5 comments about When God Winks at You: How God Speaks Directly to You Through the Power of Coincidence.

1. What an absolutely delightful book! I read it on an airplane and found my self chuckling and tearing up! When I arrived at my destination, I was talking about the book and the stories and my niece and nephew, aged 13 and 11 wanted to know more so I read them some of the anecdotes. This is a wonderful book for all ages, who are open to be touched by wonder!God winks abound in our lives if we have eyes to see.



2. I have read all three God wink books and will recommend them to my friends.



3. This was given to me as a gift...to read a story a day or week as a devotional. It was all I could do not to sit and read the book cover to cover. With discipline, I managed to savor it for 5 days. Real, and better than any reality TV you'd watch!



4. More than apt encouragement to understand that there is no such thing as a coincidence!



5. This is a delightful, light reading, inspriring, thought provoking little book. I was very happy with it and it makes a great gift.

5 comments about Addict In The Family: Stories of Loss, Hope, and Recovery..

1. This is one of the best books I have read in regards to how addiction affects the family. It has some stories as examples, but gets to the point. I am a counselor and a family member of an addict. I found this book right on with my experiences dealing with my younger sister who is an addict. It has a nice balance of education and ways to deal with an addict. We as family members have to stop enabling the addict or we are just helping them stay sick. This book makes this point very clear. Well written and easy to read. This book is a source of comfort like the author states in her introduction. She did a great job putting together information and she is so right when she states there are few books out there for family memebers. I would love to see one on how siblings are affected by the addict and the parents that focus on the addict. I thought this was so well written I bought and sent copies to all my siblings and mother. We all have participated or are still participating in enabling behaviors, which although intentions are good, it is not helpful, it is destructive.



2. This book is analagous to a well-stocked pantry filled with provisions as well as the implements needed to put these resources to good use. The essence of the author's message appears to be based on the 12-Step prototype. If "Addict in the Family" contains any weakness at all, it might be the author's tendency to do it all by "The Book," including peppering the account with various references to 12-step doctrines, adages and buzzwords. A reader who is already familiar with the steps might find this format to be slightly repetitious and fairly predictable.
   
   Through the author's story of her daughter's addiction as well as accounts given to her by other parents and loved ones of addicts, we are able to contemplate, if not feel, the pernicious grip that addiction has on everyone in the addict's circle. What follows are examples of every- day situations family members face as a result of their loved ones' addictions. We are given examples of strategies and responses that are helpful in managing or deflecting the often irrational behavior of the addict.
   
   There is a dash of irony in the lessons that gently simmer throughout the book. While the addicted family member tends to exhibit certain obsessions surrounding his substances of choice, the author deftly conjures up a mirror image of the addict's loved one. In this dual depiction it becomes clear that the addict's family member often becomes susceptible to some of the same traits exhibited by the addict: we are reminded by the writer, ever so gently, that there are, perhaps, more similarities than differences between our addicts and ourselves. The tiny germs of irony come spilling out like so many tears: Just as our addict feels a sense of unremitting shame, so do we. Our addict is angry, and so are we. The addicted ones are depressed, sad and despondent, and we are, too.
   
   Addicts tend to fall into the habit of concealing their ignoble behavior beneath a convincing enough topping of lies, subterfuge and denial. It appears that we family members, in the beginning, at least, are willing - even eager - to believe the fantastic multi-layered cake of deception towering in front of us. The facade that all is well is an appealing one, especially as one becomes initiated to the instability of living with a person who is also an addict. It is in this effort to achieve a measure of sanity that the addicted person's loved one often crumbles from the heat and the turbulence.
   
   As we continue to glean sustenance from the author's kernels of wisdom, it becomes all too apparent that we, along with our addicted loved ones, are being poisoned by the unsavory byproducts of addiction.
   
