M Books

I was very disappointed with this book. It held my attention for the first 100 pages and afterwards went downhill. I felt I could relate to the stories in the beginning but after that it just seemed like nonsense. I think I was looking for a man to bridge the gap between women & men with miscarriages. Or maybe I was looking for more medical information and what is being done. I defintely did not find either of those topics in this book.

I could not put this book down. I found it to be extremely helpful and therapeutic.

This book gave me clarity and peace after suffering from 2 miscarriages. I refer to it often when I need some guidance and explanation. A must for all women who have experienced one or more miscarriages.

After his wife miscarried four pregnancies, author Jon Cohen poured effort into assembling a comprehensive, accurate, and user-friendly repository of information on miscarriage. Now in a new paperback edition that corrects a few errors found in the original, Coming to Term: Uncovering the Truth About Miscarriage explores the latest research and findings on the phenomenon, debunks myths and hype, and shines a spotlight on real problems that could be making the occurrence worse in today's world - such as federally unacceptable nitrate levels (which fluctuate seasonally, often influenced by agriculture and animal waste disposal) found in some American wells. Cohen also explores a diverse array of medical treatments, from drugs to surrogate parent contracts to "touchy-feely" emotional therapy methods that can offer surprisingly positive results. Steeped in compassion as well as wisdom and solid information, Coming to Term is highly recommended.

There are several reasons why this book does not deserve its present "five star" rating which are explained in this detailed review. The primary criticism is that the author demonstrates a lack of understanding of the scientific literature. He also shows a lack of scientific insight, and fails to recognize how immune issues can play a role in reproductive failure. He also uses a (now widely considered) flawed study to support his central arguments. Finally, he criticizes reproductive immunologists for their use of anecdotal evidence, yet relies on heavily anecdotal evidence to support his own views. In more detail, here are the weaknesses in this book:

On IVIG treatment for recurrent miscarriage

Cohen chooses to elaborate on the negative sides of the IVIG argument, yet fails to elaborate on the positive arguments, a disservice to the reading, investigating audience trying to understand all sides of IVIG issue.
For example, he agrees that elevated natural killer cell levels can be associated with miscarriage. On page 95, he says: "...studies suggest that women who repeatedly miscarry chromosomally normal babies produce higher level of natural killer cells." Cohen also agrees that IVIG may suppress natural killer cells. Page 95: "Some experiments show that IVIG suppresses natural killer cells" Yet, despite his acceptance of an NK miscarriage connection, he still chooses to scare patients away from lifesaving IVIG treatment that many clinics offer. On page 95 Cohen says "IVIG inadvertently infected people with hepatitis C" and "no amount of screening can test for a pathogen that science has yet to discover." Also, Cohen fails to mention the fact that modern IVIG preparations are screened for all known viruses, past and present. And fails to emphasize that IVIG is completely FDA-approved and thousands of patients are using it routinely with no ill effect for dozens of common autoimmune diseases. For a professional reporter supposedly reporting all sides of an issue, Cohen's investigation seems surprisingly one-sided.
Finally, Cohen seems to criticize the mental state of any patient choosing the IVIG option. At the end of page 95, he states: "untried options can have an intoxicating effect, leading them (women) to throw caution to the wind." I think Cohen's personal bias against reproductive immunology is clear. His ability to report on IVIG with logic and impartiality is sacrificed.

Th1:Th2 theory

On page 79, Cohen states that Th1:Th2 (immunological rejection) theory is a "hugely controversial hypothesis." However, most people who read scientific reproductive journals today would wonder how Cohen arrived at this understanding of the miscarriage literature. If he had a proper grasp of current theory he would not see that the Th1:Th2 theory is not only not "hugely controversial," but it is actually one of the freshest and most accepted new research developments in reproductive immunology medicine today.
How does Cohen arrive at his "Th1:Th2 is controversial" conclusion? In the book, Cohen cites only one single Th1:Th2 review study by Laird SM et al. (he apparently ignores the rest of the rest of the supporting studies in the literature) Yet, interestingly, upon reading carefully, this study actually seems to support Th1:Th2 relevance to miscarriage. It states: "Immunological rejection of the fetus due to recognition of paternal antigens by the maternal immune system, resulting in abnormal immune cells and cytokine production, is postulated to be one cause of unexplained pregnancy loss...there is some evidence for an alteration in the ratio of Th1 and Th2 cytokines produced by peripheral blood monocytes."
Note the phrases: "evidence for an alteration in the ratio of Th1 and Th2 cytokines" may be the "cause of unexplained pregnancy loss." So Cohen's strongest study against Th1: Th2 theory actually seems like it does not bolster his argument much at all?

Antiphospholipid Antibody (APA) Issues

On page 96, Cohen implies that APA positive recurrent miscarriage patients are like a "Black Swans" meaning that, although these patients exist, they are not as common as people might think like (they are rare and over-sensationalized). Again, it appears Cohen is "off the mark" here too. In fact, any layperson who does a cursory Pub-Med search through the literature would find that APA miscarriage patients are actually very common in the recurrent miscarriage population. In fact, one study shows that APA positive patients are present in almost a third of ladies who suffer unexplained recurrent abortion. See study by Cubillos J et al, Incidence of autoantibodies in the infertile population." Obstet Gynecol. 1997 Sep;90 (3):364-9 which states: "In the group of patients with a history of miscarriage, 38.2% (p < 0.05) (tested positive) for APL."
In addition to failing to state the truth about APA frequency, Cohen fails to address the fact that very few centers do the proper APA testing. This may account for why so many APA patients are missed in many infertility clinics. Few local laboratories test for all 6 classes of APA, causing many APA positive patients to be missed: See study by Coulam CB et al: Antiphospholipid antibodies associated with implantation failure after IVF/ET. J Assist Reprod Genet. 1997 Nov;14 (10):603-8. Study quote: "A complete APA panel using seven isotypes is necessary for diagnosing implantation failure associated with RAFS. If only anticardiolipin antibody is measured, 4% (13/312) of the positive APAs are detected, and 81% (56/69) of women with implantation failure associated with RAFS will have the diagnosis missed." Cohen never addresses any of this.

Endometriosis

On page 44, Cohen asserts that no miscarriage/endometriosis connection exists.
Cohen's words: "...controlled, randomized prospective trials later convincingly showed that no such connection exists." However, the truth is, there are dozens of studies in the literature citing the connection between endometriosis to immune issues early pregnancy loss. Does Cohen simply not know these studies exist? Or just he just over-look these studies, instead? Doesn't Cohen ever wonder about the "coincidence" that endometriosis is closely tied to immune issues and is also connected to recurrent pregnancy loss? Has he ever thought that there may possibly be a connection between endometriosis and miscarriage? Once again, Cohen seems naive to the literature and totally naïve to the larger interrelated implications that individual, so-called "unrelated" studies can present. Not only do Cohen's assertions about endometriosis seem naïve, but his assertions seem weak as well. His arguments are based on one single study: Vercammen EE et al: Endometriosis and recurrent pregnancy loss. Semin Reprod Med. 2000;18(4):363-8.
Upon reading the fine print of the study, you find that the argument against the recurrent miscarriage/endometriosis connection is not even that strong to begin with. The authors (countering what Cohen might imply) actually suggest that endometriosis is associated with implantation failure...yes... the very study Cohen uses as his argument against such a connection makes such a connection! See study quote: "...some studies have shown that the decreased number and quality of oocytes, the fertilization rate, and the implantation rate per embryo may be reduced in women with endometriosis"

The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Issue

On page 114, Cohen states "The largest studies to date of pregnant women with PCOS estimate miscarriage rates of 40 percent and 60 percent." Yet, Cohen misses the connection between PCOS miscarriages and immune issues completely. There is one important immune-PCOS study that he omits entirely by Jakubowicz DJ et al: Reduced serum glycodelin and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome during first trimester of pregnancy. J. Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Feb;89 (2):833-9. Study quote: "These findings are significant in that they may provide a mechanism for first-trimester miscarriage in PCOS. Because glycodelin inhibits mixed lymphocyte reaction and natural killer cell activity, impaired production of glycodelin presumably allows a maternal immune response against the embryo." Cohen misses the PCOS immune connection completely.

