Medicine and Health Books

Make no mistake: this book can be very tough sledding. Reading about the sad, often lonely, always uncomfortable deaths Scannell's patients suffered would be tough for any but the most hard-hearted reader to take. How could anyone not cry when reading about the dying man who wanted nothing more than to end his life in the midwestern home he grew up in, yet was forbidden to do so -- and therefore died alone, far away -- because his parents feared his son's illness would turn their small community against them? Yet it is against this backdrop of sadness and isolation that Scannell writes about her tender, compassionate, and often very creative ways of caring for her patients. Through her eyes we can see that, even when there is no hope of extending life, the lives of the dying can still be valued and enriched in the time they do still have. On a personal note, although I haven't lost nearly as many friends to HIV/AIDS in the last 20 years as some have, I have still attended far more than my share of memorial services and have said goodbye (or worse, not had the chance to say goodbye) to a handful of friends who I sometimes still cannot believe are really gone. I remember all too well the dark days Scannell writes about, and am grateful that advances in medicine since the mid-90s have helped reduce the terrible loss of human life. But the lessons Scannell offers are timeless and independent of person or illness. I don't recommend this book if you are currently coming to terms with a loss, because it may prove to be too painful. But if you are starting to lose your faith in mankind and need a dose of humanity, reading a few chapters of Scannell's book can offer a healthy reorientation.

This is one of the most touching, beautiful books I have ever read. Scannell shares her life with her readers and honors the memories of her AIDS patients through her her series of "anecdotes." Each chapter is a different story, or memory, making it easy to read over a span of a week or more, or even in a day. In it, she touches upon a variety of issues like healthcare, sexuality, gender, death, family, and fear and she talks about her evolving from a good doctor (i.e. seeing the patient's physical needs) to a compassionate doctor (treating the patient holistically and considering their emotional needs).
In the last chapter she reflects on her five years of experience on an AIDS ward and how it helps her cope with her discovery that she has cancer.
When I read this book, I felt like she was next to me in person telling me these stories. I laughed; I got sad; I felt hopeful. This is a testament to human life, and I would recommend this easy read to anyone.

Beautifully written and mesmerizing stories. It's extraordinary, and even reassuring, to read the reflections of a doctor who is so carefully aware of the human and spiritual depths of the doctor-patient relationship. It's unforgettable and shouldn't be missed.

What a wonderful set of truths Scannell reveals in her experiences of caring for dying patients. Honest, raw, funny experiences that shed light into a world few of us can ever know. How great, too, that she "expands the traditional narrative" of physicians' lives.

There exist so few memoirs written by women physicians. It is refreshing to see Dr. Scannell's experience expand the narrative about all physicians' lives. Her mix of humor and sober observation is a beautiful weave of writing.

Very detailed information about most herbs, I wish there were more in there, but the ones they do list are very detailed in their descriptions.

I wholeheartedly agree with the other reviewers that this is a 5-star book and an important volume to include in your herbal library - or if you are looking for ONE herbal book, this is it.

Each entry has information on the history and lore of not only the herb, but even its name; where and how it grows, how to cultivate (that information is often left out of other books, which just tell you what part of the plant to use, now HOW to use them), and any supporting scientific evidence (or lack thereof).

The sections on geographic locations worldwide and their indiginous plants and cultural contributions to herbalism are unlike anything in any other herbal book I've seen. I could not put this one down, I turned each page with the same enthusiasm I'd have had for a suspense thriller, and this is a reference book, not something that would normally garner excited responses like that. Don't pass this one up!

There are so many herbal books on the market today that one could wonder about the need for yet another, even with the National Geographic branding attached to it promising quality - but DESK REFERENCE TO NATURE'S MEDICINE offers something different. It's put together not by a single person but by leading experts in the herbal medicine field, it packs in over 200 color photos, 150 botanical drawings and over 150 maps, and its alphabetical arrangement of therapeutical plants covers not just physical appearance and medicinal properties but geographic distribution, how it's harvested in used, and more. Nine essays provide an overview to world healing traditions while handy sidebars of detail pack in the history and cultural insights, making for a practical manual which is also a superb history.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

The National Geographic Society is known for producing high quality books and this is a fine example of one of their best works. The book is being promoted using their brand name rather then the names of the authors. I would like to acknowledge the authors Steven Foster and Rebecca Johnson; with Botanical paintings by Jane Watkins and Mary Eaton; and color photographs by Steven Foster.

