Brothers and Sisters by Barbara L. Johnson

"Sadly, the comment I heard most often was one of regret. It came from siblings who waited too long to try to renew their relationship with a beloved brother or sister and were left to say their goodbyes at a graveside. As long as your siblings live, it is not too late to try to get back together. That is what this book is all about." -- from Brothers & Sisters

Time and circumstances often separate adult siblings from the family closeness they once knew. Based on a decade of research and more than 200 personal interviews, this book is filled with abundant case histories that reflect the heartening, sometimes heartbreaking, tugs and ties that brothers and sisters experience after they have grown up.

Brothers & Sisters also includes guides and self-tests for measuring the quality of past and present sibling relationships; a list of reasons why adult siblings drift apart; and a list of common denominators found in poor sibling relationships, comparing them to characteristics of good relationships. Also included are suggestions for making renewed contacts, a list of reconciliation pitfalls, a chapter on effective communication, four practical "problem and solution" charts, and a check-list to evaluate reconciliation progress. Johnson provides recommendations for successful ongoing relationships, ideas for coaxing response from indifferent siblings, a sibling code of ethics, and a mini-dictionary with unique ideas for putting these tips to work. Summaries at the end of each chapter allow for quick review.