"Getting Back to Me": from girl to boy to woman in just fifty years Paperback – November 10, 2015

We read books, memoires included, because a writer has had the guts and generosity to tell us how things “really are.” Scottie Madden did that in her book, in a way that made me constantly think of “Writing for Your Life,” the title of a book on writing by author, healer and teacher Deena Metzger. Every chapter, every paragraph and every line in “Getting Back to Me” cries out that if Scottie did not write this book she would have not had a life. The story in itself is about a woman “re-writing” her life story, from male to female, and were she not to find the way to live her life as who she really was, were she not to find her way back to herself, she would have not had a life. The writer Anais Nin said that a writer lives her life twice: once in living it, the second in writing it. In Scottie’s case it’s three times. Once in living it in hiding, then in coming out, and then in coming out again, in writing it. But the writing and the coming out cannot be separated because, it seemed to me, that the more Scottie wrote the more she came out, and the more she came out the more and the deeper she wrote. So it’s not only a book about coming out as a Trans-woman, but about Scottie’s soul searching and finding itself within relationships, in her marriage, her art, with her colleagues and family members and friends and teachers, with drivers on the freeway and government and state officials, and especially, beyond all, in relationship with and to herself. What a striptease! The book is a page-turner to say the least. I read it uninterrupted over one weekend, fascinated by the detail, vulnerability, courage, generosity, urgency, vanity, and imbedded with humor in each page. It’s a book about the quest for freedom and independence that will make you question your own secrets and lies and will push you to push through them into being a more YOU than you have ever been before. Primarily it is a book about love, written with love, and you will feel it! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves books in general, and the search for authenticity and independence and living one’s destiny to the fullest in particular.

Just finished this amazing book called "Getting Back to Me". It's an amazing story of heartache, love and strength in so many ways. Do not miss out on reading this love story! You won't regret it! Everyone wants that love that you've found Scottie. Not only from others, but from that most elusive being of all, ourselves. Your story is amazing. You've found it, and are surrounded by an incredible circle of family and friends! I'm grateful I was able to meet you and spend a bit of time in your shadow. You are a ROCK star and I commend you on your journey. I was reminded of you today when I heard a song by Eric Clapton, "Wonderful Tonight" and I could imagine, each time you look into a mirror saying, "YES, YOU look wonderful tonight"! Personally, I think that song could have been written for you!!! You have been through the ringer and I'm proud of you Scottie. The road is wide open...I'm glad you're on it. Keep on inspiring my friend! A Must read!

I truly enjoyed “Getting Back to Me.” Scottie Madden’s memoir of the challenges she’s faced was incredibly interesting and I found myself wishing that the book wouldn’t end. As I read this, I was struck by how vulnerable and strong the author was to share with us the struggles she’s faced within the process of presenting the woman she always was to a world that has known her as a man. Her writing voice is quite generous, letting us know her inner thoughts on things as she conquers the many obstacles she has faced. At times, readers will feel as though she is speaking directly to them, which brings a certain intimacy to the experience. This is an important true story, and a very rewarding reading experience. I certainly learned a thing or two about human behavior, and feel blessed to have learned of her experience from her unique point of view. As memoirs go, this is one of the better ones I’ve read.

I was one of the first to buy Scottie Madden's book. I was curious as to how she would tell her story. This is a Brave, Honest book where Scottie is SO Vulnerable. It was Very interesting to me to read how this child was able to hold the truth inside and continued to be what society dictated until She was able to break out of that limiting shell that didn't feel authentic to her. I was at one of Scottie's book readings and was amazed at her desire to answer everyone's questions. This is a MUST READ book for people who want to understand how Scottie managed to get where she is,and help others going through a liberating gender reality. I bought 2 books. One for a friend. Highly Recommended!!

This book was a wild ride and left me breathless, wanting more. Scottie's voice befriends you, draws you in like a really really good TV show where you think, "oh no, I'm never going to get to the dishes tonight." She talks to you like your best girlfriend, not holding back, not leaving anything out, revealing a depth of emotion and telling this story that is immediate, compelling, and also the story of what it's like to have the courage to be yourself enough to reveal your deepest secret to the one person you love the most in life, risking everything, and triumphing because love is love. And through it all, there is Scottie's heart, deep as the ocean, connected to Mylove and her heart, big as the sky.

It's not often we get to know someone in the VERY BIG 'before and after' sense. I feel fortunate in that I have known Scottie since high school, when she was Scott: someone whom I admired very much in high school and was proud to call 'friend'. Now I get to know Scottie and through her book "re-discover" her as the now vibrant human being that she probably wanted me to know about 25+ years ago. Thanks, Scottie, for taking me on a inspiring journey I never expected to take and for continuing to be my friend.Regardless of your 'familiarity' with the issues facing the transgender community, you will find this book an excellent read and a compelling story.

As many of the other reviewers have highlighted, a wonderful book and a compelling read. As someone who too suffers from gender dysphoria, I particularly admired the love that Scottie and her wife have for eachother and the way that this guided her transition. Many of the TG forums are full transitioners' tales of woe about how their spouse is being unreasonable without any thought as to the impact that their revelation has had on their spouse, often after years, if not decades, of marriage.In some respects, there are issues with the book - everything seems just too perfect. Her family and friends are not just accepting of her transition but positively embracing it which is not the reality for any of us. However, this is Scottie's story and it is to her credit that the strength of her relationship with her family and friends enabled this. Hers is a story full of joy but the insecurities that she articulates through the book show her understanding that not everyone in life is accepting of transition. I would also have liked a few more photographs - late transitioners like Scottie are an inspiration to us of advancing age and I would love to have seen more of her story through pictures (on the Kindle edition, there's one small photo buried in the text plus the front cover but that's it). However, there are photos and videos of her and her wife on line so all is not lost.Overall, an excellent read which I finished in one sitting. Recommended

This wonderful book was recommended to me by a friend of Scottie's from Cornwall, UK, as I am working with some transgender clients at the moment.It is wonderfully written! As one reads through you can almost hear Scottie talking to you, like a chat over coffee and cake. Her insight into her turmoil through out life and through transition is both enlightening and in the end joyful. I truly wish her all the very best for a happy, carefree rest of her life full of love and laughter as her true self. Well done you are a very,very brave lady!