Men's Health Books

This book answered questions, has pictures, and all the questions to ask and consider.

Like some of the others here, I came across this book because I work for a website that contains information about cosmetic surgery. I research articles and books for the website Breast Implants USA, and Dr. Engler's book has helped my understanding of many procedures and products. He speaks in a clear, concise way which is understandable by the lay person -- which is great because, if you've ever researched this stuff, you know how difficult it can be to understand some of the medical terminology. Engler takes the extra effort to make all the information real, interesting and accessible.

As someone who operates a popular and very informative breast implant web site and forum...I cannot recommend this book enough. Dr. Engler covers everything, including information on other plastic surgery techniques, such as liposuction, breast lifts, breast reduction, and tummy tucks. The complete history of breast implants is covered, as well as the types of implants available (saline and silicone), the silicone controversy, shapes of various implants, placement of the implants, possible risks and complications, as well as before and after photos. This book really has everything. You will learn what to expect at your consultation, to anesthesia, to what the neighbors will say.

Plastic surgery is not something to be taken lightly. Much thought should go into the reasons WHY you want to have the surgery. This is covered in the book as well.

Dr. Engler is a highly respected surgeon, and is a wonderful authoritative source on breast augmentation. If you are contemplating any of the procedures outlined in this book, I urge you to read this book.

I have run a popular plastic surgery resource website, IMPLANTFORUM.COM, for over 4 years and I canýt think of a thing Dr. Engler neglected to mention in this book, BodySculpture! Dr. Engler covers everything. From what to expect before, during & after surgery to the emotional aspect of undergoing plastic surgery. Each procedure (breast augmentation, breast reduction, liposuction and tummy tucks) is explained thoroughly, yet in easy to understand laymanýs terms. He details what youýll get from a consult and all your options, to how to prepare for surgery and what transpires during surgery. He lists the risks of each surgery and what to expect when recovering and he does not sugar coat! Bravo!

The book includes lots of before and afters of each surgery, which is a great reference if you are planning on surgery or even if you are only contemplating surgery.

Dr. Engler is a graduate of Yale and is a ABPS board-certified plastic surgeon (the ONLY plastic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties). He was listed in 'The Best New York Metro Area Doctors' and in New York Magazine's The Best Doctors in New York. His office is in New York City.

An excellent resource for anyone considering plastic surgery. This book is very informative and very simple to understand. Even my plastic surgeon was impressed with how well informed I was at my initial consult. He even asked for the name of this book so he could recommend this book to his patients as a resource prior to surgery. I've been researching this topic for two years and this book, "Body Sculpture: Plastice Surgery For Men and Women" is definetly the most valuable source of information I've come across. To anyone considering plastic surgery, buy this book and read it before your consult. You'll be glad you did.

I read "The Bond" over two nights. What an incredible story! It tells the story of triumph over adversity. I recommend every parent; single or married; every teacher,teen-ager, male or female read this book!

This is a wonderful book, particularly for men and teen-age boys who have difficult relationships with their fathers. In their sequel to "The Pact," the three doctors -- Jenkins, Davis and Hunt -- give an open and honest account of how they learned to forgive and reconnect with their dads. In a unique twist, the fathers' stories also are told, revealing how a generational curse such as fatherlessness is hard to break. The women's guild of my church read "The Bond" for a recent book discussion. We had a great conversation with author Margaret Bernstein.

"The Bond" is a story about three African-American doctors who lived in Newark, New Jersy. Drs. Hunt, Davis and Jenkins all show what srtuggles of inner-city life can bring.

The three doctors have taken their time to discuss what has become a big problem in the U.S. and the world -- absentee fathers. Their fathers didn't "measure up" to their idea of what a father should be. Whether it was as a result of the fathers not being at home, unmarried, alcoholism, drugs, jail or simply not knowing how to communicate, one thing is for sure, it's not okay to bring a child into this world solely to fend for themselves.

The Bond by the Three Doctors, as they are more affectionately called, is an extension of their first book, The Pact. In The Pact, Sampson Davis, George Jenkins and Rameck Hunt tell how they became friends in high school and ultimately, how they promised to stick together and graduate from college to become doctors. The Bond goes even further into the friendship of these three young men.

