Alternative Books

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book has been honored by this distinguished award.

If you have an adopted child, this is the book for you to share. The illustrations are lovely and meaningful. After reading this book, all children will want to be adopted!

Before even opening Logan's Journey, the beautiful cover illustration sets the tone for this heart felt book about love and families. It is the story of how Logan came to be with his mommy and daddy, a journey that was a slightly different from that of most little boys but no less magical. Logan's Journey tenderly explains that Logan's mommy and daddy couldn't have a baby by themselves and met his birthmother as a part of God's special plan. It acknowledges his birthmother's love for him and the special role she played in helping complete God's vision for a family of Logan, mommy and daddy. Finally, most importantly, Logan's Journey reminds us that no matter how a family came together, they are all made special by the love that binds them.
Heath & Martin do a masterful job of approaching this often difficult subject with the wisdom and compassion that only mothers can have. Ornoff's serene illustrations pair beautifully with the book's comforting message. Logan's Journey is one that every family that has or is considering adoption should take.

This book makes a great gift for all children. It is a celebration of family and in this day and age when families are formed in a myriad of ways, its message is one of hope and comfort to all children. Especially touching is the focus on the partnership of the parents and birthparent to create an adoption plan. The authors provide the perfect starting point to open the discussion with children when they ask "what does it mean to be adopted?" Beautiful illustrations will capture any child's attention. This is a wonderful story to share with your children.

Beautifully and simply written, this is the perfect book to share with a child who is beginning to ask questions about where they came from or what a family is. The art work is stunning!

Allen Schoen and Pam Proctor bring us a rich, detailed spectrum of ways in which love, intuition and complementary/ alternative therapies can help animals small and large. This book is rich in anecdotes and reports of healings on physical, psychological and spiritual levels for animals with these approaches after conventional veterinary care had exhausted its potentials to help. Schoen integrates acupuncture, homeopathy and herbal remedies in his practice.

This is a truly wholistic book, addressing body, emotions, mind, relationships and spirit - both of the animals who were helped and of their owners.

Schoen illustrates his work with many heartwarming stories of his challenges and adventures with animals and their owners.

A typical example is Schoen's description of how he nursed a wild hawk who was paralyzed from the neck down following injuries from a power line. Schoen found ways to tame and heal this wary creature so that it could recover, eventually returning to his wilderness home. As with many of his animal patients, Schoen found himself learning and growing in the process of his ministrations.

" ...no creature can remain forever closed to the healing power of love. I knew that if I could establish an intimate relationship with a bird of prey, I could communicate with any animal, no matter how distant or fearsome it might appear to be. All I would need was a sensitivity of spirit, a willingness to open myself nonjudgmentally to a dimension of reality where feathers, fur, skin, scales, or hair are stripped away - and where the only language is love.

"Hawkeye had his freedom, and now I had mine. He had given me my wings, and I was ready to soar." (p. 71)

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in learning about ways of healing that extend beyond conventional veterinary care.

I am twelve years old, and have great dreams of being a vet some day. I always like to read vet books, and when I found this one at the library I was amazed, it look awsome. I read it, and thought it was even better. I am now looking to purchase a copy, one for me, and one for Nina,(a friend of mine) and one for Kendra(another friend). I think that this is an awsome book, and if you haven't read it you should.
Allan tells wonderful tales of his life as a vet, and the absured treatments that he used. Nothing was too absured, he even untwisted the cow when he couldn't untwist the uterous! He also uses acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
I don't have a pet:(, but if I did I would want a vet like Allan to take care of it for me.

Dr. Schoen has once again succesfully captured the attention of his readers with a warm yet informative account on the veterinary experience. His years of medical expertise and devotion to his field add to the composition of his book. Flavored with plenty of heart-felt emotions, his tales of his animal companions really remind Us, as humans, what it is to care for another living creature. Dr. Schoen effectively conveys his numerous veterinary experiences, and even manages to shed some Western thought on the ancient, Eastern art of acupuncture.

