A Grief Like No Other: Surviving the Violent Death of Someone You Love

by Kathleen O'Hara, Dan Gottlieb (Foreword)

A Grief Like No Other will help you cope with the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one from homicide, suicide, drug overdose, accident, terrorism or mass shootings. And now with so many deaths caused by Corona virus, it is even more relevant. These kinds of violent and sudden deaths require a different approach to grieving. This book offers a unique 7 stage model that will guide through your grief. It gives suggestions for how to tell your story, discover the 8 human qualities that strengthen and comfort you, handle the overwhelming waves of emotions, how to practice acceptance, forgiveness and gratitude, how to use creativity in the healing process and finally how to live in this new world without your loved one.The author, Kathleen O'Hara has counselled thousands of people dealing with grief. And as a mother, faced her greatest challenge when her son Aaron was murdered while at college in 1999. She wrote this book to help others navigate the harrowing journey across the ocean of grief and learn how to live again.  .

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Psychology, Grief

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2006

Reviews

[Niamh]

giving this a rating doesn't really feel appropriate given the topic so i won't, but what i will say is it is a brilliant resource and very insightful especially if you are supporting someone in these circumstances

[Chris Dietzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is targeted specifically as dealing with grief due to the violent death of someone you love, it works just as well for dealing with grief in general. At every stage of the book O'Hara does a good job of reminding readers that each type of grief is different, and each person deals with their grief differently as well, so there is no one-stop-shop for addressing it. Instead, she provides tons of alternatives so that everyone, no matter what type of grief you endure or how you process it, can find something helpful.

Highly recommended for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one.

[Susan M Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve tried a lot of books on grief to try and deal and heal with our horrific loss. Not one made me feel heard and understood until this one. Death from violence, and especially guns, is so devastating and traumatic. This book took me the full year because I kept starting and stopping because of the emotions it would invoke. However, it’s the best medicine I’ve had yet if there is such a thing to help one on a healing journey. Loved this book. Pairs well with counseling!

[Sarah Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a light read, but so very helpful if you find yourself losing someone in a traumatic way. Or if you work with or are close to someone in this situation. It is a life preserver when you feel like your are drowning in the emotions and chaos of the grief surrounding suicide, murder or other violent deaths.

[Louisa Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a great book. I recommend it to anyone that has lost someone they love to violent crime... not something I would wish on anyone (it's awful), but Kathleen O-Hara has written a generous, kind, honest, and sensitive book to help us through such a difficult experience. Thank you, Kathleen!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope you never need to read this book. But you should be aware that if you do it is an excellent resource. Helpful, gentle, compassionate, and thoughtful, and (possibly most important) written by someone who has lived through it.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite simply, the best book you could read if you find yourself in this situation. Kathleen O'Hara has been there and she gets it. She has the personal experience and the academic credentials to make some sense of the senseless.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

very helpful book for people who have lost someone from a violent or sudden death

[Queen Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing insight to grief & inspiration.. A must read if you are dealing with a loss or helping someone deal with a loss.

[boat_tiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much needed...very helpful.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book in bits--taking long breaks. I will keep it close for a while.