Reviews (17)

Letters from Motherless Daughters
Wonderful help and encouragement to an empty broken heart. Just knowing others feel the same who have experienced such loss.

You are not alone
You will find, as I did, while reading this book, that daughters of women who have died are not alone.What a relief to me to know, at the age of 30+, that I wasn't crazy because I still want my mother when I'm sick, down, or just want to talk.I was eight when my mother succumbed to cancer within ten days of diagnosis--needless to say, we were shocked--I'm still shocked.
Good book.
Several years ago, Hope Edelman wrote a book that was supposed to help women deal with the loss of a mother. She did this so that other women would not have to go through the ordeal she did. Specifically, the ordeal of not having an adequate reference for dealing with such a tragedy. Read more

Subjects:  1. Death / Grief / Consolation    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Deprivation (Psychology)    4. Interpersonal Relations    5. Maternal deprivation    6. Mothers and daughters    7. Psychology    8. Family & Relationships / Death, Grief, Bereavement   

Reviews (23)

No Two Biblical Interpretations May Coexist
I open with a Bible verse from the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 verse 40, "and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well;"Any Biblical literalist who is willing to put that verse into action, I am willing to listen to.In the meantime tremendous quantities of words by certain sectors of the self avowed Biblically correct have been spilled out upon this book in these reviews.A universal anger among certain of the devout permeates an assessment of how God allows free will to act.I am so glad that my fellow man feels free to impose his interpretations of Scripture on me as writ large by God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and him or her self as the case may be.Amateur exegesis at this level is awe inspiring if for nothing more than its intolerant virulence.Obviously, a preponderance of the readers of this book as reflected in these threads are offended by Boyd's proposition that God is not the direct author of every evil event in the world and the cosmos.
Hypocrisy of Boyd and His Church
I have been told positive things about Boyd and had intended to read this book on spiritual warfare. I have also attended a few of his services with my brother in the Twin Cities; however, after my most recent contact with his church, requesting assistance against the VERY SPIRITUAL WARFARE he writes about in his books, I no longer have faith in or desire to read anything he writes.
Not all things that happen are God's will
Boyd explores the idea that not everything that happens in our world is God's will.He develops the thesis that we were created with true free will, which necessitates the possibility of things happening which God does not want to happen.The practical implication in regards to suffering is that when we suffer, God suffers with us, rather than causing our suffering for some higher purpose.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - General    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Good and evil    4. Religion    5. Religion - Theology    6. Spiritual warfare    7. Theodicy   

Reviews (11)

Very Informative, Easy to understand
I am currently a student at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Services in NYC and this is the textbook we use for our classes. I find the book very easy to follow and it makes the embalming and dying process, both Antemortem and Postmortem clear. I would definately recommend this book.

ABSOLUTELY MESMERIZING BODY OF WORK!
Since I am not a funeral director but have been interested in the profession (I used to work with friends on the east coast), I could not put the book down because it captured and sustained my interest. As a novice reader to the mortuary profession, I could not believe how much technical information you had to know. It is almost like becoming a physician. Although the diagrams/pictures were not in color, just having them spiked and fueled my interest -- with actual embalming techniques. Amusing Topic, Dull Style
Ths tyle that this book was written in is pretty dran boring, but then again, it is a textbook, and they're supposed to be dull, I reckon. The section on the history of embalming is a bit sparse and the legal requirements will put one to sleep, but the actual theory and practice I found to be quite informative, if somewhat out-of-date. I wish the pictures were in colour (at least some of them) as the balck-and-white rendering defeats the purpose of some of them; for example, we are shown an example of someone who died from carbon monoxide poisoning in which the extremitieas are shown to be bright red -- a characteristic of that type of death -- and the picture illustrating this is not in colour, so one really does not get any additional information from it. There are chapters on dealing with "unusual" deaths -- hanging, refrigeration, poisoning, etc., positioning problems, the methods of aspirating the various sections of the body, organ and tissue donors, care of the autopsied body, embalming of infants and those in various stages of decomposition and most other relevant topics, but I would hate for this to be one's only source -- there are better texts available and of course nothing can beat hands-on experience. This may be a good place for an interested party to start, but I think a more modern text would be in order for actual funeral practice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - General    2. Embalming    3. Forensic Medicine    4. Medical    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Terminal Care    7. Medical / Allied Health Services / General    8. Mortuary practice   

Editorial Review

Time does not heal all wounds, warns grief counselor Donna Schuurman in her brave and practical book about the challenges adults face in coming to terms with the loss of a parent before age 18. Her premise in Read more

Reviews (5)

A "Keeper!"
This practical, sensible guide has a permanent place on my bookshelf.Like a stone thrown in a pond, the death of parent will impact a child or teen forever.Anything to ease this process is a gem.

