Customer Reviews

Bradshaw on the Family: A Revolutionary Way of Self Discovery

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I cant beleive this book isnt bein published anymore. it was a ground breaker for me. I came from a seriously dysfunctional and abusive "family"(the f-word to me). Before i read this book, i had no idea there was a logic or order to the chaos of an abusive household, I guess i was very naive. This book is the one that started me on my path to recovery from my past.

I discovered this book when it was first published . It was the only way may husband would get any "help" He has panic disorder and his family was not disfunctional in the way we think of it. no alcohol no physical abuse, But Oh the emotional abuse! The Bill of Rights in the back gave him the tools he needed to release himself from the tie that bound him to his very disfunctional family. Find it. Read it. It can change your life

I gave this book three stars because it does have some very useful, insightful information packed into it. I have two of the author's other books. However, what I've noticed with John Bradshaw is that he tries to do TOO much. Tries to pack TOO much in there- too much theorizing, too many abstract concepts and quotations, too much detail and diagrams and explanation- where it could just as easily be a much more concise and less repetitive read. The first two chapters feels like he's trying to justify his profession to somebody and the rest of the chapters feel like one long lecture. I'm also uncomfortable with his loose use of language, like with potentially misogynistic expressions such as "whoring" and "bitches" (aka nags). It's also confusing as to who is target audience is. Is it his patients? His colleagues? Other academics? People interested in history and philosophy...or his own family members? As an "adult child" trying to make sense of my dysfunctional family, what we need is more compassion and empathy and more examples of REAL-LIFE scenarios and analysis of these. Not philosophical analysis, justifications and persuasion based on his own personal motivations. For a better, more patient-focused and equally informative and useful book on dysfunctional families I would recommend John Friel and Linda Friel's "Adult Children: The Secrets of Dysfunctional Families" and "An Adult Child's Guide to What's Normal".

Probably the most important book written about the discovery of yourself through your family history. A real eye-opener on the social illness that is passed on from generation to generation in families. This book was used as a text in a college course, and was a great learning experience.

I think this is an excellent book and I feel like everyone should know about it. It was just the book I needed to read. Comprehensive, very understandable and for me full of revalations. I am so grateful for all his explanations of how various feelings come about, and it all "fitted" for me. I think the understandings that I have absorbed will begin a process in me.

I wanted the revised edition but it worked out either way. I got what I wanted, in great condition, and in great time. Thanks!

A must read for everyone. Better understanding my family history, I have the opportunity to make better choices for myself in present time.

I say, John Bradshaw for president.

With much love and gratitude for Mr Bradshaw`s work.

Sincerely,
Darryl Garcia

This book is terrible. Useless talk about"The inner child" and extremely poor writting mar this so-called self help book. Help yourself, don't read it