I will admit, when my high school sweet heart left me after 4 years, I was torn to shreds. I was browsing my local book store when this one hit me over the head. I read it because my girl friend literally had an emotional break down before she broke up with me. She "fell apart" and I wanted to know why. I realized that I hadn't caused the problem after reading this (which I originally did think so!). I realized how much pressure women are put under, how they cope with it, and how one day, most all women are set to explode. I wish we could teach this book in schools to help everyone understand their stresses and turmoil better. I know it has helped me GREATLY in my marriage today, and I actually struck up a nice friendship with my old high school sweet heart.

Breaking Point by Martha Beck is a profound introduction to the reason behind our actions and what we perceive those actions to sponsor. As a 22 year old, I've wondered how women in their thirties and forties who seemed to have everything I hope to have at their age could fall apart and become a disfigured apparition of their former grandeur. I never, before this book, understood quite what I was asking for when I thought I wanted to have a dream based on helping others to achieve their goals and aspirations. Through Breaking point I have learned that, as worthy as it is to be a homemaker, you need to know what will fill you as an individual person through that journey so that you aren't left to regret caring for everyone else and feeling empty inside. I rented this from the library, but now I am going to buy it. I highly recommend this understandable provocative book as a handbook to your social arena and your personal well-being.

Four years ago my husband was accused of a crime he didn't commit. He was sentenced to prison by a military panel after their vote was split.

We lost everything. My husband was in prison, I had no money, no education and three children to raise.
I reached the breaking point in my life. I was done and I didn't know what to do.

My Sister one night gave me this book. She told me to read it because I needed to know that I wasn't done. That there was still hope for my family even though everything looked over.
At first her words made me angry. How could a book help me in the situation that I was in. I put the book aside and refused to read it.

A year later my husband was released and I found that life got harder with his return.

One day I stumbled across the book my sister had given me and I started reading it. When it was first given I wasn't ready. The words would have meant nothing to me. But the person I was at that moment was ready to read them. I was ready to see what the message in this book was.

I would recommend this book to every woman out there.

Breaking Point, by Martha Beck, is a self-affirming and reassuring look at womanhood, that should be required reading for any woman upon reaching her 21st birthday. I generally stay away from books that are highly praised, because I am often disappointed by the obvious message, but somehow I was not disappointed by the obvious message in this book. Beck has a way of simply identifying and explaining a problem without making the reader feel stupid. Instead, the reader feels empowered to recognize why she is in a rut, and how to live the extraordinary beauty that is life. You as the reader will close this book feeling a sense of satisfaction and personal growth, because most of a woman's work is done in her mind. I can't think of one negative thing to say about this book. It was a quick read, but very engrossing, and it was one that stays with you for the rest of your life. After you read this book, give it to someone who needs it. Don't let it collect dust, it needs to be read!

Well, I was feeling pretty down about myself and sort of feeling like a cliche on the verge of turning 40. I was depressed, felt like I was aging, had a toddler I couldn't keep up with and felt like something was missing. Apparently it was this book! I felt normal, after reading everyone elses stories in this book and cliche or not, it's something a lot of women experience. It gave me the permission to feel the way I do, rather than feeling like an embarrassment because I was a walking cliche. I recommend this to any woman at mid-life or not who feels something is missing and doesn't know why. It will help guide you on the path to finding your way. And not make you feel stupid.