Book Description

In a clear, cohesive format, Delivering Health Care in America provides a comprehensive overview the basic structures and operations of the US health system—from its historical origins and resources, to its individual services, cost, and quality. Using a unique "systems" approach, it brings together an extraordinary breadth of information into a highly accessible, easy-to-read text that clarifies the complexities of health care organization and finance, while presenting a solid overview of how the various components fit together.

Now in its third edition, Delivering Health Care in America has been updated with the latest available data and research findings to provide the most current information on the foundations, structural features, past and current trends, and major issues pertaining to the U.S. health care delivery system. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fluffy
This book is near 600 pages, but it could be condensed to 300 easily: by cutting back on some simplistic flow charts and over-explanation. Maybe the goal was to make the book readable for the high school level, but I didn't find its style or level appropriate for a graduate (MBA) textbook. One further annoyance was the authors' shameless and open promotion of socialized health care. A more balanced take would give the authors greater credibility.

Good introduction to the American health care system
The book is a good basic introduction to the American health care system. If you are doing advanced health policy research this book is not for you. If you are teaching a class for undergraduates (or are someone who wants to know about 'nuts and bolts' issues) this would be perfect. For what it does (basic intro), it does well but do not look for sophisticated analysis here. ... Read more

Book Description

Comprehensive monograph reviews the full scope of current management strategies of varicose and telangiectatic veins. Both medical and surgical alternatives are presented with step-by-step guidelines on invasive procedures. Superb illustrations highlight the text and depict the winning techniques of successful cannulation. Also reviews contraindications and common pitfalls of therapy. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is a straightforward introduction to the complex, multidimensional field of public health and how it functions in modern day America. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Inaccurate and vapid
If you've ever had any actual experience in public health, you will probably recognize this book for the sham it really is. Public health systems in the real world just don't behave in the idealized way that Turnock describes. Moreover, Turnock is far too uncritical of HMOs, which consitently fail to provide actual assitance (not just theoretical assistance) to patients who need it. There is also no understanding at all here about the ways in which class differences affect dstribution of health care coverage, or any discussion of what we might be able to do about it.

The reader is left with a blinkered and rather utopian model of our current public health system - one that glosses over existing problems and presents only the most simplistic assessments. You might learn something if you're just beginning your public health studies, but for the rest of us, this book just isn't worth its exorbitant price tag.

Wow...
Boy, I'm surprised at the reaction the book is getting! I have this book, and it's really quite good - I'm an MS-Epidemiology candidate, and it's really helped me with the fundamentals of the field. Incidentally, in response to the implication that Dr. Turnock is less than qualified to put forth an effort such as this, you might want to investigate that, you can find his impressive accompishments at the school's website. Board certified in Preventive Medicine and Public Health, and former director of the IDPH, to name a few? Sounds qualified to me. I'd recommend this book to any PH student or someone looking to learn the basics...I don't hesitate to rank this right up there with Gordis. Cheers!

Good guide to understanding Public Health
This book really tells us what the Public Health is and how it works, as the title suggests. Even though data or statistics cited are somewhat outdated, you can understand the fundamental meaning of PH. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (7)

A practical explanation of the DSM-IV
This book provides a practical explanation of the "DSM-IV" that will appeal to anyone who wants a thorough, simplified description of this complex book. I'm only giving it four stars because I don't think it provides an explanation of the latest changes made in the "DSM-IV-TR". The book will nonetheless appeal to nearly anyone seeking to improve their grasp of psychiatry, not just psychiatrists in training. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".

The DSM-IV Made Easy
I do not know how I would have gotten through my first experience having to use the DSM as a diagnostic tool for my graduate work in psychopathology without this book. I used it to work up all my case presentations, and they were always accurate. Thank you, James Morrison!

Makes the DSM-IV a bit more palatable (no small feat)
This book summarizes the major taxonomies of the DSM-IV, and includes scenarios illustrating most of the major categories and sub-pathologies. Unlike the standard texts which seems to have been developed by a group of obsessive compulsive personalities or, as a character in a recent play claims, "a coven," this one has some humanity to it, and it's even funny at times. If you're a student it may also reduce physical disorders such as aching backs, and dislocated shoulders which the original may cause if you have to lug it around your university. Did the original text creators ever consider this? It also has a nicer cover. It also may save you money since the DSM-V is no doubt lurking on the horizon, not having been revised for 8 years or so.

Invaluable resource!
This is a great resource for anyone who is interested in more illustrative examples of the various diagnoses than is provided by the DSM-IV. Morrison's use of interesting vignettes will keep your attention, and make differential diagnosis a lot more fun! After reading this book, any diagnostician will be much more informed as to how to recognize the various disorders and the nuances between the differentials.

An invaluable tool in tackling the complexity of DSM IV.
Morrison does an excellent job of breaking down the complex difficulties of diagnosis into a manageable, thorough and above all readable guide. Where DSM - IV is daunting and impersonal, DSM-IV Made Easy guides the reader with an evident understanding of the difficulties faced not only by the uninitiated but also the experienced. Well written vignettes help bring DSM's disorders to life and step by step diagnoses are invaluable tools in learning to apply DSM's vast criteria. This book is organized, detailed, accessible and all but essential in wading through the tricky waters of DSM IV. ... Read more

Book Description

Encompassing the entire scope of the practice of midwifery, Varney's Midwifery covers the provision of primary care to women frompuberty through senescence, including the maternity cycle and primary care of the well newborn. This new edition has been extensively revised and updated to reflect the full scope of current midwifery practice.

