The Psychobiographer's Handbook

Useful for novice and expert researchers alike, this exceptionally rich, provocative, and well-reasoned book will have a major impact for decades on psychobiography, lifespan development, and personality research. Professor Ponterotto offers a seminal theoretical, methodological, and practical account of the art and science of psychobiography. His inclusion of a chapter on the self-care of the researcher is brilliant! -- Cynthia E. Winston-Proctor, PhD, Department of Psychology, Howard University, Washington, DC
This volume is certain to become the indispensable reference for anyone seeking to learn about and/or engage in psychobiographical research. Due to its lucid prose and easy-to-follow chapter organization, it is an ideal text for an undergraduate course in psychobiography. At the same time, its comprehensive attention to historical and theoretical developments in psychobiography make it an invaluable resource for the sophisticated scholar. Its miniprofiles of a diverse collection of contemporary prominent psychobiographers are an added bonus. -- Jefferson A. Singer, PhD, Faulk Foundation Professor of Psychology, Connecticut College, New London, CT; author, The Proper Pirate: Robert Louis Stevenson's Quest for Identity
This milestone handbook in the history of psychobiography will be useful to virtually any reader: the novice looking to get started, or the expert looking for a comprehensive reflection on the special endeavor of psychobiographical inquiry. It manages to be both deeply insightful and tangibly practical. A gem! -- Jonathan M. Adler, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA; editor, Personality and Social Psychology Review
This is the defining book on the history and methods of psychobiography written by leading qualitative researcher, Joseph G. Ponterotto. In it, Ponterotto describes the foundations of this field and provides an accessible guide for how to conduct psychobiographical research and how to make decisions along the way. -- Heidi M. Levitt, PhD, Professor of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston; editor, Qualitative Psychology
Dr. Joseph G. Ponterotto has been in the forefront of the resurgence of psychobiography. His The Psychobiographer's Handbook: A Practical Guide to Research and Ethics is an indispensable resource, a classic of its kind, for anyone interested in psychobiography. This handbook covers all the essential subjects for both the experienced and novice psychobiographer; it is a delightful read by an expert scholar. -- Ken Fuchsman, EdD, Emeritus Assistant Extension Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT