Updated: 05/14/2008
 

Reviews from Pros and Readers

*For Widows Only!

BOOK REVIEW:  "I was between two minds as to whether the title I'm putting on Suggested Reading should go there or in REFERENCE! Annie Estlund's For Widows Only! is an enormously useful book. What is particularly impressive here is Estlund's honesty. She refuses to shy away from discussing ALL the problems facing a widowed woman from early 'should I sell the house?' financial worries to the much later 'do I want to remarry?' (sex). Don't try to read this straight through: it's much too jam-packed with helpful information to be digested in one gulp. The writing style is informal and friendly but not gushy and the advice given balanced, sensible and nonjudgmental.
Ellen Kiernan, Library Corner, CyPress Release - FL

  BOOK REVIEW:   "For Widows Only! is exactly what it says...a helpful guide and friend for meeting, handling and accepting all the stages of grief for widows of all ages. Annie Estlund writes with real insight and honesty about her own experiences and invites you to share the journey with her. Widows everywhere will identify with the feelings she exposes, and thus find words that they themselves can use to describe and deal with their own grief. Annie will become a friend, someone who understands and has patience with all that we go through. Annie's voice speaks clearly for all who have ever lost a husband or partner.

"She also offers a website to visit with other widows and share our feelings. Annie even answers questions and offers other resources. You can visit her at http://groups.msn.com/forwidowsonly . Her wonderful book, that should be on every woman's bookshelf, including professionals, is a milestone in the concept of one person reaching out to another with help, comfort and support. I only wish that I had had this resource for many of my clients during my years of working with widows in my practice. I encourage everyone who reads this to buy For Widows Only! immediately and to pass this on to all of their friends."
GriefNet (http://GriefNet.org > Bookstore > Widowed>For Widows Only
 

"I GAVE YOUR BOOK TO MY FRIEND IN PA. SHE LOST HER HUBBY 6 MONTHS AGO. SHE IS AN EDUCATED LADY, AN R.N. WHEN WE WENT TO VISIT, SHE HAD BEEN READING THE BOOK. SHE SAID 'THIS IS ALL SO VERY TRUE, THIS IS HOW I FEEL!' SHE LOVES THE BOOK !  "AND MY WIDOWER FRIEND LOVES IT TOO. I WENT AHEAD AND ORDERED myself a copy ONLINE AND IT ARRIVED IN PA WITHIN A DAY, BEFORE I DID. I CAN'T TELL YOU ENOUGH HOW GREAT THAT BOOK IS!!! YOU DID A SUPER JOB ON IT AND I COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF. GOD BLESS YOU, GIRL!  I CANT WAIT TO GET HOME AND FINISH READING MINE."
LOIS, FWO Support Website member, MD

"Reading this book tells me exactly how I feel inside. I know I'm not alone, it's OK and I'm not crazy."
Anne, WI

"I want to commend Annie Estlund for the sensitivity and practicality with which she deals with the feelings and fears faced by widows who have recently lost their mates. After the death of my husband of 60 years, I was emotionally overwrought. I was unable to sleep and was filled with fear of facing the future alone. At church I was told about Annie's book, For Widows Only!, and was able to purchase a copy. The book deals with the many practical and emotional issues that swirl about the heads of new widows. Annie's advice has helped me to put my thoughts and feelings into order and to again face life."
Natalie Ritow, FL

  "Hi Annie,  I just started to read your book, and find it very helpful. I just lost my husband 2 months ago to lung cancer and it has been so very hard. We had been married 42 years.

"I don't even remember how I found your website (http://groups.msn.com/forwidowsonly). I think God directed me to it, and it has been such a blessing. When I saw that I could order your book, I did. So much of what you say is what I feel. Although our husbands died of different causes, I was with him when he passed and I have relived his passing over and over in my mind. What I have read of your book is a blessing and I look forward to reading more. I have cried a lot while reading it and even smiled once or twice. God bless you."
Carole (member of support website)

Dear Annie, I am Jan's old, old friend from childhood. She, very kindly, gave me a copy of your book. I literally devoured it on the plane coming home. I was so impressed that I bought another copy and marched it right to our local library and insisted that it go on the shelves and not in the book sale! I also encouraged my local book store--independent (if you can believe that!) to buy a copy for their shelves. I told them it was the best book that I had read on the subject. I hope they did.

My husband passed away 8 years ago. What your book did for me was confirm all that I'd been through--that I hadn't 'over done' or 'under done.' I loaned your book to a friend here in Muscatine whose husband died of a brain tumor, at 53, last fall. She is, of course, devastated still. But she returned the book last week end and thanked me so much for  it. She said that it helped her immensely. I wanted to say thank you for your talent and caring in writing such a comprehensive and helpful book. May God bless you in all that you do.
Nancy Kraft, IA

"Annie: Your book is excellent. I think you should send a copy to Dr. Phil!"
Mary K. Whisler, CO

"Annie: My English friend asked if she could take your/my book back to England for the summer. She really has enjoyed it...had it for months...and keeps reading. That she wanted to add that to her suitcase, with limited space, speaks highly of your book."
Rev. Emily Morse Palmer, FL

"Annie, Well, you said it all just right about thank-you notes and I'm still working through them. However, you have earned very special thanks for giving me your book at such an early and timely moment...it really has been such a help and comfort to me, and I know will continue to be as I move through these damn hard days. You've helped me cry and scream and know it is all part of the process, and I am very grateful."  Nathalie Hahn, FL

"Dear Annie, I knew you were a writer. I learned how good you are when I read 'For Widows Only.' Well done! The world certainly knows you, Bruce and your children now. And knows better how to cope with the loss of a husband. The emotional and practical checklists will be lifesavers for many readers.... You were candid and insightful. I felt your pain. And I rejoiced in the self-discovery and growth you revealed. Overall, the book to me was a valuable reminder of the brevity of life. Please stay in touch."
Carl Schrank, Public Relations Executive and Instructor, retired, WI

"Dear Annie, What a wonderful gift we received. It was waiting for us when we returned from our trip. It is a great book. I cried after I read the first couple of pages. You are a wonderful writer and so much good information! It makes you realize how very precious our time is with our partner! I took it to book club today and we may choose it for a discussion book. We are all about the same age, so many of us will be experiencing the loss of a mate!! Annie...thank-you a million times for the book and for writing it. It is very special!"  
Bev and Bob Austin, WI
 

"As I read Annie's book I was truly touched in many parts of it. I was informed in others and enlightened in others. I know the title reads "For Widows Only!", but as a widower I feel it gave me a lot of insight into coping with a very bad time in my life. All men don't control the household; when their spouses die they are left just as lost and confused and lonely as a woman would be (whether they admit it or not). So I say if you lose your partner read the book. I think it is going to help you. Thank Annie for taking the time to write it."    
Larry Krantz, FL
 

"Hi folks, I didn't read Annie E's book yet, but I gave it to a recent widow friend. She calls it her Widow's Bible and really finds it helpful. Let Annie know." Judy Meier, Counselor and Facilitator of Widow Support Groups, WI
 

"So well written and thoughtful, I savored every chapter. Sharing her own personal feelings and experiences made it meaningful and real."
Ann Batal, MS Human Resources Development, DC

"Dear Annie,  I want to thank you for writing this book as it has helped me in so many ways. It was as though you were reading my mind as I read it. Everything I had been thinking, you talked about. I am sorry that you had to lose a husband to be able to help others but unless you have been there, you can't know the pain that you feel...."  
Lou Ann DuPlayee, WI
 

"When my sister visited us last week she gave me a copy of your book, For Widows Only!, even though I am not, nor have I ever been, a widow. I found many helpful hints in your book...not only for widows but for everyone! Thank you for writing it.   
Margaret B. Draper
 

Now, I bet you want your very own copy!

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