No comments about Out Came the Sun: One Family's Triumph over a Rare Genetic Syndrome.

5 comments about Room For J: A Family Struggles With Schizophrenia.

1. Room for J is a great book for anyone who might want to gain some sensitivity and insight into what it is like to live with someone who suffers from mental illness. You'll also get a glimpse into the life of J through some personal journal entries. The book is not written for a light easy read, and it will most likely leave you asking more questions versus finding answers. In fact, it's somewhat of an emotional rollercoaster as you try to place yourself in the position of each of the people in the book while reading excerpts from their personal journals. However, it will challenge some of your perceptions surrounding mental illness and will hopefully make you a little more sensitive and compassionate to what family members and those who have been given the clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia may be trying to cope with on a day by day basis.



2. Mom, Dad and three healthy kids - the Hanson family seemed about as well-adjusted and All-American as it gets -- until that day the dreaded phone call came, inferring that their youngest son Joel, away at college, was having some sort of mental breakdown. During the ten years since then, the Hansons' lives have been turned upside-down and thrown into a battle with both Joel's schizophrenia and the flawed and frustrating American mental health system.
   
   Author Dan Hanson says writing the book was a form of self-therapy, but it's also a generous gift to readers, especially those with family or friends dealing with mental illness. Sharing such a personal and trying situation is an act of courage, especially his indictment of our mental health system and society's need to subjugate and medicate every person that doesn't fit into its recognized definition of "sanity." Hanson pleads for better treatment of the mentally ill, many of whom have fallen through the cracks of a transition from huge state-run institutions to community-based care.
   
   "Implying that we rely too heavily on medication-based treatment programs, Hanson suggests teams made up of a social worker, psychiatrist, therapist, and trained support person, all the while recognizing the funding and staffing difficulties involved. He also explains convincingly how we need to expand our definition of "normal" and give the mentally ill the respect they deserve. Even though the Hansons live in constant fear of an eruption of Joel's psychosis - he believes he is the Messiah and ruler of the Universe - they learn to accept Joel as he is, and also how to cope with their own guilt and feelings of helplessness.
   
   Hanson has written a heart-wrenching but lucid plea for better treatment of our mentally ill. It is also a love story between a father and son, by a man who cares so much and loves so deeply that he is willing to overcome fear, doubts and societal pressures to learn, grow, and evolve spiritually from the experience. It's an amazing story of hope and of the power of parental love.



3. An amazing and emotional look inside one incredible families' journey to help their son deal with a disease that is still so hard to define. A reminder to all of us that you never know what tomarrow will bring and that "family" is so much more than a word.



4. Having had a family member with schizophrenia, I have long searched for a book that goes beyond a clinical, sterile description of the illness. "A Room with J" is the rare and validating book that I've been looking for, written by a father who has the courage to honor and share the humility of living with his son Joel's mental illness. Using journals and photographs, the book offers an invaluable glimpse into Joel's experience, and that of his family members, as they strive each day to bring dignity to his life. What makes the book astounding is that it is written by a distinguished leader in Communications and Business Relationships who could have easily focused his efforts outside his poignant struggle at home. Instead, he took his extraordinary communication skills to create an unforgettable account of his family's resolve to triumph over the humbling chaos of Joel's journey. I came away from the book deeply grateful to the author for showing me how the power of love and honesty can ultimately shine right through an illness as agonizing as schizophrenia.



5. I read this slim volume in a day. It is nice to be able to read this personal story about life with a child who has schizophrenia; it provides a little comfort in knowing one is not alone. My heart goes out to the Hansons, whose son J does not believe he is ill and has struggled for a decade with his medications. Mr. Hanson encourages receiving/accepting support from organizations like NAMI and family and friends, which is good advice.
   
   Mr. Hanson does not go into detail about J's medications, but I know that most anti-psychotic drugs do come with a hideous side effect profile, which we experienced in our family, specifically with Risperdal. Recently, we have reason to hope that Abilify, which is fairly new on the market, will address symptoms with, so far, almost no side effects at all.
   
   Best wishes to the Hanson family - I appreciate you sharing your struggle.

