Rating: 
Summary: Not the Most Accurate Portrayal or Research
Review: As a Romanian immigrant, I found this book very inaccurate and it did not tell the full or accurate story of Romanian culture. Groza did not do accurate research in the history of Romania nor does he really understand the issues related to the institutionalized children and the evolution of the problem. He makes some very off the cuff remarks which further lower the books quality and make no real sense in the context of Romania and how families can help the overall problem. It is clear Mr. Groza needed to do more accurate research about the children as other research in the field which has been published disagrees with his "studies" which seem to be more of a "survey" than true scientific data. This book may also be a bit misleading to families about to adopt from Romania as, again, the whole tragic story and conditions are not being told.
Rating: 
Summary: Good ideas but a bit off track
Review: As a Romanian, I found many of Groza's statements to be inaccurate although he tries his best as an American-Romanian. He did not seem to really understand the evolution of the Romanian culture which led to the serious problem of children in institutions (you would have to live there to actually know as opposed to just visiting). I could not figure out the relevance of his last few chapters talking about characters in a mocking sense--it just did not fit in the book's main topics. Having seen many of the children who have been adopted out of Romanian institutions, I don't think Groza gave a full picture of the long term problems these children are facing as well as their families. There are certainly good outcomes, but it seems Groza missed the issue of how the children fair over time as he is not a doctor who treats patients--more of a researcher on sociological matters.
Rating: 
Summary: Good information, but not a panacea
Review: As the adoptive dad of a son from Romania, I was glad to have this book available before dealing with some of the issues all adoptive families (not just those from Romania) face. Groza and his co-authors discuss some important issues -- some of which are more scary or ominous than others.The book paints an incomplete picture (in fact, most information on international adoptions is incomplete simply because so little research has really been done yet) in some cases, and gives opinions with which some would strongly disagree. I was satisfied, however, that the authors seemed to acknowledge their opinions are subject to new data and interpretation -- new data which they are actively involved in seeking. Groza paints a hopeful picture for kids adopted out of institutions, while admitting that there will always be some kids who are irreversibly damaged -- and that there will always be some "baggage" even in the most well-adjusted kids. It was very useful to read of others' experiences, and I highly recommend this book to all prospective adoptive parents (whether adopting from Romania or elsewhere). There are no pat answers here, but a lot of useful information and reassurance.
Rating: 
Summary: A thoughtful and challenging book
Review: As the adoptive parent of a Romanian child, who has been dealing with the effects of post-institutionalization for 8 years, I found Dr. Groza's book to be absolutely accurate and hopeful. He is passionate about all children's right to grow up in a loving home. He is realistic and positive about adoption outcomes. He is a humorous and painfully honest author who is not afraid of controversy. I respect him and his work immensely.
Rating:
Summary: Vital reading for Romanian or International adoption.
Review: As the major reviewer for the Comeunity website, I have read many books on adoption, but only a few are as touching and evocative as A Peacock or a Crow. At the heart of this book is a deep compassion for the children of Romania, and a concern for those others who also care about them. A Peacock or a Crow is vital reading for those interested in Romanian adoption; it will also be influential for people interested in international adoption.. The issues it raises about the impacts of instutionalism and ethics of adoption practices are important to adoption from any country, even if the circumstances are far from being as extreme. The history of adoption in Romania and the impact of the history and circumstances on the people involved in adoption provide the central focus. Personal stories of the parents' adoption journeys to Romania alternate with factual but evocative chapters on the history of Romania, institutionalism and impacts on children, special needs of these children, and the history of Romanian adoption. Compassion for the children of Romania permeates the A Peacock or a Crow. While doing his part to highlight the special needs and intense problems that many of the children and families raising them face, Victor Groza is optimistic about the positive changes and healing that adoption brings to their lives. His take on institutional impacts is worthwhile reading for anyone interested in adoption from Eastern Europe, or in special needs and older children adoptions.
Rating: 
Summary: MUST reading, even if flawed...
Review: As the parent of a Romanian adoptee who is doing well, I'd have to say that I think this book contains some significant flaws, perhaps even an overoptimistic belief in love and nuturing to make up for developmental delays caused by orphanage life. I think that many adoptive parents find they must also seek special services such as physical therapy and speech and hearing services for their children. Often they must be strong advocates to obtain proper ESL (English as a Second Language) services in their schools. We had to do all of the above. Having done so, I can say that our son is doing amazingly well. Even so, families considering the adoption of a child from Romania should be fully aware of the risks as well as the potential joys. Having said all that, I still think this book is MUST reading. I searched the Web long and hard before adoption and found only a few scattered areas where there was much information or support, so I think adoptive parents (and those considering adopting from European areas) should read whatever they can get their hands on and find as many adoption groups and individuals to network with as possible. Along with this book, I'd recommend Come to the Window, Daniella - an account of a family's adoption of a little girl. It is far more honest and less optimistic than A Peacock Or a Crow. Both books together give a fairly well-rounded look at adoption and the issues involved.
Rating:
Summary: The Truth At Last!
Review: As the parent of two adopted children, I would like to commend the authors of "A Peacock or a Crow" on their uplifting view of Romanian adoptions. The book is well written, easy to read and full of information. I feel that so far all that has been published is negative information, if only for the reason that it attracts more attention. I would strongly urge any parent of internationally adopted children or anyone considering international adoption to read this book first! Romanian adoption is not, as some would have us believe, all gloom and doom.
Rating:
Summary: Improper Research and Portrayal of Romanian Issues
Review: As yet another Romanian-born professional who has read this book (a full professor of History of Eastern Europe Affairs), Groza's book falls short of accuracy and facts. He writes misleading reaserch statistics about "adoption contentment" which have nothing to do with the scope of the Romanian institution problem. It is clear he is writing from an "American Perspective" as, without living through the tragedy of Romania and seeing the evolution of the problem, you cannot write an accurate portrayal. Furthermore, this book misleads many needy parents who may want to adopt as he offers no real scientific or medical research which is valid and reliable regarding the true health of these very special children who have been a legacy of years of oppression. He portrays that the children will do well in families but fails to indicate that not all families may be able to handle an instituitionalized child. His attempts at mocking humor make this book even more unprofessional and a "no buy". Groza and his writers needed help and more accuracy as opposed to conjecture.
Rating:
Summary: Basic Information , Partial Information, Not Therapeutic
Review: Groza writes from a historical perspective but does not offer any real help for the thousands of families who have struggled with difficult Romanian adoptions. Other reviewers praise him, but the book offers no real medical or psychiatric guidance...just ball-park figures as opposed to the real data showing the plight of our families. As another reviewer felt many were not satisfied with our adoptions, this is not true at all and a rediculous statement. We are not satisfied with the overwhelming burdens of having a special needs child when our agency told us "everything would be great with love and a new home" (which was far from the truth). Maybe Groza should try treating these damaged children or even parenting one. It is a bigger challenge than writing a book with some information followed by rather odd "fairy tales" of people . We never understood what his final point was...maybe we have to figure out our own problems which we did through other more professional and medical/psychiatric books.
Rating:
Summary: Somewhat informative but not accurate
Review: Groza writes some basic information but really does not go into the proper detail or accuracy about the problems so many families have experienced with romanian Adoptions. His book was somewhat off track when he went into his "fantasy characters" in one of his chapters instead of providing more hope and better treatment guidelines. he seems to focus on old issues as opposed to new medical and psychiatric information which would have made the book more helpful. It read like a "basic guide' as opposed to something more scientific or helpful to the family in need of assistance.
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