I am familiar with the writings and beautiful plant photographs of Steven Foster and believe that he is one of the finest authors on medicinal plants.

This book contains in-depth and up-to-date profiles of 150 medicinal plants including herbal and pharmaceutical uses, cultural and scientific information and a botanical painting, map and color photograph for each plant.

The book has been well researched and provides a significant amount of information that is both succinct and clear, not lacking in any way. A reader would have to consult dozens of books to find the same information presented in this one volume.

The book is highly recommended for the general reader, herbalist, health professional and certainly every library.

This book is beautiful It has full color pictures. It also has lots of information. Maps and locations on where the plants are usally found. It is a thick hard cover book. A great addtion to anyones library. Great for gardening, medicine or science.

My husband struggled with many health issues . Often he referred to this book . It helped him manage his diabetes better . The part on how to eat and manage when ill is very good.

Although I am a physician and knew alot about diabetes already, I found this book helpful when I was diagnosed with the disease. It is also useful for other family members to read so that they may understand what their loved ones are facing.

I bought this book many years ago when I first discovered I had diabetes. It has been a god send. I use it as my bible. You forget from time to time and it is the best reference book I know of. In fact my daughter just became aware that she also has this disease and I purchased her a copy of this book. She agrees with me. It has helped her as well.

Diabetes Mellitus: A Practical Handbook is an excellent book. I would highly recommend it for newly diagnosed diabetes patients as well as diabetics who are "old timers" at this disease. The food exchange lists are simply fantastic as they are divided into "lean meat" with serving portions, "medium fat exchange", and "high-fat meat" with serving portion sizes. The vegetable choices, fruit choices, bread/starch choices. All of this makes life a little more easier when you are suddenly faced with a new way of eating. The sample meal plans are wonderful too. This book should be on the reference list of all physicians who have or will have diabetic patients. The book is written in a clear and easy format and it is simple to understand. I would also recommend it for the younger adolescent diabetic.

This book has easy to read tables and lists of blood sugar levels and information about foods that diabetics can eat, and how they affect sugar levels. I definately recommend this book to others with diabetes and/or diabetic family members.

Genre: Health/Well-being

Title: Diabetes: Sugar-Coated Crisis

Author: David Spero, RN

"We are a product of our environment." How many times have we heard that cliché?
Anyone who reads or watches the news is aware of the catastrophic epidemic of Diabetes, especially Type 2 (T2D). Diabetes has increased by 400% in the last 30 years, to become the fourth leading cause of death in the US.
With concise, understandable facts, Diabetes is presented as a social disease, largely caused by the individuals loss of power, economically and personally. Food alone cannot be blamed, car travel instead of walking, sedentary jobs and increasingly high levels of stress are just a few facts to be aware of. Genetics and trauma that damages self-confidence has been proven not just individually based but on whole groups of people. Native Americans, African-Americans and other groups with historical trauma, pass the stress of grief, anger and fear down to the next generations as post-traumatic stress disorder.
The chapter, Diabetes 101 gives you basic knowledge of Diabetes itself. The body loses it's ability to breakdown carbohydrates into our primary source of energy, glucose. We produce a hormone from the pancreas called insulin which facilitates the entry of glucose into body cells. It becomes our fuel or if there is extra glucose, it is converted into fat. In Type 1 Diabetes, the pancreatic cells have been compromised and no longer produce insulin. In Type 2, insulin is still produced but the cells don't want any more so the glucose builds up in the blood stream. Refined sugar is an addictive drug because it raises the body's level of serotonin which fights depression and beta-endorphin which is our own natural version of opiate drugs. These two chemicals give you a sense of control and calm therefore we crave sugar, "comfort foods."
Our society is high in sugar and stress, low in social support and opportunities to exercise. Unfortunately, medical systems focus on genetics, biochemistry and drug therapy. Governments spend billions on researching cures when the money would be better spent on education and prevention.
David Spero, RN is an author who has gone to great lengths to educate his readers and provides a valuable self-care chapter and resource guide. While reading, you actually feel like he is sitting beside you, coaching the need to survive. He believes that by becoming more active, eating healthier, well balanced with relaxation, your self-esteem and self-empowerment will rise, ultimately creating better quality of life.
I highly recommend everyone read this enlightening book. Reviewer: Cheryl Ellis, Allbooks Review.