Davis, Jenkins and Hunt were able to become friends because of what is considered a growing epidemic in the African American community - children growing up in single family homes. Each doctor tells the reason why his father was not present in his home. They also give their fathers an opportunity to share their stories. They learn that their fathers either grew up in the same circumstances or they did not know themselves, the impact they were passing on through each generation. The doctors discuss how they struggled to learn about developing relationships with women, building confidence, and peer pressure and to learn a simple task such as how to fix a tie or picking out a suit without the guidance of male presence in their lives. They also discuss their devotions to their mothers, who sacrificed to keep their families together. Despite not having a male role model, the doctors basically learned from each other. The Bond tells of their need and desire to understand the reasons why their fathers were absent and what they have done to begin to build relationships with their fathers. Dr. Hunt stated "even though they missed out on a portion of their lives, parenthood last a lifetime".

The story was very compelling and thought provoking. The Doctors also describe the ways that they have set out to mentor other children who are growing up in similar homes. This is a recommended book that can be read by both males and females who are living in single family homes and are struggling to come to terms with an absent parent.

Reviewed by: Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO BookClub

In Newark, Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt met as fatherless children struggling to survive ghetto living without a male mentor or role model; they formed THE PACT in high school to help one another make it and they succeeded as each became a doctor.

In THE BOND, the physicians look into the most prevalent disease destroying America's family: no father. The trio does this by seeking their dads, who never had a role in their lives. The threesome separately describe growing up fatherless and how difficult that is to overcome, but do not add any new insight than they already described in the PACT. However, their recommendations to youths suffering from this pandemic illness are solid especially to go out and find a role model to mentor you. However, the most poignant segments are the sections written by the absentee dads, who offer no rationalization as to why, but explain their failures in depth. Especially discerning is that each of them also grew up fatherless. THE BOND is a moving autobiography and though anecdotal should be must reading for everyone who wonders what has gone wrong with the American family unit as generational repetition is difficult to turn around.

Harriet Klausner

Double Menopause really hits home !!! There is a wealth of useful information for both myself and my husband - very easy ( and fun) to read - it's helped our relationship tremendously. This makes a great anniversary gift for mid-life couples.

This is a great book, and would have saved our marriage if we had read it in time! I finally understand what happened between my wife and myself, and it wasn't either of our faults. Too bad we didn't know this until after the painful divorce.
Hormones affect men just as much as women, and we were both ignorant of how important it is to know what your spouse is going through at midlife. Give this book to anyone in their middle years, and they will be forever greatful. Heck, they should read it before they even get to that stage of life.
It should be required reading for everyone as they get to their 30's, and beyond

I thoroughly enjoyed reading DOUBLE MENOPAUSE by Dr. Nancy Cetel. It was comforting to know that there is solid information about the next phase of life for me. Being prepared for some of the possible effects of changing hormone levels will only make the transition easier.
The book was well written and interesting. I especially appreciated the chapter entitled THE TRUTH ABOUT ANTI-AGING. I agree with Dr. Cetel's philosophy about the aging process and found her advice for maximizing longevity very helpful.

An excellent resource for women and men to assist in understanding the ebb and flow of hormonal change during midlife. The effect of such changes on both the psychological and physical domains are discussed. The time during which these hormonal changes occur can become extremely trying and tumultuous for individuals and their partners.This book addresses ways to assess the changes that are occurring and approaches to managing them. Double Menopause speaks well to a complex phenomena and simplifies it. This is a unique resource for men and women whose lives are affected, directly or indirectly, by menopausal or andropausal changes.

This is not only a very informative book, but an enjoyable read. Dr. Cetel is a great communicator. I knew a lot about perimenopausal symptoms but knew relatively little until now of the hormone-related changes a middle-aged husband would also be experiencing. Dr. Cetel gives clear, practical advice on what women and men can say and do that will ease and support the other's experience. Her "tips" for reconnecting with your partner and achieving greater intimacy in mid-life ("hormonal harmony") are quite actionable and fun (I've tried several already with good results.) I also liked her advice for an overall healthy lifestyle. This may be the one book on menopause your husband will want to read. I highly recommend it if you're committed to your marital relationship lasting and growing.

