My Daughter Susan Smith

by Shirley Stephens and Linda H. Russell

Book Overview

She was never a violent person, never abused her children. She never committed an act of any kind that those close to her could point to later as an omen of the killing of her children. She loved them... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0970107617
• ISBN13: 9780970107619
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Authors Book Nook
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Not a Defense

In response to everyone saying that Linda Russell blaming everyone else but Susan- I can see their viewpoint but at the same time the book is not meant to point fingers. It's title is self-explanatory- it's about her daughter and her daughter's life. It's not titled- "Why My Daughter Should Get Away With It." I think this book is extremely interesting. Sorry to say but it's extremely insightful and interesting to read all about Susan's life, what she did, where she lived, etc, etc, etc. I haven't interpreted anything as defensive or blaming David. Of course there is going to be bias. It's written by the MOTHER...! But I think it's a very interesting book and well written too. The purpose of a book is for people form their own opinions about the subject. Personally I don't think Susan's mother did enough to help her. I feel like she should have, and could have, done a LOT more and Michael and Alex might still be alive today. She sounds like a very passive mother, but was I there? No. Great interesting book.

Blame

Linda spends a lot of the book blaming David (Susan's husband) for his actions. Undoubtably he added to the crime, as did his girlfriend Tiffany.After Susan's C-section she came home from the hospital to a toddler and newborn.Tiffany went nuts because David was living there and came by at all hours blowing her car horn. David left Susan for Tiffany after buying a house with Susan and promising her a commitment to her and their two kids.. Susan's biological father commited suicide, and had threatened to take his kids with him. Susan's stepfather, sexually abused her for years. Her mother knew about this and about Susan's previous suicide attempts.She chose to stay with her husband after the abuse. There is plenty of blame to go around in this tragedy. I feel if just all these people + all their problems hadn't been in Susan's life, it just might have not ended this way.

Russell not shifting blame

All the readers who say Linda Russell does not see Susan's guilt in this tragedy is BLIND!! I got from the book, she knows Susan is to blame, but clearly David Smith could have been a better father and husband, for that matter, than what he was. I feel Ms. Russell is simply saying, my daughter has been punished for what she did. I feel David Smith should be ashamed of the way he treated Susan while she was his wife. Also, I do not feel David is a victim in this case. The only two victims were Michael and Alex!!

good book

I enjoyed this version of a very tragic, true story.

SAD/TRAGIC -Mental Illness Real and able to touch any family

I didn't quit reading til I finished the book! "My Daughter Susan Smith" reaches out - grabs your deepest senses / feelings and leaves you thinking / pondering on the WHYS and HOWS of Life. Thank you Linda for sharing the tragic ordeal your family has suffered. It takes a lot of guts to open up and reveal the many awful things you particularly had to endure. May someone else find an understanding they are looking for through your book.