Medicine Books

This is one of the best works on this specific subject and
should be required reading for all concerned parties.

Until something better is written, this is THE book on the subject. Those who have reviewed this book before me have said it all, but I would add that Lerner is a writer of exceptional talent. At times reading this book is liking reading poetry or great inspirational prose and it is often quite moving.

As a pediatric oncologist with a special interest in the use of complementary medicine in cancer, I've read many books on this topic; and I must say this is the best so far. Dr Lerner is objective, knowledgeable, and writes well. His passion for the field, and his compassion for cancer patients show through. I would recommend anyone who intends to explore the use complementary medicine in cancer to start off with this book.

Now in paperback, this is the book to send your friends with cancer. Its wide-ranging, patiently and caringly written, scholarly but accessible, and chocked with interesting references and good insights. Michael Lerner has taken it upon himself to do a thorough 'work-up' on the best of that heterogeneous lot of hearsay cures and popular supplemental treatments that cancer patients will start hearing about from friends, relatives and distant acquaintaces practically as soon as they are diagnosed. Choices in Healing gives one a way to start sorting it out.

Lerner strives for, and I feel achieves, an excellent balance between optimism and skepticism as he covers (a) the different "cultures" of conventional treatment - aggressive, gentle, U.S., European, Japanese, (b) spiritual approaches, (c) nutritional approaches, (d) physical and energetic approaches, (e) non-conventional herbal and pharmacological approaches. Stanislaw Burzynski, Virginia Livingston, Joseph Gold and Emanuel Revici, are some of the famous off-range cure inventors that he dignifies with his patient research.

I also found his chapters on the spiritual and psychological dimensions of the cancer journey especially strong. He takes the reader up to death's door. And beyond. The chapter on pain is a revelation.

Highly recommended for anyone.

First a word about me: I'm one of those cancer patients who doctors either love or hate. I read up on everything, and I am openminded about the benefits and risks of both conventional and alternative cancer therapies. I question everything and want to understand where the limits of our current understanding lie. I want references!

If you are anything like me, you'll appreciate the exceptionally fine balance that Michael Lerner draws. He honestly investigates the extent to which various cancer therapies work, mostly by reviewing "serious" research which examines cancer treatment from different angles. In areas where scientific studies contradict each other, he doesn't draw unfounded conclusions. He manages to give specific guidelines for dealing with cancer without advocating any one therapy too much.

Of the many books I've read on cancer, this is the one I appreciate the most. The tone of the book is honest, warm and caring; personal without being sentimental. And best of all, it inspires hope.

The one caveat I have is that I'd love to see a revised edition with all the newest research reviewed! If you're considering a purchase, do a websearch for "Lerner" and "Choices in Healing", this should provide you with a reference to an online version of the whole book. Once you're convinced, buy the book!

This is a wonderful book for patients, doctors, family members, caregivers, or anyone wanting more information on what CFS/FMS really is and how to live with it and have a productive life. As a FMS patient, I strongly identified with the symptoms and feelings, and found the sample letters to my doctor, my family, my friends, extremely valid and able to put my feelings into perspective.

While it was hard for me to keep reading the "reality" that this disease has no cure -- (I face that in daily life too but it's easier to forget about it than when you're reading it every few pages!), it was important for me to realize that I'm not just "dreaming this up" -- nor am I "faking it". For years, I went undiagnosed, and had many doctor's tell me that it was "all in my head"....this book helps patients realize that these ARE real diseases that have not been given the proper "title" or validation by the CDC that they deserve.

This book was a great source of information and support for me and I highly recommended it to my doctor and to other FMS/CFS patients as well.

This book is easy to read and understand. Research in areas of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia is severely underfunded, however, Ms. Berne does a wonderful job of relating the most recent findings; many of which dispel the notion that this is about being just a little tired. I highlighted the symptoms that I had in several of the lists in this book and gave it to my physician to keep which she did. I also just hand it to friends and family when they seem skeptical. It does the trick.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book, which was honest both in the debilitating nature of the diseases and had a much better discussion of pain medication then many other books. Too often books on fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, while claiming to recognize that these are real, physical illnesses, then spend most of their time on lifestyle changes and counseling and antidepressants being the best treatment for fibromyalgia, showing that they do believe it's all in your head and if you just did "x" better, you'd feel better. This book isn't condesending and doesn't try to play psychiatrist, which I greatly appreciated. A great read, especially for the newly diagnosed.

I have finished all but the conclusion of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Other Invisible Illnesses. This is an excellent resource for sufferers of these diseases. The one and only difficulty with this book is its age; it was published in 2002. Next time I visit the bookstore I will be looking around for an updated book. However that in no way negates the usefulness of this particular work. Dr. Berne (PhD) suffers from Chronic Fatigue herself and she has done a masterful job of portraying a life so afflicted. The book begins with descriptions of both Fibromyalgia and CFS, moves on to discuss overlapping symptoms of both these illnesses and numerous others such as Gulf War Syndrome, Lupus, etc. Then she heads into the symptoms and these were a revelation to me. A lot of things I had been passing off as age or menopause could be symptoms of these illnesses. The book follows the history of diagnosis for these two diseases and paints a portrait of the typical sufferer. I asked my husband to read this chapter and he said it sounded just like me. It is some comfort to know that you are not going insane. Unfortunately the health care industry has shown little interest in researching these illnesses but here is where the age of the book is a detriment. The pharmaceutical industry has produced Lyrica recently and it shows signs of affecting the brain chemistry which may be responsible for the symptoms. As far as that brain chemistry goes it is a strong possibility there is a neurotransmitter glitch that is sending signals of pain for no reason. Environmental and other toxins could be responsible for this glitch, however, you need a predisposition to this malady which should be obvious because otherwise everyone would have it. There are toxins in everything. The latter part of the books deals with treatments (there are none) and alleviation of symptoms, including your own attitude adjustment. Berne mentions Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and I would just like to add my two cents about CBT. When I was seriously depressed the most helpful thing my psychiatrist did was introduce me to Cognitive Behavior Therapy. I have been using it ever since and I believe it is this mental discipline which allows me to be happier than I have ever been even while living with the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. All in all I recommend this book to anyone suffering from these illnesses. It really does help to know you are not alone and you are not crazy - it is not all in your mind although it is quite possibly in your brain. Good luck to all my fellow sufferers.

An excellent book, full of useful advice and support. As a Consultant Psychiatrist, I have been treating Chronic Fatigue Syndromes since 1982 and this is one of the best books on the subject, that I have ever read. I would thoroughly recommend this book to all sufferers and their relatives. The illness is extremely difficult to treat and is very frustrating for both the patient and also the therapist. However, books like this offer considerable hope and guidance.
Keep up ther good work.
Dr. Adrian Winbow, Consultant Psychiatrist

The stories in this book give hope to us all. For more than a decade I have worked with adults and children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The usual treatments involve behavior modification and drug therapy. Little time is spent in observation and evaluation such as described by Judith Bluestone in this book. The Handle Institute's methods offer hope through its methods that have no reliance on drug therapy. This is a book for patients, family members and professionals.

After reading the Churkendoose Anthology, I am embarrassed to feel overwhelmed by my own daily problems. The true stories in this collection show determined people overcoming extreme odds when they look at things differently. The people at The HANDLE Institute must look at neurological problems with a wide lens encompassing everything that might influence a person's development. I am inspired to revisit the problems I once thought intractable. When at first you don't see an answer, look wider and learn more.

Have you heard Ray Bolger sing the Churkendoose song? It is a silly children's rhyme that helps individuals feels good about who they are and how they're uniqueness can be an advantage if only they could see it that way. The song comes to life at The HANDLE Institute.

Compiled and edited by Lisa Brenner, The Churkendoose Anthology: True Stories of Triumph over Neurological Dysfunction is a collection of uplifting testimonies offering a positive message of hope to individuals afflicted with neurodevelopment problems ranging from attention disorders, learning disabilities, Tourette's Syndrom, or an acquired brain injury, to Cerebral Palsy, sleep disorders, Vestibular Dysfunction, Down's Syndrome, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. True success stories of the HANDLE (Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopment and Learning Efficiency) approach in helping young people and their parents. Enhanced with an informative commentary by Judith Bluestone, The Churkendoose Anthology is highly recommended as an engaging and encouraging read, especially for anyone having to cope with a neurological dysfunction.

