5 comments about Phone in the Fridge: Five Years with Multiple Sclerosis.

1. Just as "Coffee in my Cereal", was an honest open expression of being newly diagnosed, this look into the ongoing saga of living with a disease without a roadmap was a delight to read. Lorna has such a way of sharing that touches people in so many ways with humor and insight. It makes others with the disease say I am not alone.



2. I read Lorna's first book and this one is just as good if not BETTER. I have MS and I can totally relate to everything she writes about



3. This book is very honest and funny! I have so enjoyed reading this as well as her other "coffee in the cereal". They both make me feel that I am not alone with the crazy things this disease does to my body, and better still, they make me smile about it! Thank you, Lorna for putting it all in perspective with humor,after all, it IS the best medicine anyway! :0)



4. this book is about personal experiences that the author has had. she makes her experiences humerous. those that have experienced these symtoms know it isnt easy but you have to accept what you have. Its easy to identify with her and to see alot of your own symptoms or mine anyways. my husband is reading this book now so he can better understand me. I didnt think Id like this book but loved it. I reccomend this book to anyone with ms, their family and close friends. It is a good example of cognitive issues.



5. This book was funny, if a book about MS can be funny. I received my own diagnosis 18 yrs ago (when there really weren't any treatments available). I wish there'd been a book like this around then, because it shows that life goes on, and life is still good, and yet it doesn't pull any punches about how hard some of these symptoms are. The only question I have is whether all of Ms. Moorehead's cognitive challenges really are MS -- I was personally fine cognitively until I had kids, at which point my brain became overloaded with kid minutiae and quit functioning quite as well as it had before! This may or may not be MS, but I feel obliged to question it, because I don't want newly diagnosed patients to feel that all of these symptoms, particularly the cognitive symptoms, are inevitable. Having said this, I applaud Ms. Moorehead for sharing with us as she has. God bless her for the chapter on exercise. I thank her for her courage and her candor!

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.

4 comments about A Mother's Story.

1. This book is an unexpected jewel that was given to me by a friend during a time in my life where I was struggling with myself and my path in life. Everyone can associate with the events and emotions conveyed in this touching account of a mother losing her son. Honest, personal, and moving, the author invites us into a sacred place and shares her tragedy with the world with loving care. At times I felt embarassed, as if I were trespassing into a private and personal memory. It is more than a book about loss and heart ache, it is a book about life.



2. Gloria Vanderbilt describes herself as living from earliest childhood in an "unbreakable glass bubble," a sense of being isolated from people because she was unlovable and unworthy, unable to feel deep emotions. Though she knew happiness for the first time with her fourth husband Wyatt Cooper and her sons, she still felt tinges of being cut off from reality. Her husband's death started to crack the unbreakable bubble surrounding her soul, and it shattered completely and forever when she witnessed her son Carter commit suicide, when he was 23.
   
   She then was able to feel the deepest pain and guilt, and to acknowledge the boundless joy he had brought to her. She writes in a disjointed manner, flashing back and forth with journal entries and short reflections about events in her life leading up to Carter's death, which she describes in acute detail. Her musings are written to herself and to Carter, except for one chapter in which she reaches out to readers who are dealing with loss; she never imagined she could survive after her son's death, but she did, and given enough time, others will, too.
   
   This little book is short enough, and compelling enough, to read in one sitting. Her reflections are deeply personal, and yet universally understood.
   
   Kona



3. I read this book before I read her husband Wyatt Cooper's book, which was written decades before Gloria's book. I was confused to find that almost every single one of Gloria's 'memories' of her sons, mostly centering around Carter, obviously, were almost word for word taken from Wyatt Cooper's novel. This makes her book, titled A Mother's Story, so much more sad for me---does Gloria not have any memories about her sons that are her own?
   
   Aside from that, she spends quite A LOT of the book basically doing the poor little rich girl routine. I'm sure she's had pain in her life, but everyone has! She goes on and on about how she's locked in a bubble and can't feel any real love, everyone that she's ever tried loving is taken from her, etc, etc, etc.
   
