Abuse Books

And this book proves it. Finally someone has let the cat out of the bag that alternative medicine has been used for centuries to conquer alcohol craving and alcohol abuse.
I'm happy drinkers have more options with this book. Now, in addition to cutting down or stopping, they can get a little extra help with the herbs and supplements in this book. Every drinker should own this book.

that message is we have to start thinking out of the box when it comes to
alcohol abuse treatment. i gave this book to a friend of mine who has a
drinking problem but was dead against stopping or going to AA. he was
receptive to this book because it gave him some organic alternatives to
drinking less. in other words it got him started doing something about
his drinking.

some people just need a little shove to do something about their drinking
and this book provided that little shove.

I'm a drinker who has struggled on and off with booze for years and I'm ecstatic someone has finally written about a more organic approach to problem drinking. This book gave me a different perspective. I was especially interested in how chinese and ayurvedic medicine treat drinkers and the concept of "balancing" my life so booze becomes less important and I drink less.

This book opened my mind up. I guess no ones written about alternative medicine to address alcohol abuse because the disease concept and AA are so deeply ingrained in the US.

I am so happy I came across this book at amazon. It's the only book I've
found that talks about how other alternative medicines and other cultures
view alcohol abuse and how to treat it. I was thinking about getting
prescription medication to cut the desire to drink but after reading this
I don't need to. There are lots of herbs to do that at the natural food
store. I've read Cornett's other book, 7 Weeks to Safe Social Drinking:
How to Effectively Moderate Your Alcohol Intake, and she always covers
interesting things.

For me the vitamin and supplement part was the best. It talks about things
you can buy over the counter to cut craving. The Chinese and Ayurveda
medicine parts were really interesting too.

I realize this is only one take on problem drinking. But if you take these
suggestions in the book, along with her program in her other book to
improve your drinking habits you can cut craving and consumption without
prescription medicine.

This is one of the most interesting books I've read about alcohol abuse - it really offers a different take on problem drinking and how to fix it. It's the first book I've found which discusses how different alternative medicine approaches have treated alcohol abuse for centuries - long before AA came along.
Homeopathic, Chinese and Ayurvedic and western herbs are covered - explaining how each of these systems views alcohol abuse, how it develops and the best ways to treat it. Another major theme of the book is balance. If one's life is a balance of physical, mental and spiritual components, the less need there is for alcohol. Truly a fascinating read and helpful to me personally.

This book is even better than expected. If you have a gambling problem, think you might have a problem or know someone who does, you will find this book very informative. This book could also be used by Clinicians for their clients. It really encourages the reader to take a hard look at what their gambling habits have cost them, in terms of lost time, money and relationships. This book would be helpful for the loved one of an addicted gambler. While gambling is meant for entertainment, it ceases to be entertaining when the compulsion to gamble takes over your life This book helps the reader to feel like they are not alone.

As someone who makes his living because of the existence of casinos I am always struck by the fact that some people just can't stop gambling. They would rather lose all their money and some would rather lose everything they have in life as long as they can play the games.

Now I don't think compulsive gamblers are any different than other addictive types. I knew someone who was told by his doctor that he was going to die - because he was running too much. The runner had thoroughly devastated his body and bled everytime he urinated.

The addicted will always be with us. This book addresses how to help them, if they can be helped. There is definitley something in the brain and in the personality that causes people to do the destructable.

Frank Scoblete: author of Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution! and Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution!

I have been using these exercises for years and they keep my patients sober. The patients take the book home and go over the material they learned in treatment. This keeps them sober. Most treatment centers use a collection of poor exercies they gathered over the years. Here are all of the great ones in one place. The text covers chemical use history, honesty, steps one through five, and relapse prevention. It's a Great Book!

We use this book for all of our patients. They love the exercises and take them home and go over them again and again. This keeps them thinking about recovery. The book leaves no stone unturned. It has everything a problem gambler needs to stay in recovery.

I loved Dr. Perkinson's book, "Chemical Dependency Counseling" and was eager to purchase this workbook for use with my clients in treatment. I found it helpful, but too expensive to require them to purchase it, or for our treatment center to purchase it for the 500 clients a year that we admit. I wish a CD-ROM was included, but I understand proprietary issues. I must say, however that I believe his publications should be mandatory for everyone working in our field.

Just like the 24 hour book for AA or the Just for Today for NA. this is the book for SA, SAA of SLAA

I find the positive message delivered by this book to be a tremendous help in my recovery from this debilitating disease.

