Diet Books

Written by a cardiologist and dietician couple. This is not a cookbook as some would guess by the title, but a guide to living a heart-healthy lifestyle. This is well written and very easy reading. It covers all aspects from a potitive attitude, sense of humor, fat Vs.carb issues, omega 3's, etc. I particularly liked how this is a common-sense approach to healthy living, and not another fad-diet that we're all so sick of hearing about. Thanks to Cardio Consultants in KC-Mo for turning me on to this book!

The Forever Young Diet and Lifestyle is easy to read and has a lot of logical advice on how to stay fit. It covers a lot of different aspects to life and diet. It was recommended to me by my doctor. Using the advice, I lowered my cholesterol by 10% and increase the good to bad cholesterol ratio. It also helped me shed fat while building muscle mass.

A must read for anyone wanting to maintain a healthy (but easy-to-do) lifestyle and maintain heart-health.

Read this book. Change your life. The content is NOT a lose weight fast plan. It's not really a "diet" book. It will change how you look at what you (and those you care about) eat. I've met the authors. They have the credentials and no agenda other than to share their knowledge of how a healthy lifestyle is easily achievable. Based on the knowledge gained from reading this book I've changed how and what I eat, lowered my cholesterol, increased my energy, lost the 25 pounds I needed to lose and have kept it off for over a year.

My husband is a diabetic. He had a recent doctor's appt., and his doctor had talked about how he lost 35 pounds and it wasn't that hard . . . just basically a change of diet (healthy), along with advice via this book. Well, my husband was about 20 lbs. overweight, and complained that he was getting flabby, so he asked me to order this book. I did, and he would read a chapter or two at a time. He would ask me, "Did you know how good green tea is for you?" I would say "yes." Did you know that nuts from a tree are very good for you?? I would say, "yes." "Did you know that for every 100 calories in grains (cereals and breads,etc.), that you need to have 3 grams of fiber?" Yes. I have read Prevention magazine for years, and was always interested in health and medical topics, so those little tidbits of info were not new to me. ANyway, for a guy who NEVER reads anything except HUNTING magazines, I was amazed that he actually read this book. To keep his attention, it has to be written in an easy-to-read-and-understand style, or he would be tossing it out the door! He says it is very good, and he HAS INDEED changed his eating habits. He is definitely more knowledgeable!!! I would recommend it!

This is a wonderful reference for anyone looking to use natural remedies. Very easy to use.

This book comes in handy for herbal remedies. Very informative and colorful and illustrated with lots of pictures. A very good resource for those who are trying to discover natural remedies for various ailments.

This is an excellent reference book. It's very informative without being difficult to read. It covers 8 different therapies: Ayurveda, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Traditional Home & Folk Medicine, Herbalism, Aromatherapy, Homeopathy, Flower Remedies, Vitamines & Minerals. It is well organized, even color codes different sections, and has great pictures / illustrations. If I had to elliminate all but one book in my library on health remedies and treatment, this would be the one I would keep.

This book incorporates everything from homeopathy, vitamins & minerals, food, acupuncture, dosage, everything. There is really no need for any other book. I refer to it regularly. The index makes it very easy to locate exactly what you're looking for quickly. Highly recommend if you are interested in natural remedies.

Not only does this book cover a vast array of ailments and treatments, it also does this with chronology, great structure and an inviting style.
The photography is clear and the people don't all look like super models or over actors!
All the major alternate diciplines are here and the sections are inviting and easy to follow.
This would be a valuable student tool, a great book for the interested and should (in an ideal world) be in every Doctor's Surgery.

A friend gave me this book for my XXXX birthday. It is very enjoyable and easy to read --not full of junk to buy but some really good natural treatments and quality healthfood store stuff. The book has solid advice that men and women can use to look and feel great about themselves at any age.

Letha Hadady's books have helped me to improve my work energy, appearance, and social life. Her latest book Healthy Beauty made it possible for me to lose 15 pounds and have the clear complexion I have always wanted and needed for my consulting work!
What a great gift of health and natural beauty if offers! Bravo!

