This autobiographical narrative by Alaskan author, Debra Lighthart, shares a journey into a world glimpsed by most of us only in stories such as Sybil and The Three Faces of Eve. Lighthart courageously tells her own story about extreme childhood abuse and how she coped by disassociating and splitting into multiple personalities or "alters." Although Lighthart refers to the abuse, this account focuses more on her healing.

Unaware of her alters for most of her life, Lighthart knew only that she had great gaps in her memory and that other people told her she acted like different people. Informed that she occasionally attacked people when startled, Lighthart had no memory of this. It wasn't until entering therapy that she began to recognize and accept the reality of her diagnosis: Multiple Personality Disorder.

The heart of Lighthart's story describes her journey to healing through the integration of her many selves. With the help of a compassionate and skilled therapist, she gradually came to feel safe enough to venture into the unknown territory of her past and the many alters who dealt with it.

Lighthart's strong spiritual belief system provided guidance and safety for her arduous journey to wholeness. In a world where she had learned not to trust, she put trust in her spiritual guidance and it coaxed, challenged, and loved her throughout the healing process. Her therapist, who encouraged this guidance, was also guided by it as he worked with her.

The courage demonstrated by Lighthart as she faced her wounds and brought them to the light to be healed inspires each of us when dealing with our own wounds. Although Lighthart's story focuses on MPD, it is also about taking responsibility for our own lives and choosing to identify with the wholeness that is at the center of each of us. While Lighthart's story is specific, the message is universal and offers hope to all who read it.

~Review by Delisa Renideo

In this handy softcover reference, Douglas resident Sayahda explores the physiology, habits, teachings and symbolic/spiritual meanings of over 100 animal totems. In a style similar to Ted Andrews' Animal Speak, the author looks at the qualities that various animal species contribute to the world at large, and how each of us can become an apprentice to that wisdom.

As Sayahda notes, "Animals serve as a bridge between heaven and earth, the known and the unknown. They understand both worlds and hold the secrets of creation. They have keen senses and respond to their inner instincts. They live in harmony with mother earth and father sky and teach us how to do the same."

In addition to familiar animals -- ducks to jellyfish, butterflies to spiders -- Sayahda investigates animals less well known to humans: dugongs, echidnas and kinkajous. Different types of totemic relationships are also included, such as life totems (those animal guides that stay with us throughout our life), message totems (those that appear unexpectedly to carry a specific message or blessing) and shadow totems (those animals that test us by igniting our fears).

A lot of valuable material is packed inside this slim booklet of 116 pages. Presented in an easy-to-read format, the information is intriguing and concise, and particularly useful for those who work with animals and totems.

~ Review by Dawn Brunke

Do you have a book to recommend? Would you like to write a guest book review? Please call or e-mail Dawn Brunke at (907) 373-4667 or brunke@matnet.com.