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Mildred L. Brown
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True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism--For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals First Edition

by Mildred L. Brown (Author), Chloe Ann Rounsley (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 154 ratings
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Combines authoritative information and humanitarian insight into the transsexual experience

Filled with wisdom and understanding, this groundbreaking book paints a vivid portrait of conflicts transsexuals face on a daily basis--and the courage they must summon as they struggle to reveal their true being to themselves and others. True Selves offers valuable guidance for those who are struggling to understand these people and their situations.

Using real life stories, actual letters, and other compelling examples, the authors give a clear understanding of what it means to be transsexual. They also give other useful advice, including how to deal compassionately with these commonly misunderstood individuals--by keeping an open heart, communicating fears, pain and support, respecting choices.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0787967025
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0787967024
  3. Edition
    First Edition
  4. Publisher
    Jossey-Bass Inc Pub
  5. Publication date
    January 1, 2003
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    5.75 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  8. Print length
    288 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"I would strongly recommend this book as a primer for anyone interested in this topic." (Archives of Sexual Behavior, 35:2)

From the Back Cover

Filled with wisdom and understanding, True Selves paints a vivid portrait of the conflicts transsexuals face on a daily basis — the courage they must summon as they struggle to reveal their true being to themselves and others. This classic resource offers valuable guidance for friends, families, coworkers, and professionals who are struggling to understand these people and their situations. Using real life stories, actual letters, and other compelling examples, True Selves gives a clear understanding of what it means to be transsexual and offers practical suggestions for dealing compassionately with these commonly misunderstood individuals.

Praise for True Selves

"True Selves is thorough and comprehensive. . . .This is a serious and important book. If you know a transsexual, care about a transsexual, or are interested in understanding transsexuality, True Selves should be on your reading list. "
The Transsexual New Telegraph

"The best popular introduction to transsexualism for all involved- transsexuals, soffas (significant others, family, friends, allies), and the professionals working with and serving them — is True Selves."
—The Independent Press Book Review

"First-person accounts from transsexuals augment general readability and put human faces on the issues discussed."
—Booklist

"Each chapter poses questions and confronts common misconceptions about transgendered people and offers recommendations to caregivers and family. . . . presented in a simple, straightforward style and is easy to understand."
—Gender Identity Journal

"With real life stories, letters, poems, and more, this is a first coming-out collection for the TS community."
—Feminist Bookstore News

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jossey-Bass Inc Pub; First Edition (January 1, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0787967025
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0787967024
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 154 ratings

About the author

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Mildred L. Brown

Mildred L. Brown

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
154 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book a good resource for understanding transsexualism and gender identity. They find it an excellent introduction for both laypersons and people in the helping professions. The book is easy to read, with clear explanations of common experiences between men and women. However, some readers feel the content is outdated, mentioning DSM-IV vs. DSM-V.

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Value for moneyInformation qualityReadabilityDated content
33 customers mention "Value for money"33 positive0 negative

Customers find the book useful and informative. They say it's a good resource for those curious about transitioning, as well as those who are going through it. The book provides practical examples and insights, and is well-researched.

"...I wish I could more eloquently describe how thorough and well written this book is but I hope that those reading this review can at least hear in my..." Read more

"...This book is pretty good in my opinion. Best one I have read on the subject with just the right balance between giving a good overview while digging..." Read more

"...It is worth adding to your library and also to loan to others to help them understand this difficult condition...." Read more

"This is the best resource I have found to explain to both transgender people and those who wish to understand what being transgender is...." Read more

31 customers mention "Information quality"31 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an excellent introduction to transsexualism. It provides useful insights and explanations for both laypersons and those in the helping profession. The book covers almost every aspect of the topic and is a valuable resource for the trans community.

"...Best one I have read on the subject with just the right balance between giving a good overview while digging a little deeper into most specific..." Read more

"...First, I had heard that this book was an excellent introduction for both lay persons and people in the helping professions...." Read more

"...This is also great to give to people if you wish for them to learn about the subject...." Read more

"The author does a good job of providing background information on transexuals and describing the obtacles they face before, during, and after..." Read more

22 customers mention "Readability"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and understandable for those without psychological training. It provides clear examples and answers many questions about transsexualism. Many readers were moved by the compassionate and understanding approach. The quality of the manuscript is excellent.

"...The quality of the manuscript is excellent. I was impressed with the organization and structure and how the content flowed...." Read more

"...I wish I could more eloquently describe how thorough and well written this book is but I hope that those reading this review can at least hear in my..." Read more

"...I have to say that I was unexpectedly moved by this book, finding myself in copious tears at many points as I felt *very validated*...." Read more

"...It is well-written (by someone who knows how to write!)..." Read more

4 customers mention "Dated content"0 positive4 negative

Customers dislike the dated content. They say it's outdated, mentioning DSM-IV vs. DSM-V and outdated viewpoints.

"The book is dated somewhat, referring to DSM-IV vs. DSM-V. It also doesn't take great pains to get pronouns right in the first few chapters ... but..." Read more

"...It does feel a little dated, but it still is a wonderful resource...." Read more

"I may be going against the grain, but I found this book dated -- it just did not resonate with me...." Read more

"Extremely outdated viewpoints. Would not recommend, except as a study of how transgender persons were regarded in the 1990's." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Being Jane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Also excellent for the Trans community!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of the first books I read on my "yellow brick road." Even though it is written to families, friends and co-workers, I felt that Millie and Chloe Ann were writing directly to me. I was so touched by their insight into my life-long condition, struggle, and transition path that I repeatedly wanted to give them a big hug!

    The quality of the manuscript is excellent. I was impressed with the organization and structure and how the content flowed. It reads well and is a book to which I am proud to point others, which I have often done!

