..;-shoulders Books

This book has taught me a different way to use my body. I have been using Esther's book since last October and have gained much by way of pain reduction, increase of quality sleep and increase in function. I have had back pain for 14 years. Thanks to the "inner corset", I can operate some of the double hung windows in my house this year without triggering fresh spasm in my back. Her instructions are the simplest way I've ever run across to find the right muscles to stabilize your back for such activities. Other key concepts for me are glide walking, hip hinging and stretch sitting. The gait change has helped me in a major way. Between the gait change and the method of stretching the back muscles, my referred pain at night is reduced enough for me to get a 4 to 6 hour stretch of sleep. For years before, I had been getting a series of naps, maybe a 90 minute one followed by 40 minutes at a time. I was a zombie! I also had knee pain that disappeared when I changed my gait. Thanks so much to Esther Gokhale for her work and getting this book out. My life is dramatically improved. This book is well put together, well thought out and researched, and has great pictures!

Esther's book is a great resource for people frustrated with finding good treatment for their injured backs. What I especially liked about it is that it teaches you natural behavior modifications that you can use in your everyday life, rather than highly specific exercises (Escogue etc) that are only done for a miniscule fraction of your waking life Remember, your back is with you for 24 hours of the day, not the fifteen minutes that you do your exercises. so if you arn't treating your back well with every move you do, its just absurd to imagine that your situation will improve. The same thing goes for chiropractic, acupuncture (although Esther is a practitioner of this) and all other alternative techniques. So, if you are ready to make a change for the better in the way you move throughout your day, pick up this book. Its not a miracle cure, but with some practicing, it has an abundant amount of useful tips that will help you lead your life better. I'm still a little confused on Glide Walking, but Esther is particularly active on the forums so I am sure I'll get ahold of it.

The overall direction of this book was not what I expected (very posture centric). However, after reading it - especially the pictures - and checking my own posture, I started thinking this was part of my issue. By 1] paying attention to some simple posture issues, 2] faithfully doing certain stretch and strengthen exercises from the back section of the book and 3] doing the ONE stretch which is central to "Treat Your Own Back" at the beginning and end of each ~15 minute session, I feel considerably better after 2 weeks.

By the way, my back issues have been ongoing for almost 15 years and I've been through some of the so-called best ortho doctors (and then the regular chiro and so on). If doing these exercises religiously 3 or 4 times a day continues the recovery . . . pretty happy!

This book is a work of art and after reading it, you will be as well - a sitting, standing, walking work of art.

Ever since an unfortunate back surgery 38 years ago I have had to live with its effect on my spine. Despite my problems I managed to remain pretty active and athletic until a 1990 injury in a car accident started everything unravelling.

Nothing I have ever found in my years of attempting to regain lost functioning has done as much for me as has already happened in the short time I have been trying to apply what I have been learning from Esther Gokhale's deceptively simple seeming but absolutely brilliantly insightful book.

What she teaches does not require immense amounts of time to implement. In fact it quickly can become part of one's ordinary life and activities so that whether walking or sitting or even sleeping it is as if the body's extraordinary healing power is finally released to benefit us unimpeded.

Last night I managed to walk around the block without stopping and at a reasonable pace for the first time in over six years (on previous attempts severe spasms in my lower back would force me to stop part way and make it difficult for me even to remain upright). I also had injured my knee a few weeks ago to the point that I had increased difficulty walking even short distances within the house. To my surprise (at what a miraculous difference it made) Ms. Gokhale's advice on walking gave more lasting relief to my knee as well as helping my back than I had managed even with trigger point therapy.

I have already purchased four copies and undoubtedly will purchase more. I want to give it to everyone I see (if I could only afford to do this) who has any problems walking or sitting or sleeping due to back or neck problems or with back or neck pain. I cannot praise it enough. It is more than a book, it is like a gift of life.