This is a wonderful book! I have never read anything like it. It's part self-help guide, part social criticism, part strategy for social change. In discussing causes and solutions to the diabetes crisis, Spero shows the connections of health issues, not only with emotional wellbeing--what is usually called a holistic approach--but also with family, community, politics, social power, and social justice. And he does all of this in a gentle, caring, humorous, and down-to-earth voice that makes you feel like he's sitting in your kitchen talking to you, and that he really cares about and respects you. He attacks our culture's blame-the-victim explanations for overweight and diabetes, showing how the stresses of social injustice, isolation, and materialism--as well as environments that make exercise difficult and unhealthy food readily available--contribute to disease. But the best part is his discussion of steps people can take toward self-care and empowerment, on an individual, group, community, and societal level. He includes dozens of inspiring stories of how ordinary people--both people with diabetes and health professionals--are building new, more effective ways to promote personal and community wellness. All of this is supported by clearly presented scientific evidence--- including numerous studies showing that personal and group empowerment produce better clinical results in controlling diabetes than medication! Anyone who cares about healing and wellness on an individual, community, or societal level will love this book!

Unlike most medical writers, David has mounted a complete discussion about the diabetes epidemic that has hit our nation. He not only deals with the medical facts we need to know in dealing with this disease, he investigates the wider picture: the sociological implications of the disease. How Type 2 diabetes is not simply a medical problem as it is a social pandemic caused by toxic environment: an environment high in stress and sugar, low in opportunities to exercise or feel good about oneself - and a lack of power. Yes, if you feel he is saying that the poor and the disadvantaged have a greater susceptibility to the disease, you are right and he covers this point very well.
No where else have I seen such a complete discussion of the disease as I have found in this book.
David Spero's book should be in the library of every person in America who has borderline or onset diabetes.
As it says on the cover: This is "the first book to bring to life effective social approaches to wellness." This book transcends the standard medical treatments of diabetes and brings not only medical, but also social truth

I just finished reading this book -- in one sitting, mind you, and
that's saying a lot for somebody who doesn't have diabetes and hasn't had an
overwhelming interest in chronic disease. But it's a good & compelling
read. For instance, how can you resist little tidbits like the fact
that dinosaurs have arthritis, or that Cubans have the same life expectancy
as Americans with only 4% the health care outlay.....

Any writer on the diabetes epidemic might easily fall into one of two
errors: either growing paranoid and hateful toward the power structures
that support the epidemic, or else downplaying the contributing social,
political & economic outrages. I thought Spero did a great & graceful
job in balancing between the two -- painting a very full picture, without
getting stuck in blame or hatred.

Especially liked the tone of the ending, positive without any trace of
smarm.

It must be hard to write a book for everybody -- individuals with the
disease as well as health care workers, policy people, community
organizers -- but Spero has probably done that as well as it could be
done.

I suspect this book has the power to change a lot of lives. It could be
a classic.

In my spare time this week I read a couple of books. Both books are about diabetes. Both are new and both are very well written. But that is where the similarities end.

The first of these books left me feeling that having diabetes was hopeless. So hopeless, in fact, that I despaired that my articles could make a difference in the lives of any but the most motivated readers. And perhaps not even for them.

It is unheard of to review a book and not even mention its title. But I won't oblige. Any publicity is good publicity, and I wouldn't be doing anyone a favor by leading them to the first book.

The second book could not have been a better antidote to the depression that the first book caused. This book does start out by describing how this society's environment and the ensuing stress leads many of us into diabetes.

It notes the conventional wisdom that our genes or our bad behavior or a combination of the two causes our type 2 diabetes. Either we are doing something wrong or there's something wrong with us. It's blame-the-victim time.

But this book shows how type 2 diabetes is much more of a social disease than a medical one. The truth is that the disease is inherent in the society that surrounds us.

"The environment is set up to make people sick," the book says. "It's toxically high in sugar and stress and low in social support, opportunities to exercise, or to feel good about ourselves."

