Bessel A. van der Kolk

An impressive recount of a career looking after trauma survivors and the development of clinical techniques to help people regain as best as possible lives.

The book is difficult and covers some terrible case histories. It also decries the political inaction or attrition in helping trauma victims with methods shown to work. So that overall the story is depressing.

But the perspective one gets on mental health and how large organisations like government handle it is sobering and disappointing.… (mer)

There is so much to be said within this book that is so informative.

The impact that trauma has on the body, is something that needs to be screamed from the rooftops.

This book took me some time to get through - partially due to writing a PhD dissertation at the same time, but it is very technical. It can be a lot to take in. And some of the stories and examples given can be confronting.

I’ve really found this book to be brilliant. I have notes all throughout the book, sticky notes everywhere! But I really recommend it for those who want to know the impact of trauma on the body as well as the brain!… (mer)

Information value: 7.0 / 10
Content density: 8
Structure (Story): 9 / 10
Prose: 9

Be forewarned: This is not a personal development book. I presumed that the person who recommended it to me did so in that vain, just as my suggestions to her were. However, one of us made a mistake.
Not being the book I was expecting, nor of a genre I would consider reading, I kept waiting for some tips on dealing with trauma. Part of the psycho-therpeudical school of thought is that everyone has trauma. That was why this book was supposed to have universal relevance. However, I don't recall the author ever taking that stance, and all the techniques that were introduced, were done so in a slightly academic manner; not as useful standalone exercises.

Note that I read the book over many periods. The library loan kept expiring as I read this piece of non-fiction alongside my preferred pleasure of literary and genre fiction. As a result, my comments might have some inaccuricies. You probably know to expect that from me anyway.… (mer)