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Jaycee Dugard
Freedom: My Book of Firsts
In the follow-up to her #1 bestselling memoir, A Stolen Life, Jaycee Dugard tells the story of her first experiences after years in the joys that accompanied her newfound freedom and the challenges of adjusting to life on her own.
When Jaycee Dugard was eleven years old, she was abducted from a school bus stop within sight of her home in South Lake Tahoe, California. She was missing for more than eighteen years, held captive by Philip and Nancy Garrido, and gave birth to two daughters during her imprisonment.
In A Stolen Life Jaycee told the story of her life from her abduction in 1991 through her reappearance in 2009. My Book of Firsts is about everything that happened next.
“How do you rebuild a life?” Jaycee asks. In these pages, she describes the life she never thought she would live to from her first sight of her mother to her first time meeting her grownup sister, her first trip to the dentist to her daughters’ first day of school, her first taste of champagne to her first hangover, her first time behind the wheel to her first speeding ticket, and her first dance at a friend’s wedding to her first thoughts about the possibility of a future relationship.
This raw and inspiring book will remind you that there is, as Jaycee writes, “life after something tragic happens…Somehow, I still believe that we each hold the key to our own happiness and you have to grab it where you can in whatever form it might take.” Freedom is an awe-inspiring memoir about the power we all hold within ourselves.
When Jaycee Dugard was eleven years old, she was abducted from a school bus stop within sight of her home in South Lake Tahoe, California. She was missing for more than eighteen years, held captive by Philip and Nancy Garrido, and gave birth to two daughters during her imprisonment.
In A Stolen Life Jaycee told the story of her life from her abduction in 1991 through her reappearance in 2009. My Book of Firsts is about everything that happened next.
“How do you rebuild a life?” Jaycee asks. In these pages, she describes the life she never thought she would live to from her first sight of her mother to her first time meeting her grownup sister, her first trip to the dentist to her daughters’ first day of school, her first taste of champagne to her first hangover, her first time behind the wheel to her first speeding ticket, and her first dance at a friend’s wedding to her first thoughts about the possibility of a future relationship.
This raw and inspiring book will remind you that there is, as Jaycee writes, “life after something tragic happens…Somehow, I still believe that we each hold the key to our own happiness and you have to grab it where you can in whatever form it might take.” Freedom is an awe-inspiring memoir about the power we all hold within ourselves.
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2016
About the author
Jaycee Dugard
3 books927 followersThe kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard occurred on June 10, 1991, when she was 11 years old. Dugard was abducted from a school bus stop within sight of her home in South Lake Tahoe, California. Searches began immediately after the kidnapping, but no reliable leads were generated. She remained missing for more than 18 years.
On August 25, 2009, convicted sex offender Phillip Craig Garrido visited the campus of UC Berkeley accompanied by two young girls. Their unusual behavior there sparked an investigation that led to his bringing the two girls to a parole office on August 26, accompanied by a woman who was then identified as Dugard.
Garrido, 58, and his wife Nancy Garrido, 54, of Antioch, California, were arrested for kidnapping and other charges; they pleaded guilty on April 28, 2011 to Dugard's kidnapping and sexual assault. Law enforcement officers believe Dugard was kept in a concealed area behind Garrido's house in Antioch for 18 years. During this time Dugard bore two daughters who were aged 11 and 15 at the time of her reappearance.
On June 2, 2011, Philip Garrido was sentenced to 431 years' imprisonment; his wife received 36 years to life.
On August 25, 2009, convicted sex offender Phillip Craig Garrido visited the campus of UC Berkeley accompanied by two young girls. Their unusual behavior there sparked an investigation that led to his bringing the two girls to a parole office on August 26, accompanied by a woman who was then identified as Dugard.
Garrido, 58, and his wife Nancy Garrido, 54, of Antioch, California, were arrested for kidnapping and other charges; they pleaded guilty on April 28, 2011 to Dugard's kidnapping and sexual assault. Law enforcement officers believe Dugard was kept in a concealed area behind Garrido's house in Antioch for 18 years. During this time Dugard bore two daughters who were aged 11 and 15 at the time of her reappearance.
On June 2, 2011, Philip Garrido was sentenced to 431 years' imprisonment; his wife received 36 years to life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 564 reviews
July 18, 2016
I feel so bad giving Freedom only two stars, but I just can't help it. I read A Stolen Life a few years ago and remember being awed by Jaycee and her resilience as well as being heartbroken for everything she had been through. With Freedom, I didn't feel much, mainly because there's not much depth involved in this book like in the other one.
I get that this book is Jaycee's book of firsts, but I just thought that this would be more engaging. But there wasn't much here. She writes about her animals, she writes about her first hangover, her first speeding ticket. Most of this book is filled with mundane things such as this. I guess I was expecting more about her life with her family. Not with her daughters, mind you, as I completely get her decision to keep their lives private, but I would've liked to hear more about her interactions with her mom and her sister.