If it stopped there, this book might be almost as pessimistic as the first. But after brilliantly setting out the problem, the bulk of the book in fact deals with the solution.

Since diabetes is a social disease, the solution must be a social one. Not a medical solution, since medicine itself in embedded in the society.

We can get healthier by joining forces to change our environment. We start by building our personal power - increasing our self-confidence and our self-esteem, setting positive goals, and giving ourselves reasons to live.

Then we build social power. We do this by working together. Only then can we change our environment.

This second book brought to my attention one of the most remarkable scientific studies of diabetes empowerment. The study is set among the Pima Indians of Arizona, who have perhaps the highest rate of diabetes of any group in the world and certainly have the highest rate of diabetes in America.

The scientists set out to compare a structured program of exercise and nutrition interventions - which they labeled Pima Action - with unstructured activities emphasizing Pima history and culture - Pima Pride. Those in the Pima Pride group got a more positive sense of themselves.

The scientists planned Pima Pride as a sort of control group. Fortunately, they had a real control group in those who declined to join either Pima Action or Pima Pride.

It was fortunate that they had this third non-participatory group as a control because the results shocked the scientists. After 18 months, the Pima Pride group had better results than the Pima Action group in everything they measured - weight, blood glucose control, waist size. But those who didn't participate were worse off than either group. This showed that exercise and nutrition does help, but self-confidence and self-esteem helps even more.

There aren't many studies as good as this Pima one. But there are many heros working to empower small groups of us all around the country.

The author of this book, David Spero, has met with these groups and their leaders, including America Bracho, an M.D. from Venezuela at Latino Health Access in Santa Ana, California, and Kate Lorig, a researcher and health educator at Stanford University, who started the Arthritis Self-Management Program.

The arthritis program started a revolution by using lay leaders instead of health professionals to deal with chronic illness. Those who participated in this program exercised more, felt better, and were hospitalized less than the control group.

Arthritis, like diabetes, is a chronic condition. The author of the second book that I read this week, David Spero, doesn't have either illness. But for the past 25 years he has lived with an even more devastating chronic illness - multiple sclerosis. He has been a nurse for 32 years.

Since writing his first book, The Art of Getting Well: Maximizing Health When You Have a Chronic Illness (Hulter House, 2002), David Spero has led self-management and wellness groups for patients and has trained health care providers in the U.S. and Europe.

I'm still not going to tell you the name of the depressing book that I read first this week. Just as we are all better off by staying away from negative people as much as our work allows, we need to avoid negative books as much as possible.

But I have waited until now to tell you the title of David Spero's new book. I wanted to tell you what it was about before I told you what it's called, because I think that its name is misleading, with an emphasis that doesn't reflect its contents.

Its title is Diabetes: Sugar-Coated Crisis: Who Gets It, Who Profits and How to Stop It. New Society published this 222-page paperback for $16.95 this month. The ISBN 13 is 978-0-86571-567-7; the ISBN 10 is 0-86571-567-X. In spite of the title, this is a great book.

This is a good resource book for use by health care professionals. Sahrmann has good ideas towards movement impairments, but organization is a little hard to follow.

THIs is a must have book for all physical therapist working in an orthopedic setting.

Very useful for the practitioner involved in ortopaedic rehab, interested in going further than treating pain! Very essential complement to any good treatment. Will help you teach your patient how to take control of their body to prevent re-occurence.

Having harrassed the author for close to four years I am pleased to say that this text represents what might best described an a "hinge in history". I agree that the concepts and examination items might be challenging for those used to a "cookbook" strategy but I am sure Shirley will agree that she did NOT invent anatomy or kinesiology! Systematic clinical examination, identifying movement deviations from mechanical precision and optimising efficient movement patterns are not large leaps of logic. Major car manufacturers and airlines have been doing this for years; analyse patterns of wear and tear on components and see what lasts the longest! However, humans in their comfortable/familiar patterns don't invest in the valid and rational practice of prevention and damage analysis. I know UK colleagues will take the path of least resistance when trying out the exam items within this book and say "Well it doesn't predict chronicity!" or "What about psychosocial factors?". To them and the pain biology fanatics I say this...when viruses, bacteria, trauma, genetics and family relationships have been analysed, what are the three primary drivers of nociception? Bogduk delineated the mechanical deformation model of nociception; Sahrmann has now thrown down the gauntlet with the movement paradigm to support or negate. Roll up your sleeves, break a sweat and join those of us liberated from surreal Southern Hemisphere skeleton pushing. Active rehabilitation with empiricism, determinism and a healthy cynicism! This text gives content and not just theory/process models - try telling a student that clinical reasoning is a valid model when they don't know what to look for!