Life saving information is in this very well written book. I learned smokers can develop bladder cancer besides the norm such as heart disease. Get this book if you are past 40 and/or avoid seeing a doctor for checkups. There are many easy to read articles in this book which you may feel too embrassed to discuss with your doctor.

This book is packed with information on men's health. It covers everything from diet and exercise, through men's maladies (prostate, bladder and problems of the genitals). It covers everything in an easy-to-understand manner that includes many charts and diagrams. In particular I appreciated the section on exercise and stretching, and have revamped my exercise regimen based on this book. I am glad I got this book, and recommend it to all men.

My husband I found this book to be very informative. The material was presented in a lucid and engaging fashion. We found the chapters on diet, exercise, and prostate especially helpful.

This is an excellent medical reference book for men. The information is very well organized into three separate parts: 1) what makes men different, 2) what makes men healthy, and 3) men's main diseases, how to prevent them, test for them, and treat them. The book is quite long at 470 pages. But, it reads easily. And, it makes for an excellent medical reference to go back to when you want specific scientific information on various men's health topics.

The best part about the book is that it is based on extensive medical studies. The advice provided is the result of statistically significant conclusions derived from these studies. Thus, the objectivity, integrity, and intelligence derived from this book is so much greater than from any of the medical authors positioning themselves as the current diet or health care guru.

The book confirms the value of EFV. The ultimately healthy lifestyle consists of a lot of Exercise with a diet that includes lots of Fruits and Vegetables. These three factors (exercise, fruits, vegetables) appear to be universal protectors against all age related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Similarly, the high risk factors regardless of the health risk considered seemed to be always the same, including: smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, lots of saturated fats and trans fats in the diet.

The book has a ton of information besides the self-evident basics mentioned above. There are lots of tables, graphs, and summaries that make the information easy to retrieve. These include info on BMI, PSA test levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, recommended frequencies of screening tests, recommended dosage and toxic levels of vitamins and minerals, Glycemic index, life expectancy charts, and lots more interesting stuff.

With the medical knowledge derived from this book, you will be in a far better position to take care of your health and initiate a mutually productive dialogue with your general practitioners and specialists. The World is getting increasingly complex. Technology and science evolve rapidly. Nowhere does this increasing complexity have a greater impact than on healthcare. This book will help you understand your health, risk factors, relevant testing, and cures to be considered.

As we age, we will invariably be faced with some challenging options and decisions. This book is a great road map to help us out along the way. If you are well informed, it takes a lot of anxiety out of the equation. That takes care of a major health risk already [stress and anxiety]. This book is good for you!

Along the same line of excellent health related information, I also strongly recommend another great book from Harvard Health Publications: "Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy" by Walter C. Willett. It is the best book on diet and nutrition I have ever read. And, that is also because it is based on scientific studies, and not on subjective opinions from egocentric blowhards.

I got the book to restore peace to my health club workouts. As my friends have turned 50, many have been asking "Dr. Joel" about prostate cancer. I'd be glad to answer, but it's not exactly my end of the body, since I'm a dentist. I read the two chapters on prostate cancer, but then I went back to read the rest of the book. I don't want to be an instant expert, but I now have a quick answer to all of the questions: read The Harvard Medical School Guide to Men's Health for yourself. It's really an excellent book.

Dennis Henning's book, Hiding Under the Table, really inspired me. Even though I have never had an eating disorder, I have still suffered with emotional eating during chapters of my life. Reading about his journey to overcome his eating disorder helped me realize that I'm not alone and can get help, myself. I highly recommended this book to anyone not only suffering through eating disorders, but who really want to take a personal look at negative body image thoughts, personal relationships, spirituality, addictions, and self-forgiveness. Thank you Dennis for being such an inspiration to take charge of my own life, not just through learning how to overcome emotional eating but also by applying The Daily Process, 16 Points to Life.

