effect

A historical breakthrough; medically rivetting; inspires real hope....these phrases partially describe the seminal work of Dr. Burton Berkson, in his book The Alpha Lipoic Acid Breakthrough. From the "No nonsense, tell it like it is" foreword by Julian Whitaker, M.D.; through the early days of saving the "medically dead" against the insensitive dictates of his chief doctor; to the research journey that ultimately lead to the phenomenal discovery of the efficacy of the life saving properties of this natural cellular substance, Alpha Lipoic Acid; Burt Berkson, M.D.,M.S.,Ph.D., has remarkably woven his twenty plus years of working experience with the National Institutes of Health, the Federal Drug Administration and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention into a wonderful storytelling format that truely gives hope to any potential liver transplant recipiant or patients experiencing any of a number of chronic diseases ie.,diabetes, AIDS, heart disease, cancer, macular degeneration, Alzheimer's and a host of others. Dr. Berkson has taken the seemingly arcane study of biochemistry and has given it a layman's metamorphosis into BC 101. This essential foundation aptly gives the reader a fundamental understanding of such vitally important concepts as "signal transduction" and "transcription factors"; thus giving the reader the same understanding of the machanics of the diseases mentioned as his or her physician has. Armed with this knowledge, a cancer patient (for example) can better understand why the 5 year survival rate of all cancers are between 11 - 17% and therefore may opt for an integrative medical program that will not harm the immune system, but work with it.

I sincerely hope that the mainstream media will give Dr. Berkson's book the just attention it rightfully deserves and that every medical school includes it as a primer on the effacacy of Alpha Lipoic Acid, the medicine for the new millennium.

I live 5 miles from a University in Amsterdam the netherlands, where Prof. Aalt Bast is doing research on Alpha Lipoic Acid. Nothing I saw ever mentioned in papers of the Diabetes federation of the Netherlands. We have a law in Holland stimulating, if it is not invented here it is not good. By pure chance I was lookong for literature at Amazon.com books. Surprise, surprise I found the book of Burt Berkson on Alpha Lipoid Acid (ALA). I started using ALA three times 50 mg and after 90 pils three times 100 mg. My endurance on Physio Training doubled and my hyperglycemie is half of wat is was in the early morning hours. Grace to amazon.com and the books delivered fast to Holland. The next step if fighting Neuropathie and numbness of my feet and hands. Internet and Amazon.com and Berkson, life-savers. Fred H. van Waaijen, The Netherlands.

Everyone in America needs to read this book!! Anyone in America that has a liver problem, from Hepatitis C to liver cancer can get get better from taking this product. We have been to Dr. Berkson's office, and he is a marvelous Dr.!! You should have some kind of review to let people know about this book.

"Bitter Pills" is the real-life version of "Strong Medicine" by Arthur Hailey. With a very personal beginning resulting from his wife's near death and slow recovery from taking ONE PILL (Floxin), author Fried went on to find whether there were other victims (many), and why the drug was approved in the first place. Interviews in profusion show why the FDA has its problems. Examples are given of the tendency of drug companies to defend their drugs at any cost regardless of evidence. The end of the book contains addresses of many drug companies, organizations to whom to report adverse drug reactions, and a sample form to send to the FDA. Well thought-out advice for patients (or their helpmates) to investigate drugs are given. A number of other good books on the subject are listed.
Fried is to be congratulated for doing a very accurate job with a minimum number of accusations. I did not find a single technical error in the entire book, and I have about 12 years exploratory drug development and teaching about it as a professor of medicinal chemistry.
Even Fried may not have realized how many drugs not discussed in his book shorten life, because they are tested and accepted based on surrogate endpoints for short periods. This may not be so bad for antibiotics that are taken for two weeks, but can be very destructive for drugs intended to be taken for 20-40 years.

Five cheers! Have you ever taken a prescription drug? Has your doctor ever given you free samples and said, "Let's try this; it's new." Fried takes his wife's severe neuropsychiatric reaction to a new antibiotic as the jumping off point for a spell-binding review of the US drug approval process. I have some first-hand knowledge of the process, and found the book to be right on target (with a quibble over his account of his own emergency department visit). The book is especially timely this year, given the recent withdrawals of dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, mibefradil, and bromfenac from the market,the growing realization of the dangers of troglitazone, and the push to force the FDA to move more quickly on drug approvals. Mr. Fried is to be commended for this stellar piece of work! We all send regards to his wife, Diane.

