Medicine and Health Books

Reviewed by Abbie G. Yandle for Reader Views (10/06)

Ten brave women share stories of their ordeal with breast cancer. Each story in "B.O.O.B.S." is different. The women are black, white, and Hispanic. The life-changing diagnosis came at ages from 45 to the early 60's. They remind me of the women in the support group I attended for over two years every week, no matter what else was going on in my life. As predicted, these stories "enlighten, encourage, and empower" the reader.

Every woman's experience with breast cancer is unique. There are different diagnoses, surgeries, treatments, histories, and prognoses. Some women have a supportive spouse. Family ties can grow stronger, or break under the strain of fear and pain. Acquaintances become loyal friends even as those believed to be close friends distance themselves because they don't know what to say, what to do. Laughter and humor are at least as powerful as the medicines and surgeries on the road to recovery and regained health.

Sheryl's story struck close to home for me. I rejoiced at the way she wrote candidly about her feelings about her body and struggles with her sexuality throughout her ordeal. I applaud her bravery for sharing the power of an intimate relationship to heal a wounded body and spirit.

This is a book that every woman and every man who loves his wife, mother, girlfriend, or daughter should read. "B.O.O.B.S." gives a good overview of types of breast cancer and their treatment options. More than that, it may help anyone understand that each person dealing with this disease must make the choice that is right for her (him). Attending and participating in a professionally-facilitated peer support group helps immensely with understanding the language of the disease and its treatments, as well as the emotional roller-coaster. "B.O.O.B.S." reminds us that we are not alone.

As a daughter of a breast cancer survivor and having three aunts who have had breast cancer I highly recommened this book. We have passed the book between us it has helped us understand what these brave women were going thru!

I, thankfully, have never had breast cancer. While I am sure this book is particularly wonderful and inspirational for women who have had breast cancer or are going through breast cancer treatment, I just wanted to say it's a wonderful read, period, for anyone -- breast cancer survivor or not. Besides, everyone knows SOMEONE who has been faced with breast cancer.. It is that much of an epidemic in this country. The style of the book is breezy,chatty, funny in places, poignant elsewhere, informative, smart and -- yes -- entertaining, even though these are tales of women faced with breast cancer. The book is very well done and I highly recommend it. --- Sher

A must read for anyone who has to travel this road. We all need to know we are not the only one who has had these feelings or experiences. I found it comforting and informative at a critical time in my life.

I've spent hundreds of dollars on my back pain and if I'd known the simple principles in this excellent book I could have done alot to help myself sooner. This is not a full-blown explanation of the Alexander Technique; it's more like an quick-start guide on how to use it to immediately relieve some of your back pain. I have scoliosis and you would have to go to an Alexander teacher to improve beyond a certain point with that diagnosis. However, applying the principles in this book gave me a new confidence that I could improve my range of movement and reduce my pain. Overall, an excellent investment in back health.

Well written, clear, concise. Covers all types of situations in which this method of using your body is helpful. Interesting approach for those who already have a problem and for those who wish to prevent poor posture and all its consequences. The story of Alexander's discovery of this approach is very interesting. Includes many good illustrations.

Caplan's book is a user-friendly guide to good body use, including many illustrations and exercises which will help anyone who wishes to avoid back trouble. She covers all sorts of situations, including bone and joint ailments and post-surgery. Do yourself a favor and buy this book.

This book does a great job to educate about how the body functions, with emphasis on helping those with back pain. It is an excellent integration of the Alexander approach with physical therapy to aide in recovery, and better lifetime function.The illustrations are very helpful. As a physical therapist, I recommend this book to all of my patients with Back Trouble.

My kids loved to have this book read to them again and again. They enjoyed pointing out all the naughty things that bear was doing. I think it also reinforced their belief that their own teddy bear ventured out and got into trouble when they were not looking! Now I am reading it to the grandkids and they are enjoying it just as much! This book is timeless!

My twin boys (22 months) continue to laugh hysterically at this book and somehow I haven't gotten tired of it yet. Wonderful illustrations with a very nice close. A bit of cartoonish violence(bears on bicycles running into mailmen) might put it in the not-for-everybody category, though.

I got this out of the library two weeks ago, and my two children, ages 4 and 2, have made me read it to them at least twice a day. They really like the story of the boy who goes for a bike ride and brings along his teddy bear. However, the teddy turns into a real bear who definately does not follow the rules of the road. We all laugh at the scenes of the boy acting sensibly (stopping when others are walking in front of him, maneuvering around garbage cans and open car doors) and of the bear plowing ahead and into all of these things. It's sweet and funny, and can also double as a safety lesson for beginner bicycle riders.

Cute.

Not too cute, but just the right amount of cute in this funny, beautifully illustrated, award-winning book about a boy who goes bike-riding with his imagination.

Our young, nattily dressed (great hat!) hero takes out his training-wheeled green and red bike, with his stuffed teddy bear. Somehow, that bear becomes a gigantic real bear, and the humongous real bear rides his own tiny little yellow bicycle along side the boy.

