Making this work unlike nursing texts that focus on either suffering from illness or spirituality, Wright (emeritus, nursing, U. of Calgary) introduces a holistic model of the linkage between suffering, spirit, and beliefs. The coauthor of Building Beliefs: The Heart of Healing in Families and Illness (Basic Books, 1996) offers guidance on starting "conversations for healing" from family-oriented stories, clinical examples, and a review of the literature on the meaning and relationship of suffering to healthcare practice and outcomes. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)