Mens-Health Books

Muscle Chow is the best cook book that I have ever purchased. The meals in this book are easy to cook up. It provides step by step explanations on how to make each meal, along with an effective program you can follow that ensures your muscles get what they need. If your going to purchase a cook book for your muscles, this is it.

If you're serious about the business at hand- getting into shape and getting stronger this book provides excellent information. Understanding without application is fruitless- Don't ya know?

I bought this book to teach me how to cook. Being a single guy in my mid-twenties my cooking skills were dismal at best. I figured if I was going to learn I might as well learn right and do it as healthy as I could. I'm very glad I picked this up.

This book will teach you how to get the most benefit out of every meal and how to space your meals to keep your metabolism's fire roaring all day long. Best thing about this book is all the meals are delicious AND easy. It is not just recipes, its an education (why we eat certain things and why we don't eat others etc etc.)

I was a lean guy even before i even started using recipes out of this book. I was working out 4 to 5 times a week so looking at me you wouldn't think I was carrying much (if any) excess body fat. After just a few short weeks I could feel a huge difference in how I felt. I felt clean. After my first 8 week cycle (1 week relaxed phase, 5 weeks lean phase, 2 weeks ripped phase) I could notice a huge difference in my physique (muscle definition was vastly improved). Best thing was, it wasn't just me. Family, friends, co-workers all commented on how good I looked, how much leaner I looked.

I LOST 7 pounds of fat I didn't even know I had!! I ate more but lost weight and still gained strength.

This book is geared more towards those with active lifestyles but I would definitely recommend this to EVERYBODY. Anyone who wants to learn how to eat right and make a habit of it will benefit from this book.

This is an awesome book that gives REALISTIC information on health and fitness. I origionally bought this book becuase I wanted to impress our personal trainer friend with some yummy recipes that were also healthy, however I soon realized this book is much more then just recipes, it is filled with so much more useful information then I had originally bargained for! This book helped me learn what to eat and when to eat it so I stay looking and feeling my best. I have already noticed a change in my appearance after a few weeks of purchasing this book and that is WITHOUT rigerous cardio workouts- it's just eting better, walking a little further then usual and weight training!

This book is very cool. Gregg does a nice job of compiling recipes that are easy and taste good. Also, the three phases he recommends (Relaxed phase, lean phase, ripped phase) really helped me to strike a balance in my nutrition plan.

Bottom line: I am in much better shape than I was before I started using Gregg's nutrition guidelines. I consistently use this book 5-6 days out of the week--definitely worth the $13.

Did not read like a Primer to me. Nowhere near as good as Dr Walsh's book.

This book is perhaps the best book of its genre in describing prostate cancer and the various forms of treatment for prostate cancer.

When a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer, he will be surprised to learn that there are a variety of treatment modalities. This book is excellent in that it lists all the available treatment modalities, lists the possible side-effects of each treatment, explains the diagnostic tests for prostate cancer, and writes extensively on which prostate cancers respond to which therapies the best.

The most confusing thing to a patient with prostate cancer is how to treat it. One needs to understand the type of cancer they have (the staging of the cancer tumor(s), how diagnostic tests are interpreted and what they mean, and then what treatment options are best for the specific cancer one has. This is where this book excels, as it thoroughly explains the entire process and informs the reader of all the various options that are available to treat prostate cancer.

Ultimately, knowledge is power in the issue of prostate cancer, so the informed patient is able to make the best decision to treat his cancer. This book will help you choose the best treatment. There are real and potentially serious life-altering side-effects to cancer therapy. One needs to know these adverse outcomes before making an informed decsion on treatment. I highly recommend this book as it does empower the man with prostate cancer to make these important decisons. After reading this book, you will have a sound knowledge of prostate cancer and the options for treatment. It is very reader-friendly and all medical terms and tests are explained in a manner that can be understood. It is required reading for anyone with prostate cancer.

Highly recommended.

Jim Koenig

Well organized and illustrated. Especially helpful for early stages of diagnosis and in meeting family member's concerns. I wish I'd had it sooner.

