Abuse Books

Dr. Thomas Moore portrays in UPLAND ROAD a heart-wrenching, and tragic suffering, accompanied by the errotic, the humorous, the drive for power, and the thirst for love and acceptance... and the near-impossibility to balance these conflicts and stay sane... He is a name to be reckoned with, when one thinks of contemporary literature. If one wants to get to the core of any matter that is to be understood one will revel in reading Thomas A. Moore's books. One will not find any elaborations, introductions, euphemisms or romanticism. The matter of the subject will be encountered directly matter of factly but with known and unknown depths of meaning and maturity. Yes! Every chapter of Dr. Thomas Moore leaves one with a higher level of maturity and understanding.
Reading Dr. Thomas Moore's writings is like someone holding a mirror in front of you. The truth is freightening and at the same time fascinating due to its starkness. One gets a feeling of ones mind getting peeled of all the dressings, 'feel good' layers, hypocricies, euphemisms in pursuit of reality and undersatanding of the human condition. The naked truth that is left behind is highly disturbing, funny, enfuriating, and at the same time it is enlightening and utterly difficult to ignore.
Dr. Thomas Moore's story engulfs you right from the first sentence and then starts the roller coaster of eye opening emotions and in the end one is left gasping for breath. One cannot but admire the meaningful content and higher levels of understanding. One feels more mature from reading his work.
The style of Dr. Thomas Moore is concise and straightforward. One cannot miss its honesty and authenticity. The sentences are short and simple, but varied with some long and complex. No subject or character is taboo to him. He does not stick to any form. The content is very open and encompasses a larger horizon. He sees things always on a wider perspective and thus his conflicts are more with social implications and do not limit themselves to individual experiences or problems. His style is so frank that it is shocking. It challenges the traditional expectations of literature. In that sense he is modern and bluntly realistic. He definitely succeeds in bringing one out of one's safe shell and makes one look at the world with open eyes and more understanding.
Dr. Thomas Moore is a very rare combination of a successful professional writer and businessperson. His books have won prestigious literary awards, and although a young writer for such ultimate recognition, he has already won a lifetime award for his body of literature.
Brilliantly varied in theme, character, and action, his books are unified and illuminated by the great subject of Dr. Thomas Moore's work: his profound, compassionate, and philosophically inspired vision of the human condition. He is acutely sensitive to the uncertainties, complexities, contradictions, and the apparently endless suffering of life--for everyone.
What also gives his writing that rare universality is his core thematic focus on that suffering, which we, like his characters, all experience in many variable ways. That transcendental theme of life's unrelenting pain and torment defines what's most essential for Dr. Thomas Moore to express and describe with his characters, so that we can expand our own understanding at the highest level.
His writing ranges from the subtle and nuanced, to muscle aching funny, to hammer blows to our heart, but always we feel the often radioactive pain that he pours from his very soul into his characters, so that they and their lives become as open wounds which he compels us to make our own.
What we come to realize and are reminded of in chapter after chapter is regardless of the specifics of the characters, their situations, agonies, loved others, and the vast diversity of their cultural, moral, financial, social, generational, religious, familial, parental, personal, and professional values, beliefs, haunting lack of belief, and more, is the bleak, stark, grim perception that life is conflicted suffering, and the very often, the characters' choices are as simple as they are horrific: keep living as is and become insane and irrelevant... or change--by first laughing.
With the utmost realism and deceptive simplicity of style and narrative, Dr. Thomas Moore creates characters, who, from the most socially elite to the powerless and addicted, have the capacity to comprehend many of life's mysteries, feel compelled to try to find answers that will help them make some sense of what they're experiencing, and yet every time, realize or enable us to realize, that there are no true, final, ultimate answers, and the unanswerable questions that keep coming become, all too frequently, festering, worsening sores and wounds that they and we can only endure--but only if there's the necessary strength, perseverance, commitment to themselves, others, to...seeking their truth and meaning--regardless.
His profound sensitivity to the people and world around him have enabled him to develop a deep sense of the intricacies of the human mind, and how that complex mental whole works together. His decades of writing and life experience have evolved into a wise, mature and visionary philosophy of life, which he integrates into his community in all forms. He also has a very sharp social and political acumen.
He didn't choose to be a writer, but that writing chose him because his writing is driven by a deeply disturbing inner compulsion.
His writing style is deceptively concise, but his storytelling occurs on several levels including the tragic, erotic, journalistic, and funny. Those levels are deliberate creative choices to bring the most clarity to the reader. "Beneath the surface" of his are intense, tormented, troubling undercurrents, dramatized through the life and actions of his considerable range of characters, who must struggle with those currents or risk drowning in them and having their lives devastated.
He writes about difficult, despairing, often insurmountable challenges, subjects and issues, suffering himself in the writing because of the emotions that must be felt by him so that he can put them fully into his characters. His goal is not to give the reader an easy, comfortable, relaxing reading experience, but to pull them into the conflict and cause them to feel the agonized emotions that his characters must confront and try to endure, so that the reader can more deeply understand how suffering is felt by all, regardless of the particulars of circumstance.

