Medical Views Books

I love this book. It takes a difficult subject and humanizes it. One can now imagine and maybe understand a little what is happening inside an alzheimer patient's brain. This understanding has made difficult behavior easier to tolerate and in some cases prevent. Every care giver should read this book, and every family member.

This book gave me some small insight into what my grandmother, who has alzheimers, must be going through. From the description of why he's afraid of the dark to the small joys of daily life and unquestioning company of his dog, Smith-Henderson has given a treasure to those of us baffled by this disease. My aunt is now using the book for a project in medical school, and I am encouraging my family to read it, so they might also have an idea of what people with alzheimer's face daily.

As the spouse of a man with this horrendous disease, I was very moved by this excellent journal of text and photos which allows one to "see it from the other side" as much as possible. In some moments of clarity for him, I shared excerpts of the book with my husband. His reaction was "he sure knows". Having ordered a copy for everyone in our family, perhaps I helped create the current back order situation! Kudos and thank you to all involved in the process of this book.

I have worked in nursing homes with Alzheimer's patients and received excellent staff training in relating to these people. But nothing equals the insights into the feelings so powerfully shared by Mr. Henderson. I'm giving it to a friend whose spouse has just been diagnosed and will recommend it to professionals still in the caregiving field.

This book is extraordinary if I do say so myself! Cary Henderson is my grandfather. He was diagnosed with AD soon after I was born. I have no memory of him not having it. It has gotten so bad no that a I feel like he is living, but not really here all the way. He is holding on, though. The pictures taken by Nancy Andrews are artistic and creative-wonderfully displayed. My grandma and aunt have put so much work and time in this book and it has really paid off. I am proud of them and think it's great that people can put themselves in someone's shoes that has AD. This book is interesting and will keep your attention until it's over. I reccomend this book to anyone.

In my 18 years in eyecare, I've never come across a better book on monocularity (having only one seeing eye). I've recommended this book to several patients, with wonderful results. My best advice to any person with only one useful eye is two-fold: always wear safety glasses, and get this book! It is full of practical advice that I've passed along to patients, even those who have two good eyes but must wear an eye patch on one for a while. This is grass-roots stuff to help you where you live...driving, dining out, even shaking hands. As an author and editor of eyecare material myself, I'm very particular and picky. But this book is a winner any way you look at it.

Do not be gouged by the used book sellers. The newest edition of the book is available from the book's website for a reasonable price. Put the name of the book into a search engine and you will find its website.

I was born with a Cataract in 1971 which wasn't removed until I was 7 years old in an out of town hospital (due to the fact that the doctors in my area who were not educated in Cataract surgery in infants.) From birth, I did not have vision in my right eye.

I was introduced to this book by my Ocularist when I received my scleral shell for my eye in 1996. (Yes, yet another doctor in my area that had no idea what he was doing. I lost my during a procedure he performed that was unnecessary.)

This book was helpful to me in understanding how and why I do certain things with one eye. Also, it explains how to compensate for the lack of depth-perception or peripheral vision. It gives a list of famous personalities with monocular vision so don't feel so alone. These people did great things in life with only one eye, for example Theodore Roosevelt, Sandy Duncan, Peter Falk, Guglielmo Marconi, John Milton, Horatio Nelson, and Hilaire Germain Edgar Degas are just a few.

I recommend this book to anyone who knows someone or is a person with one eye. Some may have lost their eye years ago or recently. Either way, it is a help to all.

I lost sight of one eye in 1988. It did not hurt, but I did not know what to expect, and how I would adapt to monocular vision. No-one seemed to be able to advise me - until I came across "A Singular View".
This book explains it in 129 large print pages, using ordinary English, not in medispeak. It explains how most people see, the process of adjusting to the use of just one eye, and tips to adapt in a wide range of day to day situations.
If you have lost, or are losing, the sight of one eye, are you close to someone in this situation, this book is a MUST.>

My 7 year old son lost vision in one eye through a accident. My sister found this book in the public library and it was very helpful to us as parents and for my son. It helped us deal with some of the every day difficulties in the first few months. It also helped us realize that he could continue doing alot of the same activities, with extra precautions of course. I have passed on the name of the book to all the eye specialist we have seen. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has lost vision in one eye or any one dealing directly with a friend or relative who has lost vision in one eye.

