I want to say how deeply moved I was by your book - so much so that I could not really speak about it for some time without overwhelming feelings of grief and guilt for all that I failed to do for my father. I think your book was a necessary catalyst, and I am so grateful for it being the means of trying to understand, and accept, the 'dark night of the soul' which my father entered, twenty or more years ago, when few people had heard of the illness. I feel so much more enlightened now ... and I also feel hope for the future ... reading In a Strange Land has made a huge difference to my awareness and empathy.
This jargon-free account of dementia, with its religious connotations, should be available to every parish leader in the land.
Thank you so very very much for this wonderful book; (it) had me in tears of joy and gratitude. Our children will be gifted copies as soon as possible. what an uplift from God on this my 76th birthday. I grasp my courage . . . .
Thank you for your splendid book .... I started to read it with great appreciation and hope to finish it today. It is full of insight and hope . . . .
I've been reading In a Strange Land . . I think it is so good, so practical, such good Christianity, but also so original. I wouldn't quarrel with any of it and . . academics are trained to quarrel with anything, and like it . . . . meanwhile thank you for writing such a lovely book
Just to thank you again for In a Strange Land and to let you know how much I have enjoyed reading it. I admire the clarity, lucidity and discipline of your presentation, combined with easy readability. The phrase that comes to mind is that, like yourself, it is refreshingly undogmatic. Some would say too much so, because practically the only dogma propounded is the unconditional love of God, seen in a Christian perspective . . .
Congratulations - I've just finished reading it and am mightily impressed!! There is so much research there and it so accords with our scraps of experience of dementia. As well as X, who is currently in hospital, we're currently in regular touch with a group . . . who come to the Coffee Room with their social worker every Tuesday . . . we now have at least twenty; they are in the early stages of dementia, we're told, but we (the staff) often feel we should be joining them! Your book was full of interesting insights and tips for us all - thanks again
. . . I think the book is really comprehensive. it doesn't shirk any of the issues and it explains concepts simply but not simplistically - a very rare quality. there are lots of illustrative stories which are unfailingly well-chosen. I particularly appreciate the way you include the problems that carers face, and the way we expose ourselves when we attempt communication at a deep level . . .
I just want to write a note of thanks for this wonderful book. My mother is in the early stages of dementia and I found the book gave me a greater understanding of this cruel illness and it left me feeling strengthened, encouraged and comforted. The prayers at the end of each chapter were also so helpful . . . .