Whose Face Is in the Mirror?: The Story of One Woman's Journey from the Nightmare of Domestic Abuse to True Healing

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: Although sad and frightening, I was held captive to Dianne Schwartz's story. Her thoughts during her abusive marriage, throughout therapy and into recovery clearly show that a woman can turn her life around, if she finds the correct avenue and teacher. She worked hard to not only escape her abusive husband but has taken her experiences to lead other women to safety.

She has spunk! I loved her honest way of writing and her ability to be completely honest about her low self-esteem before and during her marriage. I'm amazed that she's now the founder of a non-profit organization that assists victims of domestic violence and it seems, works daily to help women trapped within the cycle of violence. She's my new role model. Thank you, Ms. Schwartz for sharing your story.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read For All Survivors Of Domestic Abuse!
Review: Dianne left no stone unturned in this book as far as appealing to the issues that battered women deal with - why we stay, how being abused affects our thinking patterns, our health and our spirit, how we attract abusers, how we convince ourselves to live in denial, the lies we tell ourselves, how to get to the bottom of it, where to go for help and how to heal.

The story was told from the viewpoint of a woman who has recovered. She takes us back, shares her experience and focuses on HER part in it. I liked that when she went back and told her story, she never degraded or beat herself up for the bad choices she made, felt sorry for herself, nor did she make excuses. Her focus was entirely on helping the victim understand why/how she got into a relationship like this, what caused her to stay, and how to find the strength to not only leave, but to get well. She doesn't pull any punches in this book. She exposes the myriad of lies and myths that keep many women trapped in abusive relationships. (He's stressed out from his job, he had a bad childhood, he's sorry, he will change, it's not him it's the alcohol, I don't have scriptural grounds for divorce, etc.)

She also shares the learning process she went through as she was going through therapy. We get to sit on the couch beside her and watch the whole thing take place.

I don't know that I've ever read another book like it. I've read books from the viewpoint of the victim before, but not one where a woman was gutsy enough to take full responsibility without blame and use her experiences to teach others. It is truly more of a teaching tool than a sad story. I think it will help a lot of women.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone wanting to know more about dv.
Review: Dianne's book is the best I've read ever. She really lays it all out and gives the honest to goodness truth about domestic abuse. It takes a rare and brave person to step forward and do what she has done in this book. I hope women everywhere, no matter if you are in an abusive relationship or not, read this book and learn from it. The best chapter is "In the Mind of a Battered Woman". For anyone wanting to know what goes on in women's minds this chapter is it. Read it and know there are millions of women and men facing this everyday. Domestic violence isn't only physical violence it is mental warfare. Congrats to Dianne for writing such a wonderful book. Honesty truly is the best way to go. Good luck to Dianne in her work and her new life.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for women dealing with any form of abuse......
Review: Dianne's husband was verbally and emotionally abusive and also a batterer, but no matter what form of abuse you are dealing with this book is one you must read, because all forms of abuse are damaging to the body, mind, and spirit. As a survivor of domestic abuse this book helped renew my strength and helped me keep my resolve not to return. There were so many aspects of Dianne's story that I could relate to; from the struggle she had with leaving, to the emotional damage done to her spirit, to the extreme conditioning that happens in abusive relationships. Dianne is a true survivor and her very candid and honest approach in telling her story will help any woman, whether she is just coming to terms with the fact that she is being abused, just gathering the strength to leave, or has already gotten out and needs the validation and strength that comes from reading about others who have been there.

Rating:
Summary: The Book of a Lifetime
Review: If you could give a book 6 stars on Amazon, I would give this book 6 stars.

Once in a while, a book comes along that actually SAVES LIVES. This is one such book.

If you know someone in an abusive situation and you can only do one thing for her, give her a copy of this book.

There is magic in this book in that Ms. Schwartz knows the many denials, repressions, and fears in the mind of the battered woman and slays them all with her mighty sword of truth.

She tells it like it, sparing no one, and by sparing no one, she saves the lives of the battered women reading this book.

I recommend this book with all of my heart and soul. Anyone who reads this book will find her life to be changed -- for the better. It is a very powerful and important work.

Rating:
Summary: This book was written for the victims of domestic violence
Review: My book was written to validate any victim of domestic violence. I wanted them to understand that they're not alone or crazy, but simply living a crazy lifestyle.

Although I focus on female victims, any male can read the pages and apply it to them. As victims, we all think the same way, feel the same feelings, and continually blame ourselves. I've attempted to go inside the mind of a battered person and expose the lies that have become our creed in life. Once the lies are gone, only the truth and reality remain.

It is my hope and prayer that this book will bless and send the reader on a new path...one that leads to wellbeing. God bless all of you!

Rating:
Summary: Best ever book on DV - this woman has BEEN there!
Review: This was the key book for me in my search to escape a violent relationship. The author has obviously lived through and survived things that anyone in an abusive relationship has experienced first hand. More than anything else I read (and I read everything I could get my hands on) this book helped me get out and then beyond an awful situation. I highly recommend this book!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Best ever book on DV - this woman has BEEN there!
Review: This was the key book for me in my search to escape a violent relationship. The author has obviously lived through and survived things that anyone in an abusive relationship has experienced first hand. More than anything else I read (and I read everything I could get my hands on) this book helped me get out and then beyond an awful situation. I highly recommend this book!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Five stars for clarity, honesty, courage...
Review: You can read this book in a day or two, and in some ways that's what makes it good. Battered women may need something like this, to the point but it doesn't require too much energy to wade through. No page-after-page of statistics, etc.

I liked the author, her direct, no-holds-barred attitude. She tells it like it is and that is no small feat. She has suffered. First she was emotionally abused by her father, then her husband. I thought she was very balanced in her presentation. She shows how she was a magnet for these kinds of men and how she has recovered from her need to both "play" the victim and exert neurotic control by being such a goody two-shoes.

I'm so glad she has a peaceful life now, with a loving man. That's good for battered women to see - that it is possible to love again.

And I think all women should be grateful that she was willing to put her life on the line (literally, because, after all, her abuser is still, unfortunately, among the living) for others. Way to go, Dianne - you're one of my heroes!