WOW what an eye-opener! I am using the herbal stuff the author recommends for growing hair and it works! It took 2 months but I can see the new hair growth on top.

Many of the recommendations work for men and woman and each chapter has a section "For Men Only."
A revelation!

Ten stars.

There should be a ten star rating for this book! Letha Hadady has put all we need to know about inner and outer beauty in one wonderful book that is a joy to read. Everything to make you feel and look better is here, including sources for purchasing any items you may need. I've recommended it to many friends and will be giving it as a gift as well-what better gift to give anyone than the gift of health, beauty and well being. Thank you Letha for sharing your wisdom!

I had such fun reading through Hadady's new book Healthy Beauty! Every chapter had inspiring stories, extremely useful information, and timely advice. I have given the book as gifts for birthdays, Mother's Day, and graduations. My friends have loved it!

The art work in the book is lovely and the message inspiring. I have improved my complexion and hair. You don't have to spend a fortune on cosmetics. I learned about some new natural products that actualy improved my health as well as looks. I have revamped my style and color choice in clothes and makeup. Thank you Healthy Beauty.

This is an easy to read, well-illustrated cookbook, and the recipes are delicious. It would be worth it for the wonderful chocolate cake recipe alone! Can't go wrong with this one.

i got this book when i was learning to cook in grad school (and cooked vegetarian). my carnivore foodie husband and i still use it frequently, and think almost every recipe is great. the tofu dishes are excellent, the bean dishes great and the white bean pizza is my favorite comfort food. it is the best staple cookbook i have ever had.

Some of these recipes have become family favorites. With only a few unusual ingredients, this cookbook is more about preparation, using heat in creative ways to bring out the flavor. The best greens recipe I have ever used.

This is one of my favorite vegetarian cookbooks, mainly because it is creative. I get tired of the same-old standard cook-the-tofu recipes, but this one has some unique combinations and great tastes. Some of the recipes are too time-consuming for me which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.

I have been a vegetarian for more than 25 years, and this is my favorite cookbook of the dozens I have acquired. The recipes are varied and come out very well -- the Veggie Paella (pictured on the cover), made with the Mediterranean stock (recipe is also in the book), is out of this world! There are also wonderful recipes with quinoa and other grains and beans that aren't found in most cookbooks (try the quinoa tabouli or quinoa caviar for a treat!). I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys good meatless meals!

I was looking for a book that was geared for people who want to work out at home and couldn't find anything until I found Home Bodybuilding. The format is based on three steps which are the mental, physical and nutritional. The book also has separate sections for men and women as well as exercises with weights, without weights and even infomercial equipment. I liked the author's straight forward approach which doesn't have any agendas like other books I've read (i.e. like Body For Life which the author of the book is also the founder of the supplement company EAS which is promoted in his book) and he provides lots of good information which works. He is also very motivational and the book is filled with inspiring observations, quotes and affirmations which are helpful. The last part of the book is devoted to the mental aspect of being successful working out at home and while being a bit apprehensive about it at first, I'm a believer now. All in all, a well done book I'd whole heartedly say "get".

I've read the reviews on this site about Home Bodybuilding and have a few observations people may find helpful.

First of all...

1) If a book is rated five stars, look to see if it's rated with just one five star rating or many. Chances are, if there's more than one glowing review, many other people have found the book equally as helpful.

2) When there are negative reviews, check and see how many there are and if there are commonalites between each of them.

I bought this book many months ago along with the Men's Fitness Home Workout book and have found each to have their strengths and weaknesses.

While the Men's Fitness book has more photos and exercises, it lacks much of the periphery elements of the mental components of motivation and just how hard it is for many of us to get started and stay motivated working out--especially at home AND by yourself...HELLO!

I like both both books very much. There must be a reason why amazon.com pairs Home Bodybuilding with the Men's Fitness book. They compliment each other quite well.