The Churkendoose Anthology is a touching compilation of true stories of individuals and families who have triumphed over behavioral dysfunction without the use of drugs. It is an inspiration to all who know someone or suffer themselves. Professional therapists, MDs, especially including pediatricians will benefit from reading and learning about this unique way of healing a multitude of behavioral issues.

Going through life as parent of a "special" child, one navigates a maze of physicians, experts, specialists, and amateur diagnosticians. Desperate for help, such parents try a range of treatments and tactics, sometimes destroying their families and their sanity in the process. Ms. Bluestone and HANDLE do not have a "magic bullet," but the simple and authentic wisdom in the HANDLE approach teaches us all that there really ARE honest and practical strategies to help individuals who don't fit any of the models in the medical literature. My son has benefitted greatly from the HANDLE precepts, and this book tells true stories of others whose lives have been forever changed. Ms. Bluestone's own story is an inspiration, and she brings to her work the unique empathy of one who has "been there" and found her way out. HANDLE respects individuality and eschews labels; the accounts of these HANDLE clients are compelling and dramatic. Perhaps the most important thing this book provides is hope, which is often in painfully short supply for "marginalized" people. I congratulate all these writers for recounting their journeys, and I think thousands of people can benefit from stepping into the Churkendoose shoes for a few hours. I recommend this book to those with open minds, tired spirits, and vital hearts.

In the preface the authors thank those who inspired them and the writing of this text, we thank Yarnell, Abascal and Hooper for bringing this body of knowledge to us. This work has been an in-depth resource in our practices of clinical aromatherapy and dentistry. A wealth of botanical information including specific conditions, their prevention and treatment with botanicals; the text is well-referenced, indexed and has useful appendices. We higly recommend this be used by healthcare practioners interested in the use of botanical medicine and read by anyone interested in natural pathways for health and healing.

At last an herb book that is rational, well-documented, and based on true clinical experience. While there are many books on botanical medicine available, this volume is truly informed; the book is written by accomplished clinicians and not researchers who write from literature searches, without true clinical experience as a foundation. Yarnell, a Naturopathic physician and Abascal, a Registered Clinical Herbalist, discuss herbs and clinical treatment plans in their full complexity and do not simplify their approach as is so common in today's herb books. Additionally, because Hooper the editor, is a medical doctor, the truly holistic approach that shines through in this book, provides further credibility to Yarnell's and Abascal's work. While the empirical observations of clinical experience are paramount in this volume, Yarnell and Abascal also support their approach with the available research. Perhaps this is why the American Botanical Council has sourced this book for its online database.
Another positive for the book is that besides the same old tired herbs that everyone is talking about in natural food stores, the lesser known herbs that competently trained clinicians are actually using are also covered. This provides a wider range of options for clinical work and offers clinical insights into Anemopsis (Yerba Mamsa), Bupleurum, and Opuntia (Prickly Pear), and other lesser known herbs.
There is also a toxicology section that covers such herbs as Lobelia inflata, Artemesia absinthium (wormwood), Piper methysticum (kava) and the pyrolizidine containing herbs such as Symphytum officinalis (comfrey). The relative toxicity (or lack thereof) besides the political issues of such herbs are discussed. This is a unique addition to modern books on botanical medicines.
Clinical Botanical Medicines with its four parts;
I Treatment or Prevention of Specific Disorders
II Special Formulas
III Specific Herbal Medicines
IV Issues in Botanical Medicine
targets the medical professional seeking a practical but researched-based approach to using herbal medicines.

This is a wonderful, serious book. The text respects the history of herbal medicine, yet provides peer reviewed literature references for the statments made. The chapters cover important topics, such as hypertension, various cancers, and addiction. I look forward to other work from these authors that would address difficult topics such as the treatment of insomnia, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and heart disease.

