Rating: 
Summary: An amazing read
Review: Of the books I have read in my lifetime, this is one of my favorites. It offers the reader incredible depth of understanding into multiple personality disorder and so many of the emotions involved. The pain that Cameron West involved as a child is gut wrenching, yet through this book the reader comes away not sad, but filled with amazement at the ability of the mind to protect and heal itself. This book made me cry as well as laugh out loud, and it's a rare book that can do that. Regarding the review of the "reader from Japan", I'm amazed at some of the "points" listed to try to discredit this book's author... things such as #1 - The whole basis of MPD is that it is a defense mechanism. Some information gets through, some does not. It is understandable that the person may not have all the details. That's the point of a defense mechanism that blocks out the pain. And regarding #5 - The "child" personality is residing along with the personality of Cameron, the adult man; therefore, the child will know things that only an adult would know. We're not talking a real child of age six here, reader. We're talking a defense mechanism that creates personalities and gives them "ages". The author has multiple personalities, but don't forget, they all reside within him, and he has the memories of a lifetime to apply to those personalities. As for the rest of this guy's criticism, it would just take too long to address each point and the lack of logic therein. Hopefully those interested in this book will just read it with an open mind. It also helps to see a TV interview with the author. He was on Oprah a while back, and it was extremely interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put this book down!
Review: I read this book in two days...in fact, the first night we had a power outtage so I read by flashlight until 2 am! Dr West has the talent as a writer to make you feel that you are right there with him experiencing his awakenings and coming to grips with his past. He is a master of metaphors! This book stirred feelings of outrage, surprise, laughter, intrigue, saddness, hollowness, and then...triumph! His wife and son are unsung heroes in this saga. They demonstrated the ability to be so very loving, sympathetic and understanding even though his wife was having to deal with her own loss and the pain of loneliness and confusion. I found myself crying over and over for the little boy whose treatment was so incredibly awful, and yet he had the strength and ability to somehow survive. I kept looking at his picture thinking "how could this beautiful caring man have endured such horrors and lived to go on? His story is a testament to the human spirit showing that we can triumph over great emotional tradgedy and have something to give others. True healing takes place when we can reach out to help someone else.
Rating: 
Summary: It makes you think...
Review: There are many people who write reviews here and I do not belive that they really did not read the book, though it is their opionion, mine differs. I read this book for my Senior Seminar Class for Psychology. There are many debates about D.I.D because it's such a hard illness to diagnos. If you have depression you can go to a therapist tell them that you have a sadness, and explain exactly what you feel but what about a person with D.I.D? "Well Doc, I have 10 personalities and I think I might have D.I.D" That rarely comes out of a patient's mind. This is why this book is helpful. People who are experiencing symptoms such as this should read this book. Not all cases are the same nothing is always "textbook". I hope that you read this book, make up your mind about it and then internalize the information and the experiences that Cam has had.
Rating:
Summary: An incredible summary of West's couragous spirit.
Review: After watching West's interview with Oprah Winfrey in my Abnormal Psychology class I had to read his book. This man touched my heart with his determined spirit and made me realize how difficult some of us make our own lives. His book is a straight forward explanation as to how just how complex the mind can be and how amazing and forceful the mind is in protecting itself. It shows aspects of his private life that are evident of the strong bond that is shared between himself and his wife, and how important their family unit has been in accepting all his alters and their individuality. Reading this book helped me understand Dissociative Identity Disorder in a new light, the disorder became more than just a definition in one of my textbooks. Dr. Cameron West is a true survivor and somebody that I know I will never forget. I read the book in two days and I have already given the book to three people who have also read it in the same amount of time. It's intriguing and lively, while being very educational. I highly recommend this book to anyone, be you interested in Dissociative Identity Disorder or not. The book gives inspiration to overcome all difficult stages of life in a constructive and self-respecting manner. AMAZING!!!
Rating:
Summary: Anyone with DiD can associate at some point with this book.
Review: I could relate greatly with several aspects of this book. It was a book that I just couldn't put down. I do however recommend that you have a SUPPORT PERSON with you when you are reading this book because for me it was very triggering. I am really looking forward to his next book. Parts of the book were so triggering that I just wanted to fade out and return when it wasn't so difficult to read. None the less I did get the whole book read. I hope his next book is as honest as this one. After reading it I felt like I wasn't so alone. You hear DID and people want to run. It is like you have an incurable disease. Lucky for him he had his wife by his side and I have my wonderful husband by my side. I encourage you to read this book but read it cautiously.