It contains new chapters on nutrition in women's health, primary care and midwifery, pharmacology and midwifery, international midwifery and safe motherhood, cultural competence in midwifery practice, and common diagnoses in women's gynecological health. Four new skills chapters are also included. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

This book is the quintessential textbook for midwives.
As Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Nurse-Midwifery (JNM), the official publication of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, I would like to share my own unequivocal 5-star rating of this textbook for midwives as well as some excerpted comments taken from the excellent review it received in the March/April 1997 issue of JNM. Here's what Judith Carveth Trexler, CNM, PhD, the reviewer, had to say: "Midwives have long awaited the third edition of this classic reference. Its expansion in size and scope make it the definitive text for midwives and one that clearly serves as a primary reference for the profession .... Although midwives remain the primary audience for this book, it also serves as an excellent resource for medical students, nurses (particularly those in advanced practice), physician assistants, and other health professionals who find themselves in need of a comprehensive text that applies the physiologic and psychosocial dimensions of women's and infant health to safe, client-centered clinical management."

A must read
I have always found Varney to be useful and easy to read, especially in comparison to Speroff or Gabbe. I think that this book was never intended to be the definitive text on home birth. If a midwife's interest lies in homebirth, seek out books that cater to that option. I found the skills sections especially helpful. It isn't Varney's job to unite midwives, her primary job is to educate. You can not teach the spirit of midwife through a book, that's where mentoring comes into play. This is certainly a must have for all practicing midwives, regardless of educational background.

Technically accurate, boring read
I am impressed by Varney's vast knowledge of hospital procedures as they relate to midwifery care. However, I found this to be "textbook" as a very boring read. Her information did not really cover the practice outside the hospital setting as thoroughly as would be needed for someone praticing in that setting. Her information would be most appreciated by the CNM and the L&D nurse - a great resource for them.

My Midwifery Bible
I have come to rely on this book time and time again. No nurse midwife should be without a copy of this book.

This is a good reference book, but not the best for homebirt
This book is a good reference book, but not the best one for homebirth midwives. Myle's, and Anne' Frye's books I have found to be more applicable in my practice. To the above person that thinks that Circumsision should not be addresses, I could not disagree more. Circumsision is a subject that should be addressed prenatally, and Since midwives are supposed to provide basic Post-partum care to the mother and baby during the first six weeks It is essentual that midwives and parents are educated about the issue antapartum ... Read more

Amazon.com

Do you know a child who plays too rough, is uncoordinated, hates being touched, is ultra-sensitive (or unusually insensitive) to noise or sensations of heat and cold? Many pediatricians and other experts are beginning to recognize a link between some of these apparently unrelated behavior patterns.Children with perfectly normal "far senses" (such as sight and hearing) may have, because of a poorly integrated nervous system, serious problems with their "near senses," including touch, balance, and internal muscle sensation. It's called Sensory Integration Dysfunction, or SI. The announcement of yet another new syndrome is bound to raise skeptical eyebrows--and with good reason. (How do we know which child really has SI, and which one just happens to share some of the same symptoms?) Author Carol Stock Kranowitz argues convincingly, however, that for some children SI is a real disorder, and that it is devastating partly because it so often looks like nothing so much as "being difficult." And, whatever the scientific status of SI, Kranowitz carefully details many routines and remedies that will help children--and the parents of children--who exhibit the behaviors described. This book is a must-read for all doctors, pediatricians, and (perhaps especially) childcare workers.--Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (74)

finally, an explanation!
When my son, at age 2, was evaluated by professionals in our city's Early Intervention program, and diagnosed as having sensory issues along with some developmental delays (fine motor and speech) and apraxia, I had no idea what they were talking about. Our OT suggested I read The Out-of-Sync-Child and click, I got it. Suddenly all these "quirky" behaviors of my son's made sense: The intense craving for movement like swinging or jumping (while other kids in the swings smiled, he was hysterically whooping, and when other kids needed quiet time before bed, he needed to jump to exhaustion). The vigorous head shaking. The penchant for lying on the floor or the sidewalk, particularly in the middle of a tantrum. He pushed puzzle pieces so hard they'd pop out of place, smack a drum or xylophone so hard that he'd almost break the beater. His focus was terrible--and yet, if we "overstimulated" him by playing airplane or crushing him with pillows, suddenly his focus would be terrific. After reading this book, I understood that he has problems processing proprioceptive and vestibular sensations--these are senses I didn't even know we have. Now that my husband and I understand the importance of giving him the stimulation he needs, we can see a huge improvement. The behaviors have lessened and his focus is a thousand times better. I can't recommend this enough to anyone who suspects their child has sensory issues.

A "must have" for anyone who has children in their lives!
What was once seen as unexplainable outbursts, violent temper tantrums, instances of complete withdrawal and other "bad behavior" are finally explained from the viewpoint of a child with SI. Parents and teachers alike will discover that these children are simply interacting and reacting to a world that assaults him/her with overwhelming sensations.

Where punishment has been ineffective, this book steps in to fill the gap. It teaches parents and other caregivers not only what Sensory Integration Disorder is and how it affects a child but what possible triggers may exist and how to address them.

Perhaps the greatest contribution of this book is not to teach adults how to counter sensory overload but to help adults teach the child to cope with this common disorder that will be with him/her throughout his/her life.

From an Educator's Viewpoint
The Out-of-Sync Child was a text book for one of my early childhood education courses. This is a wonderful tool for both educators and parents. I feel this book gives hope to parents and techniques for teachers to help make all children feel comfortable in the classroom. Working with preschool children, I feel it is my duty to make sure every child's learning style is taken into consideration. I feel it is imparative for parent, teacher, and occupational therapist to work as a team.

My first experience with a child with SI dysfunction was last school year. His Mother was open and receptive and that was a huge factor in this child's progress. I was amazed at his development due to Mom keeping him with an OT over the summer. He went from almost no language to making eye contact and having complete conversations. I have been so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with this child and every time I see him, I tell him just how proud I am of him!

I highly recommend the companion book The Out-of-Sync Child Had Fun. This book is filled with wonderful activities for SI children as well as all children. I am looking forward to including them into our curriculum next year.