DR. SCHOEN IS AN INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUAL. IT WAS AMAZING TO READ MY OWN BELIEFS IN PRINT. THE FEELINGS I HAVE ABOUT ANIMALS AND THEIR ABILITIES ARE THE EXACT PRINCIPLES BY WHICH DR. SCHOEN PRACTICES. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANY ANIMAL LOVER. I RECEIVED IT FOR CHRISTMAS AND FINISHED IT CHRISTMAS NIGHT. IT IS TRULY A TREASURE

A mixture of tender stories and practical advice. I've read the book many times and with each reading, I'm always moved to try a little harder to communicate with my pets. Great book. Wish I had a vet like this.

There's enough research in this small book to provide a basis for discussion w/your Dr. concerning supplementation with magnesium. I take 3 Magnesium Taurate (from Cardiovascular Research) per day for heart health and also sleep. It has definetly helped keep me asleep without my usual awakenings. (Chelated mag. is absorbed w/o diarhea) I wish the book was updated with the latest on the various types/brands of magnesium but is surely contains enough info to decide if you may benefit from supplementation.

A little "pocket book" the kind you would see at a grocery checkout.
But the data presented about this vital mineral magnesium most persons would have to locate and research the various books and articles the author has included in his bibliography to find.
The general public AND most doctors are unaware of the number of problems magnesium deficiency is currently causing us.
I wish everybody could read what this very qualified author says in this little book. I took his advice and it changed my life too.
Get it. Its very affordable and your health issues may take a turn for the better.

This book can change anyone's life if they have High blood pressure. It shows you how to maintain blood pressure without pharmacutical drugs. Highly recommend!

Dr. Cohen's book does the public a great service in discussing the importance of magnesium for maintaining a healthy level of blood pressure. However, as Dr. Carolyn Dean discusses in her very important book The Miracle of Magnesium, magnesium deficiency is a significant factor -- often the major factor -- in many other severe illnesses including heart attacks and other forms of heart disease, asthma, anxiety and panic attacks, depression, fatigue, diabetes, migraines and other headaches, osteoporosis, insomnia, and most cases of muscular problems. Unfortunately, the majority of Americans are deficient in magnesium to some degree and many are severely deficient. Because magnesium deficiency is largely overlooked by orthodox medical doctors, millions of Americans suffer needlessly from the foregoing ailments or are having their symptoms treated with expensive drugs (which often have unpleasant or dangerous side effects) when they could be cured with magnesium supplementation. While I recommend Dr. Cohen's book, I recommend even more highly Dr. Dean's more comprehensive (but easy to read) book The Miracle of Magnesium. Getting the right level of magnesium can not only mitigate a large number of seemingly-unrelated ailments, it may save your life.

This useful little book is in the same series as one I reviewed earlier (The Magnesium Solution for Migraine Sufferers).
High blood pressure accounts for more trips to the doctor than any other condition. Almost always, patients are put on prescription drugs. As Dr. Peter Galgut said so eloquently on www.naturaleater.com, ALL drugs have side-effects. [This is no small matter: side effects to prescription drugs in hospital are the 4th leading cause of death in the United States, according to Lazarou in JAMA. 1998 Apr 15;279(15):1200-5.]
Moreover, doctors do not like to admit that, using drugs to lower blood pressure, does not reduce your risk of cardio-vascular disease to the same extent of someone who has the lower level naturally. In other words, drugs are dealing with the symptoms not the cause.
Dr. Cohen looks at one probable underlying cause of high blood pressure -- magnesium deficiency. He describes how up to 75% of Americans are deficient in this mineral and as a consequence are sick in many ways. Doctors are widely ignorant about magnesium and tend to think of drugs as first resort rather than last.
Dr. Cohen explains how magnesium is an essential micronutrient in maintaining suppleness in the walls of blood vessels. In magnesium deficiency, the vessels become stiffer and so do not absorb the blood pressure surges properly.
Dr. Cohen reviews many of the other lifestyle factors that are responsible for high blood pressure. These include obesity, lack of exercise, low fiber intake, salt, alcohol and smoking. However, even correcting these matters (particularly in black Americans) is not very effective; magnesium must be corrected too.
Dr. Cohen does not claim that fixing magnesium deficiency will "cure" high blood pressure. Rather it is usually an overlooked piece of the jigsaw in a pattern of factors to be corrected.
This eminently readable book has guidance on the types of magnesium available and how to find the right dose for you. As commented earlier, we should all be nervous of the aggressive side-effects of drugs.
The insights in this book offer a valuable avenue for high blood pressure sufferers to explore. Of course, as a nutritional anthropologist (www.naturaleater.com), I would say that taking pills -- even magnesium pills -- can only be a stop-gap measure. We should all be changing our eating habits so that we get ALL our nutrients from food. By feeding our bodies in the way that our bodies were designed by our ancient past, then all these food-induced lifestyle diseases (like high blood pressure) will disappear of their own accord.

Did you know that marijuana has plenty of medicinal usages. Most of the people would say no because of this crazy "war on drugs". But this time please don't "just say no" and spend some time to read the "forbidden facts" about hemp. A very well researched and written book on the medicinal usages of hemp.

I truly appreciate the heartfelt anecdotal cases that he presents. He does not say anything that I can disagree with, it is not that kind of a book. His scholarly approch to what cases it has been found useful is helpful to me because I practice in a state where it is legal for medical use, and I knew almost nothing. Robert P. Doughton MD.

I bought the book 6 days ago in Amherst and I'm already finished it as it is brilliantly written as it taught me alot of things I needed to know. It wakes you up to the real facts of marijuana for medicine and as a medical marijuana user,I realized that everything in the book is facts and truth.The doctor who wrote it is pure genius and I hope he follows up with another book as he has made the most positive changes in my life. Thank You Dr.Lester Grinspoon

During a Drugs and Society class at Northeastern University, my professor recommended this book as extra reading. The book ends all myths and disputes in regards to marijuana, and raises some serious questions about America's drug policies. Why would a substance that has been around before the age of men be illegal? It is because the synthetic drug manufactures cannot make any money off of it. What happened in 1937 that caused the U.S to condemn use of marijuana and prohibit it? Read the book, and then truly ask yourself how democratic the U.S really is.

Probing, illuminating, inspired insights from a qualified researcher and intellectual pioneer. A seminal cannabis tome to invigorate your library!

nice book, the best book i ever buy jamming jamming
thanks! now i love cooking

I just tried out my first recipe this week with great success. Thanks to the authors for putting such an easy guide together.

This literature is GREAT. It is more comprehensive than other books that I have read on this subject. You will be able to make a wide variety of products that are diverse enough for sensitive diets. Butter, oils and tinctures are explained in detail. There are great recipes as well.

It came quickly, and was exactly what i expected! Very good recipes and concise instructions. A nice beginners book for any one looking to help someone out who is suffering from certain Medical conditions.

This book is tiny, but it has all of the information that you need to get started. The recipes and techniques are clearly explained and illustrated. The photographs are lovely (and rather tasty-looking, too)!

A great book that will provide clear insight specifically into the ways Eastern and Western healing arts intersect. There is absolutely none better available. If you are interested in Eastern Medicine (e.g., Acupuncture, meridian based Taoist healing arts such as Qi Gong, Tai Chi) and you are also interested in Western Nutrition, Physiology, and Western alternative healing arts such as Applied Kinesiology, Herbalism, Homeopathy and Energy Medicine, this book is essential. Dr. Mincolla is a leader in the field of complementary medicine for over 30 years and has worked with over 50,000 patients. I have worked with him personally for much of that time, and observed him as a primary leader transforming Boston's South Shore toward Holistic Health.

As a student of Taoism, I have searched for a book that embodies the awareness of the need to address the human body as a whole entity; mind, body, intellect, and emotions , as well as the scientific approach to nutritional evidence that food is medicine. This is such a book. Dr. Mincolla's book transcends a mere integration of Eastern and Western healing, by illuminating the importance of achieving harmony through unity of body, emotions, intellect, and spirit, all in balance with one another. And the best part of this process is that he does this easily, with brilliant understanding of how food, your specific body type, and your "Chi" must all flow together in balance. This is true health. This book if truly a healing tool. A must-read!

trying to reach the author to discuss old times.........

As a student of Taoism, I have searched for a book that embodies the awareness of the need to address the human body as a whole entity; mind, body, intellect, and emotions , as well as the scientific approach to nutritional evidence that food is medicine. This is such a book. Dr. Mincolla's book transcends a mere integration of Eastern and Western healing, by illuminating the importance of achieving harmony through unity of body, emotions, intellect, and spirit, all in balance with one another. And the best part of this process is that he does this easily, with brilliant understanding of how food, your specific body type, and your "Chi" must all flow together in balance. This is true health. This book if truly a healing tool. A must-read!