After reading this book it will be bring you to a different level if you are a fan and if you were not it will introduce you to Blind Melon the proper way. Their music was always was so raw and pure but I think after reading this book you can truly sit down and appreciate it on a whole different level. I think after reading the book you stop becoming a fan and you become a family member. It really brings the band from Oh my God! There Blind Melon!!!!! To this is Blind Melon a great group of musicians who truly loved what they did and created music at its purest level and for that you love them more as individual artist. This is what I think Blind Melon wanted to achieve through their music. I think the best way to describe it is that you truly start hearing the music because of its creation instead of listening to it because they were a great band.

Thank you Greg Prato for writing this book! I read a lot of books. I can truly say that this has been the best book to read so far. For those wondering what it is about, it is best describe that the author, Greg Prato, selected a subject for each Chapter and used a series of interview answers from friends and band members to tell the story. This book provides no bias opinions, just multiple views on the Blind Melon story.

This is the one for all the lemonheads out there! Greg Prato has made it possible for all the fans to get inside of those crazy, yet still productive years of Blind Melon and Shannon Hoon. This is the spoken word from people who where there witnessing the bright flame of Shannon and Blind Melon. But as they brightest flame burns quickest...

Strongly recommended, keep on rockin, Blind Melon, Greg and lemonheads all over the world!

This was really an amazing book! If you are curious about Shannon Hoon /Blind Melon, this book helps you feel like you know each of the band members and all of their experiences they went through the few years they were together. I loved this book and would strongly recommend it to anyone who loves their beautiful and unique music.

I am up to page 80 and I look forward to every time I get to read it. (The way it was written in blurbs of the different friends of Shannon makes it great for the short trips on the NYC subway. It has been very healing to read, as it has been such a while since Shannon's tragic death, and I feel the sad reality of it sometimes when I listen to Blind Melon's music. As a drug addict in recovery, myself it is also useful. You're hearing it from the horses' mouths reading everyone's personal experiences with Blind Melon, from how, when and why the band formed, to Axl Rose's part in their success, to Shannon's death, to the new lead singer. Greg Prato makes it easy to know who everyone is with the 'Cast of Characters' in the front of the book. I find myself laughing at all of Shannon's hilarious antics out loud. One of my favorite's is when Shannon wrote a song to apologize to Heather Thorn, the guitarist Chris Thorns wife, for kicking their door in to get his dog when they took the dog hostage for Shannon being a so wasted that night. The lyric's went "I'll leave farts that don't stink if you'll forgive me". I love this band 501 times more since I started reading this. Melonhead's unite!! Enjoy this gift. I love and miss you, Shannon!

I opened this book and couldn't put it down until I finished it. It truly does tell the story of Shannon Hoon and Blind Melon, and tells it in the best possibly way; from the mouths of the people that lived it. The story is told in a series of quotes from band members, record company people, family and friends obtained through interviews by the author. And in the case of Hoon, the quotes were taken from published interviews from the 90's. There could no be no purer way for this story to be told. The interviewees were candid and open; they seemed to hold nothing back. Their words and stories spoke so clearly of those times and what Shannon Hoon meant to them that I truly felt that I got to know him and his tendencies through this book. I felt as if I truly had spent those hours not reading a book, but spending time with these people and their friend Shannon. Which made for emotional results even though I knew the end to this story. When the fateful end of Shannon Hoon's life came in this book I immediately felt the loss of him. My heart broke, and I missed him. Just from reading a book 13 and a half years after the event. I do not have the book in front of me as I review it, but someone in there said something along the lines of "everyone who met him thought Shannon was their best friend" and it was easy to see that.

As Shannon Hoon had the most powerful personality of the subjects in the book, and people seemed to speak most about their relationship with him, it is easy to focus on him. But through the honesty of Rogers Stevens, Christopher Thorn, Brad Smith, and Glen Graham you felt closer to them as well. They give valuable details of life in the band Blind Melon, everything from stories from the road to recollections of recording and some song meanings. A casual rock and roll fan will see from this book that Blind Melon was a band, and not just Shannon Hoon.