Light in the darkness
A child with sensory integration disorder spends most of his life uncomfortable in his own skin. The Out-of-Sync Child is an excellent resource for parents whose children suffer from this crippling neurological condition, and demonstrates the devastation that can come from having "the volume control" on one or more of the senses (including the sense that allows the average blindfolded person to eat with a fork without impaling his own cheek) set too high or too low. My own 29-month-old has been seen by child psychiatrists, speech therapists, audiologists and occupational therapists. The growing consensus is that he suffers from this debilitating -- but manageable -- condition. The Out-of-Sync Child has helped us not only understand our son better, but also to understand the evaluation process better. Why does the evaluator care that my son wakes up frequently in the night? What does it mean that he loves bear hugs but lashes out at a gentle touch? I have only one quarrel with this book, and perhaps I am asking too much of the authors: The hardest thing about having a child with sensory integration disorder -- and there are many hard things about having a child with sensory integration disorder -- is that you can't explain the disorder to onlookers in a five-sentence paragraph. Because of that, it is easy to decide that the disorder does not exist."Dag-blammit," people say, "in my day you made children sit still in school and if a child didn't sit still, it was because the parents were poor disciplinarians, and if he can't wear a polyester shirt, it's because he's spoiled." Why is my 2.5-year-old wearing a leash? Why is he such a handful that we cannot entrust him to anyone but us, his parents? Why would he die of dehydration before he would drink anything but milk out of anything but a bottle? We cannot explain sensory integration disorder in a sound-bite, but at least, thanks to this book, we have understanding of our son's multifaceted, complicated disorder, and we are delighted to find in the book some immediate solutions for helping him -- and us -- cope. The treatment of choice for S.I. Disorder is occupational therapy, and many treatments must be carried on at home. We have applied many of the suggestions in the book and have seen improvement in our child over a matter of days. And for parents just beginning the odyssey with their child, this book can help understand the evaluation process even if their child turns out to be suffering from some other disorder. A must-read.

A good start
This book brought a lot of answers to a set of parents who were confused on what exactly Sensory Integration Dysfunction was. The only thing I would have added was more advice on how to cope as parents. ... Read more

Book Description

This innovative update of the best-selling text, Medical Terminology for Health Professions, targets those who need to grasp the concepts of medical terminology quickly and easily.Written in easy-to-understand language that appeals to all learning types, this book simplifies the process of learning hundreds of difficult to pronounce medical terms into manageable steps.Full-color illustrations and an attractive new design make this book inviting and straightforward to use.Learning exercises included in both the book and the Activity CD-ROM provide valuable interactive practice for the reader as you master the concepts of medical terminology.(KEYWORDS:anatomy, physiology, prefix, suffix, word building, terminology) ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Excellent, clear reference with tools to study by.
This text is a useful and clearly-written terminology book for medical professionals' introduction to the terminology used by physicians every day. Additionally, this would be an excellent, if detailed, reference for the layperson.

Not the usual type of book review I give but.....
I work at a very well known hospital in the suburbs of Boston in a department where medical terminology is a must! Having had no schooling on this particular subject, I was asked to enroll in a course at the hospital specifically for staff. I paid for this book by Ann Ehrlich on the first day of class and have to admit, gasped when I saw the thickness and content of the book. Not having any background on this subject, I expected to have an extremely hard time picking the terminology 'lingo' up but I was in for a pleasant surprise! This book is not only very easy to follow and understand, it's also perfect for a person who is being introduced to the medical world. After a few months, some of the longest and most complicated sounding words are rolling off my tongue. I even amaze myself when I say them! Considering this book is a mandatory part of the hospitals class which consists of hundreds, I'm not at all surprised why they chose this book as the main tool. Yes, we have a doctor assisting us with the words along with the book but I truly believe I could learn this information alone. The book is that clear and easy. So, if you find the need to learn medical terminology and are not as lucky as me in being offered a free class, I'd recommend you buy this book and learn it yourself. This is a book that my hospital has used from edition one according to the instructor. Quick learning at your pace!

A great book, but not without flaws.......
I love the layout of this book. It makes it easy to memorize new terms and to locate information. There are very useful vocabulary lists at the beginning of each chapter. The learning exercises at the end of each chapter easily help you pinpoint areas that need further study. However, the CD has errors. In the first 2 chapters, I have already found 3. For example, I typed in "histologist" as an answer to one of the questions and it said I was incorrect; that the correct answer was histologist! Then it incorrectly matched the pairs "poster/o" and "in front of, before", which is also incorrect. If you study the material throroughly you will be able to recognize these errors. At first I was also disappointed to find there is no answer key to each of the tests at the end of the chapters, but as is turns out, it just causes me to look for the answers to check myself, which just serves to reinforce the learning process, so I see it as a positive now! I'm still glad I got this book and would recommend it for others.

Good PRICE
If your going to - Fairleigh Dickinson University | Medical Coding and Billing you will need this book

AN EXCELLENT BOOK
This book is awesome. I am using it as a add-on for the medical terminology part for my coding class. The CD that comes with the book is great as well...learning is easier with the CD. You can take quizzes and either print them out or take them over and over again until you understand the material...The author did a great job with this book. I can't say anything bad about this book...its just awesome. I recommend this book to anyone who needs additional help with medical terminology... ... Read more

Book Description

The ultimate resource for USMLE Step 1 preparation! Published annually, this is the only student-to-student review book that provides facts and strategies from medical students who had previously taken the exam. The book contains over 900 frequently tested facts and mnemonics, 24 pages of high-yield color images similar to those on the exam, more than 100 clinical vignettes, and a completely revised rating of over 300 basic science review products. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Forget about First Aid.
First Aid for Step 1 is like Netter's -- not very good and highly overrated. The book is a mess of random information that has no connection and no flow to it, and is therefore difficult, frustrating and low-yield. The only good part of the book are the images but these can be found online (WebPath) for free. I skimmed First Aid once, tossed it aside and spent all of my time with Step-Up which is a MUCH better book.