The book is really well written. It is chock full of information...figures, web links, and references. Great place to start to educate one's self if newly diagnosed.

Book Review
A Primer on Prostate Cancer: The Empowered Patient's Guide, 2nd Ed.
Stephen B. Strum, M.D. and Donna Pogliano
Hollywood, FL: Life Extension Foundation, 2005, 124 pp.
Ranked in the Top Ten of my Cancer Bibliography.
Ranked in the Top Five of my Prostate Cancer Bibliography.

I have surveyed or read so far over 100 cancer books in researching my own book. This ranked in the top 10% in both my categories primarily because of the excellence of its useful and professional content and presentation and the sophisticated level of the discussion. After my prostate cancer diagnosis, quickly learning I would not get enough time with my doctor, I dug deeply into many libraries and web sites. Public libraries are helpful, but severely incomplete and rarely up to date. With a background of two college degrees and Managing Director of a large research corporation, I knew how to do research and began to seek deeper information sources and understanding on cancer and medical websites. Here, also, there are problems: insufficient depth, too general, uncertain or dated reliability, suspect motives and dispersed value in millions of locations. Studies have shown that patients have a lot of trouble finding good material on the web, trying to find diamonds in the rubble. Then, I turned to Amazon and began to build my own library of the best available. This solved my problem.

Dr. Strum is a specialist in prostate cancer. This book is condensed and loaded on almost every page with color diagrams, charts, tables, photos, scans, Physician Notes and medical writing and details I would expect in a med school text. With my previous preparation, I was able to understand and apply almost all of it to my own situation, a great leap forward for a non-scientist. Not every prostate cancer patient will be ready for this, but buy it, refer to it as you do your homework elsewhere and your disease progresses, and it will soon become the core of your understanding and view of your future.

Along with the beautiful, colorful and clear presentations, I loved the several examples that were identical to my own journey, followed by the explanation of choices and exact treatment I have had: what a relief to study, decide and then get the same confirmation from my own doctors as we moved through several stages of diagnosis and treatment; what a thrill to study a photo of a problematic bone scan and compare it to my own favorable, cancer-free scan following treatment.

Your doctors are, of course, the final and up-to-date authority: be well-informed, so you can participate in the decision-making with the experts; but recognize that the busy medical community may not have the time or detailed knowledge of your situation to give it the attention you can. As you go, you will find a number of excellent books like this to guide you. It is important to have current information about the fast-moving science of medicine. That makes it a lot easier to get past the basics, ask good questions and accept or refine the doctor's judgment and recommendations. Seek out and devour books like this one, and you will be miles, perhaps even some time, ahead of most patients. With that confidence, your improved mental attitude will assist in your progress.
John Roberts (www.CanFighters.com)

This is a great source of information. My urologist finds Dr. Walsh a bit arrogant but there is no denying his contribution to successful surgery techniques in the removal of the prostate.
I did find a bias towards the researchers at Johns Hopkins as he seldom mentioned other work being done at other research centers.

This book was recommended by my urologist just after informing me that I had prostate cancer. It is an excellent guide for anyone wanting to learn about this particular kind of cancer and all of the major treatment options. I detected a slight bias toward radical prostatectomy (It's the gold standard) but all of the other treatments are covered to include their benefits, risks and success rates.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and immediately set about getting as much information as I could. I searched the web and ordered many books from Amazon to help me understand what I was up against and how best to structure the conversations and questions regarding my case with my urologist. This book is by Dr. Walsh, THE LEADING AUTHORITY on prostate cancer, at John's Hopkins hospital. He just updated the book, second edition in 2007. and it compares the robotic surgery to the open surgery as well as covering every topic in detail. Although written by a doctor it is easily accessible to a lay person as myself. AAA+++

Book Review: Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer

From: www.BasilAndSpice.com

Patrick Walsh, M.D., author of Guide To Surviving Prostate Cancer and Distinguished Service Professor of Urology--The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, is the world's foremost authority on prostate cancer. His book provides some striking news for men:

* More than 200,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year.
* 27,000 will die in the U.S. from it this year.
* Prostate cancer is the most common major cancer in men.
* Because prostate cancer is silent, generally without symptoms, early detection is the key.
* Men should begin being screened for prostate cancer at age 40.
* When prostate cancer is small, it is curable.
* More than 95% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer are alive ten years later.