Your heart really goes out to the people that were close to Shannon Hoon. People whose lives were touched very deeply for knowing him, and who had to deal with the pain of losing him. I extend gratitude to those willing to speak about those times for this project, and credit to the author for the Shannon Hoon quotes he chose to give the singer's perspective of that time in his life with his band. Strongest recommendation for anyone that is a fan of 90's music, and this is a flat out must read for any Blind Melon fan.

What a wonderful, realistic resource about personal relationships! Though targeted for in-law connections, the ideas and stories portrayed are practical and realistic. Note the lists in chapters 3 and 10 of measurable suggestions on methods of reaching out to someone else lovingly. As friends of both Mimi and Jean, I have observed that this written tribute is genuine. Enjoy this 'experience'.
MaryAnn Palm

Mimi's advice is timeless--straight from her heart to the heart of the less-than-perfect present or future mother-in-law. As my sons date, the book has inspired me to give less unwanted advice about the young women who they bring home, love more, and welcome her with open arms. That's hard for me! The next young woman may be my daughter-in-law and I want to start off accepting her and letting her know she is loved so that we'll have a wonderful relationship if she is chosen for marrige. Thank you, Mimi, for articulating the ups and downs and giving great godly advice! My hand is more often over my mouth and my arm is more frequently around her shoulder.

I was challeged by Mimi's mother-in-law's positive example. The life stories from others who have struggled was very helpful, too. This is a good, easy-read book that I want to share with my daughter as she develops her relationship with her mother-in-law.

This book is not only a great guide for ANY relationship but it's also a wonderful tribute to the wisdom, warmth and love of a woman who has been so important in Mimi's life - Jean. From the real life stories to the loving lessons, it's easy to find little gems to apply to each and every relationship in your life.

This wonderful little book isn't just about mother/daughter-in-law relationships but about "challenges" that might arise in ANY friendship. My two daughters-in-love were appreciative and thankful when I presented them with the book. Hopefully, they'll find help in areas I struggled!!

I like the writing style of Bob Buck better than that of Ernest K. Gann, but the two tell similar stories covering approximately the same time period. Bob Buck's career with TWA was longer than Erenest K. Gann's career with American and the short-lived Matson, so Bob's stories extend into the jet age, but it's the stories from the 30s, 40s and 50s that I find to be the most interesting.

Bob flew a specially-equipped B-17 during WW-II, looking for lightning and other severe weather. It was funny that he literally flew all over the world looking for bad weather, only to learn that there's no better place in the world to find it than at his home base of Kansas City.

Ernest K. Gann's "Fate is the Hunter" is the gold standard by which all other aviation books are judged, but, well, I like "North Star Over My Shoulder" better.

It would be heresy to suggest that you not read Ernest K. Gann's "Fate is the Hunter," but it would be a severe omission if you were not to also read "North Star Over My Shoulder."

This is one of the finest books, about an aviator's life, that you will ever read.

I am a professional pilot who has done the freight, airline and corporate thing and now calls instructing corporate pilots his gig. (It's my wife who has the sign in so F off!) This has been been my mecca of aviation history. I was born 30 or so years late and I missed the glory years so I found the fountain of youth, wanna fight about it!? This book is THE penultimate tome of written aviatory (Bush said it so it's a word!!) history and I read it many times a year!

Highly engaging. A chronicle of amazing change and progress in aviation in one man's career.

I found the book to be excellent. My father spent a career in what became TWA starting with TAT a few years before Bob Buck was hired into the merged airline. In fact, my father accompanied Bob Buck on the historic Rockwell polar flight. The book was so well written that I felt like I was getting a close up look at my father's environment over the years.

With all the violence on TV these day,it is nice to get a book for our grandchildren that is sweet and fun to read. I have all John Denver's music and books,this is one of the cutiest.It is a must for grandma,hope you like it as much as I did. Carol

This is the softcover version of the book, but it is a nice addition to my elementary classroom library.

