Women's Health Books

If you are a woman looking for a thoughtful review of our modern birthing culture this is a wonderful book. I have read a lot about birth options, perspectives of the birth experience, and midwifery history and philosophy but went away wanting for more. My desire to really explore an informed text about our birthing culture was finally satiated by this book. I am not an anthropologist by training and yet found the book accessible, educational, and challenging. I really suggest this book be read by everyone interested in the birth experience, partners, attendants, birthing woman, or children of technocracy.

If you really want to know what to expect when you're expecting, read this book and Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. If you'd really like to remove yourself from the technobirth machine, read Ina May Gaskin's Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Spiritual Midwifery. If you've always thought you might want a natural birth, read Peggy O'Mara's Having a Baby, Naturally. And remember this one thing: If you really (really) want a natural, unmedicated birth, don't give birth in a hospital.

This was a paradigm blowing must read for any woman. A fluid read and with intense narratives. The most educational book I've read in a long time.

The majority of obstetric procedures, from putting on a hospital gown to the birthing position itself, are unnecessary and sometimes dangerous rituals that are perpetuated by an authoritarian system in its desire to maintain control over a virtually uncontrollable process. Robbie Davis-Floyd has studied these rituals of birth; why taking the ride to L&D in the wheelchair sets up an invalid mindset in the laboring woman, and how the lithotomy position robs the woman of her birthing power, forcing her to rely on the medical professions to deliver her baby for her.

It is powerful stuff and difficult to accept, but truth sometimes is.

I was scared to death about breastfeeding my second son(my first was bottle-fed). I had read so many horror stories and all the things that can go wrong. This book made my life so much better. Really!! The books gives great encouragement and advice. It also is a great reference if you do have a problem. The New Mom Journal is AWESOME. You can track your feedings and the babies output so you know the baby is getting enough. Definely get this book if you are even considering breastfeeding. It is really the only breastfeeding book you need.

I HAVE GIVEN THIS BOOK TO NEW MOTHERS AT SEVERAL BABY SHOWERS. EVERY ONE OF THE NEW MOTHERS LOVED THE BOOK, AND FOUND IT VERY HELPFUL.

In Bon Appetit, Baby!, Elaine Moran has provided the new mother with a complete, reader friendly, breast feeding instruction guide in the form of a four-part book. Part 1 is "The Practical Breastfeeding Manual" which explains every aspect of breast feeding basics and helps new parents identify and appropriately manage early breast feeding difficulties and common newborn problems. Part 2 is "The Complete Nutrition and Weight Loss Guide" showing the nursing mother how to maintain her own good health and provide her baby with an optimal milk supply, while safely and naturally returning to her prepregnancy weight. Part 3 is "The Six-Week Nursing Diary with the Nurse-N-Track System", a two-part diary for easy monitoring of breast feeding progress during the first six weeks postpartum. Part 4 is "The New Mother's Journal" offering a place to record precious memories of the first days of motherhood with specific questions, ideas starters and inspirational quotations to inspire creative journal writing. Bon Appetit, Baby! is an ideal gift and "must" reading for anyone contemplating breast feeding their baby.

I bought this book mainly because the "Six Week Nursing Diary with the Nurse and Track System" seemed like a simple way to keep track of my newborn's feeding habits. Having successfully nursed my first child, I wasn't looking for another "how to" book on breastfeeding. However I found the info in this book was presented very clearly and concisely and wished I had bought it before the birth of my 1st child. It covers all the breastfeeding basics thus making it a good "refresher guide" for experienced moms and a good "getting started guide" for new moms. Plus the nursing diary is wonderful! I recommend buying this book for your basic breastfeeding needs and buying a more complete reference book for info pertaining to specific problems that may arise.

I really like the information provided in this book. It gave a great insight into Borderline Personality Disorder. I think that all in the medical field, including teachers, would benefit from reading this book. Thanks for offering this opportunity in your selection of literature. It was easy to read and understand.

I was recently diagnosed with BPD and am just starting to research it and found this book. I looked at a couple others but compared to this one, this one was by far the best. I especially liked the part talking about common myths with BPD, it was very encouraging.

I was preparing for a presentation for NAMI and was asked to help clients, family members, and other professionals understand BPD. I found this to be an important task due to the negative information that is out there on BPD. This book was published just prior to the date of the presentation and I used it as a main source for the presentation and recommended it to all who attended. I also highly recommended it to my consultation team as something they may benefit from reading as well as to recommend for their clients. I found this book to be very informative, describing BPD from the model used within DBT therapy. The book was hopeful and inspiring to me in working with clients with BPD and I hope this book is read by many. I thank the authors for writing a book that is so user friendly. Several of my clients have benefited from this book already!

As someone diagnosed with BPD, I have done a lot of research on the condition, both online and by reading any book written on the subject. Many of those books (except for BPD Demystified)are extremely outdated, even if they're only a few years old. And many of them were disappointedly irresponsible, being quite negative and insisting that the prognosis was always dire and/or perpetuating the huge myth that those diagnosed with BPD are basically manipulative.

I say this because this book is different. It has the latest information on BPD, from what it is, how it may come about, what therapies are out there, if medication helps, and, quite important, speaks about new research on the brain and how this research shows actual physical differences in those with BPD. The book succeeds most in 2 particular ways: (1) In the way it is organized. Well-written chapters, clear headings and subheadings, easy for anyone and everyone to understand, and comprehensive summaries at chapter ends to note the main points. The books is also divided into Parts I and II, to make the focus and direction even clearer. For this alone, it is a book I would recommend to anyone interested in BPD, whether a professional, consumer, family member, friend, student, etc.

And furthermore, (2) The Survival Guide does not take one position and stubbornly adhere to it. It recognizes that there are many differences among those diagnosed with BPD, even as the similarities in how they "match" the criteria kinda puts us all in the same group. Of all the information out there, it presents the most "open" view, meaning that it is informative and hopeful and recognizes that this is a complex condition but that it is indeed treatable. And the authors cite many studies to back up their points. They don't pretend to have all the answers, but instead create an opening for real dialog and discussion.

I recommend this book wholeheartedly, without any reservation whatsoever. It will educate you, let you see the individuality of people diagnosed with BPD, and present you with the latest in therapy and in research, without prejudice. I am thankful for this book. It is honest and impartial. And perhaps above all else, that's what BPD literature presently needs the most.

Bounce Back Into Shape After Baby by physical therapist and exercise specialist Caroline C. Creager (Founder and CEO, Executive Physical Therapy, Inc., Berthoud, Colorado) is an energetic, authoritative health and workout guide designed specifically for new mothers. Individual chapters address exercise guidelines for mothers recovering from vaginal delivery, Cesarean delivery recovery, techniques for managing Cesarean scar tissue, ways to strengthen weakened abdominal muscles, balancing exercise with breast feeding, the value of working out on a ball, fitting exercise into a busy schedule and much more. Bounce Back Into Shape After Baby is a superbly presented and "user friendly" health and exercise guidebook and especially recommended for young mothers who may feel overwhelmed but don't want to neglect their physical well-being.

Finally an excercise program that is written by a mom who understands, that working out is not a priority. Caroline fully understands the time limitation of moms. This has been a great program to get me going again, I feel good about myself. I kept thinking I would start working out, tomorrow, next week, next month etc., but this program makes working out attainable by working it into my day. By starting out with just 10 minutes a day I felt like I was accomplising something, now I do it twice a day and feel like I can add more time. THANK YOU - this is the best and strongest I've felt in a long time!

