Customer Reviews

True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism--For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The title of the book states 'Understanding Transsexualism', but I felt that the first half of the book focused way to heavily on transvestites and crossdressers. Yes, there is a HUGE differance between the TG community and the TV/CD community.
I am a TS and felt short changed with all the crossdressing discussions. For TV's and CD's its all about clothing, makeup, wigs and/or fetish sex. For me it has nothing to do with all that, but takes on a deeper, almost spiritual journey to discovering my true inner self, not how sexy I look in a new wig. I PROUDLY say that I have NEVER bought, owned or worn a wig.
Overall, I am sorry I purchased this book and even more sorry I recomended it to my family.

I bought his book because I needed a way to explain to my wife what I am, and why I feel the need to change. This book is positive, honest, comprehensive and well worth every cent I paid.

I am giving a copy to the important members of my family, and suggesting it as a source of information to friends and associates. Buy it, read it, feel better if you're transsexual, understand better if you're a friend, family, coworker etc.. etc..

This book reiterated to me my life story. I am a young transsexual, and this book brought me out of the hell of depression and showed me that there was meaning and light in my existence, and set me on the road to recovery to self-discovery. If you are TS, TG, or just a "normal" person, I suggest this book to help you learn what a TS person goes through and how to help them. I'll bet there one in your life already - even if you don't even know it! ;)

A great introduction to the world of Transsexualism. This book is one of the easy reading variety, filled with Millie Brown's own words and experiences.A section at the end of the book is a collection of poetry culled from her clients writings. A must for anyone who is trying to understand in non-clinical terms some of the basic emotional contexts of Transsexualism.

I have bought a copy for my parents, my friends and am now saving up to buy more copies. True Selves is the most sympathetic approach to transsexuality I have ever encountered. Without being accademic, this book gets to the grass roots of what it means to be Gender Dysphoric, while offering possitive and practical means by which friends and relatives of transsexuals might begin to understand and empathize with the issues facing them.

This is the first book about Transsexuals that has not made me cringe. Mildred has successfully separated gender from sexuality and portrays the feelings and desires of transsexuals in a genuine and honourable light.

Thankyou Mildred for your enormous contribution to the Transgendered Community.

True Selves provides an excellent overview of the transsexual phenomenon and is an excellent resource for people who have just learned of a family member or friend being transsexual. It has been my book of choice for that purpose. It does have one major shortcoming, however. Depending on the mind-set of the reader, the book may come across as suggesting that a transsexual's marriage is (and always was) a sham, intended only for the purpose of fitting in with society. Clearly not the author's intent, that impression resulted from the publisher's removal of a chapter on sexual orientation, leaving other parts of the book without a proper context. Overall, however, I would recommend the book very highly.

"True Selves" is the first book to provide the reader with some sense of what it is to be transsexual. The book is written by Mildred Brown and Chloe Rounsley. Mrs. Brown is a therapist who has worked closely with transsexuals for many years. Her compassion and understanding of the problems and suffering of this small group of individuals fills a gap that has existed for many years. Mrs. Browm starts at the beginning and explains this little known condition for the reader. She starts by defining terms that are often times misused by a "ratings hungry" media. She explains the medical, socialogical and psychological foundations. She also povides some insights into the suffering and pain that transsexuals are faced with each and every day. Mrs. Brown accomplishes this all in a down to earth style that both the lay person and professional will appreciate. THe book provides resources for transsexuals and professional alike. As a transsexual myself I found the book to be quite heartwarming as I discovered it was about me! Previous titles about transsexualism such as "The Uninvited Dilema" by M.A. Stewart had been the text that many professionals referred their clients to. With the release of this book I believe that they will soon use this as a means of opening the eyes of the friends and familes of their transsexual clients.

I've never had any personal encounters with transsexuals before and am not one myself, so my personal opinion of transsexualism was based on ignorance and second-hand opinions. I read this book out of pure curiosity.

Reading this book opened my eyes to the plight of what transsexuals have to go through, all throughout their lives. It also helped me see things from a different perspective.

The book is readible and sensitive, seeking for understanding rather than trying to defend.

I thus recommend this book to anyone who cares enough to try to understand the fellow human being, even though that fellow human being may be "different".

As the partner of a transgendered individual, this book has helped me greatly in at least getting a glimpse of what must have gone on for my partner since childhood. I don't think that anything can truly allow someone who does not have these feelings understand what it's like - but this book provides an intimate view of what some people have gone through. A lot of the information is useful and pertinent even to this day and age, though it certainly is out-dated regarding some details. For example, FTMs can have hormone therapy through pills, patches, and weekly injections (rather than bi- to quater-weekly injections only as the book states). But that's just nit-picky. Overall, it was a good read. I could barely put it down when I had time at home for reading. Well worth the money both for transgendered individuals and those who are connected to them. The most helpful sections were, perhaps, the letters and the frank discussion about support and reactions that family and friends can have.

Being a transgendered person myself , I thought this is an excellant book , be it for yourself ,loved one or a friend. It gives great detail on what we go thru in our daily lives , as well as what to expect in the future. It also bring's up the common misconception's of the Transsexual. In all I would highly recommend this book to anyone . A small price to pay for such good information