Incompetent Cervix

Cohen's lack of understanding of the miscarriage literature comes through again in discussions about incompetent cervix as well. On page 138, he states "factors that cause the cervix to weaken largely remain a mystery." Yet he also says "some studies have shown links to other uterine anomalies, exposure to DES, and even antiphospholipid antibodies"
Why doesn't Cohen dig deeper here? If indeed he says incompetent cervix is linked to APAS, DES and uterine anomalies, how has he missed the fact that cervical incompetence is also associated with Th1:Th2 cytokine imbalance and that Th1: Th2 cytokine imbalances is associated with incompetent cervix? Doesn't he want to solve this cervical incompetence (as he puts it) "mystery"?
See supporting incompetent cervix studies that Cohen completely misses in his book:

1. Mohapeloa H et al HLA-DR typing of women with recurrent late spontaneous abortion and unsuccessful cervical cerclage. Hum Reprod. 1998 Apr;13(4):1079-82.
"The results suggest that HLA-DR-associated immunological factors might play a part in recurrent late spontaneous abortions and extremely preterm births under a cervical incompetence-like picture, at least in the subset of cases not treatable by cervical cerclage."

2. Lee KY et al: Interleukin-6, but not relaxin, predicts outcome of rescue cerclage in women with cervical incompetence. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2004 Sep;191(3):784-9.
"Amniotic fluid interleukin-6 is increased in patients with cervical incompetence, which suggests that subclinical inflammation may contribute to cervical incompetence. Further, an elevated interleukin-6 level predicts a cerclage short-latency interval between cerclage and delivery. In contrast with interleukin-6, amniotic fluid relaxin does not appear to contribute to cervical incompetence-induced cervical dilation."

DES immune connection

Also, Cohen misses the fact that families who have used DES to prevent miscarriage may indeed have a higher incidence of immune issues (causing the miscarriages) that this "family tendency" to immune issues may be why "DES daughters" have more miscarriages, not the fact that they have been exposed to the DES in the womb? This possibility is never even considered, brought up or discussed in the book. Cohen, again, fails to address the possible immune connections in families who have used DES, leaving the total DES discussion more confused, not less.

Environment

On page 172, Cohen seems to agree that a few environmental factors may affect pregnancy outcome in certain instances: Nitrates in well water (page 172), and Bisphenol A in plastics (page 173). Nonetheless, Cohen seems uninterested in following up with these studies, he instead still prefers to dismiss the environmental idea overall. On page 174: "... miscarriages, as far as science can now determine, rarely occur because of what a woman eats or drinks, where she lives and works, and what air she breathes."
In fact, Cohen uses a (frankly, ridiculous) description as an example of pregnancy environmental durability: he describes how his grandmother jumped repeatedly off a chair in an attempt to induce a miscarriage. (page 174) This anecdote is (somehow?) used to support the idea that "the uterus, amniotic sac, and the placenta marvelously work together to prevent harm." Quite frankly, this is an embarrassing example of the typically non-scientific arguments that Cohen uses to support his journalistic angles.

Infection

Similarly, Cohen uses faulty logic when he discusses infectious agents. He admits that certain infections possibly may increase the incidence of miscarriage: page 166: "Infection may cause miscarriage "...rubella, syphilis, genital herpes, mumps, toxoplasmosis, malaria, possibly gardenerella." Yet, despite conceding this, Cohen still manages to glide over the infection/immune problem connection. (page 166: "...a few pathogens may account for a small percentage of miscarriages, although their sporadic nature means they play no important role in recurrent loss.")
In addition to pushing the infection miscarriage connection "under the table", Cohen never mentions how infectious agents may possibly stimulate the immune system to cause immune related miscarriage? In fact, the infection- immune connection is never even addressed at all? This is a glaring fault in Cohen's research, especially considering the fact there are several studies implicating the immune system as the ultimate cause of infection-related miscarriage. In fact, Dr Attila Toth of New York City has devoted whole career to this infection/miscarriage issue. Yet apparently Cohen knows nothing of Dr. Toth's research? Or if he does, Cohen chooses not to discuss it? A few infection -immune studies that Cohen misses:

1. Korbel DS et al: Natural killer cells and innate immunity to protozoan pathogens. Int J Parasitol. 2004 Dec;34(13-14):1517-28.
"Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphoid cells that mediate significant cytotoxic activity and produce high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to infection."... "NK derived interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production is also essential for control of several protozoal infections including toxoplasmosis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis and malaria."

2. Ashkar AA et al: "Interleukin-15 and natural killer and NKT cells play a critical role in innate protection against genital herpes simplex virus type 2 infection." J Virol. 2003 Sep;77(18):10168-71. "This study demonstrates that IL-15 and NK-NKT cells are critical for innate protection against genital HSV-2."

3. Jensen JR et al: Fluctuations in natural killer cell activity in early syphilis. Br J Vener Dis. 1983 Feb;59(1):30-2. "In primary syphilis natural killer cell activity was increased, especially in patients lacking circulating lipoidal antibodies."

Luteal phase defect and progesterone

In addition to missing the infection-immune connection completely, Cohen also seems to miss the hormonal-immune connection as well. Though he says that an association may exist between luteal phase defect and miscarriage, Cohen misses (yet again) the possible immune relationship that may exist between these two issues. On page 99, Cohen states: "If the lining becomes inhospitable too early, as happens with what's called a deficient luteal phase, the embryo will not burrow, leading to a miscarriage, or it will not borrow currently, causing preeclampsia later in pregnancy"
No discussion is made about the fact that patients with poor luteal phases often have low progesterone in the latter half of the cycle...or the fact that progesterone has been shown to have an immunosuppressive effect. This immune factor may contribute at least in part to progesterone supplement's immune healing effect in recurrent miscarriage patients. See more studies that Cohen apparently misses in his book:

1. Szekeres-Bartho J. Immunological relationship between the mother and the fetus. Int Rev Immunol. 2002 Nov-Dec;21(6):471-95. "Another protective mechanism operating in favor of pregnancy is progesterone-dependent immunomodulation. Due to stimulation by fetally derived antigens, pregnancy lymphocytes develop progesterone receptors and in the presence of progesterone produce a mediator (PIBF) that, through altering the cytokine balance, inhibits NK activity and exerts an antiabortive effect in mice."

2. Laskarin G, Tokmadzic VS, Strbo N, Bogovic T, Szekeres-Bartho J, Randic L, Podack ER, Rukavina D.Progesterone induced blocking factor (PIBF) mediates progesterone induced suppression of decidual lymphocyte cytotoxicity. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2002 Oct;48(4):201-9. "The results indicate possible role for PIBF, as a mediator of progesterone in regulation of Decidual Lymphocyte cytolytic activity at the maternal-foetal (M-F) interface."

Preeclampsia

Lastly, on page 99, Cohen successfully makes the connection that patients who suffer from luteal phase defect may also suffer from preeclampsia at a higher rate. However (yet again) he totally misses the possible connection that exists between preeclampsia and immune issues (even more surprising considering the number of studies supporting the preeclampsia- immune connection that exist out there). How can Cohen miss this? Again and again it seems Cohen is totally unable to put the complex pieces of the miscarriage puzzle together. Again and again he fails to see the immune connection, failing to see how it can clarify so much of the "muddy water" that exists in this recurrent miscarriage field today. Here are some more immune/reproductive studies that Cohen completely misses:

1.Saito S, Sakai M. Th1/Th2 balance in preeclampsia. J Reprod Immunol. 2003 Aug;59(2):161-73. "Th1 predominant immunity is closely related to inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and poor placentation."

2. Makhseed M, Raghupathy R, El-Shazly S, Azizieh F, Al-Harmi JA, Al-Azemi MM. Pro-inflammatory maternal cytokine profile in preterm delivery. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2003 May;49(5):308-18.
"These data are suggestive of a maternal type 1 cytokine bias in preterm delivery".

3. Simhan HN, Krohn MA, Zeevi A, Daftary A, Harger G, Caritis SN. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha promoter gene polymorphism -308 and chorioamnionitis. Obstet Gynecol. 2003 Jul;102(1):162-6.
"Carriage of the TNFA2 allele is associated with a more than three-fold increased risk of clinical chorioamnionitis, even when accounting for important clinical and microbiologic risk factors."

