Review of Deceit
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Deb Hopkins 1
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- Latest Review: Deceit by Vernon Baumrind
Review of Deceit
[Following is a volunteer review of "Deceit" by Vernon Baumrind.]
Review of Deceit: A True Story of Domestic Infidelity and Betrayal with Salacious Details Recorded by wire tap
By Vernon Baumrind
This non-fiction biographical narrative begins with a detailed explanation for exposing this sensitive, lecherous, depraved and carnal issue that society faces and has always faced: that of extra-marital affairs, and their subsequent life altering effects. What sets this narrative apart from all others is the setting of 1979, and the fact that the author, the victim, had the presence of mind to gather evidence in advance of confession that enabled his attorney to gain him sole custody of his two small children.
Early on the narrative captures the reader’s explicit attention with detailed and brutally honest reports, not just of his life prior to meeting his future wife, Linda, but also their love story, and her affair. The author sensitively covers all subjects from couples therapy, society’s lack of moral value, commitment to marriage contractual vows, sexual addiction, and sexual predators, childhood environments that promote unhealthy behaviors and role models, and the effects on all family members and victims of the selfish and depraved actions of those who indulge and those who pray on the innocent. The text includes the author’s undeviating plot relations, as well as an entire transcript of phone conversations that were wiretapped, and subsequent court documents to build his theory. The ideas portrayed are straightforward, not for the faint of heart, and contain triggers for those who have experienced similar situations. The book leaves the reader with a profound sense of why infidelity can ruin lives, and a deeper understanding of the pain and suffering of each individual dealing with it.
With little exception, I related to this story as my parents also, in the late 60s, early 70s experienced this catastrophic phenomenon. Unlike the protagonist, my dad did not pursue taking his two young impressionable children out of harm’s way. When he did make that effort, evidence was far too ambiguous to get us taken away from our mother and her new husband. Wiretapping, had it come to his mind before the actual divorce might have been able to be more honestly told. This book opened my eyes to how my parents dealt with their issues, how it affected my brother and me, and what is still happening to families in our day. I have a great respect for the author, who is brave enough to share his story in the hopes that others would benefit.
A few times the narrative seemed overly subjective about other peoples emotions and motives. I wasn’t convinced that the author actually supported Linda‘s true emotional health, nor do I believe he could speak for her motivation. He was the victim, and we don’t hear Linda side of the story, even in the courtroom scenes. Sometimes the lengthy descriptions of the tireless investigation became tedious. But overall, the humility, exhibited by the author, won my complete attention.
Again, some of the things admitted in court are very explicit, and, although add extreme viability to the story, could also trigger feelings in those who have experienced, or are in a similar situation. I love how the author explains that we all have boundaries, and we all have choices, and we all have that inner sense of right and wrong. He highlights how well a person listens to and acts upon their conscience is directly proportional to the authenticity and quality of our human relationships since it determines our emotional and intellectual and spiritual needs. His brutal honesty forces him to recount his own ability to control his emotional state in favor of acting out, and potentially damaging his impressionable youngsters. I appreciate his objectivity and forthrightness.
Giving this book a four out of five stars, because there was very little about it that I didn’t like. It is well written, and the formatting was easy to follow, with very few and very minor editing errors. I appreciate the fact that the narrative was concise, and moved along at a decent pace , the profanity was relevant and not prolific. The only issue I had was the length of some of the sexually explicit content, but understand how necessary it was in this setting.
This is a book I would recommend to those who have dealt with or are dealing with the effects of infidelity, but also those who appreciate court room dramas, advocacy, and the deep issues relating to those in authority, who pray on those less fortunate who trust them. There is an educational element, as well as a satisfying nod to justice that entranced and held my attention .
******
Deceit
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Review of Deceit: A True Story of Domestic Infidelity and Betrayal with Salacious Details Recorded by wire tap
By Vernon Baumrind
This non-fiction biographical narrative begins with a detailed explanation for exposing this sensitive, lecherous, depraved and carnal issue that society faces and has always faced: that of extra-marital affairs, and their subsequent life altering effects. What sets this narrative apart from all others is the setting of 1979, and the fact that the author, the victim, had the presence of mind to gather evidence in advance of confession that enabled his attorney to gain him sole custody of his two small children.
Early on the narrative captures the reader’s explicit attention with detailed and brutally honest reports, not just of his life prior to meeting his future wife, Linda, but also their love story, and her affair. The author sensitively covers all subjects from couples therapy, society’s lack of moral value, commitment to marriage contractual vows, sexual addiction, and sexual predators, childhood environments that promote unhealthy behaviors and role models, and the effects on all family members and victims of the selfish and depraved actions of those who indulge and those who pray on the innocent. The text includes the author’s undeviating plot relations, as well as an entire transcript of phone conversations that were wiretapped, and subsequent court documents to build his theory. The ideas portrayed are straightforward, not for the faint of heart, and contain triggers for those who have experienced similar situations. The book leaves the reader with a profound sense of why infidelity can ruin lives, and a deeper understanding of the pain and suffering of each individual dealing with it.
With little exception, I related to this story as my parents also, in the late 60s, early 70s experienced this catastrophic phenomenon. Unlike the protagonist, my dad did not pursue taking his two young impressionable children out of harm’s way. When he did make that effort, evidence was far too ambiguous to get us taken away from our mother and her new husband. Wiretapping, had it come to his mind before the actual divorce might have been able to be more honestly told. This book opened my eyes to how my parents dealt with their issues, how it affected my brother and me, and what is still happening to families in our day. I have a great respect for the author, who is brave enough to share his story in the hopes that others would benefit.
A few times the narrative seemed overly subjective about other peoples emotions and motives. I wasn’t convinced that the author actually supported Linda‘s true emotional health, nor do I believe he could speak for her motivation. He was the victim, and we don’t hear Linda side of the story, even in the courtroom scenes. Sometimes the lengthy descriptions of the tireless investigation became tedious. But overall, the humility, exhibited by the author, won my complete attention.
Again, some of the things admitted in court are very explicit, and, although add extreme viability to the story, could also trigger feelings in those who have experienced, or are in a similar situation. I love how the author explains that we all have boundaries, and we all have choices, and we all have that inner sense of right and wrong. He highlights how well a person listens to and acts upon their conscience is directly proportional to the authenticity and quality of our human relationships since it determines our emotional and intellectual and spiritual needs. His brutal honesty forces him to recount his own ability to control his emotional state in favor of acting out, and potentially damaging his impressionable youngsters. I appreciate his objectivity and forthrightness.
Giving this book a four out of five stars, because there was very little about it that I didn’t like. It is well written, and the formatting was easy to follow, with very few and very minor editing errors. I appreciate the fact that the narrative was concise, and moved along at a decent pace , the profanity was relevant and not prolific. The only issue I had was the length of some of the sexually explicit content, but understand how necessary it was in this setting.
This is a book I would recommend to those who have dealt with or are dealing with the effects of infidelity, but also those who appreciate court room dramas, advocacy, and the deep issues relating to those in authority, who pray on those less fortunate who trust them. There is an educational element, as well as a satisfying nod to justice that entranced and held my attention .
******
Deceit
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Deceit by Vernon Baumrind
