Men-ipulation

by Monica Sarli, Denise Domning

Men-ipulation, Book One of The Men Wars, is dark, dangerous, dramatic and funny as it follows Monica Sarli's lifelong battle with men, sex and Heroin addiction. More can happen to Monica in one week than most people experience in a year, from facing down psychopathic drug dealers to the FBI threatening to put her in the Witness Protection Program or the SWAT team appearing to rescue her from a man she's done with, and every story is as true as it is strange. Get ready for an exciting ride that takes you from the depths of drug addiction to the pinnacle of high society only to end up six feet under.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

229 pages, Nook

First published August 11, 2011

Reviews

[Ilene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different side of addiction. Not too often is an addiction based book about the privileged ones.

This book is sad but uplifting. It is also entertaining despite being serious.

My question though, will there be a book 2? It's been 5 years since the first. Googling Ms. Sarli seems to result in nothing but info for this book.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I normally enjoy (if that's the right word for it) reading about addiction and recovery. Part of it is an morbid curiosity and fascination, part of it is to make myself feel better about my own hardships and successes, part of it is to try and understand so, as a nurse, i can better care for those struggling with addiction. I have had friends fight their own battles with drugs and alcohol as well, so I am not unsympathetic to addicts in general, quite the opposite, in fact. In this memoir, however, I had a hard time really feeling for the author. I'm sure things were hard for her, but the fact that she had her husband's family (and their money) to count on, no matter how far they fell...it just made it a little less difficult in my eyes. She never *really* had to worry about anything. They were never going to wind up homeless or starving, regardless of how much money they spent on drugs. I also had a hard time with her tolerating her husband's infidelity. I have no problem with open relationships, but that clearly isn't what was going on here. Her husband had a girlfriend and the author just tolerated it. For as strong as she makes herself out to be (and, to be fair, battling addiction is hard no matter what your resources), the astounding weakness she showed regarding her husband sickened me. Maybe I'm not being fair, but that's my reaction.

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I normally don't dislike a memoir, because well, it's someone's actual life. This just didn't do anything for me. For me, it felt like some rich kid living off their daddy's money. Every time they got in trouble they ran to Ralph. Their mother let them get away with this. Always helping when they should have knocked their asses out and refused them help. Hitting rock bottom and realizing it might have taught them a lesson sooner.

I am glad for Monica that she got out and stayed out. Really, I am. But, that's about all the positive I can say. Which saddens me, because I am a sucker for addiction/recovery books and HEA's.

I won't be reading any more in this series :(

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. This book read like fiction although I believe all is true. I have met Monica over the phone and will be traveling to Israel with her in April. Having worked in drug rehab in the early 70s which included a methadone clinic, I am amazed at her recovery story. This is truly one strong determined woman and I can’t wait to spend time with her.

[Daynene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi my name is Daynene and I love an addict! Such a great book about addiction and overcoming your demons. I am not an addict nor have ever been. But many people in my life are. I loved this book and the raw and real story of Monica is at times heart breaking, touching, and crazy! If you are not an addict you can never truly understand where they are coming from. The more knowledge you give yourself the more you can help those in need around you.
Monica was very deep in addiction and was able to overcome her demons. She should be so proud of where she is at today. The places the addiction took her and her husband really is astonishing and nothing but a miracle that she is alive today.
I can only pray the addicts in my live will be able to overcome their addiction to live healthy productive lives.
Thank you Monica for sharing your story with all of us, and keep up the hard work!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarli has a true gift when it comes to storytelling. From a life as an addict with the most powerful drug addict as her best friend to the day she wakes up and decides that she's done with drugs, Sarli's life is anything but uneventful. Meanwhile, the love of her life, Steve, becomes clean at the same time, and life is blissful...until Steve receives devastating news changes everything.

Brave, witty, and devastating, Sarli is brutally honest and holds nothing back in her no-holds-barred biography. As long as you can put up with the constant F-bombs that disrupt the flow of the book, give it a try.

[Lisa Gatts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!What a wonderful way to spend my afternoon.This was a really good book and the author really knows how to write a story that is guaranteed to hold your interest. I don't give out 5-stars easily so that is a big clue on how good this book is. It also was edited properly and I did not notice any errors, not that I am the grammar police but lots of mistakes distracts me from the story and this had none so far
(almost at the end). Anyways I hope the author has a few more interesting adventures that she tells of in her next book because I will buy it 100%. Stay safe Monica and keep up w/ your writing.

[Rosalind M · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Frank and open, with a conversational tone that kept me reading even when I wanted scream at Sarli's willingness to stick with the screwed-up status quo. I am completely mystified by the cover, however, and almost didn't buy the book because it looks more like the account of a militant survivalist than a recovered drug abuser's story.

[Jamie Ralston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of a strong woman who overcame addiction. Unfortunately her demons followed her even after she was done with drugs. A good read for someone like myself who works with addicts. There are people out there who do want to quit. Some days it seems like there isn't.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a life this woman had...!

As she said it herself - it sounds like the script for a film. But literally from page 1 it's a topsy turvy roller coster of addiction, lies and betrayal.

Monica Sarli's first novel was a ride. I'm just glad it wasn't my life!

3/5

[Lynne Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, interesting read. It shows you the true life of a heroin addict.

[Aprilhendrix9 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I couldn't put this book down!

[V Tedder · Rating 3 out of 5]

She has an interesting story to tell, but this book really needs a good editor. The awkward capitalization and the long winded passages about interior decorating made me almost stop reading it.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyable

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great memoir. I enjoyed every minute of it, it was hard to put down.

[Aimee Kudrna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre at best.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the writing style and easy flow of the story. after living in Kansas city, it brought parts of the city into new light.