Health Books

Joe Quirk dances away from all the problems with self-help books, embraces the good parts of science books, and blends in his own character. The result is a hilarious ride through science with lots of "give me pause" and "change my perspective" that self-help books try to deliver and science books never seem to bother with.
My favorite part was the "aquatic ape" theory.
The best line in the book, Pg 138 "...in order to orgasm, some women need to concentrate, and some men, to put off orgasm, need to think about something else. My method is to list each Yankee baseball player's batting average. The second a man thinks about what he's actually doing, it's over. So the only way a man can enjoy sex is to not think about what he's doing. Can you blame us if we extend this strategy to relationships?"

A fun and funny spin on evolutionary biology. Sex: a serious topic at its silliest. Good reading, full of clever lines and information perfect for sharing at cocktail parties.

I teach a college-level seminar for science-phobes using popular science literature. Of all the books I have ever used, on any topic, this was the hands-down favorite. The seminar was titled Sex, Gender and Love: A Biological View, and this book covered the love part -- haha. I read it alternately being annoyed at the corny (but devilishly clever) jokes and laughing out loud in spite of myself. Most of all, though, I was impressed by the research that went into each of the chapters and the way Quirk made all our human sexual foibles explicable and hilarious -- nothing better than laughing at ourselves since we're stuck with us! Thanks!

It is not often that you find a book that informs as well as amuses. This is for everything they left out of sex-ed when you were a kid.

The best book on sexual evolutionary biology. Why both men and women seem to be on different planets. Hm... is there a catchier title?
Perhaps, but not a better book.

Unfortunately, despite his extensive bibliography, Joe Quirk (What the blazes kind of name is that for a scientific researcher? ) does not have a Phd. Neither is he buddies with Oprah, so I doubt this will top the besteller list.

Never mind. I've suffered through many academese imbued evolutionary snoozefests texts. This one will keep you wide awake, I promise.

What Quirk has is brilliance, and (gasp!) an ability to write. He must have had some alpha ancestors during the pleistocene era that could spin some awesome tales by the campfire.

Among The Table of Contents we find such gems as:

Chapter 9: The Jerk Gene
Chapter 12: Why Women are Coy, Men Clueless
Chapter 26: Free Love Causes War

And, for a smaple paragraph:

" Men are attracted to nubility and health. Women are attracted to nobility and wealth. Both want intelligence, kindness, and opulence.
Both want a good sense of humor. They'll need it. "


As will the reader.
An easy 5 stars.

Let me begin by stating that I usually hate beauty books. They seem to capitalize on the fact that 99.9% of the women in the world do not look like the coat-hangers who appear on fashion runways -- and hate themselves for it. Readers frequently come away more depressed than energized.

I don't want to be a coat-hanger, I'll never be 16 years old again, and I don't believe Voge will be calling me any time soon to be immortalized on its vacuous pages.

However, I am over 40 and I'm a real woman who doesn't always want to look like I'm fresh from a trip to the laundromat.

There is light at the end of this tunnel, and his name is Christopher Hopkins! If you want to look like a fresher, more vibrant you, I highly recommend that you get Staging Your Comeback -- and let the miracles begin.

I loved the book! It is informative as well as inspirational. The message (that we deserve to be the best we can be) and the makeovers are incredible.
All of the info is delivered with grace, style and a bit of dry humor. It is absolutely perfect!!!

pamb - Minnetonka

This is a great resource for women over 45 who wants to find the right look, but is having trouble finding what exactly that is. What looked good when they were younger may no longer fit them in their middle years. Author Christopher Hopkins (known as the "Makeover Guy") shows women how to look great by using techniques they can actually do themselves. This book covers everything from body types and shapes, clothing, make-up to hairstyles. It's all here in one volume! The graphics are great so you can visualize the author's tips.

I highly recommend this for women in mid-life.

