Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I can't express how angry and upset this book makes me feel. It's because I love my wife and children that I bought this book. I thought it would help me understand of my wife's side of the family--my wife is from mainland China and I'm from Southern California. My wife is similar to Ms. Chua when it comes to mothering (can you really call it that?), and I often have to step in when it becomes too abusive--and it is abusive--don't kid yourself that it isn't. Worse yet is that abused children often become abusive parents, which is why, long ago, I decided to take action and break this cycle of abuse. I've accepted that my wife cannot comprehend my point of view and that I can't understand hers, and I think it comes down to the difference between my Judeo-Christian upbringing based on forgiveness and her Eastern culture based on shame. You only have one chance at childhood and to steal away the joy and wonder of youth is a shame on the parents. Reading this book I kept thinking to myself, "where is the father?" So my advice is that you should go ahead and read this book but use it to reinforce how NOT to raise a child. As Sigmund Freud said, "I cannot think in any need in childhood as strong as the need for a Father's protection." I just did not think I would need to protect my children from their Mom! John Wooden said that the difference yourself today and five years from now is the books you'll read and the people you'll meet. This will not be one of those books.