I didn't know about Stephen Fried and "Bitter Pills," much less quinolone antibiotics, until I myself was, like Mr. Fried's wife, "Floxed," just a few weeks ago. I began my search for information on reactions to quinolones after four days of gatifloxacin (brandname Tequin) left me with tingling and weak arms and legs, difficulty swallowing and breathing, visual disturbances, headaches, dizziness, and more. I seriously thought I had a stroke or Guillain Barre syndrome or rapid onset multiple sclerosis, I was so sick.

Let me say that first, Stephen Fried's book is an excellent overview of the circumstances of adverse drug reactions to quinolone antibiotics. And with the increased visibility and use of Cipro, and the ease with which doctors dispense heavy-hitting antibiotics like Levaquin and Tequin, I'm sure I'm not going to be the last person to suffer a reaction and end up being "Floxed" and needing the information and reassurance provided by this book.

But it is also much much more. It's an expose of the pharmaceutical industry's fast and loose way of dealing with drugs, drug safety and the American public. This is not a rant -- it's an impeccably researched and detailed presentation of the intricacies involved in drug approvals and tracking of adverse reactions that exposes the limitations of the system, and the dangers those limitations present to us as patients and consumers.

As a patient advocate and spokesperson for thyroid and autoimmune disease patients, I know all too well the feeling of being held hostage to big pharmaceutical companies at the expense of my health and wellness.

Stephen Fried has finally exposed and explained -- clearly and without rancor -- how the drug industry really works, and his book, including the excellent appendix on how to contact pharmaceutical companies, report adverse reactions, protect yourself against bad drugs, and generally protect yourself as a consumer -- is must-reading for every empowered patient or health consumer.

I highly recommend this book to doctors, patients, and anyone who prescribes or takes prescription drugs.

This is a book about THINKING in After Effects. It's one of the best software tutorials I've ever read because it is written from a production point of view. It's not a catalog of features and effects, nor is it a series of technical monographs grouped by functionality and interspersed with a few screencaps (*cough* after effects 5 bible *cough*). It's grouped by things you need to accomplish in production and written simply & clearly with copious full-color screen grabs. Sidebars handle technical detail, workarounds, and asides. What Trish and Chris are doing you is guiding you through work habits they've garnered in 10 years of working with this app in a relaxed, conversational way. Thumbs Up!

Hint for reading this book: When you start each chapter, read all the sidebars and callouts first as a warmup, then go back and read everything.

Trish and Chris Meyer have done it again. I have found that their books are consistently far superior compared to most AE tutorial books. First of all, for me, the most important thing about tutorial books is the CD and it's content. If the CD's content does not match the tutorial I want to through the book out my window and track down the editors. This book not only has a flawless, well-organized CD, the tutorials themselves are great! I have used AE for about two years now and I am still learning from Trish and Chris. Thanks for the great books keep um commin! Another great author is Angie Taylor check out her book Creative After Effects 5.0

I won't reiterate the praise that other reviewers have lavished on this book, though I share their sentiments. I just want to note that the book might be a bit overwhelming to absolute beginners. The information comes in a flood. By all means buy this book, but take the time to get familiar with AE's interface first, before launching in on the Meyer's text.

I was an occasional AE user who had to suddenly focus on the software for a particular project. I was delighted to find that the Meyers answered almost all of my nagging, long-term questions about the program as if they had received a printed wish list from my subconscious. I look forward to ramping up my AE skills with their other works.

It's amazing how many of the "facts" that we think
we know about drugs are wrong. It's even more
amazing that we continue to base drug policy on
myths that were disproven as much as a hundred
years ago. It's amazing that we continue to
pursue prohibitionist drug policies that have
never withstood the scrutiny of objective
evaluation. Read this book. You'll be astonished.