Dennis Henning's book, "Hiding Under the Table" is the much needed alarm, giving a brutal, gut and soul-wrenching account of the male eating disorder sufferer and his personal struggles with food, weight and body issues. Its straightforward, raw and disturbing personal story is further strengthened by Henning's spiritual, physical and emotional recovery and revelations toward healing, powerfully outlined in his wonderful, practical and hopeful "16 Points." Male and female eating disorder sufferers alike will both be empowered and healed by reading this incredible recovery tool. Males,in particular, need to read this book and know that they are not alone; they are not hopeless either. It is a must for any recovery resource library,high school or college health class or program, as well as for anyone who is touched by the struggle of eating disorders. This book proves that it is not just a "woman's issue!" It is a must read!

Through the power of his experience, Dennis Henning has written a very personal story about his battle with an eating disorder. His story is a stunning display of a long-practiced dysfuntion and--thank God!--an equally stunning recovery. Henning reveals his own private road to hell. Eating and purging became a way of life. As his life spun out of control, he also became addicted to sex. Everybody else was to blame for his problems which, as time went on, included prostitution, stealing, lying, manipulating--anything to numb the emotional pain of his self-hate and doubt.
It takes a lot of courage to tell a story like this one, a lot of honest reflection and inner work on the self: You really have TO WANT TO CHANGE your behavior, to change the way you think about yourself, to learn self-love. Dennis eventually creates a healthy life by getting in touch with good people who care about him. He opened up his mind to a much bigger world--the one beyond that crippling world of fear. He stopped blaming others for all his problems.
Through the clarity of his unique perspective, Henning turned his life around and grew into a compassionate human being. He began to trust his feelings, to get to know himself. He found a spirtual life that he can rely on no matter what. He now uses his life as a tool for helping others overcome debiliatating eating disorders. Anyone with an eating disorder--male or female--should read this book. You are not alone. Reading this book can be the first step in your recovery.

Dennis shares his pain and suffering from self-famine in such a courageous raw and vulnerable fashion. Unfotunately, so few men have shared their experience of suffering from eating disorder behavior and this book helps fill in much needed and long awaited personal recovery by a male. My hope is that his honnesty and life-learned wisdom can help others seek solutions to their own healing and perhaps along their journey, utilize some of Dennis's ideas as a template. I felt empathy, hope, and joy as Dennis shared his story of recovery.

Michelle Matoff, LCSW, BCD

An eye opening book! Raw honesty that was spine chilling. I admired Dennis' openess in telling his story and believe it will help others to come out from "underneath the table." Even if a male does not have an eating disorder, but has issues about his appearance, physique, masculinity and self-worth, this book will shake him awake and help him focus on what really matters in life.

Kimberly Crouch has indeed written a small treasure with an enormous amount of lifelong wisdom that will help prepare not only African American young males but young females as well for a bright and promising future.

Opening her book with "Know your History" is just one of the many messages the author delivers conveying that knowledge is the safest and the surest emancipation. Too often as parents we neglect to provide necessary information that can strengthen our children; we come from a long line of Kings and our contribution to history is as valid as any other contribution. One of the driving forces of Kimberly's book stresses that our children should always be knowledgeable of the fact that unfortunately racism does exist - sometimes you may be judged by skin color and no other factor. Is life unfair - you betcha, but we have the power and the control as to how we choose to live our lives and how we choose to handle the inequities that do exist.

I loved this book - it's a quick read and a keeper. Each chapter is an affectionate inspirational letter to Kimberly's own sons. Use this book as a guide to constantly reiterate to your children as they are growing that they should always be persistent, remain committed and should never allow anyone to define who they are. One of the most important lessons in the book that even today I keep reminding my own adult children of is to keep a close check on their attitude; it's definitely the one thing you can control and change in a world that does not always provide an equal playing field.

In closing Kimberly reminds us to always keep God first - Lesson eleven is indeed a proverbial message that should always be invoked in everything we teach.