This is a gorgeous book, with John Denver's lyrics, and beautiful summery illustrations. My daughter has the paperback version and we love it so much that we have been buying the hardcover version as a new baby gift. The book features a brown-skinned little girl - hard to find - and a brown-skinned daddy - even harder to find - swinging, floating on a boat, and playing a guitar! This is a terrific publisher who deserves our support for their commitment to quality children's literature.

This John Denver song, turned into a book illustrated by Christopher Canyon is wonderful. Absolutely beautiful illustrations. One you can sing/read over and over. Very well done. Can't wait for "Grandma's Feather Bed". Dolphin Lullaby and Take Me Home Country Roads are both worth purchasing also. My kindergarten class loves it as well as my children at home.

Sunshine on My Shoulders book/CD is so very touching with the warm memories of the heart felt song by John Denver and Christopher Canyon's beautiful illustrations that accompany the music. I am an early childhood teacher and I use the book to demonstrate how thoughts become words, become verse, becomes song. . . . The Music Is You opening song on the CD explains this concept even further! The children, ages two to seven years, are mesmerized again and again through out the story/song. Other teachers and parents even stop to listen. This is a wonderful opportunity to teach about who John Denver was, what he believed to be so important for our lives, in addition to Christopher Canyon's ability to carry on the message in a way that can reach children of all ages!

The accurate and high quality pictures are the strongest side of this book.
The writer is really intelligent and knows what he is talking about. You can disagree with some of his advice, but at least you understand where he is coming from.
Caution: at least half of the book is on health and exercise in general, but an olympic weightlifter will get his/her money's worth.

There have been some pretty in depth reviews that cover this book well, but I had a couple of points I wanted to make.

This book is a terrific resource for anyone wanting to take the step into weightlifting or strength training. The emphasis of this book upon strength and healthy living is somewhat at odds with most mainstream literature due to their basis in bodybuilding. As a result this book and the author should be commended for promoting a healthy approach to weight training as a lifestyle and practice. Finally someone who "gets it", lifting shouldn't be about looking healthy and strong, it should be about being healthy and strong.

The only flaw I see in this book is the author's english skills. His first language is clearly not english and as such he does have some confusing sentences and paragraphs. But I only noticed this for the first 1-2 chapters, either you get used to it or it the bulk of the book has been more tightly edited.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in strength training, especially those wishing to learn the snatch and clean and jerk.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2YKHSV7PL40Y9 Essentials of Weightlifting and Strength Training

What I liked: coverage of the different types of weight training (power lifting, body building, etc.), great description of body shortcomings (too stiff, weak arms, shoulders) and possible remedies, form for different lifts, interesting Egyptian history and training methods over time (40+ yrs), Q&A section

What I didn't like: 1st edition binding unraveling, small print, overwhelming size of information, sometimes dry writing style

Who should buy this? those looking beyond the basics and wanting something more integrative & descriptive approach - whole body lifting

Although I am currently not in the best of shape, at one time I worked as a personal trainer and by education I was trained as a research scientist. I have graduate education in both physiology and biochemistry and have worked with some high end athletes including one Olympic level powerlifter. Currently, I am looking to use strength training again myself because I was sidelined for a number of years by a back and neck injury, this is the context for my interview.

The first thing I would like to say is that I own and have bought many books on strength training and most of them are not even in the same category as this book. Of the books that are out there, most of them say the same thing in different ways, make unsubstantiated claims or set unrealistic expectations. In short, this book is a welcome exception. It is well-organized, detailed, thorough, well-written and dense with valuable material.

A lot of the focus here is on training for powerlifting. However, it's also a great strength training text with lots of references. The scope of the book is ambitious and covers the proper way to perform important exercises, information about periodization, explanations of how different types of programs affect the body, the importance of coordination, etc.

In addition, this title has many useful diagrams, training ideas and references to actual studies. The information in it is very credible and much more than one person's opinion. I was also extremely impressed with the detailed descriptions of how each exercise works, the anatomy involved and the sections on physiology.