Nice outline, but plan on studying much more than this!
First Aid is essential for Step 1, and I found it very helpful for many 2nd year tests, but you are going to need MUCH more than just this. I took First Aid with me on the day of the test, and tried to look up any questions that had stumped me right after I completed a section. It is just not detailed enough! Step 1 demands that you know tiny details that are not covered in First Aid. Overall, it will cover the big picture, and it's not a waste of time, just don't be surprised when you find extremely detailed questions on Step 1 that you can't answer with First Aid.

Essential for Step 1
If you plan on taking the USMLE Step 1, forget about trying to read all of those high yield books... there just isn't time. Instead, study this book, and hit up the Kaplan Qbank and you should be in good shape if you've been paying attention in classes for the past two years. It's got very concise and specific info that's great for answering standardized test style questions. It's absolutely essential, and worth the investment. Also, if you have an older version.. keep it. They dont change much year to year, but for sure grab one of them because it will save you a lot of time, and can only help your score.

Last 4 editions are identical
My only concern is that the 2004 edition is identical to the editions of the past 5 years. Nothing new except for a few more pics.

REQUIRED
What can I say that you haven't already heard. This book is the "bible" of the USMLE. Study it, know it! I would recommend to start using in early on (by your second year)- that way, by the time it's time for the boards, you've been using it all along, and you're going to know it pretty darn well!
That's going to help you a lot for boards ... Read more

Reviews (25)

A must have for any Nursing student
I can't tell you how invaluable this book is to me. It is safe to say I would be lost without it. I am in a bridge nursing program (RN-Masters) and have never worked in the medical feild before. Upper division textbooks are usually unhelpful because they contain no glossary at the back of the book. If your books are the same way this book is a necessity!

Definitions are in plain english rather than crazy medical jargon so you rarely have to filp pages to define words in the definition of the original word in question. Even better are the multitude of pictures and diagrams that really solidify your understanding of select terms.

There are some additional niceties specifially for nurses or nursing students. The appendix is filled with useful nursing guides such as:
1. Nutrition and dietary refrence values
2. Herbal medicines and their uses
3. Normal refrence laboratory values
4. Prefixes and suffixes
5. Latin and Greek nomenclature
6. Medical abbreviations
7. Units of measurement
8. Mini English-Spanish-French dictionary inclusive of specific medical phrases that may be used on the job
9. Classification of poisons and poisoning, including pathology, symptoms, and medical treatment
10. Addresses for health care resources and organizations, and nursing organizations
11. NIC and NOC lists
12. Nursing diagnosis
13. Conceptual models and theories of nursing

Those additional resources alone are worth the price of this book. You may be on a tight budget, but this is one book you cannot afford to be without.

Indispensable for Professionals, Students, & Laypeople
This dictionary has enough information to be useful for even the most learned medical professional and is still simple enough to use to be accessible to any mildly educated member of society. The dictionary is much more than simply a dictionary. Consisting of the vocabulary section and then some appendices, this 2270-page godsend is chockfull of definitions, examples, full-color diagrams, charts, diagnoses, and more. The preface to the dictionary actually lists all of the features of this cyclopedic dictionary, so I will regurgitate it here:
1. Vocabulary
2. Easy-to-Use Entry Format
3. Alphabetization
4. Eponyms (including biographies of those after whom things were named)
5. Definitions
6. Pronunciations
7. Singular/Plural Forms
8. Etymologies
9. Abbreviations
10. Encyclopedic Entries
11. Illustrations
12. Tables
13. Adjective Forms of Words
14. Cautionary Statements
15. Synonyms (Very helpful!)
16. Cross-References
17. Appendices (Basically all the stuff that doesn't fit well within the dictionary, like medical terminology prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms as well as lots of various classification schemes)
18. Nursing Diagnoses Appendix

The book comes with a trial subscription to Taber's Online. This is my only complaint. Taber's Online does not appear to have received the thorough thought that the printed version did. I found that it was generally unhelpful, but you don't have to pay any extra for it, so I'm not complaining, just commenting. Overall, I would strongly recommend buying the Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary.

who needs a dictionary
THIS DICTIONARY WAS OKAY. I BOUGHT IT AS A MEDICAL STUDENT THINKING IT WOULD BE USEFUL, IT WAS NOT. I GUESS IT WOULD BE USEFUL FOR PEOPLE OUT OF THE MEDICAL FIELD WHO WANT TO LOOK SOMETHING UP BUT WAS NOT USEFUL FOR ME.

A useful and comprehensive resource
I used this dictionary for many courses in the allied health discipline. I especially liked the way the dictionary categorized diseases by etiology, symptoms, course, and treatment. The appendices and illustrations were useful as well. One drawback to the dictionary is that some of the terms are hard to find; sometimes, one must flip back and forth while it leads you on a wild goose chase. As a whole, Taber's is an excellent pick for anyone choosing health as a clinical practice.

Couldn't be better
This book is a must have for new medical students. In the first 2 yrs of nedical school you will be hit with zillions of new tems and this dictionary is small and complete. You can easily take it to class with you and use it for a quick reference. PDA version is nice too (no pictures though). ... Read more

Book Description

Cytopathology is above all a visual science. Never has that been more beautifully demonstrated than in the visually stunning The Art & Science of Cytopathology. Richard M. DeMay, MD has created the most unique cytopathology reference ever conceived, combining detailed discussions with more than 1,600 extraordinary color images, to help readers understand cellular relationships and master cytomorphology.

The Art & Science of Cytopathology functions as both textbook and atlas. The quality of presentation, and Dr DeMay's easy, natural language have made it the most popular cytopathology reference ever published. Its innovative formatting features summary lists and diagnostic tables to accent discussions and help the reader easily find and remember key points. Specific diagnostic criteria are illustrated by full-color cropped images embedded throughout the text. The synoptic atlases at the end of each chapter provide large, high-magnification, full-color images for a more complete view of the complexities and subtleties of interpretation. The text teaches fundamental principles and applies them to specific diagnostic processes.

