D-A Books

I have had several accidents and hard falls in my younger years, and was a chiropractic patient for long periods of time. I have been suffering intermittently with sciatica pains for the last year, and last August I started having various lower back and hips pains, with changing intensity, going from side to side and radiating down beyond my knees. I would like to add that I am 79 years old. My MRI shows various dysfunctions, which I will not enumerate here.

Massage, physiotherapy did not help, I finally agreed to have a cortisone injection. Two weeks after the injection the pains started to return.

My orthopedic surgeon was giving me signals that we are moving towards surgery, and I decided to try anything else. I started enzymatic therapy ( serrapeptase) and having had in my life many good results with exercise, went for an exercise program that sounded very promising. I gave it 2 months , but it did not do what it promised.

I am glad to report that finally after discovering a couple more inaccessible because of distance or cost alternatives, I have purchased Dr. Brownstein book a week ago. I read it thoroughly, the part on various meditations twice, and am doing the stretches once a day, with a few of them also in the evening. I am almost pain free - and I am only in the first days of applying the program, without spending entire days on it. In addition to almost no pain, my mood is incredibly improved, not only by the painlessness, but I sleep better and feel energized, getting up in the morning with zest for life. I have a living proof that I can lead a painless life till the end of my days, without getting caught up in the surgery merry-go-round. I feel my body is in total approval of this new way of moving and thinking, it is developing a friendly and mutually beneficial relationship with my mind. Radiant health is in our power.

I am looking forward to starting the advanced stages of stretches and positions, I enjoy the meditations and visualizations trmenedously, and am planning to purchase several copies of this book for gifts for my friends who have similar problems. I cannot give them anything of better value!

I will add to this review later, I feel I am doing something to help people floundering about as I was for a year in pain and sometimes despair.

Thank you, Dr.Brownstein, for sharing your invaluable knowledge with me!

I am absolutely delighted both with the condition of the book and the speed in which I received it.

The text was so interesting, sensible and practical that I finished reading the book in one day.

An absolutely 'must have' for those already experiencing back pain and those trying to avoid it.

A great read.

Monica

I have found this book to be an effective approach for back and hip pain. I recommend and have gifted this book to several people. It does take doing the exercises. I had some hip pain that was bothersome for a couple of months and went away never to return after using Dr. Brownstein's approach.

My husband was experiencing crippling lower back pain, that was also running down his right thigh. We were wanting to avoid pain pills and another surgery. I bought this book based on the reviews, and he has been faithfully doing the back exercises at least every day. He found relief within a few days. It's worth a try if you are going through this kind of stuff. He had been through one back surgery that relieved his pain, but we misunderstood the need to do exercises initially. When the pain started coming again, in a different area, we thought he should try this first. I would highly recommend this book.

This book is excellent. Suffered for over 20 years with back pain, diagnosed with degenerative discs and multiple level herniations. Experienced many times the kind of intense pain that finds you on the floor. Tried physical therapy, chriopractors, acupuncture, pain management, anything to avoid surgery. But I was afraid that surgery was my only hope. Now since I've read this book I no longer worry about surgery. Because I'm pain free and can even do yoga - something I never thought possible.

I haven't read the whole thing yet because these things take time. However, I will say this: This book has a lot of good information in it. Granted, it was written at a college level - I don't know about the Doctoral Thesis analogy someone else used - but then again, given the subject matter, it was very well written. You are going to have to reread each section (possibly several times) before it makes sense to you on an emotional level but in my opinion it is well worth the effort.

A good friend,one who I had often worried about,for the zeal with which he dived into various forms of study,studying things I thought best left alone,advised me to buy this book. I read the thing and I must admit I was appalled. This is truly the work of Satan! Turn away from this vile rubbish! Cleanse your soul! Ask God to forgive you and turn away from your wrteched deeds--its not too late,I pray. As for my friend,he is going downhill on a path to misery,debauchery and death. Every time I see him he is with some immoral woman,often Asian or some other exotic creature,cheap and immoral,flashing her sexual availability,wearing little or no underwear. He indulges in every form of drink and drugs and devotes his life to sensual pleasure and "fun." He always seems to have a wallet loaded with money--yet he does no work! He doesnt get out of bed til its nearly sunset--indulging every whim,doing whatever he likes. This is what comes of reading trash like this!

