Medicine Books

The author has done extensive research into the effects of immunizations and presents much data that would be lead a person to believe that vaccinations do much harm and provide no benefit.

In the forward by George R. Schwartz, MD, he states that "a voice is seeking dialogue and requiring counterpoint" (page 8). Dr. Schwartz does not provide this counterpoint but only states that he "advocates the standard vaccinations" (page 7). But this is critical for the average reader to make an informed decision. Both sides of the issue should be presented in this book in order to help the reader make the best decision possible. Perhaps a format where the author presents his findings with an opposing view of from the medical establishment and rebuttals would serve the reader best.

The book presents some very convincing statistics, however I was very disappointed in the misleading manner some of the numbers were reported.

Many times the author points out that infection rates were falling before the vaccine was introduced and implies that the continued rate of decline was not due to the vaccine. Although the prior decline is relevant it doesn't prove that the vaccine is not effective. The infection rate might have stabilized at a higher rate without the vaccine. Even if the vaccine were effective this argument could be used to show that it wasn't. The data that needs to be compared to resolve this are infection rates for comparable populations of those vaccinated versus those not vaccinated.

Another example is on page 29 where it states that "In 1989, 89% of all school-aged children in the U.S. who contracted measles were adequately vaccinated". This is a misleading way to present the numbers. It makes it impossible to evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine. To demonstrate this, suppose that million children were vaccinated and 22 were not. Also suppose that there were 89 cases of measles from the vaccinated group and 11 cases from those not vaccinated. In this scenario 89% of cases are from vaccinated persons. However what needs to be compared is the percent of cases in the vaccinated group versus the percent of cases in the non-vaccinated group. In this example 0.0089% of the vaccinated group became ill versus 50% of the non-vaccinated group. These numbers are fabricated and are only used to demonstrate that some of the statistics reported in this book can be misleading and are not the best data to using in determining the efficacy of the vaccination.

What I find more troublesome is that author "is a medical research journalist", has a degree with "an emphasis on statistical analysis", and is a member of Mensa (a society for those with a genius level I.Q.). With this background the author, Neil Miller, must realize that the data mentioned above is misleading and is not the relevant statistic to compare to judge the harm or benefit of the vaccination in question. What is needed is the rate of infection, death, or other complications, such as autism, in similar groups of vaccinated versus non-vaccinated populations. After seeing data presented in a purposely misleading fashion I came to question the author's sincerity when he states that "I merely try to present the facts in a clear and straightforward manner".

In conclusion I would like to point out that the author has done society a great service to gather a tremendous amount of information and raise very important issues regarding vaccinations. His conclusions might very well be correct! However the reader would greatly benefit if the author expanded the book and co-authored it with those of the medical establishment propounding alternate views and then include a series of rebuttals. With the tremendous amount of medical information available and contradicting positions the reader is generally left with doubts and concerns. Having an open dialog, as proposed in the forward of the book by Dr. George Schwartz, might help resolve and clarify many issues in the reader's mind.

You owe it to the health of your child to do the reasearch before allowing him/her to be immunized. I have done alot of reading and talked to several Dr.'s and have decided against any immunizations. The information is out there. Why take a risk? I started seeking info. after I became pregnant because I worked with a man who has a 5 yr. old that is severly damaged by the DPT vaccine. He was a thriving baby, doing everything on time until his 6 month vaccines. That night he started having severe seizures, up to 100 per day. Now he is unable to walk, talk, or function at all. It's sad. I will not take that chance and I have made an informed decision. You can double check Mr. Miller's information. He's not making any of this up. It's based on fact, not opinion.

