Reviews (13)

when there are no words
My husband & I lost our 1st son on 10/31/98 in an auto
When there are no words
My son died 6 months ago. This book was recommended by the parent of someone who had lost their daughter. So far this has been the only book that I have been able to read and fully relate to. This father articulates all that I feel and cannot express. I would recommend reading this if you have lost someone close, especially a child - and certainly would recommend giving it to someone you know who has lost someone.

A Very Personal Story of Loss
Thank you, Charlie Walton, for sharing your very personal story of loss.Writing this book must have been a painful experience, but take comfort in knowing that it has been of tremendous value to this reader.I would describe it as an intimate, one-on-one conversation with someone who has been to hell and back.The author gives a play-by-play of his innermost thoughts and emotions as he tries to process his grief in different situations.I found his advice, which sometimes contradicts popular wisdom, to be right on the money.It's an effortless read, written in an unpolished and completely accessible style which adds to its humanness.There are no sermons, no absolutes, no checklists; just a heartfelt and very personal story of a man who wants to share his grief experience so others might benefit.I'd highly recommend adding this book to your self-help collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bereavement    2. Death    3. Death, Grief, Bereavement    4. Grief    5. Psychological aspects    6. Self-Help    7. Walton, Charlie,    8. Coping with death & bereavement    9. Walton, Charlie   

Reviews (8)

Chicken Soup`s Review
In the book, Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Love & Friendship, it has many
Comforting
I have bought several of these for family and friends who have lost a loved one.The stories are very comforting to them.

...something to hold on to...
This beautiful book was published about a year after my father passed from Alzheimer's.After writing my own book, as something to hold on to during my grieving time, I found a lovely surprise with this lovely Chicken Soup book as it comforted me and put me in that gentle healing place with the all the many contributors of this 'grief' book.I was amazed at the many synchronicities and concidences that were shared after the passing of their loved ones. For I had many heavenly experiences with my daddy as well.I felt relieved, very safe, very loved and very much belonging to this whole group of authors who graced me, the reader, with their sweetest private moments of healing.Thanks, Jack and Mark, for the beautiful stories and most perfect timing for me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bereavement    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family/Marriage    5. Inspirational    6. Inspirational - General    7. Self-Help / Death, Grief, Bereavement   

Reviews (1)

Honest appreciation for caregivers
This book reaches out to those who carry the heavy burdens of caregiving and offers them small, daily gifts of understanding, appreciation and compassion. Caregivers often feel overburdened and unappreciated. Thesemeditations acknowledge the emotional and physical demands placed on thosewho care for persons who may be in lengthy recovery from serious accidentsor illnesses, or who are infirm, senile or dying. Real feelings - anger,guilt, fear - are fully acknowledged. In writing about the tough job ofcaregiving, Samples does not blink. There is no cheap, gushy sentimenthere. She gives much deserved credit to caregivers while offering themencouragement and suggestions for maintaining their own lives in theprocess. The real hazards of exhaustion and burnout are acknowledge andaddressed in this little volume. It is a perfect gift for those who carefor children, parents, partners, or others who cannot care for themselves. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caregivers    2. Death / Grief / Consolation    3. Death, Grief, Bereavement    4. Devotional calendars    5. English    6. General    7. Inspirational - General    8. Prayer-books and devotions    9. Self-Help    10. Self-Help / General    11. Self Help   

Reviews (3)

The best emotional and spiritual support for artists
I read this book so long ago but still reference it often. This book explains how to live with many universal feelings and experiences of being a writer/artist. Cameron's writing has helped me make crucial decisions, bolstered me when motivation waned, taught me that insecurity comes with the territory, shown me to contain my work until it's ready to withstand critiques, when group support is not supportive, and how to set boundaries to improve productivity. I'm grateful to Cameron's generosity in teaching many things I didn't have to stumble over myself until I figured them out.
The Next Step
I read and completed the exercises in THE ARTIST WAY about ten years ago--and it changed my life. I'm an admitted self-help junkie, but Julia Cameron goes way, way beyond the typical self-help hype. Her words resonate like a tuning fork against my sternum.
THIS BOOK IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED
Get this book if you are STUCK. Or even if you just need something new to inspire you in the wee hours... For me, it was like a tonic after a long period of not feeling very creative. After reading only the first few chapters, I realized that I WAS feeling creative, but I had definitely stifled my impulses. I read The Artist's Way years ago and loved it, but "poo-poohed" the morning pages (oh no! more work! who needs that! yuk...). Then, after reading the first chapter of Cameron's sequel,I got up one morning and sat, practically pouting in my pajamas with pen in hand. "Ha!" I thought, "I still won't have anything to say!" And then the stuff started pouring out in my scrawls. Then, toward the end of my three pages, I was using ALL CAPS to express repressed wishes and hopes. That same day I began to take action out of the energy and innate confidence, and believe it or not, things began to "happen." I continue to find the book very motivating in this very way...it makes me want to get on with things and stop hesitating. There is a bit of magic in doing what she proposes that is something that you won't be able to explain. And, this book is not only for artists--it is for anyone who wants to move forward. She emphasizes what we all know but may have forgotten...that the big begins with the small. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.)    3. Creative Ability    4. Creativity    5. Death, Grief, Bereavement    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Religion    8. Special Subjects In Art    9. Women    10. Body, Mind & Spirit / Personal Transformation   

