Customer Reviews

Susan Smith: Victim or Murderer

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

 

 

I became aware of Dr. Reker's conservative outlook by statements such as, sex before marriage is illegal in South Carolina, so Susan Smith was breaking the law. He also describes things subjectively, as in, "tawdry sexual exploits". As the book continues, he brings in religion more and more. The last 1/4 of the book is sheer preaching. It is a sermon. He talks about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins... I felt decieved by the fact that the title and cover of the book did not say that it is written with a Christian perspective. An apt title would be, "The Christian Interpretation of the Susan Smith Case." If that's what you want, buy the book. If not, look elsewhere.

Dr. Rekers' one qualification to write about Susan Smith's mental state? He worked in the state hospital where she was examined, but had never examined her as a patient!

Certainly, this guy knows what he's talking about, right? Can't wait to hear what he has to say! Mmmmmm.... don't count on it. Everything about Susan in this book is either officially sanitized for public release, or scuttlebutt he picked up from another shrink. I'd love to see the look on his face once someone tells him the 'diagnosis' of 'narcissistic personality' was originally not that of a colleague, but that of a SLED agent bouncing theoretical questions off an emergency room nurse . . .

I expected Dr. Rekers as an author to use better sources than 'Sins of the Mother' and deliver factual information. I expected Dr. Rekers as a psychologist to give us information about someone that actually exists, rather than someone he's heard characterized secondhand. I expected Dr. Rekers as a Christian to treat his subject with some compassion and sensitivity as Jesus would no matter what she did, rather than be a judgmental so-and-so.

Three strikes. It's a letdown in every area. But it shouldn't be -- after all, this guy was the same expert who appeared live on a talk show shot in Union, before Susan's trial, to explain -- as prospective jurors listened -- how Susan was guilty and without excuse known to psychiatry, as only he could explain it.

If he'd checked his factual information at the beginning as thoroughly as he checked his scripture references at the end, he might have written something more accurate.

Maybe.

I wanted to know the story of Susan Smith. I wanted to know what she was thinking when she killed her kids...I wanted to know what led up to the point where she pulled the break and let the car go into the lake. This book does not tell the story....It analyzes the questions that everyone has. I was so upset reading the book, but thought it had to get good at some point...nope, no such luck...all the way to the end of the book the author brings a question to the forthought and then explains why that might or might not be the reason....if i wanted analysis, i would be looking at research papers...never expected to see research papers joined together to make a book....

The book's best feature was its clear description of how past experiences can help shape a person's future actions and reactions to situations. The book also asks the reader many important questions in order to facilitate thought. Complex behavorial concepts related to Susan Smith's life were made exceptionally clear. This book was so good I read it in one evening! I wish more pictures of Miss Smith were included.

Dr. Rekers did a wonderful job on this book. I would Recommend it to anyone. It helped me under stand Ms. Smith in much more detail. Thank you George fo helping the world understand Smith better! You should write some more novels! It was definetly worth 5 stars on a scale from 1-10 it an eleven!! READ THIS BOOK!!