As I mentioned in a previous post, I think that the topic of forgiveness is so very important both in mental health, but also for a grander version of world peace. Imagine if the Israelis and Palestinians could forgive each other (in fact, there are people working on that. Click here for more information)!
In general, I will say that I liked, but did not love this book. I had to work at reading it, more than I usually do. When I read self-help books, I try and apply them to my own life, and perhaps it is because there isn’t really anyone in my life right now that I need to forgive, that I found the book did not sustain my attention very well. If you would like to check out a copy for yourself, click here.
Pros to this book:
11) The writing is simple and easy to understand.
22) The author writes in a way that lets you know he has a lot of clinical experience working with forgiveness in his clients. If I was focusing on forgiveness now, in my life, I think I would want him as my therapist.
33) His case studies and examples are very compelling and mostly relatable. I think it would be hard for someone to read this book and not relate to some of the people in it.44) I like that he has a chapter devoted to self- forgiveness since the ability to see oneself as imperfect, yet whole, is entirely related to ones’ ability to forgive the same imperfection in others.
Cons to this book:
11) I know there is a good amount of research about the benefits of forgiveness. The author really does not present much of it, which left me wanting.
22) I did not find this book to be very helpful, from the standpoint of a therapist looking to learn something about implementing forgiveness work into their own practice
33) While I know that it is ‘gimmicky’ to have a set up steps, I found myself wishing that the author had actual exercises/worksheets. Most of his tools are really just ‘things to think about’ or journal about which I found harder to translate into action than, for example, some of the things in the recent Seligman book I read. I found myself wanting something more concrete.
I have on my list now, to read something by Everett Worthington, another psychologist and author who writes about forgiveness, whom I think I might enjoy more.