Customer Reviews

La Taza Azul

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In La Taza Azul, Fernandez presents a highly complex cast of characters that steadily form a web of relationships to a subject whose understanding of reality becomes more gray in each successive chapter. The nature of language and its importance in object relations theory becomes exemplified in strong, palpable terms. From simple slips of the tongue noted in psychoanalysis; (saying crotch instead of coach, wail instead of whale) the reader is provided a unique perspective on mental wellness that challenges one's definition of what is real in everyday life. How does one quantify paranoia? What is the likelihood that people you know are in fact who they say they are? Is your knowledge of the people you know, love and trust based only on a memory? And can't your memory be altered? What typifies a conversation with a good friend versus an encounter with a psychotherapist?

What better way to experience the confusion that persists in diagnoseable paranoid schizophrenia than to expose the reader to a bewildering cast of characters who compete for your attention? In fact I wish I had thought of it myself. Without a father of significant influence (a strong "no") curiosity develops in Fernandez as to whether people in his life are "real." Amidst the sharing of experiences based on real relationships with real people this curiosity develops over time in Fernandez as he dialogues with a trusted confidante. In the wake of WWII and McCarthyism, the presence of the controversial MK-Uktra program presents a plausible explanation for paranoia and psychosis. Fernandez presents an intensely real subjective experience of MCPs (mind control programs) that makes everyday experiences seem not unlike a frightening psychedelic trip.

Could the failed reality testing characteristc of paranoia not be based on an organic cause in the brain, but rather based on political, social, cultural and familial influences? It would seem the answer has just as much to do with the development of language itself. And in an environment of post WWII fear, irrational fears (phobias) seem to be just as real as rational fears. La Taza Azul seems to suggest social conditioning in language can be just as legitimate a cause of psychosis in such a way that none of us can ultimately know what is objectively real. In fact, it can't be distinguished at all any more than a definition of mental illness is but a cluster of normal symptoms.

Worldviews are shaped by memories, and memories are maleable like clay. Only later on do we discover how our experience has shaped us one little conclusion after another. Long ago your early experiences shaped who you came to be, beginning (presumably) from the time you developed language, but actually from the time shortly after you were conceived. You learned "not to strut" from one experience, an "unconscious stamp" was imprinted upon you in another, and you learned having "no associations" while appearing to be comfortable actually left blind spots in your awareness and emptiness in many of your relationships.

Prepare to get dizzy. La Taza Azul will leave you asking the right questions.

Mr. Fernandez is an aging former social worker who is being interviewed by a former patient. The irony is striking as the patient becomes a pseudo-therapist who helps Mr. Fernandez reconcile with his most painful and deep memories. Mr. Fernandez begins chronicling a life full of psychological trauma from early on in his childhood, memories that are deeply rooted in his mind. Learn how secret government organizations manipulate citizens with impunity. While the story sometimes gets confusing with the "look-alikes" it was well worth reading.

For someone to write a book like this they would have had to live the story. The twists and turns, with raw flashbacks, have to be the author reliving his own repressed memories. Further, the depth of psychology in those characters that join the various mind control programs helps the reader understand possible circumstances; whereby, intelligent people might, unwisely turn to torturing others to get what they want. After reading this I question the wisdom of current judicial decisions that pardon the abusive application of the state-secrets privilege doctrine at the expense of social justice, self-determination, and accountability. The author's first hand experiences with manipulative brain washing and state sponsored covert mind control are haunting. But not all is lost as two of the narrative's heroes, Leonardo and Rico show the healing power of healthy human relations. I definitely recommend this book.

La Taza Azul is a book that people outside the mental health field will find hard to understand. However in many ways it can become a great research book if one is interested in the inter though that goes into the human mind. It digs deep into the inter-thoughts of what goes on in a human brain that is not always exposed to the people around him. Any of his thoughts and feeling he withdraws into himself until he is no longer able to contain himself. Read how he learns to deal with this is very interesting.

For those readers who want to know about state sponsored brain washing "La Taza Azul" is a must. The author's experiences with state sponsored synthetic telepathy, child abuse, look-alike deception, and mental torture in general sheds light how far those in power are willing to go to breakdown one's language and ability to defend self. The story also provides compelling generational bridge in the management of mental disorders and torture recovery.

A very interesting look at what the mind can do, especially when abused by family, government, and political conspiracy. It brought to mind that maybe I need to let my mind heal me.

I am just enchanted by La Taza Azul. I have read it several times and each time I learn something new. This should be on the must-read list for military personnel serving our country. And it would be an excellent text book for those learning how to give therapy to their fellow human beings. I would hope that members of Congress are reading it with a sense of urgency to help veterans.

Three stories are interwoven in this book: a family history, Ricardo's own story, and that of his young client. The author tell a compelling story that contains many insights into activities and truths which we do not want to believe exist in our country, our world. Although my background does not include any mental health expertise I believe reading this book may be helpful to anyone in this field.

This book was throughly enjoyable to read and very thought provoking. The author's use of multiple charaters and personal family history in retelling his mind bending and life changing journey is eye opening and leads to question what is going on in our own world!!!This book continues to open doors and minds of the general public to start understanding the use of mind (life) control, much in the way that the upcoming mainstream movie starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt (the Adjustment Bureau)will do. I highly recommend this book for all people, well written and very interesting.

Feranandez hits a home run with this introspective piece of work! Anyone in the mental health field would genuinely appreciate reading this book! Although it can be confusing at times; it is a great example of how our perceptions shape our reality. I think this should be a "must read" for all Psychology graduate students!