Before the World Intruded: Conquering the Past and Creating the Future, A Memoir [Paperback]

Michele Rosenthal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 9, 2012

At the age of thirteen Michele Rosenthal survived such a rare, life-threatening illness none of her doctors had actually seen a case. Out of the hospital and making a full recovery, she believed if she only looked toward the future she could escape the trauma in her past. Twenty-five years later, however, the young girl had become a woman imprisoned by memories, fear and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In a bid to reclaim her life and heal her soul Michele boldly left the world she knew in search of a self she could barely imagine. From New York City to South Florida she traveled on an odyssey that took her from the depths of despair to the heights of joy, from her kitchen floor to the dance floor, from a child frozen in helplessness to a woman who is powerful, courageous and free. In her transformation lie the seeds for anyone who wants to conquer the past and create the future. This transcendent book shows what can happen when you discover who you are and then choose who you most deeply want to be. To receive over $1,900 in free trauma recovery support resources, take your Amazon sales receipt number and visit: http://yourlifeaftertrauma.com/trauma-project-give-back/free-gifts/

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michele Rosenthal teaches audiences how to shift from powerless to powerful. As a keynote speaker, award-winning blogger, author, workshop/seminar leader, certified professional coach and mental health advocate, Michele works privately as a post-trauma coach specializing in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The host of Your Life After Trauma on Contact Talk Radio, she is also the founder of HealMyPTSD.com, a popular website for information, education and support for PTSD. She sits on the Advisory board for HopeForPTSDvets and is the Program Director for Wellness Services for the Warriors Pathfinder Program. Before The World Intruded is a finalist for the Books For A Better Life award.

Product Details

• Paperback: 230 pages
• Publisher: Your Life After Trauma, LLC (April 9, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615624383
• ISBN-13: 978-0615624389
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #276,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award winning blogger, speaker, poet, post-trauma coach, and radio talk show host, Michele Rosenthal inspires and motivates survivors to make the shift from powerless to powerful. A trauma survivor who struggled with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for over twenty-five years, today Michele joyfully lives 100% free of PTSD symptoms. She is the founder of www.healmyptsd.com and sits on the board of Hope4PTSDvets.org and St. Clair Butterfly Foundation. She is the host of YOUR LIFE AFTER TRAUMA on Contact Talk Radio.

For more information visit, HealMyPTSD.com. To receive over $1,900 in free trauma recovery support resources, take your Amazon sales receipt number and visit: http://yourlifeaftertrauma.com/trauma-project-give-back/free-gifts/

Connect with Michele for ideas about how you can create and enjoy your life after trauma:

http://www.yourlifeaftertrauma.com
http://www.facebook.com/yourlifeaftertrauma
http://www.twitter.com/micheletrauma

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unable to Put "Before the World Intruded" Down May 8, 2012

By MF Miller

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a PTSD sufferer who hasn't yet conquered PTSD, I wanted to read how someone actually did, so I bought Michele Rosenthal's book, "Before the World Intruded: Conquering the Past and Creating the Future, a Memoir". I normally hate reading about other people's pain -- I tend to take it on empathetically and feel dragged down by it -- but I couldn't stop reading this book, in spite of the fact that the HTML seemed to be messed up in my Kindle reader: The text was bright blue and entirely underlined (I suspected an unclosed <a> may be the problem).

It speaks volumes for the writing that I forgot about this visually annoying underlining in the first couple of pages. Nothing could have stopped me reading onwards, at that point. I was hooked.

Rosenthal speaks with searing honesty and clarity, presenting a vivid, concise picture of what happened to her when she was thirteen. I was left feeling every second of her experience, understanding it, sympathizing, feeling horrified at what she endured but not being triggered by it -- a fact due to Rosenthal's ruthless honesty and complete lack of the emotional manipulation that often seems to accompany books about trauma. She is not interested in making the reader feel sorry for her; she only wants to tell her story.

I experienced a feeling of disconnect between what I thought of as the two halves of the story -- her trauma and the years that followed as it sucked her deeper down... and her joyous, blazing recovery. I was delighted for her in her recovery, but since I'm somewhere still in the depths, I found myself almost not understanding the second half; not believing this sort of thing could happen for me. However, it happened to Rosenthal, so that brings hope.

Two things I learned from the book: That the shame I feel when PTSD takes over and I "fail" are common to all PTSD sufferers (which I think released one layer of self-loathing) and that there is actual hope of recovery, if you really persevere.

I was left feeling comforted and encouraged, with much guilt released: A rare gift I am still cherishing.

Whether you have PTSD or not, this is a remarkable, compelling book by a courageous and vibrant survivor.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving, Inspirational and a Wonderful Resource April 25, 2012

By smithtownds

Format:Paperback

"Before the World Intruded" is not just a memoir on unspeakable trauma and the journey of survival, it is an essential PTSD resource. It is an educational read for anyone who has been touched by trauma, loves someone who struggles with PTSD, as well as for health professionals who diagnose and treat trauma related disorders. Rosenthal's story is moving, inspirational and a hopeful reminder that through awareness comes recovery.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Addictive Read! December 25, 2012

By Phyllis

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm a sucker for memoirs: I love reading about people who overcome tragedy and triumph over their past. This memoir was so compelling I couldn't wait for my nightly read! I am a chronic PTSD survivor and although I've had years of therapy to overcome it, I was competely absorbed with Michele's searingly honest account of what it feels like at 13 to be afraid, afraid of what is happening to you, afraid it will happen again, afraid to speak about it, afraid you will never be normal. Michele carries you through the years as she struggles to cope with her illness, never giving up, always determined, even in her darkest moments, to figure out what is wrong. I have tremendous admiration for this woman, for all she was able to achieve during the 24 years of searching for answers. I identified strongly with her finding joy in dance (a love of mine) and how she was able to create her own identity through that joy. What is most amazing is the way Michele has dedicated her life to helping others with PTSD. This woman is a role model for me. Her persistence, her passion, her commitment, prove to me that not only is there life after PTSD, but there is endless joy to be found!