As a psychologist working in the field of drug addiction I am constantly dealing with misinformation and propaganda about the dangers (both relative and absolute) of various drugs. Parents who are concerned that their teenage children might be using "dangerous drugs" rather than just getting drunk on the weekends and smoking cigarettes, etc. This book is an outstanding source for historical information about the development of our attitudes towards drugs, the role they play in our society, a straightforward, non-technical presentation of the psychological and biological actions of various drugs, and the effects of our current drug policies. Coupled with "From Chocolate to Morphine" (another must read book) a reader will have a great fund a basic information about drugs and our relationship to them. I only wish this book would be updated and reprinted - though, unfortunately, not nearly enough has changed since this book was first published.

Even though this book is nearly 30 years old, everything it says about the drug problem is still relevant today.

This publication outlined a clear-cut set of recommendations that if adhered to, today's drug problems would have become a long forgotten memory.

This book is a must for the collection.

This is a remarkable little book. It is vastly different from any of the other "self-help" tomes out there, and I've read a lot of them. Where many books explain what happened to you in your childhood and maybe even why, few give you a clue as to how to deal with the emotional issues that arise as you pursue recovery. This book is deeply compassionate and empathic, and takes you step-by-step through the process of dealing with those emotions. Reading it gave me the courage to dive back into some painful emotions I had been denying for a long time -- and the author was right, once I had done so I felt an incredible sense of freedom and relief. There's no moralizing here -- nobody is shamed or labeled "bad" or "wrong" -- there's just a lot of support, compassion and respect for what it takes to grow and heal. I hope this book finds the wider audience it deserves.

First of all: I am the publisher of the Dutch edition in Holland. A couple of years ago I got a phone call from a 62 years old Dutch guy, who told me: 'I've read this book and it changed my life. You should publish it'. In the next weeks I received some calls from Dutch therapists telling me the same story. So I decided to buy the Dutch rights and publish the book in Holland. Since then I have read it and reread it, and I must say: it has changed my life too, and probably many clients and readers in Holland. Jean's book is very clear and a good read. Reading it, you become aware of things happened in your youth, and how you react to all kind of things (work, personal relationships, etc.) in your adult life. You become aware of your over- or under-reactions in different situations. It will help to give you a better understanding of your self and others. I am very proud of having published it in the Dutch language, and that indeed it is very succesful here in Holland.

'Reclaiming your life' is not a how-to-become-happy-in-24-hours kind of book. It is thorough, thoughtful and understanding. It may be uncomfortable to read, it may cause some fear or sorrow, but I can seriously recommend it to readers all over the world. And in the end: it will change your life too.

If it weren't for the reviewers I would have missed it. How does one navigate through the zillions of "self help" books out there to find the real gems? The reviewers pushed me to the purchasing point.(thank you!) The author Jean Jensen shows us real life examples of the stumbling blocks children of abusive parents have as adults, in the workplace and in their love lives. At the end of the book are wonderful examples of people like you and me who explain how they moved through their own personal life struggles with the help of regression therapy. Jean Jenson thoroughly explains her method in a considerate manner and gives a variety of covert and overt abusive acts so you will relate, as opposed to deny. You may have to read this a few times because the source of our problems wants us to react in an opposite direction to healing. Jenson helped me see a way out and up, and she certainly covered all the bases to healing, covering many of my questions I could not find answers to with conventional therapy.

As an author of a book on a related subject (magnetic healing), I know firsthand how challenging it is to write in a user-friendly fashion about the complex subject of electromagnetic fields and their effect on health.

B. Blake Levitt's extraordinary commitment of time and effort has resulted in a work that makes this complex subject easy to understand. Not only has she succeeded in explaining the untoward health effects of EMFs, but she also gives her readers a look into the complex political and commercial forces that have led to our current state of affairs.

Faced with the potential of a cell phone tower being placed directly overhead in my high-rise apartment building, I used Ms. Levitt's book as a study guide and subsequently consulted her for additional background information. I have no doubt that this information was key in holding off the installation of the tower.

This book is a "must read" for anyone concerned about EMFs -- and everyone should be!