Finally, I'd like to give a few observations on what the reviewer "Judge Knott" wrote regarding the Home Bodybuilding book and how this reviewer must not have read the same book I'm looking at right now as I write this review. Specifically:

"There are many exercises shown that can only be done if one has access to expensive, complicated gym machines. (Yo! Isn't this supposed to be for h-o-m-e workouts?)"

If this reviewer would've read the book and understood its purpose, the author Robert Wolff states in clear language that he wants to give readers exercises they can do with freeweights (barbells and dumbbells), without weights (bodyweight only), with machines (if they have those in their home), and even informercial equipment.

"There is a sloppiness and an imprecision in the way many of the exercises are described."

I've got a library full of nutrition, exercise and physiology books and the exercise descriptions and illustrations Wolff uses in Home Bodybuilding match how the others illustrate how the exercises Wolff Describes should be done.

"The whole book is written at a reading level equivalent to that found in "The National Enquirer" or "The New York Post."

I'm reminded of a quote that a 20-plus million copy bestselling author once said, "Don't worry; If you write for the seventh grader, the Ph.D. will understand it too."


"It's also filled with cheerful, peppy, Oprah-like self-help sayings and anecdotes that recall Dale Carnegie in an extremely good mood. They bored and annoyed me."

Look at the other reviews who seem to greatly enjoy this author's writing style. Then click on reviewer Judge Knott's other reviews. For such a scathing review of this book, it was surprising how many of this person's reviews fall into the scope of fine arts and NOT nutrition, fitness or health. Perhaps returning Home Bodybuilding and getting a book on the order of the "New York Metropolitan Ballet of Workouts" might be a better fit?

My purpose is not to deride of belittle the above reviewer. All of us are entitled to our own opinions. However, when coming to this review forum, my only request is that any of us have a fully formed and educated opinion that doesn't selectively omit the good or not so desirable points of any book. That way, we can all learn and be helped by what anyone says--good or bad.

For my money, Home Bodybuilding was money well spent. Thanks for letting me have my two cents worth. Best to all!

I almost quit working out (again) if it weren't for Home Bodybuilding. I have two kids, a full-time job and no time for a gym and I needed to find something that would help me keep in shape. I'm so happy that I found this book.

The book has five parts and they are:
Part I--Getting Started
Part II--Nutrition
Part III--The Basics
Part IV--Body Specific
Part V--The Mind

It is also broken down into giving workouts and advice for women and men (a good thing since I have no desire to have big muscles) and it has lots of good workouts and exercises you can do at home or in the gym.

It seems to cover all the basics by featuring exercises and workouts you can do with barbells, dumbbells, machines, no weights and exercises with just your body and even using infomercial equipment.

Yeah, I admit it. I bought the Total Gym a year ago and after a few months of using it (it now sits in the garage, thank you) it's more like the Total Joke, but that's a whole different review.

Anyway, this book has been really helpful and if anyone is looking for a no non-sense way to get themselves in good shape and do it at home, this is the book I'd recommend.

I like the Men's Fitness book a lot and thought it woould be all I needed for working out at home, but I have to say I was wrong.

While the MF book provided lots of tips and plenty of exercises, it didn't give me the missing pieces I was wanting to help put together an effective home workout program that took into consideration my need for having a thorough exercise, nutrition, AND motivational program.

It's tough for me to go to the gym and even tougher for me to work out by myself and at home. But the Home Bodybuilding book has made it so much easier and enjoyable. It not only gives lots of information about exercise and nutrition, it also convincingly explains the ways of how to get started and stay on a home workout program. It's been those ideas that have helped me reach my goals quicker than I imagined possible.

I'd like to see the author do a follow-up book with more information on home workouts. I've noticed that as I've gotten into to workoing out more, I'm wanting more and different ways to work out.

This book works and is highly recommended.

This book is great for someone who is starting out.
However, I found that the book was lacking in variety of exercise for a person who already knows the basic weight training exercise.

I found that the book did not go into much detail in all the chapters, it was more like a breif summary.

I guarantee after 8 weeks you will be looking for another book that provides a variety of exercises so that you can alternate and stay motivated.

