Military Widow: A Survival Guide » Reader Insights

A ‘must-read’ for professionals

Joanne Steen — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:06:09 +0000

I’ve given this book to many professionals who work with surviving family members. It’s a ‘must-read’ resource for any professional who provides services to military survivors, and is committed to serving their clients better. I’ve referred to the ‘Lessons Learned’ in Military Widow: A Survival Guide on countless occasions, confident my clients have greatly benefited from it.

CDR Tom Wood, USN (Ret.)

Reverse Mortgage Consultant

The BEST translation of Military Widowhood

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:21:54 +0000

This is, hands down, the most valuable resource for military widows and others who stand by as she walks down her new path of military widowhood. After my husband was killed, I searched desperately for some sort of road map, some touchstone to let me know that I wasn’t alone. This book answers that and many more unanswered questions for newer widows and those who have walked this road for years. I think that this is a must read for anyone and everyone who has any contact with military widowhood.

J.M. Marine widow

Unparalleled Resource – A “Must Read”

Joanne Steen — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:20:27 +0000

Military Widow: A Survival Guide shows tremendous insight into the challenges a young military widow experiences. I desperately needed this book when my husband, a Navy pilot, was killed in an A-6 crash. Joanne Steen and Regina Asaro give validity to the unspoken thoughts and feelings that many military widows go through. The book gives practical suggestions for dealing with difficult situations and contains great references to survive and manage the months and years after a traumatic loss.

In addition to being an unmatched resource for widows, “Military Widow” is a must-read for her family and friends and a practical tool for the professionals working with her.

D.A., Navy widow

TAPS uses Military Widow: A Survival Guide for today’s families

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:19:12 +0000

The authors of Military Widow: A Survival Guide have carefully researched and brilliantly laid out the complicating journey that military widows face after the death of their spouse. Used by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), this loving text offers gentle guidance and lessons learned. Congratulations to Joanne and Regina for a gift of hope and comfort to America’s military widows!

Bonnie Carroll, Chairman of TAPS and Army widow

Great Book !

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:16:26 +0000

I wish I had this book years ago when my husband was killed in Iraq. It’s great. I got a lot out of it and would recommend it to other military widows. We (military widows) are in a different category than other widows and this book helps you find your way.

M. C., Military widow

Thank you

Joanne Steen — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:15:51 +0000

Thank you for your book. I just got off the phone with one of my best friends, a recent military widow, whose husband was killed in the Middle East just over a month ago.

Someone gave her a copy of your book and it has been invaluable to her healing. In the course of our 2 hour conversation she shared with me many of the thoughts and insights. Many times she told me how glad she is to have this book.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I look forward to reading your book myself so that I can be a better support to my friend.

Friend of a military widow, M.B. SHAPE, Belgium

Badly Needed, Brilliantly Done

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:12:27 +0000

There is so much good about this book that it is hard to know where to start.

First, I guess, is the fact that this is a book for military widows, written by a military widow. Joanne Steen is the widow of a Navy helicopter pilot whose machine came apart in the air killing everyone on board.

Second, it is published by Naval Institute Press. The US Naval Institute has been around a long time and will remain around. They can (and I hope they will) keep this book available for a long time.

Third, while there is a lot of coverage in the press about the war in Iraq, most military people are killed in ordinary everyday ways. This includes heart attacks, automobile accidents, all the things that kill non-service people.

Fourth, the book covers every aspect you can imagine from the funeral to the kids.

I could go on, but by now you should have the picture. This is a book that every military chaplain, every casualty officer should have, read, study and give copies to the widows. Perhaps two copies, one immediately, and another in a month or so when they have had time to recover a bit.

Book review, John Matlock, “Gunny”

A Military Commander’s Perspective

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:11:29 +0000

We were blessed to have the authors of Military Widow: A Survival Guide, bring their compassionate expertise to personally assist us with a military casualty response. This book describes the wide spectrum of emotions of the military widow and of those around her after the loss of a spouse. It provides poignant experiences of military widows and concrete lessons learned on how best to help them. Joanne and Regina, thank you for the help you gave to us, and now for sharing this knowledge with so many others.

Col. Thomas Turlip, USAFR, Retired, and wife Debbie Turlip

Extraordinary Admiration

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:10:49 +0000

As a retired Navy Captain, and 2-time Casualty Assistance Calls Officer, I read this book in continual head-nodding agreement, and with extraordinary admiration for the authors. There is enough useful information in this slim volume that any Naval officer, any Navy leader, will be remiss if they do not, at least, skim the material. Being aware of this book will make life much easier if/when tragedy does strike.

The diction and grammar make for easy reading, but the content (the real, life stuff not covered in procedural manuals or instruction) requires reflection and study. This information is not available anywhere else; every wardroom, Chief’s Mess, and Chaplain need a copy, and it should be provided to every family enduring the loss of a sailor or Marine.

This book is a force-multiplier.

William H. Johnson (Capt, USN (Ret.)

Great reference book for financial planners

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:09:33 +0000

Provides extraordinary insight into a new widow’s vulnerabilities and motivations when dealing with insurance money. Chapter on finances is a must-read.

Gary L. Zaugg, CFP, ChFC, CASL, CDF
President, The Zaugg Financial Group, Inc.