I loved this book. I was a natural look girl all my life and that's fine when you're young, fit and trim. I felt like a clown with makeup so I never bothered to learn to apply it correctly. As I moved into my forties I tried it a few times but hated it and finally decided that men look great with bare faces and character lines so that would work for me as well. I am who I am, right? Now at 47 I've finally accepted that I need a little help. This book was just I needed. I've learned enough about style and makeup in these past few days to make a real and positive difference in my appearance and self image.
My only complaint is that I wish there was more detailed information about makeup products and their application.

This book is great for any woman over the age of 45 who wants to look good but is having trouble finding the right "look" for themselves now that they are older. This book covers everything from makeup,hair,and clothing to body types and shapes. Everything in the book is clearly written with diagrams and pictures so that it is easy to follow to discover what will work best for you as an individual.

I thought this book was great, especially the breeding hints part which gives you a heads up on color. Also, the detailed hatching and brooding regime was helpful to a newcomer like me, as was the part on diet.

This book was just what I expected and answered pretty much all my questions on raising ducks that I have so far.

Ideal for someone with no experience of raising ducks. Covered everything and was easy to understand.

This book has lots of good info., but I was hoping for more really basic duck help for the newbie, and instead there were pages and pages and pages of genetics, etc. I certainly found the book useful overall, but I wish it went into a little more detail on the most basic-type stuff.

This book has something for everyone. If your buying ducks as pets or for a large scale operation this book will give you the knowledge you desire. It covers incubation, raising ducklings, feeders, waterers, housing, sanitation, breeds, behavior, genetics, anatomy of the duck, breeding, butchering, sexing, diet, and much more. Even more impressive than what this book covers in under 300 pages is how easy it is to read. Mr. Holderread has written a book easy enough that a 12 year old can become a duck expert. If you are thinking or raising a couple ducks or hundreds this is the only book you will ever need.

This book is very well laid out and answers many qestions based both on past experiences and present. It also provide a excellent strategy to survive in a "real " world.Great book for the person looking for insight into a "healthy relationship"

RW

When I am dealing with a married ACOA client, I follow giving as homework the basic ACOA text the author wrote with this volume to help him/her understand how their lack of intimacy skills may have thwarted their reaching the deeper level of attachment with the spouse that they desired. It has always proven helpful to my clients as they move into a healthier spousal relationship.

The book I have read over and over. I slip back into my old patterns very easily and this keeps me on track.

I love and recommend Janet's "Adult children of Alcoholics" to my counseling clients...but I must say, I love this book too! And I love the John Bradshaw's "Healing the shame that binds you" book.Healing the Shame that Binds You: Recovery Classics Edition (Recovery Classics) ...... and the "Getting Them Sober, you CAN help" book by Toby Rice Drews (this book is a real lifesaver--- my counseling clients tell me that Toby must have had a crystal ball in their living rooms! And that they read it and read it again, and sleep with it under their pillows, it helps so much.) Getting Them Sober: You Can Help! (Getting Them Sober)

I didn't grow up in the typical alcoholic household Janet constantly portrays in her books, so I didn't have all of the ACOA myths as expected - which she stated you may not have all of them. I did see a few lines that I connected strongly with (the actual "Myths" did not ring true, but rather her detailed description fit better). For example, not knowing how to get angry or what is appropriate enough to get angry. I see this in my relationship, and it wasn't until others who cared for me would say "Why are you putting up with that crap? I would never let that fly!" Alot of things seemed to roll of my back. It's not because I'm easy going and forgiving (well maybe!), but I didn't know when it was appropriate to be angry, or how, or what good getting angry would even do! The scenario about the security guard who turned off the lights and one person was angered and the other was not really hit home. Good starter book, you may not fit every myth, but it's an informative read nevertheless. If anything I understand my own parents even better as they are ACOC too.