Dr. Walsh evaluates the three major risk factors--age, race, and family history. Prostate cancer is the scourge of older men (age 60-79) with a risk rate of 1 in 7 developing the cancer. The cancer frequently takes time to grow, over the course of decades.

The highest risk of prostate cancer hits African American men. Why this is, is not completely understood, but may involve genetic susceptibility, diet, and lack of vitamin D. Their cancers are also more likely to be severe types and recur.

Risk of prostate cancer grows higher with familial links. In fact, the risk is 2.5 times higher if your father or brother had prostate cancer. Hereditary prostate cancer, (possible risk of 50%) is believed to occur when three first degree family members had it, the disease shows itself in three generations, or if two relatives developed the disease earlier (less than age 55).
The most important action to take is to get screened, beginning at age 40. The PSA test can provide a baseline for later years. Dr. Walsh adds that those between the ages of 50 and 64 who die of prostate cancer, could very well have been saved if the disease had been caught while in their forties.


In addition, Dr. Walsh includes a prevention chapter in his new second edition. He recommends men eat a minimum of five fruits and vegetables a day, especially focusing in on the cruciferous vegetables as cited from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli are examples of the type of vegetables which contain sulforaphane--an important anticancer ingredient which helps to increase potent enzymes in the body. In turn, the body is assisted in creating its own antioxidants to help ward off cancer.

This book is thorough and provides answers to practically every question about prostate cancer. I would recommend that EVERY man read it.

5 Stars

Related-- http://www.basilandspice.com/sexual-matters/why-healtlhy-men-are-having-sex.html

If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, this book is a must have. It contains answers to practically all of your questions and is in an easy to understand format.

This book helps to explain why men start getting physical and mental symptoms, sometimes as early as their late 30's or early 40's. Its really not how long we live, but how well we live that matters most. The book doesn't give empty promises about "turning back the clock" but instead, explains how aging doesnt' have to include the typical symptoms that go along with it. Research is just starting to understand male menopause ("andropause") and why each man's situation is so unique vs. the general cycles experienced by women as they age.

You don't have to be embarrassed if you have symptoms like fatique, depression, weight gain, achy muscles and slow recovery times after work outs. Maybe you just need to get your hormones checked to find out if your testosterone is low. There are several ways to go about determining whether you need hormone replacement. This book will get you started the right direction.

This is the best book on male TRT that I have read. It gets down and dirty with the details to make TRT/HRT understandable. It does this while remaining easy to read. Medical names and terms do not get in the way.

The author thinks that T injections are not very good. The problem is that practice, when the book was published in 1998, was to inject every 2,3 or 4 weeks. The author concluded that injections were a poor delivery method. With guys self injecting [at home] today once a week, or twice a week or even every other day, the problems cited by the author do not exist.

The book, lacks information* on how to find a TRT/HRT competent doctor and what to ask for. Sadly, one can easily know more about these things than most doctors. Finding a good TRT/HRT doctor is close to impossible for many.

* This seems to be common fault with Doctor written TRT related books.

Excellent hormone replacement book for both men and women. Easy to read and relate to. Real eye opener.

This is my favorite hormone book.
I have read many Hormonal books, and Dr. Shippen has tons of good information for us older men.
Fun, easy to read and full of usefull information to get the best out of your hormones.
Great book

The Testosterone Syndrome, Reversing the Male Menopause by Eugene Shippen, M.D. is a book about testosterone replacement for aging males. Dr. Shippen is a popular lecturer on the medical meeting circuit where he covers testosterone replacement. Not only is he an expert on testosterone medical research, he also draws on his experience of many years using testosterone in clinical practice.

It is well known that institutional medicine has been staunchly opposed to the idea of testosterone for aging males. In spite of this opposition, national sales of testosterone has been increasing yearly, suggesting that consumer demand is now the driving force. For the medical consumer, since this information isn't available from your doctor or in the media, Shippen's book is the first step to learn about signs and symptoms of low testosterone, and whether testosterone supplementation is right for you. Although some areas of the book contain language suitable for health care professionals, the book is actually written for the lay reader.

