1 comments about The True Art of Survival.

1. This author weaves stories, mostly case histories--but some personal and family stories--- into a wonderful book about the will to survive despite hardships. Each chapter tells a different story about survival and positivity. At the end of the chapter, the author tells us what the case study has taught her about life's meaning and the true art of survival. At the end of the book the author reflects upon the true art of survival and includes a meaningful message to those readers who are struggling with the aftermath of 9-11-2001.

   If you buy this book, you will likely read it more than once. You will find yourself relating to her stories---even if you are like me---not a physician! I loved this book so much that I gave it out as my holiday gift to friends and family this year! This book provides a delightful and smooth reading experience.

No comments about Pickerill: Pioneer in Plastic Surgery, Dental Education and Dental Research.

1 comments about Journey of the Heart: Spiritual Insights on the Road to a Transplant.

1. This admirable young lady - I know - showed amazing courage during a time of near death episodes prior to a final heart transplant. Her insightful description of the thoughts and feelings experienced during this period of heart stoppages, fibrilations and a trip to the operating room for a transplant only to find the available heart not suitable and be sent home results in lessons in living for all of us.

No comments about Pay You in Hay.

No comments about Miracles & Memories.

No comments about Maverick Among the Moguls: The Adventurous Career of a Pioneer Cardiac Surgeon.

2 comments about As I Am: Living in Acceptance with Manic Depression.

1. The topic of this book is something that too many people have had to go through, including myself, Ann writes straight from the heart...gritty, brutally honest,and truthfully!
   
   For anyone with someone in thier lives who's had to live through the pain of incest and depression, or if you just want to hear her story to realize that your not alone, get this book!
   
   I Love You Ann.....
   Chantal



2. I appreciate reading the story, and the effort the author put into it. Yet I had a hard time reading it. The author could have used the help of an editor. She tends to get off topic quite often. At times her writing style is a tad too casual prompting me to wonder what she really meant since it can be hard for the written word to fully capture someone's mood. Mood, after all, is a big component of meaning. I also wish the print had been larger. So basically, the sticky point for me was readability more than the story itself, which has many merits.

5 comments about Me and My Shadow: Learning to Live With Multiple Sclerosis.

1. This book was a big disappointment. She just isn't a very good writer, or particularly introspective or surprising. What she IS is very concerned with herself -- she dramatizes her situation out of proportion, and is able to gather a whole team around her to support her (very mild) symptoms.Everyone she comes in contact with is immediately recruited to help take care of her! As a woman who has struggled with MS for over 15 years I have to admit I found little to instruct, comfort or inspire me in this very self-centered account.



2. I was recently diagnosed w/ MS and picked up this book because, do I dare say, the title! It really spoke to me. As I read the book the things she said were so in line with what I was experiencing, right down to her diagnosis - assuming it meant you're off to the wheelchair, questions about being able to have children, the whole nine yards. I felt like it was me in that book - and in many ways it was. Its only been a month since I was diagnosed and its hard for those around me to understand what I'm going through. Indeed, this book gave me someone to connect with. I think its a good book for the newly diagnosed. It puts things in perspective.



3. My 35-year-old daughter gave me this book. She was recently diagnosed with MS and we have read the basic information books from the MS society. These books were very informative but as with most books of this nature...very factual.
   We have been leery to read other books since the unpredictable nature of this disease can be very upsetting for both patients and their families.
   Carole's book was very different. It gave her story, then gave those that were close to her, the opportunity to tell their story as to how it has effected their lives as well.



4. Carole Mackie's story of her symptoms, her diagnosis, the progress of her disease, and the things she did; projects she took upon herself to help her come to terms with her disease is one of the best'personal story' books on MS that I have read. Because the course of her disease was so similar to my own. I feel like most people with the relapseing-remitting type of the disease need to read this book. She doesn't over dramitize, or give any technical medical rundown. She is just an ordinary working young person faced suddenly, and joltingly, with a potentially, progressively debilitating disease. How she deals with it and comes to acceptance was life-reaffirming to me. She answered the question for me: where do, and will I be able to go from here?



5. I so enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. While there are other books out there that give more medical and scientific info on MS, this one by far does the best job of going to the heart of MS and how it effects those diagnosed and those who care about them.

1 comments about The Man Code: An In-Depth Look at the Rules of Engagement for Today's American Man.

1. Written by army veteran, teacher, and coach Skip Wilhoit, The Man Code: An In-Depth Look at the Rules of Engagement for Today's American Man is an at times tongue-in-cheek guide to asserting one's manliness in American culture without being (excessively) obnoxious. Although a few of the rules are tongue-in-cheek or even "The Man Show"-esque ("If you have to occupy a less attractive girl so your buddy can get somewhere with her really hot friend, then as long as he saw her first and you have no current prospects, there is a duty to perform"), most are practical cultural advisories for greasing social acceptance among fellow men ("Have a backbone and don't carry your woman's purse, go to the store for feminine products, or let her dress you in matching outfits. Acts such as this will give your buddies all the ammo they need to call you whipped") or strong tenets of morality and compassion for fellow human beings ("Being truthful and honest must always be at least considered regardless of what a man stands to gain or lose"). Ultimately a call for men to take responsibility for their own lives and reclaim their cultural roles as fathers, providers, protectors, and positive role models, The Man Code deserves to be commended for writing down formerly unwritten rules and emphasizing the importance of behaving in a (by male standards) respectable manner.

1 comments about The Secret Life of Dr James Barry: Victorian England's Most Eminent Surgeon.

1. Just as I was thinking, too much history, I found myself pulled into another world, and I was hooked. I was intrigued by the history of medicine, and amazed at how much of a part, Dr. James Barry played in that change. He was a remarkable individual, and way ahead of his time. I admired this man greatly, and how much he advanced the rights of women to safe surgery. He took excellent care of everyone he came in contact with,including, slaves, street prostitutes, and so many more, that others had given up on. He was excellent at his craft and was the first Dr. ever - to perform a C section, in which both mother and child lived. Dr. Barry was strong willed and stood up for his rights and the rights of others. His hard headedness sometimes went to far, but he usually had others to call on for favor and ended up getting the money or advancement he needed. He was a brilliant thinker, and smart about how he positioned himself within a society of nobel people. He plotted his life early and went through with it. He had great travels, and companions in very exotic places. This book was amazing. I enjoyed it so much, I have since bought 12 more books about medicine.
   
   The only negative I found was that the author, went on way too much at the end about what kind of anatomy Dr. Barry had. I had already figured this out early on, and did not need countless pages of explaniations about it. The book should have ended many pages before it did. I found out everything I needed to know about this remarkable man, and did not need to go further. What an adventure to read. It gives you a strong sense of just how lucky we are that he advanced medicine and surgery the way he did. Thank you Dr. James Barry, and thank you author for bringing this to light. You wrote very well and kept my interest all the way through.