Adoption Healing...a path to recovery by Joe Soll is a book that is aimed at both adoptees and birthparents. Each chapter consists of an introduction to a topic, "Myths" and "Facts", an exploration of the chapter's topic, a summery, and exercises that the reader can do either alone or with a therapist. The exercises focus primarily on "inner child" techniques. While there is a disclaimer that those in therapy should consult their therapist before using this book, the author states that "You can do it by yourself using your adult self as a wise and caring person, but you still need your therapist's approval."

One of the primary goals of the author's is to use this book as "an attempt to educate, an attempt to understand one of the most misunderstood subjects in the world." As I am not a fan of inner child work, nor am I a therapist, this review will focus on the content of the information presented in this book, rather than the techniques and exercises offered.

While much of the information Mr. Soll presents in the book can be found in well-respected adoption literature, his presentation contains a number of weaknesses that lead the reader to question his credibility. Included in these is that author does not cite any of the research he refers to. Additionally, Mr. Soll has an unfortunate tendency to write in absolute statements and broad generalizations that cannot possibly be accurate. This method of writing, which is often used for emphasis, trivializes the individual by discounting important factors such as temperament, personality, and experience. Finally, while the book is intended for "both adoptees and birthparents", there is very little in this book for birthparents in particular as most of the book is written for and about the adopted person's experience.

While some might argue that it is not necessary for non-academics to be presented with the particulars of the research cited in this book, I think it is a disservice to all readers For example, he states, "As supported by recent research, newborns do not make the transition from birthmother to adoptive mother easily and naturally." The author does not even provide basic information such as the author of the research, nor the date or publication it appeared in, let alone more specific information on methodology or sample size. There is also no bibliography. The hallmark of a great book is that it encourages you to read more, to investigate things further. In this book, any attempt to investigate further is thwarted by a lack of factual information.

Of even greater concern is the author's tendency to present his conjecture as facts with nothing to support his statements at all. For example, in Chapter 4, he states under the "Facts" section that "Adopted children think about their birthmothers all the time." This is clearly not a fact. No one can think of anything "all the time".

Other examples of "Facts" include: "Adoptee's have difficulty trusting anything in a world that separated them from their first family."

"Only strong people go to support groups."

"Women who lose their babies to adoption never forget and their loss is unresolvable."

I especially have difficulty with the last statement. He cites no research or theory that states how a birthmother's grief is "unresolvable.". No where in any of the research I have done on the subject have I come across anything that would support this.

While this book contains some sound concepts, there are too many statements that are inaccurate and exaggerated for me to feel comfortable in recommending this book.

Brenda Romanchik is the Director of Insight: Open Adoption Resources and Support. She is also the author of Birthparent Grief, Being a Birthparent, What is Open Adoption?, Your Rights and Responsibilities, A Birthparent's Book of Memories and A Gift of Myself. You can reach her at 248-543-0997 or brenr@openadoptioninsight.org