    Regarding the authors' emphasis on the Standards of Care, it is important for our friends and loved ones to know that we are following a proven protocol and not "out there" blazing our own trails. As I read the autobiographies by Donna Rose, Jennifer Boylan, Renee Richards, Deirdre McCloskey, Jan Morris and others, they so encouraged me that this is a mountain I can climb, a summit I can reach. Thankfully, there are exceptions to the norm where grace is extended but for the most part, whether MTF or FTM, there are milestones common to us in the transgender community as we cross over. "True Selves," with sensitivity, overlays those required steps on a timeline aided with professional medical support, known as the Standards of Care.

    Our path is one of great courage as we forget what lies behind to lay hold of who we are. We must be willing to sacrifice everything in order to realize our dream and we need all the support we can get. This book provides a tremendous amount of support.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • anonymous
    5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Book
    Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased this book after a close family member announced that he was transsexual. I knew very little about transexualism and was spending hours online looking for any information I could find about it. This book was enormously helpful to me in learning about an experience I knew nothing about. I am encouraging members of my family to also read it as they like me want to understand to the best of our ability how to support our family member. The book is wonderfully organized starting with an explanation of terms (e.g. transsexual, transgendered, transvestite) then moving into a description about what transsexuals typically experience during their lives. Starting from childhood and moving through life stages, the authors provide a thoughtful and thorough explanation of what life often entails for transsexuals. The author's are very clear in saying when experiences are common to men or women, and take every effort to not overly generalize experiences across all transsexuals. The last few chapters of the book provide a helpful overview of the medical procedures some transsexuals choose to do and how and why they may or may not officially change their gender. I wish I could more eloquently describe how thorough and well written this book is but I hope that those reading this review can at least hear in my words how very helpful I have found this book. I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand transexualism regardless of whether or not they personally know someone who is.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Christina C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book - best overview I have read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Purchased this book to give to a friend in order to understand a little bit better about transsexuality. This book is pretty good in my opinion. Best one I have read on the subject with just the right balance between giving a good overview while digging a little deeper into most specific topic areas. No book on an extremely complex subject will win the votes of everyone, but this one is better than most. I would urge the few folks who provide their opinions about this book in a mainly negative light, to write and publish their own books. Portray things the way they see them themselves. They are clearly experts on the subject and not at all biased by their own experiences. I'm sure they would get the balance between objectivity and subjectivity perfectly balanced, and be open minded enough to accept that the thoughts, feelings and experiences of others might be subtly different, or totally different, to their own, and that there may be not one right answer about the whats's and why's about transsexuality, but many.
    The reality is that nobody really knows why some people are transsexual. Many theories and opinions exist, but thus far unproven when scrutinized closely enough, and quite frankly, why does it matter? One thing's for sure, diversity in nature is normal, only the social construct of western European influenced human societies renders things that don't exactly fit the pre-decided cookie cutter mold, to be abnormal, and a threat to the authorized version of normal. - It really is total BS.
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Andre
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to understand and the most informative book I have ...
    Reviewed in Canada on June 1, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Very well written. Easy to understand and the most informative book I have read on the subject
    Report
  • Sonnenblume
    5.0 out of 5 stars Transsexualismus verstehen
    Reviewed in Germany on January 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    "True selves" ist ein hervorragend geschriebenes Buch, um den Unterschied zwischen Transvestität und Transsexualismus zu verstehen. Aber auch andere Formen von Sexualität, die leider in unserer Gesellschaft nicht erwünscht und somit diskriminiert werden oder todgeschwiegen werden, sind verständnisvoll erklärt. Wenn man dieses Buch liest, versteht man, wie sich ein Junge oder Mädchen fühlt, wenn es im falschen Körper geboren wird und sich den gesellschaftlichen Zwängen entsprechend zu verhalten hat. Durch viele Tatsachenberichte, wo sich so wohl männl. als auch weibl. Transsexuelle outen erhält man einen Einblick in deren Gefühlswelt. Auch habe ich erfahren, dass bereits während der Entwicklung im Mutterleib ca. in der achten Woche das Geschlecht festgelegt wird u.es dort durch Hormone zu Fehlsteuerungen kommt u. deshalb ein Mädchen z.B. im Jungskörper leben muss. Wie ihnen dort rausgeholfen wird erfährt man u. wie glücklich sich diejenigen schätzen, die den schweren Weg der Geschlechtsumwandlung vollzogen haben b.z.w. was der Weg ist. Leider ist dieses von einem amerikanischen Sexualtherapeuten geschriebene Buch noch nicht ins Deutsche übersetzt wurden. Man kann es Lehrern, Erziehern, Psychologen, Therapeuten und Ärzten aber auch allen, die davon betroffen sind nur empfehlen. Es ist Ratgeber und Lehrbuch zugleich. Danke, eine aufgeklärte Mutter
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  • JMP
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone trying to understand how it feels to be born into the wrong body
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    This is a wonderful, informative resource - the best of its kind on the market at the moment, imho. It should be read by medical professionals, particularly those working with transgendered/transsexual youngsters and adults, by school teachers, social workers, etc., as well as by families and friends who want to understand how their loved one feels and to help them in their struggle to be who they truly are. I can't recommend this highly enough; I've bought several copies, for all of the above, to help them see how living with this condition really is for my young daughter - and it has.
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  • CynthiaF
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Easy Read
    Reviewed in Canada on March 15, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Great book, simply presented and a good read for those looking to understand the spectrum of Trans persons.
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  • Kes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and informative
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book has all the information you copuld possibly need on the subject and is sensitively written and easy to read
    Report