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Summary: From word one...
Review: A true masterpiece. A friend of mine told me to read this book, so I thought why not. Admist tears that fell during the reading of the book, his message is clear, concise and sent straight to the heart. His works have always entertained me, and I can see where some of the writing stems from. The Wounded Spitit had to be just as tough to write as it was to read at certain points. Please people do yourself a favor, spend an evening with Mr. Peretti and his life. You will be glad that you did.
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Summary: A new look at a very old and tragic behavior
Review: After learning that this book was "required" reading for the faculty at my daughter's school, I too wanted to read the book. This is a very poignant look at the life long effects of bullying. If you were the bullier or the one being bullied this is a "must read". I was so saddend to read about Frank Peretti's life as a child. What an encouragement to see how he overcame his childhood! The pain and scars from your childhood can be overcome.
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Summary: For Girls/Women Too
Review: Although I could not share all of the memories Peretti gave of a boy's experience with bullying, as a woman I shared many of the same feelings. Girls can be just as tough on each other as boys, especially in the locker room. This book could really help anyone work through those old experiences and look at oneself in a new light today. I was disappointed the book did not go further; give more examples or bring in more points of view. While I share his Christian views, I wish Peretti had toned them down some so the book would reach a wider audience. I hope this book prompts more authors to share their insights.
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Summary: This is not fiction. This is real.
Review: As an extremely overweight child (and adult) I suffered through more than my fair share of teasing, taunting, and bullying. When I, with my somewhat volatile temperment, would make some weak attempt at retaliation, I found that I would usually be the one to get punished for it by the "authorities". That was rather confusing to me. Something about that did not seem right. Finally, here is someone with similar experiences with the courage to write about it. Here is someone who agrees with what I knew deep down inside all along, that something is terribly wrong with a society that refuses to take a stand against bullying and abuse, and even implicitly encourages it. Peretti writes this book for the wounded, for those who wound, and for those who have found themselves on both sides of that fence. He writes about the way things could be if society is bold enough to change its mindset and take action. If things don't change, more Columbine-type incidents are inevitable. I hope and pray that this small book inspires more writings on this subject, and more importantly, the healing of thousands of wounded spirits.
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Summary: An important warning - but will anybody listen?
Review: Frank Peretti has said some things that need to be said about the pecking orders that exist in adolescent society. With the many school shootings, often by victims of schoolyard bullies, that have happened over the last few years, it has become painfully obvious that writing off such bullying with the time-honored excuse "Boys will be boys" does not hold water. Mr. Peretti gives his own personal story about how cruel children can be, and how insensitive those in authority (the gym teacher was his example) can be. The abuse that he faced was for a problem over which he had no control, not that the bullying types care. Mr. Peretti directs his book, not just at the bullies, but at those who are bullied and then do some bullying of their own. This is the most perplexing question: how is it that those who are bullied can, knowing what it feels like, can turn around and become bullies? This book is for the bullies and the bullied alike. Unfortunately, Mr. Peretti's warning may fall on a lot of deaf ears - especially parents of such bullies. Many fathers like their sons to be "tough" (you can spell it "M-E-A-N"), and what better way to show how "tough" you are than to bully those who can not or will not fight back. They figure that the best way to not be bullied is to BECOME the bully (remember Tacitus - "They terrify, lest they should fear." How about Colonel Kurtz from "Apocalypse Now" - "You must make horror your friend; otherwise it is your enemy.") This book is a five-star manifesto against the "Social Darwinism" that has become disgracefully accepted in our schools. If the schools and the parents do not wake up, then scenes like Columbine will be both past AND prologue. A must read!
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Summary: The only book on this topic I've seen - READ THIS BOOK!!