Dr. Thomas Moore's goal in every story is to significantly elevate the understanding of his readers about the lives of his characters, and that what appear to be huge differences in culture, religion, government, and location on the planet, matters not at all, when all the variables and specifics are transcended, and the reader is able to perceive, respond to, and empathize with the characters, as essentially human--humanity where all of us are subject to Life's universality, indifference, humor, and cruelty. Not because it's deliberately so, but because it simply is, and so we must proceed.
For those readers who share Dr. Thomas Moore's unflinching courage and determination to face and write about the good and the worst of life, and plunge into the flames and fires of the deepest, most heart-wrenching, and tragic suffering, accompanied by the errotic, the humorous, the drive for power, and the thirst for love and acceptance... and the near-impossibility to balance these conflicts and stay sane... the reading rewards the reader with characters that are as transformative, as they are remarkable, and permanent. In gaining that knowledge and insight, the reader will gain a deeper understanding about Life, and will find powerful new ways of comprehending our lives.

Dr. Thomas Moore's writing has that precious quality that Hemingway described as "the iceberg effect." His characters reveal themselves and can be enjoyed on first reading, but for those who truly care and engage in regular re-readings, these resonate in the mind and heart, there's more to be found on each reading. As with all true art, there are too many expanding "ripples" for full comprehension ever to be achieved.
Check his other recent novels: Hillary The Progress Of Man

Upland Road: A Journey Within is a dark novel about the legacy of abuse, suffering, and terrible choices. Lil, the daughter of a drunkard, awakes from a lifetime of drugs and the specter of past sexual abuse. Facing life sober, she is haunted by her abortion of the child of her love, Dylan. Burdened by remorse, she tells Dylan the terrible secret, yet the child she has lost continues to haunt her for years - until the nightmares give way to reality. Her limbo child has been reborn and is demanding her attention. Both Lil and Dylan search for self-awareness, forgiveness, and the path to a "normal" life in this gripping saga of emotional turmoil.

So original, yet I believe it does happen. Wow!

One of the most honestly written books I have read in a long time!

The charcter studies are exceptional, as are the poetic descriptions of emotion and scene. The desire to bolster together and the compulsion to head for the hills are my conflicting reactions to this wrenching drama. This book has changed my awareness of so much.

Warming the Stone Children by Christine Sandor is a memoir of being sexually abuse as a child by her mother. Christine takes you on her journey in finding out the truth and how to deal with it. Her story is an open and honest one. It will grab your heart stings. Christine shows us there is strength behind abuse. Everyone should read this book.


AngelLesa
Publisher of The Odd Mind Magazine
Host of The Odd Mind radio show
www.angellesa.com

I was drawn to this book by the amazing title that begged so many questions. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down! Although at times the crimes against this child are unimaginable the reader is always left feeling hopeful. This is a beautiful, brave sharing which is sure to change lives.

An incredible true account of the author's experience of incest at the hands of her mother. Sandor's story is courageous, and although hellish to imagine, ultimately a testament to the healing that is possible. The writing and poetry are honest and candid without being self-indulgent. This book is a beacon for anyone who has survived sexual abuse, anyone hoping to help someone who has been victimized in this way, or anyone who wishes to be reminded of the strength of amazing grace.

Christine Candor's, Warming the Stone Children, is not an easy read. But, that's okay. I don't think it has to be. Yet, I believe it is a story that should be read by most and understood by all.

Christine's parents made it clear from the beginning that she was an accident that they never wanted to happen. They wanted a boy and not "another damn girl." From the beginning this child had nowhere to turn but into herself.

The author takes us down her long path to recovery. There we meet her parents, Catholics who stayed together for that reason. Yet, they should've been divorced to save their children. In fact, one of her mother's descriptions of her husband was the "biggest mistake" she'd made in her life. Their fighting made living with them a daily nightmare. But, that was nothing compared to the physical and sexual abuse this child suffered at the hands of those she should've been able to trust the most.

