Rating: 
Summary: Must read for anyone who wants to know about transsexuals.
Review: "True Selves" is the first book to provide the reader with some sense of what it is to be transsexual. The book is written by Mildred Brown and Chloe Rounsley. Mrs. Brown is a therapist who has worked closely with transsexuals for many years. Her compassion and understanding of the problems and suffering of this small group of individuals fills a gap that has existed for many years. Mrs. Browm starts at the beginning and explains this little known condition for the reader. She starts by defining terms that are often times misused by a "ratings hungry" media. She explains the medical, socialogical and psychological foundations. She also povides some insights into the suffering and pain that transsexuals are faced with each and every day. Mrs. Brown accomplishes this all in a down to earth style that both the lay person and professional will appreciate. THe book provides resources for transsexuals and professional alike. As a transsexual myself I found the book to be quite heartwarming as I discovered it was about me! Previous titles about transsexualism such as "The Uninvited Dilema" by M.A. Stewart had been the text that many professionals referred their clients to. With the release of this book I believe that they will soon use this as a means of opening the eyes of the friends and familes of their transsexual clients.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book to give the family when coming out !!!
Review: I bought his book because I needed a way to explain to my wife what I am, and why I feel the need to change. This book is positive, honest, comprehensive and well worth every cent I paid.I am giving a copy to the important members of my family, and suggesting it as a source of information to friends and associates. Buy it, read it, feel better if you're transsexual, understand better if you're a friend, family, coworker etc.. etc..
Rating:
Summary: Excellent overview of Transsexualism
Review: I found this book to be an excellent overview of Transsexualism dealing with all aspects of gender change and the issues involved. I find the book a good reference for everyone. From the person identifying as a transsexual, to helping professionals, friends and family, to those just interested in the subject matter. I've read quite a few books on the subject matter and rate this the top one yet. And yes, I am a post-operative transsexual woman.
Rating:
Summary: Sensitive, Articulate Treatment
Review: I was able to finally come out to several of my family members, which was definitely hard (even though I was pretty sure they would accept me). What I wasn't prepared for was my inability to adequately articulate many aspects of what I have been living through all my life, and I could only partially satisfy my family's willingness to understand. I found this book and discovered that it pretty much said it all. It explained most aspects of my past experience, to the point where it was almost spooky. Also, it was important to me that it wasn't highly clinical or dehumanizing but portrayed people like me as humans worthy of love, happiness, and esteem. My only regret is that I didn't have this book ten or twenty years ago when I had no idea what was "wrong" with me.
Rating: 
Summary: Sensitive Eye-Opener
Review: I've never had any personal encounters with transsexuals before and am not one myself, so my personal opinion of transsexualism was based on ignorance and second-hand opinions. I read this book out of pure curiosity. Reading this book opened my eyes to the plight of what transsexuals have to go through, all throughout their lives. It also helped me see things from a different perspective. The book is readible and sensitive, seeking for understanding rather than trying to defend. I thus recommend this book to anyone who cares enough to try to understand the fellow human being, even though that fellow human being may be "different".
Rating:
Summary: The best book of its kind.
Review: I've read a number of books describing transsexualism, hoping to find the right one to give to people as I tell them about my own transition. When I read this one, I knew this was it, and I told my parents about myself within the week. They have since told me that this book was essential to their understanding of my condition. I believe the authors have provided an invaluable resource for anyone whose life is touched by knowing a transsexual person.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as I had hoped
Review: The title of the book states 'Understanding Transsexualism', but I felt that the first half of the book focused way to heavily on transvestites and crossdressers. Yes, there is a HUGE differance between the TG community and the TV/CD community.
I am a TS and felt short changed with all the crossdressing discussions. For TV's and CD's its all about clothing, makeup, wigs and/or fetish sex. For me it has nothing to do with all that, but takes on a deeper, almost spiritual journey to discovering my true inner self, not how sexy I look in a new wig. I PROUDLY say that I have NEVER bought, owned or worn a wig.
Overall, I am sorry I purchased this book and even more sorry I recomended it to my family.
Rating:
Summary: This really made a difference
Review: This book absolutely HAS to have saved many lives already.
Transexuality is REAL. People REALLY live it. And they live it NOT BY CHOICE. And they live through lives cloaked in sadness, guilt, fear, lies, cheating, ridicle, rejection, misinterpretation, horror, violence and finally death - mainly due suicide.
This is know. I have experienced most of this including very close to the final one.
This book may have yet saved my own life. (It's too early to tell but it has certainly been a positive source of light during the blackest time in my life)
It's a fantastically positive book and will give solid support to any transsexual person - both directly in their own recognition of the material within and in passing it on to family, friends, lovers - anyone they might find the need to come out to prior to or during transition. There is only one tiny element in this book that is not quite right - it understates the existence of a class of transsexuals who's sexuality also happens to cross the other way. The writers appear (like many others) to assume that transsexuals, who might appear to the uninformed to be homosexuals prior to transition are actually always heterosexual after transition (and yearn to be prior).
One of the gay world's secrets is now out. There are also transsexuals who are (or give the appearance of being) totally str8 prior to transition and who are therefore quite, quite gay AFTER transition.
For these people, life is even more complicated, full of irony and paradox.
Sadly this book does not adequately account for these individuals very well. Otherwise I rate it ten stars out of five.
Rating:
Summary: A true gem!
Review: This book is a must for anyone whom sef-identifies as Transgender and for friends, families, allies, caregivers, and clinicians serving the Trans population. Written in a very comprehensible style and language, this book is an invaluable tool and resource! Definately recommended for those individuals seriously considering SRS (Sexual Reassignment Surgery). Amazing, simply amazing.
Rating: 
Summary: True Selves
Review: This book is more transphobic in my view than Janice Raymonds Transsexual Empire. The authors claim to be counselors who decide if transsexuals should be allowed to have sex reassignment surgery. They claim to be friends and advocates of transsexuals. With friends like these who needs enemies? They patronise transsexual people. It is obvious that they consider us to be mentally ill people in need of a cure. Avoid this book.
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