No other book has ever transformed the possibilities of cytopathology reference works as The Art & Science of Cytopathology. Whether as textbook, atlas, or example of the bookmakers' art, these two volumes will become the most important, and admired additions to any cytopathology library. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Very good
The book written by Richard M DeMay is really the most useful book in cytopathology topic. This book is of high quality both in their pictures and its text. I recommend the book for the relevant individuals in this topic (cytopathology)

The most artfully illustrated book on cytology of the 90's
Dr. Demay's book is a superbly well illustrated work on cytopathology and this alone would classify it as a worthwhile buy. But Dr. Demay goes beyond and presents to the reader an excellent text, skillfully intertwined with comprehensive and carefully prepared pictures, discussing cytopathology in an accessible and very insightful manner most of time. This book is a basic addition for a cytopathologists' library.

For science and for fun you must have it!
One among the moste beautiful books I've ever seen..not only a scientific book but a wonderful work of class and art.
I really love it!

THIS BOOK IS AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY
IF YOU ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN CYTOLOGY OR A STUDENT OF CYTOLOGY THIS BOOK IS THE BEST! THE PICTURES SHOW GREAT EXAMPLES TO LEARN FROM AND THE TEXT IS EASY READ WITHOUT FALLING ASLEEP.

Excellent, Simply Fantastic
This is an extreme well written book, with beautiful pictures. Worth having a copy. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Jeff Hawkins, the high-tech success story behind PalmPilots and theRedwood Neuroscience Institute, does a lot of thinking about thinking.In On Intelligence Hawkins juxtaposes his two loves--computersand brains--to examine the real future of artificial intelligence. Indoing so, he unites two fields of study that have been moving uneasilytoward one another for at least two decades. Most people think that computers are getting smarter, and that maybesomeday, they'll be as smart as we humans are. But Hawkins explains whythe way we build computers today won't take us down that path. He shows,using nicely accessible examples, that our brains are memory-drivensystems that use our five senses and our perception of time, space, andconsciousness in a way that's totally unlike the relatively simplestructures of even the most complex computer chip. Readers who gobbled up Ray Kurzweil's (The Age of Spiritual Machines and Steven Johnson's Mind Wide Open willfind more intriguing food for thought here. Hawkins does a good job ofoutlining current brain research for a general audience, and hisenthusiasm for brains is surprisingly contagious. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Book Description

No disease the world has ever known even remotely resembles the great influenza epidemic of 1918. Presumed to have begun when sick farm animals infected soldiers in Kansas, spreading and mutating into a lethal strain as troops carried it to Europe, it exploded across the world with unequaled ferocity and speed. It killed more people in twenty weeks than AIDS has killed in twenty years; it killed more people in a year than the plagues of the Middle Ages killed in a century. Victims bled from the ears and nose, turned blue from lack of oxygen, suffered aches that felt like bones being broken, and died. In the United States, where bodies were stacked without coffins on trucks, nearly seven times as many people died of influenza as in the First World War.

In his powerful new book, award-winning historian John M. Barry unfolds a tale that is magisterial in its breadth and in the depth of its research, and spellbinding as he weaves multiple narrative strands together. In this first great collision between science and epidemic disease, even as society approached collapse, a handful of heroic researchers stepped forward, risking their lives to confront this strange disease. Titans like William Welch at the newly formed Johns Hopkins Medical School and colleagues at Rockefeller University and others from around the country revolutionized American science and public health, and their work in this crisis led to crucial discoveries that we are still using and learning from today.

The Washington Post’s Jonathan Yardley said Barry’s last book can "change the way we think." The Great Influenza may also change the way we see the world. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

The Great Influenza: The American Experience
In The Great Influenza, John Barry has produced a massive and exhaustively researched description of one of the greatest disasters of human history. At least, from the American point of view. While there are a few glancing references to what was going on in the rest of the world, there is no serious discussion of any attempts to deal with the pandemic in other countries, even in other industrialized countries. On the other hand, Barry has chosen a very specific point of view: the transition of American medicine and medical training from folk wisdom to science. It's a compelling point on which to balance a long and exhaustive (there's that word again) study of how America and, specifically, American medicine confronted an epidemic in which people were dying faster than the technology of the time could handle, an epidemic in which society itself was nearly overwhelmed by death.

As other reviewers have noted, the book's weakness is a tendency towards melodrama, as in the far-too-often repeated tag line "This was influenza. Only influenza." After a while, you think to yourself, "Yes, we get it. Give it a rest."

On the other hand, the book has one of those quirky displays of real brilliance in the last two chapters in which Barry deals with how science is done well (in the case of Oswald Avery) or done poorly (in the case of Paul A. Lewis). These two chapters are so strong that they could stand on their own, and what they have to say about the process of scientific thought itself is fascinating. Avery's story is that of a man who was just relentessly focused, who kept digging deeper and deeper into a single issue until he discovered the source of heredity itself. Lewis's story, on the other hand, is that of a man who simply lost his way. Distracted by the need to administer an institute, the need constantly to raise money, to deal with the politics of science, the need to socialize and just plain hustle to support the work of others, Lewis lost the focus that Avery had and ending up flailing in a sea of theories and methodologies. In fact, if you don't read any other part of this book, read these two chapters.

There is no question about The Great Influenza being a monumental work. It's so good that you just have to overlook the bits of melodrama that pop up from time to time. The research is, well I obviously can't use "exhaustive" again, so let's say nearly encyclodedic. In fact, there's so much research, and so much documentation that Barry has used an odd method of footnoting. Instead of using footnote numbers that refer to the notes section at the end of the book, you have to turn to the notes section and find the specific page and text being referenced. Unfortunately, as a result you don't know while you're reading which bits have footnotes and which don't. I'd prefer actual footnote numbers. Ah, well. I'm sure it seemed like a good idea at the time.

