5 comments about She Went to War: The Rhonda Cornum Story.

1. I got this book after the First Gulf War. Rhonda Cornum's courage as a POW is inspirational, especially under the circumstances in shich she found herself. It is well-known how the Ba'athists rotinely employed torture (real torture, not redefined torture) in order to get airmen to make statements critical of the Coalition war effort. In fact, the enemy we were fighting against at the time were barbarians who had no scruples when it came to the men and women who fell into their hands.
   
   An awesome book about an awesome Soldier.



2. I thought I'd let readers know that now Col. Rhonda Cornum was nominated for promotion to Brigadier General today.



3. I express my deep respect, admiration and gratitude for Colonel Rhonda Cornum's service to our country and the medical profession. She is a soldier's soldier. Her book is as entertaining and as inspirational as her career. Read it and it will change your life forever.



4. I'd heard that there was a female soldier captured during the first Gulf War, but I didn't know anything about her until I read this book. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Rhonda Cornum's strong personality comes through the pages of this book. Just her description of how she coped with her untreated injuries is impressive, and I second the person who admired how she kept her spirits up by singing in her prison cell. I hope if I ever found myself in as adverse a situation as she did, that I would be able to remain as courageous and confident throughout. Her description of the struggles she faced as a woman in the military is blunt without sinking into self-pity. An interesting and impressive slice of the first Gulf War, and a courageous role model and heroine.



5. I pinched COL Cornum's book from my boyfriend, curious to find out more about his boss. She jogs by my workplace almost daily, she seems frail and full of girlish energy. Recently,I met her at a LRMC function and she IS full of girlish energy. As she's a former POW, I was unsure what to expect. Since then, I've been even more curious about the woman my old mentor COL Ron Blanck described as "a woman to watch". That was back in '91 - we'd been following her release on AFN-TV from FARMC HQs during Morning Report. I was hungover but jolted out of my stupor by the respect in his voice. He later made it 4-star and respect was never something he's doled out like party favors.
   I've just finished her book (coincidently on the anniversary of her release thirteen years ago). It was staunchly pro-military and pro-American without resorting to gush-mode. It made me laugh unexpectedly, it made me run to my PC and download Lee Greenwood, it made me understand my former mentor. I took it to bed, I took it to breakfast and finally, I took it in the tub with me where I cried so hard at the reunion passage that I dropped it in the water. It was the autographed copy which she'd recently presented to my boyfriend on his birthday. I hope her sense of humour has rubbed off on him. If not, I'm in big trouble. Buy this book. Buy your own copy and buy some for your family. Then buy some for your neighbors. I need the karma points.

No comments about The Hero of the Herd: More Tales from a Country Veterinarian.

1 comments about An Angel at My Side: Surviving Leukemia Through Love.

1. An Angel At My Side: Surviving Leukemia through Love is the powerful, life-affirming testimony of author Frances Schindler, who had been twice diagnosed with leukemia and confronted her tremendous personal battle for recovery with courage, honesty, and humor. Schindler attributes her victory over cancer to faith, an upbeat, optimistic attitude, and the kindness of an angel of her own. This gentle, positive, candid, and highly recommended memoir concludes with a short list of support group resources and alternative therapies in addition to aggressive medical treatment, and is enhanced with a handful of black-and-white photographs.

No comments about Native American Doctor: The Story of Susan Laflesche Picotte (Trailblazer Biographies).

5 comments about Secret Life: An Autobiography.

1. This book was tasteful and interesting. I bought and read this book because I saw that my english professor was reading it--I didn't even know what it was about. When I bought it and saw it was about an addiction to sex I felt a little embarrassed--but soon got over it because it's not about sex, it's about a man with an addiction. I reccomend this as a literary read if nothing else. Ryan has true talent.