4. Kaplan D. Fetal wastage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 1986 Oct;13(5):875-7.
"Ninety-six women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were found to have an abortion ratio higher than that of a comparison group (p = 0.005). This was true even before the onset of their RA (p = 0.007)"

5. Sergent F, Verspyck E, Marpeau L. [Crohn's disease and pregnancy. About 34 cases. Review of the literature] Gynecol Obstet Fertil. 2003 Jan;31(1):20-8.
"When the disease (Crohn's) is active, the risk of abortion and prematurity increases."

3. Cohen's flawed anti LIT arguments

Gullible patients

On page 58 Cohen begins: "Many couples plug their ears and firmly believe that because of the treatment, they have babies - and no amount of scientific data can shake the power of that conviction." From the beginning of the book, Cohen seems step off on the wrong foot about a typical reproductive immunology patient's psychological nature. He apparently accusing anyone who choose new or controversial treatments (like LIT or IVIG) to be emotionally gullible, unwilling (or unable?) to make sound scientific decisions. In fact, in my personal experience (through my many years watching these types of treatment programs) I have found that reproductive immunology (RI) patients are probably some of the most clear thinking, well read, well researched medical patients out there, able to pull apart any study to find its strengths, weaknesses and its flaws. Certainly most RI patients are not types to ignore solid scientific data. Already Cohen seems "off base" about the patient population he is writing about.

The REMIS LIT study by Carol Ober

Regarding the Carol Ober REMIS study Cohen states on page 69: "Because of the lack of benefit, we recommend against this intervention (LIT) as a treatment for unexplained recurrent miscarriage' concluded the researchers." It is already known that the REMIS study "proving" LIT ineffective was flawed in many ways. Dr. Beer outlined these flaws in detail in his Letter to the Editor sent to the Lancet. Among the REMIS study flaws that Dr. Beer cites are:

1. Failure to recruit an adequate number of study patients.

2. Failure to induce immune responses. Only 26% of women who received lymphocyte immunization developed HLA antibody response. (The immunization must have been prepared and/or given incorrectly to elicit this low response.)

3. 21 of 59 abortuses received genetic study. All (total 11) abnormal fetuses were from treatment group but this data was not reflected in the outcome analysis.

4. A higher proportion of treatment group had a previous live birth (P=0.054). Yet a previous meta-analysis had shown that lymphocyte immunization more effective in women with primary abortions. This was not discussed or considered in the REMIS study.

I know Cohen, through his LIT research, must have read the miscarriage support sites and Dr Beer's Lancet letter (available online to anybody), yet he makes no mention of this letter or any of its arguments in his LIT chapter. Why does he seem to avoid addressing this issue? This reporting bias not only does injustice the LIT, but also to those trying to find the truth about this LIT medicine. And frankly makes one wonder about how "impartial" Cohen's journalistic intentions really are.

Poor patient selection

Many of Dr. Beer's criticisms of the REMIS study similarly apply to other LIT studies. A common flaw found in negative outcome LIT studies is the failure to test subject's LAD (blocking antibody) levels before and after the LIT injections. As a result, researchers never really know if LIT patient:

1. Really needs LIT
2. Has achieved a proper LIT response before conception is attempted

In addition to these flaws, some LIT studies fail to use fresh donor cells (such as the REMIS study), making LIT less effective. Other studies fail to follow the timing and dose requirements that Dr. Beer recommends (i.e. some studies only do LIT once preconception, some studies do not wait the 3- 4 weeks necessary for the proper immune response take place). Lastly, those who understand reproductive immunology understand that LIT should be not be used as the sole immune treatment. Other immune problems need to be identified and independently treated as well (e.g. APA issues, ANA issues, cytokine imbalance, etc). Essentially, patients need a full immune work-up before doctors decide how LIT will fit into their total immune protocol. See Christiansen et al: Evidence-based investigations and treatments of recurrent pregnancy loss. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 83, Issue 4, April 2005, pages 821-839. Study quote: "Current meta-analyses evaluating the efficacy of treatments of RPL are generally pooling very heterogeneous patient populations and treatments. It is recommended that future meta-analyses look at subsets of patients and treatment protocols that are more combinable."

Cohen criticizes the use of anecdotal evidence yet uses anecodotal evidence himself

On page 74 Cohen criticizes the LIT studies as being flawed saying, "the fuzzy scientific rationale behind theories often makes it difficult to select patients who indeed may benefit from a treatment." Yet at the end of the same chapter, on page 82, he uses the example of a solitary successful pregnancy (Jess') that succeeded without LIT use, saying this success "casts further doubts about whether the value of lymphocyte immune therapy"
So Cohen uses one solitary pregnancy success to "further cast doubts" on the value of LIT? He admits the success is anecdotal, yet still uses it as an emotional tool to bash LIT at the end of his chapter. Again Cohen seems to push non-scientific thinking here. How are readers supposed to respect the author as a scientifically unbiased journalist when so much emphasis is placed on the emotional power of the single success story, to pull the emotions of the reader at the end?
Also, it should be noted, if Cohen had any true understanding of LIT, he would recognize that blocking antibodies built of from Jess's previous successful pregnancy would have alone explained her second pregnancy success without LIT. Yet this possibility is not even touched upon in the chapter because Cohen apparently does not understand the LIT science (either "does not understand" the issue or chooses to skip over the issue altogether?) In either case, from a reproductive immunologist's point of view, this LIT chapter ends on a very weak note.

The Tender Loving Care (TLC) argument

Last but not least, we must talk about the author's focus on "Tender Loving Care" (TLC) Cohen's "beloved" argument that he seems to like to use to dilute the validity of many miscarriage studies in the book. Throughout the book, it is evident that Cohen has been rather "sucked in" by the Tender Loving Care argument, the idea that offering extensive psychological support and emotional support to a patient can significantly increase a patient's likelihood of pregnancy success.
On page 175, Cohen calls the Liddell TLC study, "a study with spectacular powers." In a RESOLVE Interview Cohen calls Dr. Lesley Regan's 1997 TLC study "an amazing study. I learned more from it than maybe any single paper (and I have read maybe1000). I highly recommend it." Essentially Cohen has three studies to back his TLC argument:


1. Liddell HS et al: Recurrent miscarriage--outcome after supportive care in early pregnancy. : Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 1991 Nov;31(4):320-2.
86% success with TLC (38/44)
33% success without TLC (3/9)

2. Clifford K et al: Future pregnancy outcome in unexplained recurrent first trimester miscarriage. Hum Reprod. 1997 Feb;12(2):387-9.
74% success with TLC (118/160)
49% success no TLC (20/41)

3. Stray-Pedersen B et al: Etiologic factors and subsequent reproductive performance in 195 couples with a prior history of habitual abortion. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1984 Jan 15;148(2):140-6.
86% success TLC (no actual pregnancy numbers given in this abstract)
33% with no TLC

At first glance, these success numbers seem surprising, even shocking and impressive considering the "vague", "touchy-feely" nature of the TLC subject matter. But looking deeper in the methodology of these studies, we find the statistics are probably more deceiving and more flawed than we know. First, all the patients in each of these studies were "self selected" to receive TLC from the clinic. Populations were not randomized at all, which, of course, is a Big Red Flag to anyone trying to get meaningful scientific results. So you have to ask yourself, given the fact these TLC populations are "self selected", what reasons could cause one patient to "select" to discontinue medical care while another patient chooses to continue it? Could it be that patients whose pregnancies succeed may be more inclined to stay with the clinic, while those that are having negative experiences tend to drop out of a program with higher frequency? This is not TLC are we are measuring here. It could be a measurement of an interesting tendency to "hide" and "grieve" in human nature.
Also, another point to note about these TLC studies: in not one of these TLC studies is the actual "Tender Loving Care" procedure exactly outlined. What does this TLC actually involve physically? There may be factors involved in these TLC pregnancy successes apart from the TLC itself, factors we could never pick up on because they are not outlined for us? This description deficiency is yet another red flag with these studies.

Dr. Beer's success due to TLC?