This book was given to me by a dear physician friend and was the perfect gift to start understanding the "curse of Diabetes" in our family. I in return also had given this book to other friends that I consider could benefit of it; to learn and understand more about Diabetes, it's diagnosis, control, care to live with it, and their imminent complications when we do not follow our doctor's recommendations. This is a very thorough and easy to understand book that should be in the hand of anyone already diagnosed or when Diabetes runs in the family

This is the first book about diabetes that I read, after being diagnosed with the condition myself. It was a useful, tough-love experience. The authors discussed all of my excuses for not doing the right thing by my pancreas, and talked to me gently but firmly about monitoring my glucose levels, exercise, and nutritional therapy. A long chapter is devoted to the link between depression and diabetes, and the emotions that a patient plays through when first diagnosed. I didn't even think about the psychological effects when my various friends were diagnosed with the disease--one of them has had diabetes for over 20 years and is now giving herself insulin shots.

Sorry, Jan, CJ, Dennis, and Cathy. I had to learn the hard way about dealing with the psychological aspects of a diagnosis of diabetes. This book helped me through the various stages--I didn't stay in denial very long (evidently some diabetics pass away before admitting that they have the disease and need to treat it), but the authors did talk me out of blaming my grandmother (deceased these twenty years) for `bringing' diabetes into the family.

Incidentally, the chapter on "The Genetics of Diabetes" is fascinating. Type II diabetes (the kind you usually get when you're old and fat) is actually "much more strongly determined by genetics than is Type I." (Thanks, Grandma).

This guide was first published in 1997, before the glucose level for diagnosing diabetes was dropped from 125 mg/dl to 100 mg/dl, but the authors were already using 115 mg/dl as the criterion in their own practices. They hint that a new diagnostic specification is coming, then get on with the book. Both Type I and Type II diabetes are fully examined, along with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (which has a whole chapter to itself).

The causes of diabetes, its symptoms, and the goals of treatment are explained in very clear language--you might not like what you're reading (diabetes is for life), but you'll be able to understand it. If the book makes you too cranky, be sure to check out the part about what happened to diabetics before insulin was discovered and extracted from pancreatic beta cells. The hardest chapters for me to read were the ones on diabetic complications, e.g. "Diabetic Eye Disease," and "Hardening of the Arteries."

The information on "Living with Diabetes," "Families Who Live with Diabetes," and those dealing with health care professionals, the U.S. Health Care System (or lack of one), and "Employment and Diabetes" will probably prove to be the most useful in the long run, but I recommend reading the whole book. If nothing else, I came out of it with a whole new (and much improved) attitude about monitoring my glucose level.

An excellent basic reference and a recommended pick for both public and school libraries, the large print edition of Dr. Christopher Saudek, et.al.'s Guide To Diabetes assures that audiences who need it will be able to read it. From handling psychological problems to dealing with daily maintenance routines, this is packed with practical information. The large print edition of Dr. Cassel's will reach a wide audience and will prove a listing contribution to libraries. All eye disorders and health issues are covered here, with treatment options and symptoms thoroughly surveyed in an easy-to-understand manner. Highly recommended.

If diabetes has entered your life because of your own health or the health of a loved one you need to get a lot of information in order to control the disease as best as you can. This book is a GREAT place to start.

The book provides a good overview of what diabetes really is and why it is so destructive. But MUCH MORE important is the help it gives us in understanding how the disease impacts the way one lives. If the diabetes is responded to constructively the situation can be improved. Depending on the severity of the condition it can be improved a little bit to, in a mild case, something like normality. Most are somewhere in the middle.

The danger is to ignore the condition. This book can help make clear all the good things that can come from responding positively to the condition and gives helpful information on how to do that. And you can find specific information very quickly because the book is so thoughtfully organized.