According to Shippen, age related decline in testosterone levels cause muscle weakness, memory loss, erectile dysfunction, and the onset of a host of degenerative diseases. However, merely replenishing testosterone is not the whole solution. The missing piece of the puzzle is the male estrogen level which can go up with testosterone treatment because of the aromatase conversion of testosterone to estradiol. Shippen found that this aromatase conversion of testosterone to estradiol. was aggravated if testosterone blood levels fluctuated between high and low extremes. Shippen advocates the gradual release of testosterone with subcutaneous pellets to avoid this problem. I found it puzzling that Shippen did not mention aromatase inhibitor medication which is the current solution. Also, many other experts suggest daily topical testosterone creams, since this provides more stable delivery.

During a more recent lecture I attended, Shippen spoke about giving a series of small mini-injections of testosterone, rather than the pellets. So I would caution the reader to keep in mind that the book was written 10 years ago, and a future new edition would be welcome, including information on aromatase inhibitors and other new developments. In spite of this, there is much excellent information in the book. While drugs change with the passage of time, human physiology does not.

A key chapter deals with low testosterone, erectile dysfunction and sexual dysfunction. Here Shippen shares his insights about the importance of exercise (Kegel exercises), to strengthen the pelvic muscles, in addition to testosterone for the return of sexual function.

Other chapters deal with beneficial effects of testosterone on the circulation, the heart, and mental functioning. Another chapter deals with testosterone and the prostate. One myth is that testosterone causes prostate cancer, and Shippen finds no evidence of this in the medical literature or in his clinical practice.

In conclusion, Shippen's book is recommended for any male over the age of 50 who is interested in testosterone supplementation to maintain youthful vigor, and as a preventive health measure.

Jeffrey Dach MD

I am a fitness freak and a fitness and dance instructor. I am always looking for a new way to challenge my body and take it to new extremes. This book really gave me an understanding of what I need to do to take my body and its strength to the next level. It is comprehensive and easy to understand. I reccommend this book to all my friends and anyone who is looking for a good fitness trainer but don't have the money for a live one, whether you are just starting out or you are stuck in a rut. He has developed workouts that fit your body type too, which makes it even more of an ideal workout because you can zone in on slimmming your trouble spots.

I have found this book to be the best on the market when you want quality information concerning nutrition and exercise. I have highlighted so many pages to reference back to. David goes into detail on so much plus there are color pictures. I also purchased his book The Ultimate New York Body Plan but found this one more practical and attainable in reaching my goals. After reading this I can see why he is known as a fitness guru, and this book has sound advice that can be beneficial to attaining a better body!

This is a good program for people who want to get in and stay in shape without spending half of their life at the gym. You do need to spend some time building your own program sheets using the info in the book. I also bought his "Ultimate New York Body Plan" (it reflects on my obsessive streak that I'd buy both!)and I think that program would be difficult to implement for most ordinary mortals. Buy this one!

There are plenty of basic and advanced versions of exercises divided by body part. The book has many pictures that clearly illustrate the exercises. There are plenty of body weight exercises, as well as with weights. I found this book to be very helpful in creating an exercise program!

There's a reason why Heidi Klum and other supermodels seek David out for his training skills. He not only focuses on the physical and nutritional elements to fitness, but also the mind and motivation. It's like having your own personal trainer right in your home and for much less money!

This is an excellent, straight-forward, sensitive book that deals with a topic that is difficult. It is written so that it can be easily understood and is incredibly helpful to victims as well as therapists who treat them. The author validates the victim's world and encourages the victim to get help and talks about the many males who have survived and are healing.

A thoughtful book re sexual abuse of people who are trying to get past the victim ideology. The writer has had much experience in treating these people and his suggestions are helpful.

As a spouse of a survivor, I read this book which also offered advice to partners and spouses. This book gave way too many examples and other info for the first 4 chapters. Most of us already have an idea of what sexual abuse against boys can entail, there were just way too many stories of survivors that were disturbing and difficult to read. It did however give important insight and ways to get help and help yourself but it came along with a lot of unneeded information. If you have the time and patience it is a good tool towards recovery.

I gave this wonderful book to my husband who is in recovery from childhood sexual abuse by his father. He cried and read , cried and read from start to finish. The book is empowering, healing and filled with truth that heals. I recommend it as an essential read for those in recovery and for those who love them. Kate

If you or a loved one have been the victim of childhood sexual abuse then this book is an excellent resourcee. It deals primarily with Male Survivors and provides great insight into how coping mechanisms have become a way of life. It allows survivors to carefully examine their feelings and relationship choices in a positive and affirming manner, and begin to make changes to a healty lifestyle. If you have decided to read this book, well done!!! You have taken the first steps to reclaiming your life!

I agree with the reviewer that said that this book could have just as easily been written for women as well as men. I have several books on Pilates, but this one emphasizes strength development more than the others, while not at all downplaying the flexibility aspect. For instance, I had not seen the pushup in any of the other books I have on Pilates. For the number of pages, and exercises contained in this book, it is a great bargain!

This is an excellant guide to pilates with clear illustrations and directions that help show pilates moves.

My wife does pilates and she looks at this book also from time to time, so women can also use this.

This book is exactly what I needed. Exercises are well explained. No boring stuff around, goes straight to the point. I already feel better...

So worth the money. The cover and layout of the book are attractive, and the content does not disappoint. The language is clear and intensely helpful, and the sketches of the movements, which actually depict every essential step of each exercise, are some of the most useful I've encountered in books like this. The author really gives you everything you need to progress on your own, at your own pace, and finding new depths to each movement as you go. My body has never looked better. If your kinesthetic sense is such that you can learn well from a book, and you have an interest in Pilates, you should own this.

I've been practicing and teaching Pilates for years, and although I continue to be challenged by the original mat exercises, there are times that my students crave different exercises. I, too, have been increasingly curious about the Reformer on the Mat exercises, and though I've seen bits and pieces in other workouts, I haven't seen one that offers them in a cohesive system. This one does, showing not only the sequence the exercises should be performed in but also the different levels for each exercise (although most of them are quite challenging).

I do still have to shake my head and laugh at the need to market the system for men- anyone who has ever tried the Pilates pushups, Side Bends or Leg Pull Ups should already know that classical Pilates demands- and builds- upper body strength. However, in the text where Lyons notes that some of these exercises are exclusively for men- or individuals with significant upper body strength- I mostly agree. I happily cede the very tricky Headstand variations to male practitioners and instructors, although I will note that they are very similar to a number of movements from the Ashtanga Primary Series.

This is an excellent resource for male or female practitioners and instructors, and if it finally gets people to realize that Pilates is a real workout and not just a souped up abs and stretch routine, so much the better.

(HUNGRY) is a humorous and motivating book about living life in the fat lane. Allen Zadoff's fast-paced, witty, yet poignant writing style gives any overweight person an honest look into themselves. It's a diet tool that will inspire the reader to reach the same success level that Zadoff did in learning to control the urge to eat, compulsively! Every overweight person should read this book!

As the author says more than once, not everyone will relate to his particular story with food. I think anyone with eating issues would find something in this book to be of help. I could relate all too well, and appreciate the author's candor at revealing things about himself, and his thoughts, that were of help to my own situation.

How is everyone doing in conquering this:
~*weight loss battle*~?
It really is a WAR against those excess pounds, isn't it?

After reading HUNGRY by Allen Zadoff, I decided not to call it a 'diet' because it is not suppose to be a reducing diet but a healthy way of eating.

This book gives you some ammunition to WIN that war!
(Although you will always have to be 'on guard' for the rest of your life!)

It was a worthwhile book to read...It had short one or two pages chapters. None of that recipe filler pages.

One of our 'assignments' was to try and figure out WHY
we over-eat and make ourselves over-weight.
There is a reason. He suggested maybe it is an addiction
or a disease we need to treat not just cover up with a 'diet'?