The one thing that I just couldn't get over in Freedom was the writing. Now I get that given everything that Jaycee has been through, this book wasn't going to be fabulously written (seeing as how she didn't get a chance to finish her schooling). But there were tons of clunky sentences that I had to read over in order to fully grasp their meaning. This book should have had an editor that was willing to keep the meaning of what Jaycee was trying to say in tact while making sure that the sentences flowed more smoothly.
In the end, I wasn't that wowed by Freedom the way I was with A Stolen Life. I completely admire Jaycee and am glad that she seems to be doing so well. That knowledge is enough for me, so chances are if she writes another book, I probably won't check it out.
I get that this book is Jaycee's book of firsts, but I just thought that this would be more engaging. But there wasn't much here. She writes about her animals, she writes about her first hangover, her first speeding ticket. Most of this book is filled with mundane things such as this. I guess I was expecting more about her life with her family. Not with her daughters, mind you, as I completely get her decision to keep their lives private, but I would've liked to hear more about her interactions with her mom and her sister.
The one thing that I just couldn't get over in Freedom was the writing. Now I get that given everything that Jaycee has been through, this book wasn't going to be fabulously written (seeing as how she didn't get a chance to finish her schooling). But there were tons of clunky sentences that I had to read over in order to fully grasp their meaning. This book should have had an editor that was willing to keep the meaning of what Jaycee was trying to say in tact while making sure that the sentences flowed more smoothly.
In the end, I wasn't that wowed by Freedom the way I was with A Stolen Life. I completely admire Jaycee and am glad that she seems to be doing so well. That knowledge is enough for me, so chances are if she writes another book, I probably won't check it out.
July 15, 2016
It's been about six years since Jaycee Dugard was rescued from her insidious abductors and captors. While she devotes some of the story to her method of recovery, this is primarily a journal of experiences she found moving or had a memorable or lasting impact.
I found most of the examples pretty mundane, more like a chronicle of the experience without any special insights. However, the last couple of hours provide that enlightenment. You have to remind yourself that Jaycee is at times that young, 11-year old girl going through the experience and at others, the 36-year old woman making sense of it all. I'm amazed at her resilience and outlook and find her to be remarkable.
This wasn't the story I was expecting but it really did reinforce my opinion of her being pretty special. Her foundation isn't just something to shelter income, it's truly an extension of who she is and what she wants to do with her life. In this sense, her story is enlightening. I very much like that she's the narrator, too, as it's her voice that makes a difference.
(I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)
I found most of the examples pretty mundane, more like a chronicle of the experience without any special insights. However, the last couple of hours provide that enlightenment. You have to remind yourself that Jaycee is at times that young, 11-year old girl going through the experience and at others, the 36-year old woman making sense of it all. I'm amazed at her resilience and outlook and find her to be remarkable.
This wasn't the story I was expecting but it really did reinforce my opinion of her being pretty special. Her foundation isn't just something to shelter income, it's truly an extension of who she is and what she wants to do with her life. In this sense, her story is enlightening. I very much like that she's the narrator, too, as it's her voice that makes a difference.
(I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)
May 11, 2024
I read Jaycee's first book two years ago and originally wasn't planning on reading this one, but it's always been at the back of my mind as "unfinished" so I decided to give it a try anyway.
It's exactly what it sounds like, her book of firsts. Some little things we take for granted were like a whole new world to her (and they would be when you've been kidnapped for 18/19 years), she describes it all with childlike wonder and I found it very endearing.
I also loved listening to her narration, she does sound young, but as someone who also sounds younger (especially on the phone) it didn't bother me. I'm glad I gave this a chance, it was a nice listen.
It's exactly what it sounds like, her book of firsts. Some little things we take for granted were like a whole new world to her (and they would be when you've been kidnapped for 18/19 years), she describes it all with childlike wonder and I found it very endearing.
I also loved listening to her narration, she does sound young, but as someone who also sounds younger (especially on the phone) it didn't bother me. I'm glad I gave this a chance, it was a nice listen.
August 18, 2016
You can't really blame a woman who was kidnapped at 11 for writing like an 11-year-old, but you can blame the editors for letting it go out like this.
January 15, 2017
I love Jaycee and have I always thought she is one of the strongest people in the world - not only for going through what she went through but because of how positive she continues to be after it. I enjoyed reading more about her life after all those terrible things happened to her and seeing how happy she is now. Her writing has some great humor in it and she manages to keep things lighthearted even when the story starts to get a little dark. There are some great stories in here and it's awesome to read about all the work she is doing with her foundation. Overall, a very good read!