As I read the author's story, I felt an almost unbearable the pain in my chest. Christine takes you through the many people who aided in saving her life. That's when the book really takes off. I began to breathe a bit easier. Yet, I could never seek real comfort as the author revealed the tragedies she had to overcome.

Still, I felt joy at her victory over the turmoil in her life. It is a testament of Christine Candor's fine spirit that she pursues life as a therapist and minister to those in need. Warming the Stone Children will warm and break your heart. Yet, you will revel in the greatness of good overcoming evil.

Armchair Interviews says: Story of one woman's climb out of a horrible childhood to being a surviving adult.

An amazing true story of Mother-Daughter Incest and the healing process. This book is sure to help surviors and professionals understanding the most taboo of subjects. Sandor's writing draws you in a gentle story telling kind of way. This book is a gift to the reader.

There was a time that I thought that I had no where to turn. Using the principles of this book have allowed me to hope and begin to live from a place of power.

I encourage anyone who is challenged with life to learn the skills in this book. I believe it will be a life changing event.

Susan

In any abuse situation (physical, emotional, substance) we tend to divorce ourselves from our bodies and our feelings and walk through our lives disconnected from our essence. "What will set you Free" companions the reader every day of their journey to healing. At the beginning of the book the question is asked "If there were no blocks how would you live your life?" What follows is a workbook that is much more than just another self-help book. It is a workbook for life change which will transform the reader from abuse to wholeness. Cynthia James has written an easy to follow road map to reconnection with your true self.

Reviewed by Carol Hoyer for Readers View (5/08)

Cynthia James has given readers the chance to make a positive change in their life through her own stories, practical exercises, journaling and a wonderful meditation CD.

It has been a while since this reader has read a book so compelling, one that gives advice you can use right that moment and one so caring. Each chapter is filled with stories of her own life of abuse, neglect, finding the wrong relationships and trying to find who she really is. Don't we all do that? Many of us have been harboring secrets for most of our life and can't figure out why we aren't happy.

"What Will Set You Free" gives clear understanding of how we sabotage our goals and ourselves. We continually play the victim and blame others. Ms. James teaches us how to stop doing the negatives and focus on the positives we have with such exercises as: writing your story- word for word, making no changes. She asks, "Does your story drain you and make you fatigued?" Then follows with after reading your story ask yourself "Do you want to let go of the story and move on."

As a psychologist I have read many self-help books, but none show this amount of enthusiasm or sincerity in helping you make a change in seven weeks. This is a book that I would recommend my students in my "Children and Violence" class to read and re-read. Even if we have taught ourselves to believe that we have had a perfect life, Ms. James will help you realize that there is no "perfect" life-- we all have issues, but you don't have to let them rule. "What Will Set You Free" is a very incredible read.

The author lived with a violent upbringing too - being hurt and worse quite frequently. It affected everything in her life until she decided that "yesterday" wasn't going to affect "tomorrow" anymore!

She wrote this book as a gift back to the world to help others accept and transcend the pain that brought them this far. The program and meditations are a safe path through facing the past and releasing their hold on your future. You owe this to yourself! You're worth it!

This book is brilliant in it's approach. It's laid out in such a simple way to follow the daily and weekly practices and tools for healing old wounds, judgments and unhealthy beliefs. I'm so grateful to have these tools which I'll be able to use throughout time whenever I'm in need of support. I also found the personal life stories written by various individuals to be quite helpful. Hearing other poeple's stories, insights and healings offered me a deeper inroad to addressing with compassion my own challenges. I'll be recommending "What Will Set You Free" to anyone I know that is in need of support.

I really enjoyed this book. You will not be able to put it down. Each page I read I could not wait to read the next page. This is a must have book that will make you laugh, cry, and say Damn, no she didn't. I can't wait until the next book comes out please put a rush on it.

"What you Make it" is a wonderful novel that explains life experiences that women go through everyday. While reading this novel, I was not able to put it down. The novel not only made me laugh and cry, but it touched a personal place in my heart. I would recommend every woman get their own copy.

I thought this was an easy read book. Interesting charaters that kept me reading, finished the book in 1 day. I can't wait for your next book Candi Wine. Keep up the good work..........