I just read a report today (February 23, 2006) stating that a panel of pediatricians are recommending that all children, from 6 months to 5 years of age, be REQUIRED an annual vaccination against the flu virus! Whoa, whoa, whoa their boy. Not so fast. Enter Neil Miller's brigade of truth-seekers. Miller's book should be a must-read for any cognizant parent who wants to keep their children out of harms way of Big-Pharma controlled CDC, FDA, HHS, etc. Well documented and brilliantly researched, it answers the questions as to why the Germ Theory and Isopathic theory are flawed, the consequences of the blind "facts" of vaccination success, and how we can empower ourselves against the Pharmaceutical Beast. Compulsory vaccination programs need to be halted at once, and Neil Miller's expose will pave the way for the re-education of a once-enlightened, responsible society.

'Immunizations', a euphemism for forced vaccinations, have outwardly cost 500 million dollars and an impending estimated 1.5 billion dollars from current lawsuits from caused deaths and disabilities. Neil Z. Miller's expose on the likely insanity and dangers of this 'treatment' seems very well documented. Studies show the inefficacy of vaccination but its practice goes on.

Miller points to obvious data showing that the amount of vaccination in a culture is in direct proportion to its disease incidence. Miller ties in the facts of our rampant and zealous childhood vaccination programs with our extremely high infant mortality rate (for a developed country). These vaccinations typically contain mercury, aluminum and formaldehyde. An adverse reaction from a vaccine on a child is not attributed to the vaccine if the reactin occurs more than a few hours later. This and other unsound data collecting techniques protect this possibly lethal practice.

U.S. soldiers from the Gulf War had a high incidence of complications. The British and French troops did not. The difference? The American soldiers received extensive 'immunizations' (including anthrax) before their deployment.

Miller also brings up the quite alarming possibility that the AIDS epidemic was a purposeful event on the peoples of Central Africa. The countries that received our 'help' with extensive immunizations (known live viruses along with plenty unknown viruses found in monkeys) had the highest incidence of this disease.

Hopefully Neil Miller's work will get the attention it deserves from the World Health Organization and others so that if there is healing to be done from this travesty, it can be done now... and a lesson can be learned.

Five Stars

This book was well worth a second read. I first read it in 1996. As a member of the generation that was allowed to get the measles and chicken pox, this book made sense to me. As the parent of a child brain-damaged from pertussis vaccine toxins, I welcomed this well researched work. I wish I had read it when I was pregnant with Bill. I read so much on nutrition and breast-feeding. I did not even know that infants were vaccinated before I took my son to his first well-baby visit at 6 weeks old. I thought it was just that, a well baby visit. The doctor's attempt to fix what was not broken resulted in a developmentally delayed baby and then later a moderately mentally retarded adolescent. Now with a mentally retarded adult child, I can say there is nothing moderate about post-vaccinal encephalopathy. The politics of immunology is well reported in this little book. It is very to the point. Mr. Miller proves his thesis over and over again and vindicates those professionals who have gone against the grain and refused to participate and those parents whose voices are too seldom given a hearing on this issue. I love a good expose' and this is the best of its genre. It's a great murder mystery, a whodunit that Mr. Miller unravels in great style. The truth is always good, sometimes it goes down a little hard. The price of the book is little to pay for a truth I learned the hard way. ie The truth that corporate profits are being served and not public health. I have bought several copies and given them away. The reality of the tragedy and the scale of this tragedy that he reports on has been suppressed. As a Holocaust Studies major, I cannot help but notice the similarities between attrition by vaccination and the systematic nature of the other war against civilians. One of those similarities has been the refusal to believe atrocity stories. As a parent who 22 years ago began telling of the terrible trauma inflicted on my innocent son, I feel vindicated but I don't feel better. Two of the chapters in this book are "Human sacrifices" and "Genocide". Find out what are federal government has been up to while we have been looking the other way. Margaret S. Scheuer

To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?(Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.), Roman orator, philosopher, statesman. Orator, 120.)

As humans we not only should look into the future, but into the past. Without considering our past history-how can make appropriate observations, conclusions and judgments? And this is why I find this book of value.