Reviewed by Sharon Haynes
Sisters Sippin' Tea Literary Group, Inc. - Tulsa Chapter

Crouch's "Mother to Son" will become a classic. Written as a series of letters from a mother to her son, it offers practical advice, hope, and foundational wisdom. She does a great job of interweaving her personal experiences as examples of the larger issues.

Something else noticeable, she mentions an issue in one letter (lesson), then expands on it in the next. This method, even if unintentional, gives the book a unique flow. I could not put it down.

I give it 5/5 stars. Personally, I will give this book as a gift to everyone I know. I highly recommend this book for all young men (especially young African-American men), mothers (especially single mothers), educators, and the general public.

As a teen, I can recall a show, Know Your Heritage. It came on Saturdays and it was sort of a game show where two schools in or around the Chicago area were quizzed on all things black. I'd sit down and confidently answer some of the questions, while others I'd be amazed to find out were apart of my history and made sure I banked it and researched it in order not to lose it. You'd think growing up in an all black school system in an all black neighborhood meant that I'd be privy to facts about my ancestors, our roots and the fact that we were more than slaves. See how important it is for us, all of us, to educate and be educated on the enormous contributions of African Americans.

In reading Mother To Son by Kimberly Crouch, a mother, she provides lessons that will teach, inspire and provide hope for OUR sons. The wealth she espouses includes value, beauty, attitude, inequity, integrity, balance, quantifications, money, peer pressure, education and religion. Unfortunately, the world has gotten colder for our youth, especially OUR African American males. Whether you chose to read this book for you and your sons or for your friends' sons, Mother To Son is a book that should definitely be shared.

Black truly is beautiful and so are you!

Reviewed by: Crystal

An inspiring collection of letters all written by the author to her sons. In them she shares her personal experiences, gives advice, educates, and quotes from various prominent figures. One of many valuable lessons shared in this book is to embrace our African American Heritage. I liked the chapter on "The true measure of a man from a woman's perspective."
I think it's very important to share our own experiences with our children and Ms Crouch has done and excellent job of this in her letters without sounding like she is preaching.
This book is a treasure not only for our sons but our daughters too!

I only have one thought to share as I purchase copies of this book to give as gifts...
EVERY MAN SHOULD KNOW THEIR PAST IN ORDER TO STAND FIRM IN THEIR FUTURE.

Great Job Ms Crouch!!

Locksie
Star Rating *****5.0

As I was reading Mother to Son by Kimberley R. Crouch, I got to thinking how many single mothers we truly have out there. In her book, Crouch shares with readers a number of facts and various situations that will help any mother to raise a son. She gives a number of views by various people that are all encouraging.

I myself have no children, let alone a son. Yet as I reading this, I felt the power and the strength she was conveying to readers. She was real with the experiences she included in the book. I honestly believe that this book will be of great use to not only single mothers, but married mothers as well.

Reviewed by Mashawn
APOOO BookClub

With the advent of industrialism, most of us don't follow the footsteps of our fathers and don't work in the same field. Also we leave our fathers' houses as soon as we are off to college.

This has led to the demise of the tradition of learning from your father where a child would learn from his father as they both worked on the family business.

On a personal side, when my own father was visiting me, he found this book on my bookshelf and liked it a lot. Now he is about to pass away and I am reading this book to get a handle on this situation.

Joe Kita's book is an oyster overflowing with pearls. I harvested this one slowly, because it is clear how precious each one of them is. Wisdom of Our Father's does what other books try to do: it delivers on the promise of its title. Kita's essays about heroic men, deeply personal insights about his own father, and his courageous claims about what he knows team up with beautifully edited and organized information from fathers of all walks of life. And the true beauty of it is that the messages are universal. If you don't get this for your own dad for Father's Day, get it for yourself. Or your mom, wife, friends... Wisdom of our Fathers succeeds. It is a pleasure to read from endpaper to endpaper.

~~ Mark Clement, Author of The Carpenter's Notebook

All around great book. I highly recommed it. I lost my first copy and had to buy another. This and Jimmy the bartenders book and a great combination.

Every once in a while you read something that has a profound inpact on your life's perspective. This has got to be one of those reads. The questions here are those that you never ask but wished you had. I bought this for my father and many other men in my life, because after I read this I realized that, These are the questions that you should ask but few ever do. It's well worth the price.

I own this book. I bought it in 99 when they did the first printing. Since then I have given out over 50 copies to my friends families and new fathers I know. I am 30 now, it is 2008 and I just gave out another copy to my new father in law.

This book is still the best book I have read by far and will continue to be until I pass. Joe Kita was an amazing writer for Mens Health but this book is his best work I believe. The insights are amazing and the writing top notch. This book is a must buy.. for fathers, sons, and men in general.

I have seen Dr. LaBruna's work and his true compassion for his patients. His skill translates into an essential guide for anyone considering plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is not a spa day it is real surgery and requires careful consideration and a skilled doctor. This book will help people make safer choices. A must read!

THIS BOOK IS A GREAT. EVERYTHING THAT IS WRITTEN IS TRUE. I ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK. IT WAS VERY INTERESTING. DR.LABRUNA WAS VERY HONEST AND TRUTHFUL IN EVERY ASPECT WRITTEN. DR. LABRUNA IS A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE SURGEN, WITH AN EXTENSIVE BACKROUND.

THE DETAILS WERE GREAT AND HELPFUL. I HAVE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL BY READING THIS BOOK. IT HAS HELPED ME WITH MY PRE AND POST SURGERY DECISSIONS I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT OR HAVING ANY COSMETIC SURGERY OR ANY OTHER SURGERY.
D. LOWETH

I have just read this book and all the information it has available and think it is just great.Covers every aspect of this surgery that you can imagine and in easy simple language. it opens up a new world to woman and men that may be thinking of cosmetic surgery,and mayhave been a bit concerned....

Written by one of the country's most prominent and well known cosmetic surgeons, Dr. LaBruna has been surgeon to some of the most powerful and famous celebrities in the United States and abroad. From his practice at the New York Hospital and Weill Medical College of Cornell University in the heart of Manhattan, this book distills and dispenses Dr. Labruna's nearly two decades of experience gained from serving some of the world's most elite and demanding clientele. Now any patient can access these pearls of wisdom wherever they may be located, from finding a competent surgeon in their local region to what a patient may expect from particular cosmetic procedures. A patient-oriented advisory text for persons considering cosmetic surgery has been a notable unmet need in this field for some considerable time. This text is now the first of its type to meet this need exquisitely, and in such clear and concise language accessible to the layperson. This contribution is a true rare gem and a must read. That it is written by one of the field's most prominent and pivotal leaders makes it all the more remarkable and its recommendations all the more compelling. It is an instant seminal contribution to the field of cosmetic surgery that will endure for decades to come, benefiting future cosmetic surgery patients wherever they may be located. It is the text of first choice that I refer my patients to when they initially inquire about a possible cosmetic surgery procedure. It is highly recommend.

Written in a clear and concise manner for the layman, this book is a must for anyone considering plastic surgery. It outlines all you need from finding a competent surgeon, to the procedures themselves, to recovery time, to pain management and follow-up. If you are considering plastic surgery, this book is a major help.

A beautiful book for anyone you know touched by DES-women, men, family, friends, lawyers, and physicians. DES exposed people deserve acknowledgement and information about the drug they were exposed to before they were born. DES Stories does this while also bearing witness to the massive disruption of people's lives, which chemical exposure and drug breakthrough can cause. Get this book to feel empowered. It helps speak the truth.

Two of my sisters are exposed to the drug DES and are affected with infertility and cancer. DES touches every one in a family for the rest of their lives. This book brings home the impact of DES in an unforgettable way. I poured over the stories and photos. The stories are incredibly validating and candid, especially to see people's faces. It does a remarkable job of balancing the pain and suffering of DES but emphasizes people's positive, heroic emotions in dealing with DES. The timeline telling the truth about what was known about DES and when it was known is excellent. This is a very special book.

This book was a great book on true life stories and DES. It was so great for someone to write a book on illness which effect people everyday. I recomend it greatly!!!

