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When Grief Calls Forth the Healing: A Memoir of Losing a Twin
by Mary Rockefeller MorganIn 1961, Michael Rockefeller, son of then-governor of New York State Nelson A. Rockefeller, mysteriously disappeared off the remote coast of southern New Guinea. Amid the glare of international public interest, the governor, along with his daughter Mary, Michael&’s twin, set off on a futile search, only to return empty handed and empty hearted. What followed were Mary&’s twenty-seven-year repression of her grief and an unconscious denial of her twin&’s death, which haunted her relationships and controlled her life.In this startlingly frank and moving memoir, Mary R. Morgan struggles to claim an individual identity, which enables her to face Michael&’s death and the huge loss it engendered. With remarkable honesty, she shares her spiritually evocative healing journey and her story of moving forward into a life of new beginnings and meaning, especially in her work with others who have lost a twin.&“The sea change began one November day in 1961. I remember the moment before. A window in the corner of my parents&’ living room drew my attention. A windblown branch from an azalea bush scratched the surface of the glass, making a discordant sound. My father stands out clearly, his figure powerful and solid next to the soft, down-pillowed sofa. By the window, my two brothers and I are clustered around my mother, wary, and watching him. It was barely two months since Father had separated from her. And just days before, he&’d called a press conference, choosing to publicly expose his affair and his decision to remarry. Father held a yellow cablegram in his hand. Mike, my twin brother, was missing off the coast of New Guinea. Missing . . . The &‘s&’ sound. Like a thin knife, it slipped deep inside me. No resistance, just a sharp, knowing pain and then shimmering silence.&” —Adapted from Chapter One
When Groups Meet: The Dynamics of Intergroup Contact (Essays in Social Psychology)
by Thomas F. Pettigrew Linda R. TroppResearch and theory on intergroup contact have become one of the fastest advancing and most exciting fields in social psychology in recent years. The work is exciting because it combines basic social psychological concerns -- human interaction, situational influences on behavior -- with an effective means of improving intergroup relations at a time when the world is witnessing widespread intergroup hatred and strife. This volume provides an overview of this rapidly progressing area of investigation – its origins and early work, its current status and recent developments, along with criticisms of this work and suggestions for future directions. It covers a range of research findings involving contact between groups drawn from the authors’ extensive meta-analysis of 515 published studies on intergroup contact. This meta-analysis, together with the authors’ renowned research on intergroup contact, provides a solid foundation and broad overview of the field, to which have been added discussions of research extensions and emerging directions. When Groups Meet is a rich, comprehensive overview of classic and contemporary work on intergroup contact, and provides insights into where this work is headed in the future. For research specialists, this volume not only serves as a sourcebook for research and theory on intergroup contact, it also provides the entire 515-item bibliography from the meta-analysis. The clear structure and accessible writing style will also appeal to advanced undergraduate and graduate students in psychology and other social sciences.
When Hurt Remains: Relational Perspectives on Therapeutic Failure
by Asaf Rolef Ben-Shahar Rachel ShalitIn this book the editors have solicited the unique and unmediated voices of fifteen leading psychotherapists, who share intimate and revealing stories from their clinic of professional incidents that shook the therapeutic bond and left a scar in both parties. The contributors courageously agreed to revisit the cases that still burn inside of them, attempting to conceptualise these and give them words, and to demonstrate the mutual vulnerability inherent within the psychoanalytic and psychotherapeutic endeavour. While failure is recognised as developmentally necessary and a cornerstone in the formation and maintenance of attachment relationships, stories of therapeutic failures are seldom told in our profession. Can we fully recognise our failures without shaming ourselves and others? Can we bear it while attending to our narcissistic wounds and rescue fantasy? This book addresses all of these concerns, while examining what relational theory and practice has to contribute to the understanding of, and working with, therapeutic failure.
When Husbands Come Out of the Closet
by Jean GochrosThe discovery that one’s husband is gay or bisexual is a surprise for which most women are totally unprepared. With no guidelines and few professionals able to provide adequate help, both partners, but especially the wives, are apt to feel enormous isolation and confusion. When Husbands Come Out of the Closet, based on the results of a landmark study and years of clinical experience, is a poignant and compassionate look at the conflicting emotions experienced by women who learn of their husbands’homosexuality. Focusing on the wives’perspectives, author Jean Schaar Gochros offers support, encouragement, and practical advice for coping with the stigma, fear, and stress experienced by women trying to cope with their husbands’homosexuality. She addresses the often harmful myths surrounding these wives, husbands, and marriages, and questions the quality of help that women usually receive from friends and professionals alike.Combining comprehensive research and personal case histories, she has developed crucial guidelines for helping professionals who counsel such couples. This readable book is informative and fascinating reading for both the professional and lay person.