The wise boy explains (and the illustration show) traffic rules that he follows whenever he rides (and there are some useful ones: watching for opening doors, looking both ways, etc.). The bear does not follow the rules. He gets into accidents and mishaps, but his size and the author's good taste keep him from any trips to the hospital. Author McLeod and illustrator McPhail manage to show the danger without scaring us, and, indeed, with a bit of humor.

This is an enormously appealing little book. The symmetrical structure contrasting the boy's cautious, safe ride, versus the bear's slapstick miscues. This organization and the single sentence in each two-page example clearly explain each imp0rtant rule of the road. The illustrations by the renowned McPhail are warm and welcoming, soft and soothing, yet funny. You don't have to know how to ride a bike to enjoy this masterpiece of simplicity and imagination.

I thought this was a great book. I am a pollo-vegetarian, and I have been concerned about the health issues. This really helped me understand this is healthier and why. It also introduced me to new foods. I didn't really know much about about tofu, hummus, etc., but it breaks everything down for you. Great book!

I recommend this book for those who are following vegetarian or vegan diets, or thoe who are thinking about changing their eating habits.

Its reassuring tone made me feel that I CAN stick with a healthy, vegetarian diet.

Chapters on nutrition were informative and easy to read, but didn't answer questions such as: WHY do I need this nutrient? If you're looking for more specifics on nutrition, you may need to look elsewhere.

The book provides simple, logical tips for vegetarian survival while eating out.

There are a variety of sample menus (but no recipes), and a good list of other resources such as organizations, books, and web sites.

This book is a wonderful source of information for the beginning or intermediate vegetarian or vegan (I was happily suprised by the amount of vegan information included in the book).

This book helps answer all of the questions vegetarians are bound to face on a daily basis. How do you get enough protein? Iron? Calcium? Etc.... It also has specific sections on vegetarian diets for pregnant women, children, teens, athletes, and older people. As well as helpful info on easing the transition to a vegetarian diet.

I would also recommend this book for non-vegetarians who have friends or family members who folllow a vegetarian diet. It explains in easy-to-understand detail the different kinds of vegetarian diets, and things to keep in mind when one or more of your dinner guests are (or will be) vegetarian.

I went browsing for a book on the vegetarian lifestyle when I started considering the option. I picked it out because it was the smallest book. Wise choice. It's small, but it's packed with useful information and it's straight to the point. It explained the types of vegetarians and how to obtain all the nutrition that you need in each lifestyle. It's a small book, but packed with information and can be used as a quick and easy reference after reading. I highly recommend this little book!

superb program. good general information. program focuses on overall athleticism/power, including reasonable agility, stretching and plyometric regimens (which is rarely seen but a necessary part of a premiere program). program is applicable to nearly all athletes (perhaps not ideal for a pro/college athletes, solely because they would have programs designed to peak at the season of their sport).

I am a Division one track and field athlete. I have been looking for an out of season lifting program that will help make me stronger and faster. I was never a fan of these core lifts until I bought this book. The variation that is available really caught my attention. For example, the power clean has been an exercise that I refuse to do and this book offers many other options. Instead I perform a hang clean. So far, I think that this program will do nothing but improve my athletic ability.

This is a great book for any athlete out there high school or college, it teaches great techniques for lifting and also gives great variations on the already well known core lifts. This book is not for the weak or undisciplined it should only be used by people that are willing to work hard and give everything you got to be the best.

My degree is in physical education and I have been teaching for 11 years. Shepard's Bigger Faster Stronger program is among the best I have found. The biggest benefits of this program are in sports requiring explosive strenth such as judo, wrestling, boxing, field events, and sprints.

Hi!
I'm from Spain and my buy from this seller arrived only at 2 weeks from Florida, USA. The book is in a excelent condition, like new.
Thanks

I can't believe this book is not a best seller! It has all the answers to my questions about energy-healing and more. All this knowledge in such a small space! Thanks!

It is amazing how much information you can squeeze in into 230 pages. I have read many books on energy-healing and here is the one that compiles all that knowledge into one. The hands-on exercises are described into the tiniest details and are very easy to follow. I have just found out that "Biotherapy" was aproved as a continuing education home-study course for massage therapists nationwide. No wonder why!

The most complete book on healing I have read. It may not be a "Deepak Chopra", but everything in the book has a practical application that even I, as a lay person, was able to do. It is definitely a life changer!

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.

Poor Blue but he has a happy ending. My daughter loves Blue

I liked this book because of how it was just like on of the TV episodes. Like how they try to interact with you. Having you look for certian things on the page i thought it was really cute.

And she's been under the weather for a few days. She definitely is rather miserable and her friends in the Blue's Clues house have missed playing with her. They decide to try to help her out.

They have a lot of great ideas as to how they can help Blue. Shovel and Pail decide to give her a pretend checkup. it doesn't help cure her cold, but it's fun. Other idaes include hot soup and reading a story. With all this help, Blue actually starts to feel better.