   The book is really choppy; short passages taken from her diary, lifted memories, and she jumps back and forth to her son, Carter's suicide. After she describes the suicide she spends the rest of the book going on about how she had to see her surriviving son, Anderson, right in life and then she could be with Wyatt and Carter again. Very melodramtic, but it makes my heart break for Anderson--she quite obviously would rather be 'in heaven with Daddy and Carter' than paying attention to the son she still has.
   
   The only reason I gave this book two stars instead of one is because it is a mercifully quick read.



4. Gloria Vanderbilt's novel isn't about Gloria, it's about Suicide and the aftermath of depression and grief. Even in the ever increasing, unwanted clique of suicide survivors, it's still fairly rare for those who have actually witnessed the suicide of our dearly loved ones to find help for our special sorrow. Suicide of a loved one is hard enough to deal with, but there's a distinctive anguish that must be dealt with when such a disturbing, shocking, and painful life-taking event is witnessed.
   
   Such an event separates us from the rest of society in an uncomfortable and agonizing way, and no one could have been more separated from her feelings than the last American Debutante: Gloria Vanderbilt. Raised to be a "lady", to never show strong emotions, to remain in control at all times, Gloria experienced many shattering events, but her "glass bubble" broke when her son committed suicide before her very eyes. Gloria had to break her glass bubble in order to survive, to deal with the overpowering emotion exclusive to survivors of suicide, and she poignantly shares her journey in this heartrending account of her son's life and death. Breaking her "bubble" was a gutsy act, one that perhaps you are facing now. I found strength in her words, and courageousness in her willingness to share her unique pain. Her story is about celebrating her son's life and accomplishments, remembering him as he was before his illness overtook his life, and about her courage to "break the glass bubble" and share her deep, heartfelt emotion and pain in order to help others in spite of her upbringing, which encouraged a lady to bottle up feelings.
   
   The stigma attached to suicide, and even those who are left behind, is often crippling. None felt this stigma more than a woman in constant "limelight", a woman of "old money" forced into a strict code of ethics that forbade public displays of emotion, or public displays of weakness. Uneducated people see suicide as a weakness, and apply this not just to the originator but to his/her family in his/her wake.
   
   I highly recommend this book for survivors of suicide. If you're looking for courage in this time of great need, please pick up a copy of this book. Also, do a google search for 'suicide survivors', and call your local Crisis Hotline for survivors groups in your area or phone numbers to call. You're not alone. There are groups of real people out there who share your unique pain, please contact them.

5 comments about Partial View: An Alzheimer's Journal.

1. Before you read further, you should know that I am the agent who represents this book.

   I am writing to tell you the importance of this book and the impact it has had on people. Four years ago, when this project was nothing more than a Washington Post article, three doctors from the University of Virginia wrote to the Hendersons, telling them that "it is rare that we get such an eloquent description of the daily struggles and triumphs which challenge Alzheimer's victims."

   The director of the Duke University Medical Center Family Support Program wrote that this work "will probably do more to change the way people think about Alzheimer's than anything written to date."

   When the photographs and text appeared at the Freedom Forum's Newseum in Arlington, VA, visitors were simply effusive with their praise.

   Please judge for yourself. For more information on the book, please log onto the Washington Post website, where the book is featured.




2. As the spouse of a man with this horrendous disease, I was very moved by this excellent journal of text and photos which allows one to "see it from the other side" as much as possible. In some moments of clarity for him, I shared excerpts of the book with my husband. His reaction was "he sure knows". Having ordered a copy for everyone in our family, perhaps I helped create the current back order situation! Kudos and thank you to all involved in the process of this book.



3. I have worked in nursing homes with Alzheimer's patients and received excellent staff training in relating to these people. But nothing equals the insights into the feelings so powerfully shared by Mr. Henderson. I'm giving it to a friend whose spouse has just been diagnosed and will recommend it to professionals still in the caregiving field.