   This book offers suggestions to the family and loved ones of addicts, and these methods require us to exchange our toxic coating of negativity and denial for one that nourishes us - physically, mentally, spiritually and economically - without distorting our reality. The author recalls a time when her daughter, upon being asked of her whereabouts that evening, proceeds to concoct one of her characteristically tall tales. Although the mother knew her daughter was lying, she refrained from voicing those suspicions. Instead, she allowed her daughter to finish, while she remained impassive and unprovoked, thereby empowering herself and disarming her daughter in the process.
   
   Setting rules and limits for the addict is another mechanism suggested in the book as a way to safeguard our overall wellbeing. Asking the addict to move out should his behavior become too disruptive or disturbing - and carrying out the order - is one more example of disengaging from our addicted love ones. There are many other inspiring stories included in the book along with helpful advice, hope and encouragement from those who have been where we, the families of an addict, are now.
   
   At the end of the book, there are pages with listings of substance abuse facilities, mental health treatment centers, dual diagnosis rehabs, detox centers, and services for the families of the chemically addicted. It is a very comprehensive list for those who are looking for help in dealing with an addiction, whether it be a loved one's or their own.



3. This is a very helpful book for any person with an addict in the family. This book confirmed many of the same things I am going through with my son who is addicted to painkillers and heroin. In addition to helping me cope and help me understand my son's own addiction, it has revealed to me the importance of getting myself well. Addiction effects the entire family in a very damaging and far reaching way. I have a long way to go but I am learning to detach myself in order to move forward and be there for my son when he finally decides that recovery is the best and only course of action. This will be probably one of the toughest challenges I will face in my life. This book has given me hope and let me know that I am not alone in this lifelong struggle.



4. A good introduction to the perils of addiction and the biological and chemical processes that grip users. An important message to anyone touched by the horrors of addiction.



5. My mother recently died and I wondered where I could go to process thirty years of living with the battle she had with my sister's addiction. I happened to find this book and it was a godsend. Excellent book on the entire process that you go thru with an addict in the family. I wish I had this book when I was younger. I am so thankful this author captured it all. I can't recommend this enough to anyone suffering out there with this problem.

5 comments about The Art Of Sensual Female Dominance: A Guide for Women.

1. This book is a great introduction into the world of Female Domination. It's a bit more on the sensual, erotic side. A great follow-up read for this book would be Claudia Varrin's other work entitled Female Domination: Rituals and Practices.



2. Then you will love this book! Claudia Varrin is the Dr Ruth of the B&D scene. In addition to being able to understand and explore the world of dominants and submissives, she also provides a terrific amount of psychological insights into men and women. She outlines the worlds of the dominants and submissives and gives rules and safety guides for those who wish to choose this lifestyle.
   
   Her insights are also helpful in everyday life: for instance why do so many men stay in relationships with women who are absolutely hateful, demanding and humiliating to them? Why would a strong powerful businessman pay a woman to demean him sexually? Who has the real power in these relationships?
   
   The book is good because it is honest and no nonsence about a taboo subject that has always been with us. It provides loads of information even if you are not into the scene. If you have been married 30 years and just want to be the woman on top, or ask for a little zing after reading this book you may find your husband thrilled you bought it and brought things up. The book focusses on the sexiest organ in the body---the brain.
   
   Ms. Varrin also has another book out which I have not yet read, but I feel if it is half as informative it too is well worth picking up.



3. This book is geared toward the extreme novice; I found it to be very fluffy, filled with a lot of anecdotal padding. Some of her information is outright wrong (A year to heal a clitoral hood piercing?! Has this woman *been* to a piercing parlor? Seriously, just ignore everything she says in the chapter on exotic practices.) and much more of it not especially useful. Her estimation of what play belongs in the realm of the expert player is just silly in cases. If you have any bdsm background to speak of, save your money.