In any case, Barry has produced a massive and important work of epidemiological history which is, at the same time, as readable as a thriller. In writing this review, I kept wavering between giving it four stars or five stars and finally decided on five based on the scope, the thoroughness, and what Aristotle would call the "point of attack," that is, the point at which the story really begins, which is, in this case, the birth of truly scientific medical education in America. All in all, it's a truly fascinating and immensely readable piece of history.

Sobering look at a deadly pandemic...
A book that recently caught my eye was one by John Barry titled The Great Influenza - The Epic Story Of The Deadliest Plague In History. Now, I generally have a phobia about needles, and have *never* received a flu vaccination, but I think that will change next year. This was scary stuff...

Barry details the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918 in great detail. He starts by setting the stage of how American medicine was practiced at the end of the 19th century, and how there was little control or respect for the profession. And rightly so... Nearly anyone could call themselves a doctor and do nearly anything. But through the efforts of a few key people, John Hopkins university was formed to bring the medical education up to European standards. Most of this transformation was occuring when the flu pandemic started. This is where the book gets interesting... and frightening.

Because of World War 1, recruits were overcrowded into training facilities that were less than sanitary. When the flu first broke out in one of the army camps in the states, it was quickly transferred to other camps when soldiers transferred. From there, it easily jumped into major cities, decimating large numbers of people. And when these soldiers went overseas, the flu went with them. Being especially contagious, it swept the globe in short order and left, by some estimates, over 100 million dead. That is so hard to comprehend.

When you look at the struggle they had to even identify the cause of the illness, you understand how it could so easily run rampant. One would think that it couldn't happen today, but one would be wrong. SARS, AIDS... diseases that defy attempts to quickly identify the virus, and are resistant to attempts and efforts to treat them. It's not hard to imagine how a pandemic could start so much more quickly today due to the ease of worldwide travel.

Well worth reading to understand how precarious the general health of society could be...

Just the flu
Wow. The Great Influenza sort of blew me away. Like most people I've heard of the 1918 influenza, but also like most I've never actually read anything on the epidemic. My first introduction to the topic came as a young nurse working on a neurology ward where Parkinson's Disease was diagnosed and treated. At the time it was believed to have arisen as a late neurological response to that infection. For all I know they may still think so. During the swine flu epidemic and the controversy over whether the vaccine had caused a rise in the incidence of Guillian Barre, the so-called French polio, the 1918 flu was frequently mentioned. After reading Mr. Barry's book I can certainly see why.

What amazes me most about the pandemic of 1918 is not its virulence so much as its repercussions. It definitely occurred during the most inopportune time, almost proving Murphey's law that if anything can go wrong it will and at the worst possible time. Probably one of the most significant outcomes of the flu seems to have been the effect it had on the peace terms. One is left to wonder if Wilson had not been affected by the flu in so damaging a way and at so crucial a time, whether World War II could have been avoided. Moreover much is made of the nihilism of the 1920s, that lost generation between the two world wars. The young of the era seemed to have gone through a loss of innocence that is often attributed to the effects of the WWI experience and the death of the overconfident 19th century way of life. It seems to me that far more damage to the confidence of young adults was due to the effects of the influenza epidemic. Certainly Barry's discussion makes the character of the 1920s and 1930s much clearer to me.

The differential effect of the flu on the various age groups, suggests much about the effect of the virus on the immune system. Having had to manage patients with ARDS in ICU, most of them very young people like those in 1918, I can hardly imagine what it might have been like to be a nurse during a time prior to mechanical ventilation and sophisticated drug therapy. We lose ARDS patients with an unpleasant frequency even now. In 1918 I don't know how one could have helped even a single patient survive it. It had to have been appallingly painful to the staff, overworked as they were, even ill themselves as some were, to watch a patient die that way especially as the author points out again and again because so many of these patients were in the prime of life and had so much to live for yet. I certainly know what its effect has been on me over the years.

Although the author attempts to reassure the reader that although we may have another similar pandemic, the outcome will be less devastating because of our modern medical facilities and experience, I can't help but think of the Titanic! It couldn't sink, you know, because it was the product of the most modern and up to date technology of its time. Maybe MRSA (methacillin resistant staph aureus) and VRE (vanco resistant enterococci) will be our armageddon!

A serious and fascinating book. One every health care worker should read.

Dense with detail, full of melodrama
I read many reviews of this book, and finally had to buy it.
This is a book you can easily put down! Dense with detail and many fascinating characters, but ruined by the melodramatic style. Along the lines of: " Then suddenly, it struck with incredible force!" Not an actual quotation, but you get the idea.

Over and over again he uses this same device. It ultimately becomes tiresome. I'm about halfway through, and I have not picked it up in about 3 weeks.

Hold out for the (used) paperback!

a mesmerizing book
This has just become one of my favorite books. It is a compelling read, like a real-life Stephen King novel. But it's built around a lot more than just plot and character. It also gives you tremendous insight into how the body works, how viruses work, and how diseases interact with the environment--- and it makes clear that one of the most important elements of the environment is the political climate. This book tells you more about Woodrow Wilson than most history books on World War I. Finally, it's extraordinarily well-researched and accurate: a doctor-friend who is actually a pulmonary expert told me it not only gets things right, but taught him something. I think it's obvious by now I love this book. ... Read more

Book Description

"All in all, this sixth edition of Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine is the premier textbook of dermatology, a bargain if there ever was one."
-Michael B. Brodin, MD
Journal of the American Medical Association