HI folks - thought those of you who have not read "DES Stories" would enjoy these little excerpts re how I felt and others felt when they read it, and a bit of why Margaret wrote it. Please tell me what YOU think:

My response:
Reading this brought back to mind my experience reading your book. The first friend who gave it to me, a male, left it on my doorstep on November 6th last year, my 39th birthday, as a surprise little gift.

I remember being hugely excited as I unwrapped its package and I remember thinking that it was 21 years before on that same date when I found out I had cancer for the first time, on my 18th birthday.
(A nurse from the clinic at Balboa Hospital had come by and left her card with my roommate, reminding her that I must see the doctor again and why - she had left 2 previous messages the week before that I did not return, because it was my first day on the job at the Bank where I was then on that date, a full-fledged employee, instead of an intern. And I had not called back because I was busy preparing for that day and thought it was about more volunteer work, anyway.)

Anyway, what a gift. The first thing I usually do when I get home is run to the bathroom... I remember reading practically the entire book right there on the porcelain goddess.
(I had part of my bladder resected when the cancer spread the 1st go-round. It's fine now - all that delicious balloon stretching that I adored so much (yea, right!) had done a good job...I still drink a LOT of fluids.)

I know one woman who had cervical, vaginal and ovarian cancer and along with the clear cell adenocarcinoma they found choriocarcinoma when she had ovarian cancer. She had her cervix, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, lymph nodes and spleen completely removed. She has had 1/3rd of her bladder removed and reconstructed, 19 inches of her intestine and part of her omentum removed and my vagina reconstructed two times. She had 7 surgeries, external and internal radiation therapy and 4 separate mutli-round sessions of chemotherapy - all encompassing eight years of her life (18yrs old-almost 21 and 30yrs-37).
Today, she still has two tumors in her lumbar vertebrae - one the diameter of a quarter and the other a dime.
BUT - she is healthier than most anyone she knows! (Can you guess who "She" is?)

I remember the tears rolling down my face and rejoicing at the same time, that now the world would know it's true, it's still true and it still will be true and true anew for many yet to come, unfortunately. But now, it was in writing and not just in medical journals or my own doctor's handwriting. There were documented "others" and I was not alone. I, and my DES sisters were validated. And, if any MD dared mention to me that it was a long time ago and nothing of consequence today, I would have something in hand to proudly show him or her before I quietly walked out of their office forever.

The feeling of AWE that sticks with me today continues to amaze me. I brought it to a family picnic around Thanksgiving time last year to give to my mother who was visiting from out of town, and my oldest brother picked it up and read the whole thing right there. My mother picked it up and began reading it very shortly thereafter and even asked me questions! My boyfriend read the entire book the night I gave it to him to read.

What continues to strike me is how this book appears to magnetize the reader, pulls them in and keeps them there all the way through. I've never come across that before or seen someone else experience that either.

Why is that? I believe it's because the book is so subtle. From the colors on the cover to the pictures on the pages, the message within speaks loudly, yet softly of a quiet strength, of endurance. The details are not of morbid skeleton bones found in a closet or of gross deformities or fantastic miracles. Depicting man, woman, child - they successfully link all humankind. Which, combined in this wonderful book, induce the quiet force, revealing the present triumphs of real-life people. "DES Stories" chronicles each individual's rising to the purpose, of finding the answers with mastery of oneself and of circumstance.

It is a peaceful, very special honor to have something in common with these very brave human beings. They are prevailers. We are prevailers! For we are NOT victims, which is what the word 'survivor' connotes to me. We have overcome and become stronger and yes, better.
Love, Suzette

If you thought DES was a thing of the past - guess again. DES is alive and well. All you have to do is look into the faces staring up from the pages of this book and listen to the personal stories of the people exposed to this drug to know you are in the presence of a powerful force. No, I'm not referring to DES, although its impact is profound. I am referring to the miraculous ability of the human spirit to survive and transcend experiences most can only imagine. I know. I'm one of the survivors.

