Retelling Violent Death

Rating:
Summary: Kind and wise
Review: Dr Rynearson's book resonates kindness and wisdom, based on his decades of work in the area of trauma and loss. He presents a model for understanding traumatic grief that takes into account the yearning for reunion that occurs with a death of a loved person, and the desire to avoid recall of the violence that occurs with traumatic events. He speaks from personal experience, so painfully gained, that completely centers the reader in the narrative. He has a kindly understanding of the ways in which we all seek to grapple with a violent loss, whether it be from suicide or by the act of an other. This is a human story, told with clinical wisdom and a deep understanding of complexity. The author never talks down to or over the heads of his readers, but through to us in a way that is very moving; several times I was in tears (not my usual experience in reading a clinical book).
His work is grounded in years of clinical experience and research. He heads a trauma and loss center at a hospital in Seattle and satellite training centers across the country. He is the author of numerous publications in the scholarly literature, and recipient of grants to fund his work. What comes through in this book, however, is the complex intelligent understanding of what it is to be human and responding to traumatic loss.
The book is divided into two sections; the first is more narrative and the second had more clinical recommendations. I would highly recommend this book to any clinicians dealing with violent death. Supporters and friends of persons who have recently suffered a violent loss will find their compassion and understanding increased. Persons who have themselves suffered the loss may at first be too upset to absorb the wisdom of this book, but later I think it would be very comforting.
So sadly, it is a timely publication.

Rating:
Summary: Essential guidance for clinicians and patients
Review: Dr. Rynearson's thoughtfully and succinctly written book is valuable because of the personal and clinical points of view he brings to the subject of the effects of violent death on family, friends and community. Everyone who works in health care or social services will benefit from the stories and advice in this truthful book.