"What You Make It" is an excellent title for this book. Candi Wine made it clear that life is an experience and it's up to the individual to make it better or worst. It's stimulating and factual anecdote keeps you wanting more. It provides real-life situations that allow the reader to understand and virtually feel what the characters are experiencing. In addition to all of the seriousness, on numerous occasions it made me laugh. Candi Wine, you did your thing. "Lady's you best listen up"

This is one on those books that grabs your attention right from the start. I just couldn't put it down so I finished it in two days. In my book Candi Wine is right up there with Carl Webber and Eric Jerome Dickey. I can't wait for the next book.

Drug use among children and teens is a leading national health concern. Henry David Abraham's text is an accessible "how-to-guide" for parents, which not only educates parents on the facts of drugs and alcohol, but more importantly provides them the tools necessary to be their own researchers of the ever changing drug culture. This text does not merely inform the parent on the current drug epidemic, but more importantly teaches parents on how to inform themselves.

Dr. Abraham first provides parents the framework for understanding the factors that often lead to substance abuse, and then provides a no-nonsense discussion on the substances commonly used by children. Drawing from his extensive clinical experience, the author illustrates the potential consequences of each drug with heartbreaking stories of children affected by drug-induced disorders. A very novel and powerful section of this text is an easy-to-follow guide on how to understand the significance of scientific studies: a parent learns that not all drug facts they encounter in the media are equal. The author explains how to interpret the implications of the various forms of reported scientific research - ranging from single-patient case stories to well designed research studies- allowing a parent to make their own educated judgments on the importance of the drug information they come across in the media.

For parents who feel powerless approaching their children on the topic of drugs, Dr. Abraham provides, in a very straight forward way, the important facts on the newer, exotic drugs children are taking. Additionally, Dr. Abraham examines the often overlooked, but serious consequences of hallucinogen use.

As the President of the National Organization on Drug-Induced Disorders, and also an administrator of a support forum for individuals with hallucinogen-induced disorders, I have heard hundreds of stories from teenagers and college students affected by rare and underreported drug-induced disorders caused by hallucinogens. This is the first text I feel comfortable recommending to parents of these individuals, as it is the first to accurately describe and address these disorders.

"Healthy kids are experience seekers," declares Dr. Henry Abraham, author of What's a Parent to Do?:Straight Talk on Drugs and Alcohol. An experienced psychiatrist and drug researcher, Dr.Abraham points out the difference between drug use, drug abuse and drug addiction. He gives straightforward advice to help the parent prevent drug abuse before it starts and how to proceed if it already has. Examples drawn from real life bring credibility to the advice offered, and huge motivation to follow it.

This very readable book is a well-organized manual highly recommended for parents and others responsible for the well being of children, adolescents, and teenagers. Well-off suburban kids are more likely to abuse some substances than inner city kids, and this book presents all parents with risk levels and danger signs for each category of substance.

There is much in this book that can be easily and effectively shared with young people. Some of the information presented in list or chart form is a prime candidate for refrigerator-posting to help stimulate discussion and remind kids of stark realities. One such chart is on page 184: the top 15 reasons to stay off drugs. While this book has no index, the table of contents is very clear and easily directs the reader to appropriate chapter. Each chapter ends with a concise summary of its most important points. This is a work that parents will want to revisit over time.

After reading this excellent book, every parent will be much better informed about the entire range of substances subject to possible abuse, some of which their child will inevitably bump up against. This book equips the parent with the tools and techniques necessary to help their child avoid becoming a statistic in the all-too-nearby world of drug abuse. It is a hopeful and positive book, grounded in experience, expertise, and a genuine desire to help kids benefit from the most powerful tool at THEIR disposal: their parents.

Part I identifies in five chapters what parents need to know to prevent kids from going down the slippery path of drugs and alcohol, BEFORE it happens.

Part II devotes ten chapters to as many categories of potentially abusive substances: tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, acid, ecstasy, hypnosedatives (Valium and other anxiety-reducing drugs), anabolic steroids, psychostimulants (coke and speed), narcotics (opium, codeine, morphine, Demerol, heroin and others), and other miscellaneous substances (inhalants, PCP, GHB, designer drugs, and exotic plants). Each of these chapters is studded with facts about the specific substance, what studies have shown, what motivates kids to experiment, what the potential consequences are, and what a parent needs to do to confront the possibility of use, or abuse by their child.

The four chapters in Part III give straightforward advice on what to do if your child is already using or abusing drugs, and the conclusion encourages parents to take the steps necessary to begin to make the drug epidemic history.

