4 comments about Trick or Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine.

1. I have been meaning to write a review of Trick or Treatment for some months now and had a lot of sophisticated ideas how to phrase it. In the meantime, I had sent my mother a "care package", with dried cranberries, organic Earl Grey tea and a copy of Trick or Treatment. She called me last weekend and said:
   
   "This book is so full of suspense and so extraordinarily well written. I understand what you mean now. I guess I will have to give up my beloved Arnica globules then. It *does* make sense that they cannot work if there is nothing in them. To bad that the German version does not come out until next year, I have some friends who should read this book."
   
   There, that sums it up: Singh and Ernst obviously struck the right tone and paced the book appropriately for the educated user of "alternative medicine" to follow and accept the conclusions of many careful trials. That is excellent, because I myself somehow never muster the patience to go through the details, why this or that "alternative" is not even worth trying.
   
   The only point that I found irritating (and so did my mum) is the sparseness of literature. Few sources are cited and they only refer to the chapter rather than a specific statement. This is something that would be worth amending in future printings and/or in other language additions. I want all necessary references in the book I am reading and don't want to be refered to another book of the author for background.
   
   A must read for:
   
   Any person in the medical field, so they understand who and what contributes to healing (the colour of the pill often as much as the ingredient).
   
   Anyone with a longer lasting medical condition (since they are the prime "target" for most of the CAM methods and practitioners).
   
   Any parent (most CAM products are essentially "Wellness" and parents should realize that they can generate "Wellness" for their child without the stringent rules of homeopathy, or the potentially dangerous upper spine manipulations of a chiropractor).



2. I find it perplexing the way some people simply assume to be correct what others tell them with no deeper inquisitiveness or afterthought. We know we cannot simply trust anyone otherwise we run the risk of being duped as we see from various successful scams.
   
   What is more perplexing is how intelligent people can simply assume to be correct what their own gut feelings tell them or be tricked into actually believing they've experienced things that they haven't. I remember a study done a while ago where a group of random people took part in a psychological experiment. These people were shown a photo taken from their early childhood and asked to remember and describe the scene in it. The only problem was, some of the pictures had been cleverly doctored to show events that never actually took place, such as a hot air balloon ride! Many in the group, as you'd expect, drew blanks and were confused and could not recall the balloon ride. However, astonishingly, many of the participants after a while actually `recalled' this fake event and even `remembered' how elated they felt up there in the sky and how cold it was! (For those interested, it was the Wade et al 2002 study; link here: h--p://www.thepsychologist.org.uk/archive/archive_home.cfm?volumeID=21&editionID=162&ArticleID=1375)
   
   We know we can't unquestioningly rely on strangers but worryingly, it seems not all of us can 100% rely on our own feelings! So then how do we find truth? Perhaps one way is to rely on the testimonials or opinions of the people around us. But is this totally wise, especially when we see that many people are not reliable sources of information? For me, this is where the scientific method of testing and evidence steps in and proves its absolute authority. Surely this is the best method we have of discovering what the truth is in any given situation; surely nothing can beat evidence derived from proper tests.
   
   Trick or Treatment is about proving that the vast majority of alternative medicine doesn't work but it is also a celebration of the scientific method in the context of medicine. It begins fascinatingly by recalling various important historical moments when the scientific method first began to be used and how it then revealed such hugely important secrets that had eluded mankind for so long, particularly in the field of healthcare.
   
   These introductions serve a very useful purpose, because the crux of the book is based on the results of many high quality scientific trials that render most alternative medicine completely ineffective or even dangerous. However, there are still many out there who, for some reason, don't accept the authority of the clinical trial / scientific method and these first few chapters provide an excellent case for counteracting this mistrust.
   
   The rest of the chapters are devoted to one of the main types of CAM and begin by providing a detailed description and background to it. Then the authors bring in the mighty weight of a vast range of quality evidence (meaning evidence from the types of trials that eliminate all possibility of bias or erroneous results) to finally blow up any doubt in the rational mind that much of this stuff is childish nonsense and simply doesn't work.
   
   As you'd expect, there's also a lot of fascinating information and evidence about the placebo effect and whether it is morally acceptable to sell it, and why, despite lack of evidence for and concrete evidence against, people continue to waste vast amounts of time and money on CAM and continue to steadfastly believe in it.
   
   The book came out at a similar time to one by Rose Sharp, Suckers - How Alternative Medicine Makes Fools of us All. It treads much the same ground but is an excellent companion piece to Trick or Treatment, as both books often both elaborate on details the other one glides over. However, Trick or Treatment is better for focusing on the available evidence and therefore acts as a great reference book.
   
   Also, to the authors' credit, they don't back away from including the results of various high profile trials that bizarrely seemed to acknowledge the efficacy of some of the main types of CAM, For instance, the WHO trials that seemed to support homeopathy and a certain BBC documentary that seemed to show somebody undergoing major heart surgery without any anaesthetic, only acupuncture (shame on you BBC!). This may be quite disheartening for the rationalist as he/she reads through this but order is soon restored once we read that such trials or PR stunts were riddled with bias or faked and that meta-analysis in fact shows the opposite.
   
   Trick or Treatment is an important book and it's hard to believe that millions of westerners still buy into much of this nonsense. The book won't change people's minds overnight; many will still cling to their anti-Big Pharma stance, egocentric fashionista lifestyle or desire for more mystery in the world. But for those of us who place more importance in what's actually true and don't want to be a dupe, this book is invaluable as well as a fascinating read.



3. If you use any type of alternative medicine -- chiropractic, homeopathy, whatever -- you should read this book! Education, licensing, and other forms of regulation of alternative medicine practitioners DO NOT protect you from worthless treatments and physical harm (even death). An honest, factual risk-benefit analysis explained by your health care provider prior to treatment -- the cornerstone of informed consent in conventional medicine -- is virtually non-existant in alternative medicine. You must protect yourself with the type of unbiased, well-researched information this book provides. Don't worry about it being "too scientific." The authors do a fantastic job of explaining alternative medicine in easily understood language. Think about it: considering what you are paying for alternative treatments, isn't it worth the price of Trick or Treatment to find out if you're getting your money's worth? Or better yet, if you are risking your health for no good reason?



4. It's a good book, well-reasoned. The authors walk through acupuncture (not), homeopathy (not), chiropractic (limited but reservations), herbal medicine (mostly not, with good reasons). If you buy or contemplate buying any of these treatments, it's worth reading.
   
   On the downside: one sloppy sentence (astrologers can't predict star signs) caught my eye; that's true because astrologers don't work with star signs. One wonders what other uninformed editing colored a sentence or two.
   
   What I don't see discussed is the situation of N=1 not subject to double blind testing. Praying for other people may not objectively help those other people. But does it help the one who prays? Or does it help to pray for oneself? Can't test that. My own experience is that chiropractic works better than "conventional" treatment for the type of back pain I get. I've tested that enough.
   
   Some of Micheal Pollan's work about the "American" diet demonstrates that for some variables, significant controlled studies are virtually impossible. For others (long term benefit of vitamin supplements), one pretty much has to decide for one's self or risk being on the wrong side if/when the answers do come in.
   
   Conventional medicine fails in some major areas, long-term chronic pain control being one. Until conventional medicine can harness the placebo effect, there are people who need whatever else works.
   
   I suspect readers will find in this book the evidence they need. It's reassuring to hear another voice about homeopathy; never tried acupucture myself and probably won't chose to pay for it. OTOH, I'll keep swallowing my supplements.

5 comments about Single Variable Calculus: Concepts and Contexts (with Tools for Enriching Calculus, Interactive Video Skillbuilder CD-ROM, and iLrn Homework/Personal Tutor with SMARTHINKING).

1. I taught this class with this book several times, and it makes the material more difficult for students. It is one of the worst textbooks available for Calculus.



2. I am taking Calc II and am using this book. This book is horrible! I missed a lecture and when I tried doing the homework I got stuck. There are no example like the examples. I am here on this site to buy companion book so that I can do better on my homework. I wish they would stop using this book at university level courses.



3. The book should also have even answers. We should unite and form a union of students against even homework assignments.