4. This book gave me some small insight into what my grandmother, who has alzheimers, must be going through. From the description of why he's afraid of the dark to the small joys of daily life and unquestioning company of his dog, Smith-Henderson has given a treasure to those of us baffled by this disease. My aunt is now using the book for a project in medical school, and I am encouraging my family to read it, so they might also have an idea of what people with alzheimer's face daily.



5. This book is extraordinary if I do say so myself! Cary Henderson is my grandfather. He was diagnosed with AD soon after I was born. I have no memory of him not having it. It has gotten so bad no that a I feel like he is living, but not really here all the way. He is holding on, though. The pictures taken by Nancy Andrews are artistic and creative-wonderfully displayed. My grandma and aunt have put so much work and time in this book and it has really paid off. I am proud of them and think it's great that people can put themselves in someone's shoes that has AD. This book is interesting and will keep your attention until it's over. I reccomend this book to anyone.

1 comments about The Radical Lives of Helen Keller (The History of Disability).

1. Kim Nielsen's Radical Lives Of Helen Keller is part of the New York University Press "The History of Disability" series and provides a powerful social, political and literary biography of Helen Keller's life based on research into both literary sources and FBI files and military intelligence. The result is an unusual focus on Keller's involvement in disability rights and activism a focus which has been lost in other concentrations on her blindness and literary achievements. Radical Lives thus is an important, essential guide for any who would receive a well-rounded survey of her life.

5 comments about Only When I Sleep: My Family's Journey Through Cancer.

1. Only When I Sleep: My Family's Journey Through Cancer is an intensely personal, candid, and compelling account of then 24-year-old Lisa Shaw-Brawley's battle to overcome Hodgkin's disease and give birth to a child. This superbly written and presented biographical account is an inspiring testament to the human spirit in overcoming adversity and striving for a dream against all the odds. Highly recommended reading.



2. This is a wonderful book. It will make you cry, but will also bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face. It makes you realize the "choices" Lisa and her family had to make to survive where very hard for her and her family. You will admire her strength, courage, and her determination to beat this. You see first hand how it effects everyone in her family. How the love of her husband, parents, family members and friends are unconditional. It shows us how the small things we all take for granted can be taken away from us in seconds and our world can be turned upside down. How Lisa never gave up and if you "believe" anything is possible.

   I highly recommend this book to everyone, not just those dealing with cancer. There is a "lesson" for everyone to learn from Lisa's experience. It's a WONDERFUL story of love, courage, faith and determination of a young woman who is fighting to survive cancer.




3. This is a wonderful book. It will make you cry, but will also bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face. It makes you realize the "choices" Lisa and her family had to make to survive where very hard for her and her family. You will admire her strength, courage, and her determination to beat this. You see first hand how it effects everyone in her family. How the love of her husband, parents, family members and friends are unconditional. It shows us how the small things we all take for granted can be taken away from us in seconds and our world can be turned upside down. How Lisa never gave up and if you "believe" anything is possible.

   I highly recommend this book to everyone, not just those dealing with cancer. There is a "lesson" for everyone to learn from Lisa's experience. It's a WONDERFUL story of love, courage, faith and determination of a young woman who is fighting to survive cancer.




4. Lisa is a brave and intelligent person. The words she writes of her cancer experience are from inside her soul, they are real. She dares to speak of her fear. You can hear her fear and her courage to fight fear. She insists on explaining this life changing event. She describes cancer's potential and how paraylzing an experience can be. I myself am a (2) time Hodgkins Disease survivor. I can relate to Lisa in many, many ways. The title, "Only When I Sleep," says it all. I strongly encourage anyone to read this book to hear words of a cancer experience and the meaning of a cancer survivor. Those who have experienced cancer and read this book will applaud Lisa for her strength to overcome adversity and commend her for not letting her experience go unnoticed. That yes, Cancer is life changing, it will try to take you down, but for many not without a fight. With a loving support system, you can overcome.
   Thanks Lisa, and happy healthy - life to you and yours.
   Patti Nowak



