Customer Reviews

Transgender Explained For Those Who Are Not

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I don't frequently have the opportunity to praise a friend's work here in amazon.com, as quality publications are few and far between these days. It still takes a great deal of skill to transmit wisdom to a wide audience in an engaging style, and Joanne has been able to pull it off beautifully.

These essays started off as columns in The Advocate, the leading American gay magazine. I specifically say "gay" magazine, because this is not a publication one might call "trans-friendly," let alone "trans-supportive." But that changed somewhat when Joanne was invited to do a series of columns on basic issues of transgender life and culture, what is often called a primer or "Trans 101." Unfortunately for the gay readership, Joanne was eventually relegated to the online version, but fortunately for us she has collected all her essays and written a few more to round out the volume.

I make it a point to attend PFLAG counseling sessions once a month, to give back for those who blazed a path for me. Speaking with parents of transitioning children often leaves me yearning for such a primer, written in an elegant yet clear prose, one which is not dumbed down but engages people on a mature level. This is necessary, as transition is the most difficult and confusing experience, not only for the trans person, but for families as well.

We often slight those who transition along with us - spouse, parents, children, neighbors and friends, colleagues - which is very unfortunate and needs to be rectified. Joanne's book goes a very long way to correcting that lack, and I thank her for it.

This is a wonderful book. I will be recommending it and in some cases making my own copy available to loan to clients. I like the combination of personal story integrated with sound information, and with excellent references and resources. Information alone can be dry reading, so the personal touch helps hold the reader's interest. The arrangement into short articles on specific topics makes it an easy reference resource for a family member or a transgender person who is breaking a path in their own life. Even a therapist who is newly exposed to transgender may find it a useful introduction to the topic. The fact that the book itself is short means that a person who is unwilling to read something lengthier may be willing to read this book and perhaps it will inspire that person to read further on this subject.
Dr. Sandra Samons
Therapist Specializing in Transgender

I highly recommend Joanne Herman's new book, "Transgender Explained - For Those Who Are Not." It is the equivalent to sitting down with your friend or neighbor for coffee and discussing the topic of transgender comfortably with them. Easy reading yet thorough, this inexpensive little book covers most of the major, immediate questions in the Primer section, then adds some thoughts about more advanced topics in the segment named - appropriately - "Advanced Topics."
For the parent of a transgender child - of any age - one of the most difficult aspects of learning their child is transgender is coming out to their families, coworkers, fellow parishones, and friends. Ms. Herman's book will be a great asset to these parents, as well as an excellent introduction to the subject for those who read it. If you are such a parent, buy several copies to hand out to your questioing friends.

Sometime in the next two weeks, I will have to sit down with my elderly father and tell him that I am transexual, and that I have finally begun my transition. Delay is not an option, not that I want to delay anyway: quite the contrary. Along with my revelation, I will present him with a package of background information, a personal letter, and a photo of myself as "myself." (Actually, I look quite ordinary, in case you're wondering. You probably wouldn't notice me if you walked past me in the mall.)

For the past two or three months I have been reviewing all the literature I have in my own library, and combing the internet for simple, easy to read material that will not seem too overwhelming when he sees it, and while my order seemed to take forever (over a month) to actually reach me, when it arrived in my mailbox yesterday, I immediately sat down and began to read it. (The whole thing before bedtime!) I was not disappointed. It will go into my father's package, with several "suggested" chapters appropriately marked. Thank you, Ms. Herman, for making what I know will be a difficult time for him, (and for me,) a little bit less so.

Transgender Explained was just the book I was looking for. Highly recommended!

I purchased this book to help family members with a relative's announcement. It's very well-written with short, to-the-point chapters that are just right for folks learning about this for the first time.

This was a quick and easy read, as intended, and a very helpful introduction to this condition. As a mom who has just found out that her child is transgender, I found many answers to my questions here. There were also some other references mentioned in the book for more in depth information. I found it particularly reassuring to find that there are many who are transgender who have been able to find happiness and fulfillment, which is, after all, what any parent should want for their child.

As I shared the story of my transition with family and friends, I wanted to find something that would help them learn more about the transgender experience. I've read "True Selves" but it just didn't resonate with me. It's never going to be possible to find a "one size fits all" book, but this is as close as I've found. It's a quick read, it covers many topics and it presents trans women in an honest, positive manner. It's a good book for someone who wants to learn "more than a little and less than a lot". I've given many copies of this book to family and close friends and I thank Joanne for making her words available to us.

...to find myself mentioned in the book! (Pg 60, the transgender Air Force Veteran who is now an Alderwoman in Centralia, MO.)

I have not had the opportunity to read this book yet. I have had 3 Non-Transgender friends read it and they all say they understand me more. I would not say this is THE book to explain Transgenderism but it is a great help.