The authors of this book are carrying on the traditions of received from their teachers, some of the great scholars of herbal medicine; Michael Moore, Silena Heron, and James Duke.

This is a treasured new resource for me. When I want some practical advice on herbal remedies, and not the same old echoes, this is my favorite. It is as the title implies, a great source book on herbal medicine for the clinician. And it doesn't shy away from specific dosing details. There are lots of interesting new herbal suggestions here. I'll be citing it frequently, in my teaching and writing. Jim Duke, retired USDA medical botanist.

There have been more books written on botanical medicine than any other subject, including religion. These books run the full spectrum of usefulness, approach, and accuracy. As a clinical herbalist and passionate student of botanical medicine, I have found this book to certainly rank within the top three. It is very easy to spend arm loads of money when studing and researching herbs while attempting to sorce solid/practical knowledge which will ally with clinicians and students alike. The key to saving money is to target the most well deserved educational tools. This book is a finely cut gem that is put forth by authors who really know their stuff. It looms together a blend of the traditional and scientific aspects of medicine. Truly a post mark book for the continually emerging sophistication of Naturopathy. This clearly written source can be of value to students, teachers, and practitioners who are involved with botanical medicine.

This book does a great job at providing information for clinicians by clinicians! Being a student of botanical medicine I also found the reccommendations of some quality educational programs in the Appendix useful. I have found this book to be stimulating and inspiring.

In short, if you are interested in botanical medicine, it is in your best interests to make an effort in obtaining this awesome book.

Herbaceously,
Gabriel Maroney

This book is fabulous. We are expecting our first ever foal in October 08 and I have read this book from cover to cover. It is a must in my opinion for anyone who wishes to breed horses. It is a comprehensive manual easy to read in a logical sequence for easy reference. This will be placed in my foaling kit when the time arrives for my new baby to be born. I highly recommend this book, well done.

Theresa Jones has created a wonderful, easy to read and understand manual that is a must for the first time or experienced horse breeder. The book is accurate, written so it is very understandable by the layman, yet full of good medical advice and knowledge. To supplement the book Theresa Jones provides an advice column online to answer specific problems encountered in foaling.

When my mare was near term this was the one book that I had with me at all times. Where other authors of foaling books tend to emphasize foaling horrors and disasters, Theresa Jones emphasizes what is normal. She makes you very aware of what can go wrong, and gives ample instruction on how to recognize an emergency or abnormal situation, but she does it in a way that helps you remain confident rather than helpless.

Foaling horses is definetly a very long process especially if you intend on being there for the whole delivery. This book explains what to look for and what will happen during the foaling process. It also tells what to expect and the musts for after delivery. It was very easy to read and understand by real people. I drag it out for each foaling I attend even though I have read and re-read it more than once.

This book is an excellent book on the foaling proceedure and what you have to do, and know. What I most liked about it was its common sense approach and though the problems that the mare and foal can encounter were mentioned, advice was given on how to handle these problems. Some of the other foaling books on the market emphasis all the problems that can occur to the point that one feels that a mare should never be bred. This book is not at all like that.

i purchased this book, and it was exactly what it was being adv for, no surprises and no other issues, excellent experiance.

Excellent new edition of the gold standard. Updated with new color pictures and new chapters on skeletal anchorage and temporary anchorage devices.

It's the bible of Orthodontics written by the man himself.

This book is truly the bible for orthodontics. It covers all aspects of orthodontics in detail with excellent diagrams and pictures. The only book you will need.

A good book about orthodontics, but Graber's is more complete.

A Young Surgeon joins forces with the twentieth century's boldest industrialist in "Courage to Heal". Paul Bernstein, MD lends his medical expertise to his this medical thriller novel set in the Great Depression of one determined doctor to provide the best medical care he could in the face of a paranoid government. Enthralling from the first page to the last, it's highly recommended for fiction fans in general and any community library fiction shelves.

(Disclaimer: I am a former colleague of the author, and worked in the Kaiser Permanente system for most of my career).