I am totally pleased with how Amazon.com runs it's business. I love ordering books and DVDs and CDs. I have never liked ordering things online, but Amazon.com has changed that for me.
This book being an example. Each day I have a reminder that I am ok, and that life is indeed great.

Few things start my day better or help slow down an out of control day like taking time to read and absorb a daily meditation from this book. Each day's reading is a short page, starting with a quote, moving on to some written thoughts about the quote and how it applies to me, and to today, and then ending with a synopsis of the thoughts. Very helpful, very concise and very much on point for anyone in recovery.

A primary text for our Fellowship of SAA in Tulsa. Most members have personal copies also. Truly an extremely valuable tool for avoiding the "bubble" of addiction and staying focused on soberity.

A powerful book, raw and I found myself in it.

A powerful book, raw and I found myself in it.

A powerful book, raw and I found myself in it.

This book is a fictionalized account of Angela's life and her suffering from abuse, parental and then spousal. She overcame this cruel treatment to become a driving force in helping others escape from their own hell. Read it and learn.

This book is a powerful and gripping first hand account of the abuse suffered by the author from early in childhood to married adult life afterwards. But it is not a "woe is me story" like so many other writings. Quite the contrary, the author shows how she was able to finally recognize that being abused was NOT normal living, that she deserved better in life, and carried out a plan to gain control of her life. Having gained control of her own life, the author embarks on a crusade to help other women realize that they need not be abused...that they too may break the bond of oppression, end the vicious cycle of abusive partners, recognize that the abusers are pathetic losers whom they should not be entangled with in the first place, and discard the trash in their lives once and for all and attain fulfillment. An inspiring story.

It is easy to miss what seem to me the principal cores of this fine book--in my view, by far Phillips's best: (1) the complex, usually misperceived nature and mismanagement (even, or perhaps especially, in most psychoanalyses) of infantile desire/curiosity, and (2) the restricted validity of articulated, "logical-rational" (Heidegger), propositional thought. Readers already have to be close to realizing for themselves the points Phillips is emphasizing in order to be able to "hear" them.

If one is ready to hear it, Phillips's discourse on proto-linguistic realms and their residue in "adult" language is a unique and centrally important gem. Don't miss the core of this book by letting yourself be misled or distracted by its many interesting but peripheral points.

This is a collection of layered and complex writing by a clear and humane thinker -- and a wonderful writer. Phillips ranges widely, and cites inspired references from psychology (including his London practice), philosophy, and literature, and always with distinct purpose. Freud, Hanna Segal, H.G. Wells, Auden, Blake, Marion Milner, John Keats, D.W. Winnicott, and Melanie Klein (among others) are cited in this book, effectively. He's blazingly creative, more subtly political, and good-hearted -- and it shows. The book is a slower read than his earlier ones, but well worth it.

Adam Phillips' book THE BEAST IN THE NURSERY, is a collection of some of most compelling essays on psychoanalysis to be gathered together. His prose makes some of what might seem to be the most opaque ideas about pyschoanalysis appear shockingly lucid. He's a terrific writer and demands that you think for yourself as a reader.

This is a collection of layered and complex writing by a clear and humane thinker -- and a wonderful writer. Phillips ranges widely, and cites inspired references from psychology (including his London practice), philosophy, and literature, and always with distinct purpose. Freud, Hanna Segal, H.G. Wells, Auden, Blake, Marion Milner, John Keats, D.W. Winnicott, and Melanie Klein (among others) are cited in this book, effectively. He's blazingly creative, more subtly political, and good-hearted -- and it shows. The book is a slower read than his earlier ones, but well worth it.

This erudite author becomes even poetic in some of the text, making this book a joy to read. He gives a more positive, ideology-free reading of many of Freud's basic ideas and thoughts. While he does not advocate tossing theory into the wastebasket, he does enjoin the reader to go deeper into psychoanalytical tenets, to think less dogmatically about them, and to realize that theory is only an aid, not a mold into which each analysand must somehow be forced to fit. The reader must be familiar with psychoanalytical writing in order to get the full benefit from the book, however, since the ideas presented assume that the reader understands their background and meaning.