Review: Frank Peretti is well-known for novels about spiritual warfare. This is the first non-fiction book he has written and it will impact your life dramatically!! Peretti tells his own story (which he hasn't told openly until only recently) of growing up with a medical condition that left him disfigured and also small and underdeveloped for his age. The first chapter "A Boy's Hell" describes the scene in the boys' locker room when Peretti was in junior high. His story is powerful - you will never forget it! It is brutally honest and it is also hard to read. Your heart goes out to this young boy who has had to endure so much torment at the hands of his peers. The horrific treatment followed him into high school, until finally someone showed an interest in him and in so doing, helped stop the chain of abuse in Peretti's life. The Wounded Spirit is not about only kids being mean and abusive to other kids. This is about our society and how we treat each other. He points out how these problems are also present in adult relationships. He calls the strong people (who might perhaps be the ones being mean) to be the protector of the less strong. Instead of merely telling a moving story and outlining the problem, Peretti has good constructive things that can be done about it. He has advice for the wounded and for the wounders! He has advice for teachers and other adults in charge in those situations where kids are being wounded by other kids. Ultimately, healing can only come through Jesus Christ - through Him, we can break this cycle of victimization and abuse.
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Summary: Frank Peretti's Life Experiences
Review: Frank Peretti writes about his childhood experiences as a deformed, bullied student. One gains insights as to why his books present definitive struggles between good and evil. He also shares his childhood fantasy world with the reader. Peretti presents solutions to bullying from a Christian perspective. He especially attacks school bullying and the adult sanctioning of it either overtly or covertly. One may not agree with all of the stands he takes, but there is plenty of opportunity for the reader to examine his/her own beliefs.
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Summary: A Sobering but Uplifting Book
Review: Frank Peretti's fame as a Christian horror writer can easily be understood once you read this soul-baring, heart-rendering account of his early life. Focusing somewhat on the tragedy at Columbine, Peretti tells us of his own wounded spirit at the hands of bullies and insensitive people during his school days. Peretti relates the story of the night of his birth, when his father had to replace a tire in a raging snowstorm. The faith his parents have in God is awesome and he uses a quite unusual object to aid in his repair of the wheel.
Peretti is never self-pitying, and he offers some really wonderful insight into the reason bullying is such a devastating occurrence to a withdrawn, self-conscious young male. I'm sure many male readers can share in the terrors that awaited the "different" in phys ed class and the showers.
Peretti then goes on to suggest ways we can heal our wounded spirits, and stand up for what we believe in. He also tells us that when we wound, we too should ask for forgiveness.
This is not a preachy book, it is well written, and it can be read easily in one or two sittings. It's a joy to read someone who has such faith in his Lord, and is willing to share his past with those who have also been there.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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Summary: A MESSAGE OF HEALING
Review: Frank Peretti's fame as a Christian horror writer can easily be understood once you read this soul-baring, heart-rendering account of his early life. Focusing somewhat on the tragedy at Columbine, Peretti tells us of his own wounded spirit at the hands of bullies and insensitive people during his school days. Peretti relates the story of the night of his birth, when his father had to replace a tire in a raging snowstorm. The faith his parents have in God is awesome and he uses a quite unusual object to aid in his repair of the wheel.
Peretti is never self-pitying, and he offers some really wonderful insight into the reason bullying is such a devastating occurrence to a withdrawn, self-conscious young male. I'm sure many male readers can share in the terrors that awaited the "different" in phys ed class and the showers.
Peretti then goes on to suggest ways we can heal our wounded spirits, and stand up for what we believe in. He also tells us that when we wound, we too should ask for forgiveness.
This is not a preachy book, it is well written, and it can be read easily in one or two sittings. It's a joy to read someone who has such faith in his Lord, and is willing to share his past with those who have also been there.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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Summary: not what I expected
Review: I am a school administrator and hoped to use this book to help teach kids about how bullying is not exceptable. My disappointment was two-fold. First, I cannot use the book in school with all the references to turning to God and Jesus for answers. Second, I felt much of the blame for bullying was placed on schools who apparently promote more than prohibit the problem. Some of the situations and attitudes are outdated and sterotyped. There ARE people who care and try to stop bullying before it goes too far. Stop the media from producing movies, books, games, etc. that encourage violence. Stop world leaders who blace blame on others because of race and religion. Stop parents from fighting, abusing and setting poor examples. IT's not just the schools' fault. And, we need mor than religion to change society.
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