January 23, 2019
کتاب اول جیسی دوگارت اولین کتابی بود که بعد از مهاجرتم خواندم. داستان زندگی جیسی را از ایران دنبال میکردم. جیسی در کودکی توسط یک زوج دزدیده میشه و به مدت شانزده سال در حبس آنها میمونه. در انباری این دو کودک آزار جنسی دو فرزند به دنیا میاره. نکته عجیب تر برای من این بود که در سالهای آخر حبس دسترسی به اینترنت و تلفن داشته، میدونسته که مادرش هنوز دنبالشه ولی تلاشی برای رها شدن نمیکنه. من در صفحه اینستاگرامم پست فصلی از او نوشتم . قسمتی از کتاب اول که جیسی در دفتر پلیس بوده برای من از ماندگار ترین صحنه هاست. داستان جیسی را اگر به زندگی روزمره خودمان بسط بدیم میبینیم که ما هم در خیلی حبس ها هستیم که از وجودش آگاهیم ولی توان خارج شدن نداریم. شاید ترس، شاید قضاوت مردم و از همه بدتر شاید عادت به زندانی بودن. این کتاب دوم جیسی و داستان بعد از آزادی و برگشتش به زندگیه. احساس میکنم این کتاب فقط به قصد فروش نوشته شده و برای ارضا کردن حس کنجکاوی مردم. کتاب اول را بسیار پیشنهاد میکنم . بسیار ساده و رولن نوشته شده که البته این هم غم انگیزه چون نویسنده امکان مدرسه رفتن نداشته. اگر کتاب اول را خواندید و احساس کردید میخواهید بدونید بعد چه شد این کتاب را بخوانید وگرنه خواندن تنهای این کتاب را توصیه نمیکنم.
June 29, 2016
How do you rate a book like this? I bought it because I admire the spirit of the author, and I wanted to support her for her survival of what most of us would consider an impossible situation--being kidnapped, tortured, and raped over an 18 year period, resulting in the birth of two daughters.
But here's the thing...she's just not an effective writer. The book was supposed to be about her "firsts", but it was largely a restatement about what she went through in those 18 years. Understandably, she writes like a much younger person. I just wish she had a better editor or had someone write her story with her.
But here's the thing...she's just not an effective writer. The book was supposed to be about her "firsts", but it was largely a restatement about what she went through in those 18 years. Understandably, she writes like a much younger person. I just wish she had a better editor or had someone write her story with her.
April 13, 2016
I really enjoyed her first book. While it too lacked insight, it was a surprisingly clear narrative of the 18 years she was held captive. It was powerful in that she refused to take on the stigma that should be attached to her abductor. This allowed her to include exquisite detail without feeling ashamed. It was a great book and I recommend it.
This book however read like a young girls diary- first plane ride, I love pets, etc- without any actual insight into any aspect of life. It just didn't work for me.
This book however read like a young girls diary- first plane ride, I love pets, etc- without any actual insight into any aspect of life. It just didn't work for me.
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March 26, 2026i wish someone guided her writing (through better editing) so as to make the narration flow a bit better :/
March 3, 2024
3.75 ✨ her story is always hard for me to hear because of the circumstances of it…HOWEVER! Jaycee is incredibly inspiring to me. To go through what she did and still have hope for life & not dwell on anger or rage of it, is true resilience. I admire her SO much.
December 26, 2024
I enjoyed this follow up after her abduction. Jaycee has been through so much but her outlook on life is inspiring.
June 28, 2016
If you want a feel good book, read this. But really don't we all want some drama? I wanted to hear how hard it was acclimating herself back into society, Not an entire chapter devoted to her love of Starbucks. Or the first time she got a speeding ticket, or her first Zumba class. Zzzzzzzz. I'm glad she seems to have adjusted amazingly but it doesn't make for a good book.
July 9, 2016
This review and more can be found at A Reader's Diary!
Everyone remembers 11 year old Jaycee Dugard being kidnapped on her way home. Everyone thought of the horrors she must be going through. Everyone remembers her recovery in 2009. But what has happened since then? After being held captive for 18 years and giving birth to two daughters by the age of 17, Jaycee had to restart her life. Freedom: My Book of Firsts shows everything that she has done since being recovered. Reconnecting with her mother and sister, introducing her daughters, learning to drive, cook, and live. Not long after her recovery, Jaycee wrote A Stolen Life as a therapeutic way to overcome what Phillip and Nancy had done to her. But Freedom was written as a book of accomplishments, starting the JAYC Foundation and traveling the world with new and old friends. What amazes me is how resilient Jaycee has been throughout her entire life. She brought to girls into this world and raised them entirely on her own. When the name Jaycee Dugard is brought up in conversation, you never think of the woman she has become, only the 11 year old that got kidnapped. At 36 years old, she has accomplished more than most of us will in our entire lives. At 36 years old, she became a mother to several horses, cats, and her trusty dog Bull. At 36 years old, she has finally learned how to drive a car. These little things are often overlooked, but mean the world to those who were neglected from learning them. Jaycee's firsts may be coming a little later than usual, but she is still learning.
It really put things into perspective for me when she began talking about how one of her daughters is almost done with college and the other is about to start. Her daughters spent the majority of their lives living in a tent in the Garrido's backyard. 18 years in captivity is far longer than anyone cares to believe.
But, life goes on.
