Rating: 
Summary: Just Wonderful
Review: The Smarts did not preach too much! They mixed down to earth and non-judgmental disclourse with their own spiritual beliefs, which guided them through an unthinkable ordeal. Shame on those for criticizing them for writing a book. They were adamant that the public support was the reason they made it through this and that the public was the reason they found their daughter. This was a sharing in return and I appreciated it. I hope they gained a great deal of closure by writing the book - and yes, a big fat pay check. Anything good coming out of that horrific time is wonderful. The Smarts disclosed upfront that they intended to communicate their own spiritual rigor, so anyone offended by this part of their lives, which was also a survival tool for them, should not have read the book. After all, it's a book about THEM and it was so enthralling, I read it in a single sitting.
Rating: 
Summary: Okay, but too heavy on the preaching
Review: I picked up this book because I was interested to learn more details about the disappearcane of Elizabeth Smart. Unfortunately, what I got was information that I already know from the media and a whole lot of preaching by her parents. While I believe her survival was nothing short of a miracle, I was truly tired of hearing about the Smart's faith in God and how God watched over them and Elizabeth during the 9 months that they were apart. Please don't think that I'm knocking religion, because I'm not. I just felt that the Mormon religion was being pushed down my throat, just as if they were knocking at my door to tell me "a story". I actually skipped whole pages in the book because of the preaching.The book also did not give me any new insights into the facts surrounding the case, which I had hoped for. I realize that certain things and aspects cannot be mentioned because of the upcoming trial. However, the media had already told me everything that was already in here. Although I'm not sorry that I read the book, I certainly would not read it again. Something to keep in mind before spending your hard earned money.
Rating: 
Summary: eLIZABETH sMART
Review: I enjoyed this book and I did not feel that the Smart's are exploiting thier daughter. Someone was going to write a book and I understand their desire for some control. I also admire
them for not disclosing details that Elizabeth might feel
uncomfortable with. I also have a problem with all the criticsm
they received for allowing Mitchell and others in their home.
According to Lois, he worked outside and she did not let workers in the house on regular basis. I don't know about you, but I don't ordinarily do background checks on the plumber,
carpet cleaners etc. I doubt many people do. I'm sure the
Smart's will be more careful in the future. We all take chances
and make unwise decisions. The only part of this book I had
a problem with was the emphasis on religion. I used to belong
to their church and left for a number of reasons. I felt like
one of their aims was to make points for their church. I
certainly respect their beliefs, but I didn't feel that it was necessary to begin each chapter with quotes from the Holy Books
or their general authorities. I certainly didn't expect them
not to mention their beliefs which are very important to them,
but I thought they were a little heavy-handed and preachy.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: I am a Protestant Christian, but I enjoyed learning through the Smarts' book about their religious beliefs and especially their belief in the power of prayer and that prayers brought Elizabeth home. It's a wonderful, powerful story. Thank God Elizabeth was one of the rare ones who came home safely. The Smarts went through hell and if writing about it was cathartic to them, then good for them.
Rating: 
Summary: American insensitivity...anything for a buck, or MILLIONS
Review: can't any of you who buy into this see what it's really about? This is sick...
Rating:
Summary: Thsi book changed me
Review: It's obvious after reading the book that despite all the bad talk Elizabeth's parents didn't write the book for the money. They are deeply religious people and want to share their miracle with the world.
I followed the Elizabeth Smart story every step of the way and I will never forget where I was and how happy I was when she was found. I am not particularly religious but absolutely loved the book. I read it in 2 days, it was great to hear their view of the story after seeing all the news and the tv movie. They had the right to tell the world what really happened and their part on the story. I think people just made their judgements too fast and didn't really look at their motivation.
It's a book of faith, never giving up hope and that beeing there for your family at all times, even in horrible and hard times for you, is the most important thing. The book has taught me a lot!
Rating:
Summary: powerful
Review: I think that "Bringing Elizabeth Home" is an amazingly powerful book that opens up to the world about the horror of losing a child and then the happiness of finding that child. Even though not all cases end as happily as this one, this is still a book that can give a lot of hope and help to victims of kidnapping. I think that part of this book is the process of therapy to the Smart family. I think that it was a good choice to write a book about Elizabeth's kidnapping and what the family went through while she was gone and how the dealt with the situation for 9 months. I think this book is a good book that can give some hope and inspiration to many familys, and maybe restore the faith in god for the ones who have lost it.
Rating:
Summary: Tease on Human Emotion; Only to Preach
Review: I bought this book because I am curious about Elizabeth's story. I guess I was wrong to assume that a book with her picture on the front, as well as a book that has her name within its title, was going to be about Elizabeth Smart. This book is primarily from the parent's perspective; with would be truly interesting if it was not constantly pushing religion onto the readers. It is understandable that the Smart family found much of its strength through their devotion to God. To say this once would be understandable. However, to say this over and over again, with the attached message that good things only happen to those who pray, is just too preachy for my taste.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly Surprised
Review: I was skeptical before reading this book. It seemed a little strange to be coming out with a book so soon. However, I was deeply touched and pleasantly surprised at this book. The Smarts share an honest and open account of their ordeal. They offer an example of how to use faith and a belief in God to make it through something so terrible. It was an inspiring read. They were very respectful of Elizabeth and were tasteful not to be too specific about her experience.
Rating:
Summary: Bringing Elizabeth home
Review: The book should be called "Bringing the bucks home". The book is very poorly written. The reader gets the impression that it was put together the day after the rescue and printed the following day. There is no continuity and I won't even go into listing all the grammatical errors. (Were did you find this author?) It's kind of hypocritical to complain about lack of privacy and then exploiting the situation for monitary gain. My question is " Why was this book necessary?" The press did a much better and more thorough job telling the story. The book taught me one thing: that nobody...nobody is immune the bite of the almighty "greed-bug". Unfortunately the Smarts were bitten by that bug.
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