Having been a Permanente physician since the days when we were close to being "persona non grata" in the local medical community, I was somewhat familiar with the history of the Medical group, but Paul Bernstein has made its humble beginnings spring from the page with a living and exciting narrative that takes the reader into the very soul of Sydney Garfield, whose name I knew as our founder, but not much else about him. Henry Kaiser is also brought into the mix as a larger-than-life industrialist who believed in what Garfield was doing and provided the capital and know-how to build the prepaid system that spans the country today---though still heavily weighted on the West Coast. I heartily recommend this book to anyone trying to fathom today's health care controversy. When you finish this book, pick up "Overtreated" by Shannon Brownlee, for a fascinating look at what has happened to American medicine, and suggestions for reform. Not surprisingly, she holds Kaiser up as an example of how things could work. And Sydney Garfield is the reason. Good work, Paul!

Who would suspect that a book about the creation of an HMO could be so captivating? I started reading at bedtime and just couldn't stop. The author skillfully weaves together fact and fiction, vividly describing scenes and characters, keeping the reader constantly in suspense. The historical images of the times before, during and after WWII are particularly striking to those of us too young to remember things like the polio epidemic. The plot conflict about health insurance is as timely now as it was then, with millions of Americans still without coverage.
This is my favorite kind of book: it is great reading for entertainment alone, and informative and thought-provoking at the same time!

This is a fictionalized account of the creation of Kaiser Permanente, the granddaddy of HMOs. Dr. Bernstein has told a fascinating story of its creation and successful rise in the face of resistance from the medical establishment. Highly recommended.

The courage to heal reads more like an adventure than a biography. Sidney Garfield, like all great pioneers, is single-minded in his quest to bring affordable health care to the people. I found it interesting to see how the concept of prepaid medicine evolved and particularly the resistance they met from the medical establishment. I particularly enjoyed the historical setting in the thirties, forties and fifties. Bernstein brings us into the dramas of medical emergencies. We get a glimpse into what that world was like when polio was rampant and antibiotics were still a novelty. This book seems particularly relevant today with so many people without access to medical care due to deficiencies of the fee for service system. I recommend this book highly.

Fiona Whelpton's story is amazing. Conversion syndrome is unknown to most people; read this book now to find out more about it. This book endeavours to raise awareness about this illness, and to ensure that people suffering from this illness do not feel alone in their suffering.

This is the touching story of a woman who suffers the Conversion Syndrome Disorder. It is a book full of hope and optimism in spite of the gravity of this syndrome which ends in a complete paralysis of the body.

Being Fionas son i thought that the book was exeptional quality and really said what it's like having Conversion Syndrome Dissorder. I am so pleased that she had the courage to write such an exeptional book after all that she has been through Lots of love. Well Done

A cathartic semi autobiography about a woman with conversion syndrome disorder. Life is extremely hard for Fiona Whelpton but her optimism always shines through. The book is hard hitting in parts describing the pains of mental illness, an abusive husband and having a domineering mother. Amidst all the chaos is a beautiful poetic voice desperate to get out. This book made me have more patience for people who find life difficult.

Fiona Whelpton tells a story full of hope, optimism and promise. This is admirable considering the severe disability she faced. A single mum triumphing over disability, neglect and disempowerment. Poetic and romantic language keep the reader alive.

Dark Remedy tells of how thalidomide caused the greatest medical disaster in history - but today is enjoying a comeback as a life-saving treatment despite its side effects. Dark Remedy considers how the drug became a nightmare in the 1960s, how it was banned, and how it's receiving new research attention today which may reinstate its use without its side effects. An intriguing medical history.