Wow, What a Gem!
Never The Same is a book that weaves a straight talking, light-hearted tone with accurate academic information. My father died when I was eleven and through my subsequent studies, I can see the relevancy of its contents. The First Book of Its Kind
If you, or anyone you know, had a parent die in childhood, drop everything and read this book. Dr. Schuurman's wisdom, humor, and conventional style engages the reader with thought-provoking insight and practical suggestions. This is not 'just another' self-help book: it could, quite literally, change lives.Read more

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

Reviews (3)

Not for all motherless daughters
I happened upon this book because a friend of mine suggested a book called "Motherless Daughters". This book came up in the search and I thought a workbook would be a great idea. What the description does not tell you is that this book is targeted solely to women that lost their mothers when they were children or teens. It is not geared towards women that lost their mothers as adults. In the forward, Gail Eisenberg states she responded to an add that specifically wanted women who lost their mothers during childhood and adolescence for this book. In chapter 2 the book states whether you were a young child or a college student..."This book may be great for women who lost mothers during childhood or adolescence but it does not address nor is it designed to address the needs of women like myself who lost mothers after our 20's - adult women . If you lost your mother when you were an adult, this book was not intended for you. The authors or amazon probably should have noted that somewhere for grieving women in seek of help.

It helps you heal
There is nothing like the loss of a mother. I bought the book, worked through the work book, and joined a yahoo group called motherless daughters. I owe a lot of my courage to live on to the book and wonderful people I met.

Understanding and healing
I found this book to be extremely helpful as I went through the process of mourning the loss of my mother.It helped in so many ways!I was able to understand my mixed feelings.I felt almost like I had lost myidentity--but this book, chapter by chapter helped me work through all mydifferent emotions.I feel like I am no longer lost-without the"anchor" of my family!I remember joyfully all the happy familytimes with my mother and I feel I have come to know a lot more about theperson she was-I highly recommend this book to anyone who has lost theirmother recently or many years ago! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bereavement    2. Death    3. Death, Grief, Bereavement    4. Grief    5. Mental Health    6. Mothers    7. Problems, exercises, etc    8. Psychological aspects    9. Psychology    10. Self-Help    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (2)

A plain-terms guide to coping with an often harsh reality
Living With Grief: A Guide for Your First Year of Grieving is a brief yet compassionate book written by expert authors who have dedicated their lives to working with people who have survived great loss. Simple tips and advice for dealing with difficult times and seemingly overpowering emotions reverberate with timeless wisdom - don't worry about contacting people, expect to be distracted, understand that grief has no schedule, counsel on how to deal with troublesome dreams, what to do when faith is shattered, and more. A plain-terms guide to coping with an often harsh reality, highly recommended.
Caring and Comfort during the first year of grieving
Brook Noel and Pamela Blair have put together a straight forward guide for anyone who is suffering the loss of a loved one. At a time when we are so lost it is comforting to have a book like this one to turn to. Thank you both for your insight into this painful subject, that sooner or later affects us all.Read more

Subjects:  1. Death / Grief / Consolation    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Family & Relationships / Death, Grief, Bereavement    4. Self-Help    5. Self-Help / Death, Grief, Bereavement    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family & Relationships/Death, Grief, Bereavement    8. Topical/Death/Dying   

Reviews (1)

So much help
I lost my husband in November 2005,even as I write this it doesn't seem
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Baptists    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Christianity - Christian Life - Suffering & Grief    5. Consolation    6. Religion    7. Religion - Christian Life    8. Sermons    9. Sermons, American    10. Coping with death & bereavement    11. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works   

Reviews (29)

Widow to Widow
This book is a must for anyone who is a widow. My husband died last year, and this book helped me look at many of the routine but-so-very-important questions and feelings that I was having; it was very comforting to know that they were normal, and someone did understand.

