Health Books

Yes, this book is well-researched and smartly-written and engaging to boot, but most importantly, it literally changed our childbirth plans. I'd been hoping to have a natural childbirth in a freestanding birth center, but since there are none in my state (!!), I thought I'd go with a natural birth in the hospital, or better yet, in a hospital with birthing rooms. Reading this book made me see that this kind of birth puts you at risk for the exact kinds of things you seek to avoid in a hospital birth. We ended up choosing a homebirth and it was the best decision I've ever made. My birth was beautiful, empowering, and completely safe, though because it was very long, if I had been in a hospital, I would have ended up with a C-section.

I wouldn't trade my homebirth, one of the best experiences of my life, for anything, and I credit this book with helping me come to that choice.

This book is a very good read. Catherine Taylor is a skillful author and though this book is very factual and informative, it reads with the pace, intensity, and "intrigue" of a novel. It is unique among the many birth books I have read in its interweaving of her personal experiences and personal journey, with factual journalistic impressions and stats. I finished this book in two days--it was completely absorbing and interesting. I enjoyed her descriptive style and the verbal portraits of the variety of midwives she encountered. The book also gave me some new perspectives on hospital based CNM practices as compared to traditional midwifery and homebirth-oriented midwifery practices.

In short, this was an enjoyable, informative book!

My number one title to give to women. Easy to read and chock full of truth telling about birthing babies in America today. Delightfully debunks the myths surrounding midwifery with hard facts and a fascinating story.

Ms. Taylor,

I was one month along in my first pregnancy and, without much real thought, I bought your book "Giving Birth." I think I liked the tasteful cover and that it didn't seem to be a dry catalog of what to expect during pregnancy.

I read your book twice during my pregnancy, and it completely changed the way I approached my medical care and how I wanted to give birth. Before reading "Giving Birth," I had just assumed that I would trust the doctor and do whatever he said while I was in the hospital. I naively trusted his and the hospital's authority. But because your writing style is so vivid and thoughtful, I learned a tremendous amount about labor and delivery (going far beyond the mechanics of the process) without even realizing it. I feel like I entered the larger conversation about how best to give birth, and that I acquired a real voice of my own.

My doctor wanted me to shut up and let him do what he thought was best. I switched providers at 37 weeks after realizing that I couldn't just wish him into being the doctor I wanted. (He patted my head at one point and told me that I couldn't possibly know what labor was going to be like, so I shouldn't even plan on trying for an unmedicated birth.) Through a series of comedy of errors with my insurance provider, and the fact that I went into labor at 38 weeks, I wasn't able to switch to the birthing center in time. My original doctor still caught the baby. But I did everything else as I had hoped, with no medical interventions and the majority of my labor at home. (I gave birth thirty minutes after my arrival.)

I gave birth almost six months ago and I have always thought I should find a way to write and thank you. As cheesy as it sounds, your book truly changed my life!

I had a wonderful recovery and I honestly can't wait to give birth again.

I read this book when I was about 4 months pregnant for the first time. Before I became pregnant I had been very interested in birthing and I knew I wanted a natural birth. During my early weeks of pregnancy, while I was overcome by intense nausea and vomiting, I had so much difficulty setting up appointments and birthplaces between my insurance and medical groups that I ended up settling with an OB that was not my first choice. I spent the next months of my pregnancy researching what my options were in my area and my insurance options.

After reading this book I had a much better idea of what I was looking for and within a month my search was complete and the changes had been made. I went to a midwife/OB practice that ran a natural, free-standing birth center, I took Bradley natural childbirth classes along with my husband, and I hired a wonderful doula who worked at the birth center. I chose, for insurance reasons, to labor at home for as long as possible with my doula and then continued my natural birth in a birthing room with the OB that supports natural birthing. Because I arrived at the hospital (with my birthing ball) far along in labor, coping beautifully and had such a supportive doctor, the nurses read my birth plan and immediately respected all my wishes. I labored, moving about the room, and occasionally a nurse would put a dopp-tone to my belly to hear my baby's heart beat while I stayed in focus. Pain medication was never offered and I was asked before even being touched. I felt that I was laboring in a room full of friends.

