Triumph: Life after the Cult - a Survivor's Lessons

Obviously this book is the sequel to "Escape" and as such, serves as a much needed follow-up to the eye-opening story of Cult mentality that couldn't help but leave the reader hanging.This second part provides encouragement and instruction to any of the other 10,000 members of the FLDS society that may be doubting themselves, or Carolyn, or the rest of us. The author is destined to go down in history as one of this Nation's most courageous Human Right's activists of all time. Her confessions and counsel are surprisingly easy to comprehend. Written so as to compensate the reader who may have discovered this book first, the backgound sometimes gets somewhat repetitive in certain areas, but the message is clear: Neither Polygamy nor the Priesthoodlums who promote it are good for the soul.From the evidence presented in this book, it becomes even more apparent to me that there is no quick-fix to the problems that stem from the doctrine of plural wifery, so to me, the practice of polygamy (polygyny)cannot be an eternal principle of happiness, no matter how much anyone wants it to be. The actions and attitude of powerful men like Merril Jessop and Warren Jeffs never cease to amaze me, as they continue to practice their own form of godhood opon others who share the same earth. I can only imagine how long and loud either of these two religious perverts would howl if the tables were ever turned and they found themselves on the receiving end of their own endless cruelty.I was absolutely relieved to hear that Barbara Jessop is dead and gone. Rare is the report that there are women in polygamy that have lived their whole lives as vindictive bitches with a flare for unbridled torture of the most innocent, but alas here we have it on record from an eye-witness who was living on the inside. I only hope that as we consider the claims of the highly touted fruits of Fundamentalist partnerships, that the works of Barbara and her legacy (as recorded in this saga) are never to be forgotten.In like manner I was thrilled to hear that the FLDS Church has zero power over the justice system of Texas, and that somebody somewhere was finally able to nail Merril Jessop and his high-priced attorneys with back child support fines. Then too, it was certainly a happily-ever-after thought that young Harrison's child support will continue well after he turns 18.Without a doubt, the States of Utah and Arizona should feel responsible for the millions of dollars (20+)that have been spent convicting these white supremist men (the exact same men that should have been arrested and convicted by Utah and Arizona years ago), and these two states should offer to share in the expense and on-going burden that has been placed upon the neighboring communities of the YFZ Ranch for refusing to do what has needed to be done to protect their women and children from a lifetime of tyranny and decades of child labor abuse.Carolyn Jessop did not have to look back after she "escaped" with all 8 of her children from the burning building that was on the verge of collapse, but she certainly has. She did not have to write any book or return to the bleeding grounds of her degrading past life, but she did, and speaking as an advocate for wellness, we are grateful to her for sharing her experience and we (as a concerned society)are so very fortunate that she still has it in her to speak up.Its always the simplest of words coming from the simplest of hearts that are the most profound.

Carolyn's book "Escape" was one of the most exciting books I had read in awhile, because her courage and the way the circumstances aligned to finally work to her advantage in getting out of the cult were truly amazing. So I was really interested in learning about how she and her family were faring now in their new life.I was slightly disappointed, as the book was largely not only a rehash of the previous book, but also spent too much time on the whole CPS raid fiasco. Finally, at the end, we learn a little about her life now.However, the book serves an important place in the anthology of current testimony regarding the truth about the FLDS cult, and the more information that gets out there, the better. It must be kept to the forefront of people's minds, lest our society be drawn into the lie that polygamy is anything but hell.Which leads me to the two things that disturbed me as I read Triumph. Despite Carolyn's hellish experiences, and the well-documented experiences of others from the FLDS, she actually makes the comment at one point that perhaps de-criminalizing polygamy is the way to go. Somehow, she thinks that will make the men lighten up and therefore be better for the women. I find this incredible. It's akin to handing a heroin addict free needles---you know, support the habit instead of dealing with it straight on because, in the end, it's just easier. But we all know that handing an addict needles does nothing to end his enslavement to heroin. Likewise, polygamy in any form--legal or not--cannot be anything but hell for the women constantly competing for the man's love, approval, position in the family and the children who are used as pawns, abused by the other "moms" and poorly parented. This is dysfunction at it's epitome.I also noted what a previous reviewer had mentioned--that Carolyn used her experiences of being homeschooled in FLDS as a basis for condemning homeschooling across the board. I understand that her schooling experiences in the FLDS were inadequate because the parents themselves were undereducated, and the cult lived and taught in an alternate reality. Of course the children coming out of there into public schools would be at a loss! However, even a little research into the content and results of America's current homeschool movement show that, if anything, most homeschoolers are not only taught the same core curriculum as public schoolers, but are taught more effectively because the teacher can gear the curriculum to the interests and learning style of the child in an individualized manner. Homeschoolers all over the country are entering into secondary education and university with stellar performances and many awards. The most famous one currently is Tim Tebow, who, in spite of having dyslexia, actually found college "easy" and earned 4.0 his freshman year. I think Carolyn needs to go through a little more transformation to ensure that she is not just trading one set of close-minded doctrines for another.

Very disappointing. I felt that it was not written well and that it could have been edited better. In essence the story was interesting.

There are reviewers who have been critical of Jessop's follow up to "Escape" as they felt it was more about the legal battles faced by FLDS. However, personally think the "Triumph" was about what her life was all about after her triumphant escape from her community. I feel she's an inspiration for the oppressed & suppressed in our world. Jessop continues, passionately, to encourage and hope that women in her community will draw strength from her "success" in spite of the numerous challenges she faced after her escape. Her emphasis continues to be on the fact that the world/people outside FLDS are not a evil as they are led to believe by her community leaders.Remarkable story of an equally remarkable, determined woman who has given a fruitful life/future to her children. Hopefully, some from her community will gain some courage to stand up for their rights.A great read shocking as it is to see that there is fundamentalism right at our doorstep, in the 21st century.

As I had read Carolyn Jessop's previous book and 'Triumph' repeated a lot of the narrative from that earlier book,I found I was 'glossing' over a large part of the book. It was still a very interesting read from a very courageous lady and I was pleased to learn of her life after the end of 'Escape'. How she managed to get her life together after such a large part of it had been controlled by others, is a testament to her strength and belief in something better for herself and her children. An ideal read especially for those who have not read 'Escape'.

An absolutely inspiring woman. To think that she has endured so much yet come through with even her brain and soul intact not to mention having thrived and found happiness in our 'real' world is nothing short of a miracle. My heart went out her as she struggled to even receive basic human rights for her children and the mental pain and anguish she must have gone through is frankly unimaginable. My heart cried for her and I wish her only the very best that a free live has to offer her along with happiness and love for the rest of her life. I can only hope that one day she will be reunited with Betty and have her lovely family restored to her and reunited at long long last!

I have been reading the novels put out by former flds members, and it is finally sinking in why these victims remain in such conditions. I have read the lessons and apply them in my own life. The feelings of the unknown. There is a choice. I cannot imagine living in these damaging conditions. The scattered beliefs of the leaders. I stress just thinking of what I have read. A riveting novel. Very inspiring. I find Carolyn’s voice determined and inspirational.