Meh. I enjoy books that introduce new ideas I can integrate into my thinking. This was not one of those books. It was more of a self-help book that is supposed to change your entire mindset simply by reading its pages, but way much too simple for that ( )

Fascinating area of psychology. Powerful personal experience as an introduction. Lack-luster writing after that.

I wanted to engage with the writer's work and ideas but never gained traction. The data presented from researchers was already familiar, but Wolynn brought nothing original to the conversation.

Three stars because the book did prompt several deep and meaningful journaling sessions. ( )

sorry for wasting my time on a few attempts to read this book. there's not much behind the clamorous title but some shady personal experience this guy is selling us as an ultimate way to get on with the traumas from the past we may have. I don't recommend this book. Personal experience is a personal experience after all. ( )

Trauma is one of those words that instantly send a shiver up the back. Those battling PTSD and other trauma related instances know this shiver very well. Wolynn seeks to find the root of trauma and why some people experience it more than others. In this book, he traces the roots of trauma to traumas one's parents experienced as well. He argues that not only do we experience it in the womb, but also in how we were reared. If our parents had traumas, more than likely they were transferred to us so we experience trauma more easily or more abundantly. The same with our parents parents and so on. Trauma spans generations.

The book itself was well researched and the premise was well argued. At times, the writing was a bit dry, but that is expected in a book covering this topic. There isn't really a way to jazz up childhood or adulthood trauma. I would imagine a small group would get a lot out of this and I know I certainly did. The great thing to note, while reading it, is you are reading an expert on trauma. Make note of that.

I gave this one 4 stars.

*I wish to thank NetGalley and Viking for the ability to read this. It was received for free in exchange for an honest review. ( )

While the first few chapters provide some useful information about how genetics and epigenetics play a role in our health, the author goes off into kookyville with his personal therapy. Honestly, the author focuses too much on how you need to fix and have a relationship with your parents and that if you fix this relationship then you will never be mentally ill again. Mind you that not everyone can fix or wants to "fix" the relationship with their parents, especially if there's severe abuse involved.

Read "fix" as: don't blame parents for any abuse; no one is responsible or guilty for abusing you; just get over it; there is no choice; it's just an event from the past rearing its head and it's your fault if you let it get to you; you have to make amends for the past.

Now, some of the activities he lists are just cognitive behavioral therapy that he's twisted to fit his "therapy". I know, I've done some it before but not with the intention of finding past life trauma. Finding those thoughts and feelings is fine but then I've learned to recognize what type of thinking it is, then counter it with actual things I've done that discredits that false belief. It works and doesn't require a trip into New Age garbage which is what the author peddles.

What really pissed me off was the minimization or even outright dismissal of abuse. When a parent abuses a child, the parent is responsible for their actions, their choices. The author puts forth the idea the parent isn't guilty because they are just reliving a past trauma and that the child is the one guilty of triggering the abuse (just look at the four core complaints; if a child detaches due to abuse, the child is at fault for the abuse rather than the adult choosing to abuse and that the child needs to reattach to the abusive parent; hell no). For example, a father sexually abuses his ten year old daughter. He's not actually abusing her (what any child abuser says) but really is just acting out a past trauma in the family history (can be technically accurate (a few abuse victims do go on to abuse others) but that's not what the author is implying). The ten year old victim needs to figure out what past event her abuser is living out (again making an innocent child take responsibility for an adult's behavior), permit whomever caused the living trauma to now "access" and become a welcome part of the family, and allow the abuse to continue until the father stops acting out the past trauma. And, oh yeah, just get over it because the abuse wasn't that big of a deal. Where the hell did this guy get his psychology credentials, again? Did he download them off the Internet?

Do not read this book. Anything that promises a "magic cure" approach, like this book, to mental health is something to be avoided at all costs. There is no "magic cure" for mental health. Anyone who says there is is selling snake oil like this author. ( )