Jacquelyn Small writes about the natural work of being a helper. She writes for both the professional community of counselors and social workers as well as the real world of families. Some of her skills are directed at working with those with problems of chemical dependency and alcoholism, but she covers the aspects of toxic ways of relating and looking at how to come from the heart. She covers, in plain English, the skills of empathy, genuineness, respect, self-disclosure, warmth, immediacy, concreteness, confrontation, potency and self-actualization. In each section she gives clear examples of how the skill will look in real life, and how it should not be done.

I needed this book for school, someone stole my first book so I needed to buy a new one. I have delt with Amazon before so I knew I was in good hands, with quality service, and fast shipping before my next class.

This book is written in plain English and is easy to read. I enjoyed it so much that I purchased several copies a had them sent to my friends.

Ms. Small's book is considered a "classic" in the field of counseling persons with addictive illness for very good reasons. Her writing is very clear, concise, jargon-free (a huge plus in a field where some books require a separate glossary to understand the terminology! ), and extremely practical. Her utilization of brief and to-the-point clinical excerpts from counseling sessions are always appropriate and are followed up by additional applications. Her chapter on "Confrontation," will, once and for all, help novice and experienced clinicians understand that it does not mean dealing with your or the client's anger, lying, transference, etc.; it is simply a way to directly help the other grasp the essence of their beliefs, communication(s) and behavior(s) in non-shaming ways. Highly recommended to anyone considering counseling on either side of the equation and/or significant others of persons with addictive issues. One of the best i've run across in my 20+ years in the field.Also recommended to anyone interested in the qualities of a healer/effective therapist.

Exceptional. Very practical. The author does a great job giving real examples for each of the therapeutic traits she espouses. I have worked with troubled youth for about 6 years and regularly refer to her book in my work with students and in coaching other staff. Very easy read, easily understandable, and right on the money! A great resource for anyone and everyone who fully engages in relationships with friends, lovers, clients.

I assume that this book will be a wonderful literary experience to the readers around the world. Mr.Pothen is a kind and nice person. He really impressed me with his story and his excellent writing skills.

The natural beauty of an Indian village has been portrayed realistically in this novel even with the tiniest detail that the reader could view it as if in a movie in front.

Moncy Pothen's hero, Arjunan, is a typical village guy learns Hindu traditions and holy books like Bhagavad-Gita from his parents, in his childhood, and the ancient hero with his same name, Arjuna, inspires him. It is well explained how the unexpected events change his whole path of life when he decides to participate in the social reform. He involves in an extremist group by believing only an armed up rise of the common men would change the corrupt society. He is an educated man, with a respectable job, family and social status, sacrifices everything for the rescue of the exploited and the down trodden. When he returns from jail, regretful about his past, the society does not forgive him and allow him to socialise normally. His good deeds, importance and intention are being scrutinized for a long while.

A woman's helplessness when she looses all hopes in life; at the time of making difficult decisions; when she has to support others in distress and also when she has to choose between the right and the wrong: is shown clearly by the character Ahalya. How the power of woman can be rejuvenated by a node or a small support can be witnessed in the book at a later stage. The woman's role in the society is well explained with many woman characters and it proves without doubt that the woman is not a weaker section in the society and she can stand along side with man in every activity.

Human mind is described with expertise in this book. The way people think and react at life's different circumstances is highlighted realistically. Humour is also applied in various occasions as a part and parcel of the Kerala society. The countless characters in this book represents the cross section of a society, which includes members belong to the countless castes and creeds in India. Their life harmony and the way in which religious fanaticism tries to disrupt it are also explained well. It proves that extremism, whether it is political or religious, is harmful to the society and the common men always stand against that.

The Author shows that love is a combined feeling of security, courage, jealousy, possessiveness, oneness, sharing and caring. True love can face any obstacle when together. Even the smallest of things done for the other can make a big difference.

The unexpected ending of this story also makes it unique.

First of all, as soon as I completed the last lines of the book, tears started rolling down my cheeks. I really wonder why it happened. I think the climax has such an effect on me because basically I am a traditional Indian girl and all Indian girls are same in their heart though some act as if they are not. Beneath the Clouds and Coconut Leaves is a realistic book which gives a good idea about the social and economic conditions of people in Kerala since independence and it wonderfully portraits the feelings of a female heart.

Mr. Moncy Pothen in his Novel, `Beneath the Clouds and Coconut Leaves,' narrates, with ease, the rhythms of uncared, stranded lives in bitterness since the dawn of independence.

