I Can Take it from Here: A Memoir of Trauma, Prison, and Self-Empowerment

by Lisa Forbes

Riveting, honest, and raw, I Can Take It From Here recounts Lisa Forbes's harrowing journey into darkness — including a fourteen-year-long stint in a maximum-security prison — and her fierce resolve to understand the effects of the trauma she endured, to take personal responsibility for her actions, and to ensure that her history does not dictate her destiny.

The youngest of six children, Lisa grew up in a Chicago housing project where she endured sexual, religious, and emotional abuse as a little girl. A voracious reader, she graduated high school at 15 and went to work as a secretary in a downtown insurance office, became pregnant at 16 and, at 19, unexpectedly and uncharacteristically committed a violent act, stabbing and killing the father of her daughter.

Providing powerful insights into what we as a society need to learn and confront in the ongoing epidemic of mass re-incarceration, Lisa is a stunning example of an individual who through determination, knowledge, and hard work has been able to reclaim her own life.

The book ends with Lisa's rousing call to action to support the people—as well as the shorthanded employers—who need the help, and need each other, more than ever.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Social Justice

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2022

Reviews

[Energy Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Can Take it from Here is an honest memoir from Lisa about the trauma she endured throughout her childhood. That cycle of abuse ultimately landed her in jail. But, always an intelligent child, it was in prison that she found herself, and her love of reading and learning flourished. Lisa talks openly and honestly about her past, struggles that lasted well into adulthood, including hardships she faced as a reformed prisoner.

If there was anything that I didn't care for while reading, it was that the last chapter was a massive info dump. While the information is informative, it didn't fit in with the rest of the book and would have made a more appropriate afterward. But overall, this was an informative read, and Forbes has overcome so much in her life. Thank you, Steerforth Press, for sending this along.

[Justsane]

Ms. Forbes has an interesting story to tell, but she desperately needed a better editor. The story meandered through different time periods without warning, retold various parts of the narrative as if they were fresh information on multiple occasions, and included so much extraneous information that it sometimes felt like padding to get to a preordained page count. The production values on the audiobook may have been the worst I’ve encountered, with overly long pauses between chapters, obvious overdubs, and a narrator that delivered the text in a flat, toneless manner that didn’t do justice to what what was really a horrific tale of abuse on every imaginable level.
I do hope that she is successful in her current endeavor and manages to have a positive impact on the system that failed her so miserably.

[Maggie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the different perspective I was seeking for my upcoming prison book theme program. Many of the other books didn't address the decades after serving time and the issues that come with being labeled post incarceration. Lisa is vivid about not only the downfalls but the many, many ways she advocated for herself to find healing, forgiveness, trust, and build up from there. Not a light read by any means but a story worthy of being told as it reminds us we are not just the crime committed by a past, a present, and a future worth living for and learning from.

[Mary-K · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book needed a better editor.

[Cammey Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot. Mainly how recidivism rates are around 60-70% which means 60-70% of “ex-cons” are likely to return to prison because of how taboo it is to be an ex con in America. The government does not want ex cons to re-enter society and it’s very clear as to why. They don’t want to put the extra steps of therapy towards ex cons and they also love neo slavery. Another reason to hate the American justice system and way of governing their people. Good read though. Lisa Forbes is a strong ass mf who’s been through a lot and I’m glad she shared her story and is trying to educate people.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This turned out to be more of an educational read about how trauma affects people and how restored citizens need different resources. Good information but just wasn’t really what I expected. I’m glad I read it but I cant say that I was thoroughly entertained the whole time.

[Katherine Senio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good prison trauma memoir. *thumbs up* *smiley face*

[Shelby Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tragic story about childhood trauma, pointless roadblocks for ex-cons, and one woman's story of growth and renewal through that. I agree that there is so much holding ex-cons back from living a crime-free life, but I wish there were more practical steps about what we can do to fix this harmful cycle.

[Amy Loughrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartbreaking story of fighting back from a family, a justice system, and a lifetime of insecurity that let you down. While it jumps around a lot and is sometimes confusing, it was good.