This it, the beginning book. You buy this and wour search for root knowledge is finished. stop wondering in the dark and illuminate yourself.

this has to be the greatest book ever written on magik.franz goes into great detail about using the the different techniques to utilize your mind but doesnt force upon his methods, and leaves enough room for experimentation. i wish i had started reading it sooner as i would be much further along in my own practices

If I had to throw away all my occult books and only keep one, this one would be it. This is the only occult book you will need to develop the mind, body, and soul and start yourself on the path of true magic. The exercises contained herein are soley for that purpose.

If only I had bought it sooner. I would have saved so much money and would have advanced so much. This book is a one to be treasured for a life time.

Polly is a young country girl who meets Fanny Shaw and they become friends. Polly is good and does not become tainted with jealously and envy when she is immersed in the town life. As the years go by she becomes a woman who is able to provide for herself. The unnecessary friperies other young ladies feel are essential are of no consequence to Polly. The Shaw's, especially Tom, can not understand Polly's unselfishness. Polly's simple pleasures in life guide Tom to become a man worthy of her.

I admire Polly.

Although I think it may be a bit advanced for my 9 yr. old, I'm still glad I purchased this book for my most recent book club choice. A gentle book that flows easily, and the characters change for the better in wonderful ways. The one thing that bugged me was Mrs. Shaw and her smelling salts. It almost seemed to me that Polly Milton was the better 'mother' to the Shaw family. All in all, this is truly a memorable classic.

This book started off a bit slow, but if you read more than a page or two at a time, I think you will like it. This story is about a girl from the country who goes to visit her cousins in New York. Polly's cousin, Fanny, and her friends find Polly "coutrified" and "old fashioned". Everyone falls in love with her because of her quiet manner along with the fact that she dresses and acts her age. Although their are multiple hardships along the way, you couldn't have wanted the book to end any other way. I recomend that you don't read the book until you are at least 11 or 12 because some of the wording is odd because it was writtedn so long ago. Happy Reading!

Alas. In my opinion, both "An Old-Fashioned Girl" and "Eight Cousins" audio versions would benefit by having a much younger narrator. Despite her long and illustrious career in audio, Flo Gibson is now too old to bring these novels to life. They are books about young girls, and they are obviously being read by a grandmother. Rather than illustrating the timeless quality of these fine books, an elderly reader makes the books simply sound old and out-of-date. What were the publishers thinking?---CaroJ11

Do you ever feel like you are tied up in our times? Worrying too much about cell phones, fashions, and the latest whatevers? This book can set you straight. It gives you a peace of mind and fills you with simple pleasures.

The stories main character, Polly, we meet at the age of 14. She has come to stay with rich friends for a while. THey do everything so differently from she. The family has two daughters. One that is two years older than Polly called Fan, who cares for fashion, balls, and beaus. The author daughter is six and she is fixed onoo having her own way about everything. THe young man in the family Tom is a trouble maker, who no matter how hard he tries can't seem to stay out of trouble very long.

Polly is a gentle, kind, loving, caring, selfless, practical, and sensible girl. SHe becomes a great service to this family, touching each of them in a special way. She moves in the same town six years later and gives piano lessons. The family needs her more than ever and she helps them all in the end. This book has heart, romance, and realness to it that we can all relate to, rich or poor, young or old. It will make you feel warm fuzzies. Read on a rainy day underneath a flanel blanket!

I had become interested in learning more about the civil rights movement during this year's presidential election, so when I came across this book "by accident" when visiting a local book store I decided to give it a try. This book, without a doubt, is one of the best books I have ever read. "Walking with the Wind" is a compelling first-hand account of the civil rights movement from the perspective of one man who was on the front lines of the movement from day one. John Lewis was and still is a hero for all human-kind: a fierce, determined patriot who faced hatred and bigotry with a clear vision for a desegregated nation. His storytelling of that time in American history reads like a novel, filled with passion, detail, and personal insight into the core of the movement.

I cried many times reading this beautifully written memoir: cried for the suffering and hatred experienced by African Americans at the hands of supposedly Christian white people; cried for the depravity of heart and soul in those who inflicted such horrors upon others just because of the color of their skin; cried for the courage and hope of all the men and women who placed their lives at risk so that we might all be free of discrimination and segregation; cried for being inspired by those who came before me, with a newly found conviction to help make my country a more unified place for all to live.