While you will not find my story contained within the pages of this book, I am there. I am a DES daughter, a cancer survivor. I am also a psychotherapist specializing in health psychology. Through my work, I hear a lot of stories, but few compare to those associated with the widespread medical mistake of DES.

Despite the scope of the problems created by this drug, those of us who live with the aftermath are in danger of being forgotten, or at least overlooked. Upon seeing a new physician recently, he said, "I was told in medical school that we wouldn't be seeing any more people exposed to DES." I informed him that I certainly hoped he wouldn't see any new cases of DES exposure, but there were plenty of us still walking around to tell the tale of DES and of our experiences with it. This book does precisely that - tell the tale.

Many thanks to Margaret Lee Braun and Nancy Stuart for a well-written and graphically poignant book. It is tasteful, respectful, and a much needed reminder that we are still here.

In Dr. Juliano's books, whether we are male or female, (female in this case) we are taught to live healthy lives. As the expression goes, "It takes one to know one." Either sex should carefully read the information in this powerful book. We are all living together with diabetes and must learn from each other. Thank you Dr. Joe!!!

While the scope of the book is "for men", I found much of the content was for any diabetic, a man or a woman. The chapters for the men I found created in me an awareness and empathy to these unique results of the disease to the male body.

Interested in researching your disease? Juliano has done a great deal of the work in researching diabetes and application to daily life. This is packed with information based on his personal research.

I plan to keep it as part of my reference library, even if I am a "lady".

Joe Juliano has done the diabetic male community a tremendous service. He has written about the history, treatment, and complications of diabetes in language understandable to the layman. He has given down-to-earth advice on diet, vitamins, exercise, and home blood glucose monitoring that is vital to health maintenance, and he has dealt with subjects not often talked about, like the health of the diabetic foot, male baldness, and erectile dysfunction. Above all he stresses the importance of positive thinking and the necessity for the diabetic, in conjunction with his medical team, to take control of the management of his disease. This is indeed an essential guide to living well for the male diabetic."

Excerpts from a letter from Dr. John P. Cooke, MD., Ph.D., to the author. Dr. Cooke is an Associate Professor of Medicine and is the Director, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine:

...I have to tell you that I learned a great deal. I read your book at one sitting, on a flight today to give a talk in the Midwest. I learned a few things from you which I will begin to incorporate into the care of my diabetic patients, and into my advice to my diabetic father.

I found most touching the passages describing your own struggle with diabetes, and quite compelling your anecdotes regarding friends and patients with diabetes. In your next book, these anecdotes should be increased in frequency throughout the text to improve readability for the lay person.

This book is a tour de force, and I congratulate you. I look forward to the sequel...

Chapter 12 is outstanding. I was transfixed by the description of your personal experience with a severe diabetic complication...

I enjoyed your section on nutrition and dietary supplements. You may wish to expand this section, and perhaps work with a dietician on some suggested menus for diabetic patients.

I enjoyed your chapter on diabetic impotence, and chapter on diabetic feet...

Joe, congratulations on a superb book. I admire your drive to help others with diabetes, and your tenacity to complete this book. Thanks again for allowing me to read it. I will recommend it to my diabetic patients.

John Cooke

Dr. Juliano's book was quite a pleasant surprise for me. This book covers an array of very important diabetic issues that are discused in a very intelligent format. Dr. Juliano is an Endocrinologist and a diabetic himself. This first hand experience from the age of 15 allows Dr. Juliano to share personal knowledge based on his own trial and error. The discussion of new and alternative treatment methods is what makes this book great. Dr. Juliano incorporates traditional western medicine with Nutrition and Acupuncture. By pointing out that Western medicine, Nutrition, and Acupuncture should be used together to improve a condition is a quantum leap for health care. Unfortunately most medical doctors have no understanding of nutrition and proper vitamin/mineral supplementation. This lack of knowledge limits the treatment options medical doctors offer us. It is quite refreshing to read a book by a medical doctor that addresses alternative medicine. This book is a wonderful compilation of the healing arts! Sincerely, Rick Womack President & CEO Progressive Research LabsEND