About the Book:
Crow, a student of spiritual healing, left his acupuncture practice in San Francisco to travel to Kathmandu to pursue the path of the healers in Buddhist and Hindu culture. He discusses his experiences with Nepalese traditional doctors and Tibetan healing practices. Crow believes Ayurveda is the medicine of the future and the antidote to disease caused by our increasingly toxic world.

David Crows book is a must read for anyone interested in herbal medicine, Eastern philosophy, and their relevance in todays hectic world--especially for those interested in the ancient yet highly topical teachings of Ayurveda.

This book is urging us to create a new renaissance in healing, but it is not another superficial New Age book. This book is written with care and depth of heart by someone who is not interested in simple answers to complicated questions. I was struck by the authors integrity and ability to make sense out of such diverse yet interrelated topics as herbs, healing, culture, sustainable economics, and ecology. The authors central theme is that we need to both revive and advance herbal medicine and our own sense of sacred environmentalism in order to live in harmony on this troubled earth.

In Search of the Medicine Buddha is not only a book about herbal medicine but also about the need to renew our ageold spiritual connection to plants. Moreover, the book is refreshingly honest, rich, and poetic in its descriptions of Nepali and Indian culture. Highly recommended for anyone interested in creating a richer, more fulfilling and balanced life for themselves and all other living beings!

David delves into the subject of miraculous medicinal plants around the world and explains why botanical medicine is so crucial for the long term health and care of our planet, our healthcare system and our economy. David writes about how you can get involved in creating a grassroots healthcare system in your community by growing your own living pharmacy among many other natural wonders.

The perspective and insight that this books contains is overwhelming. The content was great, but what struck me most was the nature of the author. He has such an incredible respect and love for the Earth, other cultures, and human beings. If the world was full of David Crows, we'd be in good shape. I recommend this book for the fascinating look at Tibetan medicine, but even more for the spiritual development that Mr. Crow inspires.

The text itself is medicinal. The story speaks often of the ancient and rare, but is something everyone struck by the unrelenting madness of the modern world should read. The author's sincerity comes through clearly, and I would be pleased to see more from him. It is difficult to do justice to this book in a short time; it is very rich, even poetic. Do yourself a favor: just trust me on this one.

It was the most wonderful book I ever read. About a girl who loves here dog and has such a strong realationship with him. When Cheddar was hit by the I coundn't stop reading! This book was filled with sadness,and happyness but yet still a little bit of mystery in it too. This book inspired me to write a story of my own and I hope if you read it will inspire you too!

I would recommend this book to other people because it is very detailed and it is also very curious too. Some parts of this book were exciting or scared or curious. I think a lot of people would like to read this wonderful book. If Cheddar did not get hit by a car I think none of the horrible things would have happened. I also think that some of Kat's reactions were not very good choices. I think that Kat should not have gone to the hospital because she could go to the hospital after school. When the bike was found, I was very curious about who stole the bikes. To me, this is a very well written book and I hope many people will read it!

This book was the best I have ever read! It is a wonderful book filled with sorrow, humor, and everyday situations.

If you love pets the way I do and you'll do anything in the world to take care of them and make sure they're all right, then you'll be right there with Kat and her dog, Cheddar in Pam Swallow's well-written story about them! This is a funny and sometimes serious look at a girl who does the wrong things for the right reasons - a girl I could sure identify with and I think you will, too. You'll want Kat for your friend.

It is wonderful to read a story about a character I can relate to. Kat is not a bad kid. She does something wrong, but she does it for the right reason. And then she pays for her mistake. A reader can see how one mistake can mushroom into something big, and that a person's reputation can be affected. But the reader can also learn, the way Kat does, that people can be so different than you imagined they are, once you get below the surface. Kat is a caring person, and that quality shines through. I was with her all the way!

This book is full of wisdom "Grandma" never taught you or me. It a good read just for the interesting wisdom and insight to the way it used to be.

I liked this book so much, I showed it to my mother and we bought three copies - one for her, one for me, and one for my brother! The book's title says it all - Jerry Baker really does present "Old-Time Gardening Wisdom". Specifically, he goes into many of the tricks and tips he learned from his grandmother.