This book should be required reading in every high school in this country. I am in my early 50s and needed a refresher course in the civil rights movement; my children barely know of it. We can never be allowed to forget this tragic, ugly period in our history, just like we can never be allowed to forget the Holocaust. John Lewis has provided us with a primer on the 1960s civil rights movement that is a compelling, passionate, probing, insightful look not only at the movement but also of the incredible human spirit.

This book is not to be missed!!

The junior standard-bearer for civil rights during the era of segregation recounts his rise through those times toward his own national recognition. It's an intimate and introspective offering. It's a unique perspective.
After his Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, crashes, he self-imposes exile as an "invisible man" in New York working as a grant officer for a private charity:
(p398) "New York was just too big for me. I didn't feel as if I could get my hands around it. In the South, communities seemed comprehensible, manageable, workable. You could see where things started and ended. You could get a grasp of the place and the people, as well as their problems. And you could respond to those problems with solutions that might work...."
He always has the South on his mind where there remains "a spirit instilled by the civil rights movement that is still felt and remembered today, a spirit that was not and is not felt in the same way in the North. That, I believe, is the huge difference between the legacy of the civil rights movement in the North and the South. All the great battlegrounds of the civil rights movement were in the South. That fact is cherished and remembered by the people there." (p 208).
There is confusion in "Feel Angry with Me". The chapter describes the fall of Schwerner, Goodman, and Chaney. Their violent deaths in defense of the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law during Freedom Summer (1964) fixed the nation's eyes on racist brutality in Mississippi. The confusion is in character casting and mixing the ridiculous partying with his friend, actress, Shirley MacLaine and his virginity in the same chapter with the sublime. Here, especially, the book sacrifices continuity to rigid chronology.
In and out of church - and on both sides of the pulpit - his cast of characters is most colorful, including a prominent one (not MacLaine) today facing bizarre criminal charges. So many stories within the author's story could make for a better book than a strict chronology.
The author alludes to his motivation to influence the masses, (p 400) "I felt the spirit, the hand of the Lord, the power of the Bible -- all of those things -- but only when they flowed through the church and out into the streets. As long as God and His teachings were kept inside the wall of a sanctuary, as they were when I was young, the church meant next to nothing to me." Like a good, "whooping" preacher, he is, at times, poetic. It's some of his best stuff.
Congressman Lewis is no great hero, though he has a measure of both -- greatness of association to the movement he led until the times turned violent -- and heroism for holding to his sometimes politically incorrect beliefs, though not sufficiently incorrect for this reviewer. And his book is not great literature. It is his gift to us with an interest in non-violent social change.

Ever since I came to the U.S. I learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his philosophy of non-violence, I always wanted to learn more about the civil rights movement because of the way African American citizens overcame their obstacles in a non-violent way.


Walking with the wind is a memoir of the author John Lewis, the book begins at his home town where he was raised and learned the meaning of discrimination at an early age. The book describes his whole life how he was discriminated and how became involved with the movement, and how he later on became chair man of the SNCC.
The book also has a part where it only describes the life of John Lewis after the movement, what he does and what happens to all of his close friends, this is at the end of the book, but also talks about how he tries to become something important in U.S. politics.


My favorite part of the whole book is when John Lewis is watching the presidential elections of 1976, when he sees that Jimmy Carter was elected he begins to cry because like he says, he finally sees the hands that picked cotton, picking a president, he cries because he sees that all his hard work pays off, by the government counting the black vote.


The knowledge that John Lewis wants to pass down to readers is the struggle of all African American people to gain freedom and rights, he wants the new generation of people of color to know how much the old generation had to go through to gain all the freedom kids posses these days.


This book is boring, there is almost no action, it is mostly talking about politics, so do not read this book if you are not hooked by memoirs. It takes time to get into the good stuff, like for example, there are parts where the author describes the way police responded in a violent way to a non-violent protest, there are many occasions like this through out the whole book.

John Lewis' memoir tells of his pivotal role in the civil rights movement as , literally, its most prominent "fall guy." John Lewis was physically at the forefront of the major civil rights events-getting beaten, arrested, and ultimately, prevailing in the struggle to desegregate the south. He was one of the original Freedom Riders as well as the first person across the Pettis Bridge in Selma. He explains all of his actions and ethics through a mirror of highly disciplined non-violence that leaves the reader in awe of his amazing achievements. In sum, this book is a "must-read" for anyone interested in the civil rights movement.