Jaycee is just getting started.
Everyone remembers 11 year old Jaycee Dugard being kidnapped on her way home. Everyone thought of the horrors she must be going through. Everyone remembers her recovery in 2009. But what has happened since then? After being held captive for 18 years and giving birth to two daughters by the age of 17, Jaycee had to restart her life. Freedom: My Book of Firsts shows everything that she has done since being recovered. Reconnecting with her mother and sister, introducing her daughters, learning to drive, cook, and live. Not long after her recovery, Jaycee wrote A Stolen Life as a therapeutic way to overcome what Phillip and Nancy had done to her. But Freedom was written as a book of accomplishments, starting the JAYC Foundation and traveling the world with new and old friends. What amazes me is how resilient Jaycee has been throughout her entire life. She brought to girls into this world and raised them entirely on her own. When the name Jaycee Dugard is brought up in conversation, you never think of the woman she has become, only the 11 year old that got kidnapped. At 36 years old, she has accomplished more than most of us will in our entire lives. At 36 years old, she became a mother to several horses, cats, and her trusty dog Bull. At 36 years old, she has finally learned how to drive a car. These little things are often overlooked, but mean the world to those who were neglected from learning them. Jaycee's firsts may be coming a little later than usual, but she is still learning.
It really put things into perspective for me when she began talking about how one of her daughters is almost done with college and the other is about to start. Her daughters spent the majority of their lives living in a tent in the Garrido's backyard. 18 years in captivity is far longer than anyone cares to believe.
But, life goes on.
Jaycee is just getting started.
July 20, 2016
I thought this booked demonstrated painfully well how early trauma can permanently affect a person. Jaycee's positive personality shines through yet so does a naïveté and lack of sophistication about the world around her that most other mid-30s adults wouldn't have. The style of writing made me focus on the lack of parenting, socialization, and any human interaction she had from the age of 11 for the next 18 years, with the exception of two abusers and then two children she had as a child. Previously, I thought more about how horrific the sexual abuse would have been for her. In this book it was more apparent to me how a victim would not be able to mature normally both from the total isolation and the human psyche's need to use all one's energy to protect oneself mentally from falling apart during the abuse period. It pleases me that she has such a strong support system and an ongoing relationship with her mother, sister, and childhood best friend. If anyone deserves to have love and joy in her life, it is Jaycee. I wish her nothing but happiness and hope she chooses to share more of her life through additional books in the future.
September 2, 2016
I really hate that I am giving this book such a low rating. I think what Jaycee endured is phenomenal and she has so much personal strength. I feel like a teacher marking a personal essay, and like then, it is important to know I am making the quality not judging the story or person themselves.
But seriously, this mostly feels like I am reading a 12 year old's diary. It is pure drivel for most of the book, complete with overuse of exclamation points. All it needed to further this impression was more emojis and "Dear Diary:" at the beginning of every paragraph.. There are some vary moving and insightful pieces, especially the second 1/2 of the book from the part after she writes about beauty.
Some people say that when someone experiences trauma, they mentally stop aging, and this is the impression I am getting from Jaycee. She still seems like an 11 year old girl who feels the need to keep insisting that she is indeed an adult. I am glad she has some serious and competent counsellors in her life. I still feel like she is forcing herself to wear rose coloured glasses over the atrocities, and then once in a while, her true anger slips out (like calling her captors fuckers and screaming about a damn shovel)--it kind of reminds me of Unikitty in The Lego Movie.
Anyway, I hope that Jaycee gets to get some education and pursue her dreams of being an author. Maybe it would be therapeutic for her to write herself some of those fairytales or even an alternative history?
I can't recommend this book, but if you are interested in her story, A Stolen Life, is worth reading and completely heart wrenching.
But seriously, this mostly feels like I am reading a 12 year old's diary. It is pure drivel for most of the book, complete with overuse of exclamation points. All it needed to further this impression was more emojis and "Dear Diary:" at the beginning of every paragraph.. There are some vary moving and insightful pieces, especially the second 1/2 of the book from the part after she writes about beauty.
Some people say that when someone experiences trauma, they mentally stop aging, and this is the impression I am getting from Jaycee. She still seems like an 11 year old girl who feels the need to keep insisting that she is indeed an adult. I am glad she has some serious and competent counsellors in her life. I still feel like she is forcing herself to wear rose coloured glasses over the atrocities, and then once in a while, her true anger slips out (like calling her captors fuckers and screaming about a damn shovel)--it kind of reminds me of Unikitty in The Lego Movie.
Anyway, I hope that Jaycee gets to get some education and pursue her dreams of being an author. Maybe it would be therapeutic for her to write herself some of those fairytales or even an alternative history?
I can't recommend this book, but if you are interested in her story, A Stolen Life, is worth reading and completely heart wrenching.
July 18, 2016
I was moved by her first book about her story. This book just didn't have that same feeling. It felt more like just writing about anything to make a book.