Dark Remedy by Brynner and Stephens is a rather scary tale of how one person, Dr. Frances Kelsey, may have just saved the people of the United States from a very trajic event in the 1960-61 era. Being a new FDA employee back then, she simply refused to permit its (ie, thalidomide) acceptance for the US (FDA approval) market, and by doing so, prevented one of the worst nightmares that could have occurred in American medical history. Many other countries had already approved the drug for use, and by doing so, suffered consequences most of us are well aware of to this date. For that one fact alone, she certainly deserved the medal given by President Kennedy and many thanks from every American. The book also shows how bullish a pharmaceutical company can be. In 1958, it boldly went through the William Merrill company, so to set up the manufacturing process, as the drug called "Kevadon" back then. We are all very fortunate, that she (Kelsay) had the will and inner guidance not to cave in to all of the pressures of lobbyists of other countries and just say "no." Their approval (other countries, I mean) earlier of this so-called "super safe" sedative caused some of the most grotesque limb malformations imaginable to people-- that totally trusted the medical community at the time. The makers of this product clearly knew the dangers, but in the interest of greed and money, openly chose to ignore the findings. Essentially, doctors and pharmacists were lied to in accepting their literature presented to our FDA. The authors state that metabolism of this product by our bodies generate over 100 byproducts, each capable of doing this or that, and I am not quite sure this is true. However, there is the attempt now to bring the drug back to the FDA for approval for use in "certain" other types of trajic disease states, such as MS or HIV. I can assure you, I have spoken to both CDER and the FDA, and this will happen ONLY if this product verifies properly every sentence they write in the literature and-- proves out as such in every milligram of discovery is verified. Whether Dr. Kelsay was just stubborn, wise, or lucky is irrevalent now, as she IS the person who, ultimately gave the FDA the power that it has today. An event like this often, is the defining moment of such governmental entities. However, the FDA is not without comflicts of interest as you will find out. The voting methods used on products even today, sometimes seem to contradict rationale on both sides of some of the issues troubling approval of certain medicinal products and devices. Rock Brynner and Trent Stephens do an excellent job of keeping the book on task, and full of suspense, describing the tasks done by the pharmaceutical firm to cover all of the little nasty secrets they had earlier hidden, including all of the free samples given to physicians and pharmacists to be handed out like rock candy during Christmas. Some texts I have read try to make a point that only one stereochemical form of the drug is bad, this is not important. The body often will transform between isoforms (R and S), so this is moot to me. If you needed to pick a choice of this trajic story, and the heroic job done by one person to whom we as Americans should be indebted, it is this one. This book is a winner!

As outlined above, this book details the history of thalidomide, including its discovery, introduction into society, harmful effects, withdrawal, and eventual rebirth as a useful medication. It is very interesting and keeps your attention throughout the entire book. I am a physician and learned very much from this book, including some information about the FDA, and even about what thalidomide is used for today. I would say that you should read this book if you have any interest in medical history told in a narrative fashion. It will educate you on a tragic event in history and the amazing effects of medications upon human beings. Great, great, great book!

This short book is a compelling drama, complete with innocent victims, dark villians and compassionate and dedicated heros. But it is no simple account in black and white. Rather it is a textured retelling of the profound human tragedy of Tahlidomide, it's impact on the phamaceutical industry, the FDA's regulatory role, and the pursuit of scientific insight.

It will come as a surprise to many laypeople that Thalidomide, notorious for the extreme birth defects it caused when it burst upon the consciousness of the world in the early 1960s, is now used for the treatment of dozens of conditions. This book details the painful story of Thalidomide's devastation; the greed and indifference of it's corporate promoters; the dilligence and dedication of a handful of doctors who helped curtail it's spread, the tortured legal struggle of it's victims, and the difficult and collaborative process by which scientists discovered it's secrets and are putting it to use to relieve suffering.

The history is recounted on a human scale, making the drama real to the reader. The science, as complex as it is - including molecular structures and the mechanisms of DNA - is articulated in a way that makes it accessible even to the layperson.

I highly recommend it.

I bought this remarkable book last year and have recommended it to several people. I know next to nothing about medicine, so it came as a revelation. When I was a child in the 1960s, this mysterious horror always lurked in the distance, terrifying but incomprehensible. Like nuclear fallout or the mercury poisoning of Minamata, thalidomide was an important symbol of Frankenstein technology, but I didn't read a proper study of the nightmare until I read 'Dark Remedy' last year.

Like many adolescents of my generation, I also enjoyed 'thalidomide jokes'. We thought these were very funny. At the time, I had no understanding of the terrible death and misery the drug inflicted on thousands of children.