John Lewis's powerful and moving retelling of his journey through the
Civil Rights years, much of it in leadership positions, is a walk through
important American history. His clarity of purpose, values, honed by the
beatings and jailings of those years shine through it all. This personal
insight into events we read about in history makes it real, and makes us
admire the courage and persistence of people like John Lewis. In our present
times of struggle over issues of war, environment and economic fairness,
we need both a reminder of this historical struggle and a next generation
to press us to make changes, to make a difference. A must read for anyone
concerned about our present times.

It is so wonderful to see so many recipes in one place and not some betty crocker versions! But more so to see so much information about my Acadian and Creole heritage. I actually found out more about my family history reading this book than in 3 years of researching my geneology! Folse's family as well as mine are German Cajun-Creoles, and likely came over on the same boat.
The photography is stunning. The recipes are authentic and detailed. Througout there is a wit and warmness that permeates the pages. This is an heirloom.

My friend had this book and from the moment I laid eyes on it, I thought "I have to have one for myself" I am addicted to it. I read it every night. I can picture the finished recipes in my head, when I read them. The best thing that I love about the book is that it brings you back into history on when, who, and how the recipe was, first, created. If you love Louisiana food and the Louisiana way of life, you will be obsessed with it. Christina Laborde, Marksville, Louisiana.

Like it says its a Encyclopedia, theres a bit of history in the front that makes for great reading. The best part is the recipe's which are varied and very good. My Wife's a great cook and has well over a 100 cookbooks already but she uses this one quite often.

I purchased this book recently. It is very large and will not fit on many book shelves. Includes a great variety of recipes including many that you would probably classify as italian, german, or of other origin. Attractive pictures, and a large number of pages devoted to the history of cooking in Louisiana. I would not call it exhaustive, but it has a nice variety of recipes. I have only tried making the gumbo so far and would say that I prefer the recipe in Paul Prudhome's Louisiana Kitchen. If you could only buy one book, I would recommend the Prudhome cookbook over this one. I found the Prudhome recipies more appealing and the book is much less costly.

This book is unbelievably impressive. After four years, I finally got my copy. This book is roughly 800 pgs. About 100+ are dedicated up front to the story of the seven nations that make up Cajun and Creole cuisine. I love this insightful info. Does it help you cook any better know, but if you like a little background info with your cookbooks, this over-achieves.

What I thoroughly enjoyed was the brief explanation of the difference between Cajun and Creole cuisines. It was only a couple of paragraphs, but I appreciated the plain English. (It's the little things that make me happy.)

The recipes, as expected, are voluminous and accommodate a range of skill sets. Each recipe has a short comment. I would've liked a little more information about the origin of the particular recipe, but I'm greedy like that. (For instance, are these Folse's recipes or a particular family's recipe, etc.) The recipes are organized into the following chapters:

-Roux, Stocks & Sauces
-Breakfast & Lunch
-Appetizers & Hors d'Oeurves
-Soups
-Salads
-Veggies
-Seafood
-Poultry
-Meat
-Wild Game
-Desserts
-Breads
-Dairy
-Beverages
-Festivals
-Plantations
-Holiday & Special Occasion Menus
-Lagniappe

Now here is why four instead of five stars: this is a definitive text (which should have earned a James Beard award), but the photography leaves a lot to be desired. There is a ton of it, but it is poorly lit. It and the graphic design of the book give the entire thing an `80s feel. This was first published in 2004! Although this is a classic reference on Southeastern Louisiana cuisine, the photography makes it feel slightly less than polished. With that said, it is still more than worth the cost of ownership.

In the past, I spoke about my love for Williams-Sonoma New Orleans: Authentic Recipes Celebrating The Foods Of the World (Williams-Sonoma Foods of the World). It is still a valid text because it is a great quick reference. The photography is drop-dead gorgeous. However, if you want comprehensive and in-depth, this encyclopedia is for you.

Thank you, John Folse, for this epic undertaking. Any other cookbook you purchase for this cuisine will simply be for collector's purposes. Trust me, you don't need anything else!

I pretty much loved this book. Very heartwarming. I was glued to this book. The difficulties that these people went through really touched my heart. I can't tell you how many times I cried in this book. It was so hard to put down. If you're a LaVyrle Spencer fan I think you'll love this book & if you are new to this author I think this would be a great start. Highly recommended.

