No comments about Out Came the Sun: One Family's Triumph over a Rare Genetic Syndrome.

2 comments about Florence Nightingale (Heroes of the Faith).

1. The name of this book remains the sweetest part of it. I am sorry to say that Sam Wellman did not impress me with his story. The 208 pages he wrote were dull and dragging. It is a far cry from the thriller I expected. His account of Nightingale's early life was okay; but that of her later nursing career, which brought her prominence, was not well relayed. His book has a fine topic, but lacked the type of presentation I expected. I think that Val Webb did a better job in his book, (with similar title).



2. Florence Nightingale was a nurse during the Crimean War of the 1850s. She had great compassion for the wounded British soldiers. They called her "The Lady with the Lamp" because she roamed the military hospital corridors through the night, ministering at the bedside of the wounded. She labored hard to make the hospitals more sanitary.

   But she was not well liked by the hospital staff, who thought she was meddling. And questioning their professionalism. But to many in England, (especially the soldiers) she was a heroine.

   But I'm sorry to say that this book is not the greatest. it spends way too much time discussing how she wrestled with God;s will for her life. And not enough time on her powerful work on behalf of the soldiers. By the time I was halfway through the book, I was thinking, "OK, when is this going to get interesting?" The book becomes more interesting over the latter half. But it totally glosses over the last 50 years of her life. So I would have to recommend that you start elsewhere to learn about Miss Nightingale.

5 comments about The Story of San Michele.

1. I read this wonderful book as a young man back in the sixties and I have just ordered a new version to recapture its wonderful moments
   
   But I also saw the film version many years ago.
   
   No I would be wery exited if anyone could lead me to a DVD or VHS version of the film



2. How can one write a review of The Story of San Michele that comes close to doing justice to the book? There are many humorous episodes, such as The Giant and Mamsell Agata, touches of the macabre in the description of the cholera epidemic in Naples, misadventures, like the journey to Sweden accompanying a young man (then his corpse). There are also angry moments, as when his dog Tom is brutally kicked by the slimy Vicomte Maurice. Who could not be moved by the story of the boy John, who was rescued by Munthe but never lived long enough to find a loving home. It is a book that includes many memorable events in a life that was very full indeed. Many of the chapters in this book could be made into marvelous films, given the right adaptation.
   
   The Story of San Michele is very well written, to say the least, and the many people, events and personal feelings of the author combine to make this a special adventure. Perhaps most special of all is Axel Munthe's relationship to animals that allowed him to get close, even to "wild" animals and have a special relationship with them. He was a man who held nature and all life in special regard but was pragmatic in the face of illness and death.
   
   I have had a copy since 1988 and I have given Axel Munthe's book as a gift and been thanked for the introduction. I could not recommend this book highly enough.



3. I came to this strange and wonderful book without the slightest inkling of what it was about -- simply because it was in the recommended reading for many guidebooks about Italy. First and foremost, it is an autobiography of a great physician and animal lover who just happened to spend some years of his life on Capri.

   Autobiographies can make for strange reading, especially when there are obvious omissions. Although Axel Munthe frequently accuses himself of being a ladies' man, there is no mention of any love interest by name or even generic description. (That reminds me of film director Josef von Sternberg's FUN IN A CHINESE LAUNDRY, where we learn in passing that the author was married because of a cryptic mention in a subordinate clause 300 pages into the book.) Also missing is any mention of Munthe's childhood, although I understand there is at least one other autobiography written by him (MEMORIES AND VAGARIES), which I have not read.

   There is, however, one section that does not appear in any autobiography that I have ever seen: An anticipation of Munthe's Last Judgment in Heaven following his death, with St. Peter, Moses, Athanasius, and St. Francis joining in the discussion.

   STORY OF SAN MICHELE ranges from Paris to Lapland, Rome, Naples, Calabria, and Capri. We see duels, medical cases of wealthy women with imaginary diseases, demonic housekeepers, quacks, midwives, prostitutes, victims of cholera and earthquakes, brigands, shamans, and even an alcoholic ape. Munthe is a magnificent raconteur, and his book is a joy to read and reread.




4. My father had mentioned this book to me as a teenager. I read portions of it then, but have always wanted to read it in full. Finally, I found a paperback edition and found an absorbing and thought stimulating book. Dr. Munthe's care of the sick, his love of animals and the characters he describes, all will stay in my memory. This is not a book that you read once. I plan to read it again and again. Hopefully I will be able to visit Villa St. Michele some day and see the beauty of the place that he saw. I hope to find a bound edition with the photographs.