I am a research scientist with a background in psychosocial epidemiology who became interested in the impact of electromagnetic waves on physical, mental and emotional health when I was confronted with applications to construct telecommunications towers in our newly adopted home town. My ideas and information from physics courses were both rusty and dated. Moreover, in postgraduate work I had learned enough about environmental impacts on fetal and child development, neurological functioning, and sleep cycle disruption to be concerned. I wanted to efficiently come up to speed on theories about the waves' effects and peer-reviewed data that tested those theories. Ms. Levitt's book provided an extremely comprehensible and yet responsible orientation to the mechanisms by which electromagnetic waves operate, the research on their impact that was available as of its writing, and the political and economic influences of industry and governmental forces. PLEASE have her update it with the inclusion of the research of the last few years. Solid research findings are supporting her arguments at an escalating rate and they deserve to be disseminated. The public health hazards of unmonitored electromagnetic waves (especially in the rapidly proliferating rf frequencies) are real and an educated public is our best protection against their potential damage.

B. Blake Levitt makes the scientific and medical aspects of electromagnetic fields easily accessible to those of us who are not scientists or physicians. Most fascinating was her insightful chapter "What Your Doctor Doesn't Know and Why." She also traces persuasive evidence of links between EMFs and 20th century ailments such as chronic fatigue syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease, and cancer. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS distills a vast amount of research alerting us to health dangers. It also offers specific suggestions to reduce the impact of EMFs in our homes, workplaces and communities. Our family has become better-informed consumers by relying on this book. Thank you Ms. Levitt for empowering your readers to gain control over an issue with increasing repercussions in all our lives.

"The human race, without intending anything of the sort, has undertaken a gigantic uncontrolled experiment on the earth. In time, I think, this will appear as the most important aspect of twentieth-century history, more so than World War II, the communist enterprise, the rise of mass literacy, the spread of democracy, or the growing emancipation of women." (J. R. McNeill)

Over the past few years there have been a spate of histories of the 20th century. Most of them have been written from traditional, often Eurocentric, historical perspectives that focus upon political history set in the context of socioeconomic development and ideological and military conflict. J. R. McNeill's *Something New Under the Sun* replaces the political narrative, usually found at the center of histories, with an environmental one. It invites readers to reevaluate the legacy of the 20th century.

By any measure, the 20th century is, as McNeill characterizes it, "a prodigal century." In terms of growth of population, economic development, and energy production and consumption, it is a case of 'quantity having a quality of its own.' On the one hand, it is a triumph of the human species. (McNeill suggests readers consider that over the past 4 billion years of human history, 20% of all human life-years took place in the 20th century.) On the other hand, this prodigal century - this triumph of human ingenuity - has also exacted an unprecedented environmental cost. It is this trade-off that McNeill's book explores.

McNeill's approach is interdisciplinary, and the book is divided into two sections. The first section is organized around transformations to the lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere, and the resulting pollution and resource depletion. Each topic includes a (very) brief conceptual introduction, case studies from around the world, (black and white) photos, maps, and tables. This section also includes the best example of unintentional environmental consequences. McNeill introduces Thomas Midgely, the inventor of leaded gasoline and Freon, "[who] had more impact on the atmosphere than any other organism in earth history."

In the second section, McNeill introduces the 'engines of change" - 1) population growth, migration, and urbanization, 2) energy, technology, and economic growth, and 3) politics and environmental awareness. The pulses of 'coketowns' and 'motowns' take place amidst the tumultuous social, economic, and political events of the 20th century. Environmental awareness doesn't take root until the 70's - a critical period for women as well. (His examples of Rachel Carson and Wangari Maathai were well chosen - and gendered.) In his epilogue (So What?), McNeill's history portends an environmental crunch, a change of circumstances - a dilemma unlike the world has witnessed so far.

"With our new powers we banished some historical constraints on health and population, food production, energy use, and consumption generally. Few who know anything about life with these constraints regret their passing. But in banishing them we invited other constraints in the form of the planet's capacity to absorb wastes, by-products, and impacts of our actions. The latter constraints had pinched occasionally in the past, but only locally. By the end of the twentieth century, they seemed to restrict our options globally. Our negotiations with these constraints will shape the future as our struggles against them shaped our past." (J. R. McNeill)

*Something New Under The Sun* is written in a popular style well suited to both non-fiction readers and students. Readers of environmental historians like William Cronon, William McNeill, or Alfred Crosby will certainly find McNeill's book interesting. Personally I think that McNeill's global perspective of the 20th century will stand the test of time.