Lavryle Spencer is my all time favorite romance writer. When she retired in 1997, I seriously mourned. Pick up any of her books and it will leave you with tears, joy, laughter, and a full heart. It's hard for me to choose which is my favorite book from her, but Years has to be right there at the top (along with Bitter Sweet, Vows, Bygones, Family Blessings, Separate Beds, Forgiving). The movies in my opinion doesn't do her books justice at all. I read her book over and over again and they will never leave my library. I have yet to find a writer that matches her skill in spinning an emotionally-driven romantic story.

I purchased this book because of the high number of very good reviews here and was in need of something new and engaging to read. This was my first Lavyrle Spencer book and I didn't really care for it all that much. I thought the development of love between the characters was bumpy and their constant fights (which, I know are supposed to masquerade as their resistance to their irresistible love) were just annoying and I found Teddy's unwavering focus on the difference of 16 years incredibly senseless - I just didn't get that.

The characters were all rather weakly developed and I had trouble following and understanding their motivations for their actions: Why was Linnea suddenly throwing herself at Teddy? Why did Kristian want to join the army? Why was Linnea so angry and worked up about the older boys not attending school immediately? Why was Teddy so angry about the baby? Also, I thought Linnea's character underwent an abrupt change once she married Teddy - she became very subdued, very different from the chipper person at the beginning. It was almost as though she disappeared from the book. Very strange.

There were parts of the book that I liked - the sudden snowstorm was a surprise - the detailed descriptions of horse tack and saddling were interesting and the heated, enclosed wagon was something new. It was set in an interesting time and place - with some "modern" conveniences (cars and airplanes), but much still so primitive (wagons and chamber pots). But overall, not a draw for me to want to read it again.

Read this book right before I read Morning Glory, which I found to be a horrible read. Years is the complete opposite--wonderful story, interesting characters, sparkling dialogue, an absolute joy to read. I can't believe the same author wrote both books! I'm buying this for a Christmas gift for my mother, I loved it so much! My only two complaints about it are that the heroine is almost too pure and loving to be believable, and too many characters were killed off at the end of the book--but that's like saying that you loved the movie but the popcorn was a pinch too salty. READ THIS BOOK!! You will love it!

I absolutley loved this book, from start to finish. Lavyrle Spencer has a way of writing two people falling in love, that you feel as if you're falling in love too. My heartstrings were tugged, pulled and squeezed countless times over while reading this book. It was paced perfectly and remained interesting throughout. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

This book is about Linnea and Teddy. Linnea, 18 and fresh from her parents home, has traveled a long way for her first job. She is the new school teacher in Alamo North Dakota who is to room and board with Theodore Westgaard and his family. She has high hopes about her future and is constantly daydreaming about what her new life will be like. Parties, operas, romance.... Then she meets Teddy, a 34 year old, bitter and cynical wheat farmer, who's been badly wounded in the past and cannot bear to even be around women, much less this young and hopeful girl.

Teddy picks her up at the train station expecting not a woman, but a man and refuses to allow a woman, or this "girl" as he calls her, into his home. But because of no other alternatives, she's forced to stay there, against his wishes. Linnea's hopes and "daydreams" are shattered when she discovers she isn't very welcome in his home as she'd expected to be and also becomes bitter towards Teddy for his reactions to her. Bickering and small battles ensue as they spend more time around eachother, but at the same time, neither can understand why they both think of eachother all the time.

Teddy's 17 year old son, Kristian takes an instant liking to Linnea against his father's wishes, because she's his teacher and more importantly because his father recognizes he has feelings for her as well. This makes him uncomfortable, to say the least, but understands his son's heart and tries to stay away from Linnea as much as possible. Linnea notices Kristian's attraction and does her best to keep him at bay and remind him, that even though she's only one year older, she is his teacher and those boundries musn't be crossed.

Over time, Linnea and Teddy get to learn small things about eachother and begin to see eachother in a different light. But there is one thing that is keeping Teddy from giving in to his attraction to Linnea...the years between them. He is 16 years older, and sometimes feels like a pervert for even looking at Linnea in a romantic way. He is constantly battling with himself and refuses to give in to his feelings. Linnea on the other hand, does want to give into these new feelings she's having, she doesn't care about the years separating them, only about her heart and her heart keeps coming back to Teddy.

