Exploring Forgiveness [Paperback]

Robert D. Enright (Editor), Joanna North (Editor), Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1998

Pioneers in the study of forgiveness, Robert Enright and Joanna North have compiled a collection of twelve essays ranging from a first-person account of the mother of a murdered child to an assessment of the United States’ post-war reconciliations with Germany and Vietnam. This book explores forgiveness in interpersonal relationships, family relationships, the individual and society relationship, and international relations through the eyes of philosophers and educators as well as a psychologist, police chief-turned-minister, law professor, sociologist, psychiatrist, social worker, and theologian.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Robert Enright and Joanna North have produced a truly remarkable book on a subject of enormous relevance to our troubled world. I commend it to anyone who wants to wrestle seriously with one of the toughest issues that faces humankind—how to deal positively with real and deep offenses. Such offenses occur, both in our private lives and in larger society. Here are some penetrating concepts and practical ideas on how to creatively deal with those offenses through forgiveness. Surprising and powerful thoughts confront you as you read these pages on how to achieve true and lasting forgiveness.”—Millard Fuller, founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International

“Exploring Forgiveness is a most significant contribution to the growing body of literature on the most critical challenge facing human existence today: can people who have been injured and wronged surmount their hostilities and live together in peace?”—Lewis B. Smedes, professor emeritus of theology and ethics, Fuller Theological Seminary

“From Desmond Tutu’s Foreword to Robert Enright’s comprehensive bibliography, this is a book worth reading. Someday we may speak, in one breath, of Kohlberg’s moral stages, Gilligan’s ethical voices, and Enright’s units of forgiveness.”—John Snarey, professor of human development and ethics, Emory University --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Robert D. Enright is professor in the Educational Psychology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is president of the International Forgiveness Institute at UW-Madison, has lectured across the country, and has appeared on ABC News 20/20. Joanna North is a freelance writer and teaches philosophy at the University of London. She has appeared on British television and radio and has published articles on the philosophy of forgiveness.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press; 1 edition (April 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0299157741
• ISBN-13: 978-0299157746
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert D. Enright is professor in the Educational Psychology Department at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is president of the International Forgiveness Institute at UWMadison, has lectured across the country, and has appeared on ABC News 20/20.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Pioneering Work on the Power of Forgiveness, August 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Exploring Forgiveness (Paperback)

In the first chapter, the two editors state that this book emerged out of the very first conference ever held on the topic of interpersonal forgiveness at any university. That fact alone is worth picking up this book. Besides this, you will be challenged to see how forgiveness fits into a wide variety of areas such as family studies, psychotherapy, law and politics. In every chapter there are golden nuggets of information about how to successfully apply forgiveness to help people's lives. Even Desmond Tutu's brief foreword is filled with great ideas (he even seemed to derive the title of his popular book on forgiveness from one of the sentences in that foreword). Marietta Jaeger's tender story of forgiving the murderer of her daughter will make you weep. This book successfully explores forgiveness and readers are the beneficiaries.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forgiveness:Excellant, February 18, 2008

By 

Alan R. Schaefer (Kenosha, Wi USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exploring Forgiveness (Paperback)

This book is a multidiciplinary collection of essays and research reports on forgiveness: philisophical, psychological, religious, legal, law enforcement, sociological and political. Each author dicusses the study and impact of forgiveness in their specialty field as of the date of publication.

"Forgiveness" is a thought provoking springboard for anyone interested in improving interpersonal relationships, justice in our society, and peace in our world. The reader is compelled to conclude that a clearer development of the concept of forgiveness and the study of the best means to promote forgiveness should be the life work of our brightest minds. Forgiveness study, education and implementation is just as important as ecology to save the human race. This book is a cause for hope.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Power of Forgiveness, March 24, 2011

By 

William D. Curnutt "Pastor Dan" (Wichita, KS, United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Exploring Forgiveness (Paperback)

This book was suggested to me by one of my trainers with Peacemaker Ministry. Forgiveness is a tough subject and one of the main action verbs that needs to occur when people are in conflict with each other. The act of forgiveness has the power to change the outcome of any conflict or to at least change the outcome of our response to any conflict or pain that has been inflicted upon us.

I like the fact that this book is a collection of essays from professionals in many different walks of life. Essay's come from counselor's, psychologist, philosophers, a former Police Chief, an Episcopal Priest, a lawyer, the president of a Seminary and a professor of education. They each approach the subject of forgiveness from their expertise and personal backgrounds.

It is interesting that many of the articles compliment each other. The editors have done a good job of placing the articles in such a way that they build on the subject and give you a broad perspective.

As a pastor I did not agree with everything that was said, but I was very challenged that the religious and the secular realm both see the need for forgiveness and the healing power that it has for people in pain.

This is a good resource book for anyone who is counseling or mediating/arbitrating for people in conflict.

Enjoy!