The Alchemy of Wolves and Sheep: A Relational Approach to Internalized Perpetration in Complex Trauma Survivors Paperback – 18 July 2015

This is more than brilliant. Schwartz uses language in the most extraordinary way. Even though there are technical terms they are always used with devastating exactness and finesse. He also does not use the term "Ritual Abuse" in the title because the creation of complex trauma is common across different perpetration types. In his masterstroke he makes the comparison with the child soldier phenomenon. This is crucial when it comes to perpetration types that remain unfaced and unadmitted at high levels of government and law enforcement in The West. Schwartz masterfully identifies an unexpected source that contributes to complex trauma. A matrix of influences from society that too often looks at these serious forms of organised crime purely in terms of "mental health" and psychiatry. Part of the reason for that has been manipulations by perpetrators but many need to move beyond obfuscations to get at the "nitty gritty"; the raw reality of the problem. The details can be horrific and disturbing, but here Schwartz is so unwavering in his facing of the truth that victims will feel liberated and practitioners will have a very real resource to really help victims. I was reminded time and time again of this work being practically like a military or intelligence briefing document ... not surprising in light of his child soldier comparison. This work deserves to be right up there with the international "go to" works on child soldiers that he cites. Schwartz brilliance (and a kind of congruence of decades of research from many other bold souls) led me on to realisation after realisation. Very addictive empowerment. For example I never knew that J Edgar Hoover and the FBI never admitted the existence of The Mafia until 1957. This is another solid comparison for Ritual Abuse that, until now, remains at a pre-57 stage in terms of being accepted as real. Whereas Child Soldiers are completely documented and accepted as a real phenomenon. A curious comparison here that warrants mentioning is the video game Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain that reflects a fundamental world shift on these topics. The creator of that game made a very bold decision to make Child Soldiers part of the story. The angry/rage filled children in the game mirror the internal "child parts" that Schwartz describes (but please note the game is quite explicit and might be too much for some survivors/victims).So all in all this work is a clarion call for working to really help child, and now adult victims, of these kinds of perpetration, especially in the West. In Africa and other countries Child Soldiers get help in United Nations centers. They are not drugged and electroshocked as they are (as adults or children) in The West. This work will go a long way to combating the incredulity and disbelief that surrounds so much of the worst kinds of perpetration in The West.

Conrad’s Heart of Darkness ends, in effect, with “the horror, the horror” but this to my mind this is where Alchemy begins. This invaluable work is unflinching about the impact of the unspeakable travesties wreaked on humans by humans, and most especially on children. Often working with this now adult population it is astounding that they even continue to breathe much less survive, much less strive for recovery. Schwartz’s work offers profoundly humane guidance on recognizing and navigating the labyrinthian reworking of the sense of self to gain wholeness and connection. He explicates the pitfalls, double binds, backfiring interventions, re-enacting, chaotic layering and undoing that characterizes such work, with highly evident compassion for client and clinician alike. This is not a work for the rescuer hoping that kindness and a good protocol is enough of a restorative. This is for those whose commitment to truth and the power of connection is central. This includes noting the rupture and repair work clinicians must attend to in their own sense of self, their own commitment to integrity, and managing and meeting their own needs. I haven’t even finished the book yet! as there is so much to digest and metabolize given the richness and depth. I am so grateful to Dr. Schwartz for writing this work.Note: I learned of this book from a listserve and am renting it on Kindle until the paperback version comes out, though it is worth every penny the hardback costs!

Not an easy read, but it has been by far, the best ever book I've read on perpetration and internalised perpetration. (Personally, the best book EVER.. but that may just be me).I started highlighting the best bits, but soon gave up because I was highlighting the whole book.He wrote something about 'The web of complicity' and I wished everyone in the world would read it. Actually not just that bit, but that in particular. There are so many great things in this book, I recommend you just go read it!

This is a dark, tough book to read. It focusses more on the creation and control of child soldiers, but also deals with the same methods used to traffic children. The terrible truth of the real bogeymen/women will keep you up at night. The world doesn't seem to notice how widespread this is. Not a third world problem.