Forgiveness and Health

Reviews / Votes

The world being what it is, there is no shortage of circumstances where the worst of human behaviors provide the opportunity for one of the best, namely forgiveness. Philosophers have long wrestled with the question of whether forgiveness is better for the forgiver or the forgivee. Remarkably, this question has become a subject of careful scientific research in recent years, and this excellent, important book presents the first thorough overview of the subject. Naturally, the answer to the question, "Is forgiveness good for you" is mighty complicated.Robert M SapolskyJohn A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn ProfessorDepartments of Biology, Neurosurgery, and Neurology and Neurological Sciences______________________________________________________________________________How we experience life's challenges can profoundly affect our well-being. In this outstanding book, Toussaint, Worthington, and Williams open our eyes to the power of forgiveness, which may be one of the most important tools we have for reducing disease and improving human health. Their review of the subject is the best to date and a must-read for scientists, practitioners, and laypeople alike.George M. SlavichDirector, Laboratory for Stress Assessment and ResearchCousins Center for PsychoneuroimmunologyUniversity of California, Los Angeles______________________________________________________________________________ burgeoning field of inquiry will want to have this book on their shelves.Christopher G. EllisonProfessor of SociologyDean's Distinguished Professor of Social ScienceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio______________________________________________________________________________This volume is cutting edge. All that is currently known on forgiveness, unforgiveness and health is covered between these covers. A remarkable compilation of chapters that review research findings on the relationship between forgiveness and medical and mental health. A book of great significance in this emerging area.Leslie GreenbergProfessor-Department of PsychologyYork University______________________________________________________________________________Forgiveness and Health is the definitive volume on the role of forgiveness in human health. Scholarly, creative, and user-friendly, the chapters in this book are likely to steer the field for many years to come.Michael McCulloughProfessor-Department of PsychologyUniversity of Miami______________________________________________________________________________This book is a comprehensive and carefully crafted resource for researchers, teachers, students, and anyone looking to better understand the science of how forgiveness can improve one's health. Leading contributors offer deep insight and useful recommendations about forgiveness and well being. This book is the best answer to date of the important question, "how and why is forgiveness good for you?" Frederic LuskinDirector of the Stanford Forgiveness Projects______________________________________________________________________________Research on forgiveness has seen an explosion of interest and activity over the past several years. In Forgiveness and Health, Toussaint, Worthington and Williams have done the burgeoning field an important service by bringing together top scholars in the field to assess the current state of theory, measurement and findings on the topic. As important, their volume provides crucial insights for helping to guide future research efforts on forgiveness and its consequences. There is little doubt that Forgiveness and Health will be an essential resource for scholars in the field for years to come.Marc MusickProfessor, Department of SociologyMike Hogg Professorin Liberal ArtsSenior Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts______________________________________________________________________________This volume signals a coming-of-age of forgiveness theory, research, and practice. Written by leaders in the field, the chapters in Forgiveness and Health report on the latest advances in the definition, theory, and measurement of forgiveness. In rich detail , they describe how forgiveness is fully interwoven into physical health, mental health, culture, and context. The volume cements the vital role of forgiveness in efforts to understand and enhance health and well-being. Highly recommended for researchers and practitioners alike.Kenneth I. Pargament, Ph. D.Professor, Department of PsychologyBowling Green State University______________________________________________________________________________This volume provides a welcome and comprehensive approach to understanding forgiveness and its role in health. It is well-known that social ties are key determinants of good health and well-being, and that social isolation is a risk. But there are strains in every relationship, and a need for restoration. Forgiveness is a mechanism for the repair of social relationships -- and it is available to everyone.Ellen L Idler, PhDSamuel Candler Dobbs Professor of SociologyDirector, Religion and Public Health CollaborativeDepartment of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public HealthEmory University______________________________________________________________________________Drs. Toussaint, Worthington, and Williams are, of course, three of the leading experts on the topic of forgiveness and how it relates to, and impacts, both mental and physical health. Consequently, it is not surprising that they assembled a true all-star collection of authors in this comprehensive volume on forgiveness. Though the research literature is not as plentiful in this area as in others with longer histories, through examination of this book I found it rather amazing how much work has been done in a relatively short amount of time. There is currently no better source for a thorough survey of the work on forgiveness and health than this book. All scholars interested in this area will want to have this volume on their shelf.Kevin S. Masters, Ph.D.Professor and Program Director, Clinical Health PsychologyEditor-in-Chief, Annals of Behavioral MedicinePast President, Division 38 (Health Psychology) American Psychological AssociationUniversity of Colorado Denver