Last, but not least, it appears that Cohen sees Dr Beer's program through "TLC tinted glasses" as well. See Cohen's quote on page 82: "I suspect that he (Dr. Beer) does offer tender-loving care, and that its benefits may confuse the results his patients experience with experimental treatments." In making this statement, Cohen clearly reveals his lack of familiarity with the day to day running of Dr. Beer's program. One thing most of Beer patients know, only a small percentage of Dr. Beer's registered patients actually ever meet Dr. Beer in person. Most of Dr. Beer's consults are conducted by phone or by email. In fact, Dr. Beer only meets about 5% of his registered patients "in person" at all. Many of these patient meetings are "one time only" personal meetings with later consults being done over the phone or through email. Certainly, Dr. Beer does not have ongoing basis face to face relationship with most of his patients, unless one considers emails "TLC." All in all, Cohen puts these TLC studies on a pedestal in a way he rarely does with other studies in the book. Cohen's later words about the TLC studies are even more revealing:
Page 179: "Just as scientific research can never prove that love exists, I suspect it can never arrive at rock solid evidence that expert care prevents miscarriage or helps people come to terms with their reproductive fate. But as one researcher said to me, If you witness a talking dog, you do not need a control group to believe it. In three different recurrent miscarriage clinics around the world, I have seen the equivalent of a talking dog"
How can you argue with someone who has decided that controlled studies are no longer necessary to prove a theory valid? This is the same man who says we should dismiss LIT because the studies are flawed? A man who believes that TLC is as obvious because it is like a "talking dog"? It scares me, frankly, that Cohen is writing a book we are supposed to take seriously, that the world is supposed to take seriously, when he openly admits to using a "talking dog" type of reasoning.

Finally, Cohen's most heartfelt speech in his book, making the strongest veiled attacks on any miscarriage patient's decision to use immune therapy are found on page 129: "Women and men who want babies, especially those who have tried and failed, would benefit if they recognized how intense desires can lead them to take unnecessary risks. It bears repeating again and again and again. Most women who miscarry even three or four times, will carry to term if they become pregnant again...they (millions of women) may logically end up in the delivery room praising an intervention that, years later, they will come to curse." What does this mean, praising an intervention "in the delivery room" that, years later, "they will come to curse"? Does this mean, even after delivering our "Beer babies" using immunotherapy, we will feel we made the wrong decision to do LIT and IVIG? Please! I just hope that others can see through the facade of this book the way that I do.

As I hold and play with my "Beer babies" each day, after suffering devastating losses, I feel blessed that I myself, at least I have put the scientific connections together. That I, myself, at least, have seen the patterns, seen the immune connections, as a result, understand the bigger miscarriage picture in a much more complete way.
Pity those who read this book and come away feeling more confused about immune therapies than they were before. Pity them. Pity Cohen for bringing this situation about. However, in the big picture, I am not worried. I honestly feel that so much progress has been made in this reproductive immunology field the last few years, that the blind, anecdotally-based musings of a sensationalist reporter will do nothing to hurt the field over the long term. The foundation of the RI science is far too reaching, far too strong to ever be marred by the non-scientific ponderings that are really so biased that most (if not all) true scientists will see right through them upon reading this very dangerously naïve and misleading book.

-An informed RI Advocate and Dr Beer patient

In this series of The Complete Peanuts (1955-56), the Peanuts gang has established themselves as we now know them. Portions of this volume were used in Good Grief, More Peanuts (a collection of Sunday comics), Good Old Charlie Brown, Snoopy and You're Out of Your Mind, Charlie Brown (another exclusive collection of Suday Peanuts comics), all released on Holt Reinhart and Windsor books. Lucy has become crabbier and bossier to her kid brother Linus. When Lucy teaches Linus about the "facts of life," Charlie Brown says "It'll take 12 years for Linus to unlearn everything Lucy has taught him!" This leads to one of the 1st Peanuts stories where Lucy's inane lectures make Charlie Brown's stomach hurt (and later Linus's!). There is, however, a soft spot to Lucy, she's infatuated with Schroeder. But Schroeder loves only Beethoven and can't stand Lucy. In this volume, Scrhoeder uses the piano as a weapon against Lucy whenever she uses it a headrest for the 1st time (KLUNK!) or just drives him crazy, which is most of the time. He also won't tolerate Snoopy using his piano as a mini-dancefloor (Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson used this gag in A Charlie Brown Christmas). Also used in one of the animated specials is a cartoon featured here where Lucy, fed up with Beethoven, smashes Schroeder's Beethoven bust only for Schroeder to go to his closet and get a new one! It was also used on GAF viewmasters, a toy many of you probably remember. Charlie Brown has become more melancholy and "wishy washy," as the gang seems to see him. He often complains he has no friends and has trouble flying a kite or winning a baseball game. He especially has trouble kicking the football from Lucy ("AUUUUUUUGH!" Did we mention that Lucy can be sneaky?). Linus grows up a little and is seen often with his blanket (Snoopy would often try to steal the blanket, leaving Linus flying in the air) or would sometimes shoot Lucy with his finger pistol ("BANG!"). Glimpses of the great philosopher Linus would become are already underway here. Pig Pen, who is featured on the cover here, is still a mess but can also be a great philosopher sometimes ("I tried cleaning up, Mom, but couldn't get the dirt off. I think I've reached the point of no return!"). Shermy is rarely seen, as Schroeder has replaced him as Charlie Brown's buddy. The 2 of them love to argue over which is better, Beethoven or Davey Crockett (Charlie Brown often wears a coonskin cap, in honor of his hero). It looks like Beethoven won in Charles Schulz's eyes, luckily for Schroeder! Violet and Patty, once friends of Charlie Brown, have become Lucy's Greek chorus for insults to the "blockhead." When Charlie Brown sees the 2 of them laughing, he thinks they're laughing at him! "Oh, good grief, Charlie Brown! We weren't even thinking about you!" Then he asks them "How come you never think about me?" And then of course, there's Snoopy, a lovable smart-allecky beagle who's often seen standing on his 2 feet, doing impersonations of a rhinocerus, Violet and Lucy, Mickey Mouse and (much to Schroeder's offense) Beethoven. For Patty, he can be a sad dog or a cheerful dog for Violet (or both at the same time!). He also could dance like Fred Astaire (much to Lucy's annoyance, but what doesn't bother her?) and once cost the other team a point when he refused to spit out the baseball he caught. Charlie Brown is often seen saying to his dog in frustration "You drive me crazy!" Snoopy also has one accident on the ice and his master (more like humble servant) Charlie Brown has to carry him home (Snoopy thinks to himself "When? When? When will I ever learn?"). Snoopy will probably learn his lesson the day Lucy lets Charlie Brown kick the football!

It would have been better if the description said this was a library book. Overall the item was fine, just had the library name printed on it, and I had to remove a plastic cover from it.

This series is going to be a regular drain on my bank balance for the coming decade, as that is how long it is going to take Fantagraphics to finish publsihing this collection, if they stick to their published schedule.

Be warned: The Sunday strips are not in colour unlike the Calvin & Hobbes and the Farside collection in which even the black and white strips are printed on colour pages. This quite pisses me off...

Finally, a Peanuts collection in chronological order and nothing left out. It's going to be a long wait indeed...

I've always thought of creating a bookshelf of hard cover with all my favourite comic strips, when I could afford them... Calvin & Hobbes, Farside, Tintin, Asterix & of course Peanuts.

I have the first two, and I'm on my way with Peanuts... It's going to be a long and interesting 11 years...

I'd give it seven stars if I could. As a kid, I would go down the street to the local store every week and buy the latest "Peanuts" book for 50 cents each. It was pure genius then, and it still is now. The cartoons are classic, timeless and wonderful.

There's almost nothing to complain about in this set of books - the print quality is great, the accompanying artwork good, the commentary insightful and useful!

I give this five stars, and yet I have some desires...

Color!! The Sunday funnies were great because they were longer and had color! Without color, they are just long daily strips. Reprint the color, guys, at least, if you can.

More history! What happened in those two years? How many more newpapers picked up the strip, and what other things did Sparky do during that time?

Even so, these books are very well done, nicely thought out, and bring back all the classic strips without any obstrusive other stuff. I am thrilled to have these on my shelf!