When I Come Home Again: A beautiful and heartbreaking WWI novel, based on true events
by Caroline Scott**From the highly acclaimed author of The Photographer of the Lost, a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick** &‘A superb and quietly devastating novel about grief, hope and the horrific aftershocks of war&’ The Times, Book of the MonthThey need him to remember. He wants to forget. 1918. In the last week of the First World War, a uniformed soldier is arrested in Durham Cathedral. When questioned, it becomes clear he has no memory of who he is or how he came to be there. The soldier is given the name Adam and transferred to a rehabilitation home. His doctor James is determined to recover who this man once was. But Adam doesn&’t want to remember. Unwilling to relive the trauma of war, Adam has locked his memory away, seemingly for good. When a newspaper publishes a feature about Adam, three women come forward, each claiming that he is someone she lost in the war. But does he believe any of these women? Or is there another family out there waiting for him to come home?Based on true events, When I Come Home Again is a deeply moving and powerful story of a nation&’s outpouring of grief, and the search for hope in the aftermath of war. Praise for When I Come Home Again: 'Breathtaking exploration of loss, love and precious memories&’ My Weekly, Pick of the Month &‘A heartbreaking read which reveals the far-reaching tragedies of war… I highly recommend it&’ Anita Frank &‘Caroline Scott&’s quietly devastating second novel insightfully explores the impact of the Great War on returning soldiers and their families' S Magazine &‘A powerful story that&’s achingly moving and most beautifully written. Readers of Maggie O&’Farrell and Helen Dunmore are likely to enjoy&’ Rachel Hore &‘Powerful… A carefully, nuanced, complex story&’ Woman & Home 'This beautiful and moving book drew me in from the first line and held me enthralled until the very end' Fiona Falpy &‘An evocative read&’heat 'A compulsive, heart-wrenching read' Liz Trenow &‘Scott litters her tale with clues and red herrings in the best mystery-writer way so we are kept guessing as to where the truth really lies&’ The BookBag 'Page turning, mysterious, engrossing and compelling' Lorna Cook &‘Caroline Scott evokes the damage and desolation of the Great War with aching authenticity' Iona Grey 'Wonderful and evocative' Suzanne Goldring &‘A beautifully written novel – immersive, poignant, intricately woven&’ Judith Kinghorn &‘The story left me breathless. Powerful, heartrending, and oh so tender. A whirlwind of emotions that will not allow us to forget&’ Kate Furnivall
When I Come Home Again: A beautiful and heartbreaking WWI novel, based on true events
by Caroline Scott**From the highly acclaimed author of The Photographer of the Lost, a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick** &‘A superb and quietly devastating novel about grief, hope and the horrific aftershocks of war&’ The Times, Book of the MonthThey need him to remember. He wants to forget. 1918. In the last week of the First World War, a uniformed soldier is arrested in Durham Cathedral. When questioned, it becomes clear he has no memory of who he is or how he came to be there. The soldier is given the name Adam and transferred to a rehabilitation home. His doctor James is determined to recover who this man once was. But Adam doesn&’t want to remember. Unwilling to relive the trauma of war, Adam has locked his memory away, seemingly for good. When a newspaper publishes a feature about Adam, three women come forward, each claiming that he is someone she lost in the war. But does he believe any of these women? Or is there another family out there waiting for him to come home?Based on true events, When I Come Home Again is a deeply moving and powerful story of a nation&’s outpouring of grief, and the search for hope in the aftermath of war. Praise for When I Come Home Again: &‘A heartbreaking read which reveals the far-reaching tragedies of war… I highly recommend it&’ Anita Frank &‘Caroline Scott&’s quietly devastating second novel insightfully explores the impact of the Great War on returning soldiers and their families' S Magazine &‘A powerful story that&’s achingly moving and most beautifully written. Readers of Maggie O&’Farrell and Helen Dunmore are likely to enjoy&’ Rachel Hore &‘Powerful… A carefully, nuanced, complex story&’ Woman & Home 'Page turning, mysterious, engrossing and compelling' Lorna Cook 'A compulsive, heart-wrenching read' Liz Trenow &‘Caroline Scott evokes the damage and desolation of the Great War with aching authenticity' Iona Grey 'This beautiful and moving book drew me in from the first line and held me enthralled until the very end' Fiona Falpy 'Wonderful and evocative' Suzanne Goldring &‘A beautifully written novel – immersive, poignant, intricately woven&’ Judith Kinghorn &‘Scott litters her tale with clues and red herrings in the best mystery-writer way so we are kept guessing as to where the truth really lies&’ The BookBag
When I Feel Angry: A Child's Guide to Understanding and Managing Moods
by Poppy O'NeillAn interactive workbook for parents and children from the author of the bestselling titles Don't Worry, Be Happy: A Child's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety and You're a Star: A Child's Guide to Self-EsteemDoes your child have frequent tantrums and outbursts?Perhaps they find it hard to speak about their emotions?Do they seem to get overwhelmed by stress and anxiety quickly?These could all be signs that your child is struggling with angry moods.This practical guide combines cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness methods with simple activities to help your child manage their anger and express their feelings in healthy ways. It's aimed at children aged 7-11 because a lot happens in these years that can impact a child's emotional well-being, not just now but for years to come.Your child will be guided, with the help of Rah - a friendly and supportive character they can identify with - through fun and engaging activities which are interspersed with useful tips, inspirational statements and practical information for parents.
