Truth and Repair

Three decades after the publication of her foundational Trauma and Recovery, Herman brilliantly confronts us with another vital, but much ignored, aspect of recovery: social justice … A magnificent and inspiring contribution with profound implications for the healing professions and for society at large – Bessel van der Kolk MD, author of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller THE BODY KEEPS THE SCOREThrough masterful storytelling, Herman charts the course from trauma to justice and compels us to follow it. An inspiring and practical call to action, Truth and Repair celebrates survivors’ wisdom and their power to heal themselves and the world we live in – Anita Hill, lawyer, educator and authorHerman has written some of the most seminal, life-changing books on violence against women. [Truth and Repair] does something even more radical. She listens to the survivors themselves and skilfully shapes their voices and wisdom into a practical and truly enlightened road map for our future. Every word rang true and essential – V (formerly Eve Ensler), playwright of THE VAGINA MONOLOGUESFor thirty years, every single book written about the impact of trauma has stood on the shoulders of Herman’s groundbreaking book Trauma and Recovery. Now, thirty years later, we receive a bookend to that masterpiece, examining how survivors of gender-based violence seek justice and healing. Truth and Repair is a deeply researched and thought-provoking book offering hope and healing for victims of violence – Michelle Bowdler, author of IS RAPE A CRIME?Herman’s earlier studies of abuse of women and children recast our understanding of trauma. Now, in Truth and Repair, she comes full circle in describing how initially powerless victims can, through innovative social arrangements, achieve hard-won survivor justice. In the process, we learn much about what justice really means for traumatized people. Herman’s perspective is deeply humane and grounded in historical and political reality. Her work stands alone in its arc and originality – Robert Jay Lifton, MD, Columbia UniversityThis book is a revelation. With careful precision and dogged research, Herman offers us not only a diagnosis of our most pressing social ailments, but a prescription for healing. Rarely does a book offer this level of insight, hope and remedy – Rachel Louise Snyder, author of NO VISIBLE BRUISESA compelling outline of the necessary conditions of personal and collective recovery from trauma – Kirkus ReviewsAn incisive report on the links between patriarchy and gendered violence … The result is a scrupulous and ardent call for change – Publishers WeeklyA vital text to understanding the processes that underlay trauma, how it unfolds, what it does to victims, and several larger discussions about recovery – BooklistAn intriguing exploration of alternative methods of justice for trauma survivors – Library Journal

An extraordinary book … beautiful, profound, and important

Judith L. Herman, MD is a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and co-founder of the Victims of Violence Program at The Cambridge Hospital, MA. She is the author of two award-winning books: Father-Daughter Incest and Trauma and Recovery. Considered one of the world’s leading experts in the field of psychological trauma, Herman has lectured widely on the subject of sexual and domestic violence. She has received numerous awards including: a Guggenheim Fellowship, Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the Woman in Science Award from the American Medical Women’s Association, and was named a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.