4. I think this book is great. Its great for the beginner Domme or the couple who want to spice up their sex lives. You can take it all or take bits and pieces. She really makes it feel ok and comfortable about trying BDSM. She is really guiding you by the hand in a first experience if you don't know what you are doing. And she covers the more advance activities briefly.
   
   www.funsexxxtoys.com



5. The audience for this book will quickly discover that this woman knows how to write and she knows her subject backwards and forwards, and inside and out. This is a more advanced look at D&S and S&M than the majority of those on the market. While most of the techniques described in minute detail in this guidebook are far beyond this reader's personal experience, there is always something useful for anyone to learn from reading it. It does answer some of the nagging questions that everyone curious about the scene seeks to know--even if they aren't going to personally try those most advanced experiments in extreme sensation, domination, fisting, humiliation, slave training, water sports or exhibition and group party games. Ditto for actually trying pony training, caning, using the bullwhip and violet wands.
   This book purports to be intended for women to turn their consenting monogamous adult male partners into happy, sexually satisfied silly putty. The boast is justified. As a male, this reviewer doubts that many men could describe the "in's and out's" of the psychology of humiliation, mind games or other detailed techniques for driving males crazy with desire half as well as this former dominatrix-turned-author. There is no question from the material covered in the book that this woman has vast experience with her subject matter and she doesn't hesitate to share her knowledge in excruciating detail after detail. Even the readers of these games will know instinctively that what she is describing works--sometimes it even begets results just from reading her thoughts as she transfers them to the printed page.
   Because this book is much more advanced than most on the subject, a lot of time is devoted to playing safely. Two different anatomy charts of the male body are included with the danger zones for each activity clearly marked. It's like a scene out of the old movie classic "Spartacus" where the ex-gladiator drill sergeant is using Kirk Douglas's body to paint the various kill and injury areas to show the other would-be gladiators.
   One doesn't have to read far to understand how fragile the human body really is. It's obvious why Varrin goes to the trouble of pointing out the danger points for some of her extreme S&M games. For instance she reminds the reader never to use the violet wand above the waist and to know if your partner has any kind of heart trouble or a pace maker. Electricity is always dangerous even in mild doses.
   Like any serious writer or practitioner of these D&S and S&M scenes, communication, knowledgeable consent, detailed planning, safe sex, and more communication even during and after the scene is completed are indispensable. The reason for the increasing popularity of this kind of play is simple: done correctly it can make a sexual tryst last for hours or even all night and into the next day. Where else can a loving couple have seemingly endless sex? And because it is so satisfying, great care must be taken to protect one's playmate from any kind of injury or real, unwanted harm including utter exhaustion.
   This book will definitely provide enlightening reading for interested would-be participants as well as the people who are simply curious about the practices described. It's one of the better tomes on the complex subject. And while it's primarily intended as a guide for women to use on their willing, kinky male lovers or husbands, most of the techniques can easily be adapted for any combination of males and females. Even games for "hen parties" are suggested. How many male submissives have lust-filled dreams of being the focal point of a house or dungeon party comprised entirely, or mostly, of skilled dominatrixes with him as the door prize or party favor for all of them to sample?

5 comments about The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose.

1. I am a fan, this purchase was actually a gift for a friend, the perspective while not entirely unique, almost feels like it is, because it touches on the core issues that many of us identify as the true obstacles to personal , spiritual and emotional health. 5 stars becuase of the integrity and depth of the message... you can "tell' when the message is the result of a personal desire to identify ,and more importantly "share" via effective communication practical tools to change and grow



2. I have incorporated the teachings in this book to my life and highly recommend it for all ages.



3. The Rhythm of Life books are awesome, in great shape and arrived promptly. Thank you!



4. This book is so thought provoking that I plan to buy 5 more copies and share with important people in my life. I enjoyed the insightfulness of Matthew Kelly--this was the first book I have read of his and have moved on to Perfectly Yourself: 9 Lessons for Enduring Happiness.
   
   If you are looking to examine your life and ask yourself some questions about how to move forward and become a person of greater character this book is for you.



5. The Rhythm of Life is a book that I keep going back to. It brings back that life is made up of choices. The choices we make reflect on how balanced our life can/should be. Happiness is not brought about by the amount of "stuff" we have, but by the substance we share physically, mentally, and spiritually within ourselves and others. I've been told that a happy home consists of a good coffee maker and dog. After reading The Rhythm of Life I need to add to a good coffee maker and dog to include a good book, church, and God in your soul. Well worth reading.