This book was wonderful to read, helped me really examine what I wanted for my own pregnancy and birth, and gave me insight if I ever decide to go into the childbirth field as a doula or childbirth educator.

I had a beautiful, empowering, healing first birth that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

For my second birth I gave birth at home and it was a life changing experience. I would definitely recommend finding a way to have a home birth with a trained midwife.

I recommend this thoughtful, empowering book to all women and people working in pregnancy, labor and childbirth. I also highly recommend natural birth if that is what you desire. Giving birth was a deeply spiritual experience, and no one can take that from you.

I interviewed Dr. Gettis for an article I wrote on his book, which is a compilation of short stories, each with its own message. His book taught me how it's so important to slow down and be grateful for everything around you, even if it's something as small as your car starting or waking up healthy and without a headache.

Before, I used to rush through tasks like washing dishes or pumping gas, thinking of them as moments that were mundane and not part of my "real" life. But reading the book taught me to appreciate every moment, even if I'm doing something simple or "boring." I love this quote he gave me: "Every day, there are a million things that go right."

I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels bored or unsatisfied in life, or is just stuck in a rut.

I expected to enjoy this book, however I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. Following the example of Alan Gettis' previous book, "Seven Times Down, Eight Times Up," one of the truly worthwhile things about "The Happiness Solution," is that by using fairly short stories to illustrate and teach the lessons that are important in achieving "genuine happiness," the author is able to cover a wide range of happiness related subjects and philosophies in these 200-odd pages. And he does it very well.

The stories are cleverly told. In a Zen-like way, the messages are often subtle, worthy of reflection and thought, softly guiding the reader into a deeper understanding of the meaning of real happiness. These stories are profound without seeming to be so.

I grew up in Africa, where the history and the fabric of each tribe was passed down from generation to generation, verbally, through stories. I remember when first hearing some of the stories, they just seemed to be great human stories. Little did I know that they were teaching those who heard them and retold them how to live life. Alan Gettis' stories have the same feel.

From teenagers to baby boomers, in this upside down world, "The Happiness Solution" offers entertainment coupled with gently delivered, easily absorbed wisdom. I would like to see it as required reading in schools and colleges. It is that meaningful!

On a scale of 1-5, "The Happiness Solution is a 20. I have just one word for "The Happiness Solution", and that is AMAZING. I believe this is one of the best books I have ever read. Alan Gettis has done a fantabulous job of bringing happiness into this world. This book is so easy to read. Many authors just write useless words that do not get to the meat of the book, but Alan uses very short chapters to get his message across. I had a hard time putting down this book. I felt so inspired to do great things every time I read it. I know now that anything is possible, and you can be happy doing it. Thank you Alan for changing my life.

Michael Monji, author of "Does It Pay To Die?"

Alan helps us to turn our life around literally by changing the way we think. With the econonmy in such turmoil sadness and depression are more rampant than ever. Many people are losing their jobs, their homes, due to the credit crisis and natural disasters. With Alan's book you can read real stories that will help you to have a different outlook and bring more joy into your life, no matter what your circumstances are.

By Sofia Steryo-Bartmus, Author, "Paws of Wisdom"- Valuable Lessons We
Can Learn From Our Pets

Stories are the best way to make a point and Dr. Gettis does that so well. Everyone will find a story which they can relate to. Therefore, through a collection of easy and simple advice you can use, this book will take you to the next level of happiness regardless of where you are now. Each story will add value to your life through perspectives you may not have thought about before. It is a book you can read over and over. Read a chapter or two at a time as a daily devotion and then apply what you learned.