1 comments about Bare Bones: A Surgeon's Tale.

1. Very interesting and sincere book of life experience and wisdom, indispensable for any orthopaedic practinioner; it's going to be an extremely exciting reading for anyone, concerned with orthopaedic surgery and modern medicine in general. The very epigraphs to the chapters are worth jotting down and being remembered through one's life. I'd especially recommend it to my fellows orthopaedic surgeons, who, in author's unvarnished narrative, would find their own practice events mirrored to some extent, and also feel themselves for a moment communicating with many legendary figures of American orthopaedics. It made me more humble and at the same time opened new horizons for my mind. A must-have book.

No comments about Recovering Bodies: Illness, Disability, and Life Writing (Wisconsin Studies in Autobiography).

5 comments about The Chase for Beauty.

1. I read this book because I'm a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and I heard a lot of buzz about the story of Dr. Hurwitz, The Total Body Lift and the clockwork orange murder in Squirrel Hill.
   
   I finally decided to pick it up after reading an article about it in the post gazette back in September. The article describe the book as having a short beginning, a long middle, and an ending that was going in the right direction. I personally felt like the beginning and the middle were page turners, while the ending didn't have enough closure, probably because these were all true accounts.
   
   I also felt like I wanted to learn a lot more about the murderer of Karen. In the Post Gazette article, it says the author interviewed the murderer for 5 days at Fayette County prison. I'd love to read the transcript of that interview. I was definitely confused as to whether or not the boy was crazy, jealous, or both.
   
   What I loved most about The Chase was that the author recreated Dr. Hurwitz's life and made me feel like I was an actual part of it.
   
   Pick up this book if:
   - you're from Pittsburgh because it will without a doubt hit home
   - you need to be inspired by someone who has had it a lot worse than you
   - you want to learn how to appreciate the joy and beauty in life



2. Like a couple of the other reviewers, I'm not a huge reader (although I spent much of college in literature classes).
   
   I was drawn to this story because it sounded almost like fiction when I heard about the horrific murder and the glitzy plastic surgeon. Indeed it was a page-turner.
   
   A great part of the book was the descriptive style that Mendelson uses to take the reader into the lives of the Hurwitz family--their joys, their great sorrow and their need to move past the terrible tragedy.
   
   Without giving too much away, my favorite part of the book comes after the murder, when Dr. and Mrs. Hurwitz make a decision for their future.
   
   All in all, it was a good read. The only thing I might have changed was the title. I'm not sure that "The Chase for Beauty" captures enough of the emotion that the book truly exudes.



3. I read this book in one day. Every time I got to the end of a chapter, I found myself unconsciously rolling into the next.
   
   At first, I thought that I was interested in this book because of the setting. Being from Pittsburgh, it was exciting to notice familiar landmarks in the the story. But, upon reflection, I realize that it was the story, itself, and the messages attached to it, that really kept me engaged. Of course, the writing style also helped. Reading this book was effortless, but the reward and experience was incredible.
   
   This book is a must-read for anyone who: doesn't like to read, loves to read, has lost a loved one, has a personal struggle of their own, is looking for motivation, needs help rebuilding, has an interest in religion, likes crime or drama, is interested in the medical community, or wants to be moved.
   
   In truth, this page-turner is a perfect fit for anyone who wants a good read. It explores a range of emotions, from shock and fury, to empowerment and peace.
   
   Not only does the book capture the emotional roller coaster of sorrow and joy, it also looks at everyday situations and challenges in a honest, simple way. This true story is a personal, fresh read with a momentum of its own. Once you pick it up, it's impossible not to get swept away.



4. Even though this book is about a gruesome murder, it is so beautifully written that I couldn't put it down. I kept turning each page wanting to read more and more about the Hurwitz family. With half the book left to read, I had to take it with me on vacation instead of opting for a beach book full of fluff. A must read about a family that doesn't give up no matter how ugly life gets!



5. Great read. I would absolutely recommend this book. Can't wait to see more things by this author. He really made the story personal and exciting. Couldn't put it down.

5 comments about Dr. Frau: A Woman Doctor Among the Amish.

