Just as you can’t tell a good book by its cover, you often can’t tell a good book by its title. Some titles might sound quite off-putting. But then, this is the field of domestic violence, off-putting in itself, and not for the fainthearted. We might recommend a book but not personally agree with a particular statement or portion. However, none of the books that we recommend offer dangerous or inherently wrong information.
A Place for Starr: A Story of Hope for Children Experiencing Family Violence, Howard Schor and Mary Kilpatrick, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017
A Safe Place to Live: A Story For Children Who Have Experienced Domestic Violence, Michelle A. Harrison and Luanne Marten, Jist Publishing, 2002*
Angry Men and the Women Who Love Them: Breaking the Cycle of Physical and Emotional Abuse, Paul Hegstrom, Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1999
Battered into Submission: The Tragedy of Wife Abuse in the Christian Home, Jim and Phyllis Alsdurf, InterVarsity Press, 1989
Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused, Brad Hambrick, B&H Books, 2019
BIFF: Quick Responses to High Conflict People, Their Hostile Emails, Personal Attacks and Social Media Meltdowns, Bill Eddy, HCI Press, 2011
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, Zondervan, 2017
Breathing Under Water, Alex Flinn, HarperTeen, New York, 2019*
Celebrating Children: Equipping People Working with Children and Young People Living in Difficult Circumstances Around the World, Glenn Miles and Josephine-Joy Wright, Paternoster Press, 2006*
Child Custody and Domestic Violence: A Call for Safety and Accountability, Peter G. Jaffee, Nancy K.D. Lemon, and Samantha E. Poisson, Sage Publications, Thousand Oak, CA, 2002*
Childhood Experiences of Domestic Violence, Caroline McGee and Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2000
Children of Battered Women, Peter G. Jaffe, David A. Wolfe, and Susan Kaye Wilson, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, 1990*
Children of Trauma, Stressful Life Events and Their Effects on Children and Adolescents, Thomas W. Miller, Editor, International Universities Press, Madison, 1998*
Children Who See Too Much: Lessons from the Child Witness to Violence Project, Betsy McAlister Groves, Beacon Press, Boston, 2003*
Family and Friends’ Guide to Domestic Violence: How to Listen, Talk and Take Action When Someone You Care About is Being Abused, Elaine Weiss, Volcano Press, 2003
Freeing the Oppressed: A Call to Christians Concerning Domestic Abuse, Ron Clark, Cascade Books, 2009
Ghosts from the Nursery: Tracing the Roots of Violence, Robin Karr-Morse and Meredith S. Wiley, Atlantic Monthly Press, New York, 2014*
God’s Reconciling Love: A Pastor’s Handbook on Domestic Violence, Nancy Murphy, FaithTrust Institute, 2003
Healing from Hidden Abuse: A Journey Through the Stages of Recovery from Psychological Abuse, Shannon Thomas, MAST Publishing House, 2016
How to Spot a Dangerous Man Before You Get Involved, Sandra L. Brown, Hunter House, 2005
In Control: Dangerous Relationships and How They End in Murder, Jane Monckton Smith, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2022
Is It My Fault? Hope and Healing for Those Suffering Domestic Violence, Lindsey A. Holcomb and Justin S. Holcomb, Moody Publishers, 2014
Keeping the Faith: Guidance for Christian Women Facing Abuse, Marie M. Fortune, HarperOne, 1995
Left of Bang: How the Marine Corps’ Combat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life, Patrick Van Horne and Jason A. Riley, Black Irish Entertainment LLC, 2014
My Mom Has A Bad Temper, Beverly H. Hopkins and Marsha Lederman, UNKNO, 2001*
No Place for Abuse: Biblical & Practical Resources to Counteract Domestic Violence, Catherine Clark Kroeger and Nancy Nason-Clark, InterVarsity Press, 2001
Responding to Abuse in Christian Homes: A Challenge to Churches and their Leaders, Nancy Nason-Clark, Catherine Clark Kroeger, and Barbara Fisher-Townsend, Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2011
Safe Churches, Sarah McDugal, Wilder Journey Press, 2019
Safe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren’t, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, Zondervan, 1995
Something Is Wrong At My House: A Book About Parents Fighting, Diane Davis, Chicago Review Press, 2010*
Strengthening Families and Ending Abuse: Churches and Their Leaders Look to the Future, Nancy Nason-Clark, Barbara Fisher-Townsend, and Victoria Fahlberg, Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2013
The Batterer as Parent 2: Addressing the Impact of Domestic Violence on Family Dynamics, Lundy Bancroft, Jay G. Silverman, and Daniel Ritchie, SAGE Publications, Inc., 2012
The Covert Passive Aggressive Narcissist: Recognizing the Traits and Finding Healing After Hidden Emotional and Psychological Abuse, Debbie Mirza, Safe Place Publishing, 2017
The Domestic Violence Sourcebook, Dawn Bradley Berry, Lowell House, 1995
The Emotionally Abused Woman: Overcoming Destructive Patterns and Reclaiming Yourself, Beverly Engel, Random House Publishing Group, 1990
The Emotionally Destructive Marriage: How to Find Your Voice and Reclaim Your Hope, Leslie Vernick, WaterBrook, 2013
The Gift of Fear, Gavin de Becker, Dell, 1998
The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?, Rick Warren, Zondervan, 2013
The Verbally Abusive Relationship: How to Recognize It and How to Respond, Patricia Evans, Adams Media Corporation, 1996
Time’s Up: A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships, Susan Murphy Milano, Dog Ear Publishing, 2010
To Be an Anchor in the Storm: A Guide for Families and Friends of Abused Women, Susan Brewster, Seal Press, 2000
Verbal Abuse Survivors Speak Out: On Relationship and Recovery, Patricia Evans, Adams Media, 1993
We Can’t Play at My House: Children and Domestic Violence, Boulder County Safehouse, P.O. Box 4157, Boulder, CO 80306, 1990*
When Dad Hurts Mom: Helping Your Children Heal the Wounds of Witnessing Abuse, Lundy Bancroft, Berkley Books, 2005*
When Love Hurts: A Woman’s Guide to Understanding Abuse in Relationships, Jill Cory and Karen McAndless-Davis, WomanKind Press, 2008
When to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People, Gary Thomas, Zondervan, 2019
Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men, Lundy Bancroft, Berkley Books, 2003
Women Who Love Psychopaths, Sandra L. Brown and Jennifer R. Young, Mask Publishing, 2018
*These books taken from a recommended reading list by Dr. Nancy Murphy
Christian Coalition for Safe Families 