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Rating: 
Summary: Brief and superficial
Review: Disappointing in its brevity, this book is little more than a pamphlet. Despite purporting to address issues of birth order, this book provides only a few pages on the entire topic, and covers the entire realm of possible "middle" children in less than two pages, without even bothering to address the issue of gender, which are at least mentioned for other birth positions. Furthermore, it claims middle children are likely to be "confused about their identity", "less likely to take the initiative or think independently", "the lowest achievers academically and the least likely in a family to go to college", "often feel that life is unfair", "become self destructive by becoming a gang member or a petty criminal (but rarely a big-time crook). Often they will just develop annoying habits". But don't worry, "middle" children out there, according to Dr Richardson, there is a wonderful career waiting for you as a secretary or a waiter!!! I'm not sure how this is supposed to be helpful to someone hoping to understand the impact of their family of origin.
Rating: 
Summary: A great way to get started on understanding family
Review: I have been recommending this book to friends and colleagues who are struggling with family issues. It is easy to read, and yet raises very relevant and practical questions. This is the perfect bridge between the most powerful academic ideas, and practical steps for anyone to take to understand themselves, and create better relationships with their family. There are many cases presented in the book that can help you see that what you're experiencing is common, and can be worked through. The underlying structure of the book is very solid--based on Friedman's emotional systems stuff. There is a part at the end on how to research and learn from your family history, going back several generations. Finally, there is a fun chapter on family position. I think it is meant to be general, and taken with a grain of salt. Having said that, I've found the research on the link between family position and couple compatibility to be very interesting. If you like this book and want more depth, read "Generation to Generation" by Edwin Friedman.
Rating:
Summary: Differentiation - a key to being and giving
Review: I read this book on the advice of a wonderful counselor. What I found most remarkable was that the Family Systems approach confirms the crucial importance of fathers in our lives, both as men and women. It seems that in our desire to correct the injustices commited against women by selfish and angry men, we have gone too far and ignored the fact that a father's love is vitally important for both men and women to find wholeness. This book doesn't give all the answers, but it is a step towards finding healing for our brokenness and the freedom to freely give of ourselves to loved ones, friends, and all those in need around us. A good follow up read to this book is Leanne Payne's "Crisis in Masculinity".
Rating:
Summary: Good birth order book
Review: Richardson's early book is one of the most reasonable and non-sensational treatments on birth order and family dynamics. Goes beyond focusing on individual traits or characteristics, he takes seriously the overarching family systems theory that should inform any treatment on birth order.
Rating:
Summary: This book provides an excellent basis for family of origin.
Review: This book provided valuable insight and information surrounding family of origin and birth order. It helped in understanding how and why we interact the way we do in our families. A very good basic and easy-to-read book. Excellent as a referral for clients.
Rating:
Summary: This book provides an excellent basis for family of origin.
Review: This book provided valuable insight and information surrounding family of origin and birth order. It helped in understanding how and why we interact the way we do in our families. A very good basic and easy-to-read book. Excellent as a referral for clients.
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