This is an excellent book for hypnotherapists working with clients and for those experienced in using self-hypnosis wanting to lose weight. Each chapter focuses on a separate psychological issue which may have inhibited successful weight loss in the past. Practical tools and suggestions for behavior/thought changes are clearly provided in a hypnotic trance format. I am combining the Dr. John McDougle nutrition lifestyle plan with the useful information in The Thin Book to stay on track with my changes in eating and exercise....and I am successful!

There are a lot of things to love about The Thin Book.

The first is that it is, literally, a thin book. It is 108 pages of double spaced type. Personally, I believe most books, and most certainly those in the mental health field, are much too long. The Thin Book sets a great example of what is possible.

Another reason to love The Thin Book is the simplicity of its organization. It is a terrific book, and that, it seems, was Brickman's intention. He has given us fourteen chapters, each of which is a well-developed trance script addressing the subconscious meaning of a specific weight loss challenge. Some of these scripts, such as "Compulsive Eating as a Defense Against Anxiety," "Craving Fruit and Vegetables," or "Late Evening Eating," I might expect to see in a book for weight management.

To my delight, Brickman goes beyond the expected by offering scripts on, "Being Overweight as an Expression of Passivity and Hostility," "Slowing Down the Act of Eating," "Exercising," "Feeling Deprived After a Successful Effort," and "Lacking Resolve when Eating Away From Home."
The book is also unique in that the only writing Brickman presents other than the well-constructed and structured scripts is a 3-page preface. Here he describes himself as a "specialist in weight management." He states, "The scripts use positive suggestions or positive hypnosis in the form of metaphors, analogies, empathy and confrontation that contradict the effects of the unconscious mind." This description offers an accurate portrayal of his work, but understates the sensitivity and richness of his work.

The Thin Book is accompanied by an audiotape, read by Brickman, containing three of his trance scripts: "The Resistant Part of Me," "Saying 'No' to Important Others," and, "Compulsive Eating as a Defense Against Feelings." Hearing Brickman's perfectly soothing voice is as satisfying as a double-layered chocolate cake, and is quite helpful as a teaching tool.

I highly recommend Brickman's The Thin Book to any professional that works with weight issues as well as to any one interested in reading and hearing well done hypnotic scripts.

The Thin Book is the first weight control book I EVER READ THAT MADE SENSE TO ME. The approach is spelled out so clearly and concisely that it was almost too good to be true. But my pants are all looser now and that's living proof that following the book's teachings were so helpful. I'm so excited with my progress.

When my girlfriend, Jenna became concerned about her increasing weight, we took a look in the local B&N store for weight managment books. To our disliking all were literally too promising, from "lose 10 pounds in 10 days" to "you could look like ::Celebrity Picture:: in 30 days!!!", and with prices of $40, we didn't feel the motivation to buy any of them. We decided to take another approach, and did a Yahoo! search and
came across this book by Hal Brickman. It was reasonably priced and looked promising. Upon recieving it, Jenna was instantly indulged in it. Two months after recieving it, she has lost a total of 25 pounds and has never been happier.
In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a healthier lifestyle.

Hal Brickman is to be commended for an easily digestible book, which transforms complex clinical issues around weight management into simple-to-follow steps. The steps identified encourage creative customization to meet specific individual needs, and would be equally beneficial to either the general public or practicing clinicians. This book makes an important contribution to maintaining/renewing one's wellbeing!

I recv'd this book a couple of weeks ago and wished I had purchased sooner (my son is 2 and the book is from 1-3 years). The book is a combo b/w a toddler reference and a journal. There is space for you to note what your toddler is accomplishing at particular weeks but not preset lines/questions like "what is their favorite food" or "name 3 of your toddlers favorite songs", etc. If you prefer the preset questions, you may not prefer this book.

I am so glad there was a sequel to The First Year Journal. A friend of mine got me started on the first one and I had to purchase the toddler journal to continue commenting on my child's development. Now, two kids later, I have had the chance to read and take notes about how they've developed for the first three years of their precious lives. What a great gift to give them later in life. I love the scribbling pages and handprint pages to show their progress. I also love the three areas that are covered each week: physical, cognitive, and social. I highly recommend getting this book, as well as the first one, and make as many comments as you possibly can because you forget so much about those first three years throughout your child's life.