[Jeff Bernstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a good liberal. I know that no one is as bad as the worst thing they’ve ever done, and I know that people are driven to destructive acts by forces beyond their control. But Lisa Forbes’ memoir I Can Take It from Here gave me a feeling for what “trauma” can do to a person that I see I never really understood. Lisa’s story is terribly, terribly sad. A heartless mother, an abusive brother, she commits a murder, goes to prison, and meets a society when she gets out that can’t see her for the thoughtful, well-read, super-smart person she is. I need a book’s writing to be solid and this certainly is. And not only did I learn what it is like for people who didn’t have the happy-go-lucky upbringing that I was so fortunate to have, but Lisa also gave me insights into how this society treats ex-convicts, how we are turning our backs on people who could be excellent additions to our communities, and how we might see and deal with them in a much healthier way.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Can Take it From Here is a memoir that takes the reader on a journey throughout the challenges and triumphs of Lisa Forbes' life. From a childhood layered with abuse and mistreatment to prison by 19 years old, Lisa Forbes' life did not look promising. This memoir is a reflection on how her childhood trauma played a role in her imprisonment and continued to affect her years later. The book also gives insight into the difficulty formerly incarcerated individuals face when trying to reintegrate into society. This book is a fascinating read and I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys reading memoirs.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This is a very powerful memoir. Forbes has lived a very interesting and difficult life, but has taken a positive attitude and worked so hard to get where she is today. You will not believe some of the things she has endured, and there is a lot of sadness in this book, but it is ultimately hopeful -- as Forbes' love of learning and inquisitive nature help her overcome her trauma. Thank you to Steerforth for the advance copy of this book.

[ViShal Bhagat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very heart melting book on real life.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1999, one of my college professors asked me if I would be interested in helping a recently paroled woman, lets call her E, who had murdered her abusive husband write her life story. (The wisdom of sending a 20 year old young woman, by herself, into this dubious situation is something that I've thought quite a bit about as I've gotten older.) As I was reading this book, I realized that the author would have been at Dwight overlapping the period when E was there. Some of the things E told me made me question some of the things the author said. E had gotten quite a bit of mental health counseling from what she described as a competent mental health provider, who was a woman and a doctor. It made me wonder if the author had missed out on some mental health services because of her escape attempt her time spent in segregation.

The book could certainly been improved with more editing. There are places where we are just drowning in detail. She says she drove a silver Honda Accord multiple times. She mentions that she bought her silver wedding dress at a Bergener's in Champaign, IL, (which made think, you left Chicago, land of a million department stores, and drove nearly three hours south to buy a dress at a mall?) She rattles off the names of each law firm she worked for as if the names mean anything to the average reader. She talks smack about many of her coworkers by name, like Gina the white legal secretary who took a dislike to her at a particular firm. At other points she seems pointedly vague, writing, "[I] met with a documentary filmmaker while in prison." In the acknowledgments she mentions Eric Huurre, who has since died, so putting two and two together I assume this is the filmmaker she's referring to.

After her initial release, her daughter disappears from the story until the wrap up in the final chapter, I thought we were going to hear more about how she worked on restoring that relationship, and the challenges they experienced. As much conflict as she has with her parents she does allow them to raise her child -- I'm assuming they didn't cut ties to her sexually abusive brother, was she at all concerned that her child might be his next victim? This isn't addressed.

She blames her trauma and victimization for her crime. But she bought that knife immediately before, and it sure sounds like it was a lashing out in rage at finding out that the father of her daughter had married another woman.

I agree with her that mental health care in this country is woefully lacking. Even for people with insurance it is very difficult to find care. Mass incarceration is definitely a problem, so is sub-par legal representation. I'm just not clear on how her business is going to solve these problems. It sounds like she hires herself out as a motivational speaker at events. She's not working with legislators or corrections officials to enact real, lasting changes.

[CT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lisa Forbes has a story to tell, she grew up with many unfortunate & twisted events but remained bright & resilient. I do feel like this book could have been executed better, especially since Lisa’s story is worth hearing. In my opinion:

- The book could have been cut down from 240 pages to 200 pages. There were moment where she repeated herself 2 to 3 times, it almost felt like it was a copy & pasted sentence.

- It felt out of order, there were chapters that would go back and forth without clarifying the time period. It was as if you went to a 5 course dinner, and the waiter would take away your first plate - bring in your second & third plate - then give you back your first plate. It would have flowed nicer if she told the story in order. For a moment it feels very day 70% of the book because we were revisiting trauma that we read about chapters ago.

- At some point, it felt like parts of the story were dragged along. I would sometimes ask myself if these details were necessary.

- Lastly, I felt like the last chapter was an extra push. I appreciate the compelling statistics and reminder of all the trauma we’ve just read but I feel like she could have squeezed a lot of those stats into the previous chapters. Especially when she talks about her diagnoses. It almost feels like I was reading and article & had to go back and remind myself how the previous chapter “ends”.

Other than that.. I am proud of Lisa Forbes and all that she has accomplished and wish her success & more.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading someone else’s story is always fascinating to me. Often we can’t imagine living through all that someone has been through. This memoir is no different. It is heartbreaking and tragic and yet Lisa’s determination to push on and show up and learn and grow and heal are really inspiring. The book is written a bit differently, not quite chronologically, and not totally in essay form. I think the author might have considered editing a bit more closely as there are many pets that are repetitive. That being said, I applaud the honesty and vulnerability it took to share her story, and also the way she is fighting for change that she believes will actually accomplish it.

[Jeni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Can Take it From Here summarizes Forbes' childhood, time in prison, and life as a citizen reentering society after incarceration. Forbes focuses on the commonality many prisoners share - a childhood filled with trauma - as well as the difficulty society places on those rejoining society after incarceration. The book really shines the spotlight on how difficult reentry can be with the main barriers to employment, housing, etc placed on those who have felonies. Forbes' willingness to share her story is a blessing to the rest of us and leaves us with a challenge to address - how we can support and ease the transition from prisoner to productive and supported citizen.

[Books Bliss and Biscuits Karolina & Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is such an important book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, although I do agree with some of the other reviews that she should have had a better editor. Still it was quite easy to read and kept my attention. This is the story of trauma and resilience. I have a lot of admiration for the author for what she went through and how she was able to get herself where she is now with little to no support. It shows us a different facet of people that have been incarcerated and how hard it is for them to reintegrate society.

Thank you Netgalley for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Forbes tells quite a story but can’t quite manage to establish a credible voice to make her recollections believable, despite the lavishly detailed descriptions of her abuse, incarceration, grievous injuries, failed relationships, absent motherhood, and employment fiascos. Like Forbes’ life, the narrative loops around in circles, somewhat like razor wire, shredding reader sympathy as she tries to justify her crime to build her brand.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read, but it was not easy. The hardships that Forbes faced in her childhood were enough to turn anyone’s stomach and I found myself begging someone to help this little girl. It’s not easy to read, but this book offers a very real and honest look at cycles of abuse and breaks down the reality that our society only offers further obstacles to those who have been imprisoned. A lot of thoughts/ideas were repeated throughout the book, but they remained relevant.

[Mahina Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an honest, vulnerable story of a women who has lived the best life she could. Forbes had the deck stacked against her, and despite all odds, she has been able to make a name for herself and be independent. Forbes gives a well needed voice to those in the criminal justice system. We often have the privilege not to think about life after prison, but Forbes makes it abundantly clear it is not easy.

[Kara Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Forbes story is eye opening. I decided to read this book because I wanted to read from more diverse authors, I knew nothing about her story before I opened her book and once I started reading I didn't want to stop. Lisa's story is not only an inspirational one, but one that show what believing in yourself and nover giving up can do. The way Lisa explains the prison system is different than I have ever hear, but I am now seeing. This is a book worth reading

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little repetitive, but still an interesting read. It is nice to see someone making a good life for herself after getting out of prison. The lack of a relationship with her daughter made me sad but I guess it was unavoidable after missing 15 years of her life.

[Crista Huff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was well written.

[Suzanne Estrella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sad book and sadder because it is a true story. Lisa never had an advocate for herself. Everyone needs to be heard and feel important.