I purchased this book intending to get an unbiased view of the Spanish exploration of the New World. That is a difficult task given the nature of 20th & 21st Century academia.

This text, an eye witness account of what happened on real explorations, more than satisfies my objective. What's more, it's as exciting as can be... kind of like Star Wars... exploring new worlds, defeating the bad guys and establishing new alliances.

Excellent work.

If I could rate this work greater than five stars, I would. Not that it's the most erudite of tales but simply because it is the truth as Bernal Diaz experienced it. Almost certainly, it isn't one hundred percent accurate for Diaz' experiences are necessarily modified by the years separating his experiences from his writing of it. Nor was he, or any other member of the Cortez' expedition, an anthropologist, ethnographesr, scientist or even a particularly accurate observer. They were simple men--brave men, brutal men, trapped men--bent on plunder.

Still the Bernal Diaz memoirs are as good as it gets regarding the Conquest of Mexico and, as such, is an invaluable account. I find his account so important that I used it as my primary source in researching my novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Conquest of Mexico. I loved it when Diaz remarks towards the end of his account that, even in his old age, he wasn't able to sleep the night through. He "had to get up and look around." It's fascinating to note that basic human nature doesn't really change. Bernal Diaz del Castillo was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder induced by the fearful events of his two year battle in Mexico. Also, I loved it when he commented--also toward the end of his tale--that "although we robbed the Indiains, Cortez robbed his soldiers even more."

Cortez, for all his brillianace, luck and perseveranace, was, at the end, nothing more than a common thief.

Ron Braithwaite

When I first read the 1800 English translation, I could not put it down. Here are the first lines--a real grabbers! "In the year 1514, I left Castile (Spain) in company with Pedro Arias de Avila, who was then appointed governor of Tierra Firma (east Panama)...but afterwards suspicious that his son-in-law had an intention of revolting, he caused him to be beheaded."

Bernal's description of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan is amazing: "To many of us it appeared doubtful whether we were asleep of awake; nor is the manner in which I express myself to be wondered at, for it must be considered, that never yet did man see, hear or dream of anything equal to the spectacle which appeared to our eyes on this day."

And how about this magnificent line: "And now, let who can, tell me, where are men in this world to be found, except ourselves, who would have hazarded such an attempt."

And here is the horrific vision the Spaniards beheld when they climbed to the top of the great Aztec temple-pyramid. Remember that nearby, and looming up like a nightmare, was the stupendous "tzompantli," or skull rack. By careful Spanish count, it contained the grinning remains of 136,000 human beings.

"In this place they had a drum of most enormous size, the head of which was made of the skins of large serpents: this instrument when struck resounded with a noise that could be heard to the distance of two leagues, and so doleful that it deserved to be named the music of the infernal regions; and with their horrible sounding horns and trumpets, their great knives for sacrifice, their human victims, and their blood besprinkled altars, I devoted them, and all their wickedness to God's vengeance, and thought that the time would never arrive, that I should escape from this scene of human butchery, horrible smells, and more detestable sights."

The Conquest takes on a different color when seen through the eyes of the Spanish. Yes, they were greedy and cruel, but the scale of human sacrifice practiced by the Aztecs was beyond imagination. It is said that some twenty thousand people were sacrificed for the dedication of the Temple of the Sun. The Aztec priests worked for hours on end cutting out human hearts. They worked until they collapsed from exhaustion.

Bernal's history is also interesting for another entirely different reason. Joseph Smith (born 1805), the Mormon prophet, came of age during the period of English translations of Spanish histories (Bernal's in 1800 in London, and 1803 in the US, and Clevigero's "History of Mexico" in 1806 in Virginia and 1817 in Philadelphia).

Therefore, the golden splendor of the Spanish conquests of Mexico and Peru was fresh on everyone's mind, especially because the Spanish colony of Florida had become an American state (1821).

Thus, any notion that Americans were unaware of the great civilizations of ancient America is without foundation in real history. Ancient civilizations in America were so on the mind of people that in 1816, Solomon Spaulding wrote a history about a white and dark race in ancient America. His novel, "Manuscript Found," had the white race of mound builders destroyed by a darker-skin race.

Read my review of Robert Silverberg's magnificent book, "The Mound Builders of Ancient America: The Archaeology of a Myth." A must-read for anyone interested in the archaeology and myths about ancient America. Click here: Mound Builders

First person historical accounts are generally the best way to read history and have it come alive in the mind of the reader. This book by Bernal Diaz is certainly no exception to that rule. Although Diaz wrote this much later in life, and doubtless his memory was not perfect, it is obvious that the experience of marching with Cortez in the conquest of the Aztec empire left innumerable vivid memories in his mind.

I am very sensitive to the fact that the conquest of the Aztec empire and other native empires in the Americas left a horrific legacy which is still felt dramatically throughout the hemisphere. Despite the fact that in many ways, the conquistadors should not be considered "heroes," I think we still can admire and be awed by their courage and fortitude in the face of unbelievable odds in facing the Aztecs and not only escaping with their lives, but eventually conquering the entire civilization. Diaz brings these events to life better than any history book I ever read, and I highly commend this book to anyone interested in the history of this period, of Mexico, or Latin America in general.

Diaz was one of the soldiers who accompanied Cortez to invade the Aztec Empire. His account is one of the best we have of the whole affair. It is not written with much bias and was written to discount historical myths after the invasion had taken place. It is very analytical at times and his analysis of what happened is given added authority since he was present at the events. If you want to understand what happened this is a great book to read.

I wish I had a dollar for every e-mail I have received in my inbox or spam folder promoting this and similar products by Cummuta, but I decided to check it out through the BBB and the publisher, and a few other sources. When I saw that he participated in seminars with known stalwarts like Zig Zeiglar, I felt it was worth the price tag to read it....

I purchased a used copy through Amazon, received it yesterday, and have already read everything except the tips to cut spending. I can put his program to practical use TODAY. The contents are things I already effectively knew about, but the examples he provides are what makes you want to throw away your credit cards PERMANENTLY. It also does not say "you have to live like a Tibetan monk", but it does make you think about the worth of that dinner out or $10 you add to your revolving balances.

I wish someone had given me something like this when I was in high school or college, but even at my current age, it is going to make a HUGE difference in my life and that of my family.

This program is excellent! The best personal financial debt-elimination and wealth-building plan I have come across over many years. It should be taught in our high schools and universities. Easy-to-read and understand, you will learn basic principles which can enable you to control your financial destiny. You will want to share what you learn with family, friends and associates. I write from experience...the plan has worked for me and I've shared it with my grown children, extended family, friends and business associates. The book with its forms is great and stands by itself, however anyone would gain additional insights from the audio tapes, as well.

I almost didn't consider a review, but in my online research for info about Mr. John Cummuta, I found this link, and recalled I could submit a review, and felt the obligation; I ordered the course he offers, so I am guessing that the book here was in the course -or is very similar to it, so my review of his course will give you an idea of how the book is. (I did online research to see what was up with his course and if I should return it & get my money back or keep it.)

Anyhow, some "oldie but goodie" ideas include the simple but reliable adage to NOT be in debt. Mr. Cummuta tells the reader (or listener in my case; I had CD's) early on that you gotta cut up that credit card. He makes his case well, and as a person who has used credit cards successfully for many years, in college and since, I say from experience: He is right. Most of the time, I had not problems with using my credit card, but recently some emergencies have pushed my balance up to about 5,000 dollars, and let me tell you: The interest of about $50.oo per month is eating me up because (as I'm sure you know) you don't pay on the principal owed until AFTER you've paid that interest.

Suffice it to say that he is right. After he makes his case, he casually mentions another wise man, Solomon, the author of Proverbs, whose proverbs caution the reader to NOT be in debt. (Yes, I was surprised to here him quote the Bible, even as a person who believes in it, but he is right, and he is careful to acknowledge that some people might have different religious beliefs. He is careful to not offend the reader, but merely offer this as supplemental info for the curious; He does well here!)

The elimination of credit card debt is not the only thing he has to offer, but there were new things in his packet (which may or may not be in this particular book; I don't know). He lists four (4) different ways to supplement your income, and is careful to admit that these are NOT "get rich quick" methods. The four he lists are: #1, An intro to e-bay and online auctions; #2, buying & renting residential real estate (the "landlord" thing); #3, Creating & marketing information products; and, #4, Online affiliate marketing business (that is, click-able referrers on your website).