4. Product was exactly as specified. Very quick delivery. Would definitely order from this seller again!



5. I am only going to take Calculus 1 and saw that the Calculus edition was around $200.00 and was a HUGE textbook. I didn't need that. All I needed was the basic to get me through the first course. And I found it for only 115.00 including shipping and handling. I saved a lot and it was worth it.

5 comments about Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts.

1. I just picked this up in Newark airport on my way back from Europe. My boyfriend had been terrible to me and the trip was the worst I ever had. So this book seemed apropo. I love it! It brings in a lot of MBA oriented theory from my Power and Politics classes as well as Advertising and Marketing. It is brilliant and I wish I had read it years ago!



2. At first, I sensed the volume was going to be redundant, overly repetitive--and to some extent that is true. The authors make their "cognitive dissonance" (discomfort which leads to self-justification, even unconsciously) point in Chapter One, and proceed to bore us with elaborations on the same theme. Everything is very logically presented and well written, but it is simply example after example of their main Chapter One thesis: Dissonance fosters self-justification.
   
   I say start with Chapter One (which tells the what of dissonance) and skip to Chapter 8 (which explains the emotional whys and how to stop it via self reflection). Then read a chapter or two in-between if you are further interested. For me, Chapter Six, is the only chapter that held my complete attention--I was glued to it. The subtitle is "Love's Assassin: Self-Justification in Marriage." This is relevant to me because I vividly remember going through a separation with an ex-girlfriend and this certainly made me reflect on both of our behaviors. You may find a different chapter of significance.
   
   The message of the book is that people (mates, politicians, business executives, lawyers and the rest of us) tend to self-justify our wrong behavior--all to reduce dissonance and ambivalence for consonance.
   
   Maybe this is one of those topics where the writers just can't present their point once, but have to flesh it out in the rest of the book so the average reader can get it more thoroughly. Like good teachers they plant the idea (theory, they admit) in our minds, then reinforce the concept so we'll never for it--and we don't dare practice ill-behavior emotionally harmful to a relationship, or even ourselves.
   
   The authors say we all want to move from dissonance (emotional and mental discomfort over what we or others consider bad behavior) to consonance (comfort) in our actions and attitudes. To some extent the book seems rather textbookish, but it can't be expected to read like a novel--not that textbooks should be boring. Dissonance is said to hurt self-esteem because the "mind wants to protect itself from pain...with the balm of self-justification...." (p. 216-7). But dissonance has its positive side, too, they acknowledge, by forcing us to take stock (or not) of our interpersonal behavior. The authors track self-justification through the topics of "family, memory, therapy, law, prejudice, conflict and war" (p. 222), and they tell the ugly and the good.
   
   Had it not been for Chapter Six, especially, then chapters One and Eight, necessarily, I would have rated the book a three.



3. This book manages to be entertaining, informative, and utterly terrifying at the same time! Amazing collection of examples of how we justify our actions from all sides of human life -- politics, law enforcement, medical practice, science, relationships.
   
   PS: According to the book you should not listen to people who already bought the book when deciding if you should buy it. People who already made the decision to get the book will be biased to give a positive recommendation. ;-)



4. Who wants to admit he was wrong, made a mistake, exercised poor judgment, was misled or conned? None of us do, but most of us are skillful at excusing or justifying those acts. This absorbing book explains why and how we reduce "cognitive dissonance" to maintain a favorable self image in spite of overt misbehavior or failure. Beyond that, the authors show how destructive this tendency can be, not just in terms of social fairness or justice but also in the insidious corrosion of our own beings. There are fascinating examples of the most mind-boggling efforts to justify inexcusable, criminal, inhuman, and hateful behavior. And there are inspiring stories of people, good people who nevertheless state clearly that they blew it, that they were responsible for another person's destruction, loss, freedom, reputation, or life itself. Finally, this book offers real hope in showing an alternative to our culture's perverse fear of making a mistake and even worse, admitting to one. They provide true stories of how such admissions can actually deter litigation instead of inviting it. In an engaging yet logical argument they make a most convincing case for the power and healing potential of personal humility, honesty, and continual self-examination. If this book was widely read and its principles applied I think there would be a lot of unemployed attorneys. And a far better world to live in. I will be re-reading this book soon.



