My Father Was Shiva: A Family Tragedy in Prose and Poetry (Frontiers in Psychotherapy)

This is a gripping narrative of the family of a scientist who was involved in the humanitarian research of processing freeze-dried blood plasma vaccines during World War II. His work was also used by the U.S. government in top secret defense weaponry involving germ warfare. The pressures led to a tragic break-up of the family, and he who was responsible for saving thousands of lives became responsible for the destruction of life. The story and its aftermath is told in prose and poetry, and is followed by commentary which reflects on the psychological and philosophical issues that emerge from the account. Readers will find the story powerful and disturbing, one which raises many issues and questions for professionals in the field of psychology, criminology, political science, ethics, as well as other areas.