Most Popular Books by John Bradshaw

In this powerful book, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Reclaiming Virtue shows how we can learn to nurture our inner child and offer ourselves the good parenting we needed and longed for. Are you outwardly successful but inwardly feel like a big kid? Do you aspire to be a loving parent but too often “lose it” in hurtful ways? Do you crave intimacy but sometimes wonder if it’s worth the struggle? Are you plagued by constant, vague feelings of anxiety or depression? If any of this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing the hidden but damaging effects of a painful childhood—carrying within you a “wounded inner child” who is crying out for attention and healing. John Bradshaw’s step-by-step process of exploring the unfinished business of each developmental stage helps us break away from destructive family rules and roles, freeing ourselves to live responsibly in the present. Then, says Bradshaw, the healed inner child becomes a source of vitality, inviting us to find new joy and energy in living. Homecoming includes a wealth of unique case histories and interactive techniques, including questionnaires, guided meditations, affirmations, and letter-writing to the inner child. These classic therapies, which were pioneering when introduced, continue to be validated by new discoveries in attachment research and neuroscience. No one has ever brought them to a popular audience more effectively and inspiringly than John Bradshaw.

Analyzes the structure of families, examines the unexpresssed rules used to raise children, and discusses family violence, child abuse, and dysfunctional families.

Argues that shame is the core problem in compulsions, co-dependencies, and addictions, and suggests techniques for healing shameful feelings.

“Why are so many of us at times completely baffled by a relationship? How can we think we know someone so well and admit in the end that we hardly knew that person at all? Why do many people who work diligently and strenuously to gain wholeness and balance still feel so frustrated about having a fulfilling relationship? Why have so many people given up on love?”—from the Prologue John Bradshaw’s bestselling books and compelling PBS series have touched and changed millions of lives. Now, in Creating Love, he offers us a new way to understand our most crucial relationships—with our romantic partners and spouses, with our parents and children, with friends and co-workers, with ourselves, and with God. Bradshaw’s compassionate approach shows that many of us have been literally “entranced” by past experiences of counterfeit love, so we unknowingly re-create patterns that can never fulfill us. Here he provides both the insights and the precise tools we need to keep those destructive patterns from repeating in the present. And then he shows how we can open ourselves to the soul-building work of real love—and create healthy, loving relationships where we can be fully ourselves in every part of our lives.

What you don''t know can hurt you— but it can also lead to self-acceptance and healing. Family Secrets gives you the tools you need to understand your family—and yourself—in an entirely new way. In his bestselling books and compelling PBS specials, John Bradshaw has transformed our understanding of how we are shaped by our families. Now join him on this fascinating journey of discovery, which starts with your life today and takes you back through the conflicts, the strengths, and the weaknesses of your parents’ generation—and even your grandparents’. Using a powerful technique for exploring your “family tree,” you’ll trace the visible and invisible patterns that have influenced you. You’ll learn about family secrets that are healthy and necessary, and also about the secrets that can limit your wholeness and freedom—even if you don’t know they exist. This work is sometimes painful, but it is always enlightening—filled with the kind of “aha” moments and realizations that make everything fall into place. With John Bradshaw’s guidance, you will come to a new appreciation and acceptance of yourself. You will also be able to build more open, honest, and loving relationships with the people who matter most.

John Bradshaw is arguably the most accomplished and well-known leader alive today in the addictions field. He taught us about functional and dysfunctional families, showed us how shame could become toxic and poisonous to our core selves, and helped us understand and heal the wounded, vulnerable "inner child" conceived by, and thriving in, that environment. In Post-Romantic Stress Disorder (PRSD), Bradshaw gives readers a clear explanation of the difference between falling in love, lust, and true love. Based on his research, PRSD is a deeply serious psychological disorder and the cause of 40% of all divorces –divorces that could have been prevented. Every day people throw away perfectly good relationships because they just don''t know how to navigate the tides, but if they could learn and understand the concepts Bradshaw presents in this book, the portrait of the family unit could have a whole new landscape. Join this great teacher as he opens the gates to a new frontier, tackling issues that threaten and endanger so many modern relationships. Be encouraged as he leads the way to a deeper and more fulfilling spiritual union. As he so eruditely observed some time ago, "As the health of the marriage goes, so goes the health of the family." Yet Bradshaw ladles out hope unlimited?if parents could restore a deep, authentic love for each other it could be passed on to their children and families would actually flourish.

"The idea of training rarely crosses cat owners'' minds, and we often assume that cats can''t and don''t need to be trained. But in The Trainable Cat, bestselling anthrozoologist John Bradshaw and cat expert Sarah Ellis show that not only can cats be trained, but they absolutely must be in order to strengthen the bond between pet and owner, reduce their anxiety, and maximize their happiness, "--Amazon.com.

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 re-envision 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.

"Dogs have been mankind''s faithful companions for tens of thousands of years, yet today they are regularly treated as either pack-following wolves or furry humans. The truth is, dogs are neither--and our misunderstanding has put them in serious crisis. What dogs really need is a spokesperson, someone who will assert their specific needs. Renowned anthrozoologist Dr. John Bradshaw has made a career of studying human-animal interactions, and in Dog Sense he uses the latest scientific research to show how humans can live in harmony with--not just dominion over-- their four-legged friends. From explaining why positive reinforcement is a more effective (and less damaging) way to control dogs'' behavior than punishment to demonstrating the importance of weighing a dog''s unique personality against stereotypes about its breed, Bradshaw offers extraordinary insight into the question of how we really ought to treat our dogs"--

The best-selling author of Creating Love sets out to redefine what it means to live a moral life in today''s world by helping readers reclaim and cultivate their inborn moral intelligence by developing one''s instincts for goodness in childhood and nurturing them through one''s adult life to promote good character and moral responsibility.

A dog is not for Christmas. This is. John Bradshaw, one of the world''s leading dog experts, brings us a compelling insight into what dogs would ask us for, if only they knew how. The dog has been mankind''s faithful companion for tens of thousands of years, yet today finds itself in crisis throughout the western world. Until just over a hundred years ago, most dogs worked for their living, and each of the many breeds had become well suited, over countless generations, to the task for which they were bred. Now, in their purely domestic roles we fail to understand their needs. And it is time that someone stood up for dogdom: not the caricature of the wolf in a dog suit, ready to dominate its unsuspecting owner at the first sign of weakness, not the trophy animal that collects rosettes and kudos for its breeder, but the real dog, the pet that just wants to be one of the family and enjoy life. Biologists now know far more about what really makes dogs tick than they did twenty years ago, but this new understanding has been slow to percolate through to owners, and has not yet made enough of a difference to the lives of the dogs themselves. This book is here to set the record straight.

Based on cutting edge science, this bestselling book on the inner lives of cats is "for any who may wonder what their feline companions are really thinking" (The New York Times). In Cat Sense, renowned anthrozoologist John Bradshaw takes us further into the mind of the domestic cat than ever before, using cutting-edge scientific research to dispel lingering myths and explain the true nature of our feline friends. Tracing the cat''s evolution from lone predator to domesticated companion, Bradshaw shows that although cats and humans have lived together for eight thousand years, cats remain independent, predatory, and wary of contact with their own kind, qualities that often clash with our modern lifestyles. To live in harmony with our cats, Bradshaw explains, we first need to understand their inherited quirks including understanding their body language, and managing both their natural hunting instincts and their relationships with other cats. A must-read for any cat lover, Cat Sense offers humane, penetrating insights about the domestic cat that challenge our most basic assumptions and promise to dramatically improve our pets'' lives -- and ours.

A leading anthrozoologist and the bestselling author of Dog Sense and Cat Sense explains why we are so drawn to pets. Historically, we relied on our pets to herd livestock, guard homes, and catch pests. But most of us don''t need animals to do these things anymore. Pets have never been less necessary. And yet, pet ownership has never been more common than it is today: half of American households contain a cat, a dog, or both. Why are pets still around? In The Animals Among Us, John Bradshaw, one of the world''s leading authorities on the relationship between humans and animals, argues that pet ownership is actually an intrinsic part of human nature. He explains how our empathy with animals evolved into a desire for pets, why we still welcome them into our families, and why we mourn them so deeply when they die. Drawing on the latest research in biology and psychology, as well as fields as diverse as robotics and musicology, The Animals Among Us is a surprising and affectionate history of humanity''s best friends.

"Perceptive and engaging—essential reading for anyone seeking greater understanding of their four-legged best friends."—Kirkus, starred review. Featuring fun illustrations and easy how-tos from animal expert Dr. John Bradshaw! Uncovering the secret lives of pets, Dr. John Bradshaw invites young readers to learn more about their closest companions: their dogs! Told from the point of view of Rusty the Terrier, this lively, illustrated book gives kids a front-seat view to the everyday lives of dogs, sharing lessons and growing children into the best pet owners they can be.

Winner of the LOLLIES Laugh Out Loud Non-Fiction Award! Learn about the secret life of cats from pet expert, Dr John Bradshaw. Join Libby as she goes about her day outside on her own and at home with her family. Discover how Libby maps out her neighbourhood – using her amazing nose and memory, Libby learns where it is safe and where to avoid. Follow Libby as she tries to make friends with other cats. Understand what your cat means when she meows and purrs. Help your cat feel comfortable at home – teach her where’s ok to scratch, how to use her cat flap and pick up tips about how to play together. After a day following Libby, you’ll understand all about your whiskered friend. Purr . . .!

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