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Rise: A first-aid kit for getting through tough times
'A week after my 50th birthday and just as our family was about to move home, something happened that changed the way I looked at life. I spoke to others about how they rebuilt their shattered worlds after very different personal traumas, emerging stronger than before. I hope our experiences, together with the latest science on resilience, will help guide all those going through tough times. This book says that it's possible not just to survive them, but to thrive. To rise.'Renowned as a much-loved and highly respected journalist and broadcaster with thirty years' experience, Sian Williams has studied the impact of acute stress for many years and is also a trained trauma assessor.In RISE, she explores the science of resilience and growth after trauma, offers advice from the experts, and learns from those who have emerged from horrific experiences, feeling changed yet stronger, with a new perspective on their life, their relationships and their work. She also documents her own path through breast cancer, with candid and unflinching honesty. Her story provides a narrative thread through a book designed to help others deal with all manner of adversity, including physical or mental ill health; loss of a loved one; abuse and post-traumatic stress.RISE is a deeply researched exploration of trauma, grief and illness, and most importantly resilience in the darkest of days. It is an inspiring and powerful piece of work, full of honesty, warmth and wisdom.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2016
17 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 12, 2016
A week after my 50th birthday and just as our family was about to move home, something happened that changed the way I looked at life. I spoke to others about how they rebuilt their shattered worlds after very different personal traumas, emerging stronger than before. I hope our experiences, together with the latest science on resilience, will help guide all those going through tough times. This book says that it's possible not just to survive them, but to thrive. To rise.'
Renowned as a much-loved and highly respected journalist and broadcaster with thirty years' experience, Sian Williams has studied the impact of acute stress for many years and is also a trained trauma assessor.
In RISE, she explores the science of resilience and growth after trauma, offers advice from the experts, and learns from those who have emerged from horrific experiences, feeling changed yet stronger, with a new perspective on their life, their relationships and their work. She also documents her own path through breast cancer, with candid and unflinching honesty. Her story provides a narrative thread through a book designed to help others deal with all manner of adversity, including physical or mental ill health; loss of a loved one; abuse and post-traumatic stress.
Very well written and informative .
Renowned as a much-loved and highly respected journalist and broadcaster with thirty years' experience, Sian Williams has studied the impact of acute stress for many years and is also a trained trauma assessor.
In RISE, she explores the science of resilience and growth after trauma, offers advice from the experts, and learns from those who have emerged from horrific experiences, feeling changed yet stronger, with a new perspective on their life, their relationships and their work. She also documents her own path through breast cancer, with candid and unflinching honesty. Her story provides a narrative thread through a book designed to help others deal with all manner of adversity, including physical or mental ill health; loss of a loved one; abuse and post-traumatic stress.
Very well written and informative .
June 3, 2017
I loved this book. I've not lived through breast cancer but have experienced unexpected life threatening illness and found so much to relate to here. Sian's own diary is mixed in with research and expert opinions on how human beings respond and adapt in even the most difficult of circumstances.
She is always very open and doesn't try and paint herself as either a victim of a saint. Her comments about a fellow patients behaviour during her last hospital stay made me laugh in recognition. There's always one. Her thoughts on the language used around cancer and serious illness in general made me nod in recognition of my own issues with being told you are brave or inspirational when you're just living because you don't know what else to do.
She is always very open and doesn't try and paint herself as either a victim of a saint. Her comments about a fellow patients behaviour during her last hospital stay made me laugh in recognition. There's always one. Her thoughts on the language used around cancer and serious illness in general made me nod in recognition of my own issues with being told you are brave or inspirational when you're just living because you don't know what else to do.
May 20, 2024
The book is very specifically about Williams's experience of breast cancer, which she documents in candid detail. As well as being a successful journalist/presenter, she has a Masters in Psychology so this goes beyond the typical "celebrity memoir" type book - she's researched trauma in detail. But while she interviews others with different experiences, such as a war reporter, the heft of the book is very much about breast cancer. I'm impressed by her resilience and honesty, but sadly the reality is that as a society we're not great at handling or treating trauma, and that many people dealing with trauma will lack the resources they need to cope and recover. If anything, this book shows the need for a strong social support network, something many of us just don't have.