Reviews (15)

A Good Introduction For Youngsters To The Reality That Life Is Never Forever
Knowing and working with many young children, I have come to appreciate that there are certain concepts that we, as adults, tend to take for granted as being somehow obvious or, if you will, self-evident. One of these is the inevitability of death. Trying to explain death to a child - particularly to a very young ( 2 - 4 year old) child can be an exasperating experience for even the most well meaning parent, teacher or concerned adult. Luckily, there is a growing body of literature, written to be looked at while being read to youngsters that simplify the essential concept sown to a level that can be understood by the child and will suffice until the child lets us know, through their ever more sophisticated questions, that they need more information. I have a collection of such books that I use and recommend to parents, where death has been a recent event in the family, for use with their children. This book by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen, is the one I most frequently recommend for use with this youngest group of children.
Tender Topics - Explaining Death to Little Ones
This is a wonderful book that helps explain death and loss to young children.It's good for ages 4 - 8.It gently explains that all things that are alive begin and end, inbetween is living. No mention of life after death, no religious overtones."No matter how long or short they are this is their lifetime".This is a must have for all households with young children.

A great choice if you're looking for something simple
Very simply, with few words, this book explains that there is a beginning and an end. In the middle is life. Beginnings and endings are going on around us all the time. For plants, animals and humans too. Everything has its own lifetime, some short & some long.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Death    4. Death, Grief, Bereavement    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family/Marriage    7. General    8. Juvenile literature    9. Life (Biology)    10. Family & Relationships / Death, Grief, Bereavement   

Reviews (56)

Interesting Overview of Processes
Interesting although dated, this overview takes a paternalistic look at major groupings of the reasons why the human body gives out.
Timely in our Culture
HOW WE DIE came into my life when I needed it most--as I faced the impending passing of my mother. Dr. Nuland's words were not only medical and accurate, they were also comforting. We need to know how to die, how to prepare for it, and how to recover from it. We live in a culture where dying is hidden away in hospitals and our lack of experience leaves us absolutely terrified. HOW WE DIE calms our fears, and even though words cannot take away the shock and sorrow of death, this book brings much needed and timely solace.

Read it for The One You Love
"How We Die" is not going to make you die any easier.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Death    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Health/Fitness    4. Medical / Nursing    5. Pathology    6. Thanatology    7. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (2)

morbid compulsion
I saw this book listed in Entertainment Weekly recently and decided it may be worth buying. For those of you out there fascinated by death this is the book for you. The forward claims that reading this book will extend your life by two years. After reading just a few of the pages so far, I can understand the claim. The presentation is somewhat lighthearted for such a morbid subject but very readable. Once you pick it up, it really is difficult to put down - the statistics, the details, the illustrations and photos all make this a wonderful - although sobering - read. Knowing now how an airbag can KILL YOU makes me glad I own a later model vehicle.

"Addicted to Death!"
This is a great book!It's easy to read and hard to put down!Largo has done a terrific job of entertaining and educating his readers on a subject to which we can all relate.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Death & Dying    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Encyclopedias    4. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    5. Popular Culture - General    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Thanatology    9. Popular culture    10. Social Science / Popular Culture   

Reviews (1)

Excellent Service and Product!
I recieved my product as decribed and expeditiously!Thanks so much!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - General    2. Continuum of care    3. Health Care Delivery    4. Long-term care of the sick    5. Medical    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Nursing Home Care    8. Public Health    9. Terminal Care    10. United States    11. Hospital administration & management    12. Medical / Allied Health Services / General    13. USA   

Subjects:  1. Mental illness    2. Psychology    3. Psychology, Pathological    4. Psychopathology - General    5. Psychopathology - Schizophrenia    6. Suicide    7. Abnormal psychology    8. Psychiatry    9. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (22)

Helped My Husband and Me after many deaths in family
I recommend this book highly for anyone who is losing a close family member or friend to illness or who has lost someone and just are having a hard time coming to terms with why.

