if you have been through any kind of trauma in your life & you want to understand yourself more & how your brain works, THIS IS A MUST READ! i’ve learned to much about myself & why the way i am. SO GOOD

“Strength times strength times strength equals power” is one of my favorite quotes. I’ve learned so much from this book about what it means to be trauma-informed and the ways in which society has failed to help us develop neurologically. This book and the stories within capture so many of my own experiences and gave them meaning that I’d never thought. I never realized the impact growing up without parents would have and as I work with therapists to process much of my own patterns and triggers, I’m forever grateful for the awareness. I’m also grateful for the reminder that sometimes I can show grace to my own mother who was never present, but always asks why I am the way I am instead of what happened to me. This book has helped me open the door to forgiveness and healing damaged relationships, while starting the difficult conversations of “what happened’ and now the “why am I like this.’ Eternally grateful.

The book does a great job in explaining how our brain reacts to trauma in general. And helps you understand things that can trigger trauma. The blog gives examples of different situations of traumatic events people went through in life and how certain behaviors they have are due to those traumas. I could not relate to the examples of trauma in the book. I personally wanted to see how my past and what happened to me affects my behaviors. Some things from the book I could relate to, but really have to take a deeper search. This book is great for those who want to understand child trauma and how that affects behavior.

This book goes into detail about what it is like working with people who have suffered from depression, anxiety disorders and traumatic experiences during their lives and how to support them through therapy and other interventions that can improve their lives and give them a chance to heal, improving their quality of life. This book is also great for anyone working in the mental health field who needs some help in relating more with their clients experience and understanding how they can be more effective at improving treatment options.

The best book I have ever read! It speaks to me as an individual on all levels of my human existence. I recommend it for personal, social, spiritual, and even political improvements. This content needs to be share and implemented within every human community. It contains the key to the healing and our world needs.

I was recommended this book by my therapist while I was going through my postpartum depression stage. Parenting opens up and brings to the surface all of the childhood trauma and generational trauma that you hadn’t yet resolved. This book then helps you gain an understanding of “What happened to you?” Hence the title. It has made me think, made me open up my eyes and has reminded me to go back to forgiving myself and then forgiving others. I hope this books helps others as it has continued to help me.

One of the most profound books I’ve read in a long time. After reading this book, I look at people and their behaviors through a different lens.

I loved every word in this book! It is so eye & soul- opening. The reader is able to self- reflect while also thinking of those close to them in a more loving and compassionate manner. It gives hope for the future generations that healing as a individual & nation can happen - if we first recognize the truths of what happened to us to then we can begin to understand what type & order of healing we need. This book is informational, explorative & revolutionary!

Amazing book!

I know they will probably never read this…. But this book has changed my life in ways unimaginable. I recommend this book to everyone I know that has gone though something because it has helped me to break though so much emotional trauma that I have gone through in my life. It helped me to organize why I do what I do and how I react and why I react to things the way I do. It has helped me to break the generational trauma of my life and now that I am expecting a little one, it has opened my eyes and my heart to view the future in a more positive way. I cannot thank them enough. It truly has changed my life for the better.

The personal and professional trajectories of Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry have crossed and run parallel long enough to culminate in this manifestation of wisdom informed by memories of research, stress, loss, grief, humility, resiliency, and practice. The application of this wisdom not only addresses how individuals resolve their memories of suffering, but how families, communities, nations, and even the human species may reach their potentials.

What a remarkable and insightful read. I was fascinated by the way Dr Perry broke down the brain and it’s functions. I was truly at awe! The way you two wrote ethics book was just beautiful. I felt like you both were sitting along side me the entire read having a conversation and allowing me to par take in it. Thank you deeply for this gift to allow us to begin and understand trauma and how deeply connected to our brains. I was definitely touched, moved and inspired by many of the stories including Oprah’s. Thank you O as always for your authenticity and vulnerability. You have not only guided and mentored me from afar, but you have loved me as well. Namaste, Dinorah

I so enjoy the perspective I have gained from this book!!

This is the best book I have read in a long time. It is incredibly eye opening and the information is applicable to anyone’s life as either we have experienced our own traumas or know someone who has.

This book was amazing! I read it in one sitting and I plan to explore this healing idea more. I have done some healing but there is much more to do. I will share this book with everyone I know because that is what is needed, collective healing.