Reviews Books

It is frequently said that tropical diseases are only a plane ride away, from the United States - Babesia has already landed here. Babesia is infecting people, who have never left the United States. Babesia was found in over 50 percent of Nigerian men tested, but has also been found in donated blood, in the US. Blood banks continue to rely on the outdated belief that Babesia is a disease which can not be contracted, in the United States, despite detection in at least 3 % of donated blood samples, in a West Coast study.

Basesiosis is frequently transmitted, with Lymes Disease, by ticks and is difficult to detect, with standard antibody testing, since it resides in red blood cells. Microscopic examination of blood, under 1,000 x oil immersion magnification, by specialized labs, is often required,to detect the Babesia protozoans.

One of the most stealthy features of Babesia, is the ability to imitate a menstrual migraine, since Babesia can cause severe migraine headaches, which flare, with the 4 week life cycle, of Babesia. Babesia can also survive, for years, in human hosts, without producing symptoms. Hopefully, those who ignorantly tell chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia patients that their symptoms are "all in their head," will begin to realize how limited our knowlege of disease actually is.

One of Dr. Schaller's sons suffered from Babesiosis and Dr. Schaller is dedicated to finding more effective tests and treatments for Babesiosis. From personal communication, with Dr. Schaller, I have learned he is working on perfecting a microscopic Babesia blood smear test, far more sensitive, than currently available tests.

I am aware of a 13 year old female who Dr. Schaller treated for Babesiosis. Prior to testing and treatment, by Dr. Schaller, another physician recommended leg braces, for this young women who could barely walk, due to pain. Two weeks after beginning Babesiosis treatment, with Dr. Schaller, she was jumping on the trampoline and laughing with her younger sister.

Readers may also be encouraged to learn some Babesia patients eventually test negative for Babesia, indicating it may be possible to eradicate this parasitic infection, with adequate treatment.

This book contains a thorough discussion of Babesia symptoms, testing, prescription, herbal and nutritional treatments. Some prescription medications, which are still in clinical trials are also discussed. It also contains information on Babesiosis treatments used by Dr. Horowitz and Buruscano, who are located in the New York/New Jersey area. Dr. Schaller practices, in Florida. This book contains an extensive annotated reference list.

Steven Sponaugle
Research Director, Florida Detox

I am really grateful to Dr James Schaller to have written the first exhaustive book on human babesiosis. It is an amazing sum of information that I suggest all MDs treating tick-borne diseases should read. Babesiosis litterate patients wanting to know what's happening in their bodies should also get it. It is a must have for you and your doctor, if you have caught this plague called babesiosis and try to get rid of it. The book is written in an easy to read and pleasant way (though English is not my mother language). It is a considerable source of references, treatments, interactions, helpful tips, a masterpiece of the state of art. SR, PhD

Dr. Schaller writes in an engaging manner that draws professionals and is clear enough so those who are struggling with these symptoms can understand the etiology, description and treatment of the disease. The book freely and exhautively shares a bibliography so those who need more already have a lot of the research sources completed for them. I am not a medical doctor but in my work with individuals, couples and families it gives me abundant resources to spot potential symptoms and refer people knowledgably for further evaluation. Dr. Sahaller is a prolific writer but he takes no shortcuts in his work. Very few medidal books bridge the gap from professional to lay reader, and this book makes a yeoman's attempt, and for my money, succeeds. Ralph W. Eckardt DSW, Individual, couple and family therapist with 40 years experience.

When I asked my Ivy league educated doctor about Babesia and he replied "What's That?" I was shocked. When I told him about Dr. Schaller's book on Babesia, he promised to order a copy of it. If people are suffering from diseases that "TOP" ACADEMIC PHYSICIANS AREN'T AWARE OF, how will people become well? The answer lies in incredibly informative books like this one by Dr. James Schaller. There truly is life-saving, well-researched information for both laypersons and physicians alike. I have learned more about Babesia than most physicians just from reading this book! I recommend it as MANDATORY CURRICULUM IN ALL MEDICAL SCHOOLS and for physicians in practice.

I am giving this book 4 stars because it does not rank among the best books I have ever read, which would deserve a 5 star, but certainly better than a mediocre book which would merit only a 3 star. Amazon.com only gives us 5 stars, so I hand them out sparingly.

I enjoyed this old-fashioned read. I laughed at times, felt sympathy and frustration for Sara, and looked forward to where the story was taking her along with the reader. The story line reminds me of the book "Alias Grace" by Margaret Atwood. I am not about to run out and order the other two books in the Joyce Cary trilogy just yet; but some day when I am book dry I know they are there and I can go back to them.

