Violent Partners: A Breakthrough Plan for Ending the Cycle of Abuse [Hardcover]

Linda G. Mills (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 3, 2008

A radical new take on the crisis of intimate abuse, Violent Partners argues that as a culture we misunderstand the root causes and basic effects of abuse, and until that changes there is no hope of fixing the problem. Dr. Linda Mills challenges assumptions, tears down myths, and offer solutions, all the while telling riveting stories of couples who have conquered violence in their relationships. In Violent Partners, she describes several programs that hold promise for addressing intimate abuse, including two nationally known and groundbreaking treatment programs-Peacemaking Circles and Healing Circles. Controversial, provocative, and accessible, Violent Partners is unlike any other book on abuse and relationships, and highlights in great detail the complexities of violence through the stories of men and women who have acknowledged their abuse and sought to do something about it. This is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand violence in their own relationship, friends and family members of victims and abusers, and legal and mental health practitioners looking for a new and valuable approach to treating couples in crisis.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Lawrence W. Sherman, Wolfson Professor of Criminology, Cambridge University
“Linda Mills is the indispensable guide to solving the problems of domestic violence. No one can enter the policy debate on these issues in an informed way without reading her eye-opening and rigorous analyses.”

Ms. Magazine
“A heartfelt view of how forgiveness can be a tool of empowerment and healing.”
 

Midwest Book Review
“Any general-interest or health library needs this.”
 

New York Law Journal
“An excellent read featuring numerous case studies, research and analysis, and stories that lead the reader on a journey from ignoring DV issues to where we are today—to an alternative way of attempting to end the cycle of abuse.”

Metapsychology online
“Violent Partners has lessons for each of us in rethinking violence contexts and admitting our individual contributions to the aggressions that befall us in our daily lives. An excellent read for any audience!”

Psychiatric Services
“Even if one does not agree with Mills’ theoretical focus, one can still find some intriguing clinical possibilities in her systemic approach to healing violent relationships.”

About the Author

Linda G. Mills, J.D., Ph.D., is Founder of the Center on Violence and Recovery at New York University, where she is also a Professor and Senior Vice Provost. She has appeared on “Oprah,” Bill Moyers’s “Now,” and “The O’Reilly Factor” and has been featured in the Boston Globe, the New York Times Magazine, and more. Her op-eds have appeared in USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, and Newsday. She lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; 1 edition (June 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465045774
• ISBN-13: 978-0465045778
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #928,600 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A huge step forward for violent relationships, July 8, 2008

By 

Samuel A. Weiss "help society" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Violent Partners: A Breakthrough Plan for Ending the Cycle of Abuse (Hardcover)

I have been working in the field of domestic abuse for over 15 years.
I am impassioned by the work that I do.
I agree with Dr. Mills that violence is transmitted through generations. I have always been frustrated by the fact that as soon as my colleagues , therapists that I respect, hear that there is violence in a family, they immediately resort to
a . Not wanting to work with the couple together and
b. Encouraging the couple to get divorced, when in fact most couples do not want to separate and
c. The therapist will allign with the female (victim?)before even investigating the dynamics of what is really going on with this family.

Linda Mills' book Violent Partners brings all of the issues that I have been struggling with to the forefront. I, also, thoroughly appreciated the fact that we heard Dr. Mills' voice in retelling her own personal story. My hope is that through Violent Partners we learn to give every member of a family involved in violence a voice to be heard.

I salute Linda for the courage to come forward to say the things that most of us in the field know to be the truth but are afraid to verbalize.
I believe this book gives hope to families that are in violent relationships, and lets them know they are not alone. We understand why they might stay and we can work with them to bring their relationship to a safe place where they can stay together.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Violent Partners, July 13, 2008

By 

Aranah - See all my reviews

This review is from: Violent Partners: A Breakthrough Plan for Ending the Cycle of Abuse (Hardcover)

An excellent book that describes a great need for victims of domestic violence and their offenders. Restorative justice in any form should be considered in the criminal justice system, there is simply too much retribution and not enough compassion.

I have worked with domestic violence victims and offenders for over seven years and it is true that some do not want to separate yet they need a way to create a safe environment so a reconciliation is possible.

Ms. Mills suggestions should be considered by anyone working with domestic violence clients.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Any general-interest or health library needs this, August 17, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Violent Partners: A Breakthrough Plan for Ending the Cycle of Abuse (Hardcover)

VIOLENT PARTNERS: A BREAKTHROUGH PLAN FOR ENDING THE CYCLE OF ABUSE is a different kind of survey of abuse: it shows how both partners often participate in the dynamics of abuse, and provides an 'out' for those who want to preserve relationships without that violence. Also included are tips for the men assaulted by women each year, and an overall response that addresses patterns of violent dynamics. Any general-interest or health library needs this.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch