This affecting memoir of loss and renewal provides guidance, consolation and hope for those traumatized by disaster or grief. Cole couples the findings of professional researchers with the story of her own heartbreaking personal experience to present psychological strategies of survival.

A New York Times Notable Book and one of USA Today's top books of the year when it was first published in 1992, After Great Pain remains both timely and of great use to others traumatized by disaster or grief. Diane Cole's method is to couple the findings of professional researchers and clinicians with the story of her own heartbreaking personal experience - coping with a multitude of family illnesses and the after effects of being held hostage by Muslim extremists. The result is a deeply affecting memoir of loss and renewal that provides guidance, consolation, and hope, as she presents the psychological strategies of survival and the shining example of her own transcendence.