Murray Books

Why write a review about a book long out of print, hard-to-find, and of interest mainly to collectors of obscure medical literature? Because it is a most amazing, eye opening, unabashedly progressive, opinionated, thoroughly engrossing, informative read. I own the 1888 version of this book, and echo Dr. Foote's resounding epithet as put forth in his preface : "To uproot error and do good should be the first and paramount aspiration of every intelligent being." Down with, as he put it so eloquently, "old fogyism." And though Foote might be assigned to a corner of the dustbin of medical history, he did indeed write "in candor, and with an honest intention of enlightening and benefiting humanity."

Whoever this Dr. Foote was, apparently he was unafraid of controversy. Among other things, this Victorian medical man espoused divorce, childbearing for unmarried women (to alleviate loneliness and serve the practical purposes of companionship, additional income when of working age, and assistance in household chores), a vegetarian diet, abstaining entirely from alcohol and tobacco, a happy sex life complete with experimentation and wide elbow room, fresh air and exercise, the ethical treatment of prisoners, a please-spare-the-rod and why-not-kind-of-spoil-the-child method of childrearing, women in business and medicine, the vote for women, and a style of dress (if one must indeed dress at all) free of encumberments such as corsets and foundations. Apparently he not only escaped the lynch mob, but managed to write several volumes of variations on this theme and build a loyal following.

What becomes most prominent as one reads into Foote's work is the fact he was absolutely convinced that society would one day shed its anachronistic constraints and quaint conventions and come around to his way of thinking. He had only to write convincingly enough and argue forcibly enough and out the window would go all those stultifying mores and manners. Funny thing. Foote remains hardly a footnote (who has heard of him?) yet he must have been, on top of everything, a touch psychic.

Of all my many books this huge tome is one I would never part with. Dr Foote advised 19th century Americans who may have been a long way out in the prairie or living in remote areas without access to medical help, as well as people who lived in cities. He is full of humour and wise advice, and has loads of opinions on all kinds of health and medical matters. He is also deeply practical and best of all had a robust sense of humour. My copy of this book is illustrated with many fascinating steel engravings and plates of weird diseases. But as well as information on these (very out of date now of course) there is the kind of advice you never get in medical manuals today For instance, don't use corn husks as toilet paper (hey now that IS good advice!) His suggestion of a good way to amuse a baby for hours is to put it in a tin bath naked with some treacle and turkey feathers - okay so I am not absolutely sure I would follow ALL his good advice but it's certainly fun to read. He was also very interested in what you might call alternative lifestyles, 19th century style, such as the fascinating Oneida community. So the book obliquely offers a glimpse into a past where there were many possibilities, and in which life, although more dangerous and difficult, was also, in some ways, more exciting and full of bright horizons than it is now. If you ever find a copy of this book my suggestion is to snap it up! Even if you don't want it yourself my guess is that you will find others who will be delighted to receive it as a gift.

Dr. Murray was a brilliant Chiropractor and Biochemist.
He wrote this book so it would be easy to understand our blood tests and not be in the blind.
It is written in lay person language and anyone can understand it to the letter.
Diagrams are included to give further understanding.
I bought this book many years ago and am happy it's still available. I'd recommed this book to anyone who wants to understand in a simple English Way their Clinical labortory Tests.

I think I am one of the very few individuals who not only is in proud possession of this rare dictionary but I am sure I could be the only person on this planet Earth to have a Pure Tamil- English Dictionary published entirely based (mind it not plagerized) upon this work by T.Burrow and M.B.Emaneau of the California Univ. I think my own Dictionary can be the best ever review possible on T.Burrows Dictionary Tamil folk around the world can get in touch with through my my E-mail Address

My sons love this book. It helps them make realistic animals. I highly recommend this series.

Who knows why his methamorphosis started. Who knows why he turned into a beast. He seemed to be a completely normal, ordinary working man with a loving family. Maybe that normality was what induced the beautiful changes in him. A beast - but still beautiful: colourful, soft, dreaming, surreal, sensual - but still a beast.
And when it's over, you'll know you read something just beautiful.

"Drydin", by Meghan Murray, is a great book! I saw this book on 1stBooks' website before it was even finished at the publishers, and I promised myself that I would get it. And so, when it was released, I did. And I haven't regreted it at all. The story-line was good, in and of itself, and was easy to follow.

It begins when a betrayal takes the king and queen of Drydin by suprise, and ends their life; and exiles the rightfull heirs of the throne to a neighboring kingdom. But one child was spared, and is now used as the traitor's pawn. But several years later, talks of the true king and queen arise, and militias begin to form, and the war to restore the true king and queen, and the fight to bring peace back to the kingdom comes alive. But even as this happens, there could be a traitor in their midst.

This book has not only been a great read, but has further fueld my own ambitions to right at a young age; being how Ms. Murray herself was 17 at the time of writing this book. You will not regret buying it.

I heard an interview with one of the authors, Dr. Murray Waldman, and ordered this book immediately. Dr. Waldman's father died of Alzheimer's. I lost a beloved mother to Alzheimer's. I have a powerful interest in understanding this disease and whether children and grandchildren of someone with AD -- and so on down the family line -- might someday develop this terrible ailment.

Dr. Waldman has been the chief of an emergency department, the chief of staff of a rehabilitation hospital, and a coroner in Toronto.

In this book, Waldman and Lamb examine the history and pattern of Alzheimer's. They are historical, medical, sleuths.

The bottom line is that they believe Alzheimer's is a type of prion disease, like mad cow disease (BSE) and Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (CJD).

They discuss the modern methods of meat processing, and why modern methods increase risks to consumers, compared to the old-fashioned methods used generations ago.

Specifically, they point to hamburger as a problem area, because hamburger meat may include parts of many cows. This increases the risk of exposure to BSE, and hence, in Waldman's and Lamb's point of view, to AD as well as CJD.

This book is very well-written. While it addresses medical issues, it is written in a way that is accessible to readers who don't have a medical degree.

If you are a vegetarian or a vegan: read this book.

If you have a family member who has Alzheimer's: read this book.

Before saying much else, I should point out (for argument's sake) that Duchesne is a French Catholic writer. Being French he is sometimes apt to put his own opinions above his subject, and being Catholic he is apt to defend ideas that are open to argument. Apart from this he is little given to preaching. For the most part his writing is clean and lucid. His presentation seems in line with a sprectrum of other writers on the same or similar topics. He offers biographies in suitable places without becoming a biographer. He adds little descriptions that make this a "living" history, a very human drama as it unfolds from the Crucifixion. In light of a scarcity of sources for the first two centuries, Duchesne is able to paint a picture without "reaching" for material, though from time to time he repeats himself. A very learned and highly readable history on a subject of interest to billions around the globe, this work is by no means boring, narrow or out-of-date.

This book offers an excellent overview of East Asian history. It is not a through account of every event that happened in the time period but it provides a great framework for further study. After going through this book the reader can identify parts of Asian history, from the BC era in China to the reconstruction of Asia after World War II, for further in-depth study. It is easy to read although there is a large amount of information packed into a very small amount of pages so while easy it is not a light read by any means. Overall it is a great textbook on East Asian history and wonderful for those who are just getting started in that area.