Health Books

this is the third copy i have bought to give to a friend.
i am a yoga and meditation teacher. i also suggest erichs book to my students. i really think you can put all other yoga books aside and i really like many of them, but the way erich writes you can feel the poses.the last chapter on meditation is the very best.
read every word and go out into the world and do every word.
this is the only meditation book you will need. you can relate so simply to his real approach. i think he should publish the meditation chapter on its own.

Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness is well worth the time it will take to absorb its pages. When applying these principles to your daily life you will discover the profound effects yoga can have, not just through physical discipline, but mental, emotional, and spiritual effects as well.

This is an excellent book.

-SP. Amherst, MA

I am disappointed in this book. I was expecting a book which takes you right into practicing Yoga but the first Chapter is all about the author's youthful years in England and India. Then the next Chapters are on meditation. I got bored and put it down and haven't picked up it since.

This book is definitely for advanced students. My daughter loves it because she is 18 and can more easily twist herself into a pretzel than I could ever dream of. Eric is amazing and if nothing else, I look at this book periodically for the WOW factor and keep dreaming that some day I'll be able to do these postures.

I have gone through many Yoga books and tried many "yoga courses". It always seemed to be a struggle against my mind and body. Somehow i just didn't get the deeper meaning and it remained a form of physical exercise. Fortunately i began to develop some intuitive understanding and awareness in my practice. That's when I came across Schiffmann. His book expressed beautifully what I was beginning to realize. Every asana I have tried using Schiffmann's approach has been a joy to practice. Buy this book. Use it. It will change your life.

My son read this book when at age 12, we finally began to learn the reasons why he felt so "different." Reading Luke's book he laughed aloud and wanted to share everything Luke had to say. His self-image shot up as he realized he was not alone, indeed not a "freak," but that many other children and adults share the same feelings and frustrations as he. My son became much more outgoing and willing to put himself "out there." He's more accepting of himself and others now. This book really freed my son to embrace who he is. What more could a parent want for their child? Bravo, Luke, for sharing your life! It is a must read for every child/teen with Aspergers and for their teachers, friends and loved ones as well.

This book is written by a 13 year old, and talks about the daily challenges and degrees of variance in children with Aspergers. I hope that my 10 year old will warm up to reading this as I think reading from another child's perspective will help him know he is not the only kid dealing with the social challenges of Aspergers. It was easy to read, and a good book for parents, teachers and caregivers of children on with this autistic related disorder. If you know how they are thinking, it helps you understand how to help you child.

Anyone who knows an adolescent with Asperger Syndrome should read this book. Its an insightful look at the world, through a child with Apsergers eyes. It is for parents, teachers & kids.

This book is intended for a person with Asperger's however, it can also be used by a child being bullied.

This is a MUST READ for everyone who has a child or adult in the Autistic Spectrom!! Gives first hand information into the reasons why they react like they do to different situations daily in life!! Thanks to the author, Luke Jackson, we can now have a better insite into how to help them have less stress and help ourselves in the process!! Verleen (our 17 yr old grandson, Zachary has AS)

It isn't often I feel passionately enough about a book or product to actually pen a review, but as the mother of a one-year-old with anaphylaxis-level allergies to wheat, I could kiss this author for "saving" my son's birthday party! My baby's wheat sensitivity is exactly the type parents dread, so severe it landed us in the ER the first time he was exposed to wheat, with such virulence his pediatrician banned wheat from MY diet as long as our son nurses. Overnight, our household became a wheat-barren landscape: our child never knowing animal crackers or teething biscuits, all of us happily substituting rice pasta into homemade mac-and cheese, my husband sneaking Subway at lunch.

A month ago, though, we began planning the ubiquitous overdone first birthday celebration. We had some degree of faith we'd find a cookbook, but having tried market-ready wheat-free products ourselves, slogging through the dry, dense world of commercially-prepared baked goods and deciding we'd rather go without bread in the house than provide storage space for yet another crumbling compacted rice block, we had little faith in our final preparation. I did the requisite research, reluctantly settling on Ms. Roberts' Gluten-Free Baking Classics; the reviews looked good, the recipes at least had some variety, and if it was going to be bad, at least it was the best of the awful available in our newfound wheat-free world.

