RECLAIMED REVIEWS | Reclaimed

**** nevermind the world—to recall our most vulnerable and painful chapters in our lives

Candid, no-spin truth told in this memoir. We all wish we could be so brave—with ourselves, nevermind the world—to recall our most vulnerable and painful chapters in our lives, to give them voice but not any enduring authority. The book takes you into segregated Miami, the Black (Negro) educated class, the growth of the Black urban professionals (Buppies), and all the pressures and exploits that come with that success.

Sedora Jefferson (Amazon)

**** WOW

Raw, uncut, passionate, and emotional. I could not put this book down. It made me think about who I am and the effect that we all have on each other. Bravo to Ms. Antonia for sharing her life with us readers

Kindle Customer (Amazon)

**** Five Stars

Kindle Customer (Amazon)

**** Wonderful walk through Antonia's growth

Wonderful walk through Antonia's growth, development and final reclamation of her life. She takes one through her private thoughts and deepest feelings and stimulates the reader to reflect on how society and expectations can control the life path one chooses. Brilliant!!

durkster (Amazon)

**** Brilliant, Candid, Self Examination of a life

This book shows how the author dealt with the realities of her life. The author speaks from the soul of the pain and consequences of being silently being the good wife to a manipulating and controlling husband. She explores her own seduction to the public status of being married to a powerful husband. She shares how she struggled to accept herself as as a woman with her own voice and power.

Kindle Edition (Amazon)

**** Bold and Brave

Unabashed transparency in sharing details of her life’s journey. The author's candor is an inspiring message to others that we too can reclaim our lives no matter the struggles and tribulations especially related to marriage, family, career, and societal relationships.

Dr. Adriene (Amazon)

**** Amazing and honest book by author Antonia Williams-Gary

Amazing and honest book by author Antonia Willaims-Gary. Difficult revelations about difficult relationships and honest and raw introspection by the author. This book left me hopeful. 5 stars!!

Shelly Travell (Amazon)

**** The most amazing part for me is the authors perseverance and strength

Wow! The authors ability to candidly outline her struggle to maintain the facade often expected from successful families is eye opening and often times shocking; and heartbreaking. The most amazing part for me is the authors perseverance and strength to reclaim her life!

Kito Gary (Amazon)

**** HMLONG

What an awesome life story from an amazing beautiful person, Thanks for sharing, a must read!

Kbsouthflorida (Amazon)

**** An honest portrayal of a woman's life journey.

This is one of the most brilliant stories I have read about a woman’s journey. She travelled a stoney rugged path and finally found the sun and smooth path in herself.
Beautiful.

Amazon Customer (Amazon)

**** Amazing survivor story

The moving story of an amazing survivor. I recommend this book!

Online Shopper (Amazon)

**** Five Stars

Absolutely amazing. I had no idea how good this book would be. Very Proud of you.

L. Nelson (Amazon)

**** Five Stars

This was written as a labor of love. Hope you will love it too!

Antonia Williams-Gary (Amazon)

**** A must read

A must read

A very comprehensive and introspective look at ones personal journey. The author reflects and shares how she managed transitions in her life from early in life to later adulthood. Many life lessons are to be learned from this thought-provoking book. It is relatable and real. She tells so well not only her story but her inner thoughts at every juncture Thank you for sharing what I think can be a guiding light.

Francine Diggs (Amazon)

This compelling personal story brings new light to a turbulent era in Miami politics and should be read by all who are interested in its history. It also speaks to an issue that has for too long been swept under the rug; spousal abuse especially in high places and the price women often pay for staying too long.

Dr. Marvin Dunn, Miami Historian, author of Black Miami in the Twentieth Century and A History of Florida: Through Black Eyes

Antonia ‘Toni’ Williams Gary has described roles-for which there is no training: women working in spotlight positions, supporting their male counterparts. She is spot on in her depiction of the life of a power couple. I knew them both, well. For over a decade I worked in Miami City Hall as Howard Gary’s assistant.

Lillie Latimore, CCM (Credentialed City Manager), Founder, IOS (Innovative Office Services, Inc.)

Written by one of my closest friends, Antonia refused to be defeated. She remained determined, and accomplished great things. Antonia has also shown us how to get through alcoholism with the power of God. Through her abuse by her powerful husband, she found the person inside; smart, kind and loving. This book is for anyone who is being emotionally abused. I endorse this book as an author of children’s books, your friend and one who learned a lot about survival from you.

Akua Scott, author of You Need to Know Children’s Books.

This book was not an easy read for me (and I read it twice). I know, or thought I knew the main characters. There is so much more to a relationship than what is presented. Nothing new there, but…. It’s a story about a romantic, loving couple who accomplished much but lost their “loving feeling”. It’s a tragic story that left me feeling sad.

Gwen Armstrong Johnson, LMSW, friend from childhood

A bold, inspirational memoir which reveals how Antonia rose above her existence in an abusive relationship. It captures the intimate details of the truths of her life journey – loss of self, pain suffered and “power worshipping”. A story of hope, love and triumph for all women who are “walking in her shoes”. Within the pages, one finds a courageous warrior, who never lost sight of love for her children, and gratitude for a supportive network.

Evalina Williams Bestman, PhD., Psychologist, CEO, New Horizons Community Mental Health Center

“A moving life story set in a city experiencing its own existential crisis, Antonia Gary’s memoir could not be timelier. Amid countless allegations of powerful men abusing women, this is the story of a different kind of abuse, emotional rather than sexual. Frank and factual, yet devoid of bitterness or account settling. This very personal narrative also provides insights into one of the most turbulent periods in Miami’s history; a time of white-hot ethnic and racial tensions. Gary had a front row seat to the attitudes and actions: from the movers and shakers in the White Anglo business world, to the new Hispanic and Black power players, as well as the ordinary man on the street.

Max J. Castro, Ph.D. columnist, The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald during the period in which this story takes place. A sociologist, Castro is the co-author of This Land Is Our Land: Immigrants and Power in Miami.

ANTONIA WILLIAMS-GARY