Product Description

Based on the public television series of the same name, Bradshaw On: The Family is John Bradshaw's seminal work on the dynamics of families that has sold more than a million copies since its original publication in 1988. Within its pages, you will discover the cause of emotionally impaired families. You will learn how unhealthy rules of behavior are passed down from parents to children, and the destructive effect this process has on our society.

Using the latest family research and recovery material in this new edition, Bradshaw also explores the individual in both a family and societal setting. He shows you ways to escape the tyranny of family-reinforced behavior traps--from addiction and co-dependency to loss of will and denial--and demonstrates how to make conscious choices that will transform your life and the lives of your loved ones. He helps you heal yourself and then, using what you have learned helps you heal your family.

Finally, Bradshaw extends this idea to our society: by returning yourself and your family to emotional health, you can heal the world in which you live. He helps you reenvision societal conflicts from the perspective of a global family, and shares with you the power of deep democracy: how the choices you make every day can affect--and improve--your world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30129 in Books
• Published on: 1990-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 230 pages

From Library Journal
Bradshaw (Family Secrets, LJ 1/95), a well-known speaker and author on such topics as addiction, recovery, and spirituality, has released a revised version of John Bradshaw: On Family, which first accompanied his 1984 television series. In this edition, he speaks out on the need for democracy within the family, as opposed to a patriarchal model of family relations. Throughout, Bradshaw refers to earlier models of child rearing as "poisonous pedagogy," and he is deeply committed to changing parenting within today's families and helping adults damaged by the parenting they received to rebuild their self-esteem. He uses many of the techniques of Adult Children of Alcoholics and similar groups in helping the reader identify problems and repair damage. Earlier editions of this book have sold more than a million copies, so public libraries will certainly have a demand for this title.
Kay L. Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills., Md.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
Is any family "normal"? According to Bradshaw, an expert in family relationships, the answer is probably "no." However, through a series of critically acclaimed tapes, Bradshaw kindly and cleanly explains the factors that shape an individual and define how a family functions. The tapes are broken down into 10 independent presentations, so a listener can choose which topics are of personal interest. However, all the tapes provide valuable insight into behavior. Bradshaw is a gifted speaker, full of energy and empathy, who makes it impossible to forget the important information he imparts in this excellent series. E.W.S. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

About the Author
John Bradshaw has been at the forefront of the self-development and recovery field for more than ten years. He has helped million of people improve their lives through his ongoing lecture series, his nationally broadcast public television series and his bestselling books.

Customer Reviews

helpful ideas, but poorly written and organized
I think there are a lot of good ideas in this book that have helped me and could help others, but unfortunately it was painful to get through. Bradshaw uses too much jargon and needlessly creates some of his own hokey jargon. The personal examples are all extreme cases, leaving those of us who had difficult childhoods but not Lifetime Drama-material childhoods wondering if maybe we're making too much of things. I found the lists and summaries at the end of each chapter unhelpful and irritating. Bradshaw is repetitive, and goes off on tangents too easily. I also just don't like his tone, which comes off as a bit arrogant. Given all of that, I am glad that I read this book as it gave me a lot to think about and work on. It also helped me understand that some of what I went through as a child was not normal, and had consequences for my emotional development. As I read this book I wanted to keep reading in case there was more to learn, but I kept thinking, "there must be a better written book on this subject."

Saved my life - opened my eyes
This book saved my life! It is a must-read for anyone from a dysfunctional family or in an abusive relationship. Bradshaw helps you get to the heart of your hurt, heal it, and move on. He offers understanding of the dynamics at work in abusive situations, and the understanding helps to heal. He has been there, and his analyses make sense, and they let you know you are NOT insane and you are NOT a victim. His insight is empowering and gives us all hope for the future where we might not have had any. I have given several copies to my friends in crisis and truly believe this honest look inside could benefit everyone.

A Must Read !!
I was introduced to the Bradshaw Video's which aired on PBS in the 80's while I was in rehab. Not only did it answer a lot of questions for me about my childhood but it was enlightening and an eye opener for me. I bought all of his books and I highly recommend those from dysfunctional backgrounds to read his materials.