We all have challenges in life, but it is how we perceive them that will make us happy or unhappy. There are too many illustrations to mention here, but I liked the question asked in one of the chapters: How can I be happier? And the answer? Consider the Chinese Parable: If you want
happiness for a year, inherit a fortune, if you want happiness for a lifetime, help others...What a great advice!

Not only did I enjoy the book very much, I also learned a lot about myself. I recommend it to everyone, young and old, happy or unhappy. There is no one who would not benefit from at least one new idea for more happiness in this Upside down World!

I purhcased this book for my mother and she absolutely loves it. Then one day she showned to my Aunt (a retired nurse) and she wanted to buy it too. It's a very informative medical book using terms/phrases people can easily understand. I highly recommended adding this book to your library.

I recently purchased the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide and have found it to be informative and easy to use. The book fulfills our need for a quick reference book on ailments and treatments. This book is priced less expensively than some of the other medical books available. It provides good value for the cost. I recommend it to individuals looking for a comprehensive, informative, easy to read, home health guide.

I think that everyone need to read this book to find out the best way for family healthy life.

Chock full of great information - a suggested book to keep on your bookshelf.

This is an excellent, affordable resource to have in your home. It is very easy to use and self-explanatory. We love it!!

The work points to many of the negations in the current health
care delivery systems in the USA. It spends too much money and
the paperwork is burdensome, generally uninformative and
inefficient. The system needs a separation between the doctor
and the pharmaceutical industry because the needs of the general
public demand an independent attitude on the part of physicians.
Emergency rooms are utilized instead of patient clinics.
This contributes to bloated costs. The HMO co-pay can be burdensome for patients. In addition, there is a slow migration
toward the universal health care coverage in order to correct
some of these inefficiencies and distribute the resource to
persons uncovered or undercovered by the present protocols
and medical delivery systems.

In more than 20 years teaching a course focusing on analysis of American health care history and policy, I have yet to discover a more persuasive diagnosis of our health care delivery system's ills or a more convincing case for how to cure them. Dr. Lebow brings to this examination direct experience as a practicing physician from which he draws numerous stirring personal accounts. To his clinical perspective, he adds an extraordinary command of the broader economic and political issues essential for understanding the context and causes of America's current health care crisis epitomized by the alarming number of our country's uninsured--now about 44 million and growing. The book is honest, engaging, and sure to stimulate discussion with its clear prescription for change. With lively prose and strategically placed humor, he makes complex matters understandable. His humanity and passion are the earmarks of a brilliant teacher. Regardless of how deeply you presently understand America's health care system, you can learn from this book. And regardless of your political inclinations in respect to his advocacy of a single-payer solution, you can't ignore his meticulous presentation of the facts or the relentless logic of his conclusions from them.

Health Care Meltdown: Confronting The Myths And Fixing Our Failing System by Robert H. LeBow (former Medical Director of an Idaho community health center for more than 25 years and who was paralyzed in a cycling accident shortly after completing this book) is a clarion wake up call focused upon the medical care system's rampant excesses, over billings, neglects, and quagmires that floods the American health care system to near incapacitation. Over 40,000,000 Americans have no health insurance. This places an unsupportable burden on Emergency Room Care (one the most expensive health care provider resources), and while money is in unnecessary and wasteful bureaucratic and law-suit avoidance oriented testing, far to many people simply go without the medical service they desperately need. A sharply worded criticism that also offers models for reform and improvement, Health Care Meltdown should be mandatory reading for health care providers, citizen health care activists, anyone charged with the responsibility of developing policies and guidelines for managing health care services.

I'd like to give this book 4 stars, but there are just too many holes for me to do so. Dr. Lebow presents many important points, but the book simply is not the answer to our prayers regarding the current healthcare mess.

As Dr. Lebow points out, in the health insurance industry, competition among health insurers has led to less efficiency rather than more efficiency. 10 different credentialing applications, 12 different contract types, no standardization whatsoever and an administrative mess for any doctor who doesn't have the luxury of a seasoned healthcare administrator in his office. Add to that the eligibility trouble. Multiple phone calls for every patient to check eligibility for every appointment. Worst of all, the current health insurance system provides no incentive to managed care to pay for preventive care.