So imagine my surprise when my husband, fearing social ostracization in the face of a probable brick-cake debacle, coyly suggested he'd like some cupcakes when our cookbook arrived? The author's introductory chapters list very specific mixing and handling instructions for her basic flour (another plus for this book, it uses a singular flour mix for the majority of the recipes), and while I followed her mixing instructions, I did defy the author's admonition not to scoop right out of the container once our project was underway! Having no idea how this wheatless batter would react anyway, I halved the recipe and only partially filled the cupcake tins, expecting little rise or texture. After all, these suckers would clearly not be something we wanted excess of cluttering our counter or fridge space with a party coming up. But within half an hour, lo and behold! Beautiful, peaked, butter-colored mounds rising just above the rims? The scent of warm vanilla permeating the kitchen?? My husband sneaking in, peeking into the oven, drooling with anticipation??? And me, ever the pessimist, shooing him away and reminding him this was, after all, gluten-free!

The final verdict, though?
Light, fluffy, sweet, moist cupcakes, spongy on the inside with delicately crisped edges: a resounding success! Ms. Roberts' vanilla cupcakes were our first outright baking success in almost a year!! We used the Coconut layer Cake recipe as a stepping-off point for my son's birthday cake (I adapted a certain cable "Network" that does "Food"s "Lime in the Coconut" cake instead, using this as my template). We've only had our cookbook two weeks, but if the rest of it is as good as what we've tried so far, we look forward to many continued successes!

I guess the two questions I had when I was looking to at least be able to give my son a REAL birthday cake were a) can you tell these dishes are wheat-free, and b) despite all the glowing reviews, are these things really any good-- or just good by a wheat-free standard? Well, when it comes down to it, they are a tiny bit different, but not in a way that's truly discernable, and certainly not in a way that's "bad." It's hard to put your finger on exactly what varies from the original, and unless you've been baking (or eating baked goods) for some time, there's nothing you'll sincerely miss from the original. These products' difference may be as simple as their "lacking" the flavor of wheat, but when it comes down to it, there's no negativity implied in that difference. It's simply a new breed of culinary aestheticism. Ms. Roberts' recipes are truly priceless in the niche they fill, representing works of culinary art and sensory pleasure in their own right. And yes, they are good. Great even in some senses. Nothing you will ever regret, and certainly nothing that would ever lead you to look back on the wheat and gluten-laden diet you once revelled in with any sense of longing.

This book quells the great carb demon, and re-establishes the parts of your diet you really do come to miss living wheat-free: pizza, cookies, sandwiches. Yes, even birthday cake, too. Follow the directions for the author's flour mix, blend well, and you'll have a canvas from which to work, take liberties, create your own decadent wheat-free treats.

Purchased for my mother and she loves her desserts. However, it is very difficult to find gluten free desserts in the store. She loves this book and recommends it to anyone.

I discovered I have celiac disease almost four years ago. I started out researching online, leafing through the old recipes my grandmother had written. I graduated to Bette Hagman's books. Those didn't quite it hit it, but I figured, eh, such is life, and went on about my way. On a whim, I picked up this book in a bookstore, and my baking life changed. I want pizza? I make pizza. I need chocolate chip cookies for a dozen people? I make them. Sandwich rolls? Sure, no problem. How about a pie crust that you can roll out instead of press into a pan? (Granted, a little plastic wrap will help.) I'm in the process of culling all the unnecessary things out of my kitchen (I've managed to collect two shelves of cookbooks!) but this one and Gluten-free, Sugar-free Cooking: Over 200 Delicious Recipes to Help You Live a Healthier, Allergy-Free Life are NOT leaving my kitchen.

Bottom line: If you can only afford to get one cookbook, get this one. And follow the recipe! The flours really do matter!

This is a great book! The vanilla cupcake recipe is soooo good. No one can tell that they are gf! If you are looking for a gluten free cookbook this is the one to buy. I even made the Lemon Layer Cake for my dad's birthday and the whole family loved it...even my 93 year old grandmother. She said "This is gluten free, it's delicious". I'm not making that up-she's a hard critic too.

Excellent results on the recipes. If you have the patience and determination to get all the extra ordinary ingredients not available in regular grocery stores, you will be rewarded.

I absolutely LOVE this book...............I have my special copy, and I am 'over 37'........and I also give it to special people in my life. It is delicately beautiful....and....lets us all know that puppies are more human than human beings.....

I use Officer Buckle and Gloria with kindergartners when I teach my humane education classes. I found it well-written because it was "engaging" for the students, keeping the attention of the children as it moved forward to its happy conclusion. The colorful illustrations throughout the book were great for helping communicate the action. I recommend it for pre-K and K children as a way to enhance their love and appreciation of dogs! Donna Forst, M.A., Education Coordinator, Hawaii Dog Foundation

I'm substitute teaching and I just read this book to a bunch of first graders. I was cracking up laughing all the way through (the kids were a bit puzzled). Cute book and entertaining for all ages - nevermind the ages 4-8 designation. The illustrations are priceless.

My almost 2-year old son can't get enough of this book. This was also his sister's favorite childhood book (she still loves it, and she's now 11). She began reading it to him a couple of months ago at bedtime, and now he asks for a reading every night, and some mornings too! "More officer buckle and glorwia mease, officer buckle and glorwia mease!"

Be advised, this book is quite funny. Officer Buckle is a safety instructor, going to schools to give safety lessons. Unfortunately, he doesn't actually keep the kids engaged with his lessons. That is until he gets a partner, Gloria, a police dog. Together, Officer Buckle and Gloria's safety class is a hit at the schools. When Office Buckle thinks that it's Gloria that the kids want to see, he couldn't be more wrong. It's both of them that keep the children entertained and learning. My three kids and I all get a big kick out of this book. The illustrations of Gloria make them all laugh and the moral of the story about the importance of team work comes across in a fun and entertaining way. I wouldn't have minded if Officer Buckle and Gloria came to my school when I was younger.

Excellent advice from a incredible coach. From time management to management contribution this book offers what you need to achieve management positions. A must.

Peter Drucker was such a prolific and important writer, thinker, researcher, teacher, and philosopher! Although he is best known a the father of modern management theory, I find that his ideas are applicable to a wide variety of positions and enterprises.

The Effective Executive, like most of his works, is written with the assumption that the reader is part of an institution and needs to learn to function within the challenges of the corporate environment. I have never had a traditional job or position in a large institution, but can totally relate to the challenges of what Drucker refers to as executives and knowledge workers.

As a professional musician and holistic music teacher ([...]), I have worked to integrate the creative, intuitive sides of human nature with the organizational, rational aspects, both for myself and my clients.

Like many artists, I was never taught the principals of management and have had to adapt and educate myself along the way. I owe a lot to Peter Drucker for helping me make sense of the nature of effectiveness and management.

Drucker's wisdom transcends culture and industry. Just the acknowledgement that effectiveness is a skill in-and-of-itself, apart from intelligence, talent, charisma, or creativity, is a powerful distinction. His encouragement that it can be (and must be) learned is a relief!

His 5 basic practices for effective executives are invaluable insights. Here they are, paraphrased:

1) Be aware of and manage your time
2) Focus on results, not efforts
3) Play to and develop strengths, not weaknesses (yours and others')
4) Concentrate and align your actions and your purpose
5) Learn to make good decisions

The examples in the book are a bit old-school, but the principles still hold true. Thank you, Peter, for putting into words what so many of us were never taught at home or in school!

In the spring of 1980, I spent a full day with Peter Drucker.
He then made a full-day presentation at the University of
Southern California in Los Angeles. I made sure to arrive early
so I could sit front row, center. I spent a stimulating day
listening and watching as "the master" spoke on the subject of
managerial effectiveness.