Please see my review of the paperback edition. Although no single book is the final word on jazz, this comes close with a comprehensive description of most of the pioneers of the trad.jazz revival on the west coast. Kid Ory is given his due; and emphasis is given to some of the often unsung heroes, such as Pete Daily, whose early records with Jump, Jazzmen, and Capitol paved the way for Bob Scobey,Turk Murphy,and other groups. Particularly, his coverage of Eddie Miller, Pud Brown, Muggsy Spanier, Wild Bill Davison,Rosy NcHargue, and Yank Lawson-Bobby Haggart's World Greatest Jazz Band is appreciated. This is a must for the library of any Traditional or Classic Jazz buff!

This book stands out as a historical summary of trad jazz! No book is absolutely complete history, but Levin does a superb job of highlighting the trad jazz revival. His accounts of Eddie Miller, Rosy McHargue, Pete Daily, Bob Scobey, Turk Murphy, Muggsy Spanier, and others are flavored with personal reflections and accurate facts., He gives Kid Ory his rightful due, and, although too brief on Bix Beiderbecke, Red Nichols, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band and nothing on George Brunis, he treats the west coast revival of dixieland with much needed love and respect. I thoroughly recommend the book and believe it to be the best on trad jazz in this country.

Floyd Levin has always been a stalwart jazz enthusiast. Living in the Los Angeles area, he has had opportunity to know many of the jazz musicians personally and to share their stories with the readers. As the title implies, this is a personal recollection for Levin.

Floyd's book fleshes out some of the jazz history and clarifies some points. One is the story about the plaque in Touro Infirmary in New Orleans. Trumpeter Muggsy Spanier had a perforated ulcer which was operated by the famous Dr. Alton Ochsner, Tulane Professor and founder of famed Ochsner Clinic. During convalescence, Spanier composed and later recorded a tune called "Relaxin' at the Touro." Previous jazz writings had told about a plaque in Touro commemorating this event. Floyd tracked down the plaque which administration couldn't exactly locate. Because there had been renovation, the plaque was in a somewhat obscure location. Levin interviewed Muggsy about the event and they became fast friends. ( This is frequently a jazz quiz question: In the famous Muggsy Spanier tune, "Relaxin' at the Touro," what is the Touro? Now you know the answer.)

Levin writes about musicians he has known including Benny Carter, who wrote the foreword, James P. Johnson, Milt Hinton, Wild Bill Davison, Artie Shaw, Barney Bigard and many others. He also includes many West Coast musicians with whom he came in contact. There is a chapter on musicians, lesser known, who deserved greater recognition. Two of those included reedmen Pud Brown and Rick Fay.

Levin's concluding chapter covers the struggle to get an appropriate memorial for Louis Armstrong. Funds were being raised by various jazz societies and individuals for a statue of Armstrong to be erected in Armstrong's native New Orleans. He recounts how Bing Crosby donated the proceeds of a concert in San Francisco which put the fund over the top. That twice-lifesize statue of Armstrong stands in Armstrong Park in New Orleans and was unveiled on the nation's bicentennial in Jackson Square in New Orleans. Levin made the presentation, on behalf of the Louis Armstrong Statue Fund, to the city of New Orleans. Four years later, the statue was permanently erected and dedicated in Armstrong Park.

This book is not a definitive jazz history but an interesting view into the lives and careers of musicians who have been influential in shaping jazz--America's Music.

My review of this book is not without personal bias. I have known and worked with Levin on the Board of American Federation of Jazz Societies and have visited with him at various jazz festivals and in his home. Two of my photographs have been included in the book. I am pleased to have known him and congratulate him on completion of this book, his labor of love.