5 comments about Building Chicken Coops: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-224.

1. First I would like to say that the information in this pamphlet is useful, and in and of it self is worth the price if you know WHAT YOUR GETTING... This is a word for word copy (and I do mean word for word) of the "Housing" section in "Storey's Guide To Raising Chickens" By Gail Damerow. The book is well worth the money for all the information (outside of this chicken coop section) in it. You can pick up the book between 10 and 15 dollars (and it's worth every penny). Most people I have talked with (and some of the reviews below) stated they just ended up buying the book.
   
   Next thing to consider is that this is not a chicken coop construction manual. There are really no plans in it (just ideas). If your looking for chicken coop designs with plans I would suggest "Poultry House Construction" By Michael Roberts. It has 8 or 9 coop PLANS with black and white photos to show you what it will look like. Mr. Roberts book also gives you nesting box plans, broody coops, and much more in under a hundred pages. I think the book was only $11.00 american dollars.
   
   In closing do buy "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens" By Gail Damerow, and do buy "Poultry House Construction" By Micheal Roberts. I just can't in good faith tell you to buy this pamphlet given you will probably end up buying another book because the pamphlet really needs the rest of the book to be useful.



2. Lot's of good information, but the booklet is basically an excerpt from "Story's Guide to Raising Chickens" If you have that title, which you certainly SHOULD have, then this one is just taking up space on the shelf.



3. All of this information in this handout is already contained within the book, "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens." It is simply a few chapters of the book printed seperately.



4. The information is good but it was the same stuff found in Damerow's other book about raising chickens. If you just want ideas for building a pen this will help. But if you already have her other book then you already have this info as well. Thanks for your time.



5. This is very good for those who wish to have an idea as to amount of space needed. The only thing that I would have like to see is alternative material for building the hen house.

5 comments about When GOD Winks: How the Power of Coincidence Guides Your Life.

1. This book is an easy read, but it makes you think about different events in your life. It also helps give you a new perspective on your life. I highly recommend it!



2. Wonderful book! I've given copies to 20 plus friends.
   Amazing how it helps you see life differently.
   God Winks has changed the way I view everyday happenings.
   Highly recommendthis book!



3. I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a quick read and has a lot of short stories to illustrate how God is making Himself known in our lives. I came away with the hope that the coincedences in my own life really are signs that God is touching my life.



4. This book was extremely disappointing. I was very excited about it. I've had times in my life when I KNOW the Lord has worked and I was hoping this book would help me be more in tune to the Lord's work in my life and help me see specific situations I may have missed. What a joke!!!
   
   The book seems to be more of a manual for how to use coincidences to do what you want and feel good about it. Many of the examples of "God Winks" lead people to do things that our Lord would not approve of (one example being divorce).
   
   But my biggest complaint is that the vast majority of the author's examples of "God Winks" comes from the rich and famous. I got the impression that the author apparently can not even relate to or understand the work of God in the average person's life. This mistake on the author's part could lead to a reader becoming hopeless rather than hopeful that the True God is working in their life.
   
   I did not come away from the reading believing that the author knew and understood the True God of the Bible, though I did gain some benefit from reading the book. Reading it did remind me that God does work in my life in a personal way and that I need to always be looking for that work - and more importantly that I need to acknowledge, cherish and remember that work.
   
   I would like to share two instances that I know God worked in my life. One could be considered a "coincidence" but the other is just God's work. And both are simple, average examples of the Lord working in an ordinary person's life. They do not describe any life-changing events, but they are God's work non-the-less.
   
   1) My car - a Subaru Justy - was doing it's job getting my family of 5 around (two in car seats!). We joked about it being the clown car because we could all squeeze in and it looked funny; all of us piling out. The driver's side seat belt broke. We called to find out how much it would cost to fix and discovered that we really, really could not afford it, but what else could we do? Days later we received a letter in the mail informing us that the seat belts had been recalled and we could have it repaired at a dealership for free. What a BLESSING! This seems like a coincidence (or a "God Wink") but I took it for what it was....the Lord watching over us and taking care of our needs.
   