Overcoming their hurdles is the best part of the book and you'll have to read it to find out what happens. I'll just say....it's perfection. You will NOT regret reading this book! A true romance indeed!

This is a general review of all the books in this series, not this particular book. I enjoy the series greatly, even though there are remnants of the days when the author was primarily a writer of romantic novels (the heroine's husband is impossibly rich and handsome, and the sexual encounters between them are always overwhelmingly passionate), and some of the dialogue between the heroine and her husband is too predictable. But generally the dialogue, especially with the supporting characters, is realistic and fun, and all the main and supporting characters have depth and very distinct personalities. I'd enjoy spending an evening or working with these people, not just the heroine and her husband, but also her friends and co-workers, and so I enjoy reading about them. The crimes are sometimes pretty gruesome, often with a sexual aspect, and the killers generally psychopaths - these are NOT cozy mysteries. The horrific childhood of the heroine is a major element in the books. Mostly, the plots have been pretty good, not too repetitive or predictable, though I read this series for the characters and not the plots. A good read, if you don't mind the gruesome parts.

I have to admit, the 5 stars for this one is a sentimental choice. In fact, I've read this book so many times that I'm not even sure I really know what I think about it anymore. Granted, that's true of the preceding 5 books, too, but Vengeance is the most intensely emotional, and I'm all about intensely emotional books these days (as long as they don't have depressing endings, that is!), so I can't look at it objectively.

Or rather, I can, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I can, for example, question how Eve can so calmly accept Roarke's past that's so vividly shoved in her face here. Or I can question how the killer latched on to those particular victims. And I can certainly read the part where Roarke gets all pissy about Eve locking a door on him and remember a later book in the series where he does the same thing and want to smack him upside the head. And yes, I can see the headhopping--Nora does it all the time.

But in the end, it doesn't matter. It's a 5-star read.

The book was used, but in very good shape. I bought it for my ex-mother inlaw, I didn't tell her it was a used book and she never knew otherwise. :)

In this book, a brilliant and sadistic serial killer is targeting Irish immigrants in New York. His methods are sickeningly brutal, and each death is different. With the very first death the killer draws Eve into the mix, calling her to boast about the murder and to give her a riddle to lead her to it.

Evidence points straight to Summerset, Roarke's devoted 'servant' and friend and the bane of Eve's domestic existence. While it quickly becomes obvious he's being set up, proving that in an official capacity is another matter.

While there's a familiar theme here of Eve's cases bringing her into conflict with and causing her to investigate the very people she cares about, it's carried off far better in this volume than in some of the others. Summerset's reasons for distrusting police are extremely well-founded and far too deep-set for him to shake off. The reasons why Eve can figure out that he's innocent but can't easily keep him out of jail are clever and believable.

A new and highly entertaining series character puts in an appearance (McNab, a flamboyant electronics expert with the police force). Eve and Summerset are forced to stretch (and break) their veneer of civility. And Eve and Roarke have to face, and embrace, more of his past than she's even been aware of up until now. There are no easy answers, and their only chance lies in being able to manipulate and outwit a killer who believes he's the instrument of God's vengeance.

The character development is beautiful, the pacing and tension are gripping, and the mystery is fascinating. I highly recommend this volume of Robb/Roberts's in death series.

The J D Robb series has me hooked. I was very happy that Amazon has back copies on had at a reasonable price.

This is an excellent book. The author combines his own story of batttling cancer along with excellent scientific evidence. The book does not have a strong a political agenda, but rather presents facts and studies from excellent sources from around the world. His personal story of fighting cancer is touching as well. This is a great book not only for those wanting to know about cancer, but also for those simply wanting to break from the norm, eat healthy and live a high quality life. I recommended this highly to my friends and family!!

I hate diet/health book that are all menu and only fuzzy science. Everyone bashes "killer" white sugar, but this book tells you why it justifies the reputation, for example. That's what makes "Anti-Cancer" great. It articulates clearly the differing mechanisms cancer uses to take command of the body's immune system, and presents the latest research on what's effective against the attacks. After reading the book I created a PowerPoint presentation and made kids/family watch!