_Fear is sometimes a positive force. In moderation, it can motivate people. Realistic fear of complications can strengthen your resolve to take the best possible care of yourself...The key to making your fears work for you..is to keep reminding yourself of the positive. The power to control blood sugars...improves everyday_. (p217)

Two months ago, I was diagnosed with diabetes. Since then, THE JOHNS HOPKINS GUIDE TO DIABETES has been my handbook and I feel fortunate that Christopher D. Saudek, M.D. and his staff have developed such a valuable tool. It is extremely easy to use, yet covers completely the topics associated with successful living with diabetes.

The Preface states, _This book grew out of our experiences in caring for people with diabetes, particularly at the self-managment program of the Johns Hopkins Diabetes Center. Much that we discuss in this book is drawn from the material used in our teaching sessions -- and indeed, from the material taught by diabetes educators throughout the country_.

I appreciate the self-management program promoted in this text. _A central theme of this book is that [I] can live a long and healthy life with diabetes, but it is a dangerous disease to ignore_. (p4) I learned that the diagnosis of diabetes is objective and ammoral, based solely on the level of glucose in the blood. Knowing that it really does not matter how my blood glucose levels got to be the way they were helped me to accept that something needed to be done to control them. I was able to adjust to daily life with diabetes, learning that I can in fact cope with it.

Understanding Diabetes is the first part of this book and the first part of successfully controlling this disease. The bulk of this book is in the next part, Controlling Diabetes. Their approach to goal setting is representative of this book's healthy attitude:

_We are talking about redefining the quality of life. We admit to looking through rose-colored glasses, downplaying the things you can't do or eat that you used to love. There's no denying that some things ought to be avoided some of life's patterns ought to be adjusted. But none of this has to impair your quality of life. You have the choice. You define quality. You set the goals._ (p36)

If you are interested in controlling your blood glucose levels, this text can show you how.

There is a strong spiritual component that comes into play when changing behaviors. The task of accepting the realities of diabetes; turning from destructive behaviours and turning to life-affirming behaviours is at the crux of repentance. Moving from denial to acceptance requires an element of faith. Faith in the diagnosis, faith in the cure, and faith in ourselves that we are able to take up the task day after day with a fresh re-commitment. My experience with diabetes has strenghtened my own spiritual confidence. The hard won changes to my glucose levels has given me confidence that I will be able to control other parts of my life.

PEACE

This is a great book. I'm in a yoga teacher training program and was doing a project on Kripalu so I ordered this book. I am thrilled with it so far and I'm sure I'll be using it a lot when I start teaching.

This is a practical guide for new and seasoned Yogis. It includes the basics for breathing, meditation, and even provides two home practice flows along with a template for adding variety. There are inspirational personal experiences, step by step asanas, and much more for all ages and Yogi levels. My new copy has become my personal Yoga guide and has inspired me to develop a home practice which I began after buying the book 8 weeks ago. Now I practice daily.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to practice yoga while attending college in the 70's; I never forgot leaving that hour and a half usually feeling the best I ever felt. Yes, it was a physical experience, but witout explaination or introduction, it went beyond the physical. Just recently (age 59), I decided to get reacquainted with the practice.

As I studied and searched, I came into contact with Stephen Copes fantastic book "Yoga and the Quest for the True Self". This fantastic book led me to learn about and come to understand the Kripalu yoga method [ yes folks there is much more than just the hatha yoga we all seem to come into contact with]; this great practice is a combination of the physical hatha yoga and meditation. Please don't be overwhelmed; it's, in my book, the perfect combination.

As one who finds himself progressing on a daily basis, I highly recommend these two books. I suggest the reader, searcher, learner to explore a basic hatha yoga book or experience while reading "Kripalu Yoga" and branching out to Stephen Copes book for the "icing on the cake".

Stephen Cope, by the way, is one of the Senior teachers at the Kripalu Yoga Center.

I'm pleased to make this discovery myself and even happier to share my experience.

Namaste ........

As a Kripalu Yoga Teacher I had been waiting for a book that summarizes yet comprehensively explains the Kripalu Yoga tradition. Without minimizing the asana practice the book manages to cover the essence of Kripalu Yoga and taking the practice off the mat to encourage a healthy and spiritually rich lifestyle. I must mention that Kripalu Yoga is accessible to people of all ages and levels of practice. It can be as gentle or rigorous a physical practice as one wants it to be but it can also be as spiritual a practice as one wants it to be. This is the beauty of Kripalu Yoga and the book, Kripalu Yoga, makes this abundantly clear.