July 19, 2016
This book is a quick read as it is written as though you are having a chat over lunch with your good friend. Jaycee comes across as completely comfortable with herself and honest about her insecurities, two things I admire as much as her tenaciousness and determination to survive. This book made me laugh and cry...and try a caramel macchiatto for the first time! Wow, am I a convert.
I am so thankful to Jaycee for writing this book. I have read memoirs by others who have been through the trauma of kidnapping, but this is the first that tells you the afterstory. It gives us all hope that, no matter what we go through, life and hope persevere.
I am so thankful to Jaycee for writing this book. I have read memoirs by others who have been through the trauma of kidnapping, but this is the first that tells you the afterstory. It gives us all hope that, no matter what we go through, life and hope persevere.
September 29, 2016
I have always been fascinated by child abduction cases- Elizabeth Smart, Lisa Irwin, the three Cleveland women, Madeleine McCann. You always hope and pray that the children get returned, but when they do, especially when it's years later, you are shocked but also so happy that the parents get their baby back. But what happens after the media firestorm subsides? How do they function back into normal society?
Jaycee Dugard was kidnapped in 1991 and was found alive in 2009. I remember the media footage of her and the backyard shack her and her daughters were kept in. Jaycee wrote a memoir about her experience, A Stolen Life, which is exactly what you expect: an awful account of what she had to endure in her 18 years of captivity. This follow-up is an interesting account of Jaycee adjusting to being "normal" and trying to learn to do things that we all may be take for granted. Things like learning how to grocery shop, or drive a car. I also liked how you could really see how the world has changed since she was last in public. The story about how a normal shopping mall had drastically changed since the 90s- how there are no longer pet stores in the malls, or how there seems to be a million options for clothing now.
The book isn't all doom and gloom. There are a few funny moments as well. I love how she began the book: "Hi. My name is Jaycee Dugard.... first things first...#1 I am NOT a Duggar, I do not have 18 siblings. #2 I am NOT Elizabeth Smart". Also, the chapter where she gets drunk for the first time and then has her first hangover. Gold.
She narrated the audiobook herself, and my heart just went out to her because it struck me just how immature she sounded. I'm not saying that to be derogatory ; she was kidnapped at age 11 and found at age 29. She missed out on a whole chunk of her life in a normal setting. What she went through must have had an effect on her psyche. But it still struck me as so sad that the book sounded like it was narrated by a teenager rather than a woman in her mid 30s. But I am so happy to hear that she seems to be doing well and is helping others with her foundation.
Jaycee Dugard was kidnapped in 1991 and was found alive in 2009. I remember the media footage of her and the backyard shack her and her daughters were kept in. Jaycee wrote a memoir about her experience, A Stolen Life, which is exactly what you expect: an awful account of what she had to endure in her 18 years of captivity. This follow-up is an interesting account of Jaycee adjusting to being "normal" and trying to learn to do things that we all may be take for granted. Things like learning how to grocery shop, or drive a car. I also liked how you could really see how the world has changed since she was last in public. The story about how a normal shopping mall had drastically changed since the 90s- how there are no longer pet stores in the malls, or how there seems to be a million options for clothing now.
The book isn't all doom and gloom. There are a few funny moments as well. I love how she began the book: "Hi. My name is Jaycee Dugard.... first things first...#1 I am NOT a Duggar, I do not have 18 siblings. #2 I am NOT Elizabeth Smart". Also, the chapter where she gets drunk for the first time and then has her first hangover. Gold.
She narrated the audiobook herself, and my heart just went out to her because it struck me just how immature she sounded. I'm not saying that to be derogatory ; she was kidnapped at age 11 and found at age 29. She missed out on a whole chunk of her life in a normal setting. What she went through must have had an effect on her psyche. But it still struck me as so sad that the book sounded like it was narrated by a teenager rather than a woman in her mid 30s. But I am so happy to hear that she seems to be doing well and is helping others with her foundation.
July 23, 2016
What an inspiring young woman! For one deprived of so many basic opportunities for 18 years, it's great to learn Jaycee has moved forward in life with such an incredible, positive attitude. While nothing can bring back those years in captivity, Jaycee's positive attitude has opened a world of new opportunities and possibilities for her and her family. God bless you Jaycee!
To those who were critical of Jaycee's writing skills and thought she should have had a ghost writer or the writing skills of a great author...let's remember Jaycee spent half her young life (18 years) in captivity. She spent years pretending to be someone other than who she was, just to survive. Even now, it's difficult for Jaycee to be be out and about like the rest of us due to her incredible story. This book is a vehicle that allows Jaycee to express herself as the very person she is. How can anyone wish anything else??? Clearly those people have missed the point big time.
Thank you Jaycee for sharing your story with us, both during and after your captivity. You are an incredible human being. What a role model not only for your children, but also for all of us.