5. The pouty look on the author's face on the cover of the book should be enough for anyone to know exactly how the book will read.
   As a current Hodgkin's patient, I was highly disappointed in Only When I Sleep. I kept reading it only because I wanted to be able to write a review here to counter those that convinced me I should buy the book. I am experiencing how personally devastating cancer can be, however, I am ashamed (and a little bit angry) that people might think that all cancer patients behave like spoiled children, moping around in search of pity and verbally abusing those who love them.
   There are certain emotions and ideas about cancer which the author writes about that I do agree with; however, it's mind-boggling why someone would want to actually put their selfish and immature behavior on display like this. Shaw-Brawley wasn't happy unless everyone was coddling her; she had to see everyone cry over her before she was happy. Her poor parents and husband deserve some kind of award for putting up with her--they were probably exhausted by the time her treatments were over. I agree that families experience cancer right along with the patient--there's no denying that--but none should have to suffer like Shaw-Brawley's.
   I don't doubt that keeping a journal throughout her ordeal was beneficial and cathartic to Shaw-Brawley, it was not something I feel she should share with the world. In no way am I saying that what she was feeling was wrong or that she should have kept it bottled up...it just wasn't worth publishing. Journals are meant for personal reflection and should be kept in a box in the back of the closet.
   I gave the book two stars only because it must have took some kind of gumption to show this side of herself in a book. Do yourself a favor and don't buy this book...neither the writing or the editing is that good anyway.

5 comments about Adopting Alyosha: A Single Man Finds a Son in Russia.

1. Robert Klose's book is a detailed account of the bureacratic hurdles he faced as a single man wanting to adopt a child into his life. He simply wanted a son -- to give a young boy a loving, safe home. But no one made this journey easy. As you follow along through the months and years with Klose, you find yourself thoroughly supporting this man, cheering with him whenever snippets of progress occur. Klose's writing style makes it easy to journey with him. He paints the picture perfectly. Through his story I felt his anger, his disappointment, his resignation to the endless requests for money, and his immediate love for a beautiful Russian boy when he first set eyes upon Alyosha. Read this book. You'll agree that this world is a better place because of men like Klose.



2. I knew the book would be good, but had no idea it would effect me so profoundly--it brought tears to eyes--such passion and compassion in this man and his quest for a son. You'll be the edge of your seat throughout the book. What determination this man has, what insight and strength of character to follow through despite the many obstacles he managed to tackle. I want more!!!!When is the next book coming out? This is must read for anyone who loves children, who is intersted in adoption or anyone who has challenges and needs inspiration!!!



3. I received this book with low expectations considering previous tactical books I had read on the subject. It stopped me in my tracks.
   I was so impressed by Robert's literary style and story-telling ability. He allows us to go through the entire process and share very personal emotions --discovering with him important lessons for anyone involved in international adoption. The frustrations and bureaucracy encountered are almost overwhelming, but well worth it. I loved this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone considering international adoption--single or married. However, I would also recommend it to anyone who would enjoy an inspirational true story about a man and a boy half-way accross the world who seemed destined to be family. I promise it will change your perspective on adoption and what it means to love. All we need now is the sequel. Thanks Robert for living and telling your story.
   (One more thought, if I were a TV producer, it would make a great Sunday Night Movie)



4. I've never stayed up until three in the morning to read an entire book... I was bleary-eyed this morning, but Klose's story has kept me motivated all day... I, too, am a single man and have been considering adoption as a way to grow my own family... There is so very little written about single men who want to adopt children specifically, and I'm so glad I found this book, and I did so completely by accident... Klause is an swesome storyteller - his descriptions of his environments (both external and internal) were so vivid I felt like I was righit there with him - in his backyard in Maine, on the airplane going to Russia, and in the little ram-shakle house that Aloysha lived in... It was a very visual story - it unfolded like a movie...This is an emotional roller-coaster ride of a story, plowing thru pracitally every emotion on the human scale... In the scene when little Aloysha first looks to Klose and asks, "Papa?", my heart just about popped... Great as a travelogue, an instruction manual, and an inspirational story on how a single man can create a family... Click on "Add to cart" and BUY THIS BOOK!!!!



