Tag Archive for "War Crimes" - Teddyrose Book Reviews Plus

War Torn: Stories of Courage, Love, and Resilience by Kenneth E. Miller

Publisher: Larson Publications (October 17, 2016)
Category: Non-Fiction, PTSD, Current Events/World Affairs, Political Science: Genocide and War Crimes
Tour Date: Oct and Nov, 2016
ISBN: 978-1936012787
Available in: Print, 296 Pages

With some 200 million people in more than forty countries affected by armed conflict or genocide, refugees are appearing in record numbers. War Torn is timely in how it brings us intimately into the lives of civilians who have survived wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Guatemala, and Sri Lanka.

Alongside stories that convey intimately the destruction and heartbreak of armed conflict, Miller captures the courage and resilience he calls “a remarkable kind of light,” an essential counterpoint to the grief and trauma that war creates. The stories in War Torn are powerful, heart-wrenching, and unforgettable.

My Thoughts War Torn by Kenneth E. Miller

When someone hears the term PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), most think of soldiers who were on the battle field. However, it also affects victims of war, violence, rape etc (any trauma). Kenneth Miller examines all of these issues in ‘War Torn’.

Ken traveled to Guatemala to help evaluate a mental health intervention designed for indigenous children. He didn’t really find much there so there wasn’t a lot to actually evaluate. He covers the history of war, genocide, and poverty of indigenous people. He found it hard to set up mental health programs for various reasons. He also traveled to Mexico and other countries with violet histories as well.

So, you are probably thinking that ‘War Torn’ is a depressing book with little hope. That is not the case. Yes, some of it is depressing. How can it not be, reading about people’s situations with war, violence, loss, etc? You would have to be heartless. However, also buried between the covers are pearls of hope, wisdom, humor, and resilience.

‘War Torn’ should be required reading for high school. I know some parents want to shelter their teenagers from these realities but I think it is important to educate them on this issue. They are the future and will have to continue to deal with and hopefully learn how to prevent the devastation so many people have had to endure.

‘War Torn’ is hard to put down and riveting, it read very fast. Kenneth Miller tells of his discoveries in a way that is not preachy. His writing style is excellent and he really draws you in. Highly recommended!

I received the ebook version for my honest review.

5/5

About Kenneth E. Miller

An international expert on the impact of armed conflict on civilians, psychologist Kenneth E. Miller has been working with war-affected communities since 1991 as a researcher, clinician, organizational consultant, and filmmaker. A professor of clinical and community psychology for much of his career (San Francisco State University, Pomona College), in 2015 he joined the Dutch NGO War Child Holland and is currently based in Amsterdam.

War Torn: Stories of Courage, Love, and Resilience by Kenneth E. Miller

Advance Praise for War Torn by Kenneth E. Miller

“This is an eye-opening study. Psychologist Kenneth E. Miller and his wife Debbie began collecting data and teaching volunteers in refugee camps around the world back in 1991. In reality, there are almost 200 million people in over 40 countries impacted by war and genocide, living day to day exiled from their homes, families, and lifestyles. Kenneth Miller brings us their stories. This is a book I will read again, and share with my children. This is a worldwide problem we all need to understand, and address.”- Bonnye Reed, GoodReads Reviewer

“You could find no better guide than Ken Miller to illuminate this dark territory. A skilled story teller, he has an eye for nuance that is often missing in our cultural conversation about PTSD. I put down this book with a heart that was broken but also filled with hope. “-Ethan Watters, Author of Crazy Like Us and Co-founder of the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto.

“War Torn is an exceptional, gripping account of the impact of war—a must-read for anyone interested in how war profoundly touches and shapes people. Ken Miller merges the expressive writing of a novelist with compassion and the profound understanding of a seasoned mental health professional. This collection of personal experiences and mosaic of situations provides rich and unique insights into the complexities of war torn countries.”-Dr. Mark Jordans, King’s College London

“Ken Miller weaves together for us tragic stories of war, loss and injustice with tales of friendship, family, and laughter. Ken’s gift is the way he listens, which takes him and his readers beyond simple categories of war victim or trauma to the complex experiences people have in settings torn apart by violence. I’m grateful for the way he has captured the simultaneously disabling and inspiring coexistence of darkness and light in these places.” –Jeannie Annan, PhD, Director of Research, Evaluation, and Learning at the International Rescue Committee

About Kenneth E. Miller

Blog: https://drkenmiller.wordpress.com/

Website: http://www.kennethemiller.com/Ken_Miller,_Ph.D./Welcome.html

Twitter: @kennethemiller

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennethemiller01

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Giveaway War Torn by Kenneth E. Miller

This giveaway is for one print or ebook copy and ends on November 30, 2016 at midnight pacific time. Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is open worldwide. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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