"Getting Back To Me"
from girl to boy to woman
by Scottie Jeanette Madden
Amazon bestseller describes
Bold Journey in an Unflinching & Articulate Memoir
Glowing 5 Star Reviews!5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read and a compelling story! By 508Jaguar on May 12, 2016 Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase It's not often we get to know someone in the VERY BIG 'before and after' sense. I feel fortunate in that I have known Scottie since high school, when she was Scott: someone whom I admired very much in high school and was proud to call 'friend'. Now I get to know Scottie and through her book "re-discover" her as the now vibrant human being that she probably wanted me to know about 25+ years ago. Thanks, Scottie, for taking me on a inspiring journey I never expected to take and for continuing to be my friend. Regardless of your 'familiarity' with the issues facing the transgender community, you will find this book an excellent read and a compelling story. Getting Back to Me: A Wild and Tender Page Turner, July 7, 2016 By Elana Golden Verified Purchase We read books, memoires included, because a writer has had the guts and generosity to tell us how things “really are.” Scottie Madden did that in her book, in a way that made me constantly think of “Writing for Your Life,” the title of a book on writing by author, healer and teacher Deena Metzger. Every chapter, every paragraph and every line in “Getting Back to Me” cries out that if Scottie did not write this book she would have not had a life. The story in itself is about a woman “re-writing” her life story, from male to female, and were she not to find the way to live her life as who she really was, were she not to find her way back to herself, she would have not had a life. The writer Anais Nin said that a writer lives her life twice: once in living it, the second in writing it. In Scottie’s case it’s three times. Once in living it in hiding, then in coming out, and then in coming out again, in writing it. But the writing and the coming out cannot be separated because, it seemed to me, that the more Scottie wrote the more she came out, and the more she came out the more and the deeper she wrote. So it’s not only a book about coming out as a Trans-woman, but about Scottie’s soul searching and finding itself within relationships, in her marriage, her art, with her colleagues and family members and friends and teachers, with drivers on the freeway and government and state officials, and especially, beyond all, in relationship with and to herself. What a striptease! The book is a page-turner to say the least. I read it uninterrupted over one weekend, fascinated by the detail, vulnerability, courage, generosity, urgency, vanity, and imbedded with humor in each page. It’s a book about the quest for freedom and independence that will make you question your own secrets and lies and will push you to push through them into being a more YOU than you have ever been before. Primarily it is a book about love, written with love, and you will feel it! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves books in general, and the search for authenticity and independence and living one’s destiny to the fullest in particular. 5.0 out of 5 stars And the Academy Award for Best Actor goes to.... By P. J. Soles on May 4, 2016 Format: Paperback ....Scottie Madden for the best performance as a male for half of his life! But that Oscar had to go to make room for the woman inside! What a rare and precious opportunity to glimpse into such an extraordinary journey described in raw, riveting, yet tender detail. I can see how this story could really help the many souls going through a similar situation, but for those of us in the "never in our wildest dreams can we imagine feeling like that" category, her story truly highlights both Scottie's emotional pain having to submerge her true gender identity since childhood, as well as her tremendous courage in reviving her authentic self. That being said, while the spirit is all Scottie's, the revelation in this book is Scottie's wife Marcy. I can't even picture this story unfolding if it weren't for the beauty of their relationship. In fact, it is their marriage ironically that makes this book such a compelling read because it starts out on what you think is "even ground" or "perfectly normal", i.e. male husband and female wife. But then the roller coaster ride begins, and the confessions are very scary because you want so much for this couple to stay together. And that's when you realize this is a love story above anything else. Loved the integrity and honesty of this book. 5.0 out of 5 stars Courageous and Inspiring! By LD on May 1, 2016 Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase This is not only a very important transgender story; it is a wonderful book about one woman’s journey to break free from fear and a lifetime of armor and to courageously embrace who she is. This story can inspire each of us to live more authentic lives and be all of who we truly are, beyond the facades. This is also a love story about a marriage that gets tested to its core and survives because of the power of love. Scottie does not hold back as she writes her story – she writes with the same enthusiasm and courage with which she lives her life. It’s a compelling read. 5.0 out of 5 stars Scottie Madden’s book is wonderful and heartwarming ByAmazon Customer on February 29, 2016 Format: Paperback Scottie Madden’s book is wonderful and heartwarming, a true love story! I have been watching the recent TV shows about transgender families and how all lives are touched and affected. Now, reading about Scottie’s experiences, she continues to show how each family’s love and care for one another endures through the navigation of delicate and complex changes 5.0 out of 5 stars It makes me wonder how many of us are living their truth and how easy it is to hide ByAmazon Customer on November 25, 2015 Format: Kindle Edition Scottie had me hooked in the first chapter. What a life! I makes me wonder how many of us are living their truth and how easy it is to hide. Thank you for your brave journey. I learned more about myself reading this book then I would have ever imagined. 