5 comments about Appointments at the Ends of the World: Memoirs of a Wildlife Veterinarian.

1. I read this book when it first came out three years ago, and I still think about it. His stories about the wonderful animals around the world touched my heart and I would highly reccomend this book if you enjoy reading about animals.



2. I'm a huge supporter and reader of animal books, especially those with veterinarian authors. When I first saw this book at the library, I thought, "Wow, a new twist on and old idea... a WILDLIFE veterinarian." However, it wasn't far into the book I got sick of hearing about irrelevant, uninteresting happenings. The author is cocky and self-absorbed. His attempts at humor and general likeability are pathetic and easy to see through. I'm a hardy reader and will usually force myself to finish off even the most boring of books, but it was about halfway through I had to shut it for the last time. I actually got angry while reading it because it was THAT bad!



3. THe stories are incredible. In his writing he delivers the visual scene and feelings through his eyes, the animal's scene and feelings through their eyes, and the past present and future for these creatures of the Earth. I have passed this book on and purchased copies for others to enjoy, and they did.



4. Excellent book! I originally checked out this book at my campus library based on a recommendation from my uncle, a biology teacher. I enjoyed this book so much that I bought a copy after I read it.
   
   This book is a must read for future wildlife veterinarians and wildlife biologists.
   
   Dr. Karesh is able to draw you in to the many fascinating and sometimes dangerous places he travels to as a wildlife veterinarian. He also offers up a realistic perspective on wildlife conservation efforts in third world countries.
   
   Hope you enjoy it.



5. Since the largest portion of the book was about his sojourns in central Africa, it's quite obvious that this is his favorite place, but his adventures in Indonesia, South America, and other remote locales were interesting as well. The book was as much about his colleagues and friends as it was about him.
   
   His "postcards", which described local culture, history, and politics, were essential to understanding his missions.
   
   You can learn the most about him by Googling Billy Karesh; this appears to be what he wishes to be called.

No comments about Unbeatable: The Whole Story.

4 comments about Amanda's Gift.

1. This book, to be quite honest, at times is hard to read. Not because it doesn't flow or make sense, but because it is so easy to relate to what Scott has written. There were many times when I found myself thinking how I have expressed many of the same emotions and frustrations that Scott wrote about. It brought tears on more than one occassion. However, I am very glad I read the book. It is very helpful. Both with practical advice and in dealing with your emotions as you battle serious childhood illness. Thank you Scott, your book has been a gift to countless families.



2. This author has provided the public at large with several real gifts. The first is the gift of his beautiful daughter, Amanda. The second was his unflinchingly honest assessment of Amanda's illness and the tragic impact it had on her family. The third gift was making his (and Amanda's) story public. This man has done an invaluable service and one can't help but hope for peace in their lives. This book is very inspirational.



3. This book has truly helped me, go through the illness and death of my 4 1/2 yr old special needs son. What is so neat is that while this family lived in IL, Amanda and her sister attended the preschool and school where I worked. I met Amanda in person , and watched her in the "green room" many times. I always remember holding her and "Bunnylove" little did I know that when I became a mother I would go down the long road of having a sick child who now lives with the angel's. I hope and pray Amanda is alive and well, but if she too has gone home with the Angel's I know she and my little boy are together



4. I found this book very helpful after our 3 year old was diagnosed with a life threatening illness, PH+ALL. We were able to identify with many of the same experiences as Amanda's family, from middle of the night fevers, failed IV attempts, neglected siblings, friends and coworkers offers of help, and many bills. This book taught us to never turn down help when it is offered. Family, friends, and coworkers want to help and need to. We know that we would feel the same. "Amanda's Gift" reminded us to take care of our marriage and our other children. So we kept date night, and made time to relax, or go out for ice cream with our other children.
   The author talks about his personal relationship with God, how he was able to put his trust for his daughters future in God's hands.

5 comments about House Calls.

1. I thought it was a great book to read and enjoy .I loved the way it was presented on the recap of a very wonderful and full life from a person who loved life and the sucess enjoyed by fulfilling ones ambitions



2. This is a warm, delightful collection of human interest stories, which is easy reading and leaves you feeling good. Although based on the medical practice of a physician, it is really a story about the lives of the people who touched his and his families' life.



3. As a fellow physician I enjoyed the book. It is easy reading and in my case resurrected some nostalgic thoughts of my own career.



4. The vignettes in the book House Calls by Bernard Bodmer will make you smile, bring a tear to your eye, provoke a belly laugh, and warm your heart. But most of all, these wonderful stories will show you the sensitivity of a doctor who loved his work and the patients he treated.



