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Cover image of Telling the Stories of Life through Guided Autobiography Groups
Cover image of Telling the Stories of Life through Guided Autobiography Groups
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Telling the Stories of Life through Guided Autobiography Groups

James E. Birren and Kathryn N. Cochran

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Telling the Stories of Life through Guided Autobiography Groups, based on James Birren's 25 years of conducting autobiography groups, discusses all the topics an organizer faces while developing a program for adults who want to recall and write down their life histories. This book is ideal for adult education programs, church groups, social workers, psychologists, gerontologists, and others who work with adults who might be interested in exploring, recording, or sharing their personal histories. It helps professionals and trained workshop leaders at community centers, senior centers, schools...

Telling the Stories of Life through Guided Autobiography Groups, based on James Birren's 25 years of conducting autobiography groups, discusses all the topics an organizer faces while developing a program for adults who want to recall and write down their life histories. This book is ideal for adult education programs, church groups, social workers, psychologists, gerontologists, and others who work with adults who might be interested in exploring, recording, or sharing their personal histories. It helps professionals and trained workshop leaders at community centers, senior centers, schools and other settings guide group participants in exploring major themes of their lives so that they can organize and write their stories and share them in a group with others on the same journey. This exercise is rewarding for adults of any age in a period of transition or with interest in gaining insight from their own stories. Personal development and a feeling of connection to other participants and their stories is a natural outcome of this process. This book provides background material and detailed lesson plans for those who wish to develop and lead an autobiography group.

The authors explain the concept of guided autobiography, discuss the benefits to the group participants, and provide logistical information on how to plan, organize, and set up a group. An appendix provides exercises, handouts, and suggested adaptations for specific groups. The book also explains a systematic method of priming memories, including the history of family and of one's life work, the role of money, health and the body, and ideas about death.

At a time when rapid change has created a widespread yearning to write down and exchange personal accounts, sharing life stories can reveal a great deal about how we have come to be the persons we are. Telling the Stories of Life through Guided Autobiography Groups shows how to organize, record, and share life experiences through a proven and effective technique.

Reviews

Reviews

Nothing is left to chance in the manual and it is written with a depth of understanding and perception that effectively demonstrates the authors' cumulative practice experience.

This is an inspirational and practical guide on autobiography workshops.

The book is overflowing with voices of experience. The authors are obviously very familiar with the practical information needed to conduct guided autobiography groups successfully.

About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
6
x
9
Pages
208
ISBN
9780801866340
Illustration Description
8 line drawings
Table of Contents

Preface
Part I. Background and Workshop Organization
Chapter 1. The Power of Autobiography
Chapter 2. Who Should Do Autobiography?
Chapter 3. Qualifications of the Leader
Chapter 4. Organizing a Guided

Preface
Part I. Background and Workshop Organization
Chapter 1. The Power of Autobiography
Chapter 2. Who Should Do Autobiography?
Chapter 3. Qualifications of the Leader
Chapter 4. Organizing a Guided Autobiography Group
Chapter 5. Small-Group Dynamics
Part II. Session Plans
Session 1. The Major Branching Points in Your Life
Session 2. Your Family
Session 3. The Role of Money in Your Life
Session 4. Your Major Life Work or Career
Session 5. Your Health and Body
Session 6. Your Sexual Identity
Session 7. Your Experiences with and Ideas about Death
Session 8. Your Spiritual Life and Values
Session 9. Your Goals and Aspirations
Session 10. Wrapping It Up
Appendixes
A. Sample Publicity
B. Session Handouts
C. Creating New Themes
D. Adapting Workshop Schedules
Annotated Reading List
Index

Author Bios
Featured Contributor

James E. Birren, Ph.D., D.Sc.

James E. Birren is associate director of the Anna and Harry Borun Center for Gerontological Research at the Multicampus Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, University of California, Los Angeles He is the author of Telling the Stories of Life Through Guided Autobiography Groups.
Featured Contributor

Kathryn N. Cochran, M.A.

Kathryn N. Cochran is an independent writer and editor who writes on a range of topics, including personal development, creativity, the family, education, and the arts and sciences. She also conducts guided autobiography workshops using the Birren method of guided autobiography.