5. After contemplating single parent adoption (I'm a 39 yo guy) this book has cemented the awesome choice that I'm about to make. The author details the long and hard road he took to be united with his little boy. It details his experiences with the massive bureaucracy BOTH in Russia and the United States along with the subtle and unfair suspicious stigma single males encounter by some adoption agencies and social workers. I recommed this book highly for all single men thinking about adoption.

2 comments about Aidan's Way.

1. Every now and then a book comes along that wakes us out of our drab routine lives and makes us reevaluate essential questions: what is important? Am I doing something worthwhile with my life? What is life's meaning? Trite as it may sound, "Aidan's Way" does just that, but in a way that is subtle and avoids self-indulgent breast-beating. At its core, "Aidan's Way" is a resounding affirmation of life. Sam and Maureen Crane are the parents of Aidan, who is profoundly retarded mentally--he cannot walk, talk or see. At every turn, they face the possibility that he may die. Pneumonia assaults his lungs and grand mal seizures force him to rely on a feeding tube for sustenance. Adversaries come in human guise as well, with the Cranes heroically combating outrageous abuses by their HMO, doctors stereotyping Aidan as "one of THOSE kids," and a heartbreaking moment of frustration when an indecisive nurse fails to administer a drug in time to stop Aidan's seizures from permanently damaging his already fragile brain. There are heroes, too--a doctor with cerebral palsy who doggedly probes the causes of Aidan's condition while others write him off, a younger sister who brings hope and joy to the family, and countless therapists, journalists, and teachers. Aidan touches hundreds of people. There is even an amusing vignette about Aidan's role in a row involving his father and, of all people, the Singaporean Prime Minister.

   Crane's prose is saturated with vivid imagery and he effectively conveys both the heart-rending pain and sheer joy that is Aidan's way. Drawing upon ancient Chinese texts, particularly the Tao Te Ching and the writings of Chuang Tzu, Crane explores the lessons that Aidan offers to all who come in contact with him. We, the readers, follow Crane's journey as he struggles with ideas of science, human worth and purpose, and the dichotomy of active, rational analysis and intervention, and passive being.

   All in all, an inspiring book by a talented writer who has obviously poured into his words not only his heart, but also that of his son's.




2. This book is not your typical book about a life of a disabled child. There are no miracle breakthroughs for Aidan, not moments of sudden amazing feats, nothing like that. Aidan is profoundly disabled, and that is not really the reason for writing this book. Instead, we are shown how his life, however it might seem to others, has affected his father, his classmates and the community, through his simply being. The author often quotes ancient Chinese writings, which I thought would not really be something I'd want to read, but instead, I found much in them to speak to me. My children attend an inclusion school. There are children in their classes with severe disabilities, and I can say wholeheartedly those children give my children much more than my children give them. This book is also about the power of thinking locally. Aidan brought his father more into his local community, and helped him bring about change for all children. A beautifully written book.

5 comments about Babyface: A Story of Heart and Bones.

1. This book is not just for parents of children with special needs. The lessons learned by the author and her family and the details of their struggle are beautifully written. Reading this book nudges the reader to think about the blessings of children and the trials of daily life in a new way. A wonderful, inspiring book!



2. I love this book. My 2 1/2 year old son went through four surgeries in his life time and I can so relate to the recall of ICU's and operating rooms. My son also has a form of dwarfism and will be different. I love her philosophy, so much peace and forgiveness to stranger's rudeness! She has so eloguently speak of the growth that any parent of child with differences have experienced. Babyface will be kept close to my heart forever and I recommend this book to all parents who are struggling with the challenge of bring up a child with a difference. In time, you too will gather the strength and peace demonstrated so well and articulated by Ms. McDermott.