These are the issues that single-payer would fix for the insured population, saving billions of dollars. Dr. Lebow is right on, though I wish he spent as much time on eligibility and insurance company hassles as he did on preventive care. He also does great work in presenting the myths of healthcare today. Many of them can't be repeated enough (like the corporate welfare given to prescription drug companies).

But I have several issues as well.

My biggest complaint is that his solution only delays the inevitable a little longer. He deals only with the healthcare funding system and has little to say about the healthcare delivery system. "Market Driven Healthcare" by Regina Herzlinger and "From Chaos to Care" by David Lawrence offer real long-term solutions to the healthcare delivery problems we face in our current environment. Unless those market principles are imposed on healthcare, single payor will only delay the final implosion of medical care. Once the financial gains from single-payor healthcare are realized and exhausted, the costs will continue to spiral out of control.

Another issue is that he gives few details in the "how" of his solutions. Focusing on prevention and public health is a good and obvious point. Everybody agrees on it, but I don't think simply saying "it will happen once a grassroots movement demands it" is sufficiently descriptive of how he sees prevention and public health becoming the standard. Who will implement it? How?

Because of these problems, Dr. Lebow does not make a convincing case to those in power that change is good for them. He persuades the persuaded brilliantly, but I can't imagine why someone who opposes single-payer would change his mind after reading this book. And those in power are whose minds must be changed if change is to come.

The way I see it, healthcare as we know it is a very young industry. Only 16 years ago, managed care was almost an unkown in the healthcare world. Now, it dominates. Unfortunately, that insurance model grew so quickly there was no way anyone could have planned it properly. Imagine how the computer industry would have destroyed itself if it weren't entirely made up of systems thinkers known for their planning ability. ISO-9000 was brilliant, as is settling on the PC as the standard. Healthcare needs, and is getting, more of that now. HIPAA and state-mandated credentialing applications perfectly demonstrate the government's role in fixing healthcare. It should be a regulator, an agent for the lowly to make sure the big guys play fair, and a standard-setter to make commercial insurance more efficient. But it's entirely too early to declare the market dead and single payer as the only way out of this mess.

As an Adjunct instructor in the Concordia University system, I have had the opportunity to encourage my MBA students to read this book for my Special Topics in Health care class. After reviewing other possible textbooks during the last 6 months, I have decided to now use this text as the basis for my 8-week adult education class. Offering ample examples and 'myths' that portray our fractured health care system of today, this author has summarily provided a springboard for ongoing conversations and possible answers for this country. Granted all, the HC system will not be corrected for some time, but an accounting will be made when the public becomes a focused participant at the table.
As health care professionals, it is our responsibility to study, learn, participate and educate others, as well as ourselves.
This will begin that process and it will be well worth your effort and consideration.
Thank you
ESchwarz, RN, MBA, CCM

Fantastic and simple recipes cooked in a healthy way. The ingredients used are easy to find and I had absolutely no problems to follow the recipes. I would recommend it to everyone who's trying keep or learn a healthy style of cooking.

I was in a bookstore few days ago, checking cookbooks when I see this handsome youngman asking a store worker about some book. I couldn`t help to hide noticing his reaction when he found out the book he was looking for in the bottom shelf of the cookbook section. He got very excited and even screamed some words I didn`t understand. I than asked him what was all about? He apologized and replyed that the book in question was written by him and that he was so proud and happy he couldn`t contain himself. I tougth that was very sweet. He was so charming and sincere about the book that I was convinced to buy it. It turned out to be a great decision. I loved the simplicity of the recipes and the way he uses vegetables, herbs, and all the other healthy ingredients. I was happyly surprised to find out that no red meat, flours or canned products are used in any of the recipes. I was also surprised the youngman is not that young, he is in his forties!!! Must be the food. Bravo!!! It is a wonderful book!!!

