Customer Reviews

Breaking Point (St. Martin's True Crime Library)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The shocking tragedy of the Yates children is hard to cope with. When this book was released I didn't want to go near it. But something about understanding how a mother could do such a thing drew me near.

Yes this is a book that seemed rushed, yes it's about a case no one wants to ADMIT to reading about. But none the less it is a GOOD true crime book. Suzy Spencer puts together a excellent story filled with details, and information on some of the explanations.

Although I will never fully understand, I feel I am somewhat more enlightened.

It's a tragic book, but then again aren't most true crime books?

The first half of this book was interesting. The second half was good, but it seemed they wrapped the whole book up in the last chapter and it left you craving for more info. What happened????????????? Also, there were booking photos of some women who were only breifly mentioned in the book and it never expanded on why in the world they were booked for anything. I felt excited at first, but just let down at the end.

It is a very sensational story. A quiet suburbs, a NASA engineer, a stay at home mother,and five small white coffins. Suzy Spencer takes you to this seemingly normal home in a pleasant neighborhood and strips it bare of all its pretenses. Spencer does not flinch from telling the sensational details. But she takes it one step further. She reveals the root cause of the tragedy. She does something few true crime writers dare to do; she shows us why this happened and the answer is simple. We as a society have swept mental health issues under rug. As a result, we ostrasize people with mental illness and the insurance companies are enabled to provide just enough coverage to slap a band-aid on the problem -- never enough to accomplish a cure.
By telling the story of Andrea Yates hard fought battle for mental health and her ultimate defeat, Spencer lays bare society's sins.
Breaking Point is more than a well-written, page-turning True Crime book. It is also a clarion call to action.

Breaking Point is an important read.

As an avid reader of true crime books, and as a mother of three, I was drawn to the story of Andrea Yates. While some argue that surely she had to be insane to commit such an incomprehensible act, others are ready to pull the switch, so to speak. This book gives some insight as to the inadequacies of our mental health treatment system, and outlines the many times Andrea might have been helped, but tragically was not.

Breaking Point was clearly written in a hurry, to get it onto the shelves while the trial is progressing. At random points through the story, Spencer refers to a radical preacher, of sorts, who seems to have had influence on the Yates family, but the extent of their relationship is not explored, nor do some of the references to the Woroneckis seem to tie into the Yates story whatsoever. It is hinted that the Yates family helped the Woroneckis financially, but no details are given.

It seems Suzy Spencer could have spent extra time doing more in-depth research of parts of this story, rather than publishing it as quickly as possible and then suing to be allowed into the courtroom to add more rushed text to the tale.

Being from Houston where this crime took place I liked the behind the scenes info on TV cameraman John Treadgold and the first police officers reaction to being first on the scene of this tragedy. The background into the families life was very detailed. Some reviewers question the book not covering the trial: but it was mainly a P.S. to the actual act anyway.

Like everyone, I'm trying to understand HOW could a mother do this - kill her own children! Breaking Point gives much detail of this tragic event, and extensive background of Andrea Yates' treatment for mental illness. The author also does not overlook the possible culpability of the mental health profession and the family, but leaves it to the reader to draw their own conclusions. As a resident of the Houston area, I appreciate her kind portrayal of the Bayou City and Clear Lake--she is more positive about the quality of life here than I am. The only reason I did not rate a 5 is because the story is not yet finished--the Yates trial just started.

When I heard about Andrea Yates drowning her 5 kids,
I could not believe it. I went on the journey to find
out why. I was hoping the jury would find her insane
Which I think she was. After reading Spencers book
I could at least look into her life, although the book
was written very rapid, she got her point across.
Andrea was living the life her husband wanted HIM to
live. She was a meek person, who was overwhelmed by
5 children, homeschooling, chores around the house.
While her husband went to work, she was stuck at home.
He would give her night off, BUT that night off was
to go shopping for food. I find Rusty 50% at fault
He should do some jail for not being there for his
wife. He clearly was at fault for not doing more.
I found myself disliking Rusty more and more as I read
the book. He overpowered Andrea, whatever he said was
the word. I feel so sorry for these children who were
so innocent. We can only wonder what went inside this
house. But I do expect more books to be written and we
can only read and try to understand....We all know
that Andrea's life is done. Rusty, well who cares, he
will find someone to have more children with...
Rest in peace Children.

she asked for help. she got none. the switching of drugs left and right; all those babies to care for. that jewel of a hubby should be in prison himself; he was interested in making babies, not taking care of them. i would have liked to have known before reading this, who was on her side? no one. homeschooling,cooking,changing diapers, childbirth after childbirth-too soon. i would have gone completely insane long before she did. so awfully sad and i think her whole family deserves some blame for it.

It was very good eye opener for mental illness or Baby Blues. I hate to say it but I think her husband Rusty should have seen alot of this before and that he was part of the problem of how she was suppose to live up to what he wanted. I still say bless though poor children hard to read but yet a must and very well written. Diane P.

I don't review alot of books or read alot of books published before the trial,But the shock and horror of Andrea Yates killing those 5 children just stayed with me. I seen the book and bought it. It was a good book about a horrible crime. When I first saw this awful Tradgedy on the news I wanted Andrea Yates Hung from the nearest tree. After reading the book , I see now how very troubled she was.She should be punished , but so should her husband and the mental health community. I am glad Ms. Spencer spared us some of the gory details.The book was very informative and gave me a much better understanding on what was/wasnt going on in Andrea Yates head! ...