5. This is a book about dissonance and the attempts the mind makes to resolve it. The basic mechanism is: I'm a good person, I did something that a good person wouldn't do, therefore, my perspective on my action changes to something a good person would do.
   
   I think there's a good, lengthy magazine article wanting to come out of this book. There are examples but they feel cut short, and there are interesting asides that aren't explored (example: they say we're more influenced by small gifts than large ones and has a footnote with a reference to a note in a study). It's hard to use as a reference too. For example, the pages do not show the chapter, which makes it quite difficult to look up footnotes...or find my place.

2 comments about Essential Calculus: Early Transcendentals.

1. If you'll notice above, the description states it is a book meant to be as concise as possible, which I believe the author definitely achieved. However, this drive to be as small as possible without lacking 'essential' topics is cheating to the beginning calculus student. Concepts should be thoroughly explained and end of chapter questions should match or slightly exceed the level of difficulty of the explained concepts in the chapter - not heavily exceed it, this is where I took off a star. I understand that the goal of end of chapter questions is to challenge the student, but the lack of thorough explanations in an effort to be as concise as possible does not prepare the student for these questions, in my opinion. Therefore, I had to seek out other materials.
   
   In the end, I found this book to laid out very well and amazingly, for a math book, somewhat easy to read. I supplemented this book with the Idiots Guide to Calculus, which was a life saver on certain topics and went even further with Stewart's Solution Manual for this book. The purchasing of these two additional books, I hope, may be an indicator of the lack of thoroughness for achieving as small a book as possible.



2. I'm a major of mathematics currently studying as an undergraduate at university. During my high school days, I won several different awards at the math team state competition, and I have read through several books on Calculus so I know a little bit about this subject. This book does a great job a presenting the material concisely, but it has some end of chapter problems that will probably be too hard for some of you to figure out on your own. They are meant to challenge you, but the book fits so much information in such a little space that it cannot explain certain concepts enough to properly prepare you for some of the problems.
   
   This book also suffers from the same problem that most math books suffer from in that you do one section then move on completely ignoring what you learned in the previous section or at the very least concepts presented in that chapter. This can create problems on tests and big problems on finals so it is a good idea to go back and do a few problems from previous chapters every week just to keep your practice up. Picking up a solutions manual for this book and some additional supplement books may not be such a bad idea either. If you are looking for some practice of varied nature the Saxon Calculus textbook has a structure set up that is great for practicing several different concepts instead of ignoring them after a few sections. The Saxon book is rather fast paced though and hard for people who need to do lots of examples of new material in order to grasp the concepts. It also doesn't cover nearly as much material as this book does. As a supplement, it could be very useful for your basic Calculus 1 and 2 courses in college though.
   
   Books and supplements aren't going to be enough for you to truly understand Calculus. If you truly want to learn this you are going to have to pay attention in class, do more than the assigned homework, and probably get a tutor if you are really serious about this. Not all of you will have this problem, but I'm not going to sit here and assume that everyone can chill in the back of the class room and learn this material without practicing it just because that is my approach to math doesn't mean everyone is going to have the natural ability to do that in fact 99% of you would fail by using this tactic. You need practice, and if you have problems understanding concepts then you need to seek help from your teacher, classmates, and tutors. Good luck.

5 comments about For All Practical Purposes (Paper): Mathematical Literacy in Today's World.

1. Before I actually received my copy of this book, I thought the other reviewers had to be exaggerating.
   
   They weren't. This book is horrible.
   
   -Even the simplest concepts take the author ten paragraphs to explain. I'm beginning to wonder if they paid him/her/them by the word.
   
   -There are lots of charts and examples in this book, but they are rarely ever on the same page as the text that explains them. The constant flipping back and forth has made the front of my book look like I wadded it up and stuffed it back in the cover.
   
   -This book is FULL of errors and incorrect solutions. I just spent 45 minutes working and reworking a problem because it didn't match the "solution" in the back of the book. I was beginning to think that maybe I didn't understand the material..and then I realized that the author screwed up and that the solution is incorrect. This is not the first time this has happened, and I'm only halfway through the book. :(
   
   If you have a good instructor (especially one that has figured out all the errors and can point them out to you), you might have a fighting chance. For those of you, like me, who are using this book for an online/distance learning course...you're in for a miserable semester.
   