If you love New Orleans traditional jazz, you gotta read this book. Mr. Levin writes about many of the legends of jazz and recounts personal experiences with many of the the jazz musicians. I liked the depth of treatment by the author. He tells you a lot of interesting things about the musicians and their careers, but doesn't go overboard in telling you more than you really want to know. His telling of the story of how the statute of Louis Armstrong made it to Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans is especially informative. I recommend it to most anyone who has an interest in traditional jazz, but especially to those who want ot knwo just a little bit more about the major players.

Maybe I shouldn't call the book a popouri of Jazz musicians because Levin's stories of the many personalities and events are well organized. However, a mine of classic jazzmen, famous and/or forgotten, are included with stuning, compeling and personal detail. Many talents I followed years ago who'd dropped off the radar, and about whom I've never been able to glean prior information, are included along with their more famous brothers and sisters.

What makes the book a real five star celebration are the first hand naratives along with page turning drama and pictures that carries along any New Orleans, Chicago, San Francisco, et. al. jazz lover. The book is in lyric style just like the music it presents with great pictures as well.

Persosnally I savored the mid-century west coast scenes, documenting what has not prevously been so well described, about Ory and the host of his compatriots including my favorite, Buster Wilson (whom I had never found in any other publications).

For me this is the best jazz book ever -- just what I wanted.

I highly recommend this book, particularly for someone who is just beginning to experience fibromyalgia. This book has very good resources and is very concise. Even though I have been diagnosed with this for many years, I gained new information from it. I wish that this book had been published when I was first diagnosed. I have read almost every book out and I truly believe that this has the best information in a fairly short, very easy to read book. I have even had my local library buy a copy and I have loaned the book to friends who have then decided to buy it!

Fibromyalgia Syndrome-Fighting the Devil with the Patience of Job is one of the best books that I have ever read or purchased regarding living with chronic pain and fibromyalgia. I have the paperback version of the book and recommend it highly

This author did her homework and has set everything out in laymen's terms so it is easy to understand and refer to time and time again. Also, she certainly does not mind "walking on a few toes" when talking about health care and disability issues. It is a "must read" for people who live in chronic pain and for those who have fibromyalgia (and especially those newly diagnosed with the disorder or think they have it).

Being a facilitator of a support group for 13 years and publishing a monthly fibromyalgia and lupus newsletter for the last 10 years, I feel I can give an accurate and educated review of this book. And I plan to review it in an upcoming newsletter.

There were parts of the book that I found would be extremely helpful especially to newly diagnosed people, I enjoyed the easy readability of it, some medical books are hard to keep going through even for me when I understand so much about fibro. There is a good section on prescription drugs and side effects along with OTC supplements. One of the best chapters had to do with various laboratory tests that are used to diagnose other chronic illnesses that may mimic fibromyalgia, or vise versa. Very thorough.

Marilyn is a bit tough on doctor's LOL, & I can understand that from someone who had problems getting the right one and I know there are many medical professionals that do not recognize fibromyalgia even today when they have proof that something in our brains do not function normally when it comes to pain receptors. She did a great job and I admire her for tackling the job of being an author on a topic that has touched her life and turned it around completely. Give this book a try, it's worth a try.

Excellent reading!! This book certainly helped me identify with and understand what people with this disorder have to go through. Several people I know have fibromyalgia and I simply had "no clue" as to what they were experiencing until I read this book.

A Victim's Point of View and Survivor's Guide IS exactly what this book is all about. It gives an accounting of the author's personal history and makes a wonderful desk reference book. The information I got from reading the book helped me to understand and be more compassionate towards the people I know that have it.

This book is great for parents of children with fibromyalgia or other people that they know that have it because it is so complete. It takes you through the entire process of the disease and gives many "tried and true" methods that either help or have not helped (from the author's point of view). Actually, I could not put the book down once I started to read it.

I can see how many people waste a lot of money on purchasing items that they do not need, or perhaps do not work and fall into financial difficulty. The author puts a great deal of emphasis on this as well.

This book is a great tool for people who think they have fibromyalgia, or have been diagnosed with it, and/or for those that know people that have it.