To those who were critical of Jaycee's writing skills and thought she should have had a ghost writer or the writing skills of a great author...let's remember Jaycee spent half her young life (18 years) in captivity. She spent years pretending to be someone other than who she was, just to survive. Even now, it's difficult for Jaycee to be be out and about like the rest of us due to her incredible story. This book is a vehicle that allows Jaycee to express herself as the very person she is. How can anyone wish anything else??? Clearly those people have missed the point big time.
Thank you Jaycee for sharing your story with us, both during and after your captivity. You are an incredible human being. What a role model not only for your children, but also for all of us.
June 27, 2020
This woman is unbelievably positive and writes a lot like a middle schooler. She unironically writes out LOL and HAHA, is as a person extremely corny, and loves animals more than anyone I have ever met in my life.
Like, it's tempting to go 'oh this book just needed a better editor.' I think a lot of people come to read survivor accounts expecting some kind of moving, deep literature that offers powerful insights and cracks the code on the mystery of human suffering. Not everyone who endures trauma, though, goes on to channel their pain into a post-WWI-style modernist classic work. And I think in many cases, it's better for the health not to be that person.
Ms. Dugard focuses on her beloved animals, small goals, and the enjoyable mundane because that's what life is. That's what it's made of, and that's how she's moving on, even if it doesn't satisfy the public's thirst for deep, morbid ruminations.
Like, it's tempting to go 'oh this book just needed a better editor.' I think a lot of people come to read survivor accounts expecting some kind of moving, deep literature that offers powerful insights and cracks the code on the mystery of human suffering. Not everyone who endures trauma, though, goes on to channel their pain into a post-WWI-style modernist classic work. And I think in many cases, it's better for the health not to be that person.
Ms. Dugard focuses on her beloved animals, small goals, and the enjoyable mundane because that's what life is. That's what it's made of, and that's how she's moving on, even if it doesn't satisfy the public's thirst for deep, morbid ruminations.
July 5, 2017
Unbearably bad editing. Reads like a tween diary.
December 3, 2021
This is a follow up to kidnap (and rape) survivor Jaycee Dugard’s first book “My Stolen Life”. She was kidnapped at 11-years old and imprisoned for 18 years and had two daughters when they were found. This book tells of many things she did for the first time after she was free… things like her first plane ride (though she had been on a plane when she was younger), her first shopping trip to a mall, her first horse (she also had a dog and cats – some of the cats came with her from where she’d been imprisoned), and more.
It was good, but she does sound very young, in more ways than one. I did listen to the audio, which she read herself, and her voice sounds young (she must also still look quite young, as she is often mistaken for much younger than she is). But also in the book, she uses a lot of sort of “catch phrases”. I can’t think of the correct term, but young, slang-sounding phrases/sayings.
It was good, but she does sound very young, in more ways than one. I did listen to the audio, which she read herself, and her voice sounds young (she must also still look quite young, as she is often mistaken for much younger than she is). But also in the book, she uses a lot of sort of “catch phrases”. I can’t think of the correct term, but young, slang-sounding phrases/sayings.
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July 21, 2016I have a philosophy that I will not read fictional books regarding kidnapping and captivity. When we are so exposed to outrageous stories of horrific events and long-term imprisonment, it makes it easier, in my eyes, to view such stories as conceived of pure, unadulterated imagination. Unfortunately, these frequently emerging stories aren't far fetched from fictional tales; however, they are all too real. In reading fictional accounts, I find myself unable to truly believe these horrific cases as true; to be able to entirely digest it for what it is. At least in my opinion, it makes it easier to forget such tales because reality mirrors fiction, and in the process we forget the human element and the victim at the centre of a storm.
This is a book that helps to humanize Jaycee and understand the immense psychological distress she has endured, and no doubt will continue to endure. Where 'A Stolen Life' helped the public understand her ordeal and the pure evil of Philip and Nancy Garrido, 'Freedom' helps to understand Jaycee herself. This books helps the reader to sympathize with her to a greater degree, by putting a human connection to the backyard imprisonment and abuse; instead choosing to focus on her and her life now, instead of the events themselves. I have frequently thought about Jaycee and her story since I first read about it when I was thirteen, and still struggle to fully understand eighteen years of imprisonment and inhumane torture. Perhaps that is only since I am nineteen now, nearly the same time she was held captive for, and cannot fathom spending the equivalent of my entire life in such a situation; although this book does help to understand it on a deeper level.
Just like her first memoir, I think this is an important book to read to understand victims from the perspective of their recovery, and not just recounting what happened.
This is a book that helps to humanize Jaycee and understand the immense psychological distress she has endured, and no doubt will continue to endure. Where 'A Stolen Life' helped the public understand her ordeal and the pure evil of Philip and Nancy Garrido, 'Freedom' helps to understand Jaycee herself. This books helps the reader to sympathize with her to a greater degree, by putting a human connection to the backyard imprisonment and abuse; instead choosing to focus on her and her life now, instead of the events themselves. I have frequently thought about Jaycee and her story since I first read about it when I was thirteen, and still struggle to fully understand eighteen years of imprisonment and inhumane torture. Perhaps that is only since I am nineteen now, nearly the same time she was held captive for, and cannot fathom spending the equivalent of my entire life in such a situation; although this book does help to understand it on a deeper level.