NOW IN A STATE-OF-THE-ART NEW EDITION

The up-to-the-minute sixth edition of the world-renowned “Fitz” –
*Encyclopedic in its scope with 280 definitive chapters in 37 sections covering every aspect, every problem, every treatment strategy related to human skin
*Packed with 2,000 full-color photographs of the highest quality -- and hundreds of topic-clarifying line drawings
*Presents the expertise of over 300 world-class contributors – 50 new to this edition
*Reorganized and expanded, with updated content throughout
*Features the definitive chapter on smallpox and complications of vaccination
*Includes 10 timely new chapters on topics ranging from photoimmunology to retinoids and botox

Reorganized and edited for total clarity and ease of use, the sixth edition’s coverage of dermatologic conditions and systemic diseases presenting with skin manifestations provides for each disorder:
*Historical Aspects of the Condition
*Epidemiology
*Clinical Manifestations
*Laboratory Findings
*Pathology
*Treatment and Prognosis

The sixth edition of Fitz gives you the most timely, authoritative, and comprehensive guide to the entire spectrum of dermatologic science, diagnosis, treatment, and management. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very practical approach,simple,excellent illustrations
I have read this book alot during exams,an excellent book,easy to understand,too the point,excellent illustrations. I am a consultant dermatologist from Pakistan I shall be grateful if someone could donate this book for our Library!

duvida (answer)
eu gostaria de saber mais sobre o seguinte livro: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine by Irwin M. Freedberg (Editor), Thomas B. Fitzpatrick (Editor) Our Price: $55.00

(i'd like know something else about this book)

Puede mejorar el formato, aumentar los síndromes clásicos.
El hecho de que los volúmenes sean tan grandes empeoran el manejo del mismo. Falta más información sobre síndromes dermatológicos clásicos, fundamentalmente congénitos. La fisiopatología aunque muy amplñia al principio del libro, debería ser más clara y mejor explicada. Falta en los diversos tratamientos que hayan sido contrastados con una medicina basada en la evidencia. No obstante es uno de los libros de dermatología que son imprescindibles para el dermatólogo. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (140)

A masterpiece of medical anthropology
What makes this rather eclectic work so utterly fascinating? Is it the exceptionally good writing? The universal appeal of an encounter with an a completely alien culture? The meticulous research that continually informs the reader? Fadiman's book catches you and forces you to question your preconceptions, prejudicies, and complacency. The author makes you care, deeply, about what it means to be Hmong -- not an easy feat given the polarity between the Hmong world view and our rationality-based, Western civilized frame of mind. The Spirit Catches You is a must read for anyone whose work involves contact with people from a very different little understood culture. This is a tale of what happened to a beautiful Hmong child when fear and misunderstanding between her parents and the medical community of Merced resulted in a tragic, and very likely avoidable, outcome.

A Heartbreaking Tale of Cultural Clashes
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman is a wonderful book that explores the complex subject of cultural competence in the U.S. health care system. It raises awareness for the urgent need of health care providers who have knowledge about other cultures (specifically non-Western cultures) and are also willing to adapt to the cultural traditions and beliefs of their patients.

This narrative tells us the story of Lia Lee, an epileptic child born to a Hmong family who immigrated to the U.S. After a series of unfortunate events that stemmed from cultural clashes between the hospital and the Lee family, Lia eventually ended up brain dead in a comatose state. The lack of communication between the doctors and the Lee family, in addition to their inability to understand each other, linguistically and culturally, made cooperation impossible, and eventually ended up with devastating results.

From the beginning, Nao Kao and Foua Lee (Lia's father and mother) had difficulties with adapting to the ways of the Western medical system. Lia was the first child that was born in the United States. She was also the first to be born in a hospital, as traditionally Hmong women gave birth at home without the assistance of medicine. As a result, Foua was unaccustomed to the all of the events that occur in a hospital when a baby is born. For instance, once Lia was out of the womb, she was whisked away by the nurses and given all kinds of medical tests to determine if she was healthy or not. Being that this was Foua's fourteenth child, Foua was used to having the baby in her arms immediately after birth and caring for her from then on. Having this abrupt separation between mother and child was not normal to her.

Also, there is a Hmong cultural tradition that women follow soon after birth. The act of burying the placenta has cultural significance that is related to one's soul and life after death. Foua, however, did not get to bury Lia's placenta; it was incinerated at the hospital. Not that she would have been able to even ask anyone about it because there was no one present during her delivery who spoke Hmong. Thus, this was another traditional Hmong practice that conflicted with the practices of Western medicine.

As the story progresses, you see the endless struggle that plays out between the Lees and the doctors at the hospital. One only wishes that the providers would be more sensitive to the beliefs and traditions of the Hmong culture. Sadly, this never comes to fruition as the story ends up in tragedy.

The book goes into great detail about the Hmong culture and the history of the Hmong people. Sometimes, however, this seems to distract the reader from the main story of Lia. Although this information is placed in the book to provide the reader with a better understanding of the Hmong, it seems a bit too much at times. However, overall this book was quite an engrossing read. The story pulls you in and makes you become a part of the Lee family's ordeal with the Western medical system. This is a highly recommended book for anyone, especially those who are interested in cross-cultural interactions between doctors and patients.

I liken this to the literary world
Fadiman in a journalistic style of writing captures how different belief systems class in the world of the hmong and American medicine. What strikes me about this book is that it is translatable to the literary world. Madness is a much talked about subject in the genius of writing, but madness is run from by the Literati. The world is different now. As Alexandra Johson and others stated on memoir back in the late 90's, writing is more about having a writer with an agent, that is once was where a writer had a therapist. To wit: madness is perceived as an illness, when it used to be perceived by the writing world as a gift to the creation of art. Now in the writing world where agent matters, you get books like punctuation in Shoots and Leaves rather than about being and what it is like to BE in this day and age. And what's also true about this book and the American Medicine is that the doctor's like the literati are well meaning.

The need for empathy
As a student looking to go to medical school, I found this book to be an eye opening experience. It really points out the need for empathy for other cultures, languages and religions in the medical establishment. Although I know I am more open minded than most pre-med students, I think that anyone who reads this book can develop an appreciation for culture and religion as it relates to health and healing. It is a great read and I recommend it for all pre-med students.

