D Ansgar Nyberg

Sorrow's Harvest D Ansgar Nyberg

Sorrow's Harvest is a study of the connection between childhood abuse and adult criminal behavior that challenges preconceived notions. The author began his penetrating study of the postulated connection in 1975 when he himself was incarcerated. Employing the research method of Jane Goodall, the author not only studied those he lived among but also did seminal research, beginning with the Atascadero Report. Observing these criminals in all phases of daily life over many years prior to conducting his interviews renders the author's research markedly more believable than previous professionals who addressed these issues. In Sorrows Harvest, the author compels the reader to see and feel the mindset of those ravaged by child abuse and its lasting effects into adulthood. He clearly advocates that the duty of society is to break the cycle of abuse. He wrote: "if the society actually desires to break the cycle, to make progress against the rampant criminality, then society needs to quit using our lawn mower to cut down the crabgrass and treat the problem at its roots."The author contends that the victim-abuser-regardless of what he has suffered-also has an absolute duty and responsibility of determining to make adult and moral decisions and to begin to do all that is necessary to gain the ability to adhere to non-victimizing actions.