Rating: 
Summary: Too good, Wake up and smell the hate --disguised as love
Review: I needed some time to get over the shock of reading this wonderful book before I could gather my thoughts enough to write a good enough review for you- those women and men who are wondering if it is really worth their time. Verbal abuse can be very very subtle form of brainwashing, as well as the loud shouts of demoralizing words. The book speaks loudly of the unspoken, of what society doesn't want you to deal with. The information given is just what men don't want you to know as long as they can use these methods to control you. The book gives many examples of how women extacated themselves from verbal abuse with divorce. Sometimes this is the right thing and sometimes it is wrong. You dont have to demolish your marriage (yes even in a verbally abusive relationship)to prove that you can now be the tyrant, but once you have the knowledge you can use it to your own benefit and make a change. Change yourself by not absorbing the abusers words, and others will go with the program or they wont. In other words, as a woman, empower yourself with this knowledge to overcome evil and make your life better. Yes- you are being used! hate it and change.
Rating: 
Summary: Highly recommended.
Review: This book was recommended to me by a friend in the mental health field, and I was quite impressed with it. I highly recommend it to anyone who feels that she is in an unhealthy relationship, be it romantic or otherwise. I do, however, feel that one should supplement the reading of this book with other books, such as "Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them" by Dr. Susan Forward, and "Women Who Love Too Much," by Robin Norwood. This is not to say that "The Verbally Abusive Relationship" was lacking, per say, but I feel that it is important that one gain as much insight as possible into a situation and, as painful as it is, come to fully understand one's role in said situation.-A student with a fairly decent background in psychology who feels very strongly on the subject of verbal/emotional abuse.
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Summary: Captures Verbal Abuse
Review: I thank Patricia Evans for writing this insightful book on verbal abuse. As a highly educated and fairly confidant woman, I refused to believe I was the "victim" of verbal abuse after a 6 month relationship ended. My grieving was unusual in that, not only did I miss him, but I felt my ego had been completely shattered- and I could not undertand why. After all, I had experienced break ups in the past. My roommates advised me to get help and I bought this book. And then everything became clear. I began to write down all the cruel things he had said to me and realized that his lines were delivered with such subtelty that I didn't even realize what was happening to me. It was only until I read them that I stood back shocked at just how abusive he had been. The "confusion" which characterizes this type of abuse was more than prevalent during our courtship. I am just beginning to feel like myself again, and in large part, it's because Evans' book opened my eyes to the profound impact verbal abuse can have on a person. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO FEELS THEY MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING/EXPERIENCED VERBAL ABUSE. My only wish is that I had read it sooner and found ways to address the abuse during the dating experience. It is so easy to deflate someone and so difficult to build a person back up again. If it's happening to you, or to a friend, stop it in its tracks by reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I purchased this book awhile back and thought it was very helpful. I also recommend Confusing Love with Obsession by John D. Moore.
Rating: 
Summary: Very dry and theoretical. Not good for practical use.
Review: Like somebody's dissertation.
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Summary: crazymaking isn't my fault
Review: Imagine that, Patricia Evans lays out how abusers manipulate you through the words they say as well as their demanding tones to dismiss you as a human being. This Ms. Evans calls "crazymaking". It doesn't matter who does it whether it is a colleague or a family member it is still unacceptable. She clearly lays out scenario after scenario and what a shock it is to realize how we unknowingly allow ourselves to be drawn into this abuse. Read it and rejoice that someone gives us tools to enrich our lives by not allowing abusive people to get an upper hand.
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Summary: I felt abused reading this book!!
Review: When I first read this book I thought maybe my feeling "verbally abused" by this book was my fault. I now know this is not true. First of all Ms. Evans does not have any academic nor professional credentials. This book also lacks any professional testimony. Ms. Evans claims that this book was written as a result of 4o interviews (not therapy sessions) of "one" side of an abusive relationship. No wonder all the abuse accounts are of meek women confronted by boorish men. According to Ms Evans there are several dozen indicators of an abusive relationship, including feeling a pit in your stomach and dreams. Ms Evans provides an indicator for every situation. Since Ms. Evans doesn't claims to have any therapy experience nor academic research experience it confounds me that she can claim any authority on this subject. She does claim to have been help by several therapists and Ph.Ds, yet none of them have a testimony, or a forward attributed to them. If you need validation (feel good) of a failed relationship, this may be the book for you. If you want to save your relationship I would recommend going somewhere else. e.g. Dr. Ellen Wachtel "We Love Each Other But?."; Jamie Turndorf, Ph.D. "Till Death Do Us Part (Unless I Kill You First)" are good starts.
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Summary: INTO THE LIGHT........
Review: this book is excellent at pin-pointing the mental framework of a verbally absive mate, how to recognize it and what to do about it. I was in such a relationship with my ex-husband, and it took years to discover that his problems/projections were becoming mine. This book would've helped me determine that much sooner. My only complaint is that the book could be more concisely written: it can be hard to understand at times, and I'm a professional writer myself. Ms. Evans is to be applauded, however, for her insight and for what she imparts throughout: that the abused is not at fault and that the behavior isn't to be tolerated. If you know someone who's subjected to this type of behavior, this book will help tremendously. Spread the knowledge and make a difference in someone's life.
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Summary: Buy this book!
Review: If you are on this page, considering whether or not you really need to read a book about verbal abuse, let me encourage you to take the leap. I was where you now sit not long ago, and this book opened my eyes. When I realized that I was afraid to have it delivered to our home, I realized how critical it was that I get the help it offers. If you have read the excerpts online and concluded that you might be in or know of a verbally abusive relationship, please consider what Evans has to say. She makes sense out of a non-sensical situation. It's a pretty easy read and well worth the time. If you think you might be in a verbally abusive relationship, there's a really good chance that you are correct. If so, read this book. It may save your life.
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Summary: A Book to hold on to
Review: I read this book in 1996 from a library shelf. I had repeatly gotten into relations that quickly turn abusive and then threats of violence (whereby I got out). Until I read the book, I couldn't see what I was doing wrong: ignoring the early signs. This book provides clear information about what abuse was. I was in desperate need of this. I cried when I first read it because a weight was lifted from me. This was the first self-help book I've read that was soooooo information packed. (And I'm a bookworm going on 40 years.) I now try to keep a copy on my bookshelf and refer back to it (3 times so far). I've also read it (cover to cover) twice.
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