Womens-Health Books

This is a great comprehensive book! I learned a lot of information about my body that I was unaware that I didn't know. Why isn't this anatomy information taught in high school health?

I have only had this book for a short time, but it has already been very helpful. It is simple and informative. Exactly what I was hoping for so I am very pleased.

Hey, this book has soo much more information that i ever thought a book could hold!!! Pictures in the book are graphic, but extremely helpful!!

I'm amazed at how much I didn't know about my body. This is full of very valuable information. I wish I would have discovered it years ago. A friend recommended it to me because I shared my desire to get pregnant. This is the kind of information that young women should be exposed to in school. It might help them avoid unwanted pregnancies if they knew more about timing and natural signs that their bodies give them each month. I will certainly recommend it to my daughters.

Hi! I did not read this book yet but my close friend Brandy said that THIS BOOK IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!
I have a baby now who is 6 months old and the method described in this book looks very interesting. Also, sounds like a hilarious read with some good facts about understanding your body. Nothing like a book with some good humor in it.

PS- Brandy is pregnant!

Wonderful book for young preteen girls. My daughter loved the book and was excited to learn more about her body and ask me any questions that she had.

I bought this book for my 12 year old daughter and she loves it! She was so excited about this book, she shared it with one of her friends.

This book is exactly what we needed! My 8-year-old daughter and I just finished reading it together and it was a perfect way to introduce her to puberty and all it entails. It is written for young girls in a way that doesn't talk down to them but is also completely appropriate for girls 8 and up. I appreciated the discussions about the emotions and difficulties girls face during puberty, beyond just the "facts." My thanks to the authors! I will be recommending this to all of my mom friends who have girls.

This book is a great introduction for 8-9 year old girls on how their bodies work. I thought it had just the right amount of information for my 8 1/2 year old. She is not ready for, or interested in, detailed scientific descriptions about the "facts of life." The material is presented in a very straightforward way and covers a wide range of topics from dental care, to shaving, to menstruation. The book helped me introduce topics to my daughter in a very matter-of-fact way without embarassment or making a big deal out of it. I will be recommending it to my friends with young girls.

The Care & Keeping of You:
The Body Book for Girls

Where was this book when I was growing up? What a great book for girls.

As a mother of three girls and a grandmother of four girls, I give thumbs up to The Care & Keeping of You.

I began reading this book with my nine-year-old granddaughter, Autumn. She enjoyed learning about how to brush her hair, and her teeth. She loved the illustrations and the advice. We each took a turn reading.

When it came to the chapter about her period, she said, "Please don't make me read that part, right now. I want to read the rest of the book, but I want to wait until I'm around 12 to read that part."

I told her, "Sure, we can wait. But at least you know the book is here, if you need to know about it."

She is growing up in a home with a mom and two older sisters, and her mom as already had "the talk" with her.

The chapter about developing is great. All girls don't develop at the same rate. Some are uncomfortable because they aren't developing, while others are unhappily, developing too fast. It tells the girls that they are all different and that they have many other great things about them. They should focus on their smiles, or their talents, not what others think about them. Above all, hold their heads up and keep good posture.

I think a book that answers all the questions a girl will have, growing up, is a great idea. This book also encourages the girls to talk to their mothers or an adult they can trust.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood
Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)
Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat

I bought this book because in the early weeks of my pregnancy, I had lots of questions. Mayo Clinic has been a reliable source for medical information for me over the years and it didn't stop when I became pregnant. I used their website ([...]) to look up all kinds of information in their Pregnancy Center. It was without hesitation, especially with such a high review on Amazon, that I bought this book.

I read it often in the early weeks of my pregnancy in addition to relying on their website, I realized that much of the information overlaps. I really should have just stuck to the website, because I rarely read the book anymore because it is just a repeat.

Recently, I stopped at the library to pick the lowly Amazon rated "What to Expect When You're Expecting". I cracked open the book and couldn't put it down! WTEWYE had answers to all of the questions that I'd asked and couldn't find in the Mayo Clinic, like 'Is tap water safe?', and detailed & current information about First Trimester Screening results and options (which Mayo Clinic doesn't have).

If I were you and considering getting this book, I would just head over to www.mayoclinic.com and save the $[...] for another book.