Physical therapists like myself have been waiting for a text from the author for over 10 years. Definitely a text for someone well versed in the anatomy and mechaincs of the musculoskeletal system. This text is written in clear categories and deals with problems in three general areas. It takes effort and analytic thinking to understand the myriad of motions listed in the text. A CD with actual demonstrations would help immensely in seeing all the factors the author is illustrating. The introduction covers very complex ideas made as simple as possible by the author. I would recommend this text for any movement specialist but I would caveat my recommendation with the warning that hard work is needed to really grasp the techniques listed in this text. This author is saying things that need to be learned by movement specialists and only can be applied by an expert.

I tried to get pregnant for 2 years, without success. I purchased Hendler's book and made a list of what vitamins and minerals my husband and I could take to help with fertility. After 2 months on the vitamins, I was pregnant! I have also used other formulas of Hindler's, and they really work! It's also nice that he gives daily recommendations for what you want to accomplish.

This book was an excellent resource for me to decipher between the hype and the scientific data on nutritional supplements. This information held a lot of credibility for me because Sheldon Saul Hendler is an M.D. and a Ph.D. I used the information in his book and mapped out a nutritional supplemental program. It worked!! I felt more energetic and healthy. I researched this book on Amazon.Com hoping that Dr. Hendler had updated the information because so much has changed since the book was written in 1991. So, Dr. Hendler, if you happen to read this, I hope you are updating your book as I would love to read about the latest research on nutritional supplements.

This is a book that is written from the doctors view point, in other words you don't hear words about how a vitamin, mineral, herb is the next saviour of mankind. But when there is data supporting statements about improving memory or increasing energy or slowing the aging process etc, he will state it, and explore it. All in all, very informative, the only problem with this book is that it is 8 years old ( this was written at 07/98 ), although that does not detract from the data in the book a lot of things happen in this field in 8 years.

As we are all ultimately responsible for our own physical well-being, objective data is imperative in making informed health care decisions. Dr. Hendler's book delivers just that. I share the sentiments of the other reviewers;I signed on to Amazon hoping to find an updated version of this excellant resource. During this "herbal explosion", I have found the availability of objective and medical data on dietary supplements to be severely deficient. So, Dr. Hendler, if you're out there, we need you!

This is another must have book. First the author has nothing to 'do' with fitness or bodybuilding so you get the straight scoop. The book is easy to understand and goes into great detail. Vitamins and Minerals are covered PLUS most supplements. Want real information, get this book. NBAF 'very best'. (Hope for a update!)

Very helpful and insightful book to help women in finding out solutions to problems that so many people are dealing with during ups and downs in the hormone cycle. A very good addition to your health library.

This book is a must have for EVERY woman! I have applied some of his advice and have seen a difference already. I am working my way through the book changing my diet and lifestyle as I go. So far things have not been hard to change.

I had the privilege of reading this book pre-press and was unable to read it critically on the first run because I became mesmerized by what I was learning along the way. This book just makes sense. It is easy to read, well explained, and incredibly helpful in giving really good, viable options. I think every female needs to give it a go - men too!!

When this book arrived I read it cover to cover. It's VERY easy to understand. Dr. Bob takes a complicated issue and simplifies it. Women, learn your hormones and try supplements before you head for the Doctor, lab tests and prescriptions.

Dr. Bob's book is a breath of fresh air and possibly the most informative book I have read in a long time and is holistic,practical and easy to implement!

I have been studying nutrition and working with two enlightened professionals these past 3 years and must say that had this book been available 3 years ago my healing process and overall health would be further along.
Bob's style of writing is very informative, an easy read and he get's to the point at the end of each chapter stating a quick summary of what to do next.

Traditional western medicine trained doctors tend to look at issues in a vacuum and never put the complete picture together like Dr. Bob has. And the bonus of this book is it gives you a road map of information and questions you can use to find a holistic practioner that can help you on your road to health or better yet do a consultation with Dr. Bob to get your process started.