I have just reread Cary's three novels, Herself Surprised, To Be a Pilgrim and The Horse's Mouth. It is amzing that books written during the second world war should be so secure in their tone about a vanishing England and its history. Cary uses his three entirely diffeent voices - tricky sensuous woman, nervy religious dirty old man, obsessed manipulative artist- better than anyone else i know uses the limitations of the first person to show what we do and don't know about each other. His descriptions of places and things are delicious. Also I shd like to say what beautiful books the New York Review paperbacks are to handle and read. Most people know The Horse's Mouth, and many know Herself Surprised . I'm not sure To Be A Pilgrim isn't the best and most surprising of the three- which is saying something.

My take on Sara Monday is very different from what I'm reading here. I believe that she loved life and indulged herself in its pleasures. At the same time she was a nurturing soul. Read it for yourself to decide about her character. Gulley Jimson is also a great character. The descriptions in this book are wonderful. She describes the sea as being like oven glass one day and the edges of knives another. It is so good that I didn't want it to end, and now I'm going to read the other two books in the trilogy.

Cary's Sara Monday has often been compared--quite rightly--to Moll Flanders, another irresistible, irrepressible woman of highly suspect morals. Sara's odd adventures in marriage and love make for a highly entertaining read, but you should also pay close attention to her observations of her society; for a woman of little apparent reflection, there's very little that seems to escape her notice. All three books in the Gulley Jimson triptych are remarkable, but this one has a special poignancy.

Here is a well-rounded, nicely illustrated guide to classic Hollywood flicks from the '30s to the 1960s. In terms of coverage, there aren't many surprises; all the "usual suspects" are here but as an introduction to some ageless films, it's a nice piece of work.

Author Afton Fraser divides the films into various chapters: Must See, Drama, Suspense, Film Noir, Good Guys & Bad Guys, Comedy, Screen Teams and so on. Each film typically gets two pages of coverage, a mixture of text and four-six photos. Aside from a short plot summary, brief production notes, information on the stars and tidbits on the movie are given. Each section is preceded by a one-two page summary on why Fraser picked the films found in that section.

The book is sub-titled 'A Guide for the Beginner and the Aficionado.' I think it would be most useful for those people wanting to learn about America's rich cinematic history.

Recommended.

This is a book for everyone, for those that grew up with the Film Noir and those that would like to discover anew the B&W film era. The photos are beautiful and the information about each film intriguing. I recommend it highly, I will give several as Christmas presents to relatives this year.

This is the best list of "must see" films that I have ever seen. It is written by a movie star's wife, who knows many of the old stars, and provides their favorites lists.

This book is amazing! This book is written by Brendan Fraser's (The Mummy) wife. This book has 15 chapters. Some of the chapters are Must See, Drama, Suspense, Comedy, Romance, Tearjerkers, One of a Kind, Musicals, Westerns, and Screenteams. Also on each new chapter she has on the side of the page a list of movie stars' picks of classics. It's their must-see list! This book even has a preface by the "Million Dollar Mermaid" herself, Esther Williams. The book includes a lot of never before seen photos. Another great thing about this book is on each movie, Mrs. Fraser includes info on Oscar awards, gossip, info on the leading stars, quotes, and info on screen teams (it shows info on what other movies the stars did together). This book is great for beginners who want to see old movies or just great as a gift for that special movie lover. Afton Fraser did a great job on this book and I hope she does another one! If you love old movies buy this book!

Unlike other episode guides, this book doesn't give the useless details showwing every action a character makes. For a Buffy and Angel fan such as me you probably seen every episode and season so you know what's going to happen. This book however does give you unique headings such as Logic Let Me Introduce You To This Window which features all the plot flaws, goofs and stunt double that look nothing like the actor. It also includes Dudes and Babes which takes a look at the cute guys and girls shown. The Charisma Show relives the funny and cool bits that Cordelia does. LA Speak gives quotes on the street talk seen on teh show. Designer Label highlights the fashion mistakes so when you watch the episode again you cna take a moment to laugh. It catches all the juicy details missing from regular guides and has a unique style.
I recommend this book and Slayer ( Buffy version) because of it's uniqueness and is a simply must for any fan.