2. I never understood sexual addiction until I read this book. Ryan is incredible - he is able to completely convey what horrors this compulsive behavior meant for him. What said it all to me is when he explained he would go into bars and pick up whomever - a man, a woman . . . it didn't seem to matter! (He wasn't bisexual) Another shocker is that he had an incredible position at Princeton, but just couldn't keep his you-know-what away from his students. All that mattered is that he HAD to have sex, the compulsion was so incredibly intense, he just approached whomever was handy. In addition, this book, surprisingly enough, is amazingly funny (it reminds me of another memoir, "Permanent Midnight" in that way). Sometimes I found myself laughing out loud! It seemed that the humor was a great healer for him. My only regret is that he didn't reveal his treatment, which I would have loved to have learned about, as his compulsion was so deeply engrained. Bravo to him for "coming out of the closet" on this issue, writing this book, and showing us what this compulsion took from him.



3. This is one of the very best books I have ever read about sex addiction. Not only does it present a powerful, gut-wrenching account of what it feels like to be such an addict, it also tells a moving, often tragic, but also inspiring story of growing up in the America of the '50s and '60s.

   The author wins you over early as he leads you slowly and painfully through his early childhood and molestation, his memories of his alcoholic father, academic and athletic struggles, peer conflicts, bottoming out in his sex addiction, then seeking recovery through a 12-step program.

   Must reading for anyone affiliated in any way at all with any of the nearly half dozen programs dealing with sex/lust addiction. Highly recommended for other 12-step recovery people who might be tempted to snear at sex addiction. Ryan demonstrates that his disease was just as deadly as alcoholism and drug addiction. After reading the book, one realizes it is no laughing matter - regardless of what some sitcoms and commercials say.

   Compares well with "Asylum" by Patrick McGrath, also about sex addiction, but, unlike "Secret Life," a novel with the tone of a thriller. Ryan's story is so compelling, one almost feels sorry to put it down but wishes the author well at the end as he embarks on a hopeful journey of recovery.




4. I found Secret Life reveals many insights about human nature. Michael Ryan models a way to honestly face the worst aspects of oneself--right through adolescence--with humor, compassion, and therefore the capacity to change.



5. My Dad used to teach me that no one is "weird", but that we are all people of different backgrounds and experiences. This book shows that truth in the life story of Michael Ryan. It's a brilliant example of the experiences that shape each individual life, for better or worse or sometimes, eventually, both

1 comments about Diary of Geza Csath.

1. After reading Csath's short stories on addiction I thought I was ready for anything, but his diary also chronicles some loathsome behavior towards women that disgusted me. While Csath is one of the world's best anyalysts of the addictive state, He's at least a cad, and at most a rapist. It's hard to believe that people used to think this way.

5 comments about A Kernel in the Pod: The Adventures of a "Midlevel" Clinician in a Top-level World.

1. I've been a physician assistant for 13 years and was excited to read what turned out to be a well written, but very depressing account of my profession. I disagree with reviewers who think that the author's experiences are typical of physician assistants. If I would've had as many bad experiences in medicine as this guy did, I would've found another line of work.



2. After reading the review by the person who said there's only 30-50 pages about the PA profession in the first 260, I decided I would reluctantly purchase this book as those 50 pages were some of the few offered on Amazon about PA autobiography. In fact, that reviewer was wrong, and most of the book is about practicing as a PA. However, the author's choices about what to include seem odd. The book comes across as mostly venting about his mistreatment at the hands of various people, while he mentions only in passing attending conferences and his expertise in headache treatments. In the Acknowledgements, he mentions that he started publishing almost immediately out of PA school. Including more information about these aspects of his life would have made for a fuller picture of him as a person, a balanced view of the PA profession, and a more interesting story-line.
   
   That said, the venting seems totally justified. In fact, the book is out-right depressing. If this book were the only information I had about the PA profession, I would probably avoid being a PA like the plague.
   
   Also of note is the fact that the author seems to be a devout Christian, which may turn off some readers and attract others.
   
   The writing is casual and the book is a fast read. It is easy to skim large sections and then jump back in without too much loss.
   
   Overall, I would not recommend this book to those interested in becoming PAs. The professional experiences are a horror, and the section about the author's training is probably outdated as far as the application and decision-making process are concerned.



3. I found this book to keep my interest and to be very enjoyable to read. As a future PA I found the book sort of upsetting and could possibly turn many people off to the PA career path. I also found many of the author's actions to be very odd and did not agree with most of his religous/family/career choices. Even so, I really liked the book and would highly recommend it.