I heard that The National CFIDS Foundation is doing a very favorable write-up of this book in one of their upcoming 2003 newsletter. I rate this book a 5 star! I also noticed that there were more reviews of this book under the hardbound copy. Look there and see those reviews.

The best book I've read about the Vietnam War, and one of the best books I've EVER read.

This book is detailed to the point that a person never having any combat expirence can see what Mr Kinney is talking about and get a personal feel for the Vietnam War (police action) FIVE *S*T*A*R*s to Sergeant Kinney

An outstanding book of a brave combat medic. Doc Kinney talks about events that happen many years ago. This book helped me deal with events that happen to me, C2/7th. I saw Doc Kinney in Combat, performing his duties, as a Combat Medic. I highly recommend his book. It's the best I've read. Thanks Doc for being there when we needed you. The Wolf>>

A well written, moving, first hand account of the Vietnam War.

I loved reading this book and learning how Kitty develops and changes while still holding onto her faith and traditions. Even though this book is set during the Vietnam War, I found the issues raised to be equally applicable today. It made me question my position on current events as well as some religious teachings. The descriptions of the hospital were so realistic, I had to keep reminding myself that it was fictional.

A tale of two cities: Baltimore and San Antonio, places where I have lived most of my life. A mother's deep religious faith encounters her son's burns sustained in combat in Viet-Nam. Wonderful prose that engaged me from the first page.

A must read.

Beautifully written and deeply affecting, this story of one American mother's experience with the wounds of war will remain in my mind and in my heart for years to come.

I LOVED this book--the painful and moving scenes of Kitty in the burn ward (where her son is trying to recover) will stay with me forever.

As daily consumers of the great agricultural engine of America, it's only fitting that we know how the system works. This book takes a historical approach to agriscience and the agritech business and reveals startling facts about both "conventional" and organic systems. This book was really hard for me to put down. Its description of the stresses and forces on the American farmer really moved me and has increased my awareness and respect for the struggle to provide food for the world. Now I lecture to all my friend about agriculture.

It helps to know the fundamentals of molecular biology (DNA -> RNA -> Protein) like your high school/college Intro to Bio, but if you don't, just read through and the later chapters will better explain and help understanding the earlier ones.

First off, I am a lay reader who, prior to reading this book, was on the fence regarding genetically modified (GM) food. I had heard some scary stuff from friends and in the media but I wanted more information. After reading this book I feel reasonably well versed in GM history/opinion/issues, although as other reviewers noted, this book is definitely biased in favor of GM. To have a truly informed opinion a person ought to also read an anti GM book. That said, here are my key learnings:

(1) If a person chooses to be anti GM, in order to be consistent then there are many more foods to avoid than you might think. The definition of GM is subject to wide interpretation. Truly being opposed to any messing around with a plant's DNA would mean that you should not consume Canola, Tritricale, the majority of domestic Soy and Corn, and a LOT (!!) of other foods including many foods featured in your local health food store.

(2) As noted above the definition of GM is nebulous. Where is the line between the generally accepted cross-breeding of plants (think Luther Burbank) and the "scary" genetic modification done in a lab under a more controlled setting?

(3) The media has generated a lot of anti GM buzz and fear. Actually looking at the facts is, as usual, a lot more complicated. It takes some heavy reading, through a book such as this one, to be able to interpret the science for oneself. Most people are more content to read a quick article in a magazine and then end up with a much less informed (and probably anti GM) opinion.

(4) There are undeniable benefits of GM. Less chemical pesticide needs to be applied to some GM crops. GM can introduce additional nutrients to foods. GM has saved some plant species from going extinct. These and other benefits must be weighed against any downsides of GM.

This book also includes an interesting discussion on Organic foods, in particular debunking the public's tendency to romanticize organic farming. Think Organic is Farmer Jed working a small farm with his own hands? That's what the marketers want you to believe...

In conclusion I recommend this book to anyone who wants to formulate an opinion on GM and is willing to work through the science and history thereof. Even if you happily anti GM, this book is worth reading so that you can be informed about the other side. As for myself, after reading through the facts, I'm OK with feeding GM foods to myself and my family.