This guide to the TV series "Angel" is a british book by british author Keith Topping(who also did one for Buffy too called "Slayer"), and it's a good, well put together book. You will definitley have a great time with it. It is kinda funny to read it because it's british, but that's what also makes it really interesting. A british perspective on things. The book has descriptions of all the episodes for the show's first two seasons. Along with each episode, comes a number of categories with it.... which has some of the best of the nasty dialogue. It has critiques and notes from critics including the author. It also features "L.A. Speak", featuring slang used in the series. "Logic, Let Me Throw You Out This Window" is about all of the mistakes and goof ups in the show. There is even a section dealing with fashion and describes what characters were wearing and if they were good or not. Plus, there is just some dialogue. Topping really outdoes himself getting into the specifics of the mistakes, or just little details in the background or in the forefront. This guy really has a keen eye!. What would've made this book better was if there were some pictures. Nope. Not here. That is the only drawback to this exceptional book. Topping is a fan. He writes as a fan. He can be overy critical for some episodes, but isn't that a way die hard fans should be?. A great, fun read with really cool tidbits. Fans should really enjoy this!.

This is an excellent guide to seasons 1-4 of Angel. It has very interesting unknown facts. The one that I was most surprised about was that Charisma Carpenter was almost raped back when she was a cheerleader for the Chargers. But with a gun to her and her friends heads she refused to back down. For a more detailed description of this event buy the book.

I also love how it had quotes from each episode. Usually the funniest ones.

Go out and buy this now!

Keith Topping is the best writer of tv episode guides in the business, and this book is another winner. What keeps Keith's guides at the top of the pile is his sense of humour and his infectious admiration for the shows he writes about. His Buffy guide, 'Slayer', is the best episode guide I've read about the show, and this book stands right alongside it as far as detail, opinion and humour go.

If you want a dry, humourless bunch of lists and facts about Angel, give this book a miss. However, if you want a well written and opinionated book with so much detail that you'll re-read it again and again, then this is the book for you. If you are an avid viewer of Angel, you'll be going back to this book frequently.

This book is definetly worth the purchase. It gives a unique insight into the path we doctors take through our medical training. More specifically, Dr. Cooper tries to point out many of the pitfalls that can occur during the journey and how to avoid them. He gives examples of how all these things can and DO happen. These lessons are ones that are best learned from others mistakes as opposed to learning them firsthand as many have dire consequences. There are multiple examples in the book of interns and residents both either getting suspended or asked to leave from their programs for the mistakes that were committed. It's worth mentioning that these mistakes aren't uncommon and have been repeated by many of us already...hopefully without suffering from them like the examples in the book. It's an easy read and one that might save your medical career!

After reading this book, I bought two more copies for my nephews in medical school. If you ever wanted to know what goes on during medical internship, this is the book for you. It's scary how "on target" the book is. If you're a medical student or thinking of medical school, buy and read this book (and House of God) before internship!!

Dr. Cooper has created a manual of what a new doctor must look out for in the world of a major hospital. The lessons taught can easily be applied to most other professions and will be invaluable to any new employee first entering the dog-eat-dog business world.

This book is outrageous and real. It describes what it's like to be an intern or student on the wards in the hospital. It gives tips about what to do, and what not to do to survive the experiences. As someone who has gone through medical school, internship and residency, I can tell you that the anecdotes in this book, as well as the pieces of advice, are right on the money. I wish I had read this book before internship. But, even after residency, it is a lot of fun to read. It reminds me of a modern-day "House of God."

I got this and "Hardings Luck" one christmas about twentyfive years ago. These stories have stayed with me throughout my adult life and I have never forgotten how I was swept away by the stories. These books are educational while being simply spellbinding...my imagination went wild, back then. Absolutely a must!

One of the delightful things about this book is that it treats children as thinking beings, yet still manages to contain all of the magic and adventure of childhood. As in all of her work, E. Nesbit tells an exciting story while encouraging the reader to consider the meaning of things. One of the best books written by one of the best children's writers of all time.

I was hoping to read this book to my 7 year old boy. It was heavy for him and somewhat slow. The book requires maturity and sophisticated vocabulary, somehow it does not fit the pace at which our kids live now.

It certainly can be appreciated by an older, more mature kid, who loves the English language. It is beautifully written.