When I See Blue
by Lily BaileyNew town, new school, but the bully is in Ben's head ...There are 4 things you should know about Ben: 1. He's 12 years old 2. He's the new kid at school3. His special number is 44. He has a bully in his brainSometimes Ben's brain makes him count to 4 to prevent bad things happening. Sometimes it makes him tap or blink in 4s. Mostly it makes the smallest things feel impossible. And with a new school, a moody big brother, an absent dad and a mum battling her own demons, Ben feels more out of control than ever. But then he meets April, and with his new friend, Ben might finally figure out how to stand up to the bully in his brain, once and for all.An authentic and affecting #ownvoices story about living life with OCD, from the inspiring author and mental health activist, Lily Bailey. Perfect for readers of A Kind of Spark and The Goldfish Boy.
When I See Blue
by Lily BaileyNew town, new school, but the bully is in Ben's head… <p><p>There are 4 things you should know about Ben: 1. He's 12 years old. 2. He's the new kid at school. 3. His special number is 4. 4. He has a bully in his brain. <p><p>Sometimes Ben's brain makes him count to 4 to prevent bad things happening. Sometimes it makes him tap or blink in 4s. Mostly it makes the smallest things feel impossible. And with a new school, a moody big brother, an absent dad and a mum battling her own demons, Ben feels more out of control than ever. But then he meets April, and with his new friend, Ben might finally figure out how to stand up to the bully in his brain, once and for all. <p><P>An authentic and affecting #ownvoices story about living life with OCD, from the inspiring author and mental health activist, Lily Bailey. Perfect for readers of A Kind of Spark and The Goldfish Boy. <p>(P) 2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
When Is Buddy Coming Home?: A Parent's Guide to Helping Your Child with the Loss of a Pet
by Gary KurzMommy, will I ever see Buddy again? How do we explain to our little ones that their beloved pets have gone home to be with the Lord? Do our loyal animal companions understand how deeply they are missed? For children, the sudden loss of a precious pet can inspire difficult questions about life and death. How can we reassure mourning youngsters that our dearly departed pets have found everlasting peace? Gary Kurz, acclaimed author of Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates and Wagging Tails in Heaven, provides thoughtful guidance on soothing a child’s heartbreak after the passing of a beloved four-legged friend—affirming that through their unconditional love, every one of them has a unique place in heaven. Sensitive and insightful, When Is Buddy Coming Home? reveals the power of faith in the wake of grief, uplifting animal lovers of all ages with the comfort that separation from our loved ones—including those with paws, tails, and wings—is only temporary.
When Is It Right To Die?
by Joni Eareckson TadaTada offers a counterbalance to the "quick fix" advice of ending suffering through euthanasia and suicide with hope, compassion and real "death with dignity."
When Johnny and Jane Come Marching Home: How All of Us Can Help Veterans
by Ph.D. Paula J. CaplanWhy are those devastated by war or other military experiences called mentally ill? The standard treatment of therapy and drugs can actually be harmful, and huge numbers of suffering veterans from earlier eras demonstrate its inadequacy. Most of us are both war-illiterate and military-illiterate. Caplan proposes that we welcome veterans back into our communities and listen to their experiences, one-on-one. Beginning a long overdue national discussion about the realities of war and the military will help us bridge the dangerous chasms between veterans and nonveterans.
