Therapy for the Soul, One Ruin at a Time.
Praise for Beyond the Darkness
"A powerful... gripping guided tour."
— Kirkus Reviews
"A rare and unforgettable exploration."
— San Francisco Book Review
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"A highly recommended must-read."
— KC Finn, USA Today Bestselling Author
Uncover Meaning in Humanity’s Darkest Moments
We visit sites of tragedy not out of morbid curiosity, but because history’s darkest moments hold lessons for how we live. In Beyond the Darkness: Transformative Journeys Through Dark Tourism, multi-category #1 Amazon Bestseller Dr. Chad Scott takes readers on a deeply personal and thought-provoking journey to some of history’s most profound and challenging sites.
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From the solemn corridors of Auschwitz to the shadowed depths of the Paris Catacombs and the reflective spaces of Ground Zero, Dr. Scott doesn’t just explore the physical remnants of tragedy—he uncovers their emotional and transformative weight. With vivid storytelling and heartfelt personal reflections, he reveals how even the world’s darkest chapters can teach us lessons of resilience, compassion, and the shared strength of the human spirit.
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Whether you’re drawn to dark tourism or prefer to explore these places from the safety of a book, this journey offers a powerful reflection on memory, survival, and the human need to remember.
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This historical and psychological travel memoir asks the questions that linger long after the journey ends:
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What can we learn from humanity’s most difficult moments?
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How do these places help us confront our own struggles, mortality, and capacity for growth?
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What does it mean to bear witness to history and come away forever changed?
Perfect for readers of Viktor Frankl and Anthony Bourdain, Beyond the Darkness is more than a travel memoir—it’s a deeply moving exploration of how dark tourism offers us the chance to honor the past, grow resilience, and discover meaning in our own lives.
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Step into the spaces where history lives. Reflect on the stories that shape us. Discover the light that waits Beyond the Darkness.
​ Chad Scott, Ph.D. is a multi-category #1 Amazon best-selling author, seasoned explorer, and licensed psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience in mental health. He has extensively taught university level psychology and criminal justice courses, published three books, and captivated audiences at conferences and seminars. Drawing on his own challenges, including illness, a transplant, divorce, and anxiety, Dr. Scott writes with a hard-earned grit, offering profound insights on resilience and growth. Specializing in transformative travel, he explores dark tourism sites like Hiroshima and Alcatraz to uncover lessons on healing, human strength, and personal transformation. He lives for adventure and cherishes time with his loyal Boston Terrier, Duke.
About the Author
Foreword by Dr. Philip R. Stone
leading expert in dark tourism
Director of the Institute for Dark Tourism Research (iDTR) at the University of Lancashire, UK.
Click to see more (select work)
Praise for Beyond the Darkness
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
Beyond the Darkness is a powerful and personal journey—and a highly recommended must-read for fans of meaningful travel writing and reflective memoirs. With a rare and courageous blend of scholarship and insight, Dr. Chad Scott never loses sight of the human cost at the heart of these iconic places. Nothing feels sensationalized or unnecessarily morbid, making this a book that stays with you and reshapes your perspective on history, healing, and humanity.
—K.C Finn, USA Today Best-Selling Author
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A powerful and often gripping guided tour through some of humanity's dark places. Scott transforms his visits to troubling destinations into opportunities for personal growth. His earnest tone is the book's consistent bit of magic." —Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews also awarded this book their "GET IT" verdict — a strong endorsement reserved for books they recommend readers seek out.
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"A powerful journey through history’s shadows, Beyond the Darkness explores how places marked by tragedy can reveal unexpected paths to healing. With raw honesty and deep empathy, Dr. Chad Scott connects dark tourism to personal transformation, weaving together themes of grief, resilience, and meaning. This is a rare and unforgettable exploration of how honoring the past helps us understand ourselves. A moving tribute to the strength found in reflection."