Two 10-year-olds are the last survivors of a long line of english aristocrats.The family castle lies in ruins, but the children are determined to restore it to its former glory with the help of the long-lost family treasure. The task seems daunting, but they soon discover there's some intricate, powerful magic in the family crest.. Subsequently the treasure hunt hurtles along at breathtaking pace. The magic includes frequent trips into the turbulent (and dangerous) times of England's feudal past to discover the exact time and place where the treasure was hidden.. This book and it's sequel (or prequel?!) "Harding's Luck" can't be recommended enough. They are children's classics of the nicest kind - not the least bit sirupy - but full of adventure and magic

It is so sad that Andres Montoya left this world at such a young age. Aside from the obvious loss suffered by his family and friends (I never had the pleasure of meeting him), we wonder about the poetry and other writing he would have produced in the wake of his beautiful and accomplished collection, "the iceworker sings." Much has been written about Montoya's first book which was the winner of the 1997 Chicano/Latino Literary Prize (University of California at Irvine). Montoya's Fresno is filled with love, lust, hate, suffering and protest sung in a clear Chicano voice. Suffice it to say that the brutal yet eloquent honesty of Montoya's poems has assured that "the iceworker sings" will be read and studied for decades to come.

The Iceworker Sings is an amazing book that reached every sensation that is in my body. Recommended to me by my friend Eva in Fresno I was captivated by the pain, desperation, and corazon in Montoya's words; they spoke to me as if each one had been in the fire itself. Montoya speaks of the Chicano situation in ways that others may not understand. His words are words that describe everything we have been through. As Montoya writes - "i don't have time to be a gypsy or an aztec, i'm just chicano, an indian who sees life swallowed up in a dream and wants to explode."

This book strikes at the core of the authors life as a young man growing up in the central valley of Fresno. He speaks of heartaches, struggles as well as love and hope. I had the great pleasure of knowing this young man who was taken from us far to soon. His insights on life and the meanings of the everyday struggles that we all go through were prophetic. I would encourage all to read and study these rich poems. Andres, your voice is louder and more profound now then when you walked this earth.

andres montoya offers us this gift of a book postumously. andres was my cousin, but first and formost he was a poet nearly without peer. these poems ring with truth and insights beyond the years of this young man taken from us way too soon. this book is an instant collectors item and a must for any serious lover of poetry.

viva andres montoya

richard montoya de culture clash

An easy-to-read reference book. Very helpful in the hospital, on rounds and morning report. Designed to fit in your white coat pocket. I plan to use the book as a reference when teaching medical students and residents. Great for formulating a differential diagnosis.

This book is useful for both students and clinical providers (my preceptors borrow my copy quite frequently). Your school will probably NOT tell you about it, because they want you to scour many books just to find the information that's included on one page of this reference! I'm in my 2nd year of an adult and womens health nurse-practitioner program, and wish I would have come across all these books a year ago. Very thorough yet concise information. THANKS to these authors for providing such a useful reference!

Medical students should consider purchasing this book as a study guide or reference. Very practical, easy to read and the format is designed in a plain and simple manner.

This is a fantastic reference for residents and medical students. I especially found it useful in preparing for attending rounds, but it's also great for exam review. I'm very happy with this purchase.

A little about me: I am an MD now working on my MPH at Johns Hopkins-
I ran across this book when I was browsing through Barnes and Nobles looking for a good study guide for my surgery oral exam....

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!

A must have! It encompasses all the essential points for each surgery in literally a page or two. I wish I had found it when I was starting the rotation! Though you may be skeptical that it is not thorough enough, believe me when I say that it is all you need to know in order to succeed on your written and oral exams... and certainly when you are being 'pimped' in the OR. I say, reduce your level of stress and anxiety when going through those long hours of surgery by having this by your side. It is as though someone poured through all the important texts and outlined the key points of each topic for you. The pages are as easy to read as the notes you would take for yourself.

Overall: Well-written, concise, and to the point. Just what a surgeon needs, actually.

No longer do I need to look up five or six different reference guides to find an answer about a specific type of sickness or disease. In a pragmatic sense, a very useful book with a wealth of information.

These books are so useful to use in rounds and clinics and especially for board review. They have probably been the best review books that I've used yet. I hope they come out with "In a Page" books on each sub-specialty.

This is a fantastic reference for residents and medical students. I especially found it useful in preparing for attending rounds, but it's also great for exam review. I'm very happy with this purchase.

Everyone's heard of "The Forsyte Saga," the BBC family epic of the late Victorian Age. Fewer have read the Galsworthy book, and that's a shame, because it's fascinating on so many levels. "In Chancery" is the story of the divorce of the two main characters, Soames and Irene. But without what came before, you'll lose the significance of what happens.