I highly recommend this book! As a middle-aged grandma, I was initially interested in this book for myself, as I will soon have an abdominal hysterectomy, and will be needing some gentle, yet effective post-op abdominal exercises. I am also an RN/certified fitness trainer, so I have used Caroline Creager's books in the past. I am finding this book to be an excellent source for my clients, especially new moms, and people like myself, needing strengthening after surgery. The section on diaphragmatic breathing is essential for the post-op period. Although this is a postpartum program, most exercises could apply to anyone, as they emphasize strengthening the core, which is fundamental in beginning an exercise program. The exercises and stretches using the Swiss ball would benefit anyone, young and old, as they are safe, functional, and help to improve posture and balance.

But first and foremost, this book is a must for the new mother, full of fun, energy-efficient workouts,demonstrated by Caroline and her baby. There is emphasis on posture, as well as the proper body mechanics in lifting and carrying baby to support your back and prevent injury. The exercises are beneficial to baby as well, aiding sleep, improving strength, balance and socialization. What a great way to interact and bond with your baby! This would be a unique and much appreciated gift for mom and baby.

This is a gentle, flexible exercise routine that begins with exercise routines suitable 24 hours after birth that start off with 5 minutes of floor exercises (with no balance ball or other equipment at this point) and 5 minutes of walking.

The goal for the first level of exercises is not to lose weight but to enhance the mothers' physical condition and to enhance recovery after childbirth. There are special exercises to help heal c-section incision area and simple things to do to help prevent c-section scar adhesions. Other exercises help episiotomy site healing, separation of diastasis recti (abdominal muscles) due to pregnancy and exercises for recovering from urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence (which has been linked in a study to be caused by episiotomies).

Another important focus of the book is the goal of not having back pain. The book teaches prevention of back and shoulder injury by teaching proper positions for holding baby, breastfeeding, and lifting baby up, such as when lifting out of crib. Using a stroller is discouraged if the woman has carpal tunnel syndrome due to pregnancy as pushing the stroller can further aggravate the pain and the condition. Use of a front pack baby carrier is recommended as a back-healthy way to carry baby and proper usage of it (so it is comfortable and doesn't cause back pain) is outlined by the author. I have witnessed many people wearning their baby carriers in a way that causes back pain, I encourage everyone to read the manufacturers directions and this authors' directions so using this style baby carrier doesn't cause you pain!

The program progresses in stages up to a 5-star difficulty rating, as the woman desires to get into physical shape with increased aerobic activity designed for fat burning, weight loss and increased muscle strength.

The book features cutout one-sided pages that illustrate an entire workout by name, order, and illustration so the mother can carry it with her for reference rather than propping up the book and trying to keep the book open during the workout. Later in the book are the longer, detailed instructions for each exercise.

There are loads of references to studies on everything from why a vaginal birth is easier on a woman's body to why an episiotomy can cause a woman physical problems to why breastfeeding is beneficial. I was surprised to see so many studies cited throughout the text and in side bar quotes.

Other than some stretching exercises, breathing and abdominal exercies, the baby is incorporated into the routine (but it looks to me that this is only possible when the baby can strongly hold up his/her neck), which is great because doing the exercises won't require mother and baby separation. The exercises can be done in short segments multiple times during the day when the busy mother can carve out these small time segments.

Breastfeeding is portrayed in a positive light, including a photo of the author breastfeeding and with tidbits of positive research about breastfeeding's health benefits and personal opinions of the author about enhancing bonding between mother and baby.

An attitude and emphasis on the woman being the expert of her body is throughout. It begins with self-tests for separation of abdominal exercises, Kegel muscle self tests, etc. and urges the woman to listen to her own body. Using the information in this book the woman can design her own workout schedule and assess her own body's strengths, weaknesses and areas that would benefit from exercising. This book does not promote reliance on exercise clubs, gyms, etc. so this is a low-expense workout. The balance ball that is used in later parts of the text costs about $30 and can be used in the home (which is far less money than most exercise shoes cost).

I especially appreciated that this book does not portray pregnancy or childbirth in a negative light. It is not like other books that almost treat pregnancy as a bad thing for making the woman gain weight and other body changes occur that are negative. It does *not* have the attitude that as soon as the baby is born a mission must begin to get in shape and lose fat. There is no negative language about the physical appearance of the body while pregnant or after the baby is born. The book is more focused on feeling good, developing strong core muscles, and being able to live pain-free.

This is not a killer-workout that requires huge amounts of time and energy; it is definitely do-able at all the stages of difficulty, and will definitely help any mother who uses it.

As a 34 year old adult woman with epielpsy, I found this book to be a godsend. I was given this book by Dr. Schachter this year. In reading this book, I found that other women share my trials and triumphs with epilepsy. I recommend this book as well as the other "Brainstorms" books. This book should be read by all women with epilespy.

This is a wonderful book. It is a series of different women's narrations of experiences with their epilepsy. The women range in age and interest, as well as to the severety with which their epilepsy has affected their lives. It felt great to put my own difficulties with this illness into context through hearing of other epileptic women.
This is a great book to read if you are an epileptic woman, or the husband/ partner/ boyfriend/ girlfriend friend or relative of one.
So far my father has read it, and I think it has given him a better starting off point with which to talk about my epilepsy with me. (I already have a line of friends and family waiting to read this book.)
The book's author Dr. Krishnamurthy, also heads a comprehensive epilepsy center through Boston's Beth Isreal Hospital. More information about the center is in the book and it is definatly worth investigating.

As a 50 year old woman recently diagnosed with Complex Partial Seizures, this book has been a godsend. I actually thought I was losing my mind; but reading this has helped me to understand that I am not alone. I will now pass this book on to my children and family to read along with my friends so they will also understand just what I am going through. At last, I can have some peace of mind knowing that others have felt the same as I have..... Great book, very easy to read. All women diagnosed with epilepsy should read this book.

This is the first book I've found that shares experiences of adults with epilepsy. It's filled with a variety true stories of adults living with epilepsy. It's very engaging, and makes the reality of epilepsy not so painful and shameful. I found myself on many of the pages and I learned so much.

If you really care about your health and TRULY PREVENTING BREAST CANCER, this book is a must read!

Dr. Epstein is a beacon of truth in explaining how we are exposed to so many toxins and pollutants that our immune systems break down and can't naturally fight cancer cells.

Our current medical approach is WAIT UNTIL THE CANCER SHOWS UP IN A MAMMOGRAM then assult the cancer and your own immune system with poisons and surgery. Dr. Epstein says: Cut your exposure to toxins and strengthen your own immune system so that you reduce your risk of ever getting cancer.

Which approach will you chose?

At last, somebody who tells the horrifying truth about the American Cancer Society and how they have let us down for profit.

I would never trust anything the American Cancer Society says. They are very biased in favor of expensive pharmaceuticals with cancer-causing side-effects. They are the wealthiest "charity" in America, with cash reserves of $1 Billion.

The Role of the ACS in the War Against Cancer

The verdict is unassailable. The American Cancer Society bears a major responsibility for losing the winnable war against cancer.
The launching of the 1971 War Against Cancer provided the ACS with a well-exploited opportunity to pursue it own myopic and self-interested agenda. Its strategies remain based on two lies -- that there has been dramatic progress in the treatment and cure of cancer, and that any increase in the incidence and mortality of cancer is due to aging of the population and smoking while denying any significant role for involuntary exposures to industrial carcinogens in air, water, consumer products and the workplace.

Most of the funds raised by ACS go to pay overhead, salaries, fringe benefits, and travel expenses of its national executives in Atlanta. They also go to pay Chief Executive Officers, who earn six-figure salaries in several states, and the hundreds of other employees who work out of some 3,000 regional offices nationwide. The typical ACS affiliate, which helps raise the money for the national office, spends more than 52 percent of its budget on salaries, pensions, fringe benefits, and overhead for its own employees.

Salaries and overhead for most ACS affiliates also exceeded 50 percent, although most direct community services are handled by unpaid volunteers. DiLorenzo summed up his findings by emphasizing the hoarding of funds by the ACS.

