Customer Reviews

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I read this book cover to cover in 2 sittings. It is just that fascinating and riveting. The author cites relevant patterns of behavior in African Americans that has a direct linkage back to mistreatment as an enslaved people who developed extraordinary survival coping strategies. This is the type of book that should be shared with family members or in book clubs. It should not be put on a coffee table to catch dust there are too many vital messages in these pages. Initially i was a little turned off by the title but now that i have completed reading the book the title makes complete sense and the research on the issue in this book is extraordinary and enlightening. AN OUTSTANDING BOOK THAT MUST BE READ!

This book is a healing work for any Blacks who have wondered about behaviors that seem natural to us and so different to whites. It is a history lesson a soothing salve and a book of hope for those in despair over the rising violence in inner cities as well as negative lifestyles. It is without equivocation a tour de force!!!

A must read! This is an excellent book and it answers so many questions. Anyone interested in the differences and experiences of black Americans should read this book. Kudos to Dr. Leary.

Joy DeGruy's Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is, to me, at the top of the list for most important books; how to heal the gashes in society, and she's right on. Did I mention I'm 71, a white lady, you know those who aren't supposed to care or didn't vote for Obama, or, or, or. Poppycock! It is one of my life's passions to promote her book, her DVD (awesome, awesome) and the concept. Dr. Joy DeGruy, is in this writer's view, one of the heroines of our age and of future ages. You haven't heard it all, but some day people will marvel at her message, a straight tipped arrow, delivered with clarity, passion and authenticity, bringing out what we've always known, "there's an elephant in the room."

Run to the store, find her DVD, whizz over to your friends' houses, tents, flats, whatever. I'm a writer (Esther Bradley-DeTally) and I tell you, "There aren't enough words in the universe to praise this book." Buy it and put it into action.

He that does not know and understand his/her past, is doomed to repeat it.

In her book, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS), Dr. Joy Leary presents information to enlighten thought regarding behaviors prevalent in the African American community. I believe that PTSS exists and should be treated. First, it must be understood! The author provides information to enhance understanding about the realities of African Americans living in American post slavery culture. PTSS should be required reading for health and human service professionals working with the African American population.

PTSS is an Important Subset of Cultural Poisoning and indispensable to the improvement of Cultural Health.


PTSS should be required reading for anyone interested in Cultural Health. It is my opinion, that to be considered Culturally Competent with respect to African Americans, a Psychologist, Psychiatrist, social worker, sociologist and Health care workers of every strip should have a working knowledge of the realities presented in this book.

Let me take a minute to put PTSS in context with respect to the part of world history it sheds light on. As you know recorded history starts with Classical African Civilization, Kemet (Egypt) c.6300 B.C.E.. The Cultural War and its attendant Cultural Poisoning starts c. 1500 B.C.E., with the invasion of the first non-Africans (Hysos) in significant numbers to enterAfrica. If we pass many of the battles of the Cultural War and fast-forward to the most famous battle World War Zero (WW0, African Holocaust, "Slave Trade"). We find Dr. Joy Leary uncovering the symptoms (syndrome) of Black people captured in WW0. As we read we must keep in mind, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is focused on a particular point in historical time. This is an important piece of the Cultural Health puzzle but not the whole puzzle.



PTSS is a remarkable landmark work. Every African American who wishes to improve their understanding of themselves and our children should read this book. Anyone interested in better understanding AA's should read this book. I give it the Cultural Health Seal of Approval with a 5 Ankh rating.

To learn about other pieces of the African American puzzle I recommend The Isis Papers: The Keys to the Colors, Iceman Inheritance : Prehistoric Sources of Western Man's Racism, Sexism and Aggression and Doublespeak in Black and White: America Needs a New Idea, the Worlds First Cultural Poisoning Self-Test.

I could not put this book down. It is intelligently written and researched, but it also speaks straight to the heart.

Dr. Leary not only taught with facts, history, but she told generational stories of people she knew personally to substantiate her claims. The combination of factual history and real-life, heartfelt stories caused me to learn in a way that caused me to remember. I won't forget this traumatic history--ever. I also celebrate the resiliency of African Americans. Wow!

This book is not only a must read for African Americans, it is a must read for European Americans, too. I wish it were half the price so I could buy multiple copies for my European American family, friends, pastor, my police officer friends/family and church friends. Dr. Leary, I applaud you!! This will be a classic!!

Dr. Leary's book is a must read especially for young African American men and women who have a disconnect with slavery and the struggle for civil rights. If we don't know from whence we come, we cannot know where we are going. Young people of all races would benefit from this insightful yet painful account of why we subconsciously do what we do to one another without knowing that we are perpetuating the slave mentality. It is life changing!

Dr. Leary is a gift to us. The good Lord blessed her resolve to do the study, research, and return this powerful work and plan to the world community. "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome" articulates many deeply rooted challenges of Black people in America that had not previously been properly well defined before. The Book is a must read for all public policy makers & law enforcement, in addition Dr. Leary gives us a workbook to correct many of the concerns we as Blacks in America struggle with.

We love and support you Dr. Joy DeGruy-Leary

Best regards,

Bro. Kent Taylor

We have used this book as required reading in a doctoral level class focusing on urban education. It has been an awesome and REAL tool for discussion of issues confronting teaching and learning in urban schools today. Leary has tapped into a diagnosis worth sharing with many. A great read for all---I mean ALL!