Stalking the Soul: Emotional Abuse and the Erosion of Identity

Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly Objective
Review: Hirigoyen takes the interaction between abusers and the abused, breaks it all down, and lays it all out for examination, revealing the techniques of abusers both at home and at work. The clarity is painful but elegant.

If you are soul-battered and soul-bruised, this book will help you to re-group. You'll find out that you aren't weak -- you are strong, damn strong, or you wouldn't be here, reading this review, getting ready to buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: No Honey, You're Not Crazy
Review: I purchased this book after extricating myself from a relationship with an emotionally unstable man. By the time I left the relationship, I had no self identidy or self esteem; he had sucked the life right out of me. I thought I was going crazy.

Emotional abuse and physical both erode the victims identidy, the only difference being that emotional abuse victims don't wear their scars on the outside. This book explains how the abuser gets inside your head, and the slow steady degradation of self that occurs as a result. I found myself amazed at the author's insights, and vindicated by her words of encouragement and healing. From this book, I learned to spot the warning signs of emotional abuse - in myself, and in my relationships. After reading this book, I don't think I will ever fall into an emotionally abuse relationship again. This book is a must read for anyone who has been in an emotionally abusive relationship, and anyone who suspects they may be.

Rating:
Summary: Pulls no punches
Review: Oh my. Oh my oh my oh my.
I could only read bits of this book at a sitting. Dr. Hirigoyen equates emotional abuse with trauma. That explains my intrusive thoughts and flashbacks while reading it. This is SO satisfying to one who has experienced the lasting effects of emotional abuse. At last! Someone understands!
This book is not for the timid. It is a clear-eyed, and unabashedly biased (toward the victim) look at the abusive process in varied aspects of life - the family, in business, and in the intimate relationship. Grit your teeth and read this one. It's a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Pulls no punches
Review: Oh my. Oh my oh my oh my.
I could only read bits of this book at a sitting. Dr. Hirigoyen equates emotional abuse with trauma. That explains my intrusive thoughts and flashbacks while reading it. This is SO satisfying to one who has experienced the lasting effects of emotional abuse. At last! Someone understands!
This book is not for the timid. It is a clear-eyed, and unabashedly biased (toward the victim) look at the abusive process in varied aspects of life - the family, in business, and in the intimate relationship. Grit your teeth and read this one. It's a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Stalking the Soul, Emotional Abuse and the Erosion of Identi
Review: STALKING THE SOUL by Dr. Marie-France Hirigoyen

Dr. Hirigoyen exposes the destructive and hidden phenomenon of emotional abuse in her book, Stalking the Soul. She contends that although emotional abuse does not leave visible bruises, lacerations, broken bones, it is equally as violent, more widespread than physical abuse and, in the end, culminates in virtual murder of the soul without the abuser ever dirtying his/her own hands.

Emotional abuse is ongoing, even in our very presence, each day within families and perhaps to a much greater extent in the workplace. Society today does not clearly define moral standards nor are absolute rules and standards defined in places of employment; therefore, society stays blind to survive and refuses to acknowledge the insidious violence of emotional abuses, thereby, tacitly condones such dangerous and perverse conduct.

A portion of the book is devoted to the ever-increasing emotional abuse so prevalent in the workplace today. Hirigoyen describes abuse in the workplace, identifies the target, and explains who attacks whom, discusses how the abused becomes disarmed, how abuse begins, describes characteristics of an organization that permits abuse, and organizations that encourage abusive methods.

Emotional abuse begins with seduction and brainwashing and culminates in open violence sweeping the victim into a vortex of destruction. Emotional abuse is as criminal as is physical abuse; however, society today acquiesces behind a guise of tolerance of the crime, and we become accomplices losing our own principles, values and sense of limits.

Marie-France Hirigoyen validates the fact that emotions shape our entire being - indeed our very soul. Her book is an eye-opener for those who wear blinders and turn deaf ears to the reality and widespread damage of emotional abuse. Stalking the Soul will help one recognize and understand emotional abuse and the devastation suffered by the vast numbers who are wounded. This book offers practical knowledge of how to break free of the vicious hold of abuse and begin a journey toward recovery.

The book is excellent.
Flora Stringer






Rating:
Summary: SAVED MY LIFE
Review: This book "came to me" just when needed. It validated all I had experienced, was experiencing still at the time of reading, and that which continues to this day. I finally knew I was not alone nor imagining things. It gave me the understanding and strength needed for the days ahead, and helped me begin putting on the brakes to further self-doubt and blame. Hirigoyen does not, however, offer much advice in seeking help legally, psychologically, or spiritually. Due to the nature of this form of abuse, though, little help is available and readers must find initial relief in the book's pages. Hirigoyen aptly describes an abuse that feeds off of silence and fear. I, for one, would like to turn that tide and offer my email address to any and all similar "victims" who would like to start a support dialogue. The isolation associated with this kind of abuse is devasting, and perhaps Stalking The Soul can provide a venue for discussion and support among its readers. Contact me at [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: SAVED MY LIFE
Review: This book "came to me" just when needed. It validated all I had experienced, was experiencing still at the time of reading, and that which continues to this day. I finally knew I was not alone nor imagining things. It gave me the understanding and strength needed for the days ahead, and helped me begin putting on the brakes to further self-doubt and blame. Hirigoyen does not, however, offer much advice in seeking help legally, psychologically, or spiritually. Due to the nature of this form of abuse, though, little help is available and readers must find initial relief in the book's pages. Hirigoyen aptly describes an abuse that feeds off of silence and fear. I, for one, would like to turn that tide and offer my email address to any and all similar "victims" who would like to start a support dialogue. The isolation associated with this kind of abuse is devasting, and perhaps Stalking The Soul can provide a venue for discussion and support among its readers. Contact me at [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: I couldn't stop reading this book!
Review: This book had such a profound effect on my life. It explained things about abuse which I had never considered and it re-affirmed things which I already believed to be true.
The author of the book does an outstanding job conveying a timely and critical message to those who have had their souls stalked by lovers, friends, family or in the work place.
I truly can not recommend this book enough. I guarentee you will learn some frightening and sobering truths about soul stalkers, psycopaths and the personality disordered. It can give you ammunition and insight into how these people operate and think.
In a world filled with those who seek to control and manipulate, this book is a must read!

Rating:
Summary: I'm NOT alone !
Review: This book has given me the validation and straight forward facts to motivate me to find the me that was lost over 11 years. What a liberating feeling it was to see that someone not only understood my reality, but that there were many others in my very situation. This book illustrated the phases of control which lead to the erosion of ones identity. I could not put this book down! The only complaint I have is similar to the reviewer below. I wish there would have been more strategies for dealing on a day to day basis with an Emotional Abuser; ways to diffuse anger once it has escalated. Setting boundaries can be nearly impossible when dealing with an abuser.

Rating:
Summary: I'm NOT alone !
Review: This book helped me realize what terrible situation I have been in. It was amazing that the author knew exactly what was happening in my life. Absolutely unbelievable. I have to say it was a bit scary. The sad thing is there wasn't much help on what to do now that I've identified the problem. Still a must read for anyone who suspects they are being emotionally abused!