   2) Shortly before my grandfather died we made a trip to visit him. He was my favorite person in the world. The whole time we were there (as other times before) I would get on to my boys for being loud and rambuctious. My grandfather would sit in his chair in the living room and seemed to be sleeping. He was very frail. I was afraid that my boys would bother him. At one point the boys came bouncing loudly into the room. As I was about to get on to them and scold them for being loud I looked over at my grandfather. He was sitting in his chair laughing! He was wasting away at the end of his life, yet he was enjoying his grandsons' romping around his house. That was pure gold to me. You can't call this a coincidence. You could call it a "God Wink", but after reading Rushnell's book I have an aversion to that term. God did move and speak into my life, but it was absolutely nothing like what Rushnell describes in his book.
   
   I could give many more boring examples of how God has worked in my ordinary life. They probably wouldn't be as appealing as Rushnell's examples because they weren't coincidences on my path to being rich and famous. But they are real examples of a real God working in an ordinary person's life. And they didn't lead me to do something that God would not approve of, quite the opposite. All of the personal experiences I've had with God working in my life have led me away from sin and toward God.
   
   All that to say that if you believe in the God of the Bible don't waste your time reading this book. Instead spend the time really thinking on and praying about how the Lord has worked in your life. Thank Him for it and rejoice!
   
   titus2want2b



5. I read this book and then got a copy for myself. It is well worth the read,

5 comments about Alive in 5: Raw Gourmet Meals in Five Minutes.

1. This book is a great place to start for anyone making the transition to raw food. I recommend it to my neophyte raw food friends. It's not overwhelming and most recipes don't have long prep times.



2. I recently purchased three raw cookbooks, this is the first I have tried.
   
   I have tried all but two recipes of the first three days menu plan, plus two extras, sometimes they took a little longer than 5 minutes but I have enjoyed every recipes.
   
   This is my fourth try going raw and I may make it this time because the foods in the book are readily available (except maybe one or two).
   
   There is not a lot planning days ahead to soak, sprout, grind, dehydrate for three days so maybe it will be ready and hopefully you will still want it and remember what you were trying to make in the first place! With this book you see it, you check the frig and find the ingrediants, you make it, you love it!



3. Some really lovely recipes for dressings which we are always looking for to pour on our many salads and wraps. Also, a couple of soups I hadn't tried yet were very good. We don't eat many sweet things, but this book has a great sounding lemon pudding I want to try. A nice investment for the busy raw foodist.



4. I really like this book for it's simplicity and yet great tasting recipes. While some of them may be very simple - such as the cucumber pizza - I would have never tried it without the guidance provided. I made those simple little pizzas and took them to a party and they were not only a hit, but they totally disappeared - and fast!!
   
   I have about 12-15 raw books and find this one to be right at the top of the list (along with Jennifer Cornbleets too) due to the ease of the recipes without a lot of upfront prep time. This is definitely one of my "weekday" recipe books! Granted, on a raw lifetstyle one does have to remember that soaking nuts/seeds is part of the deal so keep that in mind.
   
   Enjoy and eat your veggies!



5. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking into or transitioning to raw food and anyone who is a busy person. It is simple, easy and the recipes really are ready fairly quickly. The food itself is very tasty and as long as you plan ahead you can be eating within 10 minutes of walking in the door. The "high fat" content alluded to in another review is much lower than a typical mainstream meal and it is my belief that when you transition to raw foods you need to have as much of the heavier foods around as possible, so that you feel satisfied as your body is getting used to the change. Worry about the fat later, when you are an experienced raw foodist. Chances are your body will tell you by then anyway! Enjoy this delightful little book and enjoy all the time you have not cooking!

5 comments about Obsessive Love: When It Hurts Too Much to Let Go.