In his entire story, he spotted the starving world for love with its human touch in real life. Through out the tale, the panoramic expressions are the aerial outcome of the true nature with the living world and the ecosystem.

We can see the pompous days of feudalism are ending and a new age of scarcity or humbleness awakening and it is the hero, an unexpected source that was instrumental to the fall, comes for the aid with attempts to rescue. In the book, we experience the success of humanity above all the ideologies. It also portrays the political, social and cultural scenario in Kerala, the tiny South Indian State, in its true state.

I wish the domain made by the Author be a great success.

Those who lived in Kerala in the Sixties/Seventies would know what it means to be a Naxal. How many young men/women have sacrificed their lives on the altar of this utopian cause! How many families have suffered, some violently and some in silence! All for a cause that just fizzled out within no time and vanished from people's memory without a trace.

It's not a hitherto unexplored theme, but to my knowledge past initiatives have been in Malayalam language. Here Moncy uniquely portrays the life in a typical Kerala village, its social structure, its pulses and the swings. I'm sure the reader will be overwhelmed by the sentiments Moncy has successfully depicted without losing its innocence and flavor.
Kurien V.
Saudi Arabia

Highly recommended reading, Beyond The Lie: Finding Freedom From The Past by Alice Smith is an outstanding guide for Christians caught up in terrifying feelings of shame and distrust, and who are searching for an escape to a personal world less susceptible to the all consuming evils promoted by the broader culture of the world today. Providing an informed and informative mapping of the proper pathway to a spirituality healthier lifestyle, Beyond The Lie helps the reader to avoid being victimized or otherwise lapse into behaviors that would disgrace themselves and their families. Above all else, Beyond The Lie gratefully speaks to Christian readers of the glorious sacred love of Christ redeeming them from the bonds of their past, the temptations of the present, and the promise of the future.

I really liked this book. It's easy to read and her stories are real clear. Alice shares in a way that hurting people of this world can be set free of their past. First Alice shares how as a child she was victimized and how she struggled with her abuse for years. But she doesn't stop there she goes on to skillfully explain how we can be free from the torment that has kept us bound all of our life. It really is a lie you know, we don't have to remain a victim! We can be set free. This book will help change your life.

I am thrilled to recommend "Beyond the Lie" to anyone who has suffered at the hands of others, experienced traumas or ever asked the question of how to turn suffering and difficulties into something better vs years of repeated pain. The transparent stories, biblical principles and step by step instructions are the result of over 35 years of counseling and ministry.

In almost 15 years of working alongside Alice's ministry, I have seen thousands of lives impacted and changed by the insights shared in "Beyond the Lie". Personally my life is completely different than where I was years ago when I first met Alice. "Beyond the Lie" can make a difference in your life as well!

Debbie Walker
Houston, TX.

All people, including Christians, have traumatic events that keep them in spiritual and emotional bondage. Alice Smith is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and trauma. She began her life journey as a victim, but through the healing power of Christ, she emerged a victor.

Smith's book, Beyond the Lie: Finding Freedom from the Past offers help to all who struggle with past abuse experiences. Through personal and victim stories, biblical stories, statistics, a bibliography of suggested reading and victim resources, Smith provides readers with the necessary information to rise up, gather hope in God and walk out of the darkness.

Smith's book is laid out in a manner that makes it easy for the reader to gather the information necessary to help themselves. She discusses forms of abuse and typical responses by victims, systems of thought that can impact how you view yourself and the world, warning signs that victims send out, positive self talk and healing through Jesus Christ.

Armchair Interviews says: If you, or someone you know has suffered abuse, Beyond the Lie: Finding Freedom from the Past is a valuable gift to give.

No wasted words here! I found this book easy to read, succinct and to the point. It demonstrated how childhood rape or molestation can be overcome through prayer, with graphs and charts that were very helpful. The author made clear how to overcome a victim mindset. Especially helpful were definitions of spiritual warfare terms, how demons find ways to attach themselves, and how to get rid of these parasites. ("you've got worms?") Yes, this book helped me gain confidence and put away fear. Highly recommended!