Those were a refreshing addition which stimulated my imagination, but the **main** focus he makes is to pay off your debts in a "logical" fashion, prioritizing the "most important" debt first. He shows the reader how you divide the balance by the minimum payment that the creditor sets, and you get this figure for each debt, that tells you which one is a priority. I think that the smaller the balance in comparison to the payment, the easier it is to pay off, and should be prioritized, with the other debts receiving the "minimum monthly" payment. This is "logical" because the "spare cash" you'd have after that debt is paid can go to the other debts.

He also has a laundry list of tips to cut corners, and some of them are good, like getting a used car, which would cost much less yet be still almost as good as a new one. I think (but don't recall) that he advocates using a clothing line instead of a dryer, still a good idea.

One of his strengths is knowing when add-ons to your insurance are good, and makes the case that a higher deductible is not unsafe, because the insurance company would NOT insure you if THEY thought you were a risk, and he suggests you trust the insurance company, as it is comprised of experts. (John surprised me with his attention to detail: He correctly points out that using spare money to pay off debt is better than investing it, due to the comparison between the two interest rates!)

Well, they offered a money back guarantee, and I strained my brain listening to this guy's CD's. He sure can talk, and talk, and talk, and he makes sense, so his book is probably not bad.

All in all, since I knew some of this stuff and took notes on the rest, I feel that I don't need his course, but he is "old school," and will guide you right if you need to get out of debt. My online research confirms my feelings that he is trustable.

Although I am returning his course to get my money back, I nonetheless recommend it for you because his ethics are HONEST: His methods is based on the premise that you don't get something for nothing. When he suggests that you put your credit card in water, and then freeze it, to eliminate "impulse" usage (except for emergencies), you will know what I mean: If you don't get his book or course and are still in debt, don't blame Gordon Wayne Watts of Lakeland, Florida, USA -because he has told you -as one who has experience in credit cards -both good and bad experiences.

My review is meant to be helpful, and I sign with my real name to show I'm not some paid advertisement hack. Even though I'm returning it, I am VERY grateful that I was able to review it (and take good notes). Since I am eager to pour over my notes, this is a good indication that my "5-star" review is accurate: Yes, I highly recommend the John C. Cummuta book.

Gordon Wayne Watts, Lakeland, Florida, USA

Are you mired in debt and looking for a way out? Does your financial situation look bleak? If so, fret no more. Pick up a copy of DEBT-FREE & PROSPEROUS LIVING: BASIC COURSE by John Cummuta and let your financial wellness commence! This is an awesome resource in helping you devise a plan to become totally debt free. Free from steep credit card balances. Free from the monthly constraints of a mortgage. Free from any type of debt that is currently bogging you down.

In DEBT-FREE & PROSPEROUS LIVING: BASIC COURSE, Mr. Cummuta lays out a financial formula, which if applied consistently to your personal situation, will help you to achieve a better financial situation. Using his formula, the reader is able to actually achieve a date as to when they will be debt-free. How exciting it is to discover this revelation!

I was first introduced to this plan at a local college where I enrolled in a financial workshop. This initial investment was one well worth the costs of a three credit course! The financial blessings that I have received as a result are priceless! Using Mr. Cummuta's plan, I was able to improve my credit score by over 50 points in a year's time! The information is easy to apply and to be honest, is probably something we've all heard before, yet the application of the information is truly valuable.

Our local book club has selected this plan to continue to apply to our unique situations. We have an upcoming presentation based on this workbook, yet some of the members have already begun applying this information to their personal situations. The testimonies of our members are also very compelling. One particular member said she could realize financial freedom from her student loans, credit cards and car note within a two-year period. Another stated she could be debt-free from these same constraints in a 4-year period. For a small investment, which is just the cost of this book, you could also have a similar testimony!

In my opinion, this would be a self-investment well worth the costs. In addition to the workbook, cassettes and software are available. Although our local group did not choose these options, we did develop our own spreadsheets to track our progress. If I had the opportunity, I would thank Mr. Cummuta for putting this information together.

Reviewed by Nedine
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I cannot say enough good things about John Cummuta's DFPL course. By following his advice to the letter, I have ratcheted down a $15,000 debt pile to only $2,000 in five years. Had I paid only the mininmum payments (what my creditors wanted me to do!), I would have literally spent the rest of my life paying off this debt!!! This amount will be completely paid in full by the middle of next year.

Without realizing what I had done, my credit score jumped waaayyyy UP!!! I found this out just recently!!

You won't regret the money you spend on the DFPL course. Your financial life depends upon it!

This book is a must read for anyone who has trouble getting started. The mantra that has been beaten into my head over and over by most college professors is the importance of writing everyday. However, that's often easier said than done. Outside of CW courses, class assignments and workshops, it's been very difficult for me to get started and I've never been big on journaling. This excercises in this book have provided me with countless "assignments" to help get the creative juices flowing. If you find that you need a little push to get going, this book is for you.

The book arrived in excellent condition within the scheduled delivery time.

This book is terrific, well written, an excellent resource. Understandable and practical. Bravo!

Thank you,

Francine Keehnel

I have taken several classes lately and with them gotten several books. Most of them have at least some valuable information to make one a better writer with modern examples, but this book is unique in that you never feel like the author is giving you lines in which you are supposed to color inside of to make a good picture. You never feel pressured either. Since I am a beginning writer, this was the perfect atmosphere for me because there was room to learn new things, and reject some things without feeling I am suffering long-term as a writer. If one feels a strong sense of personal voice, this is the best book to acquire and develop new skills (as well as refine existing ones)

Once you have read an introductory book like Brayfield's Bestseller or Kings 'On writing' this is the book to buy and use.

Novakovich covers there basic elements: Setting /Character/Plot/PoV/Dialogue & Scene/Begins and endings / description/ vice and revision. He uses numerous examples form published literature and each chapter concludes with a number of good exercises.

One topic Novakovich does not cover is writers block. Maybe that is because he provides the solutions. Writers block is either due to lack of ideas or anxiety about one's writing. Novakovich provides the solutions - a chapter on the sources of fiction and a reference book to dip into every time one feels a anxious.

The beauty of Fiction Writers Workshop is the exercise - do them - and that all aspects are covered in one short book. That is also its disadvantage. Successful writing is complex, it requires fluent and adaptive use of a number of skills. To become fluent you will need to read and practice each in greater depth than can be provided in one book that covers them all. Don't make the mistake I made of going in depth on one skill first. It can lead to imbalance. Start with Fiction Writers Workshop and you will gain a balance.

Readers of this review can review it - tick the box 'useful' or 'not useful'. There is something I have noticed in those reviews. If reviews are critical then people are less likely to tick the box - 'useful' and more likely to tick the box 'Not useful'. What they are in fact saying is 'It was a nice review'. For a writer that is the worst kind of review. It leads you up the garden path. An author needs is honest candid review.

I'm not being nice about Fiction Writer's Workshop. It is that good.

just Jack

This gives you the how and the why and what you must do to accomplish what you wish to accomplish in your writing. Worth every penny.

A book to keep by the bedside; tales to enjoy again and again. A haven for those familiar with the genre, and, for the novice, a menu of the fine writers of dark imagination.

