The Grief Recovery Handbook: A Step-By-Step Program for Moving Beyond Loss (Paperback)

by John W. James (Author), Frank Cherry (Author) "Grief is the normal and natural reaction to loss of any kind..." (more)
Key Phrases: academy award recovery, loss history graph, energy relievers, Seeing the Problem, Finding the Solution, Almost Home (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is the single most sensible, accessible and authentic plan for recovery from loss that I have ever encountered." -- Bruce E. Nerenberg, Ph.D.A

Review
"This book is required for all my classes. The more I use this book, the more I believe that unresolved grief is the major underlying issue in most people's lives. It is the only work of its kind that I know of that outlines the problem and provides the solution." (Bernard McGrane, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, Chapman University ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Perennial (July 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060915862
• ISBN-13: 978-0060915865
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #62,389 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

120 of 120 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Feels like a miracle, November 1, 2001

By	kathleen silver (los angeles, ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grief Recovery Handbook : The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death Divorce, and Other Losses (Paperback)

For more than a year after my father died, I felt as if I was going in slow motion, while the world raced past me. Time didn't seem to have done anything to heal me, in fact I was feeling worse. My friends tried to talk to me and help me, but I couldn't hear anything other than my own despair. One of my dear friends, in desperation, gave me a copy of The Grief Recovery Handbook. That simple act of kindness changed my life. In the solitude of my own home, without having to try to feel good so others would think I was okay, I began to read the book. Almost against my own will, I began to take the actions and do the exercises outlined in the book. One of the hardest parts about them, was that they were too easy. I began to realize how much I had been complicating the possibility of recovery by trying to use my head to fix my heart. As the direct result of creating an accurate picture of my entire relationship with my father, and completing what had been unsaid or unfinished, I regained the gratitude I felt toward life, and the energy with which to live it. While I have normal sadness and miss my dad from time to time, I am able to sustain a life of meaning and value, even though he is no longer physically here. What happened for me feels like a miracle, but in reality is the result of the safety and encouragement to take action provided by The Grief Recovery Handbook. I am eternally grateful.

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Saved My Sister's Life, September 1, 2004

By	Dottie - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grief Recovery Handbook : The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death Divorce, and Other Losses (Paperback)

I first found this book almost 2 years ago. At the time I was looking for something to help my sister who had endured 13 major losses in less than 5 years and was in the depths of hell. She was barely able to get herself dressed every day and was so devestated she was not able to work because she couldn't stop crying. I picked this book up just hoping it held a "gem" of knowledge that I could use to help her. I was so blown away by the book that I asked her if she'd go to a workshop (she couldn't concentrate well enough to read the book). She agreed to go (she would have done anything to get rid of the pain). I put her on a plane to the next available workshop. Four days later she walked out of the workshop with a song in her heart and wings on her feet. She came home and enrolled in college full time and found 2 part-time jobs that worked around her college classes. I sent another sister to a workshop earlier this year. They are both happier than they've ever been in their lives and they tell me how peaceful they feel. They look forward to each new day with joy. I recently attended a workshop and have just been certified to begin an Outreach Program. Because of this book, many of my family members will know what to do whenever a loss occurs. For those people who can concentrate enough to read, this book may be what they need. But if they need more, please encourage them to find a Grief Recovery Outreach Program in their area. The Grief Recovery Institute's website is www.grief.net and they are very helpful to griever's who call them. Thank you John James and Russell Friedman for all the work you do to share your knowledge with grievers.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book gave me back my life!, November 14, 1999

By	M. Dian Smith "Dian" (Arizona) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Grief Recovery Handbook : The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death Divorce, and Other Losses (Paperback)

Essential for anyone who is experiencing grief, whether from arecent loss or one many years ago. Shows one how to complete theprocess and begin enjoying life anew. I can't recommend it highly enough. Please try it if you are "locked in limbo" and unable to experience real joy in your life.