Black Sheep is a desperately needed wake up call for the lost generation of Black youths in today's society and the professionals who are trying to save them. In addition to offering insight and intellectual nourishment, Black Sheep also gives us hope.
Achebe Toldson invites the reader into a world filled with social stigmas, systemic challenges and ill fates and fortunes that are the familiar stumbling blocks for African American youth. A haunting suspense novel, Black Sheep is told through the eyes of Duce, a prominent graduate student who has become obsessed with his thesis. In the mist of his self absorption Duce loses sight of reality and begins to live through his fears and nightmares. He soon discovers that his greatest challenge will not come in the form of a research paper, but in learning how to fight the demons of his past and confronting his present fears.
Toldson does a remarkable job of challenging the reader's current perspective on life as we know it by offering hard core comparisons that help us to understand the present state of our inner city youths. The human mind is tantalized with psychological proses, biblical quotes and sometimes just the plain truth as he pushes us to the brink of reality. A modern day Harlem Renaissance writer, Toldsons' impressive style will surely leave a mark in the literary world.

With realistic, believable dialogue and powerfully drawn characters, BLACK SHEEP is a stirring account of one man's struggle to find his life's purpose. Emotionally evocative, this is a truly captivating read with much food for thought. The reader cannot help but empathize with Duce as he forges ahead on his life changing journey, all the while hoping that for Duce, this journey will end up being one of self-realization and not one of self-destruction. (RAWSISTAZ Rating: 4.5)

Reviewed by Autumn
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

I finished reading your book last night and I must admit it is one of the most powerful depictions about the African American males I have ever read. You are on your way to becoming one of the best authors of our time. Your book is like an abstract of my own life. I wonder if you took some of this story from my life, because I can relate to every thing Duce went through, from love, to school, to the streets and the woes of a white society. I have walked through all these aspects of life. Thanks for inspiring me though your words. You said this book was fiction but to me these characters are so real because I have walked in their shoes and their struggle is so real. I have walked with duce, Jason, the Professors, Dana, havanna, and all my people fortunate to be labeled ghetto. and yes I have escaped the deadly touch of Lucifer. and yet held on to my beliefs. Thank you so much for caring so much to write a blueprint of guidance and perseverance, I hope your words become universal like the sun and timeless like the pages of the bible. keep writing brutha because you are the prophet of the lost tribe, lead us to a better tomorrow's wrote these lines for you.
I stood among the killas and I wasn't moved,
I danced with the devil, yet I kept my groove.
Mentally I got abused but I never was bruised,
Aristotle would be confused if he wore my shoes,
I drank from muddy waters yet I quenched my thirst,
I found the tree of knowledge and uprooted its curse,
like a Moore I brought knowledge to my enemies' door,
I gave my education but he wanted more,
My decent is what they feared because the time is near,
Great armies we can build if we enter their ears.
Thanks for the jewels. (numbers,3:24)

Where do I start? I can't tell you enough how much your book has affected me. My uncle gave me the book saying it was the best he had ever read. Books are our common ground, but I admit I was a little doubtful about the "deepness" of the book. The first page proved me wrong. The characters you developed touched a part of me that I had forgotten about. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Even though I am female, I saw parts of me in Duece that made me dig deep into myself. I think we are all haunted by a Lucifer in every aspects of our lives, many of us are not as fortunate as Duece to find and fight those demons. It is very hard for our people to seperate "pipe dreams" from reality sometimes, we tend to live in an ignorant state of mind, never coming to realization. Havanna also touched my spirit, she was a sista that I admired. Her character reminded me of that forbidden fruit that you know you shouldn't taste, but the alluring aspects of its beauty can't keep you from it. Also, at first I thought of Lucifer as a character, an actual FBI informant, but after I talked to Lael, he opened me up to something I had missed. Lucifer was a state of mind, that voice in everyone's head that you know you shouldn't listen to, your demons. He knows all your secrets and manipulates you while setting you up. It's like you took me back to the beginning. You made me remember the struggle that still goes on today. Your work has caused me to examine myself and the world around me. The wordplay challenged me mentally as well as opening me up to a new aspect of psychology and philosophy. Being a business major, I had never heard of the "I-thou" or "esoteric", these words caused me to look deeper into psychology. It's almost like a college student gets so caught up in his/her category of study, that they miss the rest of the world, and other means of knowledge. I work at a non-profit organization and see alot of at-risk youth, but I'm there for the business experience, not realizing the real reason, the youth. I almost felt ashame that I was blindly striving for success without looking around me, I felt almost like Dr. Cox in your book. These are just a few revelations your book opened me up to. This book deserves national attention and should be distributed in every ghetto, substance abuse clinic, prison, and juvenlile center where blacks struggle to find a reality. Thank you for writing such a deep and dedicated piece of work that did not doubt the intelligence of your readers or the forget the struggle that we all still face today.