Dr. Abraham's lifelong experience, his concern and his realistic, down-to-earth views regarding the substance abuse epidemic confronting our society are evident throughout this clearly and concisely written gem. His motivation is quite evident, namely to educate and to empower the reader. His style is straightforward. In brief: this is not a tome meant to impress the reader with the erudition of the author. Rather, it is a handbook, written to inform and, hopefully, to heal those suffering from and to prevent the spread of destructive behavior rampant in our country.

In the "Forward," Dr. Abraham plainly informs the reader of the goals of the book. And from chapter to chapter, in a very readable style, the reader is exposed to a great deal of information and knowledge, without being overwhelmed or overburdened. One of the treats of this work is to experience such an expanse of knowledge and good sense delivered in such a "user friendly", personal manner. It is as though Dr. Abraham is sitting in your living room, chatting about the personal cost of and the public policies driving this modern plague of substance abuse.

More importantly, from my perspective as a parent of a middle school child, I not only gained knowledge, but I gained parenting skills and insight reading Dr. Abraham's book. So, the next time I am asked or hear someone exasperate, "What's a parent to do?", I will answer: Read Dr. Abraham's book and become a "heads-up" parent.

Written by a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, What's A Parent To Do? Straight Talk on Drugs and Alcohol is a no-nonsense self-help guide to the extremely difficult task of preventing and dealing with epidemic drug abuse among children. Drawing heavily from the author's thirty years of experience treating substance-abusing young people and their families, What's A Parent To Do? covers how to protect one's children from drugs ranging from tobacco, alcohol and marijuana to acid, anabolic steroids, narcotics, psychostimulants, and other unsavory body- or mood-altering chemicals. Written in plain, non-judgement terms that focus primarily on helping families stay clean and healthy, What's A Parent To Do? is an absolute "must-have" for any parent or caretaker in today's unfortunately drug-saturated culture.

This book is filled with comprehensive, up-to-date information about every possible harmful substance your child might come across - including tobacco, alcohol, and steroids - in language that's easy to understand, with case studies illustrating the type of damage caused by each drug. The author's compassion for his previous patients and their families is moving, and his tips for preventing substance abuse, as well as his advice on what to do if your child has already begun using drugs, is incredibly valuable. It's not a quick read, but in today's complicated world, the time parents spend reading this book would be time well spent.

One reading after another, I found myself saying, "Yes, that's how I feel," or "That has happened to me too." I felt understood and also challenged and encouraged. Taking care of myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually is important even in the middle of the draining and unpredictable situations involved in loving someone who abuses drugs or alcohol. Finding the end of my abilities in the caregiving relationship is a good thing as I begin to learn God's way to love.

This is one of those books you'll not only want to buy for yourself, but also to give out to counselors, pastors, friends, and family.

Cecil Murphey's "When Someone You Love Abuses Drugs or Alcohol" is marvelous. It is intended to be a short daily dose of encouragement, but I couldn't stop reading it. I felt comfort, conviction, relief, encouragment, motivation... well, the list could go on.

The difference between "caretaking" and "caregiving" is addressed as well as where responsibiity lies - for both the addicted and the loved one. A short prayer is offered as a prompt for personally calling upon the One who truly understands...

I highly recommend this book along with the other two in Cecil Murphey's "When Someone You Love..." series.

When you have a loved one who is addicted, all of your attention is focused on them. We easily forget about ourselves. If we do not nurture our own selves, our ability to help our loved ones is deeply affected. This book and all the books in this series are extremely insightful and will help those who care for someone who is addicted. If your loved one also suffers from Alzheimer's or Depression/Mental Illness we highly recommend Cecil Murphey's other books dealing with these topics.

Cecil Murphey did a wonderful job of capturing the emotions of those who have to deal with addiction of any kind. On our ministry retreat we used this book for dialogue starters because we minister to the homeless population in Fort Worth, and many of those we minister to are drug and alcohol addicted. I do believe Al-Anon should consider this as required reading for encouragement.

When Someone You Love Abuses Drugs or Alcohol by Cecil Murphey is meant to be read as a devotional, but I read it from cover to cover in one afternoon. Why? Because it was telling my story. I know about loving someone who abuses drugs and/or alcohol, and I know what it's like to get caught up in that codependent trap that enables the addict to remain in his destructive lifestyle. Murphey captures the frustration and futility of the codependent's heart while offering hope and encouragement through one-page, boundary-setting devotionals. A must-read for those in similar situations!

