Divorce; disputes over inheritances, family business, or elder care. Rifts over marriage partners, career choices, or sexual orientation--these are just some of the many ways that even close families can break apart. Yet this all-too-common and often devastating family problem, and its emotional fallout, has gone virtually unaddressed…until now.
In this remarkable book, Barbara LeBey, an Atlanta attorney and former judge, who herself suffered and resolved a family estrangement, shares the stories of people from every walk of life and of every age and race, to show how such rifts often begin and how they can usually be resolved.
Working closely with two family therapists, LeBey offers a set of tested guidelines to help you approach alienated or angry family members, deal with your own issues, and mend your broken family relationships--even if you think it may already be too late. Compassionate, practical, and full of rich insight, this book is a beacon of hope and healing to which families everywhere will turn again and again.
This book is intended for the benefit of those who sincerely want to mend an estrangement. The point of the book was never to present both sides of the discord, but to help those who wanted to reconnect. Unfortunately, my daughter-in-law, in an obsessive effort to control my son, severed his relationship with his family, and continues to prevent his family from having any contact with their two daughters. This cruel daughter-in-law has been tireless in her recruitment of people willing to write negative reviews of my book. First, she hurt me and my entire family by causing this unnecessary estrangement, then she prevented her own children from having the love of paternal grandparents, aunt and uncles. And now, she blames the book for the estrangement when it was the five year estrangement that served as a catalyst for the book. The stories and guidelines presented in FAMILY ESTRANGEMENTS will provide you with a road map to lead you back to your loved one.
This is an informative book, clearly written and with examples to make concepts meaningful. It contributes to enhanced understanding of the myriad problems that today's families have, their causes and remedies if possible. If not, recommendations for living with them are given. I am benefiting from this book.
My first encounter with this thoughtful, well-written book was at my public library. After re-newing it twice...realized I did not want to return it. I needed this book and the thoughtful ideas within.
Decided to investigate on Amazon and was able to purchase reasonably priced paperbacck. Am now considering purchase of additional copies. Realize this is not a typical 'gift book topic'......however it IS and excellent resource for this emotional subject