After searching for help all these years I finally found some help with my nutrition problems. Thank You Mark Mincolla

If ever such a book of wisdom and understanding was needed in world, now is the time! As our personal and collective awareness have become raw with violence perpetrated upon ancient separateness and hatred, this book becomes a must read over and over again. It is a profound resource for all of our altars - a multifaceted and powerful way to focus our prayers for wholeness and for healing - for each other and for our world.

This book is very interesting. It delivers the information in an original and mind catching way. The Indian chapter was especially intriguing. I hope everyone catches the important messages that this book contains.

This is an important anthology that brings together an impressively diverse number of scholars, healers, and other practitioners to share knowledge on the cutting edge of mind-body disciplines. It could not have appeared at a more opportune time. I would readily recommend most of the selections, particularly the chapter on Taoism.

This book is filled with chapters which take readers back to what therapy was in its original form - spiritual expansion and exploration. Each chapter is unique and distinct, yet all of them flow together in harmony. My favorite chapter is Tales of the Goddess: Healing Metaphors for Woman. This chapter offers a perspective which empowers women to fully claim their feminine power without agression against men. I found this book to be empowering, informational, and diverse.

Now that we've opened our minds to alternative healing, we have found that many of these spiritual practices have always been there! Modern Psychology and Ancient Wisdom is a guidebook to the psychological healing practices of the world's religious traditions. In her introduction to the book, editor and co-author Sharon Mijares guarantees us that this is not a treatise on dogma. She's right. It's a serious guide to spiritual healing practices detailed by thoughtful scholars and teachers qualified to share the power of spirituality. The book will be extremely helpful to practitioners, but this anthology of stories, chants, dances, and meditations is not simply a guide for professionals. It's a superb collection for the body/mind/spirit of the common reader as well.

MOTHER NATURE'S HERBAL by Judy Griffin is a fascinating book. Like the wide Sargasso Sea, however, HERBAL contains an accumulation of a little of this and a little of that, but no complete anything. As a result, HERBAL falls into the limbo between the comprehensive text the advanced herbalist seeks and the overview the novice seeks. I suspect Griffin uses this book in her coursework (she teaches) as it is jampacked with the topics one would cover in a survey course. Undoubtedly, she provides additional information in the classroom and I suppose you could use some of the entries in her bibliography to fill out the details.

Other reviewers have described HERBAL as an "anthropological" approach to the study of herbs, but I would not. Griffin's approach is geographic--she covers the broad regions of the world. Anthropologists (ethnographers and ethnologists) focus in-depth on one "culture" not an amalgam of five or six groups at a time. An anthropologist would study the contextual use of plants as food, medicine, accessories for adornment, and commodities for exchange. Still, Griffins approach is interesting in a travel guide sort of way.

Griffin cites some very good primary sources (her bibliography is useful) including RODALE'S ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS. I prefer Rodale's ENCYCLOPEDIA not only because it provides in-depth information about organic growing practices (whereas Griffin merely brushes over the topic), but it is a good U.S. source of current information on the side effects of herbs (as well as their purported uses). Rodale's book includes the latest medical research concerning specific herbs.

Europeans are light years ahead of Americans in herbal research and I have found two books written by European herbalists that are excellent. Penelope Ody's THE COMPLETE MEDICINAL HERBAL (Ody is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists in the U.K) and THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MEDICAL PLANTS by Andrew Chevallier (also a member of the NIMH) are quite good, though the latter is more inclusive (i.e. he includes more plants--herbs, spices, etc.). Lesley Bremness book THE COMPLETE BOOK OF HERBS is a good resource for medical and non-medical uses of herbs though I would be inclined to recommend it more for the latter. All three books are filled with glossy photographs of plants and cost more than Griffin's book.

Griffin's book is a good buy for the price if you are unfamiliar with herbs and herbal uses and want to know more. However, if you intend to have more than a cursory knowledge of herbs or use herbs medicinally you will need to invest in more in-depth books and/or study. I've studied, used, and grown herbs for years and I am still very careful, not only about how I use them but how I advise others to use them. Herbs have much to recommend them, but like any substance they can be abused.