Equals C.S. Lewis in honesty and depth of emotion
This book saved me. I have read it twice and the heartfelt emotion of grief speaks clearly in every chapter. I gave it to a friend who had recently become widowed at a young age and it helped her with her grief enormously. Since that time, I have had several requests for the book, and I am going to order additional copies to loan out.
Best book on grief ever
This is a beautifully written, moving book.I am a minister and have read widely about grief since I deal with it often in my work.This is hands-down the best book on grief I have read.I use it often in my work with grieving individuals, and in sermons.I am very grateful to Stephanie Ericsson for sharing her experiences and wisdom. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bereavement    2. Death    3. Death, Grief, Bereavement    4. Ericsson, Stephanie,    5. Grief    6. Psychological aspects    7. Self-Help    8. Ericsson, Stephanie    9. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (8)

Graceful Passages helpful during rough times
This book was given to me and my family by a hospice nurse last month when my Aunt was dying.Many family members read it during her last days here on earth and it helped them immensely.This is a wonderful book that helps explain what your loved one is experiencing and why they are doing what they are doing.
It's sure to bring you peace
After losing my beloved step-mom to pancreatic cancer in April after a 6 month battle, I felt so lost and angry.A friend suggested I listen to a Cd (graceful Passages), I did and couldn't believe how calm and peaceful it made me feel. Comforting words, are accompanied by fantastic soothing music that brings out every emotion. I use it now like a breathing exercise in meditation.It's absolutely transforming.Remember too, it's a companion for LIVING!!! Mary Elsener

Stunningly Beautiful - Compelling
I do not have words strong enough to express my admiration and appreciation of this CD.The music is gorgeous and the words are very spiritual.The combination is very moving and full of love.This CD has the power to transform.It would be a bargain at 4 times the price, and I do not say this lightly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Inspiration & Personal Growth    4. New Age    5. New Age Movement    6. Psychology    7. Body, Mind & Spirit / Personal Transformation    8. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness   

Reviews (14)

TheSuicidal Mind, Autopsy of the Suicidal Mind
Both of these books written by Edwin Shneidman Ph.D are insightful and stimulating reading.They make for good starter texts for people interested in suicide because they are so well written. Dr. Shneidman is arguably the dean ofAmerican Sucidology. They are just very informative and accessible.These are must reads.

Life saving book for the suicidally inclined academic or intellectual
My physician gave me this book a few weeks back.I've been dragging along the bottom of the gravel pit lately and reading Suicidial Mind helped.The sections I found particularly helpful for fighting depression's undertow are:
Accurate, Scientific, Not Immediate Cure for Suicidal People
From my point of view, this book draws a very good picture about the suicidal mind.It mentioned why and how people become suicidal and how early intervention can help healing this mind.I like the way the author presents the topic suicide.He presented it in an academic and scientific way, which is a great way for others to understand suicidal thinking.It has valuable case studies and scientific research for others to understand the topic of suicide.It is for professionals, friends, family and significant others who are associated with the suicidal individuals to read, for the sake of understanding their judgmental mind and their "incurable" psychological pain.This book creates a bridge for others to understand what is on suicidal individuals' head and why these individuals are reluctant in seeking help (the emperor in their head that now becomes the dictator, which eliminates the option for the depressed/anxious individuals to choose how to live life).
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Subjects:  1. Emotions    2. Psychology    3. Psychopathology - General    4. Suicide    5. Philosophy    6. Psychiatry    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / Suicide    8. Psychology | Clinical   

Reviews (14)

A pioneer work with Dr. Moody's
I first read Dr. Morse's collection of near-death experiences in the mid-1980s when death was only an academic subject for a thiry-something person. I was fascinated by the accounts he and physician Raymond Morse had collected from patients and felt a sense of reassurance that the compiler was a scientist. The stories are so compelling, it is hard to put down the book. These reports changed my outlook on life. Now, about two decades later, this book makes it easier to accept a most shattering loss, the passing of my partner and husband of 33 years. However, I'm more drawn now, not to the accounts of "tourists," who have gone and come back, but the permanent residents whom mediums like George Anderson have interviewed.

My Fav. NDE Books- I've Been There Too
One day in 1995 I died, and had a NDE. Ever since then, I've been reading everything I can on the subject.According to most stories I've read, I had an unusual one, not going down a tunnel, but experiencing many interesting phenomena all the same. It seems to me that there are some NDE books and magazine articles that are just hype, and published just to give recognition. I have found, through my many years and multitudes of books on the subject, that there is an underlining truth and spirit that pervades the true experiences. So, I have compiled a list of my best reads for NDE books - ones that I consider genuine and adding validating light to the personal NDE experience. I have left out compilations, these are personal narratives. I hope you enjoy them too.
Informing and Compelling
After reading many books by several empowering authors such as Betty Eadie, John Edward, Sylvia Browne, and Tiffany Snow, that I am still reading, my life has opened up to me in such a compelling and wonderful way. This new book is well written, and thought provoking. There are great transforming authors, who shift the consciousness of humankind in a way never known before, and have the courage to reveal their paranormal experiences. "Closer" is one of these. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Death    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. General    4. Near-death experiences    5. New Age    6. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    7. New Age / Parapsychology    8. Religious aspects    9. Spiritualism - General    10. Body, Mind & Spirit / Parapsychology    11. Mind, body, spirit: reincarnation & past lives   