Along with affirming the other reviews on this book, I would like to add that I have recently begun teaching yoga and have found this book to be an excellent tool for developing my class formats and information sharing. There is a wealth of information, presented in clearly stated, understandable and comprehensive text, that I can quickly commit to memory to share with my students, or jot down in an outline to reference during class instruction. Having purchased and read volumes of books on yoga, this is the first I have come across that has been helpful in that regard. Kripalu is a beautiful form of yoga that brings the true essence of the practice to life.

I've read several books trying to figure myself out. Most people with EDNOS feel like nobody will ever understand what they are going through, when in fact there are thousands of us out there. I've Googled time after time trying to find out if "dieting" is addictive. I came across this book, and it spoke straight to me. I'm a dabbling binger, I am partly anorexic, and most of all I am a cronic dieter. She shares the steps it took her to recover from cronic dieting, and that you can heal in time. Very informative and helped me realize what friends I had that helped me stay trapped inside my own thin cage. I suggest every friend or family member with someone suffering from over dieting to read this book.

5 stars.

This book seems to be written right out of my life. At times that is. Eating Disorders, NOS. This really describes them. I think it is a good book for a loved one. That is trying to understand what is going on with the one they love.

Life Inside The Thin Cage" is a painfull but eye opening view into the twisted world of chronic dieting and hating our bodies to the point that we are hurting ourselves. Every woman should read this book. I promise when you start to read this book you wont be able to put it down. A must read for women! im greatfull i found this book. I have a much deeper understanding of what it really means to be a chronic dieter.
When i first heard the words eating disorder, the first thing that comes to my mind is anorexic or bulimic, When i see someone always worrying about their weight or have heard someone say "im on a diet" you rarely think that this person could have a problem because hearing those words "im on a diet" is so common, most dont give it a second thought. Hearing women worry over carbs/calories/exercise/fat grams etc.. is sadly perfectly normal. It wasnt untill i read this book that i began to realize that chronic dieting is too a disorder, if we dont see someone who is grossly underweight we assume they are fine, there just on a diet! Im glad i read this book. It was a wake up call for me as well as the others i shared this book with.

Constance digs deep in her work...which affects nearly everyone at some point in their life (if we were to be honest). From the anorexic to the severely [overweight]...wishing our bodies were something else is the norm and our world can often revolve around it. This book is a great book of encouragement and sound advice from a clinical standpoint. I'd highly recommend it to anyone!

I happened upon this book by 'chance' (in other words, the hand of God, in my opinion) and when I read the back, a tear trickled down my face.

Having been overweight much of my life and now being a chronic dieter, I could resonate with Constance's words - I think those thoughts she expressed. I don't fit the DSM-IV diagnoses for bulimia or anorexia. I'm 'different'. She is so right - there is a constant battle going on in my mind regarding weight, eating, and exercising. I am addicted to food AND exercising. It governs my every waking thought and even governs my day and how I spend my time. It's insane, I know. Finding balance is something I am working on. The sad thing? Losing weight DEFINITELY changed my life (I lost 70 lbs) and people DO treat you differently (I've never been treated better than I have in the the years since I lost weight). So, it's hard not to be addicted to dieting when the results are so positive. But are they healthy? That is something I am working out. Thank you, Constance, for speaking what I feel!!!!

I love this little book. The author is motivating and the poses are described accurately. However I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner without any yoga experience. It does help when you know the poses. The routines at the end are nice and easy to follow. It's small enough to fit in any bag and doesn't weigh anything when you need to watch the weight (flying).

I'm taking my first yoga class next week after reading this book!! The author's personal account of using yoga to improve her health is inspiring. What prompted me to explore yoga myself though was her explanation of how it can benefit others, plus her down to earth approach to yoga. She has easy to understand descriptions and depictions of poses and breathing exercises. She also emphasizes that yoga is an activity that can be beneficial upon first attempts but is even more useful if one is patient and practices over time.