Drucker, a true renaissance man, supported his points with
examples from the worlds of business, government, sports, music
and war.

In "The Effective Executive," Drucker likewise draws on his broad
knowledge. He writes that, to be effective, an executive (whom he
defines as any knowledge worker responsible for making decisions) must master five specific skills...

-- Managing time
-- Choosing what to contribute
-- Mobilizing strength
-- Setting the right priorities
-- Making the right decisions

About managing time, Drucker offers that the effective executive
eliminates time-wasting activities and consolidates time spent on
important projects.

On choosing what to contribute to the organization, he tells that
the effective executive asks "What can I contribute to
significantly affect the performance and results of this
organization"? And he stays focused on results rather than on
efforts.

Regarding the subject of mobilizing strength, Drucker councils
executives to hire and manage people with an emphasis on their
strengths rather than concern about their weaknesses. And
he advises executives to discover and mobilize their own
individual working style.

About setting the right priorities, he offers two important
thoughts. First, "It is more important to convert an opportunity
into results than to solve a problem -- which only restores the
equilibrium of yesterday." And second, "Concentration -- that is,
the courage to impose on time and events his own decision as to
what really matters and comes first -- is the executive's only
hope of becoming the master of time and events instead of their
whipping boy."

On making decisions, he advises stimulating disagreement among the
management team. For disagreement brings consideration of alternatives, in turn, brings understanding. He also reminds us that a decision isn't complete until it becomes a detailed work assignment. Until then, it is merely a good intention.

As with each of Drucker's books, "The Effective Executive" is
loaded with quotable "Druckerisms." For example...

-- "The truly important events on the outside are not the trends.
They are changes in the trends."

-- "He [the effective executive] always assumes that the event
that clamors for his attention is in reality a symptom. He looks
for the true problem. He is not content with doctoring the
symptom alone."

-- "One of the most obvious facts of social and political life is
the longevity of the temporary."

Upon finishing writing my own book, "Strategic Thinking: A Four
Piece Puzzle," I wrote to Peter Drucker asking if he'd write an
endorsement for the book. Sure, I knew it was a long shot, but
what could I lose except a postage stamp?

Sure enough, he turned me down. He mailed back my letter on
which he had scrawled four words, "I don't do that."

I've kept that letter. For two reasons... Not only is it the shortest rejection letter I've ever received, but, more importantly, it's a personal note from the master himself -- Peter Drucker.

I have read everything Drucker has published. This one is as good as all the others.

Peter Drucker wrote this book back in 1966 and it is as pertinent today as it was then. It concentrates on a small number of practices to help executives manage themselves - a precursor to managing others. Drucker makes the point that, "No one is born an effective executive. No one is a natural... It must be learned...In addition, it is not exceedingly difficult." That's welcome news for all of us. We simply need to follow the practices outlined in this book.

The book is meant for a wide audience as Drucker's definition of the executive is broad - "Anyone that is responsible for a contribution that materially affects the capacity of the organization to perform and to obtain results."

The first step on the journey is to "know thy time." Too many managers have no idea where they spend there time. Drucker recommends managers start by recording their time to discover where it is being spent. Once identified, they need to stop wasting time on things that are not important and then work to consolidate freed time into chunks. Significant blocks of time of 2 hours or so are needed to complete important things.

Next executives must ask of themselves, "What can I contribute that will significantly affect the performance and results of the organization." This helps the manager look outward and to identify and prioritize those tasks that are most important to complete.

Then the managers should do the first things first and do them one at a time. "The secret of those people who do so many things and apparently so many difficult things is that they do only one thing at a time. As a result, they need much less time in the end than the rest of us."

Finally, Drucker outlines how to make effective decisions. He craftily breaks down the elements of the decision process and explains how managers can improve in this discipline.

The book is filled with examples and supporting information. Drucker writes in a refreshingly honest and straightforward style. Many refer to this book as a classic. It is worthy of the designation. So much of what is written today is borrowed from Drucker. Managers can not go wrong adding this one to their arsenal of tools.