When Leaders Face Personal Crisis: The Human Side of Leadership (Leadership: Research and Practice)
by Gill Robinson Hickman Laura E. KnouseThis book examines a relatively unexplored area of leadership research – personal aspects of leadership – by considering the impact of leaders navigating their own personal crises on their relationships with teams, peers, and supervisors. Through original research as well as an integrative review of the literature, Hickman and Knouse focus on the "leader-as-person in crisis," including the real-life personal crises and experiences of leaders. This important volume offers a detailed and thoughtful description of intersecting factors that contribute to the ways in which leaders experience and cope with personal crises to spur additional research attention to this neglected area. This book also offers current and prospective leaders advice and direction on effectively navigating personal crises.
When Life Becomes Precious
by Elise BabcockWhen you hear that someone you love has cancer...You want to be as supportive as possible. But how? Elise NeeDell Babcock has devoted her life to answering this question and now puts her twenty-three years of experience as a counselor into this immensely useful guide. When Life Becomes Precious contains hundreds of tips for helping patients, primary caregivers, co-workers, and family members, including: What to say (and not to say) to someone when you first find out they have cancer* How to be supportive without being intrusive* How to build a winning health-care team* How to handle holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries* How to explain the disease to children* Which gifts and gestures can do the most good From techniques for handling anger and anxiety, to uplifting success stories, to a comprehensive resource section, here is the information and inspiration you need to help those you love and to make each day--each moment--more precious.When Life Becomes Precious will be the first book to: * Offer tips on ways to help patients, caregivers and co-workers* Provide a long and diverse list of gifts that are appropriate to give to families that are living with cancer* Offers reasons why fear makes people shy away from discussing cancer and techniques on how to overcome that fear* Present the things that families do that doctors like and dislikeWhen Life Becomes Precious will teach readers to assess and put into perspective, their own feelings about the disease so that they can truly help those who are afflicted with it. The use of cartoons, anecdotes and personal stories will set an upbeat and positive tone. Readers will come away fully prepared to deal with the realities of cancer.From the Trade Paperback edition.
When Likes Aren't Enough: A Crash Course In The Science Of Happiness
by Tim BonoAre you as authentically happy as your social media profiles make it seem?When a group of researchers asked young adults around the globe what their number one priority was in life, the top answer was "happiness." Not success, fame, money, looks, or love...but happiness. For a rising generation of young adults raised as digital natives in a fast-paced, ultra-connected world, authentic happiness still seems just out of reach. While social media often shows well-lit selfies and flawless digital personas, today's 16- to 25-year-olds are struggling to find real meaning, connection, and satisfaction right alongside their overburdened parents. WHEN LIKES AREN'T ENOUGH tackles the ever-popular subject of happiness and well-being, but reframes it for a younger reader struggling with Instagram envy and high-stakes testing, college rejections and helicopter parents. Professor of positive psychology Dr. Tim Bono distills his most popular college course on the science of happiness into creative, often counterintuitive, strategies for young adults to lead happier, more fulfilling lives. Filled with exciting research, practical exercises, honest advice, and quotes and stories from young adults themselves, WHEN LIKES AREN'T ENOUGH is a master class for a generation looking for science-based, real world ways to feel just a little bit happier every day.
When Living Hurts: Directives For Treating Depression
by Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D.First published in 1994. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
When Love Is Not Enough: The Management of Covert Dynamics in Organizations That Treat Children and Adolescents
by Donna PiazzaWhen Love Is Not Enough relates how a multitude of factors--the competence of staff; the safety, nurturing, and protective elements of the emotional, physical, and political setting; and all overt and covert organizational dynamics--determine whether or not a treatment setting accomplishes its therapeutic aims. Authors in When Love Is Not Enough continue the emphasis on the group-as-a-whole “Group Relation” model of organizational and group processes begun with Wilfred Bion’s work at the Tavistok Clinic in London in the 1940s. This model helps those providing services to children and adolescents evaluate their treatment programs and make the necessary changes toward improvement.Chapters in When Love Is Not Enough are dedicated to improving the psychological treatment of children and adolescents in postmodern society, a society in which life in interdependent communities is becoming increasingly important for the health and survival of all persons. Topics covered include: the Tavistok approach to understanding group and organizational behavior the emphasis on group-as-a-whole in problem solving and treatment design narrowing the gap between plan and outcome the dynamics involved in the psychiatric treatment of children issues of staff selection, training, and development in programs designed to treat children countertransference responses in the treatment of children and adolescents revitalizing organizations the subjective experience of school lifeWhen Love Is Not Enough helps organizations realize the ways in which they may, inadvertently, undermine the emotional and cognitive functioning of the staff or the identified patients and set serious limits on the growth of members of the organization, staff and patients alike. It urges organizations to conduct an ongoing self-scrutiny concerning their rational and irrational processes, as this self-examination is crucial to the health and vitality of the treatment offered to others. The book also promotes thinking of the conscious and unconscious dynamics of the group-as-a-whole to more completely inform organizational decisions concerning changes that may enhance the treatment of children and adolescents.When Love Is Not Enough serves as an invaluable guide for mental health professionals who treat children and adolescents, group therapists, hospital and clinic administrators, psychoanalysts, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists.