This book is a great start for a person interested in yoga. The pictures are helpful. The descriptions great. It is a wonderful size for taking to the gym or anywhere. If you are interested in getting into yoga this book would be of great assistance. I have given a couple away as gifts so far.

As I was in the "downward-facing dog" yoga position enjoying Oolong tea with a dash of soy contemplating my little pilates workout that I had just completed, I thought, "darn that Erika Dilman, if she hasn't completely changed my "little" life for the better"!
I look forward to her next little book and hope she considers "the little prostate care book" for her next project.

I have been taking yoga classes for over a year, have several videos and cds. However, I carry this book with me. Whenever I have a wait in an office, I just do a few simple stretches from the book. Some mornings I only have 15 minutes, and I choose a few from each section. The poses are easy to understand, the descriptions are well written. This book is simple, yet powerful.

I have been in medicine for 32 years and this is one of the best books I have ever read in regard to medicine. We get so focused on the problem as a part that we become blinded to the patient as a whole. The more technical we get the further away from the patient we get. And yet I have seen what a difference it makes to "lay on of hands". Remember you should always touch the patient no matter if it is just to shake hands. We are creatures of touch not of electronics and lab results. I would recommend that this be read by everyone in the medical field.

I just recently ran across this book, not having been aware of its existence. It took awhile for me to get through it, because it was filled with so many riveting stories, and each story is such a teaching. I wish I had had such a courageous role model when I was in medical school. Dr. Lown's words empower me even more now, as I practice Mind-Body medicine. Abby Caplin, MD. San Francisco, CA

I was assigned this book in an East/West compartive medical class for College, and everybody loved it not just as a literary work but guide to life. Lown shares an ability with Dr. Andrew Weil in that his compassionate and balanced philosophies on life and medicine are backed up and validated by hisscientific knowledge. This book is just as much official text as it is commentary. Most anyone with an interest or passion in medicine or the healing arts would find enrichment from "The Lost Art of Healing."

I bought a copy for myself, and now I am trying to give a copy to everybody I know who is involved in patient care. Most of us went into the medical field with noble aspirations to take care of others and in doing so, to grow ourselves as human beings. The process of going through a medical education debases in many respects our initial aspirations. I read this book and found myself recentered. Dr. Lown approaches medicine as an opportunity to glean from the people for whom he cares. The book is filled with anecdotes gathered from decades of doctoring. The stories lead the reader along the same journey that the author has taken in coming to a sense of himself as a healer. The characters whom have filled his life are interesting and the story of Dr. Lown's personal journey from medical student, to researcher to teacher and master clinician, is fascinating. I highly recommend this book. It has changed the way that I approach my work and given me a zest for opportunities to grow in this profession.

In a profession dominated increasingly by science and technology, it is heartening to hear a courageous voice who spoke forcefully and emphatically against the dehumanization of medicine and for the urgent need to return to the traditional ethos of medicine. This coming no less from a physician of Dr Lown's stature and credentials, a technological wizard who had given the world the first cardioverter and DC defribillator. and yet managed to stay aloof and above the lure of medical scientific and technical sophistry which had captured the awe and fantasy of many of today's medical students and doctors alike. Debunking the myth of the omnipotence of clinical medicine, Dr Lown sought to reconcile the divide between the art and science of medicine, advocating a more humane approach towards the management of patients. He is both a philosopher and a healer, equipped with an open mind and divergent mindset extending beyond the normal confines of medical practice. As a young medical student struggling with the heavy workload imposed by an explosion of medical scientific knowledge, Dr Lown's book is thought-provoking and inspiring, a timely reminder that knowledge and academic grades are merely a means to an end and that human qualities such as empathy, compassion and a sound understanding of the human condition is not only crucial in medical practice, but must be reinforced and developed in the impressionable medical student navigating through rigors and constraints of his studies and training.