I was unprepared to hear my 5 yr. old disclose that our neighbor had molested her. The Sheriff's department focused on her and as a parent I needed to understand what to do for her and for me. This book helps teach you how to respond to your child when they disclose. With so many children being molested, the likelihood is greater than you think. If you are not prepared, your emotions get in the way of supporting your child when they need it most. If I'd have read this book before, I would have responded differently. I recommend reading it even if your child hasn't been molested.....yet.

This is an excellent book to help parents, friends, teachers, everyone and anyone interested in helping a child following a disclosure of sexual abuse.

This book had some great practical guidance for the family going through the trauma of child abuse. I highly recommend it!!

I wish this book had been given to me the first time we started to uncover this mystery with my 4 1/2 year old daughter. Once we entered the "system" the experts seem to forget that the parents are starting at "ground zero" and have a lot to learn. Even after begining counceling, working with Children Services etc... there were so many unanswered questions and our personal struggle with denial - ("it can't be what she is describing".) This booked helped me so much, expecially the list of "signs". Thanks to this book, we were finally able to understand that many of the behaviors that our daughter was showing at the time stemed from her trauma, and helped us move through the process of healing. PLEASE READ THIS BOOK if you are going through this with your child. The most important aspects of the book for me were 1) the list of "signs" 2) reassurance that children don't usually make these stories up unless it was real and 3) that children don't tell the complete story at first - so they don't hurt the parents / and their own fear. Which is why it is so important to listen to your child and give them the love and assurance they need. ( and take the information your child is telling you seriously) In the end - this book helped us put most of the pieces together and helped more than the councelors to bring "peace" to us as we moved through the healing process, and reassured us that what we were feeling and the family process were actually normal. (and we were not alone)

This book offered many worthwhile suggestions for dealing with a difficult subject.

White Chalk Crime: The REAL Reason Schools Fail: Untold story of crime that has destroyed our schools and how teacher abuse and teacher cleansing have kept this from you


The book is a tome! It isn't something you can sit down and leisurely read, but it contains very important documentation of what is going on in schools throughout the USA and how teachers are being abused by the mismanagement and cruelty of the public school systems in the cities across the USA. I wish there was more of NYC's Dept. of Ed. crimes via the incompetetance and mean-spiritedness and lying with statistics and distortions of the violence against teachers in the schools and incidents and the abuses of the UFT /union leaders and those who are teachers with tenure or who are over age 40 who are used as substitutes vs. giving them meaningful teaching work, to get them to quit and not get tenure or lose tenure. It is more immense a problem kept under wraps by very corrupt leadership and union-busting by goverment leaders, like Bloomberg of NYC who hired the Microsoft Monopoly buster hired by Bill Clinton, who is now NYC Schools Chancellor who knows nothing of education is a philanderer and has been discriminating against older teachers for years, and breaking the Union's back violating laws right and left and preventing lawful UFT contracted rights to teachers, putting teachers in the "Rubber Rooms" for untrue and unknown offenses, and going after UFT leaders by putting them in the Rubber Rooms, so they cannot be effective. Having Principals withholding illegally Line of Duty legal documents and not pressing charges against the Principals doing so. Maliigning an harassing teachers, putting them in danger, if they report such safety breaches to UFT School Safety officials. A lot of this must be added to the next edition. Karen Horwitz did a good thing with this book and is operating a free organization known as NAPTA online which is for he National Assn. to Prevent Teacher Abuse. Everyone who has anything to do with Education, lawyers, parents, et al, should have this book in their library and look at it!

First, let me point out that I am a retired school superintendent and I wrote the book, School Corruption: Betrayal of Children and the Public Trust. So from that perspective, I found Karen's book to be a shocking revelation even to me. Her incredible documentation of teacher abuse has opened up an entirely new category of school corruption. I am ashamed to admit that even though I spent five years researching corruption for my book, I did not identify the problem that she has exposed so powerfully and courageously.

Based on the words that are used to define "corruption", I categorized them as follows: cheating and deceitful practices, waste and mismanagement, and fraud and stealing, but teacher abuse does not fit the categories. Only one word fits "teacher abuse" and that is the word "evil" (one of the words that defines "corruption"). That is the only word to describe teacher abuse. So now I must add "evil practices" to my three categories.

