Miss America by Day [Hardcover]

Marilyn Van Derbur (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Miss America by Day" outlines ways to prevent abuse and seeks to enlighten readers so they can understand the trauma. -- The Denver Post - May 19, 2003

..written with emotional power - whether you're a survivor or a parent... -- Rocky Mountain News, June 2, 2003

This book had such a profound impact on me, I flew from Charleston, SC to Denver, to thank Marilyn personally. -- Cindy Tew - Charleston, SC

This is the most important book I have read on healing, conquering shame and the question of forgiveness. -- Shelli Hill Snyder - Davie, FL

From the Publisher

Won 1st place in the prestigious Writers Digest national competition. 1900 books were entered in 9 categories. Won 1st place in the 'most inspirational" book category...the only book in Colorado to win a 1st place award. Won 3 more awards from the Colorado Independent Publishers Association.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 563 pages
• Publisher: Oak Hill Ridge Press (May 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972829849
• ISBN-13: 978-0972829847
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #437,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Miss America by Day, May 24, 2005

By 

LuAnn Glatzmaier "LuAnn Glatzmaier" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Miss America by Day: Lessons Learned from Ultimate Betrayals and Unconditional Love (Paperback)

When I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. It is so well written I felt as if I was with Marilyn.

We hear of the "hero journey" that people undergo. Marilyn's life experience with such a horrendous horror that can afflict a human being is a heroine's journey - a victory of the human spirit over the worst of circumstances.

We often hear of a tragic incident in a person's life that is difficult to overcome, but to emerge from such a prolonged period of suffering during a child's most critical developmental years, suffering undergone within what was reputed to be our culture's definition of a "good family," has resulted in one of the most important autobiographies of our time.

Marilyn's triumph over her life circumstances speaks not only to the possibility of healing from incest, but reading this book outlines spiritual and psychological strategies for the deepest pain any reader may be suffering. I have given this book as a gift, sometimes to people who were fortunate enough to have not been violated by incest, and it helped them overcome other abuses in their lives which were festering for years.

Marilyn's courage and belief in herself "no matter what," her trust in her instincts, however much those instincts were interfered with in her developmental years, extend to the reader as does her courage, self-esteem and dignity. One can feel that her heart's intention in writing this book is to give the strength and courage to others that she somehow managed to summon from within herself. That sense of heart and reinforcement are among the gifts this book gives. Through her wisdom of experience, one finds an ally, a friend to help them traverse the flood waters of the worst, most terrifying of human experiences.

It was clear to me that Marilyn's revelation of her life story was not a "tell all" for personal recognition, but a labor of the heart to reach and help so many others suffering this silent, secret terror. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't benefit from this book in some deep, fundamental way.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, powerful stuff!, June 13, 2005

By 

T. Sue Collier (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Miss America by Day: Lessons Learned from Ultimate Betrayals and Unconditional Love (Paperback)

In this amazingly honest book, Van Derbur tells the story of how she grew up in a family that seemed perfect on the outside but which was harboring an ugly secret: Starting when she was just a child of five, she was sexually abused by her father until she turned 18. The devastation and shame of incest, which Van Derbur repressed for many years, stayed with her through adulthood. This remarkable book tells of the night child who suffered at the hands of her father-and the day child who was happy and outgoing.

She also covers all-important tips on how people can protect their own children from sexual predators. This book should be required reading for every parent, teacher, judge, clergyman, and incest survivor.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Miss America By Day, July 21, 2003

By 

Susan Cline (Fort Myers,FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Miss America by Day (Hardcover)

One of the best books I've read in a long time, and a must read for anyone who has ever been sexually abused as a child or for anyone involved in the counseling of people who have undergone this horror. I have only one question. I would like to know why Oak Hill Ridge Press, the publisher of this book, has limited it's availability to the state of Colorado and to online purchase? The jacket of the book states how Marilyn Van Derbur "has devoted much of her adult life to raising national awareness and understanding of sexual abuse and its long-term effects." So why would a book like this which is worth its weight in gold only be available in bookstores in one state in the United State? That's bizarre. Inter-library loan taps into 3000 libraries across the country and in that system there are only 4 copies of this book. Three of those are in Colorado and one is in Nebraska. I was told here in Florida by B. Dalton books that it is because the book is considered Denver history. I read the book and it has little to do with Denver history--it is the beautifully and courageously written biography of a survivor of incest.