but his efforts may be the beginning of a campaign to change the way patients are treated in these homes.

Using the format of stop, look and listen, Dr. Flynn offers an excellent analysis of the crisis in the Church.
Most importantly, Catholics at the Crossroads outlines concrete changes that must be made for the Church to recover its health and credibility

Using a format of Stop, Look and Listen, Dr. Flynn offers an excellent analysis of the crisis in the Church.
Most importantly, Catholics at the Crossroads outlines concrete changes that must be made for the Church to recover its health and credibility.

Flynn's book brings the reader around to a not-so-easy solution to a horrifying problem. Lay Catholics must become involved and fully participate, as did Christians in the days following the time of Christ. Being a sheep is not what it's about. If you're a Catholic or anyone else who is upset and angry about the behavior of some priests, and even enraged about the cover-up by some bishops or archbishops, but don't know what to do about it, read this book. Changes can be made. Catholics at a Crossroads gives background on the facts of this problem, proposes a number of causes and finally offers the solution - activism by lay people.

The stories about sexual abuse by Catholic priests are still making headlines. As a Catholic, I am horrified by these news stories. Every time I read them, I ask myself why, how could this happen? Then a few months ago I received a manuscript in the mail from a Catholic theologian who had tackled this question directly and thoughtfully. I am the editor of Paraview Publishing and Eileen Flynn's manuscript answered the questions I had been asking myself ever since the crisis broke in 2002. Flynn's crystal clear analysis of the situation uncovers the underlying causes of the crisis: the inflexibility of Catholic sexual ethics, the theological issues of responsibility, and the reality of a dysfunctional institution. If you'll look at the "Editorial Reviews" section of this book page, you'll see that knowledgeable people agree that Flynn has hit the nail on the head. Frankly, it would all be quite depressing if not for the fact that Flynn is also able to offer a "cure," a way for the laity and the Church to work together, address the underlying problems, and finally set things straight.

Dr. Eileen Flynn has given us the most readable and by far the most intelligently reasoned book yet to help hierarchy, clergy and laity find their way back. She has not only done her homework and analyzed her findings with skills based on her dozen or more earlier books. She has also organized her approach so clearly that the reader follows her argument with ease and in some ways with pleasure and relief, however appalling the material has to be at certain inescapable points of that argument. She presents a calm, admirably positive prescription for recovery while there is still time. Flynn pulls no punches in setting forth her Rx to repair the catastrophic damage born of millennial practices of governance that little if anything to do with original intent. Her book gives us her special woman's interpretation of what Raymond Schroth, S.J., meant when he wrote, "Nowhere does Scripture have anything good to say about power and hanging onto power."

After Katie's mom gets remarried, her family moves to a new town and she starts attending a new school. After she gets involved in a school production, she starts to feel more comfortable in her new surroundings and in her own skin.

But something's still not right. If this is a new start, a new stage of her life, if this is her now, her after, then what came before? After repressed memories surface in her dreams, Katie starts to remember what happened to her when she was younger.

Fans of Davida Wills Hurwin's previous novels A Time for Dancing and The Farther You Run will not be disappointed. Circle the Soul Softly is just as memorable as its predecessors. This is a poignant book on many levels, with realistic characters and emotional twists. Readers will yearn to comfort and support Katie as she has revelations on stage and off about acting and about herself. Highly recommended.

In spare and poignant prose, Davida Hurwin Wills weaves a story about coming to terms with an unthinkable truth and the redemptive powers of courage, honesty, and love. This book is a powerful read for anyone who has been through trauma or knows someone who has. For parents, it's an inside look at the lives of teenagers and for teens, it is a gentle yet fearless treatment of an experience in which it is easy to feel so very alone.

I've read all oh Ms. Hurwins books and this one may just be my favorite (although A Time for Dancing has become a young womens classic). In Circle the Soul Softly Hurwins writng is complex yet straightforward, always progressing the plot and deepening the characters emotional life while using language that any women would love to luxuriate in. I was so enthralled I read it in one sitting! I would highly reccomend it for anyone and give a special recomendation to young women who have had traumitic life experiences. Nothing in the world is better then reading about someone elses experiences confirming that you are not alone during the hardest times of your life.

I have read all of Ms Hurwin's books and enjoyed them. This is possibly my favorite. The story was compelling and moved along at a rapid pace. I read it in two sittings. I couldn't wait to see what emotionally would develop on the next page. The characters were clearly drawn, and Ms. Hurwin found each of their unique voices. I particularly liked the ending (often people can't decide how to end a book). I won't give it away. I found the book's sense of compassion and empathy for the human condition, and the difficulties of complex relationships most satisfying. A read that left my heart feeling full.

Circle the Soul Softly wraps itself around the reader like a shawl woven from sweet and sorrowful strands of truth. It holds you, and gently insists you hear what it means to be human. Why do we feel what we feel? What are the stories behind our behavior? These universal themes are explored in Davida Wills Hurwin's beautifully expressive, skilled prose. Circle the Soul Softly offers a deeply intimate psychological portrait of how a young women begins to lift the covers off her memory and reveal a past she had forgotten. The covers are heavy. They come off slowly. And when the truth of her childhood emerges, Hurwin is clear with the reader; revelation is just the first step in healing. This novel does not succumb to the "quick fix". Integrating (into the present) our wounds, our grief, our past... takes time. In this compassionate, expertly crafted work of fiction, Ms. Hurwin gets at the deeper truth. I read it one sitting a week ago, and still feel held in its soulful circle.