I was in a bookstore few days ago, checking cookbooks when I see this handsome youngman asking a store worker about some book. I couldn`t help to hide noticing his reaction when he found out the book he was looking for in the bottom shelf of the cookbook section. He got very excited and even screamed some words I didn`t understand. I than asked him what was all about? He apologized and replyed that the book in question was written by him and that he was so proud and happy he couldn`t contain himself. I tougth that was very sweet. He was so charming and sincere about the book that I was convinced to buy it. It turned out to be a great decision. I loved the simplicity of the recipes and the way he uses vegetables, herbs, and all the other healthy ingredients. I was happyly surprised to find out that no red meat, flours or canned products are used in any of the recipes. I was also surprised the youngman is not that young, he is in his forties!!! Must be the food. Bravo!!! It is a wonderful book!!!

I shop for books online very oftenly and use the customer and editorial reviews to help me to get decided about a book I'm interested on. Some of these reviews are too critical, while others are too favorable, so I analyze each review as only half truth. The Editorial Review of THE HEALTHY TABLE fails its purpose which should be to tell us what is good or bad about this book. The problem here is that it suggests that the book is too simple and straigth forward like it is a bad thing - or yet -that the book doesn't offer any culinary innovation for the health conscious,like to show another revolucionary diet is or would be the best news in the world since the invention of the wheel. After reading the book I found out that its greatest quality is exactly to be so simple and straigth forward. There are some problems however, the price is too high for a two colors book, the photos also are poor, I believe they try to show an "atmosphere" but the idea doesn't convince and the people photographed don't show they want to be there, perhaps if the food was showed more, the results were better. Finnaly, I found out that the book is very helpful, the recipes are healthy, creative, uncomplicated and above all, "simple".

Luiz Ratto has created a culinary adventure for people who are conscious of their health. Evocative of the cuisine in five-star restaurants, these recipes are culled from years of experience and cooking wisdom. The flavors are exotic, the aromas pungent, and the photography enchanting.

This 175-page book is photographed in black and white, and is dedicated to "cooks everywhere." The book features an Introduction, Cooking Tips (including Techniques, Ingredients, and Equipment), and a listing of Basic Recipes. The Recipes themselves are grouped by course: Appetizers, Soups, Salads and Grains, Vegetables, Fish Shellfish and Poulty, Weekend Recipes, and Desserts.

Each recipe features a short paragraph of introduction (for example, where the recipe came from and presentation tips). There is a list of ingredients, followed by paragraph-form instructions on how to prepare the dish. All of the instructions are simple and easy to follow.

However, I was surprised to discover that nutritional information is completely absent. Also, pictures are only provided for some of the recipes. If you are unfamiliar with some of the ingredients, or with the expected textures, you may struggle.

The recipes are unique and inventive. Examples include: Green Grape Salsa, Chicken Roll-Ups (prepared with spinach and plum tomatoes), Doce De Coco (Coconut Cookies). The ingredients used vary by recipe - some are readily on-hand and others are exotic (for example, wonton skins or portobello mushrooms).

Very good review book for Step 1 neuroanatomy section - since this is very high yield. Cover all you need to know to tackle this field on exam. Covers more than FA but is not as exhausting as Kaplan notes.

First Aid is money for most subjects, but it's weak on neuro. This book is a very good balance between too little and too much for this overwhelming subject. The High Yield series keeps improving in quality, and in the newest edition is even better at showing clinical scenarios and integrating other subjects like pathology or physiology (I used an older version and it's still pretty good, though).

I would like to say this is great for course work, but at least at my school they tended to test on obscure minituae hard to find anywhere.

This is all you should need for Step, which does feature a decent dose of neuro (about 10, more like 20 questions). It's also very good at developing as essential foundation of knowledge applicable for future use, which sometimes gets lost when scrambling to cram for course exams.