Sometimes Prejudice Isn't Evil, Only Ignorant
I may be too optimistic, but I've grown to believe that bigotry isn't always practiced by bad people, but often by good people ignorant of cultures other than their own. This was certainly the situation in the case that Anne Fadiman writes about. People from two cultures, each believing they are correct, clash and a small child gets caught in the middle.

Prejudice begins to break down in the light of true communication. Unfortunately for this child, true communcation was too big of a hurdle to cross. Fortunately for the reader, we can learn from reading about this experience.

This book will touch your heart and open your mind. The lessons learned within its pages will stay with you. This book is worth purchasing. ... Read more

Book Description

Would you like to save yourself the indignity, inconvenience and foul taste of modern diet fads?Are you sick and tired of frittering away your money on heart medications that leave you feeling more wretched than ever?Do you spend frequent, precious hours jogging or pounding away at the gym?And despite all of this effort, are you still fatter and weaker than you want to be?

Then it’s time to abandon the Modern Gospel of low-fat food and long-duration exercise as a path to heart health. We need the very opposite, says Al Sears, M.D. in The Doctor’s Heart Cure.According to Dr. Sears, heart disease continues to be America’s biggest killer – and obesity has reached epidemic proportions – because of the fad for low-fat diets and despite aerobics.

Your heart’s salvation lies in reengineering the diet and exercise habits of our hunter-gatherer ancestors to fit our modern culture. What does this entail?To build a strong and resilient heart, says Dr. Sears, engage in brief, explosive bouts of intense exercise. Consume a diet rich in high quality fat, pasture-fed meat, free-range dairy, wild-caught fish and liberal helpings of low-glycemic fruits and vegetables. Avoid grain-based starches as best you can. And take appropriate supplements to counteract the nutritional deficiencies of modern produce.

As Director of The Center for Health and Wellness, an integrative medicine and anti-aging clinic in south Florida, Dr. Sears has used this plan to help more than 15,000 patients successfully reverse heart disease, build stronger hearts, manage their weight and abandon their heart medications. In The Doctor’s Heart Cure, for the first time, Dr. Sears reveals his entire, proven program, so you too can safely build an impregnable heart.

Discover:
Why starches - not fat - are the villains behind heart disease
Why traditional "cardio" may be harmful to your heart
Why cholesterol does not cause heart disease
The real reasons obesity has been skyrocketing in America
How the PACE exercise program puts you on the fast track to heart health — in less than 20 minutes a day
How to enjoy a diet rich in fat and animal protein — while strengthening your heart
How The Doctor's Heart Cure makes it easier-than-ever to reach and maintain your ideal bodyweight
Why heart disease continues to be America’s biggest killer
Why the conventional approach to heart disease fails
The three key principles for building heart health
The new paradigm for healing heart disease and achieving heart health
How to rediscover your natural diet
What our ancestors really ate
The link between heart attacks and other health problem
How AGEs accelerate the aging of the heart — and how to control them
Why long-duration exercise is a waste of your time, and can actually cause other health problems
Why "downsizing" you heart could you be setting you up for premature death
How to increase your heart’s horsepower
How to improve your cholesterol ratios
How maintain healthy testosterone levels
The heart attack risks from long-distance running
How to shed more fat with interval exercise
Why endurance exercise encourages fat production.
Why PACEtm may help you live longer
The most important predictor for chronic heart failure
How to build muscle mass with effective interval workouts
The tragic consequences of the cholesterol drug campaign
The health benefits of higher cholesterol for the elderly
How to remove plaque from your arteries
The truth about cholesterol drug research and the incidence of heart disease
The many health dangers of statins – and the healthier, cheaper alternatives
Why heart medications can make your symptoms worse — and the safer alternatives
Why you should say "no" to nitrate-based cardiac drugs, if you can — and the safe, natural alternatives
Why you need to beware of beta blockers
How to assess your heart health
How to protect yourself from the "sinister killer" homocysteine
The link between hi ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Don't Miss A Heart Beat
I'm 54 years old and recently had a complete examination with a cardologist. After I was done I could have opened a phamarcy with the number of prescription drugs my doctor gave me. Boy, was I scared! Then a friend suggested I read a new book called, The Heart Cure by Dr.Sears. Wow! Was I surprised to learn there are many other alternatives besides drugs. After just two months of following Dr. Sears suggestions my cholesterol has dropped, my blood pressure is better and I'm feeling like a million bucks. Great Book...You've got to read it!

Save a Life... Read this Book
I bought this book for my father who was suffering from the side effects of statin drugs. Until he read this book, we didn't even realize that the debilitating muscle pain and overall weakness were being caused by these so-called "wonder drugs."

Six months later, my father is back to his old self and has the energy to travel and play with his grand kids.

As for myself, I feel more confident following a lifestyle that is heart healthy. And much to my surprise, it does not involve bland diets or long-winded exercise routines.

I feel very fortunate to have discovered Dr. Sears and his book. His website is also very informative: www.alsearsmd.com

J. Livingston

Attention all cardiologists!
Finally!A scientific, fact-based, easy-to-understand guide to preserving and even restoring the heart of our youth, with an incredibly simple approach.Dr. Sears has crafted a research-backed plan to heart health that details how the proper diet, natural supplementation, and simple exercises can do more to improve your heart's endurance and capacity than any manner of pharmaceutical regimen.And the ease with which this can be done is amazing, and expertly outlined.The chapters explaining the chronic obesity problem in this country, and the tragic contributory effects of modern agriculture to this health crisis, are particularly fascinating and enlightening.
This book should find its way onto the shelf of any self-respecting cardiologist, preferably dislodging the seriously over-used prescription pad from its prominent position front and center in the battle against heart disease.Highly recommended to one and all! ... Read more