Just like her first memoir, I think this is an important book to read to understand victims from the perspective of their recovery, and not just recounting what happened.
March 14, 2017
Disappointing because of all the errors and lousy writing. Page one - yep, page one - says the following:
"First time I flew in the plane I was six years old....I never flew again until eighteen years later, after my rescue."
First of all, how about "THE first time I flew in A plane"?
Second, eighteen years after she was six, she was twenty-four, and still a prisoner. She wasn't on a plane then or for at least five more years.
Between the error and the genuinely shoddy writing, I have to wonder who edited this book and who allowed it to be published this way.
Page 100: "I love the rich, sweet flavor of my favorite coffee beverage, caramel macchiato, with extra caramel drizzle! My oldest daughter turned me on to these when I started a low-carb diet. Now even though I don't totally stick to low-carb, although I try, it is my go-to drink."
Possibilities:
1. She really thinks sugar and caramel are low-carb, in which case, why didn't her editor or another early reader - or her daughter - gently clue her in?
2. It was a joke. If so, it didn't come across that way - again, editing, please.
3. Starbucks has a sugar-free version of this drink, in which case, the editor should have noticed and clarified.
I think Jaycee is an amazing person and I'm delighted that she's living a relatively normal life, and I hope she makes a lot of money on this book. But why didn't Simon & Schuster bother editing it? (less)
"First time I flew in the plane I was six years old....I never flew again until eighteen years later, after my rescue."
First of all, how about "THE first time I flew in A plane"?
Second, eighteen years after she was six, she was twenty-four, and still a prisoner. She wasn't on a plane then or for at least five more years.
Between the error and the genuinely shoddy writing, I have to wonder who edited this book and who allowed it to be published this way.
Page 100: "I love the rich, sweet flavor of my favorite coffee beverage, caramel macchiato, with extra caramel drizzle! My oldest daughter turned me on to these when I started a low-carb diet. Now even though I don't totally stick to low-carb, although I try, it is my go-to drink."
Possibilities:
1. She really thinks sugar and caramel are low-carb, in which case, why didn't her editor or another early reader - or her daughter - gently clue her in?
2. It was a joke. If so, it didn't come across that way - again, editing, please.
3. Starbucks has a sugar-free version of this drink, in which case, the editor should have noticed and clarified.
I think Jaycee is an amazing person and I'm delighted that she's living a relatively normal life, and I hope she makes a lot of money on this book. But why didn't Simon & Schuster bother editing it? (less)
July 17, 2016
Freedom:My Book of Firsts, is Jaycee Dugard's second book. Jaycee Dugard was kidnapped at eleven years old and help captive by her kidnappers for 18 years. At 29 the police were called and Jaycee and her two daughters{she gave birth to during her captivity} were finally rescued. Jaycee wrote her first book. "A Stolen Life" two years after her rescue in 2009 in 2011. This book is about the seven years after her rescue. This book is the freedom she finally had after captivity from the horrible people who kept her. This is all about her "Firsts" such as learning to drive, Riding in a plane. Learning to ride a horse. Some things we take for granted like walking by herself from one place to another Going where ever she wanted. For 18 years she was held captive she was locked in sheds for years never allowed on her own. She was able to claim her own name back to do as she wanted. This is a good book from the brave Jaycee Dugard. I was glad to read she is doing well and enjoying her life. This is written by Jaycee Dugard so I was glad to "hear" her own voice in this memoir.
January 16, 2017
I loved hearing about Jaycee Dugard's life since her return. She describes many seemingly mundane life activities that become wonderful and important when seen through the eyes of someone who has been unable to do ordinary things. Her strength and resilience are a model for everyone. I had the utmost respect for her decision to keep her daughters' lives private and not talk about them much in this or her previous book. The most important thing to take away from this book is that no one should ever use the term "Stockholm Syndrome" again. Jaycee Dugard says that the term is degrading to victims and explains that victims might appear to have a bond with their abusers because they are doing what they have to do to survive, not because they truly identify with or love their abusers. She discusses how she and other victims have presented their experiences to the scientific community in an effort to end use of this term.
September 13, 2026
I listened to the audiobook version of Freedom: My Book of Firsts narrated by Jaycee Dugard. I have been trying to find the audio version of her first book, A Stolen Life, but I have not been able to locate this, so I listened to her sequel instead. I don't feel like I am doing it justice with my review. I think it should be read after the first one to put things more into perspective. I feel like I was missing a lot! Do yourself a favour and read them in the correct order. 3 stars from me. I still plan on trying to get the first audiobook as well.
August 25, 2016
This book was painfully boring. I loved A Stolen Life and was very excited for this book. However, it was very choppy and didn't seem to have any direction. Very sad about how disappointing this book was.
July 13, 2016
Jaycee amazes me. She is strong and honest and willing to be open to life.