My big qualm is the pricing. It's a thin book, not a main text. Use the library, borrow it from a friend, split the cost, etc. High Yield makes a nice line of books but they need to trim prices for medical students.

Getting confused with studying anatomy of the brain? This is a book for you! It is far better than dozen of other neuroanatomy books! It gives you a lot of details and it's easy to read, too! I'm studying for the USMLE step 1 exam and I will keep it handy all the time!

The USMLE has become increasingly focused on neuro over the past few years, and First Aid has become more and more inadequate with respect to neuro. This book is a great way to prepare for the neuro questions on Step 1. It's a slender book and is thus a very quick read --- heck, I'm a slow reader and finished it in 2.5 days. At the beginning of the book are several images of brain sections, with arrows pointing to the most important structures. The book also has radiologic images (MRA, MRI, CT) which were very helpful for me when I took Step 1 --- actually, I remember having 3 distinct questions with an accompanying MRA image. The book does a good job of explaining the basic function/organization of the different parts of the brain in a concise manner. There were a few sections that I thought were a little too detailed for Step 1 --- especially the cerebellum section. Overall, though, it's a wonderful book and it will help you to nail the neuro questions on the USMLE.

This is an excellent book and it's really all you need to prepare for your step 1. I used this book and answered every single question on neuro correctly.

What an absolute miracle! Thank you, Annie for a great book! Buy it, everything you need to know is in here.

Excellent book with great, user friendly ideas to improve the quality of your life and your home. Recipes for cleaners are excellent. Some of the rituals described are a little far out there but are thought provoking and are worth exploring.

I use this book as a home reference all the time and it has been extremely helpful and chock full of wonderful ideas for your life, home, body..inside and out.

I do not have a lot of time to read with four kids and this book was a easy fast book to get through. Lots of information that was displayed easily. Not the big words either. And in the back it a huge wonderful list of resources I could look up on the internet. Wealth of information. I gave this book to our school hoping when they remodel they consider what was written.

This book helps you take better care of yourself and your love ones. We are concerned about what we eat and if it's safe. We also need to be concerned about what we use to clean our homes with and what we use on our skin. In this book there is lots of good, practical receipes for a toxin-free home. This book will be on that I will use often.

I am a green interior designer and have found Home Enlightenment to be a very useful reference for my work. it covers a wide assortment of topics, but centers on creating a green and toxic-free environment.

I also practice Feng Shui, so Home Enlightenment, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet(for green, Feng Shui and a beautiful home) and Feng Shui Tips for a Better Life are always in easy reach in my office.

Thanks Amy for a great resource that I have given to many people in my congregation as they battle cancer.

This book was educational, inspirational, and very helpful. Since the author is a cancer survivor, she offers hope and encouragement from that perspective.

Dr. Givler has not only the knowledge of a medical doctor, she has personally gone through a diagnosis and the treatment for cancer. When I first read this book, it was as a reviewer for several magazines. I have purchased many copies now to give to people and unfortunately, know there will be more as long as we have the dreaded disease of cancer. If you are facing a diagnosis of cancer, please think about getting this book--or get one for someone you know who needs it. It is warm without sappy sentiment, practical, and like having a trusted medical friend for the journey.

This book is a fantastic resource for all cancer patients, but especially for newly-diagnosed cancer patients. Written by an MD who has cancer, it provides common sense guidance for many aspects of treating and living with cancer. I highly recommend this book for patients who have just been diagnosed. Read this book before you do anything! It is also valuable for cancer patients who have been diagnosed with a recurrence. An easy read, it is well worth the few dollars you will spend to own it.

I'm writing to tell you what comfort I received from reading your book. I read it the first time within two weeks of my husband's diagnosis and the start of chemotherapy. I have reread it again recently, and take it out when I need someone to reassure me God is in control, and to have faith. I often read sections to my husband that I feel will be of the most benefit to continue his incredibly strong belief he can beat it, no matter what the statistics say.