When Love Is Not Enough: A Guide to Parenting Children with RAD-Reactive Attachment Disorder
by Nancy ThomasA clear, focused plan for parenting disturbed children back to health
When Marriages Fail: Systemic Family Therapy Interventions and Issues
by Craig A. Everett'When Marriages Fail' presents several leading experts in the field discussing the full spectrum of clinical interventions and family therapy for troubled and divorcing families.
When Marriages Fail: Systemic Family Therapy Interventions and Issues
by Craig Everett Robert E LeeLeading experts reveal systemic and integrative approaches to family therapyWhen Marriages Fail: Systemic Family Therapy Interventions and Issues presents several leading experts in the field discussing the full spectrum of clinical interventions and family therapy for troubled and divorcing families. This comprehensive resource presents a broad overview of the literature that provides a foundation for the entire field, then narrows its focus to clearly review clinical assessment models and the special issues that may be factors in conflicted families. Therapists, psychologists, counselors, and social workers learn cutting-edge recommendations for policies protecting the well-being of children involved in divorce, plus practical, specific systemic treatment interventions that are illustrated with case studies.When Marriages Fail is separated into three logically organized sections. Part one provides a helpful overview of the field&’s evolving literature as it stands now and gives tools to therapists and their clients to explore their internal and dyadic processes in considering whether or not to divorce. The second part presents two systemic models that explore the dynamics of conflicted couples moving toward divorce and considers specific family circumstances that affect the entire divorce process, such as family violence, disclosure of gender orientation, and the unhappiness of the family&’s children. Part three discusses in detail specific and practical treatment interventions, considering factors involved when diverse families separate, divorce, and remarry.The text also provides a fitting tribute to William C. Nichols, a pioneer of marital and family therapy.Topics in When Marriages Fail include: the therapist&’s choices in helping couples process their own choices an ecosystemic look at the rights of children in divorce interventions for mourning, adulterous triangles, incongruent goals, cultural differences, or family of origin disclosing gay or lesbian orientation in marriage domestic violence issues children&’s trauma in the parental break-up family therapy interventions through three systemic stages of divorce remarriage of the first spouse in post-divorce families trauma of the betrayed spouse parent loss and serial relationships "gay divorces" and more! With Forewords by Douglas Sprenkle and Augustus Y. Napier as well as several international contributors who shed light on how this compelling subject is addressed outside of the United States, When Marriages Fail is an invaluable source of the latest knowledge and interventions for family therapists, counselors, social workers, and psychologists.
When Men Behave Badly: The Hidden Roots of Sexual Deception, Harassment, and Assault
by David BussA leading evolutionary psychologist and sex researcher provides a unified new theory of sexual conflict and shows how its battles play out in the bar room, the bedroom, and the boardroom.Sexual conflict permeates ancient religions, from injunctions about thy neighbor's wife to the permissible rape of infidels. It is etched in written laws that dictate who can and cannot have sex with whom. Its manifestations shape our sexual morality, evoking approving accolades or contemptuous condemnation. It produces sexual double standards that flourish even in the most sexually egalitarian cultures on earth. And although every person alive struggles with sexual conflict, most of us see only the tip of the iceberg: dating deception, a politician's unsavory sexual grab, the slow crumbling of a once-happy marriage, a romantic breakup that turns nasty.When Men Behave Badly shows that this "battle of the sexes" is deeper and far more pervasive than anyone has recognized, revealing the hidden roots of sexual conflict—roots that originated over deep evolutionary time—which define the sexual psychology we currently carry around in our 3.5-pound brains. Providing novel insights into our minds and behaviors, When Men Behave Badly presents a unifying new theory of sexual conflict, and offers practical advice for men and women seeking to avoid it.