1 of the only 2 books I promise will REALLY HELP!
This - and Surviving Grief (published by Judson Press for $6) Working one's way back to the experience of joy
Awakening From Grief: Finding The Way Back To Joy by counselor, educator, lecturer, and grief expert John E. Welshon is a self-help guide to working one's way back to the experience of joy, finding forgiveness, and learning to pick up the pieces and start learning and living again. Very strongly recommended for the non-specialist general reader's personal/emotional self-help or spiritually oriented self-improvement reading list, Awakening From Grief embraces both the mundane and the spiritual in the quest to fully experience life yet retain one's love and memories despite tragedy and pain. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bereavement    2. Death    3. Death / Grief / Consolation    4. Death, Grief, Bereavement    5. Grief    6. Personal Growth - Happiness    7. Psychological aspects    8. Self-Help    9. Thanatology    10. Coping with death & bereavement    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Popular psychology    13. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (117)

Reassurance deliverd with compassion
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as well as its sequel, Cold Noses Part II. I had just lostmy darling little dog, and Gary's book filled a need in a loving and knowledgeable way. He sticks to Scripture in making his case for the eternal existence of animals, so we know that his arguments are NOT based on thin air but on the user's manual for life, the Bible. However, also in sharing much of himself and his experiences, as well as interjecting some gentle humor along the way, he leaves the reader comforted and secure in the knowledge that he or she will see the beloved dog or cat (or bird or whatever!) again someday. I highly recommend this book!

How do we get over our loss??
I lost my beloved, Smokey, while I was ill myself. While I was trying to recoup, Smokey had been getting increasingly feebler.It had been suggested by family that it might be time to "put her to sleep"...But, "NO" was always my answer. How could I?? She was my BEST friend for 16 years. She knew me inside and out and even saved my life.But, I also knew in my heart that it was best as her quality of life definitely declined. So, I did...and, I thought I would never recover.I was inconsolable.I had searched on the internet for something I could read or somebody I could talk to about my loss.Nobody understood, or so I felt, that Smokey's loss was worse than a family member's loss. Then, I came across Gary Kurz's website.It truly was a Godsend that I found him.Gary and I have conversed via e-mail several times. And, each time I began to feel better.My guilt was beginning to diminish.My sadness became lighter.Gary helped me survive...because I was thinking that I just couldn't survive without my Smokey. God has a plan for all of us whether we are animal or humans... and, I believe that Smokey will be waiting for me when it's my time to leave this planet.And, she will be young and sassy and happy her friend has come home too. Thank you, Gary

There are better books about animals and the Bible out there
I purchased this book hoping to find examples and interpretations from the Bible providing a positive case on us seeing our beloved pets in heaven. I do think that the author clearly cares about animals and feels they will go to heaven, but many times he tended to get off topic. I agree with 'The Pawsitive Pet Psychic "animal communicator"' about how he apologized too much. He takes three paragraphs explaining how what he is about to say is his opinion and that we don't have to agree with it. I don't see why he needs to do that in his own book. I also felt that he spent way too much time talking about how animals listen and communicate with us. That's fine and all but I thought I was reading a book about if animals go to heaven, not how good a dogs scent of smell is or how to choose healthy pet. I'll buy a book on animal care if I want to know that. All in all I felt a little misslead by the title and assumed it would be primarily about animals in heaven. I was wrong, though, as that didn't seem to be the primary subject. Finally, I don't see how a story about a cat nearly dying from a scorpion sting or a dog almost drowning from a goose is a "humerous" story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Pets    2. Pets / General    3. Self-Help / Death, Grief, Bereavement    4. Death, Grief, Bereavement   

Reviews (9)

the Gift of a Memory
Everything arrived in good order and in a very short time.
Read b/f sending as a gift
The book is O.K. It reads like a poem. I decided not to keep it, however it may work for others.Before giving this book as a gift, I would advise reading it first.