The events of this story resemble the TV episode "Steve Has the Sniffles," except in this story, it's Blue that is sick. Either way, this is a wonderful and identifiable "Blue's Clues" story. This is book #9 in the "Blue's Clues" series.

My son *loves* this book!

Steve wants to see if Blue would like to come out and play, but Blue is still feeling under the weather. Nurse Shovel and Dr. Pail open up their pretend doctor bag, but they soon realize that this isn't going to help Blue feel better.

Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper get in on the action by offering to make Blue chicken soup. This story is interactive in that the child is asked to interpret the recipe card, point out what ingredients are needed, find the biggest bowl on the page, locate the orange cup, etc.

This is a brief book, but long enough to satisfy a child's desire for a bedtime story (without wearing Mom or Dad out!), as well as providing learning opportunities as Steve and the gang try to help Blue feel better.

An excellent source for those who are interested in the governance of health care organizations. Relations of staff and CEO to boards are critical to the effective functioning of health organizations. This book provides the tools to more effectively understand how to harness and lead the power of boards to the best advantage of the organization. Pointer and Orlikoff are two of the best (actually unique) individuals in this important area. They have used the knowledge acquired through work with a large number of organizations to help understand how they work and how to work with them. Must reading for CEOs, board members and those who interact with boards.

Outstanding! This book is great - not only for health care organizations, but boards at all levels - small business, corporate, even community and homeowner associations. It is practical and resourceful, providing me with an action list to make my board interactions more effective.

This book provides excellent tools and guidleines to take governance into the 21st century. Dennis Pointer and James Orlikoff provide fresh ideas and insights into how boards can effectively and successfully enhance their organizations. This book should be read by every health care board who wants to make a difference in their organization.

Board Work is as clear and practical a work on governance as I've ever read. I commend it to new and experienced board members, to the chairs of governance committees charged with board improvement, and to the executives who staff boards.

As a trustee and governance consultant, I know these authors and have heard them speak -- and it was a pleasure to see how well the book transfers their years of experience into print.

The book works so well because it is built on a straight-forward model that the authors carry throughout every chapter. The model suggests that healthcare boards (and most other boards, for that matter) have five central roles: defining organizational ends, ensuring management performance; overseeing financial performance; overseeing quality; and providing for the board's own structure, composition and effectiveness. Boards carry out these roles in three ways: by making policies, making decisions, and overseeing performance. One of the book's strongest components is explaining how - in order to define organizational ends - a board identifies the organization's stakeholders and their expectations. Few boards do this at all, much less do it well.

Board Work joins books by John Carver, William Bowen, Cyril Houle and Richard Chaitt as an exceptional contribution to the emerging body of pragmatic governance literature.

I recommend it highly.

I also now suffer from Sjogren's Syndrome, and this book is more of a day to day, practical application type book.I was able to see some detailed information, including a break down of the different symptoms.

This was a very insightful and practical guide to not only treating this disease, but many others as well. Doctors are not mind readers, nor are they infallible. They need to have patients cooperate with them, and provide them with as much insightful information as possible in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Patients should not rely on the doctor to have all the answers, and frequently, will not, if there is meaningful information left from his or her view. This book reminds us all that we are responsible for our own health, and the doctor is there to help us along that path only if we allow them. It is up to each of us, as patients, to be forthright, and open with our problems, concerns, and illnesses. We must forever be mindful that today's health system does not encourage lengthy visits with physicians; hence, we should come prepared, equiped, and aware of our bodies and how our health is being impacted by whatever our conditions may be. This book gently but firmly reminds us of our responsibilities to take charge of our own bodies and of our interrelationships with our doctors. Bravo on a book well done, indeed.

This book is a valuable resource for anyone who is facing the challenges of a Sjogren's diagnosis. The authors address both the newly diagnosed patient and those who have been coping with this chronic illness for many years. Their advice on choosing a doctor and forming a partnership with her is wonderful and, I believe, critical to the physical and emotional well being of the chronically ill patient. I hope physicians will read the book. The authors' insights into the frustrations of treating patients with incurable but manageable illnesses are lessons for both patients and physicians.

If you have been recently diagnosed with Sjogren's or if you are struggling with complicated symptoms which doctors can't diagnose, you must read this book. The medical information is clear and easy to understand but thorough. The authors will help you navigate the complex medical community.

For those who have been living with Sjogren's for many years "A Body out of Balance" reinforces the goal of having the best possible quality of life. The authors give the reader tools to help achieve that goal.

"A Body out of Balance" will touch you. You will be grateful that finally someone understands what you've been going through. You will also be grateful because someone is offering help and hope.

This book is a very good example of how patient and doctor can and must collaborate; in this case on a book about a specific disorder, but in a bigger sense, too: patients and doctors must learn to work together to solve complex, tricky medical conditions caused by autoimmunity, to come up with customized treatment packages which enhance quality of life without threatening it.