There is so much out there to read that I feel overwhelmed by all the information. However, very few books make you feel BETTER about this very "sucky" situation. Thank you to someone who really needed it, and appreciates it.

I bought this book to give myself suggestions and such for various issues in my life. It is very easy to read, to the point and a good read. I do reccomend it especially for the price

This is one of the most valuable books in my personal library.

S.Kai CHt

I found this book easy to read and simple to follow. In chapter one, the authors cover eight "orienting assumptions" which I found to be useful for a new Hypnotherapist gathering perspective and various views, this one being Neo-Ericksonian. For example: While "pain is what motivates clients to seek therapy" (orientating assumption One) ..."The primary goal of therapy is the creation of comfort, pleasure, health, success and happiness, not the elimination of discomfort and pain" (Orienting Assumption Two). This book was useful to help one learn and polish some script writing skills. It is encouraging and straighforward.

Received book quickly and in good shape. Nice Price.
Very good.
As always, when you make business with Amazon.
Paulo.

Very pleased with Hypnotherapy Scrits 2nd edition. It gives all that is needed to enhance my job as a psychotherapist. Periodically a patient's needs go beyond our simple techniques. The benefits of hypnotherapy are clearly laid out. This book provides an appropriate script for each target need, without alot of filler. It also provides the nuts and bolts of Neo-Ericksonian communication; The benefits of Diagnostic Trance process; The use of building the unconscious self healing resources of each patient; Of speaking in a calming, reassuring, inspiring, and captivating manner. It also inspires and encourages the therapist in the use of this communication. "Allowed to examine and respond to their discomfort in a relaxed state of mind, they may automatically discover how to become comfortable instead."

The best book I've found on Fibromyalgia. Who better to write on fm than a medical doctor who both specializes in fm and actually has the disease (yes, disease) himself? As a new fm patient, I found this book to be the most comprehensive, medically sound, and practical for helping to diagnose and treat fm. It even helped with my diagnosis. Another good source is "Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia" by Mary Shomon (another patient, but not a medical doctor; however, her book seems incredibly well researched. How did she find the energy?) A warning, "Fibromyalgia for Dummies" is an imcomplete piece of fluff, a waste of paper. (See my scathing review of it.) I agree with the reviews below, "Inside Fibromyaligia" is the first choice for fm patients. Thank you Mark Pellegrino.

This book helped me understand Fibromyalgia. It is well written and broken down into easy to understand chapters. If you are new to Fibromyalgia this is the book for you.

This book is full of practical suggestions for every facet of life with FMS - work, vacations, housework, etc. There is an illustrated series of stretching exercizes that are very helpful. I think this book is most different from others in its use of humor. If you don't have a sense of humor, you need to develop one with FMS, when "fibro-fog" becomes a way of life.
Dr. Pellegrino deserves a better editor - several typographical errors mar what is otherwise a wonderful book.

While this is not the first book I think fibro patients should have, that honor goes to the old version of Janet Hulme's Handbook, this is probably the second book a newly diagnosed person should read. The third one should be the Starlanyl.

While about a third of the information in Inside Fibromyalgia is generic and found in many other books, the other two thirds of the book contains his suggestions about how to modify activities of daily living, specific exercises to relieve pain in specific parts of the body and HUMOR make this an absolute must read and re-read. (you know how quickly we forget!!)

Inside Fibroy... is an awesome book that I highly recommend reading and following to anyone who suffers from fibro. I do not however recommend that anyone actually track Dr. Pellegrino down in Ohio to see him personally. It is not worth the $200 which he demands up front. You can get more out of the book. He is more concerned with the bottom line than helping his patients especailly those who travel from out of town to see him. Unlike what he says in his book he will not write a detailed letter to employers to help them understand fibro or to help the fibro patient obtain restrictions or job modifications. I would recommend showing the book to your employer. The book is very helpful, in person the doctor is not.