The book is very well-organized, and is quite comprehensive (amazingly so!). Jerry Baker starts with simple information, such as how to evaluate your soil, where to put your garden and how large to make it, and he goes on to cover a range of topics including companion planting (a process by which plants are paired in beneficial relationships), fertilizers, pest control, and tips for growing herbs, berries, nuts and flowers. He also discusses the use of "electroculture" (a process of using metal objects to electrify the garden during storms and increase the amount of nitrogen in the soil), foraging for edible items in the wild and lawn care.

Really, I can't emphasize enough how useful this book is - it is absolutely one of the best books out there for gardening enthusiasts!

I originally checked this book out at the library. Some of the stories that he relates as a young boy learning from his Grandmother are both humorous and informative. After trying a few of jerry's concoctions I decided it was one of the books that would be handy to have on hand for future reference.

This book, along with the other books was very informative. It answered all my questions before I started my planting. Plus, being able to use products you have at home to take care of a problem, is a definite plus.

I have been looking for this book forever.....At least 12 years ago,when I became my mother's caregiver, the only thing that we
could pass time away together in the summer was gardening. I
watched every PBS show Mr.Baker appeared, wrote down everything
he advised and used it in the garden. Our garden was beautiful and MOM was in her wheel chair giving the instructions while I worked. When the ingredients called for beer, we mixed as called by his recipe, and (smile)drank the rest. Tobacco, fels naptha soap, all of it we tried out, all of it worked, and she and I had wonderful times before she passed.

Thanks Jerry Baker

P.S. The garden is still the best in the neighborhood. I now live in the Bahamas 7 months of the year, so I will be trying out exotic flowers with instructions from the book.

Very extensive and detailed information about all drugs . It's all you need to prescribe a drug with safety.
The appendix section contains very useful information of clinical and basic laboratory values
It's the most complete and specific book I have ever seen about pediatric drug prescription
I love it

This is a great source to have access to (especially if you're looking up pediatric drugs at home and don't have access to UptoDate or Micromedex). It is a thorough reference. The major down-side is that it lacks an index for generic/trade names. Maybe it's there and I still haven't found it, but this is a problem when one is trying to quick reference a drug. Nevertheless, I haven't found a superior drug reference in a readily available book in pediatrics (online, I'd say Micromedex is even more complete, but in a book, this is the best). Also, for neonatal dosing, I would prefer Neofax.

This book is comprehensive for pediatric clinicians. Format is easy to use and very through information.

I'm loving the detail and information given for each medication. It is a great resource for me. I have gone through and marked my commonly used medications for easy reference.

This book is very handy in helping you calculating pediatric doses for common over the counter products as well as prescription drugs. The more popular databases for drug at times do not include some of the common over the counter products so this is very helpful for that. It also offers a comprehensive description of the product including contraindications and cautions. It also includes very helpful appendices which deal with the not so common conditions seen in pediatrics.

Spirituality and medicine seems an unlikely combination until you read The Light Within. Finally we have a doctor who addresses the need for doctors to get involved with their patients lives when those patients are faced with a terminal illness. The interweaving of the two stories allows us to understand what the real meaning of spirituality is for both the doctor and the patient. Each helps the other to grow and deepen their own lives in-spite of difficult emotional setbacks. Even though the patient dies the reader is left feeling positive and grateful to have had the chance to get to know these two remarkable women. In this time of difficult medical connections which seem to revolve around paperwork and short visits it is heartening to know that there is a Dr. Ramondetta who is out there fighting for all of us.

This is a fascinating account of the intersection of two lives, one a patient with a fatal ovarian cancer and the other a very caring physician . What makes the book so interesting and startling is the unique dispositions and personalities of the main characters and how this chance association produced a vibrant chemistry that enriched both of their lives as well as others upon whom the 'light within" was reflected. The book is very well written and is a must read for physicans and patients alike.