Interpretation of data can essentially never be said to be unbiased. At least this book doesn't try to hide the fact that the authors intrepret that data with a particular skew in mind. Instead they present a reasonable arguement and some background (data and history) to support the conclusions presented. Because of this, the book can be a bit ranting in places; the first chapter is a bit chaffing. But I wouldn't call the position extreme; instead they point out the downfalls of both "traditional" and "genetic" techniques instead of claiming that gmo's are always safe.

This book depends on the reader having some basic biology knowledge. However it does a reasonable job of presenting the difficult concepts at a basic enough level that I could understand it pretty well and I haven't had biology since high school. (Though that was only 10 years ago so if your memory of biological terms doesn't include things like cells and mitochondria you might want to have a biology text on hand to help you out.)

The overall readability of the book was quite good for a science book. The beginning and end were a bit frustrated, but writing those two items is exceptionally hard for non-fiction so I forgive the authors. One thing that I would have liked to have seen is a summary of the common examples they used that showed products & the specific traits they were bred for divided into groups of how they were modified (i.e. chemical mutation or irradiation or genetic splicing using a bacteria).

This is an excellent book that explains, in great detail, why so much of the anti-GM food movement is scientifically misguided. It also makes the point that far from being an evil that will irrevocably damage the environment, biotechnology can be an important tool for more ecologically sound soil management, and for reducing the amount of land worldwide that must be used for farming. Most importantly, it describes the role bioengineering has to play in feeding people who will otherwise be malnourished or starving.

A warning I would offer to other readers is that, as a layperson with little formal science background, I found the going tough in spots. The section on how polymerase chain reaction works was particularly hard going, although the authors are probably to be praised for trying to make the process clear. Some concepts are extremely complicated, even in the hands of good authors.

The one disappointing aspect of this book is its one-sided approach. It is not polemical; on the contrary, the prose is always calm and reasoned, and the authors don't flinch when the story they are telling necessitates providing evidence that could be taken for anti-biotech arguments. However, they make little to no effort to summarize other points of view. (One gets the feeling that they believe, if you really understand the science, there IS no other valid point of view - this would explain why they have trouble articulating opposing viewpoints.)

This book doesn't represent itself as "balanced" -- it makes it clear that it is a treatise in favor of GMF. That's fine. But I guess I would have preferred to read a book that let me hear a little bit about what the other side was saying. As convincing as their arguments seem, I'd like to study all sides of an argument before making up my own mind. This book alone doesn't permit one to do that - you'll have to keep reading elsewhere if you want to hear what anti-biotech forces have to say. But by all means, if you are prepared to read several books about GMF with an open mind, make this book one of them.

This is a very helpful book in understaniding panic disorder with or without agorophobia. This book has been so helpful to me. Just reading it gave me so much hope. If you are suffering form this, you've don't want to miss this book!

If you have panic disorder (or know someone who does), you must read this book! Without using complex medical jargon, Kernodle gives the most up-to-date explanation of the physiology of panic disorder. Drawing on numerous research studies, journal articles and his experiences in private practice, Kernodle explains current theories on the causes of panic disorder.

The most helpful aspect of Kernodle's book is the clear discussion of various treatments for this complex disorder. Each medication is carefully outlined, from recommended dosages to possible side effects. Kernodle also includes a variety of case studies from his own practice.

This book helped me understand a condition that has overwhelmed my life for many years. With the wealth of information I have learned just from this one book, I am confidently able to discuss my recovery plan with health professionals.