4. I laughed myself silly and then cryed with the Jones family. I think that life is sometimes stranger than fiction. I found it spellbinding. I think that Mike's ability to land on his feet at times when it seemed impossible to do so was remarkable. I would recommend for anyone (not just those in the medical field) to read as a comment how one person can overcome discouraging circumstances.



5. This book brought me to tears. Not because of anything related to being a P.A. Actually, about half of this book is about being part of a large, international mission. Having served with a large mission for 18 years (in some of the same locations Mike visited, actually) and gone through some of the same heartaches he and his family went through, I could really relate to the pain he experienced. It was wonderful to see that someone else had gone through it, too, and could do a good job describing what it was like. A good book for missions administrators.

3 comments about Medic!: How I Fought World War II with Morphine, Sulfa, and Iodine Swabs.

1. "Medic!", by Robert "Doc Joe" Franklin. Subtitled: "How I Fought World War II With Morphine, Sulfa And Iodine Swabs". University of Nebraska Press, 2006.
   
   When Robert Franklin was officially drafted into the United States Army, he had already given up his room and quit his job at the Associated Press. He was afraid that he would flunk the Army medical and then have no place to go. At the age of twenty-five, he entered the Army in Los Angeles and was assigned to the medical unit of the 28th Infantry Division, where he received virtually no training in being a medic. On page 4, Franklin states that he learned his "...job as a medic through on-the-job training". The remainder of the book is just as blunt, concise and clear. For example, on page 33, the author relates that a
   "... friendly Sicilian had warned them that a small bridge was mined, but the lead officer scoffed and led his men across. It was mined."
   This kind of understatement flows throughout the book. Another example: on page 129, Franklin was being awarded the Silver Star by General Alexander M. Patch. General Patch stood on a wooden platform while Medic Franklin stood in the mud. This was all captured in a photo published in an LA newspaper in 1944.
   
   His writing continues in this understated pace, from Sicily to Anzio to Salerno, and, each time he helps a wounded solider down from the front, the author records that departure with the words, "...and I never saw him again". (See, for example, page 124.) There were far too many descriptions of wounded men that ended with the term, "...and I never saw him again".
   
   There is a final two paged summary, where he describes his life after the war, his marriage to his beloved, Betty, and how she died on April 27, 2001 at 4:10 in the afternoon. He ends the book with the notice that his doctors gave him another year or two ...to which he replied, "That doesn't bother me. I've never been afraid to die, and at eighty-eight, I've lived long enough".



2. I enjoyed this book. However, I wished Mr. Franklin had been able to spend more time writing about his experiences after the Italian Campaign, though it is understandable since his wartime diary ended at that point.
   
   Two other excellent books on this subject, but not written by former Medics are Ross Carter's "Those Devils in Baggy Pants" about his service the 82nd ABN and Farley Mowat's "And No Birds Sang" about his service in Canadian Army in Italy. Mr. Franklin's book is very close to the caliber of these two classic works, and I highly recommend it.



3. The author saw WW2 action from Italy, through France, and into Germany. He was lucky: he was not killed, unlike many around him. In a narrative that reminds me of Dragnet ("Just the facts, Ma'am") the author tells the horror of war. Ultimately the book is more grim than fun, but a fast, worthwhile read.

5 comments about A Change of Heart: A Memoir.

1. This book was given to me by my fiance who had received this book while in the hospital after receiving his heart transplant. Being 18 years old and having a heart transplant is hard enough, and he was able to find some inner peace from this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in organ transplantation or anyone who wants to read an uplifting story. Claire and my fiance are definitely inspirations to me, and this book also helped me understand some of the feelings and emotions that these two wonderful people have expierienced throughout their journey. I urge many others to take the time to read this wonderful story.



2. I just finished reading "A Change of Heart" - Claire Sylvia & William Novak's original book. It's currently no longer in print, so I wound up ordering it from a used bookstore. It appears that the reprint is now available - with a slight title change (it now incl. "A Memoir").
   
   At any rate, I found this book to be truely amazing! The basic premise is that Claire went through a heart & lung transplant, and afterward, she noticed some major changes in her personality (i.e. likes and dislikes) - was it due to the fact that she now had another person's heart and lungs within her? That is a question that you are left to answer for yourself.
   