One might assume that a book like this would read like a text book in accounting or calculus (not that there is anything wrong with either of these subjects).... However, it sometimes difficult to be technically precise and at the same time engaging to the reader. On this account, Dr. El-Hewie has certainly succeeded.

Although this book is quite expensive, it covers a TREMENDOUS amount of ground in a reasonable space. It was clearly a labor of love and it is well worth every cent. Rather than wasting money on more of the same, I recommend getting a few good books. This is one I would NOT like to be without.

Another book that I saw recently for hard-gainers had a lot of good content in terms of building mass. I think it fell down a bit in the nutrition/supplement area, but it is much less expensive than this and covers a subset of this material that is most important to training properly for mass. This book is called From Scrawny to Brawny. There are a FEW other books I saw that I thought were quite good and I will be reviewing them in the near future. I will most likely be reviewing the ones I thought were quite bad as well.

Lastly, this book covers lots of nuances like nervous system adaptation, relationships between strength, mass and power. The importance of coordination and how to plan a path forward depending upon your goals. It's really one stop shopping for an athletic approach to strength training vs. bodybuilding. Bodybuilders will find a lot of great material here, but this is NOT the emphasis of this particular book.

First things first: This book provides a very interesting and seemingly thorough review of the forms of art to emerge from Harlem. It is worth reading for that reason alone. I would merely caution readers that Kareem is not hesitant to express a resentment against white America. Harlem is a very, very dangerous place, and has been for a long time, but reading this book you would never think that. You would think any acts of violence done there were brought on by caucasian mistreatment, that the Harlem Renaissance was an effort by blacks to overcome all the harm they had been done - and are still done - by whites. Someone of Kareem's influence could have gone about that differently. He could have described the art and literature as he did, mention the influence of black hardship in creating that culture, then at some point mention how black America has the role models it needs to excel. He could have pointed out that while making a living as a writer or a trumpet player is great, carrying and using a handgun with the same intentions is not. I always wished Carlos Santana would make more of a contribution to his culture's growth through his music. Maybe Kareem's next book will make a similar effort.

I have only scanned the book, however I am historically familiar with a
lot of the content which motivated me to buy the book as a collectors
item. I also order the book for my grandson and a friend's son.

Doug Murray

Here is a man who should be an inspiration to a whole generation. This book is more proof that he is more than just an athlete. This book is recommended reading for all teenagers

On the Shoulders of Giants speaks of a bygone, sometimes forgotten piece of America and its culture that nevertheless has great, reaching tentacles into our present, and that will continue to shake and embrace us well into our future. Beautifully written, with a title that says it all, this book is just as evocative and fascinating for non-sports, non-jazz fans as it will undoubtedly be for those entrenched in both subjects.

A wonderful discovery.

Especially interesting are the musicians and music that originated or passed through Harlem during this time.

"Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue" by John Shelton Reed and Dale Volberg Reed ($30, University of North Carolina Press, 316 pp.). This book does a great job of telling its story through its content supported by loads of pictures (although only black-and-white here). However, this book has a juicy back story that goes past being just an ode to the barbecue of its region. Everyone knows of the rivalry among the four major barbecue regions as to which one is the best. But North Carolina has its own rivalry within that rivalry between barbecue of the Piedmont and barbecue of Eastern North Carolina. The authors do a great job of telling that story, making this book all the better. This book, like the others, covers its topic in such a detailed manner that you'll be an expert by the time you finish the book no matter if you've ever set foot in the Tarheel State or not.

This book is an excellent overview of North Carolina barbecue. What sets this book apart from others on the subject is the amount of detailed research. The authors not only did their homework, they interviewed many of the major figures in North Carolina barbecue first hand.

The unique structure makes the book very readable. First they give a detailed history of barbecue in North Carolina while touching on the debates that echo within the state as to what constitutes "real" barbecue and what does not. This ranges from the style of sauce and what cut of the pig is used, to what fuel does the cooking (wood vs. gas, electric, etc.) Second, they go into the food in detail giving many excellent recipes and enough detail that even a barbecue novice could produce their own 'cue. Finally (and my favorite part) are the interviews. The authors scoured the state, interviewing the important restaurant owners and pitmasters who make North Carolina the epicenter of barbecue as we know it.