1. I hate those reviewers who write, "this book changed my life," but this book saved my life. I was able to quit a very toxic relationship after 3 years while reading this book. The exercises really help because it's so eye opening to finally see on paper our unhealthy patterns and behaviors. Her section that explains the difference between feelings and thoughts is very enlightening since most of us seem to confuse the two in our communications (saying, "I felt like the movie was kind of slow," when we really mean, "I think this movie is slow, and I feel bored, restless.") This book can really help you get your life back in balance when you think you just can't live without that one magic person.



2. 
   
   This is the best book that truly spoke to obsessive lovers. I had a hard time putting the book down becuase I related to so many of the people inside. Finally, someone has written a book for both women and men about obsessive, addictive relationships. I feel like I have new insight into problem and can start making positive changes in my life. Excellent book for anyone caught up in another person.



3. I've been struggling with "getting over" my ex for 6 years now, and this is the first book I've read that has actually helped me. It shows how and why thoughts and behaviors can become obsessive, and gives concrete suggestions and exercises to help change these self destructive tendincies. I highly recommend this book for anybody ready to take their life back and move on to a new, healthy relationship.



4. I stumbled across this book at one of the lowest times of my life... I started reading it and it seemed as if the book were written just for me! I started to highlight passages and had to stop as I was highlighting so that it was taking too much time -- I just wanted to continue reading as quickly as possible as I was learning so much.
   
   It was astonishing - I honestly did not know other people felt exactly as I did, and reacted similarly to their crisis as I did to mine. The book did help me get thru that horrible period of my life. I tossed the book several years ago, but from time to time I find myself reflecting on some of the ideas and messages that have stayed with me from the book.



5. I read this book about 6 yrs ago. At the time I was obsessed with my ex partner.When I started reading this book I totally related to what I was reading . By the end of this book I was left fustrated and confused.The exercises that were suggested At the end seemed simple enough but I found for myself these were totally inadequate and I was left alot more alone and depressed than before I started. Since then I have done alot more reading in love and sex addition and find that this subject is very complexed. I did 5 weeks in rehab for sex and love addition and have been a member of a twelve step fellowship for the last 2 yrs. Through this work I have come across well informed literature which has shown me a path to help heal and understand what I am going through and suggests that this work cannot be done alone. I am 43yrs old and for the first time in my life I feel contentment and present. There is for me alot more literature out there that far outways this book that I personally would not recommend it.

5 comments about In The SpotLight, Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking and Performing.

1. There are a lot of self-help books on the market that deal with the fear of public speaking. But I can say first-hand that if you are looking for help in how to overcome this fear, this is the best one you can buy.
   
   The book is more than just speaking tips or techniques---it takes you right to the heart of the issue, which I found to be surprisingly helpful. It helps you understand where the fear is coming from in the first place and how to ultimately overcome it. I read the book about a year ago, and have re-read certain chapters many times since then as both a resource and a confidence booster when I've have a big speech coming up.
   
   There's not much more I can say, other than I bought the book. It helped me. I highly reccomend it to anyone who is looking for help with this very common fear.



2. Reading Janet's book was a revelation for me. It was amazing to find that someone understood exactly how I felt when I found out that I had to speak in public and the torture I imposed on myself leading up to, during and after speaking. But better yet, she not only empathizes with the reader, but provides a clear path to overcoming the torture. So enjoy the empathy, but enjoy even more the tools for success!



3. The author had first-hand stage fright experience and she shared the techniques that she learned to overcome the stage fright and to go beyond the fright to enjoy being in the spot light. The skills are very valuable for a stage fright person like me, and are also valuable for teachers of music who would want to learn how to help students with stage fright.
   
   The skills mentioned in the book are transferable skills that can be used to reduce stress and to cultivate positive self-esteem. Teachers can use these excellent skills to help their students.
   
   It was by far the best book that offers alternative and possible solutions to shift the stage fright paradigm. The book has been helpful to me as a personal growth tool and in other areas of my life, in addition to the performance anxiety challenges. One day I was feeling down, and reading chapter 10 of the book re-channeled me to something more funny and pleasant and I was uplifted. That was a powerful experience.
   
   The book is easy, fun and enjoyable to read. Once you start reading, it is hard to stop reading.



