Print resources

The "Little Book" Series from Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding are small (less than 100 pages), easy-to-read books with big ideas for lay audiences on processes that promote trauma healing and build a more peaceful world. These books explain the theoretical framework behind EMU’s Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Healing [link] program. They were published by Good Books.

• The Little Book of Trauma Healing, by Carolyn Yoder, presents a model for trauma healing and peacebuilding that is useful for individuals, communities and societies.
• The Little Book of Circle Processes, by Kay Prannis, describes an effective way for families, schools and communities to work with difficult situations in ways that make room for all stakeholders to have a voice.
• The Little Book of Conflict Transformation, by John Paul Lederach, deals with the question “How do we end a situation or relationship that is destructive and turn it into something desired?”
• The Little Book of Peacebuilding, by Lisa Schirch, addresses how to create sustainable peace that insists upon justice.
• The Little Book of Strategic Negotiation, by Jayne Seminare Docherty, explains how to take into account the broad context, so that negotiations can have the most effective outcomes.
• The Little Book of Restorative Justice, by Howard Zehr, discusses how societies can respond in an effective restorative way to crime, injustice and wrongdoing.

 

General information on community trauma healing

Trauma and Recovery, by Judith Lewis Herman (Basic Books, 1992). This is a classic in trauma literature and one of the best introductions to the field of trauma healing.

Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma, by Peter Levine (North Atlantic Books, 1997). In a readable style, Levine explains the physical aspects of trauma and how critical they are in healing. Besides providing a theoretical foundation for understanding trauma, the book offers practical exercises for healing that can be used by professionals and non-professionals in both individual and community settings.

The War Hotel: Psychological Dynamics in Violent Conflict, by Arlene Audergone. (Wiley Publishers, 2005). Drawing on her work in the Balkans, Audergon looks at how we get inflamed by violence, how we get silenced by it and the role that both play in trauma. She advocates awareness and community dialogue as keys to change.

Common Shock: Witnessing Violence Every Day, by Kaethe Weingarten, Ph.D. (NAL Trade, 2004). Harvard professor Weingarten details the biological and psychological effects of witnessing violence, including numbness and anger, memory loss, sadness and shame, and discusses how “compassionate witnessing” can transform both individuals and communities to bring about healing.

Perpetration-Induced Traumatic Stress: The Psychological Consequence of Killing, by Rachael M. MacNair (Praeger Publisher, 2002). Soldiers, executioners and police officers who cause harm and suffering to others in the line of duty can suffer from especially severe trauma. This groundbreaking study is particularly important from a community trauma healing perspective.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Religion, Public Policy, and Conflict Transformation, edited by Rodney L. Petersen and Raymond G. Helmick (Templeton Foundation Press, 2001). This is a thought-provoking collection of essays by people working in conflict situations who struggle to bring about healing from trauma at both the individual and social level. The essays grapple with the question of what forgiveness means and what reconciliation requires in the process of healing.

 

Guides on community trauma healing techniques

Stress and Trauma Healing: A Manual for Caregivers, by Karl Bartsch and Evelyn Bartsch (Diakona Council of Churches, South Africa, 1997). To order, contact University Bookstore at Eastern Mennonite University, burkhalt@emu.edu or 1-888-798-3680.
This practical, comprehensive manual is full of useful information and trauma healing exercises for communities and caregivers. Although written for Christians in South Africa, it can easily be adapted for other groups.

Trauma Healing and Transformation, by Patricia Mathes Cane, Ph.D. (Capacitar Inc., 2000). This book gives many examples of mind-body exercises that are suitable for helping individuals and communities understand and release the physical effects of trauma. Suitable for teachers and students, adults and young people.

Engage: Exploring Nonviolent Living, by Laura Slattery, Ken Butigan, Veronica Pelicaric, and Ken Preston-Pile (Pace e Bene, 2005). Although not expressly about psychological trauma, this manual is an invaluable supplemental resource for community trauma healing. It includes 12 detailed, step-by-step training sessions to help groups learn, study and practice nonviolent responses to conflict, injustice and environmental destruction.

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