Rating: 
Summary: Fine book on recovering from sexual trauma.
Review: Several readers have posted comments about how this book will teach you how to "manufacture" traumatic memories. I originally picked up this book because my then-boyfriend suggested that I had a past history of sexual trauma, even if I didn't remember it. I knew from the start that if anything had happened to me, it wasn't done by my father, because I had no "icky" feelings towards my father, just the normal mix of love and adolescent resentment--nothing like the women portrayed in the book. But there were plenty of other times and places that something could have happened to me, so I read the book, I did the exercises--nothing. No traumatic memories, no blinding flashbacks, *nothing*.I eventually concluded that this boyfriend had a pathological need to be in a helping role, and that therefore he needed for me to have a problem. I packed away the book and haven't much thought about it since then. If it's possible to fabricate memories, then believe me, I ought to have *some*, because I tried damn hard. I free-wrote, I visualized, I did relaxation exercises, I journaled. Nothing. Nada. So, it did me a little good (there are sections on dealing with depression and asking for help and support that were valuable to me, I think) and it did me a little harm (it let this jerk of a boyfriend pat himself on the back for being "supportive"). But nothing lasting--and no "false memories." I think a really, really, really bad therapist might, with time and effort and a sufficiently vulnerable woman, be able to "implant" false memories. But this book? Don't make me laugh.
Rating: 
Summary: The hardest book you'll ever read, and most life changing
Review: It is a pleasure to review this book. I review it to give another sufferer of secrets the courage to buy this book and begin the long journey to emotional/mental/spiritual/physical wholeness. It will turn you inside out, probably, but it will get the garbage out in the process. Not to read alone. Its too scarey. Order it, and get a therapist, or at minimum a group such as Survivors of Incest Anonymous or Adults Molested as Children. Even if you don't remember anything. Even if you're not sure you need it. Even if someone suggested you get this, but you think they are crazy. Still, I say, get it! I have owned it about 10 years and have never read the entire book. Many pages have reduced me to a pile of rubble, garbled words and hopeless tears. But surprise! They were not hopeless ultimately! They were healing and resolving. I went to a workshop with one of the authors and in person she was as fabulous and loving as she was in writing this book. This book frees women from slavery from the shadowy, murky past. 1 in 3 American women are incest survivors, 1 in 5 men are. If you're a man, you can still get a lot from this book. The issues are the same: Betrayal, boundary bashing, innocence lost, self esteem destruction, splitting, etc. etc. God Bless you for your courage to order and read this book! With love, Linda Schiller-Hanna
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Summary: My Bible, a torch that helps you thru that long dark tunnel.
Review: I was already in therapy when I first picked up this book in the store. I found it on my own, I'd never heard of it - but God, I'm so glad I did. Thank you Ellen and Laura for letting me see the Sun shine again and hearing the thousands of voices that spoke my thoughts. I felt like Alice coming out of the locked room into a garden filled with thousands of people, I didn't feel so alone anymore. If ever as a survivor, you thought there is no hope, then read this book, it will help you find that hope. The Courage To Heal will help you to do more than just survive, it will help you to learn how to live again.
Rating:
Summary: A definite help
Review: As I am neither feminist or lesbian, I approached this book very cautiously, conservatively, and skeptically, and I still found it to be a tremendous help -- it was "group therapy in a book" in some ways, since much of the book is comprised of women's testimonies of their own healing processes. It gave me insight, courage, and new understanding about myself. There is so much more to being an abuse survivor than simply a memory of abuse, and this book helped me work through more of it. One word of caution: I do not recommend this book as a sole or first step in a person's healing process. It can be overwhelming and/or misunderstood. But if you are in therapy, have been in therapy, or have read other books on the subject and feel able to handle delving deeper into hard reality, you might find this book (as I did) to be a very comprehensive resource and a definite help with all the issues surrounding childhood sexual abuse.
Rating:
Summary: This book is still helping me to recover from my experience
Review: I am still in the process of going to theropy and reading this book. At first I had to put it down and not read for a while because I saw myself. That was frightning because I didn't think I would. Everything that this book said might happen did. When i am having a hard time I turn to A COURAGE TO HEAL. Thank you so much for helping me see there is hope after all.
Rating:
Summary: Don't listen to "Don't......Stop!"
Review: No matter what she/he says, this book is ok great help to people who have been abused. Most of us have no clue how to deal with our problems that are a direct result of sexual abuse. Most of us are too afraid to go to a support group because we can't even begin to deal with the intense emotions that surround us. Most of us can't open up to a group of strangers let alone our families/loved ones or even ourselves depending on how deep the hurt goes. For those of us who need to begin to deal with the abuse on our own level, the book and workbook will help because you can work at your own pace rather than be forced to talk about something that may be too painful. I know I deal with things better by myself at first until I can get my emotions in order and separate the anger from the pain.
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Summary: Reading this book was a very terrifying step in my healing.
Review: I haven't brought my book out for a couple of years now. It stays under my bed so it's close by when I think I need some encouragement. It took me a while to actually pick the book up because I didn't want to dredge up the old sludge. Once I started though I finally realized I wasn't a freak. I related to so many people and their stories, it was hard to believe. I thought I was the only one who felt like I was an empty vessel. I was in councilling for a couple of years but that didn't help me as much as Courage to Heal did. There were so many stories and feelings in the book that was me. I'd read something and say to myself "That's me. They are describing me." I didn't feel so ashamed any more realizing there are so many people that share the same feelings of shame and guilt and all the other crap thart goes along with it. I want to thank Ellen and Laura for this book. It was one of the biggest influences in my "neverending but finally feeling! " healing process.
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Summary: this was my first option
Review: i can truly say this book worked wonders for me. it helped me to see i wasn't alone, and understand that i'm not crazy. i was told by my family that i was crazy because this happened to me. but i'm not! i would like to thank ellen and laura for caring enough to help others, because you helped me so much. and i can feel again!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: THANK HEAVEN FOR THIS BOOK
Review: From the moment I picked up this book I felt better. I wasn't crazy. I wasn't alone. Lightbulbs starting coming on in my head, things made sense. The way in which this book was written, it comforts you while you wade through the ugliest most horrifying times of your life. Thank you Ellen Bass and Laura Davis for your obvious committment to educating and helping to heal.
Rating:
Summary: recommended twice to my daughters
Review: This book has been a God-send to my 2 daughters and me in dealing with sexual abuse issues. It will amaze and dismay you. If you feel alone with the shame of having your "soul stolen", this book will leave you with more hope than you can imagine. Little girls and boys have for too many years gone without help for victimization from those who would steal their innocence. The authors are to be commended for putting so much into helping others with what they have been through themselves. The book is divided into sections so that what is pertinent to you at a given time is easily accessible. Real life stories bring home the truth in the narrative. This book is probably the best therapy one can give themselves in dealing with probably the biggest issue of one's life.
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