Editorial Review

The introduction in this wise book mentions something that author David Kuhl learned from his years of working with the terminally ill: "I didn't know how to talk to them about dying."In Read more

Reviews (4)

Readable and valuable
As pointed out in a previous review, this is not a book with the most up-to-date research and theory on grief, loss, and dying. But then, if it were, it would lose its primary audience, ordinary people. If you have done a lot of work in this area then you may not find much new, though I think the book is still a refreshing read. But it is a book I could recommend for many patients and family members, as well as some caregivers who may not have had much education and experience with grieving people. As a physician, I doubt that the book is too "basic" for most colleagues who are not in high-mortality specialties.

rational guide to understanding the needs of the dying
This book explores the rational needs of the dying and is well written and easy to understand, in parts engaging though a bit lengthy. Not Only for the Terminally Ill
This book has the ability to change the lives of any person. It is geared towards the terminally ill, however, due to my profession and my past personal experience with the terminally ill, I thought I might reach a better understanding of what one goes through and expects from us when dying but doesn't out right say. Page 18 changed the way I thought about dying. "If I am living the way I would like to be living then my death, if inevitable, shouldn't pose a fear within myself." It is an overall wonderful book that helps us see what we can do to help the person who is terminally ill and helps us prepare to make our lives more meaningful in the case that we are ever deamed that way ourselves. Some people say to become terminally ill was a gift to them, showed them things they'd never noticed before, however noone wants to die. This book is a gift! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Death / Grief / Consolation    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Medical    4. Terminal Care    5. Coping with death & bereavement    6. Death & dying   

Reviews (3)

Helpful
Answers important question widows face. My Mom
Wow, it is 2001, 15 years after my Mom left this world and here I sit with technology that did not exist when she was living.I thought for kicks that I would look up her name and her last book popped up.She finished it the day before she died!She was one of the most extraordinary humans I have ever met.I hope her words continue to help those in need - they helped me! A must have book for widows.
When my husband died, a friend brought me this book.I felt the last thing I wanted was a book about widowhood.But, when I opened the cover and started reading, I knew I had found what I needed.Lynn Caine knowshow it feels to lose a husband.She offers a practical and understandingapproach to being a widow. I now pass this book on to other widows. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Death, Grief, Bereavement    2. Joy and sorrow    3. Life skills guides    4. Psychology    5. Self-Help    6. Sociology - Marriage & Family    7. United States    8. Widows    9. Women's Studies - General    10. Self-Help / Death, Grief, Bereavement   

Reviews (40)

Coping With Sorrowon the Loss of Your Pet
My best friend died 1.5 years ago and I still miss her terribly - she was my 15 year old cat.This book was very useful to me during my time of intense mourning.While I know that her loss was a significant and horrible event in my life, recognition of the death of animal companions is not common in our society.This book helped me to see that I was not alone in my grief and that it was okay and normal to feel such grief.I actually purchased several books on this topic and found this one to be the best.

Some help & understanding through difficult loss
After my best friend of 12 1/2 years Skipper passed away in early 2005, I was a wreck and needed some grounding. This book offered empathy for the loss of my dog & helped me understand the feelings I had at the time. This book won't erase the pain, but it offers objectivity...God Bless all of man's best friends.

exceptional !!!!!!
Coping With Sorrow On The Loss Of Your Pet (second edition) - Book Review
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Subjects:  1. Bereavement    2. Death    3. Death, Grief, Bereavement    4. General    5. Pet owners    6. Pets    7. Psychological aspects    8. Psychology    9. Domestic animals & pets   

Reviews (6)

Care for the Dead...and Their Hard-Earned Savings!
In "Caring for the Dead," Lisa Carlson provides both an informative guide to DIY funerals and cremations, as well as a searing expos� of the funeral and cemetery industries.
Read it before you die!
This book is a must-read before you pre-buy your funeral and accoutrements. Caught planning someone else's funeral? Take time to read this book. This book has a load of legal information and practical advice to keep you from being scammed by those who are pros and have a ready audience in grieving people. Gets 10 Stars from Me
This is the update version of her original Caring For Your Own Dead and what I said about that book applies here. Lost count of the number of copies of this book I have bought, but I love giving it as a gift, and have used it myself actually when helping friends build plain pine burial boxes and oak burial boxes for loved ones.Read more