Dr. Judy Griffin provides a comprehensive guide to the herb world in Mother Nature's Herbal, her latest book. A master gardener, herbalist, and certified horticulturist, Griffin explains everything from how to start seeds in properly amended soil to harvesting and using the leaves, flowers, and berries of each plant optimally.

Her book is part of Llewellyn's Whole Life Series, which focuses on holistic living.

Griffin describes each herb fully, using common and botanical names. Delving into folklore, she presents historical and contemporary uses of many plants. She also provides cultural information on the use of herbalism (plant medicine) through the centuries, including Ayurvedic (Indian), Chinese, medieval, Mediterranean, and Native and South American remedies. Griffin wrote Mother Nature's Herbal for "those who are ready to learn and experience the beauty, knowledge, and synergy of everything that grows." She adds that "I emphasize companion planting, kitchen gardens, and herbal repellents."

Her book includes more than 200 recipes, ranging from Mango Salsa to Ginger Zucchini Carrot Cake to Pesto Genovese to the Nobody Loves Me Tonic, for when "life has let you down and no one seems to care." Health recipes encompass an abundance of tonics, as well as recipes for skin and hair care, therapeutic baths, and simple medicinal remedies. Food recipes include butters, vinegars, marinades, oils, and seasoning blends. She devotes one chapter to the use of essential oils and flower remedies.

Pen and ink drawings of 102 herbs garnish the pages, along with 24 color photos. Bits of wisdom, such as "Believe in your innate right to celebrate life through good health" and "The garden is the poor man's apothecary" are sprinkled throughout the book.

Griffin offers planting arrangements and directions for theme gardens, including a bee garden (which will also attract hummingbirds), culinary garden, romantic garden, fragrant garden, survivor's garden (herbs that will "tolerate poor, rocky soil"), shade garden, Biblical garden, and evergreen garden. Appendices include a growing chart with the conditions under which each plant will do best; information about nutrients; and a purchasing guide, with suppliers' addresses and telephone numbers. She provides an extensive glossary and bibliography.

Readers unfamiliar with the world of herbs will find a wealth of information for beginners in Griffin's book. More experienced herbalists will appreciate the thoroughness of her research. Everyone will enjoy the dozens of tips Griffin offers, like this one: "flavor salad dressing by soaking herbs in it for 30 minutes to an hour before serving. Use one teaspoon of herbs to one cup of dressing."

A must have item for anyone interested in plant magic and herbs, comprehensive and jam-packed with Dr.Griffin's amazing storehouse of knowledge!

This book is well researched and put together. It's like an *interesting* history lesson about herbs and how to use them, when, where, & why! There is herbal use from around the globe and it is just such a good book. Highly recommened if you love herbs and love making your own tinctures, tonics, and healing concoctions!

Judy Griffin goes beyond "how-to" in her anthropological approach to the history, uses, and cultural significance of herbs in societies from West to East, yet her manner is still lighthearted and not overbearingly intellectual. This is a perfectly functional guide to herbalism, but it also engenders a respect and awareness of how important these plants have been to humankind. 

"I've known Sue Frederick for almost 10 years and only she could write such a caring, tender book straight from the heart. Sue waited 42 years to have her first child and the love and compassion she holds for her daughter is apparent on every page of this guide. If you truly want to nurture your child using natural approaches that highlight good nutrition and gentle remedies, this book is for you."

Gloria Bucco, Principal, Healthy Ink

As a mother of a five year old, I can't tell you how delighted I am at finding this book. I wish I'd had it five years ago. This book is a must for any mother who wants to raise a healthy child, physically and emotionally.

This book covers a wide range of issues, from breast feeding to nutritional supplements; from herbal and homeopathic remedies to Chinese medicine. In chapter 6, "A Stay-Healthy Plan for the Cold and Flu Season," I found a great list to post on the refrigerator. Ms. Frederick uses a simple and direct writing style to explain everything in an understandable way. It is an ideal handbook for mothers on the run and pressed for time. This book will also make a great gift for a new mother.

This book offers so many insites into raising a healthy and happy child and specifics about what to do to keep your child healthy or get them healthy again if they've gotten sick - and without drugs and chemicals. Like most mothers I do not want to give my daughter unnecessary drugs, but I also hate to see her sick or uncomfortable. These natural remedies WORK and I feel good about using them. It is so great to have someone really help you when you have that horrible feeling of not knowing how to best help your child. This book is like having a trustworthy healer right in your home. Thanks Sue Frederick for your help.