McNeill's basic thesis is that in environmental terms, the 20th century has been unprecedented in human history and planetary history in general. He points out that the impact of humankind's breathtaking technological advancements in the last 100 or so years can be likened to a major cataclysm, like an asteroid hitting the planet. The book provides a wealth of background information on a number of major technical/technological developments, and how they have improved the lives of many people but also damaged or imperiled the air, water and soil that sustain all life. McNeill is hardly a Luddite or a primitivist, but he does make some reasonable calls for restraint and, perhaps, a worldwide assessment of where human economic/industrial/technological activities are taking the planet. Interesting in this vein is his consideration, toward the end of the book, of how the economic thought of the last century, with its adherence to the concept of unlimited growth, has played a key role in preventing such an assessment. As he points out, overcoming this way of thinking represents a daunting task, since these (Anglo-American) economic doctrines have assumed the status of irrefutable dogma - like any system of religious beliefs.

I have a read a few good histories but, in terms of relevance, this one takes the cake. No other single-bound volume (that I know of) captures the sweeping changes humanity has wrought in the physical environment. Indeed, of all other life, homo sapiens alone has distinguished itself as a global geo-physical force. You will also notice that this history is less controversial than most, as J. R. McNeil takes a strictly empirical, scientific approach. Very explicitly, McNeil lays out how humanity's emphasis on unrestrained, fast-paced industrialization has cost millions of lives, driven many species to extinction, and utterly altered the stability of the biosphere. Without a doubt, unless more people gain the kind of perspective this book provides, we will surely witness continued destruction well into this century as well. After reading this book, whatever "So what?" attitude you may have had about the environment will have dissipated completely.

This book is just brilliant. Lots to think about especially relating to cancer. I'd love to know the current research along his lines. I have seen there are a couple of researchers following in his footsteps, but not nearly enough. There was just an interesting article about limb regeneration in the New York Tuesday September 24 2002 in case the above link doesn't work anymore). But no mention of his work on the electric effect Becker worked on. What a shame they seem to be missing this part of the puzzle.

Here is a dedicated surgeon who spent three decades doing the step-by-step research necessary to determine what causes limb regeneration. During those years he and his colleagues had to run interferance against the most hideously uninformed, petty, self-serving agencies and beaurocracies, which are often made up of other scientists. Dr. Becker was studying something very important, and his conclusions flew in the face of the conventional views of science at that time, and also of today. He was way ahead of his time.

One of the most important parts of the book was the information on how we are bombarded every day by electromagnetic radiation which has proven to be harmful, but which is DENIED harmful because of economic interests. Studies showing it is harmful are delayed or buried. As a result of this radiation across America, people suffer from all sorts of ailments that doctors are unable to diagnose.

This man is one of the true pioneers of energy medicine. At the time he was doing his research, he had no idea that the electrical signals he was detecting in the bodies of both animals and humans, were part of the body's energy system, one of which is the Meridian system (along which acupoints are located). Against professional backbiting and the loss of all funds for further research, he persevered with his honor intact. This work was important because he was questioning why, if newts and salamanders can re-grow a limb, why can't we? If we continue to have a few scientists who buck the beaurocracy, and go public with their findings, and are able to withstand the ferocious attacks of peers and intrenched institutions, then we will have scientific progress. If not, we will continue to have most of our research projects done by mediocre follow-the-leader researchers on increasingly obscure projects which are far removed from the wholistic view of the human body that needs to be taken. I say "Bravo" to this man.

If you have not read Robert O. Becker yet you must, if you have any interest in health processes or the healing process. He was a very thorough medical researcher with a keen interest in regeneration and lays the basis of his work on a rich history of medical evolution from 2,000 BC forward. While he touches only lightly on silver, he was the first to certify that electro generated silver ions not only kill most pathogens but are also the only metallic ions to cause dedifferentiation of cells and thus rapid local regeneration. His primary application was as bimetallic (battery) implants to speed bone and other tissue healing but he opened the world to the electrical nature of cellular life processes.

