The Aftermath of Violence--From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror

The subject matter is hard to read about in large doses but the
information is very very helpful and clear. It helped me see the issue
from the victims point of view.

Much of the info is distressing...our society is shown as self protective
and without compassion.

Not for idle reading but very helpful if one is suddenly put in a place
to help and understand the effects and recovery process.

Helpful in understanding trauma in one's/another's life and what to do about it. When I began it, I realized it spoke to my best friend's problem with her adopted daughter. Instead of reading any further, I offered it to her to read first. I'll complete it when returned to me. It will help me with my own daughter's life crisis, which I knew nothing about until she was in her 30's -- we do not know our children as well as we think we do.

Heavily referenced work on psychological foundations of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Pretty much required reading for psychotherapy based approaches to this disorder.
Very interesting and clear coverage of a broad topic, including Domestic, battle, and childhood PTSD.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in working with victims/survivors of various forms of assault. I have a page filled with notes to reference at a later date as the need arises. Concepts such as "the social meaning of words" and reconnecting to a caring community have become more real to me considering their potential impact upon victims of trauma.
This writer brings an historical perspective from the annals of Sigmund Freud through the battlefields of several wars to provide an extremely revealing insight into trauma and possible remedies. It's worth the read.

Have referenced this book my entire career, frequently using it to enlighten many a hide-bound colleague. Unfortunately, mainstream psychiatry has made very little progress on this front, most particularly where stigma, attitudes and assumptions are concerned. Have also walked, unawares, the recovery path that she marks out. So glad that I finally have it on Kindle where I can reference it any time.

Herman gives a historical context to trauma, with a unique voice and perspective. It's not an easy read, but a valuable one. Sadly, the book is not as current as treatment modes, so it's not the end-all, but a most worthy read to give a framework to this otherwise ineffable phenomena.

Excellent book. She actually laid somepoints I knew about Freud but NEVER looked at in this way. But it makes sense now why his patients were recalling childhood sexual abuse...and why he went back on his first diagnosis!

For those struggling with the challenges of PTSD, the information in this book has the power to empower through the gift of self-knowledge. Through the experience of reading this book, my unanswered questions regarding painful emotional dynamics...in my life and in therapy...are finding resolution. I feel it is a gift...and a "must read"...for anyone who has experienced trauma of any degree.

Just what the doctor ordered! Should be required reading for every young adult and/or college student and their parent(s) and doctor(s). Clear, concise, long-awaited, for all men and women touched by the post traumatic stress disorder due to war, rape and other mass violence. Particularly good analysis of the effects of rape on women. Judith Herman, MD is my hero!

I deal with refugee children and the trauma associated with child trafficking, torture, and abuse. The cognitive problems we encounter every day helping these children become adults are carefully and clearly explained. While the treatments should be left to professionals, this book helps me communicate effectively with our boys' professional counselors.

I wish this book were required reading for every lawyer and judge in America. It clears up a vast amount of ignorance about abuse, trauma, PTSD, and other anxiety disorders resulting from violence. The list of people who could benefit from this information is endless: ministers, military personnel, medical doctors, mental health therapists, family members of victims. . .

Amazing book. Very helpful and also a great base that is used for other trauma and abuse books. This nails it. A must read for anyone that has undergone major trauma/abuse/PTSD or anyone that treats it or seeks to understand more about it.

I was not subjected to violent or sexual abuse as a child. But reading this, especially Chapters 5 & 7, opened my eyes to the challenges of being an adult survivor of abuse, and of being someone trying to help a survivor.

Judith Herman is a knowledgeable and informative writer. Her work with victims of trauma especially victims of child sexual abuse has set the stage for a new class of PTSD. This book is geared toward victims of trauma who are interested in learning about new and effective treatments, therapists, emergency rescue personnel and anyone who would like to know more about trauma and its effects on the body and the brain.
I highly recommend this book.