1. A truly educational experience in the first person. Grace Kaiser has done an excellent job of documenting her many years of experience as a Practicing Physician living amongst the Amish people. She leaves nothing to the imagination on her birthing experiences. Learned much from reading this book of short stories.



2. Dr. Kaiser was a no-nonsense country doctor for many years in the Pennsylvania Dutch country. She delivered babies at home for the Old-Order Amish and Mennonites, sometimes arriving at the farmhouse by sleigh, if necessary. She writes with astonishing detail about her patients, their humor and lifestyle. Dr. Kaiser got stuck in mud, snow, was sometimes unavoidably to late to get the baby delivered, but she always treated her patients with deep respect and loving care.



3. It's been awhile since I've read this book, but I really enjoyed it. Dr Kaiser's book takes you inside Amish homes where she delivers their babies. What really struck me was the fact that many Amish women keep working...canning food...sewing...cooking... right up until the time they are ready to lay down and push the baby out! Dr Kaiser fights her way through snow storms, battles attacking farm dogs and deals with some quirky Amish people which makes for some very entertaining reading!



4. This is one of my absolute favorite books. The stories are a fascinating look both at the life of Amish people and human nature. These chapters will make you laugh, feel and think. You can't go wrong with this book and Dr. Kaiser's second book, "Detour" if you have any interest in Amish life and culture.



5. I read this book with great interest; I find the Amish and Mennonite to be beacons of true Christianity in this era of materialism and hedonism, and am always seeking to gain a better understanding of them. That, of course, leads me to seek out books like Dr. Frau, yet at the same time it places me in the unfortunate position of creating the demand for books that pry into their personal lives.
   
   This book deals with one of the most guarded aspects of Old Order Amish and Mennonite life--the birth of children. The author of course understands this fully and deals with the actual births in a brief and respectful manner; the stories focus primarily on the circumstances surrounding particular births, such as driving through heavy rain or blizzards, having to hurry between several births on the same day, etc. There are also some stories about her medical practice in general, attending to non-Amish/Mennonites, and rural life.
   
   Unfortunately, I can't say that the author is a particularly good writer, or a natural storyteller. The stories were inconsistant, at times somewhat mundane, and in the end I was left with the sense that this book wasn't entirely complete.

5 comments about My Own Medicine: A Doctor's Life as a Patient.

1. This book is a refreshingly candid, funny, and moving account of one physician's experiences as a patient with a serious and often fatal illness. I found it difficult to put down, extremely well written, and accessible to both lay public and medical professional. Dr. Kurland's account is an important addition to the genre addressing the patient experience. It is must reading for anyone involved in patient care... and anyone who might be a patient...



2. Wonderful book with a lot of insight on the doctor being the patient. Despite the seriousness of the subject (diagnosis and treatment of lymphoma), it is sprinkled with humorous anecdotes about medical sub-specialists and medical training. Gives insight into physician thinking and training that should prove enlightening to non-physicians. A well-written, wise book by a great doctor.



3. Nonfiction with all the excitement of a novel. It reads easily, stays on track, holds the reader's interest and has to have wide appeal. How a physician barely survives a frightening disease and manages to achieve some lifelong dreams in the face of extreme adversity. It offers special insight to all of us as potential patients or medical providers, with some special appeal to runners and endurance athletes.



4. Our family was inspired by the stamina and ability to reach for the stars that doctor Kurland demonstrated in his book. It was quite helpful in dealing with our own personal fight against a difficult illness. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone dealing with disease and irony.As a doctor he has an aura of magnetic strength and is highly regarded in his profession. We tip our hats off to you!



5. Highly recommeded reading, well written. A doctor's perspective when faced himself with a potentially lethal diagnosis. Geoffrey Kurland takes you along for this trip with humor and a high dose of reality. His story helps the reader put things in perspective.

5 comments about He Walks Like a Cowboy: One Man's Journey Through Life With a Disability.

1. He Walks Like a Cowboy is a rare opportunity to understand both the emotional and physical challenges of going through life with a disablity. It is a personal story told with great love and heart, allowing the reader the chance to connect with who the author is, and not just the words. A great book and I am looking forward to more from Jonah Berger.