I connected to this book on so many levels...as a breast cancer survivor; a caregiver/support person for many friends and relatives with cancer; and a former MD Anderson employee with a special interest in the complexity of physician-patient communications and relationships. It's quite remarkable that Dr. Ramondetta was able to step beyond the traditional "limitations" of her role as a cancer doctor, in order to develop such a deep and enduring relationship with her patient Deb. Clearly, both their lives were the better for having met each other. How inspiring it must have been for Deb to know that her cancer diagnosis created the opportunity to have such a wonderful relationship.

I hope everyone who has or will encounter Cancer World (that means all of us, eventually) has a chance to read this book. Kudos to Dr. Ramondetta and Deb for taking the time and spending the emotional energy to create this wonderful legacy and testament to the power of love and friendship.

As a physician in this area, I was deeply moved by this book. I urge all cancer physicians to read it. The depth of thought and emotion from the authors are compelling. I would urge anyone battling a cancer to read it. It will help explain the uncertainty, fear and concerns one has while fighting a disease. It also reaches deep into why we live and love. It is uplifting and sad at the same time. The authors are congratulated on sharing such a personal experience for others to benefit from.

It seems odd to read a memoir by someone you know, describing events to which you were something of a witness, but I found my friend Lois Ramondetta's newly published book, The Light Within, to be a great read and a moving account of her friendship with co-author Deborah Rose Sills that began when Sills was a patient at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and ended with Sills' death from ovarian cancer in 2006. Lois is a Gynecological Oncologist and met Sills in 1998 when Lois was a newbie cancer doctor at M. D. Anderson. The book weaves together a number of threads and discusses cancer and its treatment from the perspective of both patient and physician, alternating passages written by Lois with passages written or dictated by Deb. It's also an account of the personal lives of the two women and describes how their growing relationship enriched both of those lives. Highly recommended.

Like some other people in these reviews I first read this book because it had my name in it. It turned out to be one of the best books I have ever read and am only sorry that it is out of print becauses I do not have a copy. I would recomend this book to anyone looking for romance, adventure, drama, and excitement.

I bought this book back in the second grade at the school bookfair simply because it had my name in the title. About a year ago I found it and read it. I loved it. Its got family life, friends, healing, and it strongly emphasizes the importance of love in a young girl's life. Though I am 15 and bought the book when I was 7, I still think its a wonderful story. I even read it for inspiration. I've read it numerous times, and its still an adventure every time.

I read this book in the junior high years, and from then on checked it out at least once a year from the library. Now that I am much older I am glad to find the book through amazon to purchase for my future children as a collector's item. It is the best book I have ever read, and can read it over and over again even now. I recommend it for any female that loves to read a great story of with (rated G) romance. The character loses all she has, and is place into a home of strangers. With so many obstacles against her she gains strength, a career, and romance.

When Rachel's parents die in a fire, she is sent to live in the mountains with her family. She struggles to fit in, she meets old Granny Sharp. Granny Sharp teaches her medicine and doctoring skills to help the mountain folk. With the Civil War flaring, her grandfather makes his farm take no side. Not North. Not South. The reason for his action is that part of the their family is fighting for the North and part for the South. Rachel is working on the farm tending to wounded soldiers from both sides when a young military captain by the name of Ben is found hurt outside the farmhouse. Rachel cares for him and they soon fall in love. Rachel can't marry him because she has important duties at home, and it's a mountain tradition to follow the man to his home after marriage. She can't go to Pennsylvania with him because everyone tells her she is needed where she is as a doctor. I am upset that the publisher stop printing this book. I do not have a copy but got it out from a local library. Although I would like to buy a paper back because it is much cheaper I would also buy it in hardcover if that was the only format. If you enjoyed this book, you will also like Time Enough for Drums which will be out in paper back in May.

This is the best book i've ever read! it's just wonderful! A perfect combination of every thing... Witchcraft, love, romance, mountain life, everything good!

