Frances V. Moulder has been a lecturer in urban and community studies and sociology at the University of Connecticut in Torrington since her retirement as associate professor of sociology from Three Rivers Community College.

• Introduction Part I: Extraordinary ExperiencesChapter 1: Some Extraordinary ExperiencesChapter 2: Why People are Transformed by Extraordinary Experiences Part II: Returning to the Ordinary World Chapter 3: Contexts of Return Chapter 4: Challenges of Returning to the Ordinary World Chapter 5: Strategies for Returning to the Ordinary World Chapter 6: Conclusion: Implications for Public Policy Methodological AppendixTheoretical Appendix

Given her background as a sociologist and social worker, Moulder is particularly well-suited to attempt this novel and excellent account of the commonalities among extraordinary experiences and the process of returning from them. The author categorizes her case studies and ethnographic interviews with people leaving war, natural disaster, and intense exposure to political or social justice activism using Max Weber’s ‘ideal types.’ She does not discriminate between voluntary or non-voluntary human action. A vast literature on post-traumatic stress disorder and the anthropology of war more generally exists, but her focus on commonalities is unique. In the book's second section, she analyzes nine individual strategies for returning to the ordinary world (repression, silence and secrecy, nostalgia, renewal, psychotherapy, personal healing practices, support from other returnees, political action, and recognition of continuity), followed by a cross-cultural evaluation of each and the implications for public policy…. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.

Frances V. Moulder has been a lecturer in urban and community studies and sociology at the University of Connecticut in Torrington since her retirement as associate professor of sociology from Three Rivers Community College.

• Introduction Part I: Extraordinary ExperiencesChapter 1: Some Extraordinary ExperiencesChapter 2: Why People are Transformed by Extraordinary Experiences Part II: Returning to the Ordinary World Chapter 3: Contexts of Return Chapter 4: Challenges of Returning to the Ordinary World Chapter 5: Strategies for Returning to the Ordinary World Chapter 6: Conclusion: Implications for Public Policy Methodological AppendixTheoretical Appendix

Given her background as a sociologist and social worker, Moulder is particularly well-suited to attempt this novel and excellent account of the commonalities among extraordinary experiences and the process of returning from them. The author categorizes her case studies and ethnographic interviews with people leaving war, natural disaster, and intense exposure to political or social justice activism using Max Weber’s ‘ideal types.’ She does not discriminate between voluntary or non-voluntary human action. A vast literature on post-traumatic stress disorder and the anthropology of war more generally exists, but her focus on commonalities is unique. In the book's second section, she analyzes nine individual strategies for returning to the ordinary world (repression, silence and secrecy, nostalgia, renewal, psychotherapy, personal healing practices, support from other returnees, political action, and recognition of continuity), followed by a cross-cultural evaluation of each and the implications for public policy…. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.

Frances V. Moulder has been a lecturer in urban and community studies and sociology at the University of Connecticut in Torrington since her retirement as associate professor of sociology from Three Rivers Community College.

• Introduction Part I: Extraordinary ExperiencesChapter 1: Some Extraordinary ExperiencesChapter 2: Why People are Transformed by Extraordinary Experiences Part II: Returning to the Ordinary World Chapter 3: Contexts of Return Chapter 4: Challenges of Returning to the Ordinary World Chapter 5: Strategies for Returning to the Ordinary World Chapter 6: Conclusion: Implications for Public Policy Methodological AppendixTheoretical Appendix

Given her background as a sociologist and social worker, Moulder is particularly well-suited to attempt this novel and excellent account of the commonalities among extraordinary experiences and the process of returning from them. The author categorizes her case studies and ethnographic interviews with people leaving war, natural disaster, and intense exposure to political or social justice activism using Max Weber’s ‘ideal types.’ She does not discriminate between voluntary or non-voluntary human action. A vast literature on post-traumatic stress disorder and the anthropology of war more generally exists, but her focus on commonalities is unique. In the book's second section, she analyzes nine individual strategies for returning to the ordinary world (repression, silence and secrecy, nostalgia, renewal, psychotherapy, personal healing practices, support from other returnees, political action, and recognition of continuity), followed by a cross-cultural evaluation of each and the implications for public policy…. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.