When Minds Meet: The Work of Lewis Aron (Relational Perspectives Book Series)
by Galit AtlasThis extraordinary volume offers a sampling of Lewis Aron’s most important contributions to relational psychoanalysis. One of the founders of relational thinking, Aron was an internationally recognized psychoanalyst, sought after teacher, lecturer, and the Director of the New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. His pioneering work introduced and revolutionized the concepts of mutuality, the analyst’s subjectivity, and the paradigm of mutual vulnerability in the analytic setting. During the last few years of his life, Aron was exploring the ethical considerations of writing psychoanalytic case histories and the importance of self-reflection and skepticism not only for analysts with their patients, but also as a stance towards the field of psychoanalysis itself. Aron is known for his singular, highly compelling teaching and writing style and for an unparalleled ability to convey complex, often comparative theoretical concepts in a uniquely inviting and approachable way. The reader will encounter both seminal papers on the vision and method of contemporary clinical practice, as well as cutting edge newer writing from the years just before his death. Edited and with a foreword by Galit Atlas, each chapter is preceded by a new introduction by some of the most important thinkers in our field: Jessica Benjamin, Michael Eigen, Jay Greenberg, Adrienne Harris, Stephen Hartman, Steven Kuchuck, Thomas Ogden, Joyce Slochower, Donnel Stern, Merav Roth, Chana Ullman, and Aron himself. This book will make an important addition to the libraries of experienced clinicians and psychoanalytic scholars already familiar with Aron’s work, as well as students, newer professionals or anyone seeking an introduction to relational psychoanalysis and one of its most stunning, vibrant voices.
When Misery is Company: End Self-Sabotage and Become Content
by Anne KatherineThis book offers solutions to anyone who has felt victimized, ostracized or left behind by life.Surprising as it may sound, many people take comfort in their own misery. Feeling too good for too long (or even feeling good at all) can be scary for people, explains Anne Katherine. "Achievement creates anxiety. Intimacy leads to fear. Happiness produces uneasiness. Pleasure causes pain. The solution to this dilemma: what feels good has to be stopped. I call this an addiction to misery." Katherine's fascination and perspective book provides immediate assistance to those people who think they might be making choices that keep them at a "carefully calibrated level of existence--beneath bliss and above despair."
When Morning Breaks: Coping With Miscarriage
by Melissa Sexson HansonCouples who suffer a miscarriage often feel themselves to be alone in grieving. They do not have access to the rituals that provide closure for other kinds of loss. Friends and families frequently feel awkward around the couple, not knowing what to say or do to be helpful. Here, finally, is a book for grieving parents that acknowledges their pain and offers encouragement for the future. In these meditations and prayers based on biblical passages, Melissa Sexson Hanson writes honestly and movingly of her own grief during two miscarriages and of the difficulty of the recovery process. She also describes clearly the faithfulness of God's healing presence in her life, providing a sense of hope to all those seeking comfort after a similar loss.
When Mothers Kill: Interviews from Prison
by Michelle Oberman Cheryl L. MeyerWinner of the 2008 Outstanding Book Award by the Academy of Criminal Justice SciencesMichelle Oberman and Cheryl L. Meyer don't write for news magazines or prime-time investigative television shows, but the stories they tell hold the same fascination. When Mothers Kill is compelling. In a clear, direct fashion the authors recount what they have learned from interviewing women imprisoned for killing their children. Readers will be shocked and outraged-as much by the violence the women have endured in their own lives as by the violence they engaged in-but they will also be informed and even enlightened.Oberman and Meyer are leading authorities on their subject. Their 2001 book, Mothers Who Kill Their Children, drew from hundreds of newspaper articles as well as from medical and social science journals to propose a comprehensive typology of maternal filicide. In that same year, driven by a desire to test their typology-and to better understand child-killing women not just as types but as individuals-Oberman and Meyer began interviewing women who had been incarcerated for the crime. After conducting lengthy, face-to-face interviews with forty prison inmates, they returned and selected eight women to speak with at even greater length. This new book begins with these stories, recounted in the matter-of-fact words of the inmates themselves.There are collective themes that emerge from these individual accounts, including histories of relentless interpersonal violence, troubled relationships with parents (particularly with mothers), twisted notions of romantic love, and deep conflicts about motherhood. These themes structure the books overall narrative, which also includes an insightful examination of the social and institutional systems that have failed these women. Neither the mothers nor the authors offer these stories as excuses for these crimes.