Nearly fifty years ago, in the mid-sized Midwestern town where I spent many of my formative years, with some windfall paper route money, I purchased the Modern Library edition of "Great Tales of Terror and the Supernatural" (published by Random House, edited by Herbert A Wise and Phyllis Fraser). That particular edition was eventually worn out from extensive reading and re-reading and had long since disappeared from my possession; but several months ago, at a Montgomery County Public Library sale in Troy, North Carolina, thanks the alertness of my sharp-eyed wife, I purchased, for a mere pittance, the *original* edition of this book, published in 1944; it was like encountering a long-lost friend! The dedication page consists of an Old Scotch Invocation: "FROM GHOULIES AND GHOSTIES AND LONG-LEGGED BEASTIES AND THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT, GOOD LORD DELIVER US!". Of interest also is that on the publication page the following appears: "THIS IS A WARTIME BOOK - The Text is complete and unabridged, but every effort has been made to comply with the Government's request to conserve essential materials." It was in my Modern Library edition that, as a teen-ager, I first read classic supernatural stories by Algernon Blackwood (the well-known "Ancient Sorceries" and the lesser-known "Confession" [but not "The Willows" or "The Wendigo"]), F(rancis) Marion Crawford ("The Screaming Skull" [but not "The Upper Berth"]), M(ontague) R(hodes) James ("Casting the Runes" [my favorite of all of his 30 stories] and "Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You My Lad"; both stories, incidentally, illustrate James's adroit and effective handling of understatement), H(oward) P(hilips) Lovecraft ("The Rats in the Walls" and "The Dunwich Horror"), Arthur Machen ("The Great God Pan" [but not "The Inmost Light"]), Oliver Onions ("The Beckoning Fair One"), Edgar Allan Poe (the well-known story "The Black Cat" and the lesser-known but even more disturbing "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar"), and Edgar Lukas White (the eerie "Lunkundoo"). Also among the 52 stories in this collection are some powerfully-effective adventure stories: Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game", Geoffrey Household's "Taboo", Carl Stephenson's "Leiningen versus the Ants", and H.G. Wells's "Pollock and the Porroh Man". (Undoubtedly because of the publication date, there is nothing here by Robert Aickman [e.g., "The Inner Room"], Clive Barker [e.g., "In the Hills, The Cities"], Stephen King [e.g., "Dolan's Cadillac" {terror} or "The Mist" {supernatural/preternatural], or Joyce Carol Oates [e.g., "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"]). The editors provide an Introduction, an Introduction to the Notes, and interesting and comprehensive biographical sketches of each of the authors. Over the past few months, I have enjoyed becoming re-acquainted with these stories. Although there now exist more modern collections of these types of stories (e.g. David Hartwell's "The Dark Descent", "The Oxford Book of English Ghost Stories", and "Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost Stories"), this out-of-print book is well worth acquiring, if you should be fortunate enough to happen upon it in an estate collection auction, at a library sale, in a thrift store, or at a used-book seller's.

This is yet another one of the books that was required for my Arts & Humanities class "The Horror Story"...I must say that I'm quite glad that I was introduced to this novel.

This book houses some of the greatest horror stories since the genre came into existence. I have a new appreciation for Edgar Allen Poe. Algernon Blackwood is an AMAZING writer, quite possibly my new favorite. There is even a story written by O. Henry!

This book could easily be considered a bible among those who are horror-genre fans. I can't say much else about this book other than IN MY OPINION it is worth the money you will spend on it and the time you will spend reading it.

This book is, quite simply, the best collection of 19th and early-20th century short fiction of the dark variety in existence. First published in the 1940s, this single (albeit fat) volume is a goldmine of the roots of modern horror, a great way to see where today's horror heavyweights got their inspiration and influence.

Some authors whose stories appear within: Bierce, Blackwood, Dickens, Faulkner, Hawthorne, Hemingway, James (both Henry & M.R.), Kipling, Lovecraft, Machen, Poe, Wells, and many more, a good mixture of horror genre regulars and more conventional or 'literary' authors to whom dark fiction was a departure from the norm. If many of those above names are unfamiliar to you and you consider yourself a fan of dark fiction, you owe it to yourself to read this book.

[Sidenote: The book also contains two of my all-time favorite short stories from two slightly lesser-known authors: Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game," and W.W. Jacob's "The Monkey's Paw." As far as I know, this is the only single volume that includes both. The latter story is, in my humble opinion, THE most perfect scary story of all time.]

Once again: Wagner & Wise's collection is the best thing of its kind.

If you're looking for a little fear on your pallet, this book will dish it out in buckets. The authors are old world craftsmen who wrote these stories on dark and stormy nights. As you read, the wind will howl, dead children will laugh, and the scurry of rats will make you look around your room. Drink a glass of wine, eat dark chocolate, and curl up to this one in bed. Dead men do write good tales.

The novel length Conan work. An aging Conan is now in a position of responsibility, being King of Aquilonia.

His reign is threatened by a very powerful sorcerer, whom Conan is unable to stop by mundane means, and must take himself off hunting for a mystic artifact.

Having done this, there is some wizard smiting to be done.

Top notch work.

Howard's only full-length Conan novel features the real deal. If you read this book before you read any of the more recent attempts to rewrite Conan, you will be hard-pressed to find its equivalent. While the role of king doesn't quite seem to suit Conan, most of this book portrays him in his role as the savage, independent wanderer, in search of a jewel with sorcerous powers. This book waxes more powerful as it progresses, with Conan finding himself among black pirates, searching through gloomy subterranean lairs, and confronting horrifying creatures. Conan meets a number of intriguing friends and foes along the way. Unlike many Conan novels, the feminine characters in this book have somewhat minor roles. So if you read Conan books for the "babe factor", look elsewhere. If you like the raw, full-orbed Conan as he was intended to be, you'll be very satisfied with this novel.

A note on the Berkeley Medallion paperback edition - the cover proclaims this to be an "illustrated" edition. This is a slight exaggeration as only two rather mediocre pen-and-ink illustrations are found within! These have been taken from the original Weird Tales publication. The "full color fold-out poster" is all of 12 1/2 x 7 inches, and features a larger version of the cover, a rather fanciful Conan.

He lives on in an infinite amount of spin-offs and new interpretations but Howard's Conan is without a doubt the definitive and best. This second volume in the Fantasy Masterworks Series presents the last of his stories and ends with his only Conan novel.

Hour of the Dragon (itself an expanded rewrite of The Scarlet Citadel) sees King Conan overthrown by a bunch of villains too arrogant for their own good. The furious Cimmerian then goes on a urgent quest across the Hyborian lands to retrieve a peculiar MacGuffin and unite his allies to smite the rascals out of existence.

And they bloody deserve it.

Having read a few dark fantasy novels in my day, I would definately classify this work as belonging in that sub-genre.

If you are into good hard-hitting violence and are up for a rip-roaring ride through Robert E. Howard's Hyborian world, then this book is for you. Having been the only full length novel written featuring the legendary barbarian, Conan, Howard delivers a very solid piece of work with Hour of the Dragon.

Powerful mages resurrect a being of astonishing power and set out to conquer the world. Of course, one of their first acts is to dispose King Conan who is a direct threat to this conquest. With some supernatural help, they succeed in this venture. The rest of this novel features a mad Conan that hacks his way back to the throne of Aquilonia. Recommended.

This book actually began life as a serial in "Weird Tales" in the 1930s. Robert E. Howard (REH) never actually wrote any Conan novels, all of Conan's tales were written for the magazine marketplace. But this is his only novel length Conan tale so it is considered by many to be the only REH Conan novel.

That being said, it is easily one of the best Conan stories written. In the tale, Conan is the king of Aquilonia, but he has plenty of people conspiring to dethrone him. These conspirators raise the wizard, Xaltotun, from the dead to use his magic against Conan.

They succeed in dethroning Conan when he is paralyzed by the wizard and unable to ride out into battle. After the battle they believe Conan is dead (big mistake) for a time, only he is actually in hot pursuit of the Heart of Ahriman, the only thing capable of defeating Xaltotun.

Naturally, the Heart is not easily obtained and Conan journeys far and wide in his pursuit of it. The story is incredibly fast paced and for a relatively short novel, its packed with action and story. Of course, Conan succeeds at the end and regains his kingdom (as well as gaining a wife).

Even though the story is at a mid-point in Conan's career, its an excellent starting point for those who are new to REH's work. As other reviewer's have noted, this story also exists in paperback as "Conan the Conqueror," although it has been edited to correct grammer and some of REH's politcally incorrect references. Heck, it was the first Conan story I ever read and it got me hooked.

REH is a moody, atmospheric writer and much of his work, including this one, carries a sense of darkness to it. Even this book, where Conan ultimately is victorious carries that feeling to it. It tends to almost carry an air of that darkness, a feeling that no matter what Conan does, his victories will be short-lived and even he will not be able to defeat death when his time comes.

For sword and sorcery fans, this is as good as it gets. Ignore the hoard of imitators who followed and stick to the master-- Robert E. Howard.

