Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions [Paperback]

Roberta M. Gilbert (Author), Roberta Gilbert (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 047134690X | ISBN-13: 978-0471346906 | Publication Date: December 6, 1992 | Edition: 1

Turn any Relationship into an Extraordinary Relationship "A refreshing alternative to common self-help approaches." --Michael E. Kerr, M.D., Director, Georgetown Family Center, Washington, D.C. and coauthor with Dr. Murray Bowen of Family Evaluation After food, water, and shelter, relationships are the most important factors in determining your quality of life. At work, productivity and efficiency depend on relationships. At home, relationships with your spouse, children, and friends are keys to success and happiness. And among nations, relationships start and stop wars. This invaluable guide shows that only by further developing yourself can you further develop your relationships. Based on the innovative family systems theory pioneered by the late Dr. Murray Bowen, this important and penetrating book offers practical and authoritative family therapy advice that has helped thousands of people throughout the last three decades. It's a blueprint to better relationships that tells how the principles of family systems theory can be used in all arenas of your life, including intimate relationships, friendships, family relationships, single life, workplace relationships, international relationships, and your relationship with yourself. "A perfect and unpretentious primer of family relationships . a relief to read." --Dr. Walter Toman, Professor Emeritus, Erlangen-Nurnberg University, Germany, and author of Family Constellation

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Turn any Relationship into an Extraordinary Relationship "A refreshing alternative to common self-help approaches." —Michael E. Kerr, M.D., Director, Georgetown Family Center, Washington, D.C. and coauthor with Dr. Murray Bowen of Family Evaluation After food, water, and shelter, relationships are the most important factors in determining your quality of life. At work, productivity and efficiency depend on relationships. At home, relationships with your spouse, children, and friends are keys to success and happiness. And among nations, relationships start and stop wars. This invaluable guide shows that only by further developing yourself can you further develop your relationships. Based on the innovative family systems theory pioneered by the late Dr. Murray Bowen, this important and penetrating book offers practical and authoritative family therapy advice that has helped thousands of people throughout the last three decades. It’s a blueprint to better relationships that tells how the principles of family systems theory can be used in all arenas of your life, including intimate relationships, friendships, family relationships, single life, workplace relationships, international relationships, and your relationship with yourself. "A perfect and unpretentious primer of family relationships … a relief to read." —Dr. Walter Toman, Professor Emeritus, Erlangen-Nürnberg University, Germany, and author of Family Constellation

About the Author

Roberta Gilbert, M.D., is a psychiatrist in private practice and on the faculty of the Georgetown Family Center. She is also a consultant to therapists for case supervision at the Arlington Mental Health Center, Arlington, Virginia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (December 6, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047134690X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471346906
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent description of the road to better relationships, May 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions (Paperback)

This book presents in easily understandable form the Bowen family system theory approach to human interaction. This is a "systems" approach to better relationships in which eight carefully researched principles show how groups of individuals, such as a nuclear family, interact and what governs those interactions. Rather than present a few "how to" examples, the author presents the theory and uses examples in the process of explaining the theory. The idea is to teach the principles. By understanding these principles and how individuals interact as a system, people can improve their own lives and better understand how to resolve or avoid problems in families and groups of people by understanding and treating the underlying causes rather than the superficial symptoms. The book is very well written by the author who is a practicing psychiatrist and specialist in family therapy and, in particular, in Bowen family system theory. Highly recommended for parents, leaders in organizations, and those in the helping professions.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary approach to common interpersonal problems, August 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions (Paperback)

This book was a revelation. Finally an approach which doesn't place blame and encourages individuals to take responsibility for themselves without blaming others. Relationships can only get better if you become your own, whole person first. This theory applies not only to the relationships in ones own family but for all interpersonal relationships. This theory is obviously not well accepted within the psychology/psychiatry community. I wish my therapist had discussed this process.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first choice, June 22, 2000

By 

Israel Galindo (Richmond, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions (Paperback)

Whenever I'm asked to recommend a book on systems theory, I suggest Gilbert's book. She does an excellent job of accurately covering the theory, but an added bonus is her clear writing style, which makes often difficult concepts easier to digest. The book enjoys good organization. A good first choice for anyone needing an introduction to Bowen Family Systems Theory that focuses on relationships.