Emotional Black Holes by Grant J. Hallstrom

Emotional Black Holes
written by Grant J. Hallstrom
publisher: ClearStone Publishing

Think about your social circle, your family, neighbors, co-workers, etc. How many of those people are suffering from depression, addiction, and self damaging behaviors? For most of us, probably at least five to ten people we know, at any given time, are finding themselves in that emotional black hole, that void, the sadness that doesn't go away. Maybe you are suffering yourself.

Recognizing the problem is the first step. Then comes finding the way out, and fighting for the life that is valuable and worth living. The journey out can begin with the book by Grant J. Hallstrom, Emotional Black Holes.

The author has written a moving and thought provoking account of his own journey from his own "black hole". By using this book as a guide, you will see that you are not alone in the journey; and will glean helpful ideas for yourself or others. Chapters include dealing with lust, temptation, addiction, even the addiction of religion. You may know someone who is a control freak, or by reading this book you may realize that you are the control freak. There is hope for healing and help for everyone suffering from any form of depression and emotional emptiness or vacuum.

Today's world brings trials and problems for all of us. Getting the help we need to deal with our trials and problems can be daunting; by reading this book you can and will be helping yourself or someone you know find the way out of that black hole. There is hope on the other side. Hallstrom has given us a valuable help in finding the way up and out.

Motivating and Inspirational, Must Read!!!!

The Upside of Fear: How One Man Broke the Cycle of Prison, Poverty, and Addiction

Author: Weldon Long
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group



I am recommending this book to everyone I know! The author delivers a true tale that is heartbreaking, funny, motivational, and feel-good, all rolled into one book.

Growing up, Wally had a father that was distant, and while never really in big trouble, he was a classic underachiever and didn't really fit in well. He married young, and it was a dyfunctional relationship. Neither he or his wife were happy, and neither really knew what was wrong, or how to fix it. One night Wally is out driving around aimlessly (pretty much the way he had lived life up to this point), when he picks up a hitchhiker. Together, the two of them decide to rob a store, and life goes rapidly downhill from there. For the next 20 years, Wally's live is a mess, over half that time is spent in prison, when he is out of prison the time is spent committing crime, drinking, using drugs, and having a son that he rarely sees. With a ninth grade education, he finally realizes in prison that the only way to change things is for HIM to make a decision, change his life, and make it the way he wants it to be. He begins by reading every self-help, religious and motivational text he can get his hands on. The story from there is nothing less than an inspiration. There is truly something here for us all to learn.

Weldon (Wally) Long pulls no punches here, and doesn't try to pretty up the truth of his mistakes in any way. The story is harsh and brutal, and sometimes it's pretty tough to have any sympathy for him. Written with honesty and from the heart, it will make the toughest reader feel a tug on the heartstrings. Teaching himself to share his loving feeling for his son through letters to the boy, he shares a tender and moving part of himself; one he wasn't even aware existed.

If you know someone struggling with life, and feeling that they are just unlucky and ready to give up, buy this book for them. Regardless of your views on religion, whether you believe in God, miracles, or anything else; this book will touch your soul and help you see things differently. I have already loaned it out to a friend, and actually have several more folks in mind to lend it to next. In fact, I plan on buying a couple of copies, one to keep for myself and a few more to share with friends, family and others.

A Ground Breaking Work, But Not For Beginners

Humanizing Madness: Psychiatry and the Cognitive Neurosciences

Author: Niall McLaren M.D.
Publisher: Future Psychiatry Press

There seem to be as many schools of thought on psychiatry as there are individuals in the practice of psychiatry. This excellent work by Niall McLaren M.D. takes a comprehensive and concise look at the major theories of the practice of psychiatry.

The book is well done, set up in a very easy to follow format. Each theory is explained in detail, and the author offers his opinion on the flaws and fallacies of each. It's obvious that much research and study has gone into each review, as well as into the problem areas and better working models. Will everyone agree with every opinion delivered by McLaren? Of course not. However, the review and research does lead to a rethinking of each theory; and many excellent and thought-provoking statements are made. I was particularly interested in the way the author viewed the theory regarding panic and anxiety attacks. It offered me an interesting perspective I had never considered before, and one that actually makes a lot of sense and is practical. I have suffered from panic and anxiety attacks personally for many years, and found much to ponder in his ideas and views.

This is not a book for beginners in psychology/psychiatry/neuroscience. I believe that to really understand and appreciate the depth of work that went into this publication, a reader would need a somewhat more intense understanding than just the basics of the science. I would recommend it to anyone with a working background in the field, and believe that they would find it as thought-provoking as I have.

It will definitely remain on my shelves as a future reference. I fully expect that at some point it will be recognized as a groundbreaking work in the field.