This book is well-organized and is full of practical MEDICAL advice, with handy decision guides for every month. I stress the word "medical" because there is just too much junk out there about pregnancy. This book is the real deal. I strongly recommend this book over the popular "What to Expect..." book.

I am currently pregnant in week 25, first time pregnancy. My husband and I have purchased or have been given 3 pregnancy books, including "My Pregnancy Week by Week" and "What to expect when you're expecting" before this one came free in the mail from my insurance, 3 months into the pregnancy. Now I barely look at the other books. This one is way better in my opinion and here is why. It covers everything you'd possibly want to know and does it better then the other books. The other books are geared to a lower reading comprehension level and can be a bit annoying, plus the organization is not as good and the topics are not as complete. Let me give you an example. 5 days ago, I started getting pretty bad pains in my pubic bone - this doesn't happen to everyone, of course. I of course got nervous. This book has an index where you can look things up like "pubic bone pain" and find out everything that you'd need to know about it right away. "Your Pregnancy Week by Week" doesn't have this. The index is almost 20 pages long and so you can quickly find everything. There is also a great section on basic baby care, and a week by week section as well, for the pregnancy. This book makes me feel in control of my pregnancy and is like the "bible" to me, I am so glad I got it! If I found out about this one first, I wouldn't have gotten any of the others.

This book is great and very informative. I read it as well as "What to Expect When You're Expecting". This book is slightly better, and also includes information not covered in other books. I would recommend this book mostly to first time moms, since it answered alot of my questions during my first pregnancy.

My husband and I just started to think about planning for a family so, me, being the researcher type wanted to know everything that is in store for us becoming parents. After reading all the reviews for "What to expect while your expecting" I didn't want to be scared out of my wits. So in buying this book I was happily surprised at what length the Mayo Clinic authors go to, to inform you of what is going on inside your body and all the things you can do to prevent or calm symptoms of pregnancy and also the warning signs and what to do when something is not "right" week by week. When I get pregnant I'll certainly use this as my go to guide before I call the Dr. about my concerns. A pro is the "When to call" checklist after every chapter. The book is broken down into parts: Part 1 "Pregnancy, childbirth and your newborn" (Preparing to have a baby), Part 2 "Decision guides for pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood", Part 3 "Pregnancy reference guide", Part 4 "Complications of pregnancy and childbirth". Overall, a good read and very easy to understand, straightforward and every section is well organized, there is no need to skip around to find what you are looking for. I'll recommend this book to friends, certainly.

I found this book to be very useful. The appendix of drugs that are safe to take while breastfeeding is invaluable when you are sick, but scared to take anything for fear of hurting your baby. This book has informative sections on latching baby on, solutions to common problems such as sore nipples, as well as information on newborn jaundice. I would recommend this book for any breastfeeding or pregnant mom!

I am a first time mother and the only woman in my circle of family and friends to ever considering breastfeeding. While expecting I read this book cover-to-cover. I knew what problems to expect and was able the head them off at the pass. I can happily report that thanks to this book alone I have been nursing my baby gril for 8 months without a hitch. Whenever I might see a problem coming this book had prepared me for it and taught me how to avoid it. Breastfeeding is the most amazing thing I have done in my life and this book alone is the help that I needed. (Even tonight I turned to read about sleeping issues at the 8-month stage...I felt reassured.) The Mayo Clinic and Sears Baby Book are the only three references I use.

This book was so helpful to me. I took it with me to the hospital and referenced it so many times during the first week it was unbelievable. I recently had a clogged milk duct and read what to do in the book. I then called a lactation consultant and what they told me was exactly what I had already been doing from the book. Very helpful; would highly recommend to anyone who really wants to breastfeed.

Someone gave me this book 3 weeks into breastfeeding for the first time and I wished I had it before the baby was born! Breastfeeding is such a personal, complex and at times challenging process. This book is a great resource that walks you through many questions you will have about breastfeeding. The more information the better and this book is a great start.

Pros- A great "all in one" resource
Cons- Book does not contain everything on breastfeeding

This is the only book you need to breastfeed your baby. Eleven months later I still open this book often to find information on ALL topics. Particularly helpful is the quite comprehensive drug appendix.

My son will read this in school this year in 6th grade, so I read it when we purchased it. I could not put it down. It was a great book. I will look for more by this author!

I am also impressed by our school system - this story will give our 6th graders perspective on what real 'problems' are - not just the trivial things preteens and teens are usually concerned about.

