None of us could survive in the workplace, community, or even in our homes, if we allowed everyone to see how truly vulnerable we are. Yet, social support is a necessity if we are to achieve whatever it is we set out to achieve in this life. "No human being is an island unto himself." "Social Support: A Reflection of Humanity" is a "how to" book. In this work, the authors examine the nature of social support, how it can be offered, and how social support differs from other forms of therapy.

This book not only examines friendgrief from a theoretical and clinical framework, but also Smith offers fascinating vignettes from the lives of well-known friendgrievers such as Elton John, Diane Sawyer, Ralph Abernathy, C. S. Lewis, Harry Truman, Tommy Lasorda, Jimmy Carter, Fritz Mondale, Bill Clinton, Calvin Trillin, and Alan King. The author includes moving narratives of numerous individuals who have never gained notoriety but have become seasoned friendgrievers.