   I highly suggest buying the study guide that goes with this book. It was written by someone else, and it has helped me immensely.



2. This book provides a very good survey of a variety of mathematical topics and their application. Depth of treatment is lacking sometimes, but the flavor is conveyed.



3. This is a tough text for a one semester course. It could easily be expanded into a two year math survey course. The material is interesting, but trying to fit it all into a semester makes the work too tough. There are other classes being taken in the semester you know.



4. I saw URI using this book for a course taught there. The book wasn't what I expected when I got it. The topics are ok, but I don't like the style of the book. The book is just verbose in my opinion. However, some people like that kind of style in a book. If you like a wordy book in mathematics then I highly recommend this book to you.



5. Mathematical literacy is an important characteristic in the modern technological world, powerful calculators and computers cannot replace the fundamental knowledge of how mathematics is used. People are bombarded with data, statistical and mathematical arguments and they must manage a large part of their world by applying mathematics. There is no greater argument to support this than the current home mortgage crisis in the United States. Many of the people who are facing foreclosure did not completely understand their mortgages and the consequences if their mortgage rates were to rise. The mathematics of finance are simple to understand, yet were so often ignored.
   The topics covered in this book are:
   
   *) Management science - the basics of graph theory and how it is used to plan routes; optimize the use of resources and plan the sequencing of the tasks needed to build a large object.
   *) Statistics - how data is collected, processed and interpreted to turn it into information.
   *) Probability - the basic rules of probability and how it can be used in statistics.
   *) Voting and social choice - the basic concepts of voting, how it can be made fair and how certain conditions can prevent a fair election from being held.
   *) Fairness and game theory - coverage of some of the basic principles of game theory and how apparently irrational choices can be shown to be thoroughly rational.
   *) Information science - some of the basics of encryption and data compression
   *) The geometry of growth, patterns and tilings
   *) The mathematics of finance - the growth of money earning interest, and the economics of resource allocation and consumption
   
   The breadth of coverage is certainly what the modern citizen needs to understand; recent elections in the United States demonstrate that citizens need to know more about how elections are actually held. As we observed in the presidential election of 2000, despite the fundamental resilience of the voting process, the American electoral system does not work well when there is in essence a tie.
   The exposition is readable; there are a large number of worked examples that cover all of the material. Key points are highlighted and a large number of exercises are given at the end of the chapters. Solutions to the odd-numbered problems appear in an appendix.
   The level of presentation is such that advanced high school or early college students can understand it. If done in high school, a full year course would be more appropriate than trying to punch through it all in one semester.

2 comments about Engineering Mechanics - Statics (11th Edition).

1. The Product arrived on time and in perfect condition. I book was exactly like the sellers discription



2. My discussion here is a rating of the 1st edition and the author, Professor R.C. Hibbeler. The first edition is the one I used in my course of study while in college.
   
   Granted the book does not offer a lot of complicated examples, only relatively easy ones. But there is a reason. The author wants the student to develop his/her own skills in problem solving. He does explain the material in enough detail to accomplish this. The reasons for not supplying a solutions manual should be obvious.
   
   This book does a great job of supplying a very large and diverse collection of problem. The illustrations are very helpful with the problem solving exercise. As best I can recall, answers are provided to all even numbered problems.
   
   As a text book and learning tool, the author should (and does) assume that the reader is a aspiring engineering student with intension on learning the most from the subject.
   
   As I said earlier, its strengths are the number of problems presented in the text and the fact that the answers to most all of the problems are in the back of the book.
   
   The book covers all the basic subjects required for a future understanding of Mechanics of Materials, usually presented later on in your continuing engineering studies. I do recommend it as a text book for a basic entry level engineering statics course, and it is great for the beginning engineering student for first year engineering students. It is also a great tool for preparation and to improve your understanding of other classes such as calculus, physics, dynamics.
   
   As for the author, he is top notch. You can be assured this professor knows his subject. Just look at the various other books written by him: Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics, Mechanics of Materials, Structural Analysis. But this does not always make a good teacher. However, this professor is a great teacher. For no other reason, simply because he was my instructor at the University Of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University Of Louisiana At Lafayette)

3 comments about Statistics: Informed Decisions Using Data (2nd Edition) (MyStatLab Series).