July 21, 2017
In 1991 Jaycee was kidnapped from a bus stop next to her home. For eighteen years Jaycee was held captive in a backyard where she was raped and tortured before finally being discovered. Jaycee not only missed out on her childhood, but in that time period had two daughters of her own. After her discovery and subsequent release in 2009 Dugard went on to write two memoirs: A Stolen Life outlines her experiences in captivity and Freedom: My Book of Firsts discusses her life after she is released from the backyard.
I listened to the second memoir Freedom on a road trip to New Orleans with my mom and grandmother this past week. At thirteen hours one way, the book was the perfect way for us all to pass the miles together. My mom was the person who first introduced me to audiobooks when I was a girl, and I have many fond memories of listening to them in the car with her as we drove around town (this was pre-CD where the books were all on numbered cassettes that needed to be flipped over at the end of the track).
In the book I admired Jaycee for her strength: I cannot even fathom the events she was forced to live through. The audiobook is narrated byDugard, and it is powerful hearing the book in the author’s own voice, infused with all her feeling and personality. The memoir details Dugard’s life of firsts: her first trip to another country, her first puppy, her first time driving. Being kidnapped so young, Dugard missed out on a lot of things that most of us take for granted, so her release was a sometimes overwhelming prospect.
Keeping all that in perspective, I am sorry to say that I simply did not like the book. Dugard’s writing was shallow and repetitive. Through her stories she had a habit of repeating the same words over and over so that rather than flowing the sentences stalled awkwardly. There are a lot of exclamation marks and words like “tummy.” Most of her stories seemed surface deep like a 1960s sitcom: her first Zumba class, or her first speeding ticket *cue the laugh track*.
Perhaps I was expecting something more empowering and there were parts in there that certainly felt they got to the truly authentic Jaycee, especially at the end, but they were simply overwhelmed by the mundane that was the rest of the book. Rather than feeling like I was getting her take on these firsts it was more like reading a recap in a blog post.
“This got me thinking of how animals define beauty versus us humans and how drastically different these opinions are. Animals don’t see beauty or judge us based on it. If a cat is comfortable with you and trusts you, it does not care what you look like. You could have a missing eye or two missing eyes or a freakish pimple on your face, and the horse you are riding or brushing will not care one bit. Animals teach us the meaning of beautiful every day. Do you take the time to listen?”
Understanding that Dugard’s schooling was cut short so that she did not enjoy the benefit of a secondary education, I can understand why Freedom hearkens back to my own fumbled attempts at writing in middle school. However, I wish that her editor or a close friend might have given her more guidance so that while the heart her stories and presence were still felt, the word were more eloquent. There was a lot of promise with this book: it simply fell short on the delivery.
I listened to the second memoir Freedom on a road trip to New Orleans with my mom and grandmother this past week. At thirteen hours one way, the book was the perfect way for us all to pass the miles together. My mom was the person who first introduced me to audiobooks when I was a girl, and I have many fond memories of listening to them in the car with her as we drove around town (this was pre-CD where the books were all on numbered cassettes that needed to be flipped over at the end of the track).
In the book I admired Jaycee for her strength: I cannot even fathom the events she was forced to live through. The audiobook is narrated byDugard, and it is powerful hearing the book in the author’s own voice, infused with all her feeling and personality. The memoir details Dugard’s life of firsts: her first trip to another country, her first puppy, her first time driving. Being kidnapped so young, Dugard missed out on a lot of things that most of us take for granted, so her release was a sometimes overwhelming prospect.
Keeping all that in perspective, I am sorry to say that I simply did not like the book. Dugard’s writing was shallow and repetitive. Through her stories she had a habit of repeating the same words over and over so that rather than flowing the sentences stalled awkwardly. There are a lot of exclamation marks and words like “tummy.” Most of her stories seemed surface deep like a 1960s sitcom: her first Zumba class, or her first speeding ticket *cue the laugh track*.
Perhaps I was expecting something more empowering and there were parts in there that certainly felt they got to the truly authentic Jaycee, especially at the end, but they were simply overwhelmed by the mundane that was the rest of the book. Rather than feeling like I was getting her take on these firsts it was more like reading a recap in a blog post.
“This got me thinking of how animals define beauty versus us humans and how drastically different these opinions are. Animals don’t see beauty or judge us based on it. If a cat is comfortable with you and trusts you, it does not care what you look like. You could have a missing eye or two missing eyes or a freakish pimple on your face, and the horse you are riding or brushing will not care one bit. Animals teach us the meaning of beautiful every day. Do you take the time to listen?”
Understanding that Dugard’s schooling was cut short so that she did not enjoy the benefit of a secondary education, I can understand why Freedom hearkens back to my own fumbled attempts at writing in middle school. However, I wish that her editor or a close friend might have given her more guidance so that while the heart her stories and presence were still felt, the word were more eloquent. There was a lot of promise with this book: it simply fell short on the delivery.
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