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful on so many levels. ByB.A.on November 25, 2015 Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase Such a great book written by a great woman. Scottie's insight, honesty, humor and vulnerabilities make this a truly wonderful book to enjoy. I have no doubt this book will serve to support others going through transition as well as create a "personal" experience of "knowing someone" who is/has gone through these life issues. This kind of experience helps us to feel less separate and creates connection that only benefits us all 5.0 out of 5 stars Provocative, deeply honest, and fun ByAmazon Customer on December 20, 2015 Format: Paperback "Getting Back To Me" is provocative, deeply honest, and fun! This book was a page turner for me; I kept wanting to read more, well past my bedtime. The short vignettes that are the chapters of the book introduce interesting personalities and explore meaningful topics. People came to life and it was adventurous to meet the TV personalities and family members to get a glimpse into the joys and dramatic moments they shared. Scottie Madden sure knows how to tell a story. It has such funny moments that I laughed out loud -- even when I was sitting in an airport! She is thoughtful, aware, and open about so many very private challenges of life that trans people face." 5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational ByD. Sinclairon January 31, 2016 Format: Kindle Edition Scottie Madden's memoir, "Getting Back to Me" is not only eye-opening, it's heart-opening. She reveals her life journey with such unparalleled openness and humor that you quickly feel intimately involved in her story, from her first experiences as a small child, through coming out in middle age to friends and family, to the legal hoops she has to jump through in order to establish what most of us take for granted. The strength and support of Scottie's wife is an inspiration. This isn't just a manual for 'trans' people (an imperfect term which the author explores) and others in their life. It should be required reading for anyone who wants a fulfilling marriage or who just wants to be a better human being 5.0 out of 5 stars superbly crafted ByAmazonJones on February 5, 2016 Format: Kindle Edition Thorough, thought provoking, and illuminating look into what it's like living this remarkable journey. Cleverly written, the book deftly puts you in her shoes from early life, through dealing with friends, family, career, and marriage! As entertaining as it is enlightening 5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling and astounding journey ByJ.L.on January 26, 2016 "Getting Back to Me", by Scottie Jeanette Madden, is an absolute must-read; a compelling and astounding journey of inner-exploration and self-reconciliation, which is relevant to both everyone and anyone. I could just not put this book down. As 'he' becomes 'she', it's the tiny details and revealing observations which make it such a vibrant read;.This book is a complete inspiration, particularly to anyone who feels restricted by society, or the expectations, limitations or pressures we place on ourselves; the roles we all play - it might just make you wonder to yourself - 'what will you do now with the gift of your left life'? 5.0 out of 5 stars - Ms. Madden Knows How to Tell a Story ByNick Graham on November 14, 2015 Format: Kindle Edition Completely compelling -- I could barely put it down -- well-told, smart, funny book. Such a positive window into the story of a one person becoming more deeply herself. It is also a love story that is honest, rich, and beautiful. Please know you are going to love it, it's a book where the wisdom and love are given their day -- and that's never easy. But it IS truly soul-deepening. Go ahead, and trust Scottie! I did, and I'm sure glad.
5.0 out of 5 stars Buckle Up! By harini3 Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase "Scottie's book is a revelation, and a love story. Her exuberance about life jumps off the page and the reader is taken on a wild, headlong ride to clarity and the power of love, with a side of extreme survival show maneuvers both in front of and behind the camera." |
... the realtime account of the coming out of a respected adventure filmmaker, taken from her journal entries as she leaves “white male privilege” to embrace truth, grace and womanhood. Her gut-wrenching journey of love, acceptance & honesty becomes the ultimate survival show.
Scottie didn’t make it easy on herself. Like many late-stage trans women, Scottie had made one helluva guy; husband of 26 years, the only son, the big brother and legendary adventurer uncle. Everything in her life screamed "Alpha Male." No one could guess that Scottie, a top survival show runner who's reputation for leading über-male productions in the world’s most dangerous locations, was losing a lifelong battle for her soul. It takes true love from her wife of 26 years for Scottie to shake off fifty years of expectations of her family, society and herself to dismantle the walls of a self-imposed prison. Scottie’s articulate and insightful perspective shines new light on the transgender experience, but it's her deeply personal confession told with unflinching clarity, inspiring courage, and engaging humor, that makes her story a must read for any human, of any persuasion. Hers is a love story that will inspire and affirm anyone. |