Dr. Toldson's book will provide the reader with an exceptional experience that touches on many topics relevant to people from all cultures and backgrounds. The book provides a gripping account of the life of Duce, a young African-American male who struggles with his identity as a student, friend, spiritual being, and minority. Avid readers who love reading stories with underlying themes related to psychology, sociology, and existential issues will not be able to put this book down. I was engaged from the first page of the book until the last page. The book had me reflecting on my own life and the lives of many of my friends. I look forward to Dr. Toldson's next book...

This book touches my heart. It is so typical of the many children who are lost through the cracks by our educational system. It shows real courage on the mother's part for never giving up on her son even in his darkest moments. The family was drawn into Brian's World as victims of circumstance.
So many children and their families suffer because their child has learning disabilities and most educational systems seem to turn a blind eye as our precious children turn to drugs and suicide to escape the torment and torture that awaits them inside our schools and at the hands of peers and authorities alike.
Brian was a bright young man who learned to cope the best way he knew how as he drifted through the cruel world in which he lived. I laughed at his antics and cried with his mother as she struggled to save her precious son.
I believe this is a book for all to read from 12 to 99 and especially for educators. I think Brian's short life has a message we need to hear before it is too late for yet another of our young people.
A must read to add to your summer list of reading materials you won't be able to put it down until you finsih. ...

"Brian's World" by far is one of the best written true stories I have ever read. Throughout the entire reading I felt the author was sitting beside me and telling me her story. She writes as though she was talking directly to me and you can feel it comes right from her heart with total honesty. Throughout reading "Brian's World" I found myself not being able to lay it down for any length of time; when I did lay it down I was right back with it in my hand and reading, just wanting to know more about this fine young troubled youth whose mother loved him unconditionally from the beginning of his life to the end. I recommend "Brian's World" to all parents around the world.

Catherine Roberts writes courageously about her struggle to protect, support and encourage her son from illness in infancy through learning disabilities to drug and alcohol addiction. Catherine faced the many challenging situations in raising a learning-disabled child with grace and dignity and ALWAYS with her son's best interests at heart. She shares with us hers and Brian's tale, honestly, truthfully and frankly. The book is chock-full of emotion and interspersed with pain and humour.

Catherine Roberts writes courageously about her struggle to protect, support and encourage her son from illness in infancy through learning disabilities to drug and alcohol addiction. Catherine faced the many challenging situations in raising a learning-disabled child with grace and dignity and ALWAYS with her son's best interests at heart. She shares with us hers and Brian's tale, honestly, truthfully and frankly. The book is chock-full of emotion and interspersed with pain and humour.

I laughed, I cried, I felt the pain of Brian and his mother as they journyed through life trying to find a place where Brian would fit in. I know this story all too well and I could relate to all the turmoil that this family faced. I could feel their pain as teachers and authorities alike labeled Brian and condemed him. I cried as peers tormented and ridiculed this loving caring child. It was the fact that Brian was taken from an outgoing child model to the depths of substance abuse as he looked for peer acceptance that broke my heart. I wanted to shake him many times as he manipulated his loving mother to get his own way. He certainly learned the system and how to play it at the expense of his mom. But through it all she showed Brian unconditional love and acceptance never faultering or giving up on her precious youngest child. When you read some of the funny things Brian did as he grew into his teenage years, it is hard to realize that he understood the english language so litterly in its content. Brian was a very bright child who thought very seriously about the future and what he wanted even as a child. I loved the story about him at about age 10 when attending a business meeting/ tour of Weyerhauser he asked the Weyerhauser representitive how much money he earned. But his explanation for the question was extremely well thought out for a ten year old. I also enjoyed and laughed through the story of Brian's practice driving his fathers antique car and then after getting hooked on the garage painted it with wood paint and a paint brush in hopes no one would notice. I was apaulled to learn that Brian after being rehabilitated for 10 months in juvenille hall was let out with no place to go and no support form the system. This is so typical of what happens to many of our youth today. I commend Catherine on a job well done. I would recommend this book to all from teens through seniors. My grandmother read this book as did some of my students and all of us gave rave reviews. I would recommend that all teachers and people working with troubled youth especially the youth justice system take the time to read Brian's World. You won't be able to put it down until you get to the back cover. I can't wait to read Catherine's next book.