This was sent in Memory of another Mother's loss.
My son died on Sept 11 in a surfing accident.A family was visiting our city from Iowa and was on the beach when it happened.She was on a family getaway to honor her sons memory who had died two years before.When she got home she sent me a beautiful card and the book in honor and memory of her 18 year old son and in honor of mine.The book sits on my coffee table and continues to bring me comfort each time I read it.Others have read it and I am going to continue this tradition with other Mothers who lose their children.This is a beautiful work of love and compassion to help people in the worst of times.Thank you Marianne! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Death / Grief / Consolation    3. Death, Grief, Bereavement    4. Inspirational & Religious    5. Poetry   

Reviews (56)

Return from Tomorrow by George G. Ritchie with Elizabeth Sherrill
Review
An Amazing spiritual experience
I first encountered Ritchie's story sometime around the late 1960's and the experience positively influenced my life. I recently read this book (it gives many details surrounding his life, both before and after his NDE) and was touched by it. It is a delightful experience to read this book.

Return From Tomorrow
Provocative reading.An opportunity to see what might await us after we die.My husband has read this book so often he wore it out.This is our second copy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Christian biography    4. Death, Grief, Bereavement    5. Future life    6. General    7. Inspirational    8. Inspirational - General    9. Near-death experiences    10. Religious    11. Religious aspects    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Religious    14. Modern fiction   

Reviews (13)

The Wounds of God
Nicholas Wolterstorff is a top drawer theologian who taught at Yale for years.He is a part of the evangelical Christian Reformed Church.
Lament for a Son
I am a mother grieving for the lost of a wonderful son. During my six month's grief journey I have read numereous books on how to walk this journey.I was in hopes that Nicholas Wolterstorff's book, "Lament for a Son" would be of comfort and enlightenment to me.I was wrong.Instead of uniting the grieving reader with him this book gave me very little comfort, instead it angered me.Instead of human speak Mr. Wolterstorff gave me academic speak.I will not be keeping this book, nor passing it on to another one in need.Respectfully, Hellen Spear, Glendora, CA

A Love Song
A friend of Professor Wolterstorff once said that he had bought a copy of this book for every member of his family to read.Prof. Wolterstorff, finding that odd since the book is a meditation on the death of his son, asked why.His friend said he did so because the book was a love song.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Bereavement    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Children    4. Christian Life    5. Death    6. Death, Grief, Bereavement    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Fathers and sons    9. Parenting - General    10. Psychological aspects    11. Psychology And Christianity    12. Family    13. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    14. Psychology    15. Wolterstorff, Nicholas   

Reviews (21)

Profoundly moving book about what it means to live life
This is a profoundly moving book by a sensitive and caring author that will definitely bring tears to your eyes. It's a beautifully written book that provides true stories of love, compassion, and enduring love through living and dying; an inspiring read not to be missed!

I really liked this book and wanted more...
The short chapters make this an easy book to pick up and read. It was also a quick read.It is a book I will return to again and again.I have met Dr. Janis Amatuzio and she is a captivating speaker.The subject matter was very interesting and also personally comforting.The only reason I did not give it 5 stars, is that I wish it was longer.

Life After Death, A Scientist's Perspective.
Memories (good, bad and otherwise) are forever ours.Six years of good memories crashed down in April, and my world became topsy-turvy.Everything went wrong.How could he have suddenly turned into a tyrant?Last April, Tristan died in a car wreck and gave me an extra year to live, for which I felt much guilt.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Amatuzio, Janis    2. Biography    3. Death    4. Death, Grief, Bereavement    5. Forensic Psychology    6. Forensic pathologists    7. Inspirational    8. Physicians    9. Psychology    10. Religious aspects    11. Thanatology    12. United States    13. Body, Mind & Spirit / Personal Transformation    14. Mind, body, spirit: reincarnation & past lives   

Reviews (8)

Some Closure
Joyce Rupp gives techniques to overcome many of the "goodbyes" a person faces in a life time.I found the chapter on Praying our Goodbyes particularly helpful. It does not take away the loss but helps one deal with it.

Beautiful book
I loved the book, and the prayers in it. It was very gentle and healing, and I will use it many times in the future.

Empowering read
This book gave me the courage to leave a place I had lived and loved for 22 years and move to another state. Her descriptions of the loss I felt are right on. I have gifted this book to numerous friends who are facing loss of many kinds. If you're looking for a comforting book on the spirituality of change, this is it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Devotional    4. Devotional exercises    5. Farewells    6. Inspirational - General    7. Loss (Psychology)    8. Prayerbooks - Christian    9. Religion    10. Religion - Classic Works    11. Religious aspects    12. Christian spirituality   

Reviews (3)