In our modern age of vaccinations, it seems inconceivable that in 1949, 42,033 cases of polio were diagnosed. It was a disease without a vaccine or antidote that meant excruciating pain, followed by extensive physical therapy assuming that the patient didn't die from complications. There are three main variants: spinal polio, which causes rapid paralysis of the arms and legs (generally asymmetrical), bulbar polio, which causes difficulty breathing and swallowing (and frequently requiring the use of iron lungs as breathing muscles and mechanisms are greatly weakened), and respiratory polio, a combination of the above two. Peg Kehret was twelve years old when she contracted respiratory polio; she was the only victim in her small Minnesota town that year.

Peg recounts her terrifying illness in a very matter-of-fact yet gripping narrative. Paralysis set in rapidly, and she had a fever of 102 for nearly a week as her muscles weakened, requiring her to use an oxygen tent. But Peg was lucky; once her fever breaks (aided by a contraband chocolate milkshake), her recovery is much more rapid than her fellow hospital and rehab roommates. Even though Peg is nearly a teenager, there are small poignant touches of the remnants of childhood; her brother Art sent her a teddy bear that had to be burned once she left the polio ward, and her mother recommended that she donate her old books and toys to the children's polio ward. Peg resists, recalling happy memories with her old books and toys, and is dismayed to find that her parents have redecorated her old room as a surprise.

Peg is an engaging narrator who brings a distant era to life through radio dramas such as The Lone Ranger and the simplicity of a time where books and friendships filled our hours instead of electronics. Her rehabilitation is tempered with humor and spirit; no self-pity here, only the desire to become the best she can be. The Sister Kenny method of polio treatment is described in detail, along with physical and occupational therapy exercises. Peg has a crush on Dr. Bevis, a handsome doctor who makes her feel special by painting her toenails when she's still in intensive care, and promises him that she'll return to walk for him. She makes friends with several other girls recovering from polio, including the bitter Alice, who's lived at the rehabilitation center for ten years after her parents couldn't care for her. The girls are brought together by their shared experiences as polio survivors, and Peg is apprehensive about rejoining her school and the outside world.

The novel is brought full-circle by the sad mention that Peg, along with her former roommates, suffers from post-polio syndrome; around 25% of childhood polio sufferers develop additional symptoms decades after the initial infection, including muscle weakness, fatigue, or paralysis. After working so hard to overcome polio, she's certainly not giving in now. There are also vintage photographs of the author and her roommates scattered throughout. A marvelous introduction to polio's debilitating effects and the power of positive thinking on recovery.

Small steps was an enjoyable book and i would definatley recommend it to all of my friends. During this story, a polio patient named Peg, changes, not facial or look wise but mentally. At first she would worry about winning first in something however when she gets diagnosed with polio those worries change. Now she worries about whether she'll make it or not, and she realizes how lucky she really was without the polio. One of my favorite things abobut peg is that she can always take a sad thing and make it better, such as whenshe needs a wheelchair, instead of outing she learns how to wheelie on it! there is one thing i would warn you about; there isnt a lto of dialoge. If you love dialoge and cant get enough of it, then you are just like me! I dont really like books without dialoge. however, when i read this book I realized it has enough dialoge to keep me coming back for more. Although i really like the way it was written too. When in saw that this was a biography, i hesitated to pick it up. But when i started to read, i realized that this wasnt one of the ordinary boring biographies, but a biography written in fictioin form! Also, if your looking for a book written by the author then that is anothter reasen for you to, go out and get this book. Small steps is written in frist person. The plpot of this book is very easy to follow now read carefully; a 12 year old girl named peg is diagnosed with polio, and is taken to many different hospitals. While she is being transfered, she is fighting with all of her gut to kick this polio out of her system. That is as far as i am going with that.
Wait there is more, if you are also not a fan of long expositions; this book is probably the best one or you. Tyeh exposition is npt long at all. It simply describes where Peg lives how old she is and what she like sto do, and then the action starts.

p.s. if you are going to read this book i hope you enjoyed it as much as i did!

My daughter, age 9, was assigned to read this book as part of a Reading Olympics program in her school. I found it at the library and read the first chapter to her while we were still in the library. She did not want me to stop reading. We read it together every night after she had finished her homework. She was so fascinated with Peg Kehret's story that she would work hard to finish her homework in order to leave time for reading before bed. I highly recommend this book for older elementary and middle school age children. The author offers a very engaging glimpse of her experience as a child their age going through an enormously difficult and challenging ordeal. Her courage and humor in the face of her disease will give children insight into coping skills they can use someday.