Another interest I have always had was TENS or zapper units but after reading his works find 99% of applications are very risky due to mans constant desire to "make it stronger" - he found as little as a few billionths of an ampere and less then 1 volt triggered healing or regeneration and more was not only counterproductive but usually dangerous.

He gets bitter in the end, having been forced to close his lab, essentially banned from research by his peers because he moved forward too far too fast plus eventually got involved in attacking the electropollution man has introduced into our environment in the last 60 years. Our universe and thus evolutionary development are based on a low level electromagnetic environment with the dominant 10 hertz frequency of both our brains and gravity waves but man has increased the electropollution by 1,000 times,with the advent of 50/60 Hz electric lines blanketing the earth and pervase pulsed microwaves to the point we are effecting the Van Allen belt and thus weather, if not the general decline of many of mans bio-functions!

His followup book Cross Currents is slightly repetative but adds a great deal more, especially to his electropollution comcerns.

Although i didn't expect to find it so interesting, finally it was really good! Not only does it explain thoroughly every, if not all, technique of the motion picture industry, but it also has a lot of reference to really successful movies! Especially the section that refers to the special effects landmarks makes it unique and complete. It is not something you find in every book and thus it makes it really special.. It has a lot of images and really good explanations and descriptions.. Simply one of the best books on the subject!!

Special Effects is THE BEST book you could wish for on the subject. I have a shelf full of old, an mostly inaccurate books about special effects, but with this new book I could throw the rest away. Also, don't bother with magazines like Cinefex anymore, which are very dry and heavy going. this book is a pleasure to read and has interviews with everyone who is important in the business. There are hundreds of cool photos as well which makes it very good value. Anyone who works in special effects, or is just interested in the movies should read this book. Congratulations to the author Mr Rickitt who has condensed 100 years of movie magic into a single lavish book. Dont take my word for it - BUY IT!

Once I picked up the Special Effects book, I seriously could not put it down. This book is truly amazing as it serves not only as an information source, but it is also very entertaining. The first half of the book goes through the decades starting with the 1900's. In each time period Richard discuses the new advancements in film making during that decade, along with writing about some of the best movies form that time. Some of the classics include Singing in the Rain, The Wizard of Oz, and many Hitchcock movies. The second half of the book focuses on individual aspects of movie magic. From make-up and costumes, to lighting and pyrotechnics. The book cover many recent movies like Titanic, Star Wars Episode I and The Matrix. I strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the entertainment field. The book is easy moderate to read and full of amazing color pictures that you won't find anywhere else. Some of the pictures are accurate diagrams of film processes, such as animation, digital effects and camera techniques. I feel that form reading this book I gained a lot of basis knowledge needed to better understand the industry. Did you know that most of the snow used in movies is simply shredded paper? Or how about the fact that 90% of dialogue is movies is recorded and dubbed after the movie is shot! Find out hundreds of more amazing facts in Richard Rickitt's Special Effects: The History and Technique.

Reading this book I found everything I needed to understand deep meanings of Saturn in natal chart. As other reviewers I should also admit: it is one of the best books on Saturn so far! Good for every astrologer, it can be especially useful for those who have critical mind and eager to improve themselves. It is just brilliant how Liz Greene explains Saturn character and twists positive and negative sides showing it as a whole and at the same time as a part of our ego.
After reading this book I reconsidered the role of the strong and dark planet in my chart. And I think most of the astrologers with Saturn hard aspects in their chart would do the same. It is also would be interesting for people who have their chart done or someone in their family so they could analyze some of the behavior patterns in their family.

Liz Greene serves as an insightful, sympathetic guide through this intensive tour of the various manifestations of Saturn. As a tool for self discovery, or as a source of detailed information to assist in work with others, this book is invaluable. Read it slowly, read it several times, use it as a reference.

Having been a professional astrologer for over 35 years I didn't think I would find much new insight regarding Saturn - BOY WAS I EVER WRONG. This book is fabulous!