A MUST read
I don't know why there aren't hundreds of reviews on this book, because it's absolutely magic. If you're looking for comfort and evidence, buy it! I am grateful Elizabeth shared her insights with us, readers. As I am in the learning process of becoming an animal communicator myself, I am doing research in reading as much as I can. But first of all I am a grieving person who's animal friend recently died and I am besides myself with grief over this loss. Elizabeth shares her knowledge that all is as it's supposed to be. She enlights, she has such insight, and yet, as a scientifically educated woman, she does not take things for granted. The care-humans (as she calls them) of the pets, deceased or alive, acknowledge her words over and over again. Facts. I read this book of 143 page's in one day, up to late at night. Just couldn't stop. It was one of the most beautiful gifts I received. So just buy it :-)
would you like to see how an animal views death?read this book
Judging from the response to this book, not many people buy this book, but a lot of people see the site.That said, I found this book to be quite intriguing.Like "1smileycat", I had to recently put down my favorite pet (in my case, my beloved dog of 10 years).I actually found out about this book from looking at 1smileycat's profile (so thanks :) )and bought it.Severino's book is a nice read and offers an interesting view of dying, death, and euthanasia- all, as the title suggests, told from an animal's point of view.A good read and definite recommendation for anyone grieving the loss of a loved pet.

Be open minded while reading this book.
I truely enjoyed "The Animals' Viewpoint on Dying, Death, and Euthanasia" by Elizabeth Severino, D.D., D.R.S, animal communicator.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Animal Rights    2. Animals    3. Death & Dying    4. General    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Domestic animals & pets    8. Pets / General   

Reviews (22)

Cleanse your soul with this journal!
One of my friends gave me this journal after the death of my father in 1998. It has helped me "cleanse my soul" of the grief and heartache and pain of losing someone who your world revolves around. It has helped me so much so, that I have purchased large quantities of these journals to give to people as my own personal ministry to them. Somehow the "giving" of these journals makes my father's death a little easier to live with - in fact almost 6 years later - it still does. There are days I just go back to read the things I wrote and am conforted by my progress in healing and hope others I have given them to along the way are as well.
COMFORTING/SAFE PLACE
A few weeks after my mom died, I ordered this book. I reviewed it in the book store and decided it was a fit for my loss and mourning process.
To help you through your period of mourning
A dear friend bought me this book within days of me losing my husband to cancer.We all have different ways of dealing with death, and as a young widow of 33, this book was an important piece in the process of helping me confront my grief.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Blank Books / Diaries / Memory Books    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Non-Classifiable    4. Self-Help    5. Biography: general    6. Mind, Body, Spirit    7. Loss (Psychology)    8. Grief    9. Bereavement    10. Blank Books/Journals    11. Journals    12. Blank books   

Reviews (11)

A gift
I gave this book to some dear friends, to read to their 3 year old daughter when one of their baby twins died aged 8 months.I didn't give them the book until 6 months after the event and this felt right...that a little time had passed....it would have been too overwhelming at the time.The parents thought it was a very, very special book and said that it came at the right time and with a beautiful message.

Buy one to keep and several to give as thoughtful gifts....
This book is a "must have" for anyone going through the loss of a loved one...not just for children! A friend recommended this book to us after the death of our 9 yr. old son in Aug. 2003.It has been a great source of comfort for our entire family!We have also started collecting items with dragonflies on them; and surprisingly enough, they are everywhere!Our son's gravestone even has a dragonfly lasered on it, as a reminder of the meaning behind the book...we are sure we will see him again, when we "turn into a dragonfly".

Beautiful, heartfelt and inspiring
After having lost our son Adam in a drowning accident, I wanted a book to read to our children, ages 9 and 13 so that they could understand the concept of death.The book not only helped them but also helped my husband and I in our mourning.I recommend this book highly to anyone in the position of explaining or experiencing the loss of a loved one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children and death    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Christianity    4. Death    5. Death, Grief, Bereavement    6. General    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Psychology    10. Religion - Christianity - General    11. Religious aspects    12. Social Issues - Death & Dying    13. Child care & upbringing    14. Coping with death & bereavement   

Reviews (1)

A Superb Textbook!
Death, Society, and the Human Experience is a wonderful textbook!I have been using it in my class The Sociology of Death and Dying for the past four years.This book provides the information necessary to any real understanding and examination of societal assumptions and attitudes toward death and dying.It not only enhances the knowledge of the student but provides the groundwork for new readers in the field.The book is a beautiful presentation of stimulating facts that will help everyone confront death and dying in a more personal and lasting manner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Death    2. Death & Dying    3. Death And Dying (Sociological Aspects)    4. Death, Grief, Bereavement    5. Psychological aspects    6. Social Science    7. Social aspects    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. Thanatology    11. Social Science / Sociology / General