I was introduced to this book by my teacher. Based on the information given in this book, I have decided to do a home birth with my first son. Two years later, I delivered my second son at home. During my regular prenatal check-ups, my naturopathic doctor, midwife tought me how to be resposible for my own health. I changed my diet, my lifestyle, I used hypnosis for pain relief which worked beautifully. Before I read this book I was a follower and pretty much did what the medical authority told me. Robert Mendelsohn WOKE me up! Now I research a lot and use naturopathic methods of healing and herbs. I never would have thought that a book could change the direction of my life. I also highly recommend another book by Robert Mendelsohn which is called "How To Raise A Healthy Child Inspite of Your Doctor" which sheds some real light on safety of vaccinations. Jana

This book is a real eye opener. We all like to have trust in our Doctor and Hospital. After reading this book I had a whole new view of medicine. Lots of wonderful information for women on what to do if your Doctor recommends surgery. It is a real shame this book is no longer available. It would be wonderful if Contemporary Books would reprint this book.

I was introduced to this book by a professor a few years ago...I was only assigned to read a couple of chapters--I eventually read the whole book....to me the content of the book was so vital, that I took notes on the book, and began to share with others what I had read... Having recently watched my mother pass, the book hit home even further. Has I watched the doctors fumble and stumble with my mother's life, I was constantly reminded of Mendlesohn's book. Let's face it, poor black women in America will not get top-notch treatment anywhere--let alone, a hospital! It is truly a shame that this book is being cast into oblivion (out of print)...it helped change my thinking of the Medical Association in the U.S.

As a young mother I read and reread Dr. Mendelsohn's first book, Confessions of a Medical Heretic, which empowered me to listen to my instinct regarding the health of my children. At midlife, I read Male Practice, which further strengthened my ability to question conventional wisdom and do my own health research. Women today can thank medical heretics like Dr. Mendelsohn, who, in the early 1980's, was among the first physicians to sound the alarm on the medicalization of menopause. Male Practice warned women about the adverse effects of Premarin--a substance derived from the urine of pregnant mares. Dr. Mendelsohn also alerted women to the risks of the most indiscriminately recommended surgical procedures--the hysterectomy and the radical mastectomy. His observations on the hazards associated with the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy, including uterine cancer, blood clots, liver tumors and high blood pressure, proved remarkably prophetic. The recent Vioxx scandall only confirms what Dr. Mendelsohn and brave souls like him have said for decades: the "cure" is often worse than the disease. For anyone who feels shy about questioning their doctor about the side effects of any drug prescription, Male Practice will give you all the confidence you need!

--Suza Francina, author, Yoga and the Wisdom of Menopause and The New Yoga for People Over 50.

I read Male Practice twenty-one years ago, because the book caught my eye and I had already been thinking about how doctors were much more apt to prescribe medications for women than for men. If a man experienced depression he had counseling prescribed for him. If a woman had the same problem, she would get a prescription for some kind of medication. I was also aware how insensitive society has been to basic anatomical facts about women: for example, making high-heeled shoes attractive to them, and discouraging them from speaking at a pitch that would be more natural for their vocal chords but instead pressuring them in all sorts of subtle ways to pitch their voices into the men's voice range no matter that it eventually ruins their voice.

I saw much more than that sort of thing in Dr. Mendelsohn's book, however. The shameful way women were treated in their unique role of pregnancy and childbirth was something I had not noticed before. Even now, obstetricians direct women to the table. That, and the stirrups, tells us we're still in the dark ages. Maybe not even that. In the dark ages women were using birthing stools, which are still the right way to go. He aptly points out that where men got control of childbirth, out went the birthing stool and in came a bunch of unnecessary problems, especially the dreadful episiotomy. Since a baby's weight is often resting on its umbilical cord during a supine childbirth, treatments for fetal distress are made necessary, including caesarian section (which I actually saw recommended when my son's head was crowning). The reclined, leaning back, lithotomy position that is currently being promoted for childbirth, is just about as bad. The influence of the male-dominated medical profession is visible in supposedly midwife-controlled birthing centers, where women's childbirth education is routinely channeled along male-approved lines. Even women gynecologists and obstetricians still toe the male-approved line, a fact pointed out when the book was written, so you can't count even on a woman doctor to look out for your best interests if you are a woman.