Highly recommended for fans of good food and history.

This is a great book on North Carolina barbecue and is worthy of a spot next to "North Carolina Barbecue" by Bob Garner, another good read. They make you want to hit the NC barbecue trail!

I got this book as a gift for my husband for Christmas. Let me just say that we LOVE North Carolina barbecue. My husband has thoroughly enjoyed Holy Smoke. It is a great reference for the historical and cultural aspect of NC barbecue and also includes some very interesting and authentic recipes. The pictures are great too. He has several other books dedicated to North Carolina barbecue, but this one is unique.

Bought it for my father-in-law for Christmas. We took turns reading it over the holiday. He and I agree of all the BBQ books we've read, Holy Smoke might just be the best.
It covers every aspect from history to recipes to making excellent BBQ at home. Highly recommended for fans of North Carolina barbeque.

I also had the opportunity to meet Michael Shoulders at a Literacy Compass Conference in Tampa, FL. I was highly amused by him. He's a wonderful speaker, author, and DANCER! Yes,,, he rapped one of his "songs" to us... "I say Tenne, you say C...Tennesse, I say Flora...you say DA... Florida." He's hysterical! He's from Clarksville, he shows you that on the map. His son was on Survivor, his wife writes a weekly column in the Clarksville newspaper on Literacy....He read to us Say Daddy! and it had a beautiful message attached. He said this actually happened to a family and thought it would be a great story to write. He comes highly recommended!!!!

This is a great book to give at a baby shower.
Love the illustrations and the story is funny.

Bought this book for our first grandchild who is going to be a boy
It will be read to him by our younger son who is his father.
Excellent story that can grow with little Will and be read over and over again I'm sure.

As an educator in Clarksville I have had the pleasure in meeting Mr. Shoulders several times. I am very excited about this one and am already awaiting any new creations to come. This is such a wonderfully written book that can be shared with the whole family. With the beautiful pictures and surprise ending it will melt your heart!

Michael Shoulder's has once again written a book that is a hit with parents and children alike. I was extremely fortunate to have him visit our school, and talk to our children. He is one of the most gifted speakers. Our children hung on his every word. When I told them he had this new book out they couldn't wait for me to get it. Reading is truly magic to Michael Shoulders and this book just enforces this. If Michael Shoulder's has written it - you can just count on it being worth buying AND reading. Once again he has come through with a book that encourages reading and a story that young and old can enjoy. (This is a perfect gift to give for new parents or grandparents!)

I'm a second year emergency med resident, and I love this book. It's written for and aimed at emergency physicians. There are a lot of black and white photos of x-rays, CTs, and some ultrasound. There are also many hand-drawn illustrations that highlight what the radiograph photos are showing. Because this book is written by EM docs, there is a focus on clinical treatment. The text really focuses on what's important in interpreting and managing pts with these radiographic findings. There are a lot of photos, illustrations, and easy-to-read useful tables. I only wish that there were more ultrasound photos, but despite that criticism, I can confidently recommend this book to any serious EM resident.

Excellent resource. A gold standard for the field of radiological interpretation. Especially beneficial to newcomers to the field.

I am a PA in the ED and of what I have read so far I have found this book to be very helpful and well constructed. It is an easy read and overal worth the money. It is probably best suited for someone who has some experience with x-rays and wants to expand futher or review. It does cover some basics and a lot of advanced stuff (CT, MRI, some nuclear scans) as well.

As a practicing family/urgent care physician, this book has proven invaluable on numerous occasions. This book is easy to read with a great number of radiographs to look through.
I highly recommend this book to family physicians and internists
looking to add to their library collection. It is practical and a real time-saver.

Easily the best EM radiology book I've seen. Well-illustrated, well-written, well-referenced, addresses current imaging controversies, and is full of great teaching points.