August 11, 2017
An honest account of one woman's experience of cancer, both the physical and the psychological trauma. Of course, because she is a well known TV presenter the reader can feel that they know her which is a little surreal. Not only does Sian have to face cancer, but whilst going through it all her mother dies from cancer. This book addresses her sense of loss as well.
Sian does well in articulating the impossible thoughts and feelings brought about by serious illness. She does this by reference to her diary and to literature and psychology.
I found the book realistic and without anything other than a personal agenda. There are no illusions here. Cancer sucks!
Sian does well in articulating the impossible thoughts and feelings brought about by serious illness. She does this by reference to her diary and to literature and psychology.
I found the book realistic and without anything other than a personal agenda. There are no illusions here. Cancer sucks!
July 30, 2017
Such a brave and honest account of her journey through breast cancer, which I think will offer practical help but more importantly that we can choose to 'rise' after trauma
June 2, 2018
Interesting mix of autobiography, the experience of a breast cancer dx and treatment, and the sharing some psychological knowledge re trauma.
March 4, 2019
4.5 stars
A beautiful, heartfelt, insightful hook by Sian Williams. I'll return to this many times.
A beautiful, heartfelt, insightful hook by Sian Williams. I'll return to this many times.
August 31, 2016
I once saw Sian Williams interview Sir Roger Moore about his autobiography and her comment that it was written beautifully has always stayed in my mind. Today, after finishing Sian's book, Rise, I would like to return this compliment to her.
This book has been beautifully written by someone I have long admired. Sian has used her academic background in psychology to present her story. Parts of this are quite harrowing to read, but I believe this brave account will help many others face their diagnosis and their friends and relatives to be able to support them. Both my mother and aunt had breast cancer and I would have loved to have had this information at those times.
By my age, 54, most of us have suffered some degree of trauma and I've had my fair share in the last few years. Of particular use to me is a chapter about sleep. I don't think I've read anything similar to this before, holistic and sensible in its approach. I am keen to do further academic reading and Sian helpfully gives you an extensive notes section on the research she quotes, as well as a resources section.
This book has been beautifully written by someone I have long admired. Sian has used her academic background in psychology to present her story. Parts of this are quite harrowing to read, but I believe this brave account will help many others face their diagnosis and their friends and relatives to be able to support them. Both my mother and aunt had breast cancer and I would have loved to have had this information at those times.
By my age, 54, most of us have suffered some degree of trauma and I've had my fair share in the last few years. Of particular use to me is a chapter about sleep. I don't think I've read anything similar to this before, holistic and sensible in its approach. I am keen to do further academic reading and Sian helpfully gives you an extensive notes section on the research she quotes, as well as a resources section.
February 10, 2022
I started reading this thinking it was a book about all the rough side of breast cancer diagnosis which I didn’t really want to be reminded off since I’d had this in 2008.
The more I got into the book, I realised it was more about dealing with the emotional side of trauma. Having recently suffered a bereavement I thought this book would help however realised it brought up many of the issues I’d had from my breast cancer diagnosis and helped me deal with issues I’d not really dealt with at the time.
Worth a read though not immediately after a bc diagnosis!
The more I got into the book, I realised it was more about dealing with the emotional side of trauma. Having recently suffered a bereavement I thought this book would help however realised it brought up many of the issues I’d had from my breast cancer diagnosis and helped me deal with issues I’d not really dealt with at the time.
Worth a read though not immediately after a bc diagnosis!
July 22, 2016
There's are parts of this book that are amazingly insightful and then there are parts that are just ridiculous. On balance it has helped me appreciate what the brain goes through in a trauma cycle and I have very much renewed respect for Sian Williams. It's good, glad I read it. But it's not going to make the plane home!
September 18, 2016
Review to follow soon
April 15, 2018
Sian’s very personal account of her breast cancer and how she applied her knowledge of psychology and trauma to her own recovery. Featuring interesting interviews with a wide range of people including journalists who have worked in war zones, TV presenters with traumatic pasts, medical professionals and experts in post traumatic growth. Nothing groundbreaking but some well articulated, practical advice which is always welcome.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews