I suspect Philip didn't actually read Maps of Narrative Practice, just glanced at the index. If he'd read it, he'd have found it to be a clear, precise, moving, warm, and effective tool kit for those therapists who are interested in further developing their skills.
White has been developing these ideas over decades, but this is his first mainstream book, hence the references to his own works. He's not writing just to publish, he's writing to give as clear a map as he can of his own highly successful methods.
I can't think of a book more profound in its potential effects than Maps of Narrative Practice. Broad use of these therapeutic methods and maps will result, I believe, in stronger communities, in greater joy, in people finding meaning and worth where they didn't before recognize its presence, moving from feeling useless to feeling the power to shape their lives in harmony with what they value.
White's ideas build on and incorporate concepts of identity and learning uncovered by Myerhoff, Bruner, Vygotsky, and other greats, but, most important of all, his ideas come from his work with clients. His miraculously open mind allows him to find, and recognize, simply, what works, rather than what ought to work. I would almost say he comes at this with a sort of blue collar innocence, pragmatic, calm, genuinely concerned, confident of the possibility of discovering a scaffold to new ideas for even the most "hopeless" cases.
Rather than being all puffed up about his importance, he's as unassuming as a plumber coming to unclog your toilet, which, let's face it, is a pretty good analogy of what a therapist hopes to accomplish in the realms of psyche.
I don't know White's background. I only know that he tells the truth in plainly eloquent human language.
He provides structures of inquiry based on how we develop concepts and learn to navigate, so the work flows. The outcomes are always surprising, and it's clear that White's pleasure in this work arises from being witness to these flowerings of possibility.
You could say he's devised a method for letting the work do itself. Like a carpenter might say to an apprentice, let the tool do the work. Relax. Pay attention.
Any therapist with the desire to serve as agents to their clients' authorship of their own lives will find White's concepts invaluable.
Hs brief notes, interspersed throughout the book, on how he arrived at his methods, provide a useful template for anyone setting out to learn how to learn.
White's voice is delightful, unique, personal. His fresh and open look at who we are and how we become, if you actually read it, will serve up treasures you'll be glad to incorporate into your own practice.
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An Enlightened Approach to Change
As a trained intentional interim pastor I work with individuals and congregations that are seeking to make changes. Michael Whites book is a filled with stories of change rooted in a narrative approach and understanding to change. I found his work stimulating to my imagination and his methods along with those who have written about narrative mediation will inform my practice. His prose is easy to read and understand. His genius brightly shine through his case studies and deep understanding of our human condition. His early death is a great loss to those working in the healing professions.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2015
As a trained intentional interim pastor I work with individuals and congregations that are seeking to make changes. Michael Whites book is a filled with stories of change rooted in a narrative approach and understanding to change. I found his work stimulating to my imagination and his methods along with those who have written about narrative mediation will inform my practice. His prose is easy to read and understand. His genius brightly shine through his case studies and deep understanding of our human condition. His early death is a great loss to those working in the healing professions.
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Top reviews from other countries
Muhammed Naguib Bin Amid Selamat
Useful for learning
Reviewed in Singapore on June 4, 2023Cliente de Amazon
Importante revisar este material para conocer más sobre Terapia Narrativa.
Reviewed in Mexico on December 5, 2016
Anusree Menon
Great book towards understanding narrative therapy
Reviewed in India on May 16, 2014