This book is a must if you are looking for a book for your Mother/Daugther book club. We read it when our daughters were 10 yrs. old, but you could certainly be older. All the moms loved it.

I watched the excellent TV movie made of this book when I was around 8 and then read the book over and over, until it fell apart. It absolutely broke my heart. When I was in high school and I met my first husband, I found out that he had lost a stepbrother to cystic fibrosis, who made it to the age of 18 before he died. Years later, my first husband still had the things Scotty willed to him, a poster and all of his Weird Al tapes (the Make a Wish Foundation helped Scotty to meet Weird Al at a concert and got to go backstage, shortly before he died). His remaining stepbrother, shortly after we married, married a woman with three children. Her youngest, a daughter, had severe CF. We loved her dearly, and was devastated when she died, like Alex, at the age of 8.
This is a heartbreaking book, but it's worth it. After you're done reading the book, donate money to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Another heartbreaking story on their site explains why they use roses on a lot of their promotional materials. A mother on the Board of Directors who had several kids with cystic fibrosis, was overheard by her toddler son on a phone call. He was too young to understand what she was saying, and too young to know he had a fatal disease, so he asked his mother what "sixty-five roses" meant. Many children now call CF "sixty five roses" and that's why the CF Foundation uses rose imagery.

excellent service. book received in excellent condition, just as described. would definitely order through bookrescue again.

As the father of an 8 year old daughter with CF (who even sorta looks like Alex), you can imagine that this is not an easy read for me. I read it once 8 years ago, when she was diagnosed, and it was bad....I have tried to re-read it again 8 years later and it's even harder to get through. Not a day goes by where I don't think about that I most likely will have to go thru what Frank did.
I"m not sure i'll be able to handle it. My optimism that there will be a cure in time has dwindled to stark reality that it's not likely to happen soon enough. Thank you Frank for writing this, at least I know i'm not alone.

After supporting Cystic Fibrosis as one of my personal charities for many years, I saw this book in a used book store and bought it. I didn't read it for some time. In fact, it was after I met a family who had a son with CF. I became friends with him - and only a few months later, close to his 21st birthday, he was gone. Then I read the book.. I must say, this is a heartbreaker - but Alex is such an amazing young girl! Written from the experiences of a father watching this terrible disease take his little girl. I strongly recommend reading - and then reaching out to your local Cystic Fibrosis Chapter.

My daughter was diagnosed with CF 4 months ago at the age of 2.5 yrs. I was immediately drawn to books written from the parent perspective (it seems most are written by young adults who have it), and I first read "From a Taste of Salt" and then "Alex".

I mostly loved this book; I love how well Deford delves into the psychological aspects (of ALL the family) of having a child in the house with this disease. I can easily picture in my dealings with my own daughter many of the conversations with Alex he relates.

There are two things I disliked. One is that he really over-makes Alex to be a saint. Everyone says my daughter is so sweet and so good at taking her medicines and therapy and yadda yadda, but would you ever say the OPPOSITE to a parent with a sick child? My daughter is still a toddler and no saint, but Deford leaves out most of the day-to-day "normal" parts of her life that would show her regular humanity instead of her sainthood.

Secondly, It became obvious at times that Deford was, unfortunately, projecting some of his own thoughts, feelings, and memories onto Alex's actions. I do not blame him for this one bit, considering the great devistation it is to lose a child and then try to write about it. But for some reason it really annoyed me.

Overall an excellent book, and I recommend it to any parent with a newly diagnosed child struggling through the emotional and psychological steps of accepting CF. You find out that you are not alone in your many confusing thoughts. I only wish he had perhaps been a more religious man, and touched on the acceptance of this disease from God.

The best book on bodybuilding if you're a beginner! I bought the book and it's got more info jammed in fewer pages than anything you'll ever read. The different methods of training, technique, and the importance of rest and recovery. The specifics on nutrition alone is worth the price. The author shows examples of diet planning and how to manipulate your metabolism for maximum muscle. The author does not focus on worthless supplements, he simply pushes good nutrition and pumping iron. I am constantly referring to this book after three months of reading and re-reading. There are plenty of pictures and advice regarding how to avoid injury.
The only negative about this book is several errors in grammar.
But the stuff is so practical and easy to read who cares! A great compact easy to carry book that I still keep on my nightstand.
This author is showing what one bodybuilder did to build real muscle and compete to win the big prize. Whether you're just looking to tone or build muscle, this book will help you look good naked!