A couple of years ago, I interviewed David Servan-Schreiber on my radio show, "Turn On Your Inner Light" about his excellent book, "The Instinct to Heal." He did a wonderful job noting how exercise improves mood - naturally. After reading "Anti-Cancer" I see that he continues to inspire the reader with science and story. Shakespeare said it well, "Physician heal thyself." David takes it a step farther to help us heal and even better - to prevent disease. While there is no magic cure for cancer, we can all improve life quality, give our attention to building a healthy body and reduce the inflammatory process triggered by stress with a change in perception. We can all learn to build immunity to external pressure.I am the author of Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life.

Anticancer: A New Way of Life

This book has been appealing to me both as a cancer survivor and a scientist.
I couldn't stop reading it once I started. Since my reading, I have largely changed my diet, following his advices.

In my previous job as a copywriter, I was responsible for seeking out and writing about the latest findings in the field of health and wellbeing. As a trained nurse, I know how to read medical literature and I've developed a pretty good eye for what represents sound research and reasonable conclusions.

Given all that, I had pretty high expectations of this book, and I wasn't disappointed. The fact that the reference section takes up 28 full pages of a 243-page book shows that the book has been extremely well researched, and is not just the product of the author's own musings.

Dr. Servan-Schreiber has taken an extremely complex and controversial subject, studied reams of published research reports on it and drawn together a practical, down-to-earth list of suggestions for minimising one's chances of developing cancer, or giving oneself the best shot at recovery and survival if cancer does develop. There's nothing spooky or way out, and no inflated promises or false hope. It's just solidly researched, sensible information that we can all apply in our lives (and which I believe will enhance our lives, whether or not the spectre of cancer is on the cards).

Despite the volume of medical data included in the book, it's written in layman's terms, yet without being too simplistic. Further, it's a very moving book that has a lot to say about living and dying well. My personal view is that this book is a precious gift to humanity, written with compassion and insight, and I thank Dr. Servan-Schreiber for making this information available all in one place so non-medical people can benefit from the vast number of discoveries that have already been made in the search to unlock the mysteries of this frightening disease.

My mom read this to me as a kid. It changed the way I felt about what it means to be different. Great story with a great moral!

This pre-school guide to independent thinking has been a family favorite for decades. Lessons for the young, and for those unwilling to grow up. Our original copy was bought 'pre-tattered' at a garage sale in the 70's. I've just purchased 3 new ones as stocking stuffers for my adult children.

This is a great book about following your own dreams, dancing to your own tune, believing in what drives you, all done in a really engaging book. The marker drawings are great--I love how you can see the marker lines. It's humorous and wonderful and wild. Share it with your kids!

I'm an elementary school art teacher and I use this book every year! I love Pinkwater- he's so fabulously wacky and this story doesn't disappoint. I have my kiddos draw pictures of the house of their dreams, too. We have princess houses and underwater houses and candy/ice cream houses- it's great fun!

My 4 yo son enjoys this book and I enjoy its message. Essentially, that message is "Be yourself. Don't conform just because other people want you to." The story is fun and the illustrations are whimsical. I look forward to purchasing more books by Pinkwater.

Ever since reading Alexander Hamilton I've been a fan of Chernow's. His research is impeccable and his writing is clear and engaging. In Titan, his portrait of John D. Rockefeller is superb. Chernow provides a balanced view of this complicated persona, and places Rockefeller's life and accomplishments in context, traveling through more than a century. In terms of the story itself, one especially fascinating element is the dichotomy between Rockefeller's religious beliefs and business escapades, and how he (rightly or wrongly) justified his actions to himself. Another aspect is the evolution of the man from Robber Barron into possibly the world's greatest philanthropist, and philanthropic innovator. Overall, this is a terrific book about a extraordinary subject.

Steven K. Gold
Author, Entrepreneur's Notebook: Practical Advice for Starting a New Business Venture

America's Industrial Revolution created unprecedented collections of wealth within the portfolios of a limited few. Chief among them was John D. Rockefeller, Sr. Born in an unassuming, clapboard house in upstate New York, Rockefeller's business acumen would take him from rural backwater to the pinnacle of Wall Street success. It's a story that is naturally compelling and the author's competent narrative moves it briskly along.

On one hand, Rockefeller's take-no-prisoners business approach created lifelong detractors who demonized his very existence. On the other, his phenomenal levels of charitable giving were evidence of a commitment to give back a large portion of the wealth consequently derived. This dichotomy creates a common thread throughout Ron Chernow's book.