What makes her book so compelling is the first hand accounts from so many different individuals who have been the victims of uncovering wrongdoing in school practices. They all chose ethical behavior and their concerns for students over their own careers. The real problem is why are board members, who are supposed to represent the public and students in monitoring school resources, so impervious to the plight of honest souls who are willing to sacrifice themselves if need be? The administrators retaliating is no surprise, but school board members participating in such retaliation is hard to understand and accept. Of course, as she points out, there are many others who participate in the retaliation by refraining to do anything about it and that includes the one group that should be protecting them--the teacher's union.

Now that the problem of teacher abuse has been exposed, one can only hope that support will be provided to those with such courage and ethics, and that actions will be taken to protect those who are certainly viewed as "whistleblowers."

Because of school scandals in many New York districts, legislative reforms were enacted. Among the original recommendations was protection of whistleblowers that would have provided action against those who retaliate; unfortunately, it did not pass as part of the reform legislation. It certainly would have been the kind of support honest souls needed, and would have encouraged others to expose injustices and corruption by school administrators.

Obviously, Karen is to be commended for her dedication and skill in exposing the truth about teacher abuse and by keeping the discussion and interest active through her National Association to Prevent Teacher Abuse. Perhaps her book and activism will be the catalysts for enacting reforms that will protect teachers who expose "evil practices." Let's hope so.

I taught at Navarro ISD in Geronimo, TX. I taught there for the final 3.5 of my 10.5 years of teaching. The .5 is the buyout I agreed to instead of filing a whisteblower complaint in District Court against the Administration and Board of Navarro ISD. I filed over 2,000 pages of documented violations of Texas Education Law with the school district and the Texas Education Agency. Neither the school board, the TEA or the local newspapers did anything. 25 clear and documented violations of law and they did nothing!! I even turned my entire files over to the local newspaper, the Seguin Gazette...who did nothing. The bad part...I found out when I left that I was not the only one who had been ostracized, demonized, and essentially forced out of public education. I was one of many. But I would not go quietly!!!

Come on Oprah...I dare you to read the book and take the challenge to do an expose on what really happens in education in the U.S.

A scholarly and comprehensive work documenting what is happening to teachers all over the nation once they are targeted for "removal" from the classroom. This displacement takes many forms. It can be forced retirement, failure to be "reinstated", "reassignment" or outright termination of teachers from their careers that they have held for decades. It starts with harassment, a hostile work environment, and the infamous "U" rating which enables the public school hierarchy to dismiss teachers via "the process". False charges of incompetence usually close the deal of getting rid of teachers who have been anything other than "subordinate" to public school administrators who must fulfill their business agendas. It is the idealistic, competent, talented, committed teachers who are targeted. It is often those with outstanding skills and experience, those who cared, whose only crime was to speak out about the abuses are being hidden behind the closed doors of academia. They are replaced with "newbies," the younger, newly "certified" teachers, straight out of colleges, teachers training and certification mills, who, unknowingly, also face a limited shelf life in the present teaching system, before they too, are replaced, and their lives and careers are destroyed. For over a decade, Karen Horwitz has documented the heinous practice of teacher abuse that has infected our nations' education system and which only now rising into our common awareness. A must read for all concerned about education, our children and our nation's future.

I'm sure that as word gets out about this book, there will be others who will share here a brief summary of their "treatment" by the current nightmare that is the education system. As Horwitz points out at the beginning of the book, it will be hard to believe the stories related within its pages; they are too frightening to believe. I can tell you that they are true; we're not makin' this stuff up. How could school administrators treat teachers so poorly? How could administrators be so uncontrolable? How can they act with such impunity? How could school boards be so blind, trusting, and in some cases, collude with these corrupt administrators? How could state boards of education look the other way when notified of these behaviors? How can the courts not see and give appropriate, legal relief to those affected rather than side with the corrupt school officials, further adding to the harassment of good, honest teachers?

Horwitz details ten years of data collection of these horror stories of individual teachers who have tried to protect their students and themselves from power-hungry administrators. The lengths to which these administrators go to eliminate concerned teachers is astounding: lies, bullying, destruction of careers, falsifying documents, coercing other teachers to join in the shunning of the targeted teacher. Those of us who have been through it understand that this is NOT an effort to weed out poor teachers, but is, in fact, an effort to weed out the good, vocal teachers who are morally opposed to the actions of these administrators in order to bring in inexperienced, pliant teachers, fresh out of college who will just be ground up by unreasonable demands of the overloaded system in a few years anyway.

