A Promise to Ourselves: A Journey Through Fatherhood and Divorce

The reader must focus on the very current and painful topic of this book, not on the writer. I.e. the promises we make to ourselves for our kids, the corrupted divorce system, and the Parental Alienation. Alec endured one of the most incredible battles of a lifetime: he certainly has a lot to teach us all. Alec pours out of his chest the despicable family law system that this country has generated with the emotion of a caring father and the lucidity of an historian. I applaud Alec for it!
The reader must also believe that the stories are true: if you are half of a good father this very thing and worse may happen to you!
Statistics teach that it is unlikely to win the lottery; it is likely to go through a bed divorce, no matter how good you are!
I highly recommend us to work to change the system that allows such disgraces to our children...

I bought this book because of the beautiful picture of Tyne Daly on the cover. She is my most favorite actress. But the book is not about Tyne at all! It is about some guy who is really pissed at his ex-wife. Can I return this book and get the Tyne Daly one instead?

Congratulations to a courageous author. Unlike the sour grapes review by Haley ( who is probably a lawyer ), this book is a much needed attack on a system that needs total overhaul. Baldwin limits it to the family judicial system. I would ask that some interested author extend it to the whole American distorted take on civil jurisprudence. Across the board the money hungry lawyers have a financial field day at the expense of the public. The judges are overwhelmingly lazy bureaucrats with tenure, and could care less about justice.

No doubt that Alec Baldwin needs work on his anger problem, but this does not vitiate the validity of his observations and claims. He presents his case clearly and with much conviction. ( Incidentally, I have been happily married for 55 years and have no axe to grind. ).

Over the years, in discussions with lawyer friends, they always end up by saying that our system is flawed, but it is the best there is. I take exception and disagree completely. This book focuses on the deeply ingrained faults that are inherent in it and the author is not afraid to say so.

I read the book in one sitting. I resonated to his outrage.

Thank you, Alex, for telling it the way it is.

Must-reading for anyone contemplating or already in the throes of a divorce, as well as those in the $28 billion divorce industry. Baldwin focuses equally on the personal ramifications of his alienation from his daughter through a prolonged and despicable custody battle, and what his experience says about a "corrupt, amoral" family court system.

The meat for those experiencing similar issues comes in the last chapter, where Baldwin outlines the reasons the family law system "has degenerated into a disgraceful mess" and gives sound advice for individuals trapped in it, as well as for improving the system itself.

This is an excellent book about the corruption that takes place not just in California but in many other states as well. I am a staunch Republican but enjoyed this liberal view of a process that I witnessed myself for nearly six years in the Florida court system. Alec made mistakes with his daughter and I did the same with mine. It is almost inevitable that any loving father will fall victim to. There is hope, even for Alec if you read this. After four years of total parental alienation, my daughter and I have a better relationship than ever. Alec, thank you for the rationale that made me pick up the phone and bring my daughter back in my life. This book is a must for every man with a child involved in his divorce, not only to read but to throw in his prospective legal counsels face. Tell them you read it and you may fall victim to their own particular market scheme at a less percentage of your net worth.