As a high school student, I have always been reluctant to reading many books. After a friend of mine recommended this book, I decided to give it a shot. I could not have asked for more in a book; reading it has been a great experience. Dr. Fischer has included many useful ideas that one could use when emergencies occur. He has included 40 of the most common emergencies that many people are forced to deal with daily. In dangerous situations, I now know to remain calm and react to these situations in the best ways possible. I feel safer now and always carry this book around with me. It was a great book, and i definitly recommend it to everyone.

Dr. Fischer's book belongs in every household.
I have used it successfully several times when dealing with medical emergencies.
It is easy to understand, well organized, and potentially life-saving.
Buy one for your home today (and make sure there's a copy where you work too!)

Dr. Fischer's Little Book of Big Medical Emergencies is by far the most helpful book I have purchased. Purchasing this book after coming to college has helped my transition into college. Having this book on my bookshelf helps me feel safe and secure because I can always refer to this book whenever I have a question or I feel like I am endanger. I strongly recommend this book to anyone.

This book should be on everyone's shelf. At Home, at work, in a restaurant- even in every taxi in America. Bravo Dr. Fischer- and thank you for putting out this outstanding little book.

The best all-around medical emergency book has got to be this one. It dispels any medical myths you might have, and it will help you identify what is really wrong with you, instead of worrying about what it might be.

Just about every common medical emergency is in there, from the correct way to treat a nosebleed, to how to figure out if your child has appendicitis, to knowing when back pain is serious. I wouldn't go on a family vacation without it, and it personifies my motto: "Always Be Prepared."

This is by far one of the best books on cancer prevention I have ever read. It is easy to understand, informative and an absolute wealth of information on the subject.

Not only do Drs. Gaynor and Hickey explain what foods are good for you and why -- they also break down how you can get each of the nutrients and antioxidants in supplement form on pages that immediately follow entitled "Pharmacist Corner."

After being diagnosed with malignant melanoma I immediately started to hunt around for resource books on how to lessen my chances of reoccurances and so far this is the best. It is an uplifting resource book filled with information on the subject as well as success stories that will be an inspiration to all who read it.

Dr. Gaynor's book is a bold breakthrough in the field of cancer prevention. His excellent book details at great lengh the individual foods and nutrients which may prevent cancer and individualizes for the major cancers. Dr. Gaynor practises what he preaches. As a highly respected New York Cancer doctor, he practises the cutting edge of conventional medicine with the very best or preventive medicine. A must on everyone's medical bookshelf.

If prevention is worth a pound of cure, this book is worth its weight in gold. Dr. Gaynor's book offers some of the best current potential for reducing the terrible price we pay for cancer. At last we have a roadmap, beautifully documented, by a nationally renowned oncologist, that details the increasing amount of evidence that proves that diet offers enormous potential in reducing as well as preventing cancer risk and in cutting cancer deaths. Although we still do not know how to prevent all cancers, this book clearly demonstrates that we know more than enough to dramtically reduce the high cancer incidence rates that we currently have and to curb the growing cancer rates around the world. With the publication of this book, there can be no doubt that nutrition in cancer prevention has come to age. Kudos to Dr. Gaynor and Jerry Hickey for this magnificent book.

Dr. Mitchell Gaynor's Cancer Prevention Program offers many promises in this January title from Kensington Books. Some of them are indeed justified and backed by recent scientific research. Other such promises in the book border on the unfounded, while others are what would on a careful reading seem to be recycled but updated information - albeit information that is important to know, and in many cases necessary to act upon.

Perhaps that is the value of the recent release of a book whose packaging and theme so closely resemble Dr. Oliver Alabaster's "What You Can Do To Prevent Cancer," 1985; Simon and Schuster. Both authors are physicians and leading research oncologists. Dr. Gaynor at the Strang Cancer Prevention Center and Dr. Alabaster at The George Washington University.

The book is well written, easy to read and at times gives the reader more than an adequate dose of optimism in what the media often portray as a never-ending battle against this country's most feared killer. Specifically, the book seems to give the impression that one can easily "detoxify" the body by choosing a variety of enzymes and other chemicals to aid the liver in its work. Would that the job be so easy! It is an interesting idea, and one loosely based on some body of medical research, but as a concept it might be a bit more optimistic than practical.