Rating:
Summary: This is a must read book for people from all backgrounds.
Review: As well as other reviewers, I ran out to get this book after seeing Cam on the Oprah show. I couldn't put it down. His story is like a cliff-hanger that you can't wait to see what the next chapter is going to be about. I have always been interested in psychology and I was completely fascinated by Cam's story. He is a very, very brave man who has fought against all odds to live a normal life. It tells of the strengths and weaknesses of being a parent as well as a husband. This is something most of us can relate to. I am amazed at what the human brain can do, in order to help a child survive such terrible things in their life. I was also totally amazed that Cam went on to get his doctorate in psychology. Hurray for you Cam! That is a great accomplishment for anyone, but especially for you! This man is simply unbelievable and I can't wait to see the movie version of his story. I'll be the first one in line! A must read for everyone!
Rating:
Summary: An extraordinary true story everyone must read...
Review: As I turned the final page and closed the book's cover one word came to mind...wow. A meditative silence followed as the impact of this incredible first book by Cameron West coursed through my veins. I could not put this book down and found myself reading each line over and over - discovering hidden layers of beauty with each pass. As he describes his struggle to remain whole as his mind implodes - revealing 24 alter personalities seemingly 'stuck' in time and space created to protect him from a childhood history of sexual abuse by the very family he trusted and loved, along with a rapidly disintegrating life and family - West writes with striking candor and disarming wit about the truth of his life without portraying himself as 'victim.' He weaves beautiful prose with potent imagery throughout his climb up the slippery mountain of sanity and the reader is not left holding the rope at the bottom. Conversely, West extends his hand to include us right along with him, his amazing wife Rikki and loving son Kyle. I felt he trusted me, and I found myself empowered by his sharing of their extraordinary experience. West has blended a powerful love story and a compelling novel-esque tale of the ultimate triumph of the human spirit with an articulate and professional diagram of the workings of the mind. As we get to know Cameron, Rikki and Kyle - and ourselves - through this story, we realize our own power of evolution. Everyone should read - and learn from - this important book.
Rating:
Summary: At last...something to which WE can relate!
Review: In being diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder in 2001, I found it really quite disappointing to read only accounts of DID that made people like us into non-functioning homocidal nymphomaniacs. Most books I read involved people who lost incredible amounts of time, or there was no mention of co-consciousness, or it gave such a poor prognosis for those with "others" that it made me want to just give up.
I salute Dr. West. We are Many; I go to school, I have a full time job. There are flashbacks, we endure abreactions, we are co-conscious, we work hard toward communication and cooperation within. And for once, with this book, I can relate. I am so happy a book came out that demonstrates hope and courage. I gave a copy to my parents, and even they seem willing to read this, and to venture into a realm they deem both frightening and unusual. Hopefully, they will find it less intimidating, and I will be able to actually breach the subject without uncomfortable stares. This is an incredible book for those diagnosed with DID, their loved ones, or clinicians...because Lord knows, there are quite a few out there that really have no clue whatsoever. Furthermore: One thing I especially like is the fact that it was written by one who knows by personal experience...not a therapist or psychiatrist looking for fame or a quick buck. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I came across this book by accident and was so glad I did. I have very little time to read, being the mother of an active 2 year old, but I could not put this down. It took me just 2 days to read it and I stayed up into the early hours of the morning to do it! Cameron West pulls us into this sometimes funny, sometimes scary, often tragic world he lives in and this book really makes you think. Brilliant memoir. I loved it.
Rating:
Summary: Harrowing and also educational...
Review: I spoke to the author via email shortly after I finished this book. I asked him for an autographed copy. Rather than permitting me to send him a copy of the book to sign, he chose a hardcover edition from his collection, signed it to me personally with a beautiful lyric of original poetry involving life and peaches, and sent it to me the following week. I was cradling the book as if it were made of the purest gold. I felt exactly as if I knew Mr. West, that I had been with him through his ordeals. That I had his handwriting - both inside the book and on an inserted card! - was very moving. This is an important book. An educational book. And, at heart, it's a gutsy book. This man has poured himself nakedly into the pages of this autobiographical volume, and you will bear silent witness to his challenges, his mistakes, his success. Other books on this topic (and I've read almost all of them) did not hit so hard for me. They were "titillating," perhaps. I felt as if I might be neck-craning as if at an accident. But this book gives you no such feeling. The author is exquisitely present: all his pain, all his reality. I highly recommend this book.
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