5. Stort essay's that recollect a Dr.'s fond memories of his past. I would have liked to have seen more "meat" to the stories. I would just get interested and then it was over...

5 comments about First, You Cry.

1. When I was a teenager I remember reading Betty Rollin's book for the first time. It had an enormous impact on me because it was really the first time anyone had ever spoken about their experience with breast cancer. Little did I know that when I was 50 years old I would also develop breast cancer. I thought about this book and tried to find it but it was out of print. I was so glad to see it back with new information. The feelings she describes are still true today but what a difference the new treatments have made.



2. Don't waste your time or money! No doubt, when this book was first written it was a ground breaker. Unfortunately, there isn't any real help to be found in the text. Today, there is much more valuable information available. At a time when your physical and emotional energy hits some real lows, spend your time reading something that can really help. I would highly recommend "Just Get Me Through This" by Deborah Cohen and Robert Gelfand, M.D.



3. I bought this book for a friend who has Breast Cancer and only read some of it, however, she has told me it is very helpful and she is getting a lot out of it. There is nothing like hearing from someone else who has had some or all of your experiences and this is done well and in a very positive fashion.



4. I read this book years ago, but never dreamed the day would come when I, too, would be diagnosed with breast cancer.
   
   The experiences Betty went through are much the same as what most of us go through after we hear the diagnosis; however, over the years, treatments and medications have changed allowing us a great chance of survival. Like everything else in life, there are no guarantees.
   
   I like the way Betty told her story, because she had a positive attitude about her illness, which is half the battle in itself. She never portrayed the "poor me" attitude and is an inspiration to others. However, it is an older book and I found some of the statements a little redundant in view of the changing times. For this reason, the book rated three stars. Overall, I still enjoyed the book.



5. I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WAS WONDERFUL, I READ IT IN A DAY. YES THE TREATMENTS AND OPTIONS FOR WOMAN TODAY ARE 100 TIMES BETTER BUT THE FEELINGS YOU GO THROUGH ARE STILL THE SAME. SHE WRITES WITH SUCH HONESTY ABOUT EVERY ASPECT OF THE PROCESS OF TREATMENT AND PICKING UP THE PIECES ONCE YOU GET HOME. GOOD BOOK.

5 comments about Dear and Glorious Physician.

1. Even though I am agnostic I enjoyed this book a lot. I read it in under a week. It is a wonderful story, not overly religious. A fascinating look at life 2000 years ago.



2. This is not only a great period read, but a truly outstanding novel. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book. Caldwell's research of the time period helps make the novel more believable, and makes the reader feel as if they were in the first century Roman Empire. Caldwell pays fine attention to detail when describing her settings, emotional natures, and physical traits of her characters. An example can be found on page 493; "The earth danced in heat waves; the sea flashed like blue fire." Here Caldwell personifies the earth, and uses simile to provide imagery of Lucanus's searching, and his attempts to record the life of Jesus. Again in the journey narrative, Caldwell uses metaphor to bring an ominous atmosphere to the mind's eye saying, "The moon was a yellow skull in the dark sky." Caldwell is careful not to clutter the work with description; she develops the plot well. I found her writing style easy to follow, which engages the reader and keeps them wanting more. There is no overwhelming theme of the novel; the book follows one man's journey, Lucanus (St. Luke), to come to know God and document the life of Christ. Although the book is religous in nature, Caldwell gives an objective perspective and does not preach to the reader. This is a great novel for people of all walks of life.



3. I just read this book and found it hard to put down. Ms Caldwell's description of the Roman world along with the portrait of the main character make this novel a must whether you are a religious person or simply a lover of history.



4. This book is REALLY awesome. I like how Taylor makes St. Luke ( Lucanus) like a real person instead of some holy guy that you can't relate yourself to. It's full of Israelites, Romans, and Lucanus' quest to find who he is and what God calls him to do. It's truely hard to put down and is a beautiful story. I'm 13 and I reccomend this book to kids my age and up. If you want a really good book to read... this book is for you!



5. This book is to be read and re-read!!! It contains so much wisdom, insight, and all of it written in such a powerful way.
   If you are curious about one of history's most fascinating time periods, this book will definetely enthuse you. It is filled with so many visual descriptions capable of transporting you back in time as you read! I could not put it down
   Luke's story is inpiring and Caldwell's treatment is sublime.
   GET YOUR HANDS ON IT TODAY!

No comments about Listening in the Silence, Seeing in the Dark: Reconstructing Life after Brain Injury.

5 comments about C.G. Jung and Hermann Hesse.

1. Serrano was a writer and diplomat who sought out 2 masters as a spiritual/philosophic seeker. Fascinating biography, mixed with Serrano's own fixations.