I met the author at her booksigning. Although, I don't have children, I believed in her message and intended to give this book to my sister-in-law. It was so good, I kept it for myself. The sections on supplements, homeopathy, and flower essences are so informative and easy to read. Anybody could apply this information to improve their health. I will buy more books to give to friends who have children. This book should be in every parent's library.

Sue Frederick has written about natural products for years. When her daughter was born, she consulted experts about the best ways to keep her healthy. She shares all that's she learned in A Mother's Guide to Raising Healthy Children--Naturally. She focuses on preventing disease and emphasizes that, while antibiotics can sometimes be very useful, they are not the solution for most childhood ailments. Frederick says that "natural medicine does hold the answers we're looking for."

She begins with breast feeding and the benefits it offers to children's immune systems. She then moves to a discussion of nutrition in general, saying that "the food you feed your child creates the foundation for her future health." Frederick warns strongly against giving children fruit juice, citing the effect all the sugar in it has on juvenile immune systems.

She devotes a chapter to the issue of childhood immunizations, describing each one and emphasizing that parents have the right to choose whether or not to have their children immunized.

Frederick also discusses nurturing, saying that "if your child feels truly loved and knows that you'll always be there for her, that inner peace and sense of security will help strengthen her immunity and ability to fight off illnesses." She includes commentary from a variety of experts, explaining how they've helped their children develop spiritually.

One section of the book is devoted to specific natural remedies for common childhood illness, such as colds, fever, colic, earaches, etc. Frederick then includes a complete discussion of the use of herbs, homeopathy, flower essences, Chinese medicine, and nutritional supplements, all with age-appropriate dosages.

She finishes with a "Child's Materia Medica," which explains how to use various natural remedies, and suggestions for a home health care kit, enabling parents to have everything needed on hand.

Jay Gordon, M.D. writes in the foreword: "Sue Frederick's book has helped me--and would help every doctor, health-care practitioner, and parent--remember one crucial fact: A child's body will heal itself naturally if we stay out of the way and use gentle remedies, wisdom, and guidance." Readers will find that A Mother's Guide to Raising Healthy Children--Naturally provides all the information they need to keep their children healthy and happy.

What a fantastic book! I am a massage therapist in Australia and wish I had known about this book whilst I was in training. The content is written in a way that makes it very easy to understand. I have also found techniques that work much better than the ones I was taught in class. Well done Leon!

This book is an excellent resource and the techniques within are commonly used within the physical therapy arena. MET, although not a panacea, is a valuable tool that should be included within a comprehensive treatment plan for numerous neuromusculoskeletal conditions. To the layperson; this isn't a book to be bought for self-treatment nor for trying out on family members. Seek advice only from a qualified physician (MD, DO) and then, if the physician deems outpatient therapy is an option for your care, inquire with your physical therapist about muscle energy techniques as part of your treatment plan.

I teach massage therapy here in Australia. Often, students will ask about books they should buy in order to become better therapists, and this is one that I always happily recommend. The techniques are well explained and relatively easy to apply. What's more they are safe, as well as beautifully effective. Anyone interested in improving their results with bodywork should have a look at this (and most of Chaitow's work, as far as I am concerned!).

This is the best book I've come across for introducing a novice to the concepts and practice of MET. Chaitow's other books tend to go into very minute detail about the nervous system component of these techniques. This book is very well ordered and the assessments and techniques don't get lost in the minutae. HIs very clear presentation of the far-reaching effects of dysfunction in one part of the body is excellent. If you are interested in these techniques, this is the book! You can then follow up with his other books on the subject, especially Soft Tissue Manipulations. I'm using this book in a medical massage program in which I am an instructor.

This is a well written, clear book, but as a massage therapist I found there was a steep learning curve for osteopathic theory and jargon. It took a lot of time to read through to find out that the techniques used were actually very similar to ones I had already learnt, just with a much bigger physiological theory base behind them. Also, it is coming from the perspective of osteo/chiro where apparently they always tend to do manipulations, not massage, so a lot of time is spent on the apparently revolutionary viewpoint that working on muscles helps pain and dysfunction. Duh!

In short, a great book for osteos, but not so great for massage therapists.