Subjects:  1. Burial laws    2. Death    3. Death & Dying    4. Death, Grief, Bereavement    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Family/Marriage    8. Funeral rites and ceremonies    9. Handbooks, manuals, etc    10. States    11. United States    12. Recovery   

Editorial Review

Deborah Layton was, by her own account, a typical rebellious youth, with nothing in her dossier to indicate that she would eventually find herself in Jim Jones's People's Temple in Guyana, looking for a way out of the green hell that had become the People's Temple Agricultural Project. She barely escaped in June 1978. Within months, more than 900 people drank Jones's cyanide punch and committed "revolutionary suicide" in the face of mounting stateside pressure on the cult, some of it prompted by Layton's own testimonials upon her safe return home. Her brother, Larry, also survived, and as one of the few left alive in Guyana became a scapegoat for Jones's crimes; he is now serving a life sentence in federal prison. Read more

Reviews (227)

This is a must read book!!
When I was growing up I remember my parents referring a couple of times to Jim Jones, but only in passing. It wasn't until this year when my husband and I went in a movie store and rent Guyana Tragedy that my jaw dropped and the light in my head came on. I had no idea what had happened. I knew that there was a mass "suicide" but nothing describes it, there are no words. So I decided to read this book. It took me only two evenings to finish it. I have to say that Debbie is an amazing person. We all have things in our past...the old saying goes "some of use have skeletons in our closets, others have graveyards..." It is good that Debbie is talking to her daughter about her past and being honest. Communication is SO important and it is the one thing that causes more divorce, domestic violence, and child abuse. Lack of communication.
A story that needed to be told
Deborah Layton's story of her involvement with The People's Temple and Jim Jones is a harrowing one. It is an incredible read. It is also unfortunately sad that it is true and not fiction.
EXTREMELY well-written
It's clear to see that Deborah Layton comes from very strong intellectual stock. This first time writer's prose is beautiful, immediate and truly captures the misguided socialist philosophy and desperation of her experience. VERY highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1931-1978    2. 1953-    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Jones, Jim,    7. Jonestown Mass Suicide, Jonestown, Guyana, 1978    8. Layton, Deborah,    9. Peoples Temple    10. Religious    11. Religious Cults    12. Biography & Autobiography / General    13. Jones, Jim    14. Layton, Deborah   

Reviews (3)

Worthy of praise
A well written book, sensitive and thoughtful.Congratulations to the author and publisher for sharing this book with the public and those who are in a time of transition.This is a valuable book and important tool in the recovery process.As the author of another book on coping, "Shovel It: nature's health plan" and speaker on this topic, I admire Metzgar's compassion for a topic many avoid discussing. Thumbs up.

The journey of grief . . . .
In her book, A TIME TO MOURN, A TIME TO DANCE, Margaret Metzgar gently and with such beauty in her words and photography, shares how to emotionally heal from a loss. This isn't just a step by step book on how to deal with grief--this is a book about losses, and what to expect as we work through the pain until we're on the other side. Until I read this book, it never dawned on me that we experience losses all the time! In a sense, we experience grief every day; the loss of a job or a pet, of being a homeowner, or being a full-time wife and mother, or having a friend move away. Loss isn't just about when a loved one passes away. Read A TIME TO MOURN, A TIME TO DANCE, and enjoy the words to help you or a friend heal from a life's many losses.

Thank you for a beautiful book
One of the things I appreciate the most about this book is that it talks about so many kinds of losses, not just death. It made it feel like an OK part of life. It was an easy read and the photography added to the very peaceful feel. I would recomend this book to anyone experiencing any kind of change or loss in their life. The section on children was also exceptional. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Death / Grief / Consolation    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Mental Health    4. Self-Help   

Subjects:  1. Bereavement    2. Death    3. Death & Dying    4. Death / Grief / Consolation    5. Death, Grief, Bereavement    6. Religious aspects    7. Social Science    8. Sociology   

Reviews (1)

Want to become a CNA?
This book is a wonderful guide to get you on your way to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant. This is a wonderful career to have in the medical field. Helping people as a CNA is extremely rewarding.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Health Care Delivery    3. Medical    4. Medical / Nursing    5. Nursing - Fundamentals & Skills    6. Nursing - Issues    7. Terminal Care    8. Medical / Nursing / General    9. Medicine: General Issues    10. Nursing