I am from the Midwest and this book is awesome!!!! I love the way Mrs. Hampton change up her writing styles. I start reading her books and find it hard to move on to a new author!

A street novel written tastefully. Excellent read! It goes without saying who my favorite character was. Thank you Miss Hampton for showing that not all thugs are ruthless. Good job.

Whew! Amazing! "How Can I Be Down?" is one that needs to be in your library. Ms. Hampton has put her thang down with this one! Kiley Abrams is 'the man' that has no shame in his game. Be it in the bed, in the kitchen, on the wall, down the hall, he is definitely 'bout it' 'bout it.' He is the ultimate player in that you will love him for his courage, his love and concern for all around him, his business mind, and unequivocably HIS Unique Finesse! He has no problem wearing all types of hats from being 'thy brother's keeper', continuing 'thy father's legacy', stepping up to being 'thy super dad' and lastly 'thy luscious, lustful lover man!' Ain't no half stepping, no side stepping, nothing but doing that damn thang to the utmost! If you're smart, don't sleep, get your copy today!

Brenda Hampton is truly talented as she is able to go from a lover boy type novel (Two's Enough, Three is a Crowd), to this street filled novel. I really enjoyed both novels. Kiley is left an empire to uphold after his father was killed. While running from a secret of his past life, the reader goes into a life of streets, women, drugs, relationship drama, shiesty friends, true friends, and more. This was a well written novel. It makes the book so much better when you don't have any idea how the novel will unfold (to many readers give stuff away). As I said about Ms. Hampton's other review, people are not reviewing this book this well for nothing! Good job Ms. Hampton. I am starting her next book My Way or No Way tommorrow. Keep them coming!

How can I be down is a great book. I read this in one day and didnt want it to end. Brenda Hampton is a Great Author. I put her right up there with Zane. Keep up the great work!

Mary Stewart is a great writer. I'm glad that I discovered her again. This book keeps you guessing until the end. I really enjoyed this book.

Back when I was in high school, my bookshelves were filled with the Gothic romances of Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney. In my mind's eye (especially on a dark and stormy night!), I liked to cast myself as one of the the intrepid governesses who finds employment at the manor house of a devastatingly handsome but brooding lord with a plethora of mysterious, murderous relatives and eavesdropping servants. While I always questioned why these young women used to traipse out at midnight into the fog-shrouded moors - wearing only a diaphanous nightgown - to investgate a spooky noise, I was nonetheless captivated by the way all three of these authors could spin such breathtaking ambiance and make a reader feel as if they were right in the scene. I was, thus, delighted when an associate sent me a paperback copy of the newly re-released "The Ivy Tree" by Mary Stewart. Her heroine is a plucky lady of mystery who or may not be who she really says she is, and the scintillating underscore of sexual tension throughout the chapters makes this the kind of read that should be enjoyed with a pot of herbal tea, a fire in the fireplace, a cozy comforter, and a storm outside one's windows. Even with the passage of 40 years since I originally read this title, it's a cleverly orchestrated mystery that still feels timeless.

Christina Hamlett
Author of "Movie Girl" and "Screenwriting for Teens"

First Sentence: I might have been alone in a painted landscape.

Annabel Winslow has been dead for four years. Mary Grey, over from Canada, looks enough like Annabel to be her twin. When Conner, foreman at Whitescar, stumbles upon her, it takes a bit of convincing that she is Mary. Con, and his half-sister, Lisa, work up a plan for Mary to pretend to be the missing Annabel long enough to ensure her grandfather passes the ownership of Whitescar to Con in his will. Annabel Winslow has been dead for four years. Or has she?

This is Mary Stewart at her very best. With lovely nods to Josephine Tey's "Brat Farrar," which I also loved, "The Ivy Tree" is a more complex, layered book, although the clues are there for us to find. Stewart's characters come alive and even have reader questioning just who is Mary? There is that constant threat of danger. Her descriptions and use of imagery make me go back and re-read passages for the pure pleasure of her words. It is a story of love, loss, and hope is wonderfully timeless. Stewart is always such a pleasure to read and this is one of, if not the, best of her works.

This book is wordy and descriptive--half of our book club really appreciated her use of words, and half found it tedious. The beginning is a little slow and hard to engage in, but stick with it because the plot thickens enormously in the middle and the twist is so much fun! It has a dramatic conclusion that made for some fun conversation at book club.

All of Mary Stewart's works are good. This is one of her best mysteries.

I really loved the story. It's a very real story. Any one who's parents have ever fought will probably be able to relate.
This is the $25 hardcover edition. The book is dark green cloth. The title is on the front cover and side in gold. Cover seems well made. The print is usually okay, but maybe three or four times in the book one paragraph gets slaughtered. It's like the old ink-jet printers when the page jammed and you see part of the sentence which runs over another sentence and you can't read either, but the page isn't folded. It only ruins three or four paragraphs and you can read most of if. It's pretty annoying though at first. Other then that it seems like a sturdy book.
Still a worthwhile book to own if you like L.M. Montgomery.
Five stars for the story, three for the printing.

I enjoyed the Anne of Green Gables series of books. But, if you haven't read LMM's other books, you are missing out. I especially like "Jane of Lantern Hill". And my favorite "The Blue Castle" which is perfect romance.

Read these 2 books and her others. You may have to dig a bit but it'll be worth the trouble.

This was L.M. Montgomery's very last book that she's ever written during her lifetime. I own all of Montgomery's books, and after reading them over and over again, I have to say that this book is the best of her writings (right after the Anne of Green Gables series, of course...). I highly recommend this book, and encourage you to read it, for it shows what kind of inner strength and courage one can possess. Additionally, I recommend all of Montgomery's books to read, for being an avid fan, her books can teach us many lessons that we ourselves can apply during our lifetime.

As someone who spent many hours alone as a child, I found I could really relate to this book. I first discovered it when I was eleven or twelve. I loved reading about how Jane'e grandmother dominated her and made her feel out of place and about how people at school regarded Jane, because I was treated in the same way. If you've ever been pushed around as a child, or as an adult, read this book. I'm 21 and have been forced to grow up rather quickly in my life, still I enjoy this wonderful novel. I thought the character of the mother could have been more developed, otherwise it was absolutely a stunning work of art. Go SUPERIOR JANE! I can also relate to the way Montgomery portrays Jane's dad, and Jane's relationship with her dad. It's interesting how when Jane sees her father's picture in a magazine, even though she does not know it is him she cuts it out and keeps it, and it is heart-breaking how her grandmother takes it away from her. It is touching how Jane helps her poor orphaned friend and neighbor, and her grandmother's disdain for this makes one exceedingly angry. I also thought Jane's mother did not defend her daughter enough. Montgomery's own father made himself scarce to her when she was young, moving out West and remarrying. Montgomery seems to have never gotten over this, so when she describes characters like Emily's father, and Jane's father, she does a wonderful job of speaking of how intimate they are with their daughters. As a child of divorce I loved reading of how Jane played a role in getting her parents back together. .......

I read this in my early teens, after I had read most of the LMM books (the Anne series, the Emily series, etc.) I loved them all, especially the Emily series, but Jane of Lantern Hill is my favorite of them all. Jane Stuart is not, as many of LMM's other heroines are, obsessed with the idea of being a writer, storyteller, etc. There is no potential boyfriend/husband lurking in the story either. This book is more about the how understanding and love can transform an introverted, unhappy child into a confident, intelligent girl (the story ends when Jane is about age 14.) In that sense she's really one of the most understandable and likeable of LMM's heroines. She is also very modern. You can easily imagine her growing up to become a successful career woman, something you can't really say for many of LMM's other heroines, other than the at-home and time-flexible occupation of writing. If I had an early-teen daughter I would buy this book for her, especially if she has any self-confidence issues.

This is also one of the few books that deals with the subject of divorce or the separation of parents from the perspective of the child in an intelligent way. Given the time that it was written, divorce was a horrible taboo, and the resolution of the story is a bit unrealistic perhaps. That's the only quibble I have with the book.

Incidentally there was a television movie based on this book, by the same people who did the excellent Anne of Green Gables series (at least, the first two parts of that series were excellent). Don't bother with the Jane movie if you love the book..it only vaguely resembles it.