   Serrano later fixated on Adolph Hitler, so there certainly seems to be a germanic bent that he followed. Read "Black Sun" to see the strange path MS took after his encounters with Hesse and Jung.




2. _This is the second time that I have read this remarkable book. Both times I found myself envying the author for having established friendships with two of my greatest heroes, two of the greatest sages of modern times, Hermann Hesse and C.G. Jung.
   
   _This is not some collection of trivial exchanges- from the first meeting with both men the tone of the conversations were deep and significant. As the author says, it was like he had known both men before and they were resuming an old discussion. Hess himself commented on it and said that, "Here, only the right guests meet. This is the Hermetic Circle...." Sounds rather like Jung's concept of synchronicity, though Jung also speaks of Hermetic links with past and future in these discussions.
   
   _While both sections cover a remarkable amount of the core meaning of the life work of both men, there is also a personal sense here. You feel like you are meeting them yourself, are also guests in their houses. Not that the ideas are all rehash either- here and there something new pops up. An example would be how in one of the interviews with Jung the discussion turned to how both the ancient Greeks and the Native Americans both thought from their hearts and not their heads. Thinking exclusively from one's head is the result of dissociation between ego and Self- and sets up a tension that may tear a person or culture to pieces. In any case, you feel that you know both men. Of course, Hesse's novels were autobiographical in the deepest sense (and it is reaffirming to know that he actually was an accurate reflection of his characters- it wasn't just a show.) As for Jung, he states outright that he wrote primarily for his own process of individuation and that the fact that so many others read him made him frankly uncomfortable.
   
   _I was glad to see that my own perceptions of these often misunderstood and misinterpreted men seem to have been accurate from the start. For me too it was like a conversation with old friends- relinking with the Hermetic Circle.



3. An enchanting book by the controversial author Miguel Serrano. Serrano's books are often hard to interpret (requiring a knowledge of Alchemy, Gnosticism, Norse Paganism, Arthurian myth, Nietzschean Philosophy, Jungian Psychology, as well as Tantra both Buddhist and Hindu in order to decipher) but this is one of his more straightforward works. Serrano does an excellent job of drawing one into the story its almost as if you are on a spiritual pilgrimage with him. Despite the fact that I enjoyed his two other books that have been translated into English ( NOS book of the Resurrection and The Secret Flower) I put off buying this book for some reason. After having read a few of Hesse's works and finding them to be truly amazing I knew I had to stop putting it off and buy it. I wasn't disappointed.



4. While I enjoyed this book, it fell short of the other reviews posted here. I'll preface my review - my readings of Jung are more limited than Hesse. I would rate the Hesse portion 2 stars, and the Jung Section 4 stars.
   
   Serrano romanticizes both Hesse and Jung to the point that they are portrayed as spiritual leaders. Serrano reminded me of a wide-eyed traveler who enjoyed idealizing the East, never really becoming entrenched in the culture. Spirituality isn't found by moving to India as much as Serrano alludes. It is possible my cynicism is a result of a recent trip to Asia where I encountered many travelers that reminded me of Serrano's worldly immaturity, although his later fascination with Nazism lends itself to my analysis.
   
   I was looking forward to the linkage between these authors and East theology/philosophy, but I think Serrano came up short. Some ideas he purports came from Jung or Hesse were around long before either author was born, and I do not think either author would say otherwise.
   
   Serrano fixates, at times, on himself a bit too much. Maybe some readers find Serrano interesting, but I was reading the book for insight into Hesse and Jung.
   
   Serrano wrote about Hesse as if Hesse were the Buddha. If you are interested in spiritual guidance I'd search elsewhere. Personally I think Hesse led a life of greater inner turmoil than Serrano lets on in this piece. I can appreciate the other reviewer's comment about people misunderstanding Hesse, however I found reading Hesse's "Wandering" more fruitful than this work.
   
   I did enjoy the Jung section. Serrano focuses less on himself in the Jung section and has more detailed accounts of interactions which I found fascinating. However, my readings of Jung are somewhat limited so the section may not actually offer much insight compared to other works.
   
   I'd recommend reading the book for the Jung section, but maybe get this book from the library rather than buying it.



5. Carl Jung and Hermann Hesse unplugged in a fascinating and accessible way. The reader is a fly on the wall during Serrano's visits to these spiritual giants over the years. In my memory now, I almost feel like I was at a series of small dinner parties- Jung, Hesse, Serrano and me. Serrano has helped Jung and Hesse become 'companions' in the background and trajectory of my life. And these are some friends to have! Imagine that...

No comments about The King's Midwife: A History and Mystery of Madame du Coudray.

No comments about The Derminator: or Tales of a Lucky Dermatologist.