Despite the suffering it caused, thalidomide has undergone an amazing 'second act'. Almost unbelievably, the Frankenstein monster has been reborn to do some good. In the 1960s, researches discovered that it could cure the lesions caused by an autoimmune disease called ENL. A decade later, it was found to be very effective for curing the lesions caused by leprosy (Hansen's disease); in fact, it was the only cure. In the 1980s, it was found to be extremely good for treating some of the symptoms of AIDS. It is now used to treat as many as 130 disorders. Who could have imagined that the drug that caused the worst medical disaster of the 1950s could be used to ameliorate the worst medical disaster of the 1980s?

'Dark Remedy' should be read be everyone who is interested in science and health.

This is defintely an overall positive book on a very negative topic. The author here explains a lot of different ways that you can get the serotinin back to normal without having to deal with drug therapy.

The one problem about this book is that at times it is hard to get thru. The author throws in a lot of information that I'm sure a lot of us wont understand. I wish it was just a little more simplified. FOr example, in one chapter, he explains how a vitamen b6 can be more effective then an antidepresent in treating severe depression. However, he doesnt list the dosage or the amount of vitamen b6 that might be required to take. (that can be a bit of a problem for some).

Yet, this book is amazingly written, anaylized, and hopeful. Its good to know that someone really researched all of these facts and figures. He had a much different outlook on the whole deal as he broke down several vital stastics that the mass media and drug conpanies would never want to admit.

Despite its uplifting appeal, This is more of a book for a professional therapist rather then a client. I'd suggest for the client to read some important parts of this book to the therapist. A lot of this information is complicated and since Syd doesn't list the dosages and the "How exacltys" to get rolling on the correct bandwagon. Almost all of these methods are hard to persue solely.

But again this is a good book and I hope it gets more recongition then it has gotten in drugged america.

As a psychologist wanting my clients to be educated on the biochemistry of depression and possible solutions, I have found this to be the best of all the alternatives I have read. It discusses all the treatments rather than focusing on one alone, as many books do. It is well written, easy to understand, and treats the reader as if he or she is intelligent enough to grasp a good deal of information. I think this book would help everyone in therapy, and would also help therapists in their attempts to help.

If you're looking to treat depression without using drugs, this is the book to get. The book is packed with almost every type of therapy known to cure depression. If there's any academic research on the subject, Baumel mentions the study and also tells us whether it's an uncontrolled or controlled study (something I appreciate as an academic). He usually explains how the study was conducted in enough detail that it can be replicated at home. This means that he included supplement dosages and length of time needed to see results. He also mentions how to purchase St. John's Wort and light therapy devices, which could save hundreds of dollars.

The way to use this book is to read the therapy, see if it matches your symptoms, decide whether you're willing to make the commitment (e.g., am I willing to take B6 for the next 6 months?), and then to try it. I had to try several different therapies until I found ones that worked for me. If one didn't work for me, I would read another section of this book and choose a new therapy to try. One problem with the book is that it covered some therapies in limited detail, and sometimes I needed to look up additional information in other sources.

Before getting this book, I tried looking up information online, but there was too much noise rather than real information to get any use out of what I was reading. This book cut through the noise and gave a concise summary of therapies that I could use to help myself.

In summary, the book is well-researched and an excellent resource. Using this book plus some free online information, I cured my moderate chronic depression in three months without drugs. Thank you, Syd Baumel, for writing this book!

Forget about "touchy feely" talk about herbal remedies. If you're a skeptic, this book will change your mind about St. John's Wort and what BRAND you buy. Covers a staggering number of therapies in great detail: some you probably know like electric shock therapy, Prozac and cognitive therapy. Other lesser known therapies include Omega-3, 5-HTP, SAM-e, and Tyrosine. The author did his homework. Citing numerous clinical trials, studies, and on-line news groups, I found this reading a bit overwhelming or too dry at times, but only because of the author's thorough investigation. All in all, it was well worth it. Makes your doctors sit up and take notes when you talk about how YOU want to treat your depression. (that alone is worth it). An excellent reference that grows with you as your treatment for depression evolves.

The best book available for anyone desiring to treat depression naturally.