1. I liked the quick shipment of the book. I had no problems at all with it. The only thing that was a shock was that I recieved the teachers edition rather than the student edition, but there really is not much difference between them.



2. This book was hard to understand. It was in good condition for being used. I think this is a useful tool for anyone wanting to learn statistics.



3. This textbook is a decent introduction to statistics. Usually as an introduction text, its a mile wide and an inch deep. This textbook is no different, you'll learn everything from graphs and charts, to various types of distribution. The CD that comes with the textbook is confusing, but it did have one pdf with a summary of formulas for each chapter which was extremely helpful. The only major problem with this textbook is the problems. They are simply too predictable and often won't prepare you for the real world or even worse... an exam. Overall, this is a decent introductory textbook, not the worst but also not the best on the subject. Its done to earth and the beginner should have no problem picking it up. One final note, it also contains guides on how to use the statistics function on the TI-83, which is almost a must have if you plan on learning from this textbook.

2 comments about Business: A Changing World.

1. I bought this brand new and it would be a good book if it wasn't poorly manufactured. In the book it skips chapters 4 and half of chapter 5 and makes up for the lost chapters by repeating chapter 3 twice. Sure it's good for getting by in class but it'd be nice to know what chapter 4 and the first half of 5 is all about.



2. The language is very smooth and easy to read. The illustrations make sense and are relevant.

5 comments about Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series).

1. Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)Good information. Easy to read. Glad I purchased this book



2. I've read so many gardening books, but this is the only one you really need. It is full of useful information you'll never see anywhere else. However, much of the important information is buried in the narrative and is not easy to find again, so mark those pages as you read.



3. I would give this book zero stars if I could. I am so surprised this book has such high ratings. First, the author can not stop himself from talking down to his readers, and making himself appear as he is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Half the book is about how great he is and how "Everybody Else" is stupid and worthless. This is the most negative book on gardening I have ever read. I do not recommend this book at all.



4. This is a serious manual for subsistence gardeners. Steve Solomon differentiates himself from "everybody else" and the result is a no nonsense guide delineating the right way to get maximum yield from a piece of land using organic methods. He has no time for hobbyists, so this book is meant for those who are really trying to feed themselves from their gardens. I really appreciate the advice here, but for a light read, I would stick with Barbara Damrosch, who provides good advice in a more light-hearted way.



5. Gardening When It Counts is truly a book for our times. There's already a well-deserved buzz about this book among home gardeners I know. For one thing, it firmly refutes the supposed advantages of mulch gardening. In the burgeoning nationwide return to growing our own vegetables, it's important to produce the most food for the least amount of effort and expense, and this book offers the very advice we need. The author is a Master Gardener from whom beginners and experienced gardeners alike can learn much. Steve Solomon has provided full details on everything from soil preparation to harvesting, and the illustrator Muriel Chen has contributed helpful drawings for even further clarification.

4 comments about Human Learning (5th Edition).

1. Human learning gives a good basic understanding of learning theory for teachers and others who are interested in educational psychology. There are some very good examples for all theories discussed. The book jumps around a bit and some of the explanations are too technical.



2. This is an amazingly well written text. Ms Ormrod actually practices what she preaches, so the book is organised as an exemplar of how to help students learn. I bought the book as an optional text for a Masters in Education, then I sat up one night to check it out. It became compulsive reading, very hard to put down. It gives a broad overview of Educational Psychology thinking over a wide period of time, and encapsulates it. It is full of useful references. Many of my colleagues have borrowed this book for various courses and for course development for educational projects.



3. This is the best textbook I have ever used. It is engaging, VERY well written- basically- a page turner that will leave you with a true understanding of the concepts of cognitive science and learning. It is a joy to read, I have taken it with me for grad. school and will always have it close. Though it is an amazing reference tool to have around, this is really a joy to read--read it even if it is not for a class. I cannot say enough good things about this book.



4. This is a extrmely good book for student to understand the theories and principles of human learning.
   Especially, the author explain well various theories by the memories which she have had.
   In case of difficult theories, the samples is very useful.