Recovery Books

This is an outstanding book, following the fateful flight of a young air crew fresh in from the States who ditched in the sea on their way to base in England, their subsequent combat stories, and the amazing rediscovery of their B-17 Flying Fortress "The Meltin' Pot" by divers just a few years ago. I knew one of the men on this plane--Lee Kessler--and shortly before he passed away he talked about how excited he was that his original plane had been located. It had been his hope to go see it.
The book, by Irish author Jack Scoltock, is a great read certain to interest anyone with even a passing interest in WWII bombers or diving.

--Rob Morris, Author, 'Untold Valor: Forgotten Stories of American Bomber Crews over Europe in World War Two'

I am the founder of an incest survivor network in the UK. This is one of the books that we recommend to people who make contact with us. Contained within the pages of the book are the voices of 100 survivors - drawn from all over the UK. The book helps to remind individual survivors that they are not alone. That there are other people out there who have suffered sexual abuse and who know what the reader has felt/is feeling. Difficult to read at times but a definate connection.

This 2005 translation of 'Therapeutique des maladies mentales' (1992, Les Editions du Cerf) offers access to the well-heeled research of the author. Jean-Claude Larchet has built a steady foundation of criticism concerning so-called scientific approaches to treat mental and spiritual diseases. His thesis advances the view that ancient Fathers of the Church offer insights to treating mental and spiritual maladies, which contemporary theories of psychiatry either ignore or rebuff. Moreover, while acknowledging the gaps in source material from the Fathers, he identifies the explanatory gaps in psychiatric theories and treatment modalities all the same.

Theological anthropology, derived from the Fathers, constitutes the general theme of the first chapter. The author devotes a chapter to each grouped domain of causes for mental illness according to the Fathers: a) insanity due to somatic origins, b) insanity due to demonic origin, and c) insanity of spiritual origin. Of particular note are 24 pages devoted to acedia -- its nosology, and treatment of sadness and acedia.

The capstone of the text is a study of the fool for Christ. The goal of life in Christ is not only to be free of mental illness, but also to achieve harmony among body, mind, and spirit. Such harmony is represented by the fool for Christ, who is motivated by humility, detachment from the world, and charity.

I offer an enthusiastic recommendation to consider this text as essential reading for spiritual formation in Christ, comprehensive treatment of sadness and acedia, and reappraisal of conventional medical modalities for treatment of mental illnesses. The text appeals to scholars and many others who share interests in etiology and management of mental illnesses. There are sufficient references in the bibliography to enhance additional exploration in themes addressed by the text.

"..offer .. hope for the future..presents his views without bias.. chapters are thorough and informative without being technical.. segment on grief touched on all its stages from shock to denial, from bargaining to anger, from guilt to acceptance. That these schema affect 'just about everyone' is a fact - how their effects help to define mental illness is the facinating part. The author goes on to help the reader understand his/her schema in various ways..powerfully presents a first hand accountof his own process to not only understand his schema but also reducing the effects they played in his illness. Another important segment has to do with journaling..the details of each excercise and how it can be used on the road to recovery is very enlightening. Throughout the book he evokes moments of anger, sadness, love and a host of emotions on his road to recovery. The reader comes away with the feeling of wanting to know more about his life." From Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, published by Boston University, Vol. 28 No. 2 Fall 2004

I love this book! Everytime I read it, it makes me feel young and excited about life. It really helps you to find your inner child by using your imagination and adventuring along with the main character, Merinda, in the book. The audio is an excellent addition to the book also. The tape and book are very relaxing and refreshing to body, mind, and spirit.

Excellent book! So good I bought two of them and read one and then gave it to a friend who was, in fact, hooked on meth. If it just saves a couple of lives, especially her life, then it is worth it's weight in gold! I have read other books on methamphetamine addiction and this one is by far the most comprehensive and true to life book on this subject I have read to date. It is an up to date, brass tacks, interesting, easy to read and understand book, period. You will learn why it is so addictive, what to look for in an addict, how easily it is made, how people are so easily addicted and much more. Methamphetamine is for real and I will guarantee someone you know, maybe even someone you love, is addicted to this drug and you don't even realize it. I have friends hooked on this stuff and this book helped me deal with these addicts. A must read!

Twenty years ago on New Years Eve, John Wisdomkeeper found himself, broke and broken, alone and freezing under a tree in Northern British Columbia, wearing nothing but a faded jean jacket.

The story of his journey back from addiction and twenty years of travels in recovery is nothing short of amazing. The characters he meets on his travels and the experiences he shares are awesome.

"Gracefully written, filled with historical insight, and accompanied by fine photographs, these chapters are a pleasure to read. The most contemporary deal with the adaptation of Islam to economic realities, and a revealing comparison of the Balkans and the Middle East. Of particular interest is the author's explanation for the change in standing among Egypt, Iran, and Turkey over the past two centuries."
-Foreign Affairs

"Issawi stands out . . . as a master at knowing what data are available, how much trust to put in them, and how to use them to illustrate a point without losing the interest of the nonspecialist.

His writing is readily accessible to the general reader."
-Choice

Every counselor, whether secular or Biblical, involved in the process of helping people move forward towards healing and restoration will find this book as an excellent reference and model to pattern discussions after.

Hahnenberg's book presents contemporary ministry in light of Vatican II's impact on the Church and the world clearly and powerfully. The material is a valuable tool for those in active ministry.