-- Nick McCormick - Author, Lead Well and Prosper: 15 Successful Strategies for Becoming a Good Manager

i thought this book was easy enough to read. it explained everything you needed... gets straight to the point and has good explanations of your puppy at a certain level or age. im planning to get a puppy and after reading this book, i know a lot more about how to take care of one. i feel ready.

This book is invaluable in the way it describes each stage of the puppy's development (both physical and psychological). It eqips you to answer the age-old question: Why is my puppy behaving this way???

Also, after reading this book, you will understand why you should always purchase your pup from a breeder ... and NEVER from a pet store.

Great book with common sense ideas. I have raised many dogs over the years and this book offers sensible advice that hadn't even occurred to me.

We bought this book and read about some of the modern methods of training that are now commonplace. If it weren't for this book I would have used some old house training methods that are either mostly ineffective or have been found to just not work. It doesn't cover everything but its a good place to start.

This book contains some great information on what to look for in a puppy, what to do when you bring it home, and general puppy development. I certainly got a lot out of it, but for more specific training information I highly recommend My Smart Puppy as well.

I have been recommending this book to all of my friends. It offers some quick exercise routines that can be done anywhere and really do work!
I did not do a weigh in, but I am able to put on some old clothes that have not fit in a while. I don't even workout like they recommend. I do the exercises about 2 or 3 times a week and still getting fantastic results. I will now increase my workouts to about 4 or 5 times a week. I am 46 and not in the best of shape and I have never gotten sore from doing these routines and I add a few exercises from other parts of the book.
My next step is to start doing pull ups(which is the only apparatus you'll need)EZ UP - Over The Door, Chin UP Bar, Push UP Bar And Sit UP Bar. A Complete Power Gym.
Get the book!

I don't know the correct way to write a book review, but I like The Miracle Seven by John e. Peterson and Wendie Pett. The Miracle Seven are also called the seven tiger moves, and, according to these authors, were the invention of a fitness expert of the past named John McSweeney. McSweeney discovered them by observing how animals exercise. From the start posistion of each of the exercises you powerfully flex certain muscles, and then, while maintaining tension, you move the particular body parts through their natural full range of motion. You stop at either end and increase the level of flexing while holding it for the count of one, tiger, one. Then, maintaining tension, you retrace the movement to the start posistion, stop and flex again. You do this ten times for each of the exercises. They are more strenuous than they sound. After awhile of trying them a few times I found my muscles feeling like they wanted to do them again, because they liked them and benefited from them. They require no equipment, take about twenty minutes to do, can be done anywhere conveniently, and leave the muscles with a pleasant "afterburn" effect. The rest of the book talks about nutrition and other exercises you can add as you progress. I'm glad I bought this book.

My husband and I used to dread going to the Y; and it took 1 1/2 hours between travel time and exercising. We use the exercises in this book along with intervals of jump-roping, lunges, burpees, etc. We spend no more than 40 minutes and both feel that it's a better workout than the treadmill/weight-lifting routine. I wish the book was a spiral bound, though, as we are still learning the different exercises and it would be nice to be able to leave it open to a page. I can definitely feel the difference in my upper body strength after 4 weeks, and my posture is much better. We also got John Peterson's other book, Pushing Yourself to Power, which has more of a variety of exercises.

I found the Miracle Seven to be an excellent book for promoting isometric type exercises.

Surprisingly, the exercises were very effective, even on the first day. I also found that my children easily jumped in and started doing the poses with me. I was sore the next day, but not too sore to keep exercising.

The time savings is great, but even better is the muscle strength that I am quickly regaining without weights or going to a gym to exercise.

I have worked out with weights, heavy sets, low reps, high reps, swam, ran and even been to Gold's Gym in LA. Following the workouts in The Miracle Seven has helped me increase my functional strength and improved my overall physical appearance at least as well, if not better than when I took expensive supplements and did weightlifting. I'm naturally thin, and I think that as I have grown and matured, I realize that getting great results over time without injury is much better than straining my joints with heavy weights. Honestly, I look different now than I did when I was a weightlifter. My physique is better. To sum things up, I get a great workout in less time than when I lifted heavy, and I feel healthier, too. Thank you, John Peterson!

