Beyond One's Own: Healing Humanity in the Wake of Personal Tragedy [Paperback]

Gabriel Constans (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

Events that could, and often do, crush us psychologically and physically can also be used for personal transformation and growth. There are some individuals that find hope and opportunity in the midst of adversity. They reach out to help others find comfort and healing. Some attempt (and succeed) to change laws, institutions, policies, and assumptions.

Beyond One’s Own: Healing Humanity In The Wake Of Personal Tragedy explores the lives of fifteen remarkable individuals who have grieved, survived, and found renewed meaning, purpose, and hope after the death of their beloved child, spouse, sibling, mother, father, or grandparent.

Join author, bereavement counselor Gabriel Constans, as he meets with Leah Rabin, Le Ly Hayslip, Maggie and Reg Green, Jeanne White, Hazel Johnson, Lee Mun Wah, Nané Alejandrez, Candace Lightner, and others to discover how ordinary human beings find the strength, courage, and tenacity to overcome the worst that can happen, climb out of the pits of devastation, and help heal humanity in the wake of personal tragedy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

One would think that a collection of interviews with people who have used their grief to change the world would be fascinating and inspirational. However, in this case, one would be wrong. Although the 15 individuals profiled here are incredible--they recount, among other things, the formation of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation--bereavement counselor Constans fails to harness the power of their stories. Instead of highlighting common issues among the narratives and presenting an argument for the benefits of transformative grief, he merely offers verbatim reports of his interviewees' answers, bad grammar, and historical ignorance (one interviewee declared that the Holocaust didn't really affect Jewish people until 1943). Compounding those offenses is Constans's smarmy introductions to the interviews, which describe the weather and surroundings. Such details leave the reader asking, "Who cares?"--and in a book that's supposed to be rousing, that's a bad thing. Not recommended.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

A deeply moving work - highly recommended for hospice workers, grief counselors and ministers and as a powerful affirmation for life. -- NAPRA ReView, Nov/Dec 2001

These are lessons on living that come direct from experience. I hope this book infuses us all with its wisdom. -- Ellen Bass, co-author of The Courage to Heal

This book is an inspiration to both the bereaved and those who support them. -- Lynne Ann DeSpelder, author The Last Dance: Encountering Death and Dying

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 238 pages
• Publisher: Crossquarter Pub Group (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890109355
• ISBN-13: 978-1890109356
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,354,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible tales of grief and survival, September 30, 2001

By 

Leti Parnell (santa cruz, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond One's Own: Healing Humanity in the Wake of Personal Tragedy (Paperback)

I have never read anything like this book before. It is full of real peoples amazing stories of unthinkable events. The stories are presented so personally and intimately I was first shocked that the author was able to meet these people for the first time and have them open up so freely. I was thankful that I was able to hear these stories as if I were the author sitting at these people's kitchen table as they divulged some of the most intense trauma's and losses that I have ever heard. The beauty and hope that comes out of these strong stories are a true gift to the reader especially since so many of us have felt such enormous grief throughout our own lives. Thank you and enjoy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beginning in Healing Humanity, October 14, 2001

By 

Emmi Schambeck (Boulder Creek, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond One's Own: Healing Humanity in the Wake of Personal Tragedy (Paperback)

This book is extremely important and appropriate for our current times. It is a piece of hope. I hope that the courageus people in this book will be seen as role models on how to overcome and teach goodness, rather then destroy and get even after a personal tragedy.
I read this book in awe of these heroes who so openly discuss their intimate experiences for the good of humanity.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration for Our Times, October 8, 2001

By 

Rob R (Paradise, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond One's Own: Healing Humanity in the Wake of Personal Tragedy (Paperback)

An in depth and masterful compilation that demonstrates how people have transformed their sorrow and grief with forgiveness and positive actions. " Beyond One's Own : Healing Humanity in the Wake of Personal Tragedy" displays again and again the strength and creativity of humans in crisis. This timely book presents intimate stories we can use as models and inspiration in this time of crisis.