   I like the fact that this book explains what was occuring through Claire's point of view, and then goes on to discuss many other "experts" ideas as to why these things were happening. No one idea is pushed on the reader - the information is layed out for you to make your own decision.
   
   I believe that this book is a "must read" for anyone who has gone through a transplant, knows someone who has, or is just plain interested in happenings that cannot currently be explained by western science. An open mind is a must!
   
   
   P.S. This book also reminds us of just how important it is to check that little box on your license & become an organ donor. It may give someone the gift of life one day!



3. Claire Sylvia's book will cause you to reevaluate everything you know about your body, your personality, and life overall. Before reading her account I never would have believed that individual organs within the human body have their own awareness, intelligence, and memory. Slyvia's story is a testament to enduring and magical properties of living things and shows that modern science has yet to fully grasp the amazing nature of biological life. Highly recommended. (Dr. Simeon Hein is the author of Opening Minds: A Journey of Extraordinary Encounters, Crop Circles, and Resonance and the forthcoming Planetary Intelligence.)



4. This book was amazing, it changed how I looked at transplants. What the patients go thru, and there are times that the Doctors want to only think CLINICALLY, but there are times and instances that you have to look beyond, and believe what you don't see and trust in that.



5. After reading "The Heart's Code" by Paul Pearsall and now this book I am convinced we are just beginning to scratch the surface of the science of transplant information and details about the heart and how it controls personality.

   It is a proven fact that heart patients who are ill have a sudden change in temperment and also proven that transplant patients take on some characteristics of the donor.

   There was a case of a nun who received the heart of a prostitute (absolutely true story) and many more in Paul's book and this book seems to focus on one true story of one woman.

   You have to be careful though, if you've had open heart surgery or are waiting on a transplant it can get a bit emotionally heavy as you related to her having to face death. Watch the dark tones and you'll be fine as you read the info. The object is to come away having learned some secrets of what to expect and those are very very interesting.

   There was also a case of a transplant recipient who began using vocabulary words from the donor and then later when the patient met the donor's family and used those rare words randomly they were floored. Good read.

3 comments about A Measure of My Days: The Journal of a Country Doctor.

1. I had some spare time and was browsing through Amazon when I ran across this book. I have owned the hardcopy book for several years, I had purchased it after reading an article in "Life" magazine about Dr. Loxtercamp in which this book had been noted. I found the book most interesting and found myself walking through the area of Maine he practices as he went about journalling his days and his times & thoughts of his personal family time.

   I found the man and his story most inspiring. Alot of people in today's medicine either are in the field for the money or find themselves disallusioned with the field because of all the insurance buracracy. I find those people who are in their field because that is where they truly want to be and for the want of helping others to be a rare find.

   I could also follow along Dr. Loxtercamp's views and journeys of a small town doctor from working in the medical area. He tells his story compassionately and the reader can feel his humanity for others.

   Over the past couple of years, I had looked forward for another publication and writing for Dr. Loxtercamp but sadly never ran across progression of this book. I found myself wanting to know more about how his journey has progressed along in the small town medical practice.

   A highly suggested read.




2. I enjoyed this book a good deal, particularly Loxterkamp's attention to God and faith and the notion of ministering. I admire Loxterkamp's bravery for so much soul-searching over a year of his practice. This is a book to savor for those interested in rural medicine or family medicine. I give it 4 stars instead of 5 because I found his writing a bit labored. It's slow-going reading. It's also very much about him, him, him. A good contrast is to read Verghese's In My Own Country. Loxterkamp lacks Verghese's fluid style and attention to others. Despite his efforts to humanize, Loxterkamp presents fairly 2-dimensional portraits of his patients. This book is really more of an interior meditation, albeit a very good one.



3. This is the first book in a long time that I read with care. Usually I skim through pretty rapidly. I liked his candor and insight into his patients' lives. It was interesting how he managed to intertwine his professional life with his family. I enjoyed his constant concern about the effect of religion on his life and others. His questions about death and dying were good. It has to be of concern for all of us eventually. I recommended this book to our local librarian!