I purchased this book as a gift for my friend.
It was shipped promptly, and I was able to give it to her as I intended.
The book provides a signficant amount of useful information regarding the impact of eating habits, the impact of food processing relevant to what is eaten, and the impact upon the human body that is incurred as a result of eating various processed and unprocessed foods. Although the author is a dentist and much of the perspective of the book provides information regarding how components of the mouth are affected, there is a great deal of information provided regarding foods, nutrition, and patterns.

This is the very most valuable book about nutrition that you will ever read. The pictures alone will cause you to decide to change your diet. Everyone, EVERYONE should read this book.

This book, although written in the early 20th century contains some of the most important health information ever recorded. Dr. Price was a pioneer in determining the relationship between nutrition and degenerative diseases. It is my opinion that all healthcare practicioners (traditional and alternative) should be required to read this text before graduation. I believe that it is that important to understand the implications of living in an industrialized nation...and of course what can be done about it.

Weston Price didn't write this book sitting behind a desk or doing research in a library. He also wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel in a laboratory. He went out and spent significant time in the field and saw with his own eyes the effects of the traditional and modern diet within members of the same families. This research was done in the 1920/30's, just when the traditional culture's were in their last thros of survival, if he had waited another 10/20 years he probably wouldn't have been able to make the comparisons. Today people try to make comparisons but at this point almost all the oceans are polluted and nearly all the soils are depleted and most of the water is tainted and most importantly, the western diet has overrun the globe with all it's pseudo science and mass marketing campaigns... you travel to the most remote corner of the globe and there's a native drinking coca-cola and eating wonder bread with powdered milk. lot's of critics say his research is outdated but this is sour grapes. The medical/chemical/pharmaceutical industry cannot make money on preventative medicine in the form of raw high-vitamin butter, cod liver oil, fermented grains, and seaweed. So, it's no wonder that all the Price research got swept under the rug. It's amazing this book is still in print.

There is nothing to consider here, this book is a must read for anyone and everyone. World peace will come when we heal ourselves and our environment. Nutrition is the key. This book will empower people and take back from those evil, bood sucking scumbag corporations like the pharmaceutical industry ! Dr Weston Price is a true hero and honest researcher, he really did discover the answer to true health, happiness and earth harmony.
I must mention an experiment Weston price did. Perfect pigs were deprived of vitamin A in their feed. The off spring were born with no eyes. These pigs were then fed a healthy diet which included the vitamin A. The next generation of pigs were born perfect. So the bling pigs gave birth to perfect pigs once the nutrition was corrected. This proves that defects are not automatically passed on to your children. We can correct defects in one generation and we can also cause serious defects in just one generation!
Narrow hips in women, no room for wisdom teeth, flat feet, crowded teeth needing bracers, ears that pop out, lowered IQ are all very common but they are actually physical degenerations that are preventable!
There are people out there spreading the word on Dr Price such as Sally Fallon and Dr Mercola and more. This book should be taught earlier on in secondary schools!

I cannot imagine being a successful beginning runner without a plan like those presented in this book. I have tried running before, but with this book, I have been much more successful. It was a great find!

The book has been a great guide for me on how to recover the fit condition I once had, step by step, and without the risk of injury. I have recently started the training program and already feel improvement. The motivation and anti-excuse propositions the book offers for beginner runners really get you to move. A good compilation of medical and technical information support the suggested programs, so it gives you a lot of confidence in what you are doing and what to expect from the exercise.

Probably the most comprehensive book on running that I have ever seen. Not to mention it was without any pressure, Bob and group were relaxed about how things should be done, I never felt like I was pressured to run in a certain way or speed. Helped me to get back into running again. Thanks everyone.

I will not bother going on and on about the book, since there is already such an overwhelmingly positive collection of reviews.