There is a lot of progress that is just as overdue now as it was when Dr. Mendelsohn wrote his book.

This book gives a sheep breeder all the info they need to medically treat their sheep. Information normally you would have to have a vet out to diagnose and treat. Its a life and money saver!

I bought this book for my daughter and husband who are raising sheep. Hubby was attached to a different book and kind of scoffed at this new one, even though I suggested it was more in-depth. Not a week later, he has this one by his side and I haven't seen the other.

Have found this to be a most helpful means of identifying and treating several problems I encountered this year with newborns. So nice to have a ready access, which immediately pointed me to a possible solution or solutions to try when I was at a loss. I highly recommend this book!

This book was a lamb and ewe saver. My very first lambing season I had the lambing chapter practically memorized before hand. And my first ewe had problems. But by reading the hints, encouragement from my husband and gritting my teeth - I got the lamb pulled out. Saved both the lamb and ewe - second lamb born with no problems. Lambs are now six weeks old and growing like weeds.

This book is my bible for raising my sheep. It covers every problem I have so far encountered and has saved many a ewe and lambs over the years. Even my vet has read through it when he has had a question, I think that says alot right there! It is easy to read and understand, and the charts in the back help alot to find the problems. I definantly recomend this book, over all others I have found.

I liked this book. The illustrations are fantastic. It includes good explanations of the spiritual work that can be involved during the process of drawing mandalas. It focuses primarily on the role and image of light. Everything is done on black paper. The guides for making your own mandalas are good. The instructions for shading and the use of color are very helpful. It helped me understand that not all mandalas rely on a geometric form. If you decide to use colors, do what the book suggests and spend the extra money to get the pencils listed. It's a spectacular difference in the end product.

Last year I used this book as a resource for a special high school art unit that I developed entitled "Sacred Circles." In addition to learning about circular artwork in various cultures and world religions, students used Judith's beautiful illustrations and step by step guides to create mandalas of their own. (...) This is a book that I still have available in my classroom and students continue to refer to it (independently!) to advance their drawing techniques. SO glad I bought this!

The beauty of the mandalas pictured in the book intimidated me because it had been so many years since I'd created any art. I didn't think I could do it. But I did it and I'm extremely grateful to Judith Cornell for writing this book. Working on the exercises at home, alone, is not the same experience as it would be in a group. The group can offer a creative support level that helps each individual surpass previous achievements. However, I'm so happy with the mandalas I created as a result of these exercises that I've put each one up on the wall. And, even more important, I've continued to draw. No more creative blocks for me!

This is a great book on many levels.
The other reviewers have done such a good job that I'll just leave it at that.
I will buy copies for friends. A perfect gift.

Mandala: Luminous Symbols for Healing, by Judith Cornell, is absolutely the most incredibly beautiful book I've ever held in my hands. Holding and looking at it, even before reading, is like a sacred experience. Is it the beauty of the lay-out and illustrations? The very real spiritual impact of the mandalas presented, both historical and contemporary? A moment of healing even in the first moment's gasp of awe while browsing its pages? One even begins to caress its binding. One of my favorite activities now is to present it to friends and watch their faces--their eyes pop open, their jaws drop in amazement--and hear the quick intake of breath as its color begins to radiate into their awareness. Beyond the first impression, reading took me to awesome depths and insights regarding ultimate reality, syntheses I'd previously long puzzled. Don't miss this dazzling yet holy experience. Look, read, and practice the simple yet brilliant art-as-at-one-ment exercises for the depth of your life.