The research that the "detoxification" approach is based on is generally valid and promising. In a sidebar in one chapter Dr. Gaynor lists supplements which are certainly of value and would at worst do no physical harm. These include the antioxidant glutathione, whey protein (which contains glutathione, but is seemingly only documented in one Canadian study), broccoli, green tea and selenium.

Dr. Gaynor brings to the reader a wealth of current information almost unavailable in the popular press and which is both useful and necessary.

He succinctly explains what cancer is, how such cells develop, and some of what can be done to prevent cancer in most individuals who are not already strongly predisposed by genetic factors. He correctly states that some 70% of all cancers can be avoided or by prevention but almost glosses over our largest and most constant exposure to the environment -- the very food we eat and the dietary choices we make on a day-to-day basis.

While his emphasis on phytonutrients and supplements is exciting, far too little attention is given to natural sources of these promising chemicals. Less attention is given to the preventive role of dietary fat reduction or restriction. Instead the author develops and promotes a program which relies mostly on supplements and/or foods which for many might seem initially odd and could too easily be avoided.

This is both the strength and the weakness of the book. So strong is the case to use these supplements that the casual and overly-optimistic reader might want to delve into a world of supplements immediately but might soon be disappointed by a lack of understanding, motivation or even in some cases taste. For example, he recommends a number of combinations in the juicer which some who are overly accustomed to high fructose corn syrup might not enjoy. On the other hand his recipe for a combination of apples, carrots, cucumbers, and broccoli was tasteful and left no hint of the "cruciferic" taste that some people try to avoid. This recipe alone might make the book a good investment in future health dividends.

Dr. Gaynor's research is current, sound and well presented. The use of a nutritional pharmacist Gerry Hickey, R.Ph., gives the book its strong emphasis on phytochemicals and other food-based cancer prevention chemicals. The book includes an appendix that is a good source of supplements and other cancer prevention products mentioned which will be of particular benefit to those who live in areas where such products are not easily available. Another appendix lists references of solid peer-reviewed journals for much of the book's information. Of particular curiosity in this regard is a chapter promoting Japanese mushrooms. A highly regarded National Academy of Science Publication, "Diet and Cancer" showed that mushrooms when uncooked contain one of the most potent cancer promoting chemicals known to man. Dr. Gaynor not only leaves this fact out but fails to mention whether or not these types of mushrooms need to be cooked in order to "detoxify" them.

This book is an excellent buy, full of current and useful information. It picks up where Dr. Alabaster's book left off and indeed given that book's emphasis on diet both books should be used in together. A good read, a better source of health information. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed reading Dr. Gaynor's book. His advice is easy to absorb and understand. I highly recommend this book.

The internet is a source of a tremendsous volume of data that can be hard to translate into useful information. Dr. Weinberg's guide is a comprehensive compilation of useful and reliable links that provide information on a broad array of health issues.

Dr. Weinberg makes the difficult task of finding good, sound medical resources on the web manageable. As a consumer and as a mental health professional the information that I have found is user friendly and helpful. This book is a must have for everyone, especially those of us who have a medical condition that we are seeking understandable information about.

Dr. Weinberg's Guide is a terrific source for the novice to find great, practical medical information on the internet. The Guide takes the guessing out of the equation when researching or asking questions on everyday medical topics. This is a "must have" for every person and every home with kids.

A MUST HAVE GUIDE FOR ALL. dR. wEINBERG HAS CREATED A NASTERPIECE. tHIS GUIDE SHOULD HELP THE AVERAGE PERSON SURF THE WEB TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON THEIR MEDICAL ISSUES AND CONCERNS. DR WEINBERG HAS HELPED TO ELIMINATE THE SO CALLED GARBAGE WEBSITES THAT ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO SELL SOMETHING.tHANK YOU dR. wEINBERG.

Dr. Weinberg's Guide for health resources is an excellent collection of references covering clinical disease, medical social issues and a section for Spanish-speaking patients. Health professionals as well as patients will find this book a valuable resource for educational/academic information on the web. Just remember that this guide is "Knowledge for your Health."