My story includes the elimination of my ability to provide "rigorous" curriculum to my students by limiting my ability to use the National History Day curriculum in my classroom. It includes numerous verbal attacks from the principal and surrogates in the office staff as well as fellow teachers who needed to curry favor with the building principal for their own survival or protection. It includes constant reminders that "if you don't like it here, you can go someplace else." It ended with the witnessing of bullying of STUDENTS by the principal and my attempts to get SOMEBODY to do SOMETHING about it. My "inconvenient truth" gave the district grounds to get rid of me and allowed the principal to have a "leave of absence" for a year and return to the district by apply as an assistant superintendent in charge of teaching and learning. Oh, yes, and there was the "no trespass order" signed out against me and my wife (who "retired" six years early rather than continue to work under these people) by the administrator who originally refused to listen to my reports of abusive behavior by the principal. Nice little club they've got there.

Administrators will surely mount a counter-attack that these victims are just "complainers" or "crazy" or in some other way "deficient." The truth, however, is that it is the administrators themselves who are the deficient ones--devoid of morals and eager to control others in order to get what they want for themselves, NOT "for the children" as they so often claim.

This is a "must read" book for any parent who has children in public school as well as for any college student thinking about making teaching their career. A word of warning: don't.

I ordered this book because a family member suffers from depression and was having problems dealing with certain tasks at work. I wish this book had been around a long time ago. One of the reasons this book is so good is that the authors speak from personal experience. The advice you are given is based on what worked or works for them and the other people whose stories are also talked about in the book.

The suggestion that you take Myers-Briggs test to determine what your best suited for in regards to work is VERY helpful. I've taken this test and I was able to see just what areas I could work in and also that I had more choices than I originally thought. This test is wonderful for anyone!

Many employers are not prepared to deal with the subject of depression. This book is a must have tool for human resources so more people are educated on the real story behind the illness and dismiss the stereotype of a depressed person. It is VERY true what the author says about some bosses who don't want to know more on the subject and that they can't understand it and just throw their hands up and say that the employee can't do anything. My loved one is going through it right now. It is terrible and uncalled for.

I can't say enough good things about WORKING IN THE DARK. It really is a must have book.

I highly recommend this book. The authors share their own personal experiences along side valuable factual advice. This book is not only for those going through depression, HR employees also benefit from reading Working in the Dark. There are no other books on this specific subject which is fine because Working in the Dark covers all of the information you need. It is well written and easy to read. The authors are not "preachy" in discussing the topic as is common in self-help books.

I bought this book when I began having difficulties at work due to my depression and I'm glad I did. It covers everything from how to disclose your illness to your boss/co-workers (if you decide to), your rights under the American Disabilities Act and Family Medical Leave Act, resources within your department/company that can advocate for you and much, much more. You're more protected than you know - and you *should* know - even if your depression is under control this is still a valuable book to have in case the darkness returns. Did you know that if you decide to disclose personal medical information to your boss that he/she cannot use that information against you in any way including talking to colleagues, other managers, supervisors, or co-workers? Did you know that you cannot be fired for disclosing your mental illness? Did you know that if you need to take time off due to your condition that when you return to work you must be placed back in your previous position with your same pay? Don't get me wrong - and as the book states - you certainly can be fired for poor job performance - but you have tools at your disposal to help you and your supervisor keep the communication open and clear. This book saved my job - and my sanity. If you're struggling at work because of depression - GET THIS BOOK.

Given the amount of stigma that still surrounds depression and mental illness in general, this book is an essential resource. It's matter-of-fact and practical; the information about confidentiality and job protection is particularly helpful. We should all know our rights in the workplace, and Working in the Dark can be a real source of empowerment.

I purchased this for a close friend who was battling depression while holding down an intensely demanding job. She found the book to be profoundly helpful and has since recommended it to several of her co-workers.

Since I first opened this book, something obliged me to finish it as quickly as possible. What was it? A mix of honesty and irony? Or more simply because this is a really moving and well written book...?

This moving book shows the problems associated with being a child actor, but Dolly has a larger struggle than some. She manages to survive child abuse but is diagnosed with schizophrenia and later manic depression. Her fight for survival is a truly amazing tale.

The author describes the pains of her life with strong emotion, visual awareness and a sensitivity second to none. The author is moved emotionally, psychologically and physically as they laugh and cry on this roller coaster of a journey.

Dolly's outstanding memoir describes how she was an actor from an early age surviving childhood abuse and was diagnosed with schizophrenia, then manic depression.

This book isn't hard to read. The frankness and the ironic humour kept me turning the pages. I did laugh and I cried. This book for people who want to know what madness is really like.