I love this book! It provides very helpful developmental information that is always VERY accurate and also provides great prompts to help you journal about your toddler. I would recommend it to anyone!

I loved this journal and had 3 of them for my 3 triplet girls. I enjoyed entering little tidbits about their life every week, adding handprints and their own artwork in the appropriate spots, and the descriptions of development at this age and questions asked. It was not onerous. Usually, I would jot down a few things while I watched TV at night at the end of the week.

I was sad when my girls recently turned 3 and I could not find another journal like this one to continue charting their journey.

Love being able to give my kids something that will tell them about how they were as a kid.. It has cute little pages for them to draw on to help make it more special

I'm the mother of an 8-year old daughter diagnosed with OCD. This book opened up new doors for us in treating this disorder. It has been perfect for her, and she actually wants to sit down with me to read it. I believe that giving her obsessions/rituals an actual name and introducing her to a child who struggles with similar issues is a major step in our road to living triumphantly over OCD. I strongly recommend What to Do When your Child has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder to go along with it--I ordered both and, along with my Bible, they have a home right next to my bed and already have worn pages!

We were told by a Doctor, who hadn't even met my son, that he thought my son may have OCD. He was referred to the Child Mental Health offices in our local town and there was a 14 month waiting list! I decided to see what I could do as a Parent and I bought this book. I left it on the table and my son picked it up and read it - his initial reaction was "do you think I have OCD", I replied by telling him that I was interested in the subject as I didn't want to label his condition. Since reading the book he has come along leaps and bounds and his teachers said there has been a remarkable improvement in his confidence and his anxiety has gone!

We got this book the weekend my kids were going to their grandparents. I read it on the way to their house and it captivated their attention, both of them (ages 3 & 5). They listened to every single word intently and quietly. They loved the story of the boy and riding his bike up and down the worry hill. It is quite long though and my voice got a litte sore reading aloud for so long. At the end of the book, my son asked, "mommy who's book is that?" and I said "It's yours". He asked if he could write in it. The pages are black and white pictures like a coloring book. I told him he could color the pictures but not to color over the words so that I would be able to keep reading it to them. Unfortunately at Nana & Papa's house there was an accident involving water and the book so only half the book made it back. The cover was torn off and everything. I was so mad! I will probably re-order the book just because he enjoyed it so much.

The book was OK but not great.

It was overly simplistic and not too meaninful for a teenager or parent. It really only skimmed one aspect of OCD, compulsion, and did not address at all the cause of the compulsion, obsessions.

May be more meaningful to younger children...

As a clinician specializing in the treatment of OCD, I highly recommend this book as a resource to clinicians and families with a child with OCD. I've used in in my practice and found it to be a wonderful resource. Clinicians can buy several copies and loan them out to their clients or recommend that their clients get this book.

Larina Kase, PsyD, http://www.TheSuccessfulTherapist.com

BEST BOOK I HAVE READ ON THE SUBJECT OF ANTI AGING

BOOK IS FILLED WITH OVER 800 DOCUMENTED SCIENTIFIC
DOCUMENTATIONS

POWERFUL

ARNIE STROM

Fabulous information about cutting edge nutritional support, yet from centuries old sources straight from the earth! Everyone needs to read this to know how to provide natural whole food nutrition that none of us gets from our "foods". Much American food isn't even real food --- on what trees do "cheetos" grow?! And why are many labels stating "enriched", or "added vitamins" -- because they refined and processed the essential nutritents out of the food.....so they had to add something back.....foolish and deadly! Let's learn from and follow Shaffer Fox's research. His website and products are the purist manifestation of that research -- great book and great products! Do yourself and your loved ones a favor - read this book!

