Tonight - June 5, 2007 - Berkeley, CA (San Francisco area)
Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., at Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue,
Berkeley CA you can meet and greet Ilona Meagher.
Tonight, our own Ilona Meagher will have a long-awaited book signing in Berkeley. Her book, Moving a Nation to Care, is now available at the Moe's. She will be joined there by a number of kossacks.
I have read this book in galley form. It is excellent. It is a very good primer for anyone curious about PTSD. It is also an excellent and useful reference manual for anyone with a friend who may have PTSD.
more after the jump
Look, I didn't write this book. But I've read it. I've had a chance to think about it and about Post Traumatic Stress. [Notice: Disorder diappeared - we'll get to that later.]
No one in the right mind is going to buy this book unless they already are concerned about PTSD. Here's why they should buy this book: The first 2/3's of the book will get them up to speed. The last 1/3 shows them how to help.
No one who thinks they've lost their mind [that what someone with PTSD thinks, right?] is going to buy this book. They have enough troubles confronting daily life and being mentally ill is just going to far. They should buy this book to discover that Post Traumatic Stress has been with us for a very long time. It is a normal by-product of combat. Someone should buy this book for them so that they can discover that they are not alone and they aren't crazy. They are normal. The bonus Ilona provides is guidance on where to get help. One of those places is ptsdcombat Ilona's Blog.
Those who have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress might buy this book and they should. They will discover in the first 2/3 of the book that the problems they face have appeared before. They will discover that they have a problem, not a mental illness. The problem, if not effectively delt with, can fester and grow. I think it can lead to mental illness. The last 1/3 of the book leads them to help, to problem-solving, and to coping. The last 1/3 of the book can save their life.
Those who experienced combat and have family or friends might buy this book. They should. The reason is simple: if that soldier about whom you care comes home and drives too fast, is jumpy, or can't seem to focus, you have cause for concern. This book has answers for you. If that soldier experiences nightmares, begins to isolate himself from you, or develops the "thousand mile stare" [you'll know what that is the moment you see it], this book will show where he or she needs to find immediate help, and what you need to do to make sure that soldier gets that help.
Who should buy this book? Anyone who really wants to support the men and women who have served in combat. Read it, think about it, and then really help the troops. Give your copy to your local national guard, the parent of someone serving in the military. That's who should buy this book.
I know this is short notice, but go as you are, she will love to meet you.