"Most contributors believe their donations are being used to fight cancer, not to accumulate financial reserves. More progress in the war against cancer would be made if they would divest some of their real estate holdings and use the proceeds -- as well as a portion of their cash reserves -- to provide more cancer services."

Aside from high salaries and overhead, most of what is left of the ACS budget goes to basic research and research into profitable, patented cancer drugs.

The current budget of the ACS is $380 million and its cash reserves approach one billion dollars. Yet its aggressive fund-raising campaign continues to plead poverty, and lament the lack of available money for cancer research, while ignoring efforts to prevent cancer by phasing out avoidable exposures to environmental and occupational carcinogens.

Meanwhile, the ACS is silent about its intricate relationships with the wealthy cancer drug industry and chemical industries.

Read more....... http://www.corporations.org/cancer/boycottacs.html

I just finished this book today and found it very useful. The authors presented many helpful facts and cited many credible research trials and journal articles to support their points. I did not find the book to be inflammatory or alarmist, just filled with useful, practical and illuminating tips about what women can do to lower their risk for breast cancer. I admire the book's "prevention" approach: why wait for breast cancer to appear before getting into action? So many of the book's suggestions contribute to overall health in general, it just makes good sense to follow them.

I was concerned to find out how many elevated risk factors I already have for breast cancer (some of which I already knew, first among them being my mother's death from the disease at age 43). However, this book did make me feel that there are at least some health and environmental factors I can affect with my decisions and behavior; learning of my elevated risk only invigorates my commitment to doing all that I can in an effort not to add to those risks.

The book's expose on the dangers of mammography for premenopausal women and the elevated risks of breast cancer associated with oral contraceptives was especially eye-opening to me. It is a shame that corporate interests and profit margins in this country often seem to take precedence over good health information and awareness. Read the book in an effort to gather the most information that you can about risk factors for this disease; it will be worth your time.

This book contains valuable information that the cancer establishment will not tell you about. Dr. Epstein presents us with information that will drastically change the way we see breast cancer prevention.It is a must read for anyone with a history of breast cancer in thier family!

Okay, there are two main reasons why I never bought this book:

1. I'm a guy.
2. I'm already in top physical condition.

So, how can I review a book I don't even own? Easy. I used to look through the book a lot when I saw it in bookstores.

Why did I look through it? Because Cameo Kneuer is INCREDIBLY hot and there are a lot of hot pictures of her in this book.

What a face, what a body, what a personality, what a - everything!

I did skim through some of the writing in this book and Cameo seems to really know what she's talking about. Plus, look at her body on the cover. She obviously knows a lot about good fitness!

Cameo Fitness is an excellent book on getting fit without getting bored. You can custom tailor a fitness program based on your individual goals and favorite activities. I lost my copy when I moved! I hope the publisher will reprint this book soon. It is a great guide.

Reading fitness and health books has been a hobby of mine for years and years. I came across Cameo Fitness many years ago and it has been my main resource book for true and concise exercise and nutrition information. It hasn't been available for sometime now but hopefully more will be published as many people could benefit from this book. It is all the information I've found to be true over the years in one place. The pictures are motivating. For all the people who want to start an exercise program but don't know where to begin, Cameo has outlined several programs based on your particular goal. Each program is spelled out for you so there's no guesswork involved and you don't even have to go the gym if you don't want to. Everything can be done at home easily. I highly recommend it.

I picked up a copy of Cameo Fitness when it first came out at a local pharmacy store. I had purchased a few such books in the past, but to no resolve. I just couldn't ge motivated. It was a totally different story with this book, however. I read the book from front to back over the next two weeks, and was so moved by her, that I immediately began setting up a fitness program specially designed for me from the variety of options in her book. I was especially moved by her testimonial. Her measurements before she started training were the same as mine, and I knew that I could achieve amazing results if I only followed her plan. I lost 40 pounds in 3 months of following her "Super" plan, and I was simply amazed by the results. It is a well-rounded plan, and it gives you many options to chose from, which keeps it from getting boring.