3. Jeanne McDermott paints an inspiring portrait of her own family, forced to understand and live with the trials and hardships that accompany a child born with Apert Syndrome. She tells the story of Nathaniel with grace and candor informing the reader along the way with insights into the medical, genetic and developmental aspects of this condition. I cried with her pain and embraced her joys through the trials and triumphs of this journey. For anyone who has had a child born with a medical condition this is a must read.



4. The book was in excellent shape and was received within 2 days! The book is wonderful by the way, a warm read.



5. This book was so great! I cried, laughed, and was so deeply moved I was loathe to close the book. Great!

5 comments about Bitter Ice: A Memoir of Love, Food, and Obsession.

1. Although it was a fascinating story, this was a hard book to read. It was hard to be sympathetic to the characters -- Barbara because of her incessent whinning about how tough her life with a wealthy family was and how unfair that she didn't have a trust fund like her siblings, and him because he had absolutely no redeeming qualities. There is nothings likable about Tom, and the reader isn't cheering for his recovery. He is obviously mentally ill and utterly self-involved from the very beginning, and why she doesn't recognize this is puzzling. So is the fact that she stays with this lunatic for *25 years*. She doesn't love him, she doesn't need him, he's ruining her life... but still she stays. She never confronts the fact that she's co-dependant, and it leaves with reader with the idea that she stuck around because living with a sick, twisted man made for fascinating material. I'm not convinced that his problem was anorexia -- he had obvious mental and social problems before he started starving himself, and I felt that the anorexia was simply another syndrome of whatever was wrong with him. That a bright, successful, wealthy woman would stay with someone like him and tolerate his gross, controlling behavior left me shaking my head. Why Barbara, why?



2. Although I read more than a few reviews of this book that chided Barbara Lawrence for being a whinning, affluent woman who simply contributed to her husbands problems, I disagree. Rather, I found Ms. Lawrence's memoir to be a courageous and honest account of her struggles living with an eating disordered person, while also battling her own demons. Rarely do we get a look at things from the perspective of anyone but the person with the disorder. But Ms. Lawrence had her own story to tell, and I thnk she did a fine job of telling it. Having an eating disorder myself, I was heartened by Ms. Lawrence's ability to lay bear her own complicity in the dysfunction of her marriage in a compassionate and forthright way. I was somewhat surprised that she wasn't more proactive when it came to helping Tom seek treatment, but only a little. I don't think it was so much a function of naivete, as it was denial (of how bad things were, of how misguided her decision was to marry Tom in the first place, of the extent to which fear and a sense of unworthiness defined her existence) that motivated her? Although my own socio-economic background could not be more different from the author's I did not find this a barrier to sympathy or understanding. Instead, the strength of the book to me was in her ability to allow us to fully enter her complex inner life, and the struggle for wholeness I believe she is finally waging with success. As for the person who blithely commented that he/she was not surprised that Tom 'got better' when he found someone other than Barbara to be with, don't kid yourself people, eating disorders are about the sufferers pathology. Which is to say, no one can either make us sick or well. That awesome task remains our own.



3. I was a little unhappy with this book. Not because the author isn't a decent writer, but because from the description of the book I thought this book was about the life of a male anorexic. The book, however, is mostly about the authors life (wife of the anorexic), not her husband. I did not buy this book to read about the life of a wife of an anorexic, but to take a rare look into the life of a male anorexic. This book jsut didn't provide that. It is still, over all, a good book, which is why I still gave it 3 stars.



4. I read this book to read about a man with anorexia, not about the boring life of a woman married to him. I skimmed through the whole book to try to find the tiny paragraphs scattered throughout that are actually about his eating disorder. In my opinion, she uses his eating disorder to tell the dull, dry tale of her own life. Don't read this book, even if you don't care about reading about eating disorders.



5. Hate to say it, but I found myself doing the same thing as the reviewer named Leslie: leafing through the book, searching for passages about the author's husband's illness, and not passages where in which she talks about herself. I was disappointed by this book, and found it nearly impossible to care about the people in it. I thought I would have been left thinking more about what became of them and wondering about the author and her family's well-being, but all I thought was, eh.