Most health books have made me suffer through chapters of mush in order to learn what could have been written in a magazine article. This book was different. This book's 300+ pages is a cornucopia of facts about how our bodies work and how they can last longer. A few pages in Chapter three slowed me down somewhat, but otherwise the book is concise and it provided a lot of new knowledge. I now know more about the republic of Georgia, cholesterol, cells, cancer, diabetes, fat people, intestines, diabetes, free radicals, inflammation, how we age, and how brains get screwed up than anyone else on the block.

This is a very enjoyable book to read. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their health or keep the good health they have. It's one of the most interesting health books I've ever read.

I found this to be a most informative book, well-written and
obviously well researched. I was so impressed, I searched out
some of the products and have found them to be extraordinary.
We need more books of this nature.

I have now bought 5 of these books because I keep giving them away. Some friends had recommended it to me saying they loved the recipes. The recipes are great, flavorful and simple plus the advice on cleaning up my diet has been invaluable to me. I do not see this as a 28 day plan but a life plan toward greater health.

I have used the guidelines in this book to help me engage in practices and behaviors that I know intuitively are the key to improving all aspects of health. It sounds like a miracle cure when I think of all of the benefits derived from following this simple plan... and I guess it really is a miracle cure! I was diagnosed with a myriad of "stuff" a number of years ago including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic myofascial pain syndrome, IBS and on and on.... I found great improvement within days of following the ideas in the book. Not only did all of the symptoms associated with my diagnoses decrease or go away completely, I found that I was thinking more clearly, my anxiety level had greatly diminished, my skin looked better, I slept better and on and on! Need I say more? Actually I will say more - don't be discouraged if the foods in the recipes are foreign to you. There are many ways that you can introduce whole foods into your lifestyle without going crazy or spedning all of your time in the kitchen. Check out [..] for more ideas. I am convinced that this can change your life!

When I started this program I was looking for more energy and a healthier body. At the beginning, this kind of cooking looked so unfamiliar and difficult to follow, but like anything else in life, what it is needed is some effort and persistence. In just one week, I felt like the pollen allergies were not bothering me, in fact, I even didn't realize that the pollen level was so high! Besides that, I got some uterine fibroids and everytime my period came they were so painful, and guess what? This month came so smooth and painless!! Like this were nothing, I lost 11 pounds and my husband 10. The food is so delicious and we just want to keep on eating this healthy style most of the time. I wish that everybody could feel the difference between eating regular diet and a cleansing diet, it is like the day and night. Thanks Scott and Joan for writing this wonderful book that is helping millions!!
Rubi Figueroa
Manassas, VA

just had to write to let you know that i truly am a believer after reading your book and following (i'd even say loosely) the program for the last month. i have been on diets my entire life but as of this past january i slowly started cutting out meat and then about a month ago, most dairy. During that time I lost about 20lbs - but i was also severly limiting my calories and was (as usual, obsessed) - oh - and i also was on diet pills (and had been on and off for the last 10 years) -- and felt awful in many ways -- mostly awful in my head...
but a friend gave me your book and seriously it has changed my life. i have been off of the diet pills and haven't gained an ounce. i have actually lost more, even though i eat a lot more, too... but the truly amazing aspects involve more how i feel. I feel well. I feel well!!! In body and mind and spirit. I can hardly believe it myself - but man, I can feel my body and I feel well, for maybe the first time, ever. After years of deprivation, i finally feel nourished. And you are right, it isn't hard. I don't feel like I'm on a diet - I feel like I don't want to eat things that are chemicals, that are bad for me, that will make me feel bad... And I truly enjoy eating what I've been eating and I enjoy feeling well and connected to the earth and frankly to myself... even as i sit here in a gated community w bustling atlanta just outside... I spent the last month in Humboldt County, CA - where many people already were on your page, so to speak, so perhaps it was easier to join in - but now, after about five weeks, man - I am different... and i think changed forever and only getting into it all deeper... spiritually, even...
I am a believer.
MUCHO GRACIAS. You have opened up whole worlds to me - in me - around me...
And you are right about something else - I feel a little angry... How did I not know the simplicity of it all - the common sense of "don't pollute the inside w chemicals" b/c I guess i trusted my parents and trusted the government and trusted the FDA...
anyway. i am changed.
thank you.