—Kathryn Dare, San Francisco Book Review
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Scott’s integration of therapeutic insights with his personal journey offers a nuanced exploration of post-traumatic growth that has implications for both clinical practice and social work education. From Auschwitz’s gas chambers to the battlefields of Normandy, his story becomes a masterclass in meaning-making. Reflections on finding meaning through suffering provide a narrative of hope without minimizing pain—a delicate balance we strive for in therapeutic work. Scott’s journey offers valuable lessons about resilience and the complex ways humans process tragedy.
—Dava Wilson, Ed.D., Assistant Professor, Austin Peay State University Social Work Department
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“Beyond the Darkness expertly documents Dr. Chad Scott’s journey toward self-discovery. His clear and crisp writing, discoveries from historical moments, philosophical inquiries, and much more set this book apart from other travel memoirs. With a kind of reverence, he writes about death, grief, and genocide in a way that challenges readers to confront their fears, honor the past, and reflect deeply on what it means to be human.”
—Ruffina Oserio, ★★★★★ Readers’ Favorite
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“Dr. Chad Scott takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through dark tourism, exploring places marked by tragedy and human suffering. The writing is stellar, with vivid imagery and emotional depth that bring each location and emotion to life. The book reflects on grief, the light within darkness, and the search for meaning in suffering. It is a critical reminder of the importance of understanding and cherishing our collective past. There is a lot of wisdom sprinkled in this book about humanity and how we can appreciate even the darkest moments in our story.”
— Divine Zape, ★★★★★ Readers’ Favorite
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Dr. Chad Scott's stirring descriptions and captivating, perceptive stories make readers feel as though they’re truly there. He evokes the imagination with each location’s poignant atmosphere and surrounding environment. As a psychotherapist, his remarkable writing naturally weaves behavioral and mental concepts with themes of self-improvement, change, compassion, and history. Beyond the Darkness is more than a travel memoir; its heartwarming words offer fresh insights to inspire courage, self-assurance, and the healing of minds, bodies, and relationships. Highly recommended for history buffs and thoughtful travelers alike.
— Carmen Tenorio, ★★★★★ Readers’ Favorite
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A wholehearted tome on the promise of "dark tourism" to open doors for personal healing and resilience through meaningful experiences. In Beyond the Darkness, Dr. Chad Scott blends personal narratives and historical insights to offer reflections on resilience, morality, and the enduring impact of human choices. He does not sensationalize the sites he describes—rather, he combines vivid storytelling with thoughtful analysis, creating a narrative that is both engaging and introspective. — Reedsy Discovery
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READER REVIEWS
​An informative and thoroughly macabre travel diary... a stark reminder of humanity’s capacity for evil and resilience. Dr. Scott’s book is deeply personal, engaging, and unforgettable.
— Al O.
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Not your average travel book—it’s an emotional, eye-opening journey into the darker side of history, told with compassion and personal insight.
— Laurie J.
A rollercoaster of emotions that ends in hope—Dr. Scott reminds us that even our worst days can lead to strength we didn’t know we had.
— Crystal K.
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This isn’t a self-help cliché—it’s a compassionate, empowering roadmap for navigating pain with resilience and clarity.
— Fridayhill F.
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A captivating blend of history and humanity—Dr. Scott shows that the past isn’t just behind us, it can guide us toward healing and growth.
— Cassie M.
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A must-read for anyone facing pain or loss—Dr. Scott offers raw honesty, redemption, and a path to lasting hope.
— Lee M.
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Touring tragic sites isn’t morbid—it’s transformative. Dr. Scott puts into words what many intuit: that deep reflection on the past shapes how we live today.
— K.J. H.
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More than travel or history—it’s about the emotional weight of the places we visit and what they teach us about ourselves. — Christie C.
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A beautifully written, unforgettable exploration of dark tourism... Scott approaches each site with reverence, emotion, and rare clarity.
— Celene C.
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Powerful and raw—this book changed how I see history, mental health, and even my own relationships. There’s always a lesson in the shadows.
— Laura H.