Recovery from Loss: A Personalized Guide to the Grieving Process [Paperback]

Lewis Tagliaferre (Author), Gary L. Harbaugh (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0935652566 | ISBN-13: 978-0935652567 | Publication Date: November 2001 | Edition: 2

The process of grief is different for everyone, and understanding how those differences are manifested in actions and thoughts can be the key to healing from the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of loss. Through Mr. Tagliaferre’s insightful perspective of his own poignant journey and Dr. Harbaugh’s expertise with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® instrument, readers gain a meaningful set of guideposts for dealing with loss and grief. Dr. Harbaugh details twenty steps that will help get you through the process of grief, and Mr. Tagliaferre offers his personal journaling process following the untimely death of his wife. This updated and revised edition offers readers a logical yet compassionate path to guide them through one of the most difficult situations life has to offer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 230 pages
• Publisher: Center for Applications of; 2 edition (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935652566
• ISBN-13: 978-0935652567
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #501,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Relationships > Love & Loss

More About the Author

Lewis Tagliaferre has written more than two hundred free lance magazine articles and several books on managing grief and the metaphysics of aging and facing the unknowns following death. Although he might be called a contrarian to established religious dogma he prefers to be called a realistic mystic and explorer of the human psyche. An avid reader and Internet researcher, his work is intended for those who are suffering loss and tragedy who find no comfort or security in traditional religious dogma. His books result from the necessity of surviving the untimely loss of his beloved wife at her age 52 from complications of breast cancer. The resulting shock and search for a belief system he could live with culminated in forming the principles of Theofatalism(tm), a spiritual pathway to serenity and contentment when your life is shaken and you realize it is God who is doing the shaking. Tagliaferre grew up in Cumberland, MD where he played high school trumpet and starred in drama and public speaking. He served in the U.S. Air Force on a B-36 bomber crew during the Korean war. After attending college part time, receiving degrees in electronics and business management, he completed a long career in defense contracting and energy related trade association management. He considers himself a recovered Baptist, deacon, and Sunday school teacher. He lives in northern Virginia with Ellie, his faithful canine companion. Readers may email him at [e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE book on recovery from loss, March 5, 2000

By 

Ed Milone (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Recovery From Loss (Paperback)

How can you review a book which had no small part in saving your life. I lost my 36 year old, vibrant and beautiful wife to a hit and run (she was a pedestrian) and read dozens of books as part of my healing process. Many had to do with "griefwork", many were religious in nature and many more dealt with "Life after Death" and near death experiences. If I had to point out one book which had the most positive influence on me in the healing process and was the most comforting, it would have to be Mr. Tagliaferre and Dr. Harbaugh's book, Recovery from Loss. The pain and grief shared by Mr. T after the loss of his own wife after 35 years of marriage was so heartrendering and relevant to what I was going through, it felt at times as if he read my mind. Accompanied by the studies of Dr. Harbaugh, and the plain humanity of both these men makes this a 5 star book. There is griefwork, spirituality, the communion of man and the pain of a man in just the right proportions. If you are looking for a gift to someone who has recently lost a loved one, especially a spouse, or if that person is you, please go out and buy this book. You will be well pleased that you did.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too difficult for mourning period, July 9, 2010

By 

Retinue - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Recovery from Loss: A Personalized Guide to the Grieving Process (Paperback)

This book could be helpful but it takes too much intellectual effort to construct a personalized grief process plan, which one might not be able to deal with at a time of bereavement. So I recommend reading this book not immediately after your loss, but perhaps a few months later. It relies on the Myers-Briggs Personality classification to help the reader lay out a plan for their own recovery and recommends that the reader gets a professional testing from a certified psychologist. However, an unofficial version of the test is available on the Myers-Briggs website. I feel that one might not muster the strength to deal with figuring such things out at such a difficult time. If you are receiving grief therapy, it might be a good complimentary resource. The information is not overwhelming and the book is very reader-friendly, but you might feel like you are studying a college text or your Psych 101 notes in some parts.

The writers often share their own stories of losing loved ones, which helps a little. Hearing of other people's experiences somehow abates the sense of loneliness that seems to be an inextricable part of grief.

The book does not have any religious content, but one of the authors is a man of the cloth so naturally the book points to religion too frequently as a way to deal with death. Of course, this can be very helpful, if you do have a religion. If you do not believe in an after-life, you might find the emphasis on using your spiritual resources bothersome, although -to be fair-- the authors also include suggestions for the non-spiritually inclined, such as taking up meditation or looking for solace elsewhere.