A very good book that delivers what it promises. The book is intelligently broken into topics that cover the exercises, the grouping of exercises into workouts, how often to exercise, how many reps to perform and nutrician. Each section is written to cover people who what only to tone up, people who want to loose weight and those who want to gain weight/bulk up.

His advise on all this really is 'realistic'. He stresses the basic exercises (bench presses, squats, pull ups, etc) to build a good foundation before progressing onto the more specialized exercises like cable crossovers. He points out that suppliments are not only expensive but aren't necessary if you simply eat the right foods at the right times.

Although the end of the book covers various aspects of competing, I think the book is best used by beginners to intermediates. It is the only bodybuilding book that I will need buy.

I think this is the book for working people who want to build muscle/tone them/loose weight etc. Most books seem to be considering that the reader is into professional body building. So, even if you start the program, you end it soon because it is just too much effort. This however is really a realistic approach and thus, you can continue it and getting results. I started with Arnold's book and the 5 set approach. That was just too much as I never had enough time for the same. Eventually after a month or two, I left the program. Then later on, after several years, I got this book and this was a no-nonsense approach, which I can adopt easily with my extremely busy work schedule and part-time graduate degree even!

This book is the best bodybuilding/weight training book I have read. It is a no bull approach that gives you the straight details without all the frill. This is not a catalog of grunts posing, it is a real book for real people who want to get into weight training.

Melfa is direct and honest on what you need to do. The nutritional information is the easy to understand and gives you a complete break down of how to eat for either muscle building or fat loss. I found the nutritional section to be much more consise then most other books. Considering that eating right is more the 50% of weight training, I don't know why so many other books have skimped on this section. The excersises are consise and clear. Melfa explians all aspects from beginner up to advanced competive training with clear photos and detailed examples for performing each excersise.

I've checked out just about every book in the library about body building and this is the one I wanted to buy. I am constantly referring to it, any and all questions are addressed. If you want glossy, full color printing in a large bound book so you can gawk and dream, then don't buy this book. If you want to be serious about getting into a training program and progressing, this is the book to buy.

I have lifted weights on and off for 25, sometimes pretty seriously, occasionally achieving quite a lot of bulk and definition, but this book finally gave me a real plan suited for guys like me - athletic nerds who want to be in shape.

It really is realistic; it is complete (diet, "dungeon" (basement) workouts, and - importantly - safety, are covered thoroughly), easy to follow, and the pictures are great. Many times, the author says "Look, I've done this excercise tens of thousands of times, and this is how you really have to do it. Watch out for X, Y, and Z, and don't fall into the various traps of bad form that can result in injuries, slow development, or uneven development).

The writing is friendly yet never verbose. The reader is encouraged at every step of the way, and the sample workouts and diets make things concrete.

great book! would buy if you never ran or walked or crawled a marathon

I finished this book the day after it arrived. So funny, so inspiring. This author freely admits that she was committed to laziness and yet finished a marathon. (albeit in pain!) This is truly more of a memoir than a training manual, but it should inspire you to get off your butt! Even if you have no intention of ever running a marathon, this book will convince you to set a goal and accomplish something that seems impossible. A truly enjoyable read.

Dawn Dais is hilarious! Get this book if you are even considering taking up running or starting a training routine for any length of race. It is more of a light read than a manual, but at the same time I find myself referring back to specific things in the book.

Perfect for any woman considering (or having committed to) the daunting task of moving your rear off the couch and on to the track! So funny, so honest, so motivational and realistic everyone who reads this book will finish it just as I did, totally inspired and ready to start the journey! I've already purchased my Water-Holder Butt Thingy and modeled it to the laughter of my family... Thanks Dawn for showing me I can actually do this!