2. Jonah Berger presents a road map for people with disabilities, particularly those of us with progressive diseases. He demonstrate how to face the future with humor, humility, and how never to take today for granted.
   
   He discusses delicate topics like dating and the pain he lives with daily, with grace and his ever-present humor. The letters written by his family and friends are testaments to his incredible character and inspirational strenght.



3. Jonah Berger's "He Walks Like a Cowboy" is touching, funny, inspirational and insightful. This book should inspire others to be true to themselves and live their dreams in spite of their challenges. A good dose of reality from a gifted author. A compelling autobiography.



4. I recently attended a gathering specifically centered around this book. I overheard a conversation between a few people speaking about how this book is so motivating and inspiring for people with disabilities. I quickly interjected and reminded the people in the conversation that it does this for those WITHOUT any physical disability as well. After all, we all have some sort of disability that we live with. It may not be muscular dystrophy but we all have challenges we must face on a daily basis. Berger teaches us through his own life experiences that we have a choice as to HOW we live with these challenges. Its never easy but he shows us that we can do anything we want to with hard work and determination. It sounds cliche but there's no denying that after reading this book.
   
   A quick, emotional, hard-hitting, MUST read!



5. There are many different aspects to this book that I love. First was the educational aspect. Going into it I didn't know too much about MD, and the author provides an explanation of it in easy to understand terms. Secondly, its amazingly open and honest. The author discusses all of his feelings and struggles so clearly that your heart really melts for him. But at the same time, you are strengthened and touched by his sense of self. The stories about his outdoor adventures really motivated me to get out there and see everything that our beautiful country has to offer...and to think about the sense of accomplishment and glory of completeing a task that seems so daunting. Its amazing what Jonah does and how he never quits.
   
   I also enjoyed the writing style. Its very conversational and humorous...esp the 'Ladies' chapter, loved the deserts! The internal beauty of people really is what makes this world go around.

3 comments about Cambodia Calling: A Memoir from the Frontlines of Humanitarian Aid.

1. I picked this book up in the airport before traveling throughout Cambodia. It was my hope to add to my experiences of this beautiful country by also reading about someone else's. This did not happen. The author is a self-obsessed doctor, on mission in an effort to move up the ranks within a non-profit organization back home. His dislike for Cambodia does not work well with his title "Cambodia Calling". In fact, he cannot leave the country fast enough. The author attempts to associate his experiences through works of art. It fails miserably. Throughout the book you will learn more about his personal tastes for wine and cigars than you ever will about Cambodia. I am not exaggerating when I say this was the most meaningless book I have ever read. Do yourself a favor and leave this one on the shelf.



2. I bought this book and couldn't put it down. A phenomenal journey into the politics and trials of aid workers with deep insight into the day to day interactions of the people they help. Heinzl wrote a powerful book that provokes reflection on humanity and values.



3. I thought the book was interesting and insightful because it showed another side of international development work. The author shows the daily grind of working in a remote, sleepy very poor village. It's not glamorous, but shows the joys and difficulties of the work.
   
   I also thought the book was well written. It moves from lyrical descriptions of the places he visits to vivid descriptions of the characters he meets. It's very funny as he writes about some of the situations he finds himself in.

5 comments about Escape from Psychiatry.

1. This book truely touched my heart. I felt like a kindred spirit with the author. Clover's childhood reminded me so much of my own and brought back so many difficult emotions for me that I wept bitterly throughout the first five chapters. The book also gave me a complete understanding of what my mother, who died at the age of 53, went through with psychiatry and being diagnosed with manic-depressive illness. The way Clover explains feelings and behaviors she and others experienced in the book is nothing short of remarkable. I have never read a book that touched me at such a deep emotional level. This book made it impossible for me not to look deep within myself in an attempt to rescue my soul from the depths of spiritual turmoil and restlessness that I have allowed myself to fall prey to for 36 years. This book is extremely climactic in that it starts with a child that is isolated and withdrawn, being held hostage by the confines of a confused, angry, lonely, and miserable soul ultimately blooming into a beautiful, thriving, giving, understanding, accepting, and luminous spirit reaching out to help and be helped. Becoming one with all spirituality. Becoming complete. Clover, you are truely blessed. My spirit loves yours because you have the mind of Christ. Absolutely marvelous book. A must for everyone in search of self. You find it in this book because Clover holds your hand and leads you directly to it.



