Grieving: A Beginner's Guide [Paperback]

Jerusha Hull McCormack (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Working from the theory that "it takes one to know one," McCormack—widowed while her children were still young—writes a clear-eyed account of the many emotions and situations a grieving person may encounter. By her own admission, this book is "less a consolatory piece than a tour guide," and what a guide it is. An Anglican layperson and visiting professor at Beijing University, McCormack writes straight from the heart in simple language infused with a spirituality that is never preachy or pushy. She covers so much ground in such a little book that the reader could devour it quickly in hours or spend weeks reading it slowly, savoring each bit of wisdom. People suffering from loss will especially appreciate the counterpoint she provides to all the well-meaning but insensitive "churchy" things Christians tend to say to people who are grieving ("it's God's will," or "it's all for the best"). But more importantly, McCormack includes a chapter of "Guidelines for Spirit Guardians," offering advice to those who accompany grieving people so they can be fully present and helpful. Anyone who is grieving or anyone who knows a grieving person will find hope and support in this small book. (Mar.)
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Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Paraclete Pr (February 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557254931
• ISBN-13: 978-1557254931
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #473,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I found meaningful help for me as a bereaved person, March 10, 2006

By 

BLAIR John (Geneva, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grieving: A Beginner's Guide (Paperback)

I write as a man whose wife died of cancer after 36 years and 10 months of marriage. This book appeals to me as an honest, tough look at what it means to grieve. I have gained a lot from its models on how grieving can be turned around - if one is willing to work with it - so that loss can be made into something positive. This kind of down-to-earth guidance I found nowhere else. For someone in pain - or trying to help someone suffering from bereavement - this is an invaluable book, short and readable but full of practical advice with rich spiritual implications. Without a doubt the best book I have found on the subject.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a Helpful Book on Grief, July 15, 2008

By 

Too Busy to Read Anymore "But I do when I can" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grieving: A Beginner's Guide (Paperback)

Three months after my husbands suicide I came across this book at the local library. Most of the books I've read on the subject of grief and being a widow all say the same things, or say what I already know and understand. The author of this book talks very plainly and frankly about her grief, and tries very hard to find a different perspective to view this whole horrible process from. I really appreciated the approach, as I too have tried to make sense and understand how to deal with the loss of my husband and what that means for my future. After reading it I thouht "finally a helpful book about grief". Hence the subject title for this review.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very helpful book, September 16, 2008

By 

C.McBuhr (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grieving: A Beginner's Guide (Paperback)

I recommend this book to every young widow. My husband died 4 months ago and I thought my life was over. This book really helped me see that I will survive and will actually be a better person because of my terrible loss. I have marked certain parts of the book that I read and reread on those days that I need help just to get out of bed in the morning. As the title indicates, it really is a guide at a time when a person needs guidance.