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Mary Ann Koenig
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Sacred Connections: Stories Of Adoption Hardcover – February 27, 2001

by Ann Koenig (Author), Niki Berg (Author)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
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Personal sagas of adoption's particular issues and experiences fill this thought-provoking look at 25 adoptive families, written by a prominent expert who was an early champion of open adoption. Clinical psychologist Mary Ann Koenig recounts real-life stories of adoptees and their relationships with both their birth and adoptive parents. Anyone who is part of an adoptive family or is contemplating adopting a child is sure to learn from the circumstances told in these stories and derive enormous inspiration from the triumphs and insights of these ordinary-but quite extraordinary-relationships. Essays are graced by vintage and contemporary photographs. Dr. Mary Ann Koenig, an adoptee herself, has counseled adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents for more than twenty years. Niki Berg's photographs have appeared in Ms. and Smithsonian.
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  1. Print length
    128 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Running Press
  4. Publication date
    February 27, 2001
  5. Dimensions
    10 x 0.75 x 11 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0762408014
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0762408016
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Running Press; First Edition (February 27, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0762408014
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0762408016
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.06 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10 x 0.75 x 11 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

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Mary Ann Koenig

Mary Ann Koenig

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5 out of 5 stars
9 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • M. Hadfield
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book - lots of variety in the stories! Very Moving.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    This is a wonderful book - I couldn't put it down! I was so moved by some of the reunion stories, especially the one where an elderly man found his birth family. A must read for anyone interested in adoption or simply the power of love and connection.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Walter M. Rohlfs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to Put Down
    Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2001
    "Sacred Connections" is a meticulously researched and lovingly written collection of true stories which alternately make you smile and cry. The book is about adoptees who are searching for their birth mothers, not because of lack of love for their adoptive parents, but because there is an empty spot in their lives which needs filling.
    Such searches are not easy. The laws of many states have sealed their birth and adoption records. In addition, fires, floods, and natural disasters have certainly destroyed many of these necessary clues. Many such searches have surely failed, but this book is about those which succeeded.
    All of the stories are about adoptees who began their searches as adults or at least older teenagers. Their searches lead them to their mothers (if still living) as well as to their siblings and even grandparents.
    The surprising truth brought out by the book is not the fulfillment the adopted people found, but the happiness, the sense of relief, and the release from guilt the birth mothers experienced from the reconnection.
    Many of these adoptions occurred in the 50's and 60's when "illegitimacy" was a stigma on both mother and child. The birth mothers were usually just children themselves. They were pressured by parents and religiously run homes for unwed mothers into giving up their children to unknown adoptive parents, sometimes without ever having seen or held their babies. As a result, these birth mothers were frequently left with an emptiness and sense of guilt which the book unerringly captures.
    The emotional impact of the reconnection on the child, the birth mother and on the adoptive parents who feared losing their children is carefully chronicled in words and poignant photographs. Each adoptee's story is a distinct emotional experience, and in no cases do they tend to be mere repetitions.
    The book deals only with successful searches and happy reconnections, but this is a sufficient task for one book. However, the book clearly illustrates the need for revision of the various states' archaic adoption laws which unduly stress secrecy.
    Some birth mothers undoubtedly do not want to be found, and they have every right to believe that the secrecy laws under which they gave up their children will be honored. This conflict between the emotional and psychological needs of innocent adoptees to fill in the empty spots in their lives and the desire of SOME birth mothers to remain forever anonymous continues to rage.
    However, in order to evaluate the pros and cons of opening the records, it is necessary to realize that many birth mothers were coerced into adoptions in states which just happened to have secrecy in adoption laws. They were not given choices, and because so many were children themselves, their decisions were suspect and subject to change with maturity.
    It seems to me that the states should adopt new national uniform adoption laws as has been done in such matters as child custody. The records could then be opened to ombudsmen who, at the adoptees request, could locate and contact the birth mothers, tell them their children are searching for them and give these birth mothers the opportunity to reconnect.
    I would strongly recommend that before deciding, these birth mothers be given a copy of "Sacred Connections" to read before deciding so they might gain insights into the needs of their birth children to find them and realize the benefits to the birth mothers of such reconnection.
    Once started, "Sacred Connections" is hard to put down. I recommend it most highly.
    20 people found this helpful
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  • Sherrie Eldridge (Fishers, IN)
    5.0 out of 5 stars If I could rate this book a 10, I would!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2006
    This was given to me by one of the people featured in the book while on a business trip to Texas. Honestly, I couldn't put it down! It is so lovely, so inspiring, and so celebratory of the act and diversity of adoption. I highly recommend it to anyone touched by adoption--especially those that need to start celebrating! The photography and testimonials couldn't be better and they represent each person in the adoption triad. Treat yourself and buy a copy!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • P. Henderson
    5.0 out of 5 stars It's a beautiful, hopeful book about adoption
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2001
    I bought the book because I know some of the people interviewed in the book...but the book was even better than I had hoped it would be! The stories are very moving and brought tears to my eyes. It was nice to see a variety of closed adoption reunion and open adoption stories. I think the book shows people that contrary to current adoption stereotypes...adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents can all share a special bond or connection if they are open to it. Everybody has something special to add to the relationship...and having birth parents be a part of that relationship doesn't have to be threatening or confusing for anyone! This book would make a beautiful gift for anyone you know who is involved in adoption!
    6 people found this helpful
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  • "3jstetz"
    5.0 out of 5 stars A gift!!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2001
    Sacred Connections is a gift to anyone in the adoption circle. The stories are insightful, touching and honest. As a adoptive parent I especially appreciate the stories showing adoptive parents as supportive of their children's need to connect with their biological family. Often, the media depicts the adoptive parents as resistant to their child's need to search and this simply isn't accurate. Many adoptive parents have come to recognize that their child's biological roots are not something to be feared but to be celebrated. I recommend Sacred Connections to anyone who has been affected by adoption.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • BagelMom
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully done.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2001
    I'm a birth mother of a child in an open adoption, and I gave this book to my son's adoptive mother for Mother's Day. The black and white photographs are gorgeous, and they really sum up all the complex emotions inherent in adoptive relationships. The text for each story is well-written and illuminating, and the authors were obviously careful to represent the full range of adoption experiences. If you're looking for something special to express the lifelong connections between the adopted person and his or her birth and adoptive families, this is your book.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • TREVOR JORDAN
    5.0 out of 5 stars Artistry and Compassion
    Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2001
    Wow! I loved this book. Letting people speak for themselves about adoption is so important. I sensed a compassionate hand in the editing of these stories that makes them a pleasure to read and gives an artful consistency without diminishing the individual voices. The photography is wonderfully evocative. By chance, I have had the opportunity to meet a few of the people whose stories are in the book. I was delighted to find that there was no disjuncture between my brief encounters and what I read, which added to its authenticity for me.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reva
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stories of Love
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2002
    I re-visited "Sacred Connections" after almost a year. Any parent would benefit from these tender , moving stories of love, courage and commitment. The voices, of the subjects, reverberate in many of my personal encounters and experiences. It is a wonderful book.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • nicole Fleming
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in Canada on October 2, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Nice book, I liked it
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