Children Held Hostage,   ISBN:9780897076289

Customer Rating: 

At the present time, I easily rate this ABA Section of Family Law book as the "jewel in the crown" of all of the currently limited -but reapidly increasing - number of books in this rapidly emerging field of knowledge about a subject that is coming to be called the "parental alienation syndrome," a term coined by Dr. Richard A. Garner.

Unfortunately, this very early book on the subject of "parental alienation syndrome" does not use the "parental alienation syndrome" term. Although this book was published two decades ago, the superlaitve text of this excellent book has never been revised, although the book remains in print. However, if I were to revise this book, the one change I would make in its text is to include the term "parental alienation syndrome" - I suspect that the absense of the "parental alienation syndrome" phrase from the text of this book may be preventing people from becoming aware of this trully indispensible book, particularly for "alienated" parents, typically fathers, who become victims of the "alienating" parent.

I am very disheartened by the fact that AMAZON.com indicates that this wonderful and indispensible book has only been cited in two other books, which indicaes to me that authors in this field are not utilizing and may not be aware of this American Bar Association Section of Family Law book.

Although this book considers the alienation process within the context of child custody cases, I experienced this proceeses long before I became separated from my wife, and this was the only item of contention between my wife and myself throughout our marriage. The analytical diagnostic factors identified in this book are extremely useful for professionals engaged in the field of marital counseling between spouses.

The "parental alienation syndrome" is a young and emerging field, and appears to be powerfully publicized by Dr. Richard A. Gardner, the most prolfic and recognized author in this field. I have only read Ricard A. Garner's book entitled THE PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME, but I have Dr. Garner's other books on order.

At the present time, I am inclined to say that if I had only one book on the parental alienation syndrome, I would choose CHILDREN HELD HOSTAGE: DEALING WITH PROGRAMMED AND BRAINWASHED CHILDREN. However, after saying that, I would also note that Richard A. Gardner's book not only complements the American Bar Association book, but is as indispensible as the ABA book.

One disturbing fact I noted about Richard A. Gardner's THE PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME is that CHILDREN HELD HOSTAGE: DEALING WITH PROGRAMMED AND BRAINWASHED CHILDREN is not included in Richard A. Gardner's bibliogaphy in this book, a glaring omission which makes me wonder whether this was a conscious professional slight by Richard A. Gardner against the ABA book, a book I would chose - if I had only one choice - over Richard A. Garner's book. However, I again have to reiterate, one really needs the insights provided by both books. As I said, I have all of Richard A. Gardner's books on order.

Customer Rating: 

I have firsthand experience with this topic, and I have worked with many victims of this type of brainwashing in my position as director of America's Stolen Children Network. I believe I've read every book on this subject and none compare to this one. This is simply the best reference available. If you are a therapist or counselor, do not consider interacting with clients of this kind without having read this book. This is the real deal!

Customer Rating: 

Children Held Hostage is the very best book for help in understanding and identifying PARENTAL ALIENATION. It should be in the hands of every Lawyer, Guardian ad Litem, Psychologist and any one working with children. It, also, is very beneficial for parents to read, who are suffering from this disorder. Parental Alienation is cruel and breaks the bond-of-love between a parent and child. Before allowing a Guardian ad Litem or others to intervene, he/she should read this book. I cannot praise it enough.
Hazel Davis, Chair
PAS Kids In Distress

Customer Rating: 

This is the most in depth book on the market for someone in a hostile custody battle involving parental alienation syndrome. The authors have addressed significant issues in great detail. They have provided useful tools to combat the issues at hand and given hope to those embroiled in the battle.

Customer Rating: 

One of the best studies of the damage of alienating parental behaviour in divorce does to children. This was a pre-cursor to Gardner's terminology of Parental Alienation Syndrome, but all that here discusses is here. This book will help many divorced
parents monitor their own behaviour, as well as help their children, with the knowledge of how the children are being impacted. Expensive, but very informative.