5. How gratifying to read the other reviews, and to learn that others have also experienced and loved this book at different times in their lives. The remarkable thing about it is how Dr. Munthe speaks to us in different ways at different ages. As a teenager, I was impressed by the passions, even though a lot of the details were above my head. In my late twenties, the way he tried to balance career and his love for San Michele was very meaningful. As a 44-year-old, I was impressed (and saddened) with the loneliness of Dr. Munthe's struggle, with really only his animals for company. While he speaks of friends, he shares little about them. And nothing about a lasting romantic involvement.

   We all have our San Micheles. They may not be homes, but they are ideals toward which we strive. But for me, it exists only in my mind. Dr. Munthe was in some ways very lucky, yet also cursed, to be able to bring it to life.

   The only frustrating aspect of "San Michele" is that it is, as its author notes, a fragment. I am interested to learn more of this fascinating man. Does anyone know if any biographies are in print, or in English? Thank you.

5 comments about The Victoria's Secret Catalog Never Stops Coming: And Other Lessons I Learned From Breast Cancer.

1. This is a very moving account of one woman's ordeal with breast cancer. I read it in only a matter of hours; I was impressed with not only her courage and strength, but with the humor with which she dealt with cancer.
   
   Whether you have cancer, know someone who does, or simply are interested in finding a cure, this is a great read on the subject.



2. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29. Exactly 1 year and almost 2 months ago. Humor is what helped me through my year of hell. I had a masectomy, 16 chemo treatments and 33 radiation treatments. Mt new lift kit is scheduled for next summer. I tell my story to anyone that will listen. Jennie Nash hits it right on the nose. Funny, my name is Jen. Thank you..



3. As a mother of a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient, I found this book to be extremely helpful in offering me a glimpse into the dynamics of this disease. The emotional and physical pain of the author brings to the forefront how very devastating this disease is to all involved. I have bought this book as gifts for friends who have been diagnosed after a survivor recommended it to me.



4. I read this book cover to cover. It is very worth reading for anyone facing mastectomy and a choice of breast reconstruction methods. The author had a terrible time recovering from breast cancer surgery, but it is very important to distinguish between the physical difficulties caused by the surgery itself (relatively minor) and the physical difficulties caused by the choice of reconstruction (major). The large abdominal scar mentioned in another review is a feature of her "free TRAM flap" reconstruction, a reconstruction choice that can have excellent cosmetic effects when it works but is very physically costly otherwise. I recommend instead the books on breast cancer by Musa Mayer, who is more thoughtful (and also a survivor) and much more medically informative.



5. This book, The Victoria's Secret Catalog Never Stops Coming and other Lessons I Learned from Breast Cancer, was just what I needed. I was diagnosed with the dreaded BC three weeks ago. I went through a lumpectomy a week ago. I spent the last 3 weeks pouring over technical medical books, reviewing statistics, researching information on the web and learning as much as I could about the disease. I purchased this book on a whim, thinking it may give a perspective that would help alleviate the stress I was going through.
   I laughed, cried and also realized that I was not alone. The descriptions of friends and family mirror my situation as well.
   The book is now an all time favorite of mine that I hope others will read and also be inspired to tell their story.

2 comments about Banting: A Biography.

1. Sir Frederick Banting has been credited with the discovery of insulin. I purchased this book to find out more about him because my daughter has type I (insulin dependent) diabetes. Michael Bliss has done a great job putting Dr. Banting back in a place of honor. He describes his country upbringing, his determination and charismatic personality, all of which caused him to persevere where others would call it quits. In some cases, this hard-headedness was an Achilles Heel, but the author leaves that up to the reader to decide. One part I especially appreciate is that Banting wanted to match the insulin to the diet, not the other way around. This was so humane for the victims of diabetes, who at that time were kept on a starvation diet of "thrice cooked vegetables" to limit the intake of carbohydrates and prolong life. For anyone interested in the details of what brought about this life saving discovery, I recommend this book highly.



2. Highly recommeded to anyone searching for a character study of a fascinating, well-rounded man and his triumph over diabetes.

No comments about Paracelsus: Medicine, Magic and Mission at the End of Time.

5 comments about Daughter of the Queen of Sheba: A Memoir.

1. This book was written by someone from my hometown, thus I know the characters. She changed the names and the places, yet I still knew what she was referring to. She left out any reference to her two younger brothers so were my age. This book was written in a very choppy fashion...hard to tell her current experiences from her past experiences in her writing.



2. I basically just skimmed the last half of the book as she lost me early on. Too bad. A fascinating subject, just extremely badly written.



3. I trudged through 40 pages and basically determined that this whole family must be nuts and we read this for book group and everyone agreed this was not an easy book or an enjoyable one



4. I bought this book after watching Ms. Lyden's appearance on Larry King Live, in which she spoke engagingly and eloquently about her childhood, her mother's illness, and the effects it had on the family. Sadly, she speaks more effectively than she writes.

   Big words taste and feel good in our mouths, and it's fun to string a bunch together (this I know from personal experience), but after