Of additional interest is the ideological transformations that occur between the originator of wealth and the heirs of affluence. As each wave of offspring attain adulthood, evidence of the progenitor's hand becomes harder and harder to see. It takes a certain set of principles to create wealth. It takes an entirely different set to fritter it away.

There's disappointment when Chernow expects fin de siecle society to conform to 21st-century racial sensibilities, but, thankfully, his condescension ends there. Well-paced and expertly written, Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. is a solid biography and recommended to anyone interested in the Gilded Age giants of American industry and the legacies they left behind. 4 stars.

This exhaustive biography of John D. Rockefeller fully explains a misunderstood man. Ron Chernow has caught the essence of the man. Mr. Rockefeller was neither entirely good nor was he the Robber Baron as depicted by Ida Tarbell. He was a man of contradictions . He was deeply religious, however in the business world he would squash his business competition like a bug.
When you think of Rockefeller you think of Oil as in "Standard Oil". However, as Chernow points out it was Mr. Rockefeller's logistical distribution system which made Standard Oil the titan of the Oil Industry. It was J.D.'s controlling of the Railroads and later the Pipelines which led to his huge monopoly in the Oil Industry.
This book explains his development of oil cartels and interlocking directorates. As he grew older he became ever so more eccentric and increasingly philantropical. He was indeed both the good cop and the bad cop.
This is an excellent book. It is well worth the reading of 676 pages. But who's counting!! In the end you"ll find the essence of a true businessman who was misunderstood.

Truly a great book from a masterful writer. Some criticisms are apt: Chernow, for obvious reasons, relies heavily on the Inglis interview with Rockefeller. Why not? What better primary source than the words from the reclusive oil Titan himself? Also, Chernow has been criticized as being a bit--but only a bit-- soft on Rockefeller. Almost all biographers begin to identify with their subjects. To some extent Chernow falls into this trap; one cannot spend years researching another human being without beginning to see things from the subject's perspective. Those small quibbles aside, what a great book! Perhaps we can never really know another human being but Chernow gives us key insights into the character of Rockefeller. As Chernow writes in his Introduction, all other biographies on Rockefeller soon revert to the oft told story of the History of Standard Oil, as if the man and the company were one in the same, and Rockefeller seems to disappear from his own biography. But Chernow gives us the man and presents an interesting thesis: the key to Rockefeller was that he was his parents' son. This means that John D. Rockefeller contained the roguish aspects of his father William Avery Rockefeller (a shameless flim-flam man) and the virtuous aspects of his long suffering, pious mother Eliza. It also explains other qualities, e.g., the fetish for secrecy. John D. grew up in a home where his father openly lived with his mistress alongside the wife Eliza. Later William Avery would take a second wife and live as a bigamist. All the while, Eliza bore stoically the humiliation. Hence, John D. grew up to become very, very quiet about his family and its scandals. Doubtless, he heard the whispers and soon he developed a deep distrust of the "crowd." "Let the world wag," was a favorite phrase. He developed a thick skin and learned to be a stoic like his mother. He made it a point for people not to know his personal life or his business. The shattered sensibility of the youth lingered into manhood. The mania for secrecy followed.
The quote from Betrand Russell that begins the books is telling: Rockefeller is among the men who created the modern world. With $4 a gallon gas, and energy needs growing, we still live with his legacy today.

I have not read the work of a biographer who has the proficiency for presenting as comprehensive an account of another's life as Chernow has given with Titan. There are sections of this narrative that are so detailed that had Rockefeller's life not been over a century ago, one might be inclined to consider Chernow had been along side him during his pursuits. Chernow has conducted extensive research that is exemplified in every chapter of this enthralling biography.

John D Rockefeller has been known by many personas, both positive and negative; billionaire, tycoon, industrialist, predator, and philanthropist. No matter what one's view of him, all generally agree that his business acumen was surpassed by no one in history. Chernow provides a masterful account of Rockefeller's years from his meager beginnings with an unscrupulous father to his near unstoppable empire that forced adversaries to join or be crushed in its wake. Chernow has provided readers with an abundance of pertinent quotations directly from Rockefeller leaving one well equipped to gauge the true mindset of the man.

Many biographies will rate high merely on the appealing nature of the subject. Titan is based on one of history's most intriguing business men combined with an account that is so well written and detailed it is difficult to fully convey in a simple review. I strongly suggest this book as essential reading to anyone with an interest in business biography.