On the surface it's the story of Soames Forsyte, the quintessential icon of the growth of the upper middle classes and the decline of the nobility during the Victorian era. Descended from a farmer in Dorset in the not-too-distant past, Soames is a lawyer and a man of property. He buys wisely, sells more wisely, and husbands his wealth and that of the family. He is in control of everything that affects him, except one thing--his wife. Desiring to possess the sensitive, beautiful, genteel but poor Irene, and with the help of a callous mother, Soames pressures Irene into becoming his wife. From this single mistake, the one time Soames let passion rule, his life and the lives of his family and their descendants are changed in unpredictable and frightening ways. Galsworthy's theme is the constant tussle in life between property and art, love and possession, freedom and convention. In the fine tradition of family sagas, these themes play themselves out over and over with each generation.

On another level, this is the story of an age, the story of the British Empire at its peak. Galsworthy packs his book with allusions to the great crises of the time, the Boer War and WWI, the rise of Labour, the death of the Queen, the spread of "democracy." The Forsyte homes are meticulously detailed, from the French reproduction furniture to the dusty sofas to the heavy drapes, to the fireplace grate, to the electric lights in the old chandeliers. Soames collects art, and Galsworthy showers us with the opinions of a British gentleman of the great and not so great art of the day.

The saga was written over a period of many years, and on yet another level I found the the changes in Galsworthy's style from the rather clipped, detailed recitations of events and commentary typical of the 19th century to the more expressive style of the 20th. Especially in the first volume of the three, family relationships are painstakingly laid out, the rounds of dinners and family gatherings carefully chronicled. By the third volume, To Let, Galsworthy reveals the love of the countryside and the pain of repressed emotions that the family members a generation ago would have hidden. The writing is very beautiful--as in this sentence: "Fleur raised her eyelids--the restless glint of those clear whites remained on Holly's vision as might the flutter of a caged bird's wings."

It took me a good six weeks to plow through The Forsyte Saga, but it was worth it.

_In Chancery_ is the second of the novels in the first Forsyte Saga trilogy. A delightful and pointed look at the rising upper middle class in England, this book picks up where the interlude "Indian Summer of a Forsyte" left off and continues the story of Young Jolyon and the man of property himself, Soames.

This installation continues the theme of musing on the nature of possession and freedom as they relate to love and marriage as Soames wishes to remarry so that he can have a son who can help keep the family property intact. Usually bound together with "Awakening", the interlude that binds this book generationally to _To Let_.

Discovering the world of the Forsytes has been one of my delights of the year. I have no idea why these books have been forgiven, but they're really wonderful. Discover them yourself!

In the second installment of "The Forsyte Saga", writer John Galsworthy reassumes the life of the Forsyte family. "In Chancery" is situated a few years after the events told in "The Man of Property", in a few pages recaps some of the most important facts of the first book and their aftermath. After that he is able to move on.

And on he moves -- but the narrative still concerns on young Jolyon, Soames and Irene that forms a love triangle. While the remaining Jolyon become a close friend to Irene, her ex-husband --from whom she hasn't divorced in all those years -- fells jealous and considers claiming his wife back.

Needless to say that this is not the only plot in the novel. Galsworthy develops more family plots. It is impossible not to have the feeling that while he is sometimes depicting the shallowness of the elite from his time, at the same time he has an indulgent look upon the rich and wealthy -- which is not a bad thing as a matter of fact.

Those who like "The Man of Property" will certainly find more pleasure in "In Chancery". He finishes the book with the perfect hook what will come next.

The second volume of the Forsyte Saga; this time primarily the story of Jolyon (Young Jolyon), Soames (who might be called Young James), and Irene ~ Soames' wife who becomes Jolyon's lover. Galsworthy is really the forerunner of Joyce, with at least as much understanding of how men think, and close to (if not as much) the ability to portray it ~ in a more readable fashion. There is real affection in the portrayal of his characters, as much because Galsworthy was by birth a member of the rising upper middle class in England during the time of which he wrote as for any intrinsic value in those characters. As he shows them, though, they are close to loveable, certainly Jolyon is admirable, and Soames is, by his lights, decent ~ even if he does have an unrequitable passion for his wife. Though this is by no means an action-packed plot ~ i knew the essence of the action before i read it, from having read the Introduction ~ it nevertheless compelled me to read, read closely, read quickly. I shall be hard pressed to wait the few weeks i've promised myself before i borrow this volume from the library again and read "To Let," the third novel in the Saga.