I read the 10th spandex joke. Geez, the jokes were funny at first but by the time I made it not even halfway through the book they were SO annoying. She kept repeating the same things and about how much she HATES running. Enough already. I do not get the point of writing a running book if you hate running so much. I have run marathons before so I guess it is my fault for reading a non-runner's marathon book.
I just wanted something motivating to read. I did not realize she hated running though. I want to read Chipper Jen's journal. Now that would help me!
Yes, this book is definitely for beginner marathoners BUT definitely join a running group for your marathon training. My training schedules were completely different than the one's in her book so I do not care for those either. Jumping from week 5 at 60 mins to week 6 at 90 minutes is almost a 3 mile jump. How can that be right? For a newbie no less?
If you join a marathon training group for the first time and read this book you will probably find many similarities and enjoy the book.
OR if you HATE running and are running a marathon (which is pure stupidity to me--why torture yourself if you do not like running????) this book would be perfect for you.
For seasoned marathoners you might find the jokes stupid and annoying after awhile..

I have 6-8 weeks left of my pregnancy and started to read this book and bookmark pages for my birth partner, my husband. Reading now, I think this book is very beneficial and will be very useful for us when the time comes to deliver our first baby. It was recommended by my midwife and I am glad I listened to her.

This book is a great resource for anyone about to give birth or attending a birth.
It really goes into detail about "how it works", what can be done to help the mother, what might help alleviate birth discomfort, birth scenarios etc.. Very helpful, either as a supplemental reading for a birth class or as a very good substitute for one. I would definitely recommend you buy this book!

I loved this book I read it cover to cover in less than 3 days I found it very informative and the highlighted pages would be very usefull in the labor and delivery room. I look forward to being able to use it during the actual delivery

This is our first pregnancy, and my husband is honestly more nervous than me! Letting him know what to expect is great for him.

This was one of the best purchases we made in terms of labor and delivery for our first child. Well worth reading for the mom-to-be and anyone else who is going to be involved in the labor and delivery.

In this riveting memoir, Ms. Schilling recounts in detail her spiraling descent into mental illness, which began in adolescence, at camp, when she first heard the voices that she would fight for the rest of her life. Her heartbreaking narrative about this debilitating disease, schizophrenia, gives us all a compassion for these victims that we may not have had before. Her poignant tale reminds all of us who have our mental health intact just how lucky we really are.

The subject is explored from many angles. Her roommate helplessly stands by, knowing something is wrong but not knowing what to do. Her distraught parents are tortured by the worry that they may have caused this. Her distressed brother worries that the disease may strike him next. The story is told through chapters in the first person written by all those touched by Lori's illness, including hospital notes and a long chapter by Dr. Dollar, one of the two doctors who finally broke through to Lori with extensive therapy and the help of a new experimental medication.

Her courageous battle gives hope to all of us, those who have a battle of their own to wage, as well as those in the life of someone who does. I cried when Doctor Fischer left, and I cried when Lori finally put the hospitals behind her to start a new life on her own, a successful life filled with the love of family and friends.

"At last, my life is my own."

This book helps see into the confused world of mental illness like no other. Wonderful & hopeful!

This is a book that not only educates but provides the reader with a new compassion for those who deal with mental illness. Ms. Schiller presents a very complete picture of the sufferings of the mentally ill. From her writing, I gained a new perspective- including greater compassion- for those who are victims of this awful illness. I have only the highest praise for her honesty, her insight and her struggle. She is to be highly commended. A definite read.

This is a unique and beautiful book. Any person with interests in Psychiatry or Mental Health issues must read it. It's the first time I experienced what a schizophrenic felt first hand. A must-read!

Schiller writes grippingly and insightfully of her experience of schizophrenia including the "cold wet packs" of ice water soaked sheets used to restrain and calm her psychotic outbursts and her times in hospital "quiet rooms". The writing style is journalistic and factual when dealing with intense emotions and experiences. She is wonderfully descriptive in explaining the reality of her delusions and hallucinations, the experiences of pychotherapy, suicide attempts, cocaine use, psychiatric hospitals and half way houses. Eventually clozaril helped (with psychotherapy) to bring her back from the abyss of severely disabling schizophrenia. Her full diagnosis is "schizoaffective" disorder as her illness includes a bipolar disorder component. The accounts by Schiller, her family members, doctors and friends lend insight to the course of her disease especially as experienced by her family. I was particularly struck by her parents' progress from denial and resentment of both her diagnosis and her doctors to growing insight into schizophrenia and eventual recognition of the illness in their family history. While the multiple accounts make the narrative more difficult to follow they also add greatly to the story. Highly recommended!