4. I would listen to this CD to sleep, not for my anxiety. The best thing for anxiety is Celexa and EMDR. I bought this CD with the book and it's terrible. It states the obvious and is not helpful at all.
   
   Sorry, but it sucks.



5. I am a college student studying Business and I've had a long history of anxiety and panic with being "In the Spotlight." I finally got sick of living in fear-- that a teacher would call on me or that I would have to give a presentation. If a presentation was listed on the syllabus for a class I would have a panic attack right there just in anticipation! I was finally fed up and joined Toastmasters about a year ago. I then set a goal to start the only Speech club on my college campus. At this point, I was still VERY nervous about public speech and decided to read this book in preparation of the first Speech club meeting.
   
   This book helped me in many, many ways. It helped to go forward with that first meeting for the Speech club-- something I had been dreading for months and months! There are many positive and useful techniques: positive thinking, reassurance training, breathing techniques, getting to the source of the anxiety... The list goes on!
   
   I still get nervous giving speeches and continue to have small panic attacks when put on the spot in a class. I know that if I continue to face this fear and use constructive techniques such as the ones in this book, I will slowly grow out of it. Good luck!

5 comments about On Death and Dying (Scribner Classics).

1. We studied Ms. Kubler-Ross's five stages of grief in medical school, but somehow I never got around to reading her orignal work. I presumed that it would be the same dry material that required the learned professors of academia to digest and regurgitate for the masses of medical students crying out for knowledge.
   
   I was wrong.
   
   The work is intimately accessible by everyone as a powerful reflection on death and dying that encourages each of us to address our own mortality and encourages us to treat those experiencing death and dying with empathy, dignity and respect.



2. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross is undoubtedly the world's foremost expert on the subject of death and dying. I learned about her stages of grief as an undergraduate majoring in psychology some 20 years ago, and later was re-acquainted with her ideas when I did a ten-year stint working in nursing. Now I am a teacher of psychology and history, and I finally came around to reading her most important book, and perhaps the most important and revolutionary book ever written on the subject of death.
   
   Kubler-Ross's ideas regarding the grieving process are quite profound. As I read her book, I remembered many times while caring for the dying, that a staff or family interaction could have been better understood if the people involved had taken the time to read this book. Knowing the stages are not nearly as effective as reading this book and getting to know Kubler-Ross's mind and heart which she shares with you in the pages of this book. Moreover, the examples she brings forth are wonderful illustrations into getting to know the more subtle clues that give insight to the subject.
   
   I'll provide an example: while in nursing, I cared for a man who was near death. It wasn't until the daughter told her father "It's OK to let go" that the man was able to reach a stage of acceptance. He died the next day. What I didn't understand until I read Kubler-Ross's book is that it wasn't the father who was in denial; it was the rather the daughter. Once the father knew that the daughter was ready to part with her dear father; he was able to rest in peace.
   
   This is a powerful book. I wish I had read it while I worked in nursing. I strongly advise anybody who works around death and dying to read this book.



3. Kubler-Ross does an outstanding job of synthesizing her years of observation and experience into a succinct, readable volume. She tackles the difficult issues of death and loss with candor and sensitivity. This book provides brilliant insights into the nature and purpose of mourning, how to face one's mortality, how to let the certainty of death enhance one's life, how to deal with the death of a loved one and minister to people in grief. Her "five stages" are quintessential and have helped countless people deal with death. This book is a sobering and enlightening journey. Highly recommended.



4. I highly recommend this book. My father died of terminal cancer. Two days after the funeral, I saw my dad at the foot of my bed. When I saw him a second time I thought I had lost my mind. Not only did the book help me to heal but it assured me that it was not my imagination those nights I saw him. There is something else beyond this life waiting for us. Skeptics will always find ways to dispute this fact but I've learned to brush those people off. When their time comes, they will see for themselves.



5. Having lost two family members within a short time of each other, this book was very helpful to me when dealing with so many emotions at once. I already knew of Kubler-Ross' five stages of grief, however there was much to be learned here as the dying were the teachers.