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Idiots, Liars, Psychos and Me: My Bizarre Journey Through the Polish Legal System
John Adkins is an American living in Poland and has been lost in its upside-down court system for a decade. After having all contact with his daughter deliberately cut off by her mother, John turned to the courts for help but soon realized that his problems were just beginning. "Idiots, Liars, Psychos and Me" is the story of how a bitter conflict between parents over their child grew into one man’s epic quest to see just what it takes to make a justice system do its job. Almost 200 court hearings after it began, he’s still looking for a final answer but has plenty to share about what the experience has been like.
Follow John as he deals with clueless judges, ridiculous procedures and an extremely hostile adversary in a tale of incredible family court dysfunction. Full of dark humor and insights into the world of courtrooms and lawyers, "Idiots, Liars, Psychos and Me" is a fascinating and poignant look at what it's like to deal with an incompetent and indifferent court system as a father trying to fight for his daughter.
While the incredible story takes place in Poland, it offers lessons, advice and inspiration for parents in similar struggles no matter where they are. Anyone faced with doing battle in any family court can discover just how frustrating and bizarre things can get by reading John Adkins' account of his unbelievable struggle.
Follow John as he deals with clueless judges, ridiculous procedures and an extremely hostile adversary in a tale of incredible family court dysfunction. Full of dark humor and insights into the world of courtrooms and lawyers, "Idiots, Liars, Psychos and Me" is a fascinating and poignant look at what it's like to deal with an incompetent and indifferent court system as a father trying to fight for his daughter.
While the incredible story takes place in Poland, it offers lessons, advice and inspiration for parents in similar struggles no matter where they are. Anyone faced with doing battle in any family court can discover just how frustrating and bizarre things can get by reading John Adkins' account of his unbelievable struggle.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2017
7 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 17, 2018
I was a little sceptical going in, unsure of how compelling I would find the subject matter across a full length book. How wrong I was though. It is a subject you hear discussed in pubs and kitchens in most countries, how family courts blatantly favour the Mother to the detriment of the child and common sense and that is what drew me in, but to be taken through a real case like this step by step is still a massive eye opener.
You will see how not just moral and legal qualms can be swept aside by the family court system but how logic, decency any sense of fairness or playing by the rules too.
The author keeps things moving with a witty sense of incredulity about how bizarre it all gets at times. It feels completely frank and honest and because a lot of it is based on court transcripts frankly at times it had me shaking my head in anger. As a Father I could not help placing myself in the authors shoes and the section where he details the completely contradictory evidence given by the Mothers family in particular, is quite simply astonishing.
I suppose watching Court dramas on TV growing up you tend to start believing an oath actually means something and that the majority of cases are heard in the correct spirit and letter of the law. Read this book if you want to see how wrong you are. The really scary thing is I bet this book could have been written in many EU countries, it is not just Poland. All in all it really made me think and was a rare example of a non-fiction book that educates on a difficult topic but that is still easy to read and well written.
You will see how not just moral and legal qualms can be swept aside by the family court system but how logic, decency any sense of fairness or playing by the rules too.
The author keeps things moving with a witty sense of incredulity about how bizarre it all gets at times. It feels completely frank and honest and because a lot of it is based on court transcripts frankly at times it had me shaking my head in anger. As a Father I could not help placing myself in the authors shoes and the section where he details the completely contradictory evidence given by the Mothers family in particular, is quite simply astonishing.
I suppose watching Court dramas on TV growing up you tend to start believing an oath actually means something and that the majority of cases are heard in the correct spirit and letter of the law. Read this book if you want to see how wrong you are. The really scary thing is I bet this book could have been written in many EU countries, it is not just Poland. All in all it really made me think and was a rare example of a non-fiction book that educates on a difficult topic but that is still easy to read and well written.
April 5, 2018
A bizarre journey, a worthwhile read.
Having gone to several Polish government offices in the course of getting residency permits, I thought I had seen the worst of the bureaucratic system. I was wrong. But despite the story's concentration on the ongoing custody and legal battles, what really shines through is the depth of love a father has for his daughter and his willingness to fight for it no matter what.
Having gone to several Polish government offices in the course of getting residency permits, I thought I had seen the worst of the bureaucratic system. I was wrong. But despite the story's concentration on the ongoing custody and legal battles, what really shines through is the depth of love a father has for his daughter and his willingness to fight for it no matter what.
April 13, 2018
Informative and captivating story
This book is a hands-on experience of the flaws in Polish judicial system as well as a heartbreaking story of a distorted family relationship caused by impotence of the former. I found the narrative structure slightly complicated but as a nonnative speaker, I found it really easy to read. Besides, I didn't expect that a such an unfamiliar subject could keep my interest throughout the whole story. I recommend this book to those who go through same experiences or intend to start a family in Poland. This book explicitly shows how little care local family courts have towards children's rights and law enforcement, and how much contempt they show for those whose cases manifest the problem. Waiting for the sequel!
This book is a hands-on experience of the flaws in Polish judicial system as well as a heartbreaking story of a distorted family relationship caused by impotence of the former. I found the narrative structure slightly complicated but as a nonnative speaker, I found it really easy to read. Besides, I didn't expect that a such an unfamiliar subject could keep my interest throughout the whole story. I recommend this book to those who go through same experiences or intend to start a family in Poland. This book explicitly shows how little care local family courts have towards children's rights and law enforcement, and how much contempt they show for those whose cases manifest the problem. Waiting for the sequel!
July 23, 2023
This book tired me like nothing else. Also, it got me thinking about how unlucky one can be to cross paths with a true psycho who will stop at nothing to get her way, even at a price of her own daughter's well-being.
I mean, the courts are messed up and, being Polish, it didn't surprise me, but I was truly astonished and shocked reading about what KZO did each step of the way. You must be really, really sick in your mind to have a "logic" like hers. I feel truly sorry for John and his daughter, years wasted on fighting a psycho.
Anyway, going back to the book, it's a good read, could do without some repetitions, but generally, even in conplicated parts, easy to follow.
I mean, the courts are messed up and, being Polish, it didn't surprise me, but I was truly astonished and shocked reading about what KZO did each step of the way. You must be really, really sick in your mind to have a "logic" like hers. I feel truly sorry for John and his daughter, years wasted on fighting a psycho.
Anyway, going back to the book, it's a good read, could do without some repetitions, but generally, even in conplicated parts, easy to follow.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews