Dear Victor, Just finished your book. I am the Mother in the abused family. We lived very near you in Gardena, and then moved to Lawndale in 1968. My kids went to Leuzinger and Lawndale High School. Your story was our story, my 3 children and I lived very much like your family with the father from "hell." I have two adult children who really have some emotional problems due to all of the abuse. Our psychriatrist from UCLA said the we had lived through six years of battle in Viet Nam. My daughter Debbie who has a beauty shop on the corner of 190th and Inglewood Ave., has not talked to me since 1988, she blames me for all her fathers beatings. So many of your stories matched what happened to us. To non-help from Gardena Police Dept, even with a call from the psychriatrist, I was still told we will not help you. He had the same guns as the man in the Texas Tower, and he threaten us with them all the time. My children worked in his Contracting business with little or no pay, things we lived through, only you would believe, or understand. Give your Mother a big hug, Thank God you love her. Mary

Victor - I just saw you again in Battle Creek and have to say that it takes courage to tell your story and speak out as a survivor, man and ally on this important issue. I am glad to hear that you book is in its second printing! Keep up the good work. Angelita

Hi Victor I just wanted to let you know what an insparation you are.After seeing you on the Montel Show I knew I just had to read your book and I am so glad I did,I just couldn't put it down.Not only because it was so good,but also because of how much I could relate.I grew up with a very abusive father who abused my mother and my brothers and sisters.(I am the youngest of 8.)He never really abused me physically that is,but the verbal and mental...My God. The worst part for me was seeing what he did to my Mom and my brothers and sisters.Ever since I can remember he was always threatening my Mom saying "one of these days your going to be alone and when they come back they are not going to find you and I'll make sure nobody ever will" so all my life I tried to never leave my Mom alone in the house with him afraid I would never see her again. And that is only a tiny part of what he put us thru...to this day my family never talks about what we've been thru.I've never told anybody either,every now and then I make some remarks to my Mom about how I really despice my father and everything he's done,although I'll admit I have cried once or twice when I see a picture..but like I tell my Mom, that is only because I feel sorry for him because he is sick and alone,but then again,that is exactly what he wanted and deserve..to be alone. So I really,really admire you telling your life story,specially since your a famous actor,which I also admire a lot in you,that you didn't let what happen to you keep you from achiving your dreams.God only knows I would give anything to be able to do that for myself. So my best wishes for you and your family,take good care of yourself Victor. (P.S. Loved you in the movie "Blood in blood out")

Dear Mr.Rivers, I signed your guestbook before but now I have a website and would like to extend an open door invitation to you; your family and anyone viewing this website to view my site. The url is: www.nathanbfowler.cjb.net or you can just click the homepage link at the bottom of this post. Thank you all and I wish you all a very happy day.

Hey Victor! You kicked so much ass in Blood in Blood Out. You're the Boogie Man!! You wanna die ese? You rock dude!! Next time you are online, try to check out my site - http://www.hardkorejunkies.com Can you hit up the chatbox with a Magic quote. I would be honored! Your pal, Mike

Dear Victor, thank you for breaking the silence about "a private family matter." There are so many of us who can relate in everyway and sadly, aren't as brave as you to tell our stories. I pray everyday for my siblings & mother who are still controlled by my father's abuse. I knew as early as age 7, that I would never be subjected to the abuses my mother endured. Like yourself, I've been encouraged to write a book about how I overcame my demons but I doubt my siblings would be receptive and willing to admit their own pasts. You are an inspiration along side my favourite anthropologist Oscar Lewis. Thank you for your courage & sincerity to men, women & children everywhere. God bless! from Jan M.

I waited 3 weeks to get your book from the library but it was very much worth the wait. I have experienced metal and phsyical abuse as a child and watched my mother get abused as well as a good friend. I loved your book it takes alot of courage to be able to tell your story and I hope many people not just the ones that have expeirienced abuse get to read it. I also seen you on Montel you were great. Thank you for writing your book for all to see.

Victor, I appreciate what you are doing with S.A.F.E. Place in Battle Creek, Michigan. I admire you for taking this step to eradicate domestic violence.

Victor, I saw you on the Montel Williams show promoting your book. I don't think I have cried that hard in a long time. I myself am a victim of domestic violence. My ex still to this day continues to violate the protective order. He still hasn't had to serve any real time for the violations. Currently he has 14 of them for phone calls. I can fully understand how you felt after you went to the police and they wouldn't do anything for you. In my position it isn't the police its the P.A. that isn't fully doing his job. After the 2nd violation I was told that he would get 30 days mandatory in jail if he did it again. Well that hasn't happened yet. He also got a D.U.I in April and then was drinking and driving with our children during his visitation. I am going to court soon to get supervised visits or to get his rights taken away. He currently has a restraining order against him stopping visitation. I have to say that I am so proud of you. I pray for you and your family. I cried at the end of your book, but they were tears of joy for you, for what you have accomplished. I have been talking to many people in the last couple of months to get a parent support group for those dealing with domestic violence in my town. I have alot of helpers and they agree that it is needed in our city. I am still learning to deal with the after math of my situation and always thinking of my girls safety. In August of this year it will be a year since our divorce. It never seems to go away though. I still deal with low self esteem issues and anger at myself for putting up with the situation as long as I did. I would like to say thank you for all the work that you do for us victims and the family members of those who have lost loved ones to domestic violence. Sincerely, Patti

I'm going to be a junior in Coral Park High School and I just finished your book, having heard of it at school thanks to your visit. I was invited to attend but unfortunately wasn't able to due to my leaving early for a doctor's appointment. Like you at times in your adolescence,I've made mistakes and had to miss your visit which I was deeply interested in. I was currently battling an eating disorder in whick my weekly appointments at Miami Childrens were crucial. Though our problems were different, your book showed me how thankful I have to be for my family who has always loved me. Thanks to them, I've gotten out of this mess rather quickly, but not without great consequences. Being an athlete like you once were, I was deprived of that privilege as I watched an entire softball season pass right in front of my eyes and I was reminded of that as you spoke of your passion for football and the dissaproval of it at times. But most importantly, what I appreciate in your book is that we both made it through thanks to our community. Besides my great supporting system at home, the Ram family never let me down as well, with my group of teachers, coach, Lady Rams softball team, principal, and even some securities! Thanks again.