I think the best thing about this book is the way it was written, because it motivated me to make a perminant change in my lifestyle and eating habits. I needed that motivation.

This book helped me realize I was not the only one. I was diagnosed at 23 with Primary Mediastinal Large B cell Lymphoma and went through chemo, radiation, more chemo, and stem cell transplant much like Rebecca. It gave me much comfort that she went thru this years ago and is still here. There is not enough stories for young people with cancer, this is truly a wonderful book, I found myself connecting with everything she had to say almost like it was my experience only 10 years earlier. Thank you for writing such a wonderful book.

Rebecca Gifford was only 22 years old when she was diagnosed with life-threatening cancer: this is her story of diagnosis, treatment and recovery: a story of coming of age with cancer which involved her entire family. There are relatively few accounts of young people struggling with cancer: Cancer Happens documents Gifford's challenges and her ability to be a patient advocate and choose her treatment options throughout.

This book was so revealing and raw...I knew battling cancer was a huge and difficult process, but I had no idea the range and depth of emotions/issues that a person has to deal with, and especially at such a weird age. The book was hilarious, entertaining, heart-breaking, and hopeful all at the same time. A great read for anyone, but especially for those who are battling cancer or love someone who is.

Finally someone who conquers cancer with a sharp tongue, a quick wit and without a bunch sap. Cancer Happens is the first book I've read about cancer where I was laughing one minute, then biting my nails and then sobbing like no 31 year old man should ever admit. Ms. Gifford pulls no punches. She lets you inside to see all of her pain, sorrow, bitchiness, fear, and frustration -- and it's funny. She makes you feel like you're sitting right next to her at the bar after support group meetings downing margaritas -- and you don't want her to stop talking. A great read about living life to the max no matter what gets in your way.

Caregivers Tale is a fascinating and terrifying account of how quickly and often life can go out of control once traumatic brain injury enters the picture. Marie Gass was meticulous in communicating with friends and family after her husband Don's injury. This and her own practice of writing out history as it happens allowed her to assemble an amazingly detailed account of what happened to her life when Don's recovery took it over. The story is well written and very personal. It will be a great help to anyone caring for a loved one under these circumstances.

I found it hard to put this book down. It's so well written that it just draws you right in. I think it would benefit anyone who's involved in care giving. It's told from the caregiver's point of view and you feel like you're there going through each crisis as it happens. It made me realize that a trauma changes not only the victim's life, but also the lives of the family. It made see things from a totally different perspective. The first part of the book concerns the accident and it's consequences. The author conveys a real sense of the couple's personalities. You come to know and care for them through the love and friendship they share. The second part of the book deals with the following years, and living with the results of the injury. The author has been caring for her husband for seven years. She's very honest about her frustration and feelings. I think it's most encouraging for other caregivers experiencing the same emotional roller coaster to know that they are not alone, and they are having normal reactions to extraordinary situations. Anyhow, I was so impressed I bought another copy to give to a friend of mine who's her Mother's caregiver, and have recommended this book to several others.

A "must read" for any caregiver. The detailed case study takes the reader inside the caregiver/spouse's head. Experience the confusion, the pathos, the exhaustion, the hopes and dashed hopes, and the tedium of a life completely changed by an unfortunate incident.

The excellent writing style, the clarity, the humor and pathos, and the very practical issues presented make this a very valuable book. Interspersed are original verses (one of which, Living With Brain Injury, was published in NorthwestCaregiver newsletter).

I laughed and cried and relived my own caregiving experiences. Marie created a protective dome to shield her from hurt. In my case, I called it the "frozen face". I could feel when my patience was stretched almost to the breaking point and my face would stop showing emotion and become a stoic mask.

This would also be a valuable read for those who are uncertain how to help or relate to couples going through "chronic crisis" situations. Her reaction to "canned consolations" is eye opening. Positive suggestions are given for how friends can help instead of withdrawing.