2. ESCAPE FROM PSYCHIATRY is a very powerful story! I am awed by Clover's strength and courage in being able to recall and relive all of her experiences of psychiatric abuse in order to write about what she went through. Her story is very important because it shows how the core of so-called "schizophrenia" often traces back to feeling desperate for love and yet very afraid of it. Mostly, however, her story documents how the pessimistic expectations that psychiatrists have for people who are extreme mental cases can become self-fulfilling prophecies for people who remain trapped as "patients" in the "mental health" system. When Clover found different people who gave her kindness, love, and hope, she recovered and healed. This is the kind of story that most psychiatrists can't stand hearing about because it shows how they contribute to the very conditions they claim they are trying to cure, and it shows that their beliefs about "chronic mental cases" can be totally wrong.

   Al Siebert, Ph.D Host of the "Successful Schizophrenia" web site. Executive Director of the Kenneth Donaldson Archive for the Autobiographies of Psychiatric Survivors




3. "Escape from Psychiatry," the autobiography of "Clover Smith" is a harrowing account of one woman's odyssey through the mental health care system of the `50s, '60s and `70s. This is not a book that can be evaluated as a piece of literature, because strictly speaking, it just isn't. But, like other first person accounts in the same vein - Frances Farmer's "Will There Really Be a Morning?" comes to mind - Clover's story is valuable for its portrayal of the shocking abuses and neglect endured by the mentally ill at the hands of psychiatrists.
   
   From her seemingly-credible perspective, she was just a young woman cut off from emotional support who put her trust in doctors to heal her simple fears. All she desired was one person with whom to talk about her feelings of isolation and terror. Instead she was scarred and scared, literally out of her wits, by a series of "treatments" which resembled torture more closely than they did rehabilitation. At the hands of doctors she spent thirty-one years undergoing electro-shock and neuroleptic drug therapies which left her filled with increasingly justified, internal rage and external symptoms ranging from the loss of her teeth and memory to the constant muscle spasms of tardive dyskinesia - a known neurotoxic side-effect from the brain damage caused by a range of neuroleptic drugs.
   
   She never did find a psychiatrist who wanted to talk with her, with the exception of one scurrilous egotist who also tried to bed her. Yet some preternatural strength, resident inside Clover, allowed her to outlast the convoluted mental health care system. Her recovery finally came as a result of entering an Alcoholics Anonymous program and weaning herself from the medications she instinctively knew to be toxic. She is no longer schizophrenic or paranoid, two diagnoses that may never have been accurate for her or countless others who have undergone similar treatment.



4. I have had the pleasure of meeting Clover and was able to spend some time getting to know her and though the book is great in person she is truly amazing. Having studied psychiatry and the effects of long term treatment I can tell you that hardly anyone makes it out and is able to function on their own. Clover has done that and was able to write and self publish her story all with the intent to help others. This book is great, it is truly a testament to one woman's strength and love for all. I would encourage you to also contact her through the info. given and support her cause, she is a real hero and a wonderful woman.



5. Escape from Psychiatry made me run the gamut of emotions. At times its text felt like the memoir of a holocaust survivor, revealing all manner of abuse and horror against humanity. I was mystified and intrigued, angered and repugned, saddened and humiliated. But mostly I was joyous...joyous that the invulnerable holy spirit, in all its divinity, ultimately emerges triumphant, giving hope and inspiring all who share this journey.
   
   Clover Smith-Greene will tell you herself, she is one of the most truly blessed--she escaped the deadly clutches of psychiatry! Her remarkable recovery is a living testimony that through God's love and forgiveness anyone and everyone can heal.
   
   Gwen Olsen, Author of Confessions of an Rx Drug Pusher