He lost 150 lbs...The way he did it was to analyze his feelings and
then to not eat foods that are trigger foods. He had us make a list
of red, yellow and green foods....red meaning those
that we just can't stop eating once we start (like sweets)
yellow meaning those that sometimes cause over-eating problems, and
green are those that are OK and good for us; never lead
to a binge. (Like a traffic light, red STOP, yellow CAUTION and green GO.

He didn't tell us what to eat because everyone's list would be
different.
Allen reminded me of my nephew that also lost a great deal of weight.

For instance, how when Allen was at a normal weight, after weighing 360 lbs. (And having only one pair of pants that fit that were worn out in the crouch.)
It was difficult to think like a normal weight person. (Like how to react when a pretty girl flirted with him.)

This is the suggestion that I am going to have to do since I am
an evening nibbler. Only eat 3 meals each day...(From the green list.)
"Three delicious, abundant meals made up of foods I can handle."Zadoff.

It sounds so sensible yet I haven't done that in a long long time.
I need to stop this mindless evening snacking...that mouth hungry not
stomach hungry HABIT! It is very very hard to break these bad eating habits!

If you can get the book, I highly recommend it.

Allen's final statement:
"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can
start from now and make a brand new ending." Carl Bard

I really enjoyed this book. In clear, no nonsense language Allen Zadoff managed to convey to the reader the pain of being very over weight with no self pity, no real excuses. He ate too much at one time. Period. Then, somehow after reaching 300+ pounds, he looked inside of himself and accepted a truth. He needed to eat less. So - no more dieting for him. He decided to establish a traffic light of an idea. Red light for dangerous food, yellow light for foods that need to be approached with caution and green food - the kind one can eat lots of and manage to stay slim. I loved this idea. I don't have a huge weight problem, but I do eat too much at times for a variety of reasons. I swear - as soon as I did what Zadoff said, wrote down my red, yellow and green foods, I began to eat less. And I began to lose weight. Wow. Thanks, Mr. Zadoff. You did a great job. I hope everyone who has ever struggled with weight reads this book. It's short but the message is clear. Look at what you eat. Identify problem foods. Approach them with caution. I guess he said it all.

I can't believe such a terrible book can be reviewed so highly. I think he didn't say anything everyone who has a problem with food doesn't know. IN fact he doesn't really reveal himself at all. He uses thumor to hide behind rather than tell the truth. How does such a skimpy book get published?. He hints O.A is the only answer to overeating. He never explains what home problems kept his addiction active. I find it cruel to give hope to others with one method while telling us nothing else works. Everyone is differet and what works is different. This book is not quite a memoir, not quite a self help book,not quite a book. It is said to be a non diet book but I felt like I had been put on a skimpy diet with this badly written book. sorry. but I could write a more truthful book in my sleep and I have kept off sixty pounds. Hey, let me write a book. Save your money and time on this one. I felt cheated.

The Andropause Mystery, Unraveling the Truths About the Male Menopause by Robert S. Tan M.D.

In this book, Robert Tan MD , an astute clinician and a board certified specialist in geriatric medicine, describes his professional experience, diagnosing and treating hormonal decline in aging males. Tan describes a turning point in his career when he stumbled upon a bedridden male with the typical signs and symptoms of low testosterone, namely muscle weakness, frailty, memory loss, and hair loss. Lab testing confirmed low testosterone levels. Testosterone for aging males was new in those days, so Tan had difficulty convincing the pharmacy to release the testosterone injections ( 200 mg twice a month). After three months of injections, the patient grew a beard, began walking again, and his memory and libido improved.

The experience motivated Tan to do a Medline search on the topic, and he found very little research in the area of Male Menopause, also called Andropause. This book was written to unravel the truths and dispel the myths about the Male Andropause and Testosterone replacement for the aging male.

Tan asks a few obvious questions. The medical system treats women for the hormonal decline of Menopause, so why aren't men treated for their similar hormonal decline of male Andropause? The medical system recognizes Menopause, but does not recognize Andropause.

Many physicians deny that Andropause really exists. Tan says sorry, but it does exist, and his patients are testimony to this truth. Andropause is a real syndrome, and he clearly explains that 30% of males over 65 have low testosterone levels with the associated muscle weakness, memory loss, and loss of libido. Tan also explains the reasons why the syndrome is ignored by conventional medicine. There is no curriculum in medical school or residency, and very little research in the library due to lack of funding, and lastly, unlike females who are more expressive and communicative about their night sweats and hot flashes, males tend to be stoic, and in denial of their Andropause symptoms.

Tan discusses the beneficial affects of testosterone on cognitive function, finding that many (but not all) demented nursing home males are restored to normal after testosterone treatments. He also discusses the effect of testosterone on mood, cardiac function, muscle strength, bone density, and lastly improvement in libido and erectile function. In one humorous story, Tan recounts a demented nursing home patient whose testosterone treatment had to be discontinued because of hypersexual effects. Apparently, the old fellow had approached several nurses with inappropriate requests.

Tan also discussed the incorrect belief that Testosterone treatment increases the risk of prostate cancer. Tan dispels this myth, stating that in his clinical experience, he has yet to see a case of prostate cancer induced by testosterone replacement. Nonetheless, Tan advocates routine prostate surveillance with serial PSA and DRE.

Chapter 7 discusses the nuts and bolts of testosterone replacement with diagnostic blood testing, available testosterone preparations and dosage schedules. Tan feels that testosterone replacement for males should become as routine as HRT for the female menopause.

Inconclusion, in a field with scant information, Tan's book fills a void. The book is an honest, courageous, down to earth, and occasionally humorous look at testosterone replacement for the aging male. Also recommended is The Testosterone Syndrome by Eugene Shippen MD.

Jeffrey Dach MD

What I thought I bought; a book about the aging process and the Andropause. What I got; mostly a book about testosterone replacement. This book was a let down.

The bravado of patriarchy and its reliance upon presenting males as strong, vibrant creatures able to take on the world when young, and equally powerful when old has always been a myth perpetuated as the alpha male syndrome.

However, the reality is that, like women, men undergo similar hormonal changes as a result of aging. While the outward appearance of men may remain somewhat similar, both personality and hormonal changes occur along with the physical changes in muscle power that young men discern readily in challenging the older male establishment for power and prominence.

Little discussed, or viewed as the natural aging phenomenon of men and the mellowed perspective in which he sees the world, and operates in it, typical male menopause has focused upon his desire to grativate toward younger women to extend his male prowess, or by making the wild changes of adopting fast cars, and more relaxed lifestyles in an attempt to capture his youth.

That males haven't come to grips with the similarities of aging among women ought to be a concern since so much of society is organized not around the vitality cycles of natural aging, but by the fantasies of aging men who deny their own mortality, and the consequences of aging. Taught to view women differently, men therefore find it more difficult to accept their own aging process because of the enormous differences in how men and women are cultured to be viewed by a male dominant society.

Because men died at somewhat younger ages throughout life, the lifecyle phenomenon of men has never been approached with the legitimacy or credibility that is a part of the natural consequence of being male.

That either men or women are taught to view the aging process as one that is devalued because of its physical changes rather than prized for its contribution to stable and sustainable populations is a social problem that has yet to be taken seriously. When country singers sing that "all my rowdy friends have settled down," they are recognizing this natural tendency of men to settle into a lifestyle that accepts their aging as natural, and normal rather than continuing to idolize the rowdy lifestyle that the constant pumping out of male testosterone helps to create.

The message, of course, is that, like women, men will not live forever, do suffer the consequences of aging, and must adapt age appropriate lifestyles that respects their aging, rather than condemns it. That attitude will work for both men and women to help define the expectations of being human, and mature as individuals, in planning their lives and knowing what to expect from their bodies, and what not to expect.

I couldn't believe it! The controversy about hormones for women has begun, now men? The book and author was featured on NBC Nightly News on 7/31/02. Guess it must be an important topic to be on national news!

This book is really for the layperson. The book "Andropause Mystery" does describe evolving physical, sexual, psychological and mental challenges encountered by the aging male. It does explain hormone replacement for men and the potential problems. There is a nice chapter on the psychological impact of aging on sexuality. It is easy to read and understand, but I prefer "Aging Men's Health: A Case Based Approach" by the same author. No doubt, it is a textbook, but there is more depth and detail for the professional person.

Although I am a competetive powerlifter (focus is on strength over mass) I was quite impressed with this book. It covers a lot of material and should become a standard in the bodybuilding as well as other lifting communities. It is the best book I have ever read on explaining and applying HIT. I personally am not an advocate of one training style or another...that is to say I believe in whatever works (to quote Alwyn Cosgrove "Methods are many,Principles are few, Methods often change, Principles never do."). Any experienced coach will likely tell you that you can take something useful from all training methods, as there is no such thing as one universal type of training for all applications. I used to view HIT as more of a fad or something that could only work in the short term, largely because the books I read on this type of training were relatively typical of most books in the lifting community; written by over-zealous authors and lacking any real research or scientific reasoning. My views have now changed after reading this excellent book on the hows, whys, and applications of HIT for gaining muscle mass. HIT is definately a viable type of training to add to the toolbox of all lifters, and could very well be the most reliable system of training for most bodybuilders in particular. Although the book does not have a large list of citations at the end, the author nonetheless does refer in most cases, to what he bases his information on and the studies that back his reasoning. This book is packed full of very logical and clear information, without pictures. It is written in a way that is not boring and monotonous and it is easy to understand what the author is trying to say. Although as a Powerlifter and all-round lifter I disagree with the idea of training by individual muscle groups (which as a bodybuilder the author naturally encourages), this book really is fantastic. It deserves a place among the classics, and is a legitamate, reliable source for lifters of all sorts and all levels. I would especially recommend it as an excellant base for the beginning lifter (who is primarily interested in mass and not pure strength), hopefully preventing them from the years of wasted time many go through because of poor sources of information. Pick this one up it is well worth it, and the price is extremely reasonable.

I haveTraining for Mass

I have over 20 years of weight training experience and have won or placed well in competitions. All of my training has been using the common high volume training methods that Gordon attempts to dispel in his book. His writing style is entertaining while he methodically breaks down the volume training strategy and proves a compelling case for the high-intensity training style.

My conclusion... While I made some good gains using the volume training, I believe my gains should be better given my consistency with my training and nutrition. His book has given me many new ideas, I am motivated again to get to the gym while I am using the high intensity training model he lays out very well in the book. So far, I am spending less time in the gym, the workouts are more challenging and interesting and I have noticed some early progress (I've only been doing it for approximately 4 weeks).

Keep an open mind to new ideas if you are like I was (pretty set in my training routines). You might find, like I did, that what we have relied on for years isn't the only way and, better yet, that there just might be a better way. Give it a try like I am doing.

All you need is in this book; eliminate unneccesary workouts that are not good mass builders and abandon high volume marathon sessions that are ruinous to your joints and free time. This is unlike anything you've ever read. An intellectual approach that explains WHY a high intensity routine is effective. I love it.

I can think of few topics outside of politics and religion that are more divisive than the subject of effective bodybuilding techniques. Mr. LaVelle, however, offers a well-reasoned and well-written contribution to the debate.

If your goal is to be most efficient with the time you spend in the gym and you want to avoid setbacks caused by injuries and over-training, you owe it to yourself to read Mr. LaVelle's book. If on the other hand, you get some sort of validation from being able to talk about how much time you spend working out, then, by all means, keep doing what you are doing.

I would caution you, though, read the book carefully. The author is quick to point out that his methods need to be tailored to the individual. This is not a "do exactly what I tell you" cookbook. I believe that when you read the book you will find, as I did, that the author's ideas are not only well supported but also seem intuitively right.

Overall, this was a pretty good guide on how to perform HIT for building mass; the author was clearly a philosophy major in college based on how he picks apart Volume training and other methods.

I would have preferred a bit more instruction on what to expect amongst the various stages when starting out, hitting plateus, etc, but overall I think for someone that is trying to determine whether HIT or volume is best, this book will be helpful