Getting It Through My Thick Skull

By: Mary Jo Buttafuoco

Narrated by: Mary Jo Buttafuoco

Why I Stayed, What I Learned, and What Millions of People Involved with Sociopaths Need to Know

Mary Jo Buttafuoco's anonymous life as a suburban wife and mother ended in May 1992, when she was shot in the head on her own front porch. The "Long Island Lolita" saga sparked a media frenzy that has not died to this day.

As the years passed and Mary Jo steadfastly stood by her man, one question lingered in the minds of women everywhere: Why did she stay for so long?

In Getting It Through My Thick Skull, Mary Jo finally answers that question fully and convincingly. The answer is simple, yet it took almost three decades of turmoil: She was married to a sociopath. And while Mary Jo's face and story are known all over the world, she's just one of countless women who have become similarly enmeshed with a partner who wreaks utter havoc on the lives around them.

Using her own experiences, Mary Jo helps listeners determine if they are indeed involved with a sociopath and offers hope and help for them through her tragic and triumphant life lessons. In addition, readers will be inspired by Mary Jo's comeback: A true reclamation and re-creation of her life from the inside out.

Through private details of the resiliency and rebuilding she has forged over the past 16 years, Mary Jo shares with readers for the first time:

Her addiction to painkillers and her recovery through the Betty Ford Center

Her overdue decision to leave Joey and start over again on her own in California - 3,000 miles from her support system

Taking control of her physical, spiritual, and emotional health, and learning to feel attractive and in control again, despite the scars and trauma of the gunshot

Her highly controversial and public forgiveness of Amy Fisher

The new love in her life and how she found the courage to trust, believe, and find hope in a committed relationship once again

©2009 Mary Jo Buttafuoco (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Binge worthy

Binge listened to the whole book in a day. This woman has been through so much and I admire her strength and resiliency!

what stood out most was Mary-Joe's honesty.

I don't have any dislike in this book, I about this book is, although Mary-Joe went through a lot of Hardship in her life, she stayed strong and never lose who she really is. meaning everything went thought she stayed a mother a Loving and loyal wife. even when she had her lows. she is a strong women, that a lot of young women can learn from.

Excellent read. Amazing survival story.

This is an excellent book. It is nice to hear the real story. Worth it.

Good read

Great read...lot better than the movie. I would recommend this book to everyone. Good book.

This must be my own story!

While my relationship dynamic went a different path, I felt like a lot (!) of this story was my own. It was so validating. It took the very breath out of my soul at times. I got what was being told. I felt it. From the nothing being his fault (It's everyone else's), to the mother's disapproval in every sense of the word. And the kids having had it up to their eyeballs.
I didn't follow much of the stories on the news after the shooting, and I'm glad. Instead, I needed to hear these words from a relationship standpoint-however unhealthy. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I, too, lived in chaos. I broke free and blossomed where I was planted.
I was so thrilled to know about the new husband. The husband who celebrates his wife, as she does him. Bless his heart.

Finally, she gets it

I was starting to worry about Mary Jo; she stood by her man for way too long. This book is the final, honest account of her story with Joey B. and the aftermath of the shooting. She is painfully honest and detailed and she deserves kudos for writing a book that sets the record straight from her point of view. I'm glad to hear she is doing well and now has a new life without that jerk!

Mary Jo tells her story.

I absolutely loved this book. Mary Jo is so relatable. She is fantastic and inspiring. Definitely worth the listen.

Answers without Questions

Mary Jo was shot while I was raising two boys in Brooklyn. This story was talked about by everyone including children at my kid's School. I could not believe Mary Jo's life was being portrayed on live TV as if she didn't deserve respect or privacy as the victim of a crime. I was appauled when Amy was sentenced to such a short time in prison. I suspected Joey had some hold on Mary Jo but I also understood her need to hang on as she was very fragile at that point and he was all she knew. Many people criticized her for staying and defending Joey but she needed to get her bearings before she could make her move. I'm proud of the woman she was and has become. She remained true to herself and her children. Most of all she Survived and is stronger for it. I wish you the best Mary Jo. I feel as if I've known you forever! Thank you for answering the questions I never thought to ask..... Be well my friend xo.

A story of a very brave woman...

With so much sensationalism given to other parties, it's great to MarryJo tell her story.

Great book read by the author

This book was better than I was expecting it to be.
I, like most Americans, watched this story with great interest years ago. I used to wonder: “Why does this poor woman stay with this idiot?” Mrs. Buttafuoco answers that question in this book. She is a very likable person, with a great sense of humor and that really comes across during the reading of this book. I have a lot of respect for her and all that she endured.
I truly recommend this book!