Rating: 
Summary: My path to healing started with this book
Review: After ending an abusive relationship that lasted 6 years, I was at a loss. I questioned every feeling, every thought I had. I had no one to turn to, because his controlling and abusive behavior had surved its purpose: I was completely isolated. I started looking at self-help books, but many of them seemed inacessable or discussed how to recognize signs of abuse, not how to pick up the pieces after it was over. This book became my bible. Each word rang true, and I began to realize I was not crazy, nor was I alone. The exercises allowed me to take stock of my own life, assess where I was currently, where I had been, and where I'd like to go. The path to healing is neverending and always full of surprises and dissapointments, but this book helped me see that I had done the hard part: I had survived. Everything I do from now on is about me, is about healing and being safe. I pick this book up to remind me how far I've come, and to help me with the parts I still struggle with. A fantastic resource.
Rating:
Summary: My path to healing started with this book
Review: After ending an abusive relationship that lasted 6 years, I was at a loss. I questioned every feeling, every thought I had. I had no one to turn to, because his controlling and abusive behavior had surved its purpose: I was completely isolated. I started looking at self-help books, but many of them seemed inacessable or discussed how to recognize signs of abuse, not how to pick up the pieces after it was over. This book became my bible. Each word rang true, and I began to realize I was not crazy, nor was I alone. The exercises allowed me to take stock of my own life, assess where I was currently, where I had been, and where I'd like to go. The path to healing is neverending and always full of surprises and dissapointments, but this book helped me see that I had done the hard part: I had survived. Everything I do from now on is about me, is about healing and being safe. I pick this book up to remind me how far I've come, and to help me with the parts I still struggle with. A fantastic resource.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: I absolutely love this book. After I left my abuser I had so many mixed emotions. This book addressed everything I was feeling from anger, guilt, loss etc. This book is a MUST READ for anyone who has left an abusive relationship. I applaud the two authors, Meg Kennedy Dugan and Roger R. Hock. Because of this book I have HOPE in my life again!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent self-help/therapeutic tool
Review: I am a psychotherapist - this book is a powerful gift for anyone who has just begun taking steps or has long been out of a violent, abusive relationship. Although it is a self-help book, I strongly recommend it to clinicians, patients, and others who want to better understand what a woman goes through when she tries to free herself from an abusive relationship. It can help her put words to so many different and complex feelings within the therapeutic setting, and as a communication tool for her to help others around her better understand what she is going through.
Rating:
Summary: Just what I need
Review: I'm reading this book right now, and I felt it was written just for me. Believe me, if you are coming out of any kind of abusive relationship (remember, it does not have to get to the point of physical abuse to be abusive), this book will help you deal with your loss and your recovery. I broke up with whom I thought was the love of my life 2 months ago. Been through hell. I too thought it was insane to love and miss so much a person who was constantly putting me down and hurting me in many ways. It had to stop. But once you're out, STAYING out could be pretty tough. It sure is for me. This book is guiding me through the loss I'm suffering and so far it's been THE GREATEST help I received. It's been like reading my soul. I need to THANK the authors, you've helped a great deal.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource and much-needed comfort
Review: Life doesn't become rosy after the battered woman leaves the relationship. This is the most dangerous time AND the most depressing. Ms. Dugan understands the loss, the grief, the anger and the now-what-do-I-do feelings. A must-read for any woman who's left or is contemplating leaving
Rating:
Summary: A gem--very comprehensive
Review: This book has been very helpful to me in recovering from an abusive marriage. In fact, if you only have the money for one "recovery from abuse" book, this one is the one to get. It covers every type of abuse, even spiritual abuse, which was very relevant to my experiences in a bizarre cultic marriage in which I was beaten over the head with the Bible and told to "submit" all the time. The tone that the book is written in is wonderful. It is neither "oh, you poor pathetic baby" or "get over it, toots" but strikes exactly the right tone--empowering and empathetic but not patronizing or overbearing. The book helps you not only analyze what happened to you and why, but gets you into the healing process. This book helped me quit beating myself up for ending up with and staying with an abuser (and having SIX children with him into the bargain), for still having feelings for my abusive husband, and for being tempted to go back. Some of the exercises at the end of the chapters were kind of silly, and I skipped them, but some were excellent. The exercise that helped me the most was the one that helped me to look back and remember why I fell in love with that chump to begin with. It WASN'T because I am brainless. The absolute best thing about this book, in my opinion, is the final chapter. Prior to reading it, I had no idea how in the world I managed to marry an abusive control freak and was scared to death of getting hooked by another one. This chapter really helped me feel capable of choosing another partner who is not abusive. The author tells you exactly what danger signs to look for. I missed every one of them the first time, but I won't miss them again!
Rating:
Summary: A gem--very comprehensive
Review: This book has been very helpful to me in recovering from an abusive marriage. In fact, if you only have the money for one "recovery from abuse" book, this one is the one to get. It covers every type of abuse, even spiritual abuse, which was very relevant to my experiences in a bizarre cultic marriage in which I was beaten over the head with the Bible and told to "submit" all the time. The tone that the book is written in is wonderful. It is neither "oh, you poor pathetic baby" or "get over it, toots" but strikes exactly the right tone--empowering and empathetic but not patronizing or overbearing. The book helps you not only analyze what happened to you and why, but gets you into the healing process. This book helped me quit beating myself up for ending up with and staying with an abuser (and having SIX children with him into the bargain), for still having feelings for my abusive husband, and for being tempted to go back. Some of the exercises at the end of the chapters were kind of silly, and I skipped them, but some were excellent. The exercise that helped me the most was the one that helped me to look back and remember why I fell in love with that chump to begin with. It WASN'T because I am brainless. The absolute best thing about this book, in my opinion, is the final chapter. Prior to reading it, I had no idea how in the world I managed to marry an abusive control freak and was scared to death of getting hooked by another one. This chapter really helped me feel capable of choosing another partner who is not abusive. The author tells you exactly what danger signs to look for. I missed every one of them the first time, but I won't miss them again!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: This book is a welcome guide for all who have survived abusive relationships. The authors give the reader useful-and most importantly, conrete--tips to regain one's sense of self. The authors wrote the book with the upmost care in mind without being condescending. I highly recommend this book to all who care about victims of domestic violence. I truly hope the the authors write more self-help books...I will certainly be in line to purchase it!
Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal book--inspiring
Review: This book is a welcome guide for all who have survived abusive relationships. The authors give the reader useful-and most importantly, conrete--tips to regain one's sense of self. The authors wrote the book with the upmost care in mind without being condescending. I highly recommend this book to all who care about victims of domestic violence. I truly hope the the authors write more self-help books...I will certainly be in line to purchase it!
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