Suffice it to say, this book really kick-started by love of running, and was filled with everything the beginner needs to know.

While it could use illustrations for good stretches, for example, it is still the classic keystone in any runners library, and strongly recommended!

If you have any sort of interest in running, I can't recommend any book more enthusiastically than this one. Although it may seem strange to get a book about running--I mean, what is there to it, right? But it turns out there are a couple of good reasons to pick up a book on running: one, it's motivating; two, there is a ton of useful information crammed into this book. It will be the only running reference you'll ever really need.

With over 700 pages, this isn't a lightweight book. It truly is about as comprehensive as you can imagine, and will serve most runners more than sufficiently. It is an oddly engaging read, sucking you into the world of running (or jogging) while giving you all sorts of information you never even thought you could need. Everything the beginner could need is covered, from the minutae of day-to-day running (track etiquitte, cold weather clothing, eating, and on and on) to larger topics like training plans and moving into competitive racing. The book will take you all the way through intermediate running--which Glover defines as regular sustained running, maybe with an occasional race thrown in. If you are already an experienced or regular runner, you will probably find this less useful than the true beginner. However, no one but the most experienced coach would be unable to learn something from this book. Just be aware that it is geared towards the recreational runner; if you are looking for a reference specific to competitive running, you should look elsewhere.

There are 42 chapters in the book, divided into 12 major sections: Fitness, Getting Fit, Training, Racing, Equipment, Food and Drink for Health and Energy, The Running Environment, Running Lifestyle, Special Runners, Illness and Injury, Running Form and Supplemental Training, and Wellness. The three chapters in the Fitness section give you basic information about what exercise and fitness are and why all of us ought to get out there and move a bit more. The third chapter outlines various ways to measure your own current level of fitness, providing a useful set of technique that you can come back to as your level of fitness improves (with your running, of course). The chapters in the next continue along this same vein, first dealing with getting started on a fitness regime (rather relaxed or intense) and then keeping yourself motivated enough to stick with it. The principles of exercise are outlined, with an entire chapter devoted to the important three-part model: warm-up, run, and cool-down. The last chapter in the Getting Fit section is called "The Fit Prescription: How Often? How Fast? How Far?" This is an important chapter, since beginners do often struggle with finding the right balance, either overdoing it and burning out, or not working hard enough to get the desired results. The last section in the book, Wellness, goes into more depth on all of these ideas. The chapters cover a holistic approach to health and fitness, the cardiovascular aspects of running, stress and weight management. The final chapter, "Running Inside Your Head", deals more emotional aspects of running: how it can help with depressions, anxiety, self-esteem, and creative thinking, and finally moving onto the infamous "runner's high". It's an interesting read.

Parts III and IV take the ideas of the last chapter of Section II and run with them. In part III, Training, you will learn how to keep a good runner's diary and find three running training programs: beginner's, advanced beginner's (for more running-experienced readers), and intermediate. Glover helps readers identify which program (and where in the program) they ought to begin. He also convincingly argues for patience in building up ability before trying to progress. Then in Section Iv, he talks to both those who may be interested in moving into competitive running, and those who may just like more structured goals. Racing isn't always about competition, for instance. So he addresses both frequent 5k races and marathons, giving the reader many ideas of why they may want to participate in either. Finally, there is a chapter on the importance of speed training, which will be useful to any runner who wants to learn to run faster, for whatever reason. Part XI, Running Form and Supplemental Training, gives four chapters with further training information, and serves as a great supplement to those who have mastered.

Three sections of the book deal with wider running lifestyle issues, including Part VI (Food and Drink for Health and Energy), Part VIII (Running Lifestyle), and Part X (Illness and Injury). The section on food and drink includes chapters on basic nutrition as relates to running, food and drink that serves as running-specific "fuel", and the importance on good hydration in running. The Running Lifestyle part covers safety, running while traveling, managing time (as in life in general, and working running in), and the importance of balancing running with life and work. Part X addresses two issues that we'd rather be able to ignore, but shouldn't . Illness is just a human thing, and sometimes it's best to not run--Glover will convince you whan that's the case. Injury is a similar issue, as we will inevitably get hurt at some point, and while we can sometimes work through things, more often than not we will be better served to allow ourselves to heal.

