Where Hope Begins: One Family's Journey Out of Tragedy-and the Reporter Who Helped Them Make It
Selected Book Details
- Hardcover
- Author: Alysia Sofios, Caitlin Rother
- Publisher: Pocket
- Release Date: September 2009
- ISBN-10: 1439131503
- ISBN-13: 9781439131503
- List Price: $24.99
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Summaries and Customer Reviews provided by Amazon
SummarySURVIVORS OF THE When local television reporter Alysia Sofios was assigned to investigate the worst mass murder in the history of Fresno, California, the breaking news lead soon became something much more -- a hope-filled relationship that changed the lives of both the young reporter and the survivors of an unimaginable crime. FOR DECADES, the family of Marcus Wesson -- his wife, Elizabeth, and seventeen children -- lived sequestered in a social and emotional prison of Wesson's creation. None of the children ever had a childhood; going to school, playing with friends, going on dates -- all were forbidden. Together, they endured his tyrannical reign of physical, sexual, and mental abuse. Then, in 2004, as a family confrontation erupted into a harrowing standoff, with police and SWAT teams descending on the small blue house on West Hammond Avenue, Marcus Wesson murdered nine of his children. The television reporter who got the first tip about Wesson's arrest, Alysia Sofios, would ultimately cover the case through Wesson's trial. She quickly learned that the surviving female family members -- Elizabeth, Rosie, Kiani, and Gypsy -- had nowhere to go but the streets. Torn between journalistic objectivity and her desire to help them, Sofios risked her job and her life by taking them into her home and helping integrate them into society. Here, these brave survivors candidly recount their traumatic past and look to a bright future that now holds plans and dreams they never thought possible -- from college to careers to families of their own. But the connections between Sofios and her newfound family deepened beyond anything anyone could have anticipated -- a bond of mutual caring and healing that was put to the test when Sofios suffered serious injuries in a car accident and found the Wesson women by her side to see her through her recovery. Powerful, riveting, and truly remarkable, Where Hope Begins is a unique and intimate look at the resilience of the human spirit. |
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Unbelievable
Rating:
There are no words for this story. Tragic in every way. I had heard about this case and then forgot about it. Thank God for Dr. Phil bringing it out. These family members are very special. May God continue to bless them.
Just Finished and Loved It!
Rating:
I ordered the book after hearing Dr. Phil talk about it last week and I haven't put it down since I got it. I had never even heard of the Wesson story before watching the show and now I can't get enough of it. What this family has survived, and what this reporter has done for them, is simply amazing. Just when I couldn't take hearing any more gruesome details of abuse, the author switches to an uplifting, positive chapter and before I knew it, I had read the whole thing. The only problem I have, is I want to know more! Are the repoter and the family still living together? Kudos to everyone involved and may God Bless all of them. I will be buying this book for my friends and family this holiday, as it is truly inspiring. Wow!
Read it on my Kindle
Rating: 
I read the previous reviews before purchasing the book. Was somewhat disappointed as I somestime felt the story was skimmed over when it could have been better detailed. It was confusing sometimes to figure out where all of these people were located at times. Lots of crying crying crying but no one getting mad and fighting to overcome what was surely a devastating life, why is Alysia not getting counseling assistance for the family during the time they lived with her all of those months? Being a friend is one thing but these people needed HELP!
What an inspiring story!!
Rating:
I could not put this book down! This amazing account of the Wesson tragedy is written with care and compassion and is a brilliant reminder that there are still people who will risk more than most to be a light in the darkness. Alysia Sofios does not try to pat herself on the back, or try to shine a light on her unbelievable bravery - her risks and the rewards that came from those risks speak for themselves. When the news of the Wesson tragedy first broke, I like most wondered how anyone could live in a situation like that. What mother wouldn't remove herself and her children from the grasp of that monster? It was obvious to the world that Marcus Wesson had abused and tortured his entire family and I could not understand why they had stayed, and how they could possibly defend him. Alysia Sofios does an excellent job of re-telling the consistant brain washing and abuse that his wife,children and grandchildren endured. I went from being disgusted and sickened by the surviving family members to wanting to find them and apologize for not understanding their situation. This is an excellent book - full of heart-breaking, horrid, gut wrenching sadness - only to be left with amazing, wonderful, awe inspiring hope. If there were more people willing to take the risk of caring for others in difficult situations like Alysia Sofios did, we'd be the better for it. I highly recommend this book.
I Couldn't Put It Down
Rating:
"Where Hope Begins" is the first book by Fresno, California news and feature reporter Alysia Sofios. She masterfully recounts her experiences covering the nationally publicized mass murder perpetrated by Marcus Wesson upon 9 members of his immediate family in Fresno in March 2004. She injects insight, personality, worldly perceptiveness, and soul to this highly publicized tragedy in a way that would not be possible by any other reporter/writer. To say any more would spoil the twist to Alysia's story that helps make the book so uniquely special; (and far superior to the standard True Crime effort).
If you love True Crime stories, you must read this book. (it is way better than most and frankly stands up on many levels with the likes of the wonderful "Fatal Vision") If you could care less about True Crime, but just love a great story with a lot of heart, you must read this book. If you read to be entertained only, you must read this book. If you read to be reaffirmed and enriched by real life exploration of universal themes like: the fight of goodness vs. true unrepentant evil, redemption, religious devotion, unconditional love and generosity... you must read this book. If you are like me and seek all the above when you read, you must read "Where Hope Begins".
I came into it as a junkie for more scuttle on big events, and came away pleasantly surprised by the book's overall excellence and depth. Besides being one hell of a fascinating page turner, it made me think about a lot of really important issues/struggles that we all share. When that happens with me, a book becomes way more than just another way to pass the time. Highest recommendation.
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