My girlfriend showed me this book, and feeling slightly overwhelmed by the amount of changes that it demanded of our lives, we made a pact to help each other follow Scott's plan for 28 days. Four months later, I am a transformed woman. I needed the help of my friend for the first couple of weeks, but once I got going, Scott's approach to food became like second nature to me. Not to sound cliche, but this book has changed my life.

Without an alarm, I used to sleep until 11. I never sleep past 9 now. I wake up feeling ready for the day, not sluggish and sleepy like I used to. I haven't had a headache in months. My skin, after going through detox, has never been softer, or more healthy. Gross as this may be to put on a public forum, my elimination is better than it has ever been. I have not had this kind of mental clarity, inner joy, or lack of mood swings since I was 12 years old. I have more energy than ever, lost five pounds off a bootie that I thought I was stuck with for the rest of my life, and find that healthy food tastes 100 times better than any of the [...] like Doritos that I used to consider a treat.

My whole psychology about health, food, nutrition and eating has been transformed. His realistic approach, delicious recipes, practical steps to follow, and lay out make this book a fabulous choice for anyone wishing to take a more conscious approach to food.

Thank you for changing my life Scott. I said, "I'll give this guy control over my food & body for 28 days." and that was one of the best decisions I have made in a very long time.

A good way to spend a little while--or a little longer while is to jump into these human interest stories.

A wonderful touch by a writer who knows his craft. Anytimre reading.

This book is amazing! Hurley's dazzling, normal, starving artist lifestyle is an inspiration. His book's style is kind of chicken soup for the soul meets Dear Abby. Snaps to Dan Hurley, the sixty second novelist.

Everyone's life has a story to tell. Dan Hurley, the author of "The 60-Second Novelist," does an excellent job drawing out stories and writing about the people he meets all over America. The fun part about reading this book is that Hurley writes the stories in roughly 60 seconds!

Some of the stories will make you laugh, others will make you cry, and some will make you smile or laugh aloud. The 60-second novel may inspire you to write a 60-second novel about yourself or someone you know.

Dan Hurley Does Planet Earth . . . Oh wait. That's his NEXT book. I found The 60-Second Novelist to be very real, and easy to relate to. Dan's gentle psychological approach to people brims with humor, yet gets to the point. It is good storytelling, yet a unique take on very real people and situations. The spontaneity factor makes it all the better. And though I am partial to Dan's Evil Twisted Twin and his absurdist humor, I do enjoy Dan's warm and fuzzy side. I found the biographical element of the book to be especially fascinating.Dan followed his dream of being a writer, and set up his Remington on a Chicago street, eventually creating a wonderful success story. 'Just DO it!' his behavior seems to encourage us. It is difficult for me to choose a favorite story from The 60 Second Novelist. I especially enjoyed the romantic stories (Donna's Dream Lover, Walk Along The Ocean)and the absurdist (I Like Eyes, The Reclamation, Fly By Night Monkeys). In the book design, I really liked the copies of Dan's original stories, typos and corrections included, peppered throughout. But two questions remain. Who will play Dan in The Dan Hurley bio-pic? I suggest that we take a poll. And when is his next book coming out?!

His uncanny ability to look into a person's eyes and see straight into their soul is nothing short of magic! His ability to then share with the reader, through the written word, what the soul has shown him makes the enchantment complete. From page one, I was utterly under his spell.

Each story is as different and varied as we are as human beings. Each evoked a strong emotion. Hurley's insight and compassion, mixed with his wacky sense of humor, makes this book a treasure to be read over and over again. A rollercoaster ride for the heart.