The remaining sections deal with more specific, and generally pragmatic, issues. Part V, Equipment, discusses running shoes and apparel and how to choose what is best for you. These obviously aren't going to give you extremely personalized information, but the important things for you to consider are all identified. You will feel much more confident the next time you go into a running shoe store. The Running Environment, Part VII, covers environmental issues, which are very import for runners. After all, most of the time, we're running outside. People tend to overdress for cold weather, and Glover gives numerous tips for avoiding this (and he will make you much more comfortable giving cold weather running a shot if you're still a bit intimidated). The chapter on hot weather running is also very important, andprovides readers with better ideas of how to manage hydration and exhaustion in uncomfortable climates. There is also a chapter on handling the unpredictability of weather in general. Finally, the ninth section offers four chapters on specific categories of runners: women runners (including an interesting history of women and running, health issues specific to women that may impact running, like osteoporosis, pregnancy, and menopause); older runners (covering the impact that agining in general can have on running as well as the benefits); runners with specific health or physical limitations (including topics such as chronic health conditions like asthma, arthritis, or diabetes, as well as other phsyical issues such as hearing and visual impairments); and younger (child) runners (covering both running with kids in strollers and health and safety issues specific to child runners, reminding us that "children are not minature adults").

As some of the other reviewers have alluded to, this is a strangely addictive and exciting book. You wouldn't think so (I certainly did not). But the writing is excellent, and a very nice balance between a packed informative tone and an amusing anecdotal style is maintained throughout. Glover knows how to motivate, and if you are like me, you will find yourself reading this entire book in a series of sizable chunks, and then going back later and rereading parts as your running experience expands. You've got to take some breaks to actually run, right? I can sum up my opinion of this book with one simple statement: if you are the least bit interested in running, buy this book and you will soon be a knowledgeable and active runner.

Thanks so much for writing your book and making yourself accessible to people all over the world who are seeking help and answers with regard to arthritis. You really helped someone I know both through your book and through your phone consultation with her.

I have read your book and the way you have met adversity in your life is so admirable and inspiring. You, to my eye, are like the phoenix who flew through the ashes. Although I do not have arthritis, I have made a lot positive changes in my diet in large measure due to your book.

I also got tested for food allergies in keeping with the recommendation in your book and now know to avoid peanuts and realize the signs of inflammation that I was experiencing and ignoring every time I ate them. However, since the testing that I had done was not extensive, I will at some point purchase and benefit from the results of the alcat which you recommend in your book and on your website. My understanding is that the alcat tests one not only for antibodies, but also for sensitivities to 150 foods.

Barbara, your book is such a comprehensive guide for people about all of the kinds of things they should know and can do to heal themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually.

I know someone with rheumatoid arthritis and someone with osteoarthritis. Have recommended your book to both of them.

Your book is a blessing to arthritis sufferers and it is so useful as well to those who just want to nurture themselves in the best, most health conscious ways. It contains proactive health tips for any health conscious individual who wants to be sure to consume healthy foods and avoid foods that cause inflammation in their bodies.

Gratefully, Grace

Book was very organized and as a result was clear. The format of explanation and then giving a plan of action was excellent. The only thing it needed to be a 5 Star was a little more humor.

This author has figured out what causes many cases of arthritis. I have osteoarthritis and have been following her recommendations for about a month now. I can already tell a difference in the way I feel. If I cheat, I can really tell the difference the next day. I recommend this book.

A different theory at what causes arthritis, written by someone who generally cured herself. Talks a lot about food sensitivities that cause arthritis and how to figure out what your food sensitivity so you can avoid or reduce your expose thus feel better.

I think this is a good book, but unfortunately, the author's type of arthritis (allergic) is not related to rheumatoid arthritis, which is what my husband has. So, basically, I wasted my money on a book we cannot use.