Finding Angela Shelton [Paperback]

Angela Shelton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008

Finding Angela Shelton is a memoir of courage, survival and faith. It is the journey of a young woman who discovers herself in the stories of other women who share her same name and coincidentally share experiences of violence and abuse that plagued her own childhood. Through her physical journey across the country she is thrust into her own emotional journey. She embraces each woman she meets, is strengthened by their connections, confronts the father that molested her, and ultimately finds faith, divine purpose, and wholeness.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Angela Shelton is an award-winning actress and filmmaker. She made her directorial debut with her documentary Searching for Angela Shelton in which she drove around the country meeting other women named Angela Shelton. She found that 70 percent had been victims of sexual assault or domestic violence. This surprising journey led Angela to confront her own abusive past. The multi-award winning documentary has started a grassroots movement of survivors and humanitarian organizations around the world to expose the extent of abuse suffered by American women. Angela received a certificate of appreciation from the United States Justice Department for her work and dedication on behalf of America's crime victims. She was also presented the Voice of Courage award from Darkness to Light, an organization with the goal of ending childhood sexual abuse. And she received the Award for Distinguished Service and Excellence in Film Media from The Leadership Council for Child Abuse and Interpersonal Violence and the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute in 2005. Angela has appeared on Oprah and 48 Hours Investigates. An exclusive version of her documentary, Searching for Angela Shelton aired on Lifetime TV in April 2006. In addition, Angela stars as the Safe Side Super Chick superhero who teaches children how to be safe in the Safe Side video series created by Baby Einstein creator Julie Clark and America's Most Wanted creator, John Walsh. She won a regional Emmy for her performance in this video series in 2005.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Meredith Books (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0696239418
• ISBN-13: 978-0696239410
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,137,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I began writing when I was eight. My eclectic mother would simply tell me to "write it down" when I had far too much to say about our crazy life. I began my professional writing career by adapting my first novel into the screenplay Tumblweeds. I co-wrote that script with director, Gavin O'Connor. I went on to adapt other novels for the big and small screen including Charms for the Easy Life by Kaye Gibbons. I wrote the book Finding Angela Shelton about how my directing debut, Searching for Angela Shelton, changed my life. The first books in my fantasy series, The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton are now with my editor along with the first of my children's chapter books - The Magic Hat Shop. In the meantime I wrote a comedy movie and a humorous self-help book for co-dependents called Will Date 4 Food. I am always writing something for print or screen and I love my life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing story., April 1, 2008

By 

D. Lemoult (seattle wa usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Finding Angela Shelton (Paperback)

Angela is one of the most amazing women I have ever heard of.
If you are looking for a wounded whiny victim, this isn't the book !
Angela is a warrior and an agent of change, abundance and positive existence.
Do not be put off by the fact that the book deals with abuse. Sexual abuse is an epidemic in our culture and it is important that we begin to remove the stigma associated with talking about it. Angela shares her story with truthful simple storytelling that comes straight from the heart. And it has a happy ending !
This book is for you and it is about you. Regardless of who you are.
In a culture that values pain and suffering, Finding Angela Shelton provides an opportunity for transformation and action. Her message is simple and powerful : "Heal yourself and you will heal the world."
Healing yourself begins with reading this book. I guarantee it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Necessary, May 25, 2008

By 

Eliza Bennet (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Finding Angela Shelton (Paperback)

It seems every time I work up the courage to really listen to someone else's story, or to share my own, it wrenches another crack into the shell of that hard kernel of hurt and self-loathing I carry around inside of me. This book helped place another crack without too much angst or tears, because Angela tells her story with openness and honesty.

Angela sets off to film women around the country sharing the name Angela Shelton. She's searching for women's attitudes and outlooks. Not surprisingly, she finds many have been abused. Through her travels and interviews, Angela finds what she was really looking for all along - a sense of belonging and acceptance. A victim of extreme sexual abuse, Angela suffered from low self-esteem. At one point she realizes, "I have a flash of how my whole life, losing my virginity, my relationships, my work, everything has been affected by the beliefs that were set in place when I was little." Sharing others' stories helped her with her own. The more I talk about my own abuse history, or write about it, the healthier I become.

The book is not perfect; for example I wish that it had been written in a more linear manner, and it seemed to drag in places. But it is easily read, especially given the subject matter, and I give it five stars for bravery and fulfilling a need. Angela represents all of us in our search to heal. She comes across as courageous and gritty, and I am thankful that she took on this subject.

With at least one out of four women facing abuse during a lifetime, chances are good that even those not victimized know someone who has been. This is our story, our lives, and the more we talk about it, and normalize it, and recognize it, the faster we can heal, and help prevent future victims.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick Read, April 11, 2008

By 

A. Garland (Bowling Green, KY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Finding Angela Shelton (Paperback)

This book is a must have for anyone who saw the film "Searching For Angela Shelton." Angela takes the reader behind the scenes on her journey toward healing. She allows us to see what the camera did not show. The book was a quick read and makes a great resource to go along with the film.