Cathleen Henning
http://panicdisorder.miningco.com

I really felt comfort in this book! As a 27 year old female who has had panic attacks since the age of 5, this book is a godsend. Dr. Kernoodle is a Panic Disorder expert who knows what he is talking about. Finally a book that doesn't practically say it's all in our head, and we can control these horrible, debilitating attacks just by thinking different thoughts. His studies have concluded that it is not all in our head, but in our chemical makeup! It can be a disease just like heart disease. Just like a diabetic who needs insulin, Panic disorder can be treated with medications, and behavioral therapy. I like the fact that Dr. Kernoodle makes the sufferer feel it is not the anxiety victim's fault but a real medical problem, which is usually shamefully ignored by the medical profession, because it is a mental disorder. I wish Dr. Kernoodle lived in my area, so I could get the care I have been waiting for all my life.

Once I started reading The Presidents' Doctor, I found it difficult to put the book down. What especially intrigued me were the insights into the personal sides of Presidents Harding, Coolidge and Hoover as seen by Dr. Joel Boone, who served as a White House physician during their administrations. Despite their prominence, the three Presidents had individual and family joys, sorrows and challenges just as everyone else.

As I read Mr. Heller's descriptions, I pictured myself in the shoes of Dr. Boone and his family. Imagine meeting, providing medical care to and socializing with key national (and in some cases international) leaders and then at the end of the day returning to "regular" home life and routines.

The book captures the spirit of the times it covers. As an example, the reader can easily imagine the scene of President Harding and his entourage on their meandering, transcontinental train trip followed by an ocean voyage to Alaska and then a last train trip down the Pacific Coast to San Francisco where Harding met his untimely death. Indeed, in our current era of ever-faster communication, it is hard to conceive of a President running the nation without the benefit of airplanes, televisions, computers, fax machines, cell phones, etc. Yet, despite the lack of these conveniences, the leaders of the time somehow were able to manage the country.

In summary, I highly recommend The Presidents' Doctor for an absorbing and personalized account of three Presidential administrations and life in the U.S. in the early part of the 20th century through the perspective of the extremely dedicated and talented White House physician, Dr. Joel Boone.

If this book were a novel it would be a great read.. It is lively, has fascinating characters, and colorful background.

As a novel, however, it would have one fatal problem. As my English professor used to say, it would lack "an aura of verisimilitude". To put it in plain English, "You wouldn't believe it!".

However, it's not a novel. It is a well researched and thoroughly documented LIVE history book. It describes an absolutely incredible man, who performed absolutely incredible feats in his admirable life.

A few examples:

Joel Boone was a medical doctor. He was awarded a congressional medal of honor, the nation's highest award for bravery, while he was serving as a doctor! There are few enough medal of honor winners, but did you ever hear of a doctor - a non-combatant - winning one? Now you have.

In his early days he led and commanded troops in combat, even though his commission was as a medical officer.

He served several U.S. presidents and their families as their doctor.

Any one of these by itself is interesting and unusual. Taken all together they are unheard of - until now.

The book has a tremendous advantage over a novel. Since it reports on a real person, who really did these astonishing things, you have to believe they really happened. Poetic license would never get you this far. This is a book you don't want to miss.

Milton F. Heller,Jr. tells the story of his father-in-law with grace and lucidity. Admiral Boone came out of Pennsylania, along with his wife, to carve a nitch in history. His career spanned 50 years, a youthful Medal of Honor, serving as doctor to three first families, to director of Vetrans Administration. This slim volume is just what the doctor ordered for all americans who love their heroes. Great Christmas gift.

This is one of the best texts written in English that I have seen on the subject of Chinese bodywork. In the first few chapters the basics of Chinese medicine and diagnosis are reviewed with an emphasis on diagnosis for treatment with Tuina, or Chinese medical massage. There is also a very interesting section on using herbs and linaments as massage mediums. The next chapters deal in depth with individual and compound hand maneuvers and even contains traditional Chinese style "chiropractic" maneuvers. The last section of the book gives an in-depth discussion of specific conditions from TCM internal medicine, gynecology, traumatology and other specialties.

A must read for all practitioners and students of Chinese medicine!!!

Henry McCann, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.& C.H. (NCCAOM)

You kind of need to know something about TCM theory in order to use this book. I found this to be an awesome text. You can look up almost any condition and it will tell you the etiology, s/sx, massage protocol, and suggested herbal perscription. recommend it.