This caregiver's personal life with its art expression, the warm closeness of being a couple with her husband, the freedom to do what and when she wishes, and the joy of just "being" and not constantly "on duty, on call" was lost. I believe that one who hasn't experienced this reality first hand can't really understand or relate to the full-time caregiver role. Living Marie's experience through her perceptions, thoughts, and insights so clearly expressed is an invaluable teaching aid which should be required reading for nursing students, social work students, and all practitioners in the healthcare field.

I highly recommend this book.

Esther Halvorson-Hill, Professor Emeritus
Oregon Health & Science University
Dean of Nursing, Southern Oregon University

I have fallen in love with your story! I find it hard not to pick up during the day, then I have a hard time putting it down. If I just say I'll read a paragraph more, next thing I have polished off 5 more pages and I'm late with something. I especially appreciate your sense of humor. I know in this crazy brain damaged world, it's important to not fall into the "poor us" abyss.

The similarities in our stories are the fall, complications as the body tries to survive, the outpouring of help in the beginning. The whole range of emotions from devastation to hope to Oh my God why me.

In all honesty I loved your book and yet there were times when I was scared of your book. Sometimes I needed to put it down for a few days, to give myself time to deal with the realization that my partner, although alive, may be lost to me forever. You hit the nail right on the head when you said, Progress is not always permanent. Your story made me laugh, cry, and hope for a better tomorrow.

I recommend your book--you have a wonderful way with words and it helps the rest of us to finally have the words to say what is going on inside. I want to most of all thank you for helping me heal by reading this book. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for that the most.

Linda Schumann
Caregiver to TBI husband, beginning Year Three

I am amazed that there are only 3 reviews of this wonderful book. I LOVE this book. It affirmed many of my beliefs regarding the celebration of femininity. So many wonderful suggestions for connecting to our daughters from infancy through adolescence -- remembering and reviving the ways women have honored their daughters for centuries. The simple gesture of brushing your daughter's hair will take on new meaning. When my daughter was younger (she is currently 17!), this book was a wonderful guide. I gave this as a baby shower gift a few years ago and recently crossed paths with the mother. She expressed how grateful she was to have the book -- how she wished HER mother had had such a resource. By the way, if you are thinking about a gift for a mother of an adolescent girl, buy the author's other book: Embracing Persephone -- a must-read for a mother of a middle school or high school girl.

I came upon this book by accident. I was searching the library shelves for books on adolescents for a reasearch paper on troubled youth, and all of a sudden a little pink and purple colored book came falling off the shelf. It turned out to be one of those little moments where you could sense destiny happening before your eyes.
What started out as a research paper for school, turned into a major life changing moment. I can't help wishing that my mother could have read this book before I was born...how different my journey into adulthood would have been!!!
This is an inspiring book that can help parents raise their daughters with dignity, and a sense of self, in a world where Brittney Spears seems to be of high influence, kids complain because they have only ONE pair of [expensive] shoes, and expect not only a [expensive] Nintendo Play Station, but other holiday/birthday gifts as well (what ever happened to begging for the simple pony)?
In fact, I would not only recommend this for parents, but for anyone who is looking to make peace, and mend relationships with their own parents. It helped me to understand myself and my childhood a whole lot better. It's a wonderful, wonderful book. Every young girl should be under its influence.

This book really gave me some insight into raising my daughter. It explores the differences in the way girls and women are raised in other cultures as well as our own. It helped me to really look to my daughters spirit and nurture her at the heart of it. I gave it to a friend and now I'm purchasing another copy!

Reviving Ophelia, while necessary and in my opinion accurate, was pretty discouraging. It talked all about the problems of how girls' self-esteem plummets during puberty. And it compares girls to a tree in a hurricane who need the support of others to survive. But Reviving Ophelia doesn't give much advice as to what a parent can do.

I really liked this book because it gave a lot of concrete examples of how to make your daughter proud of being a woman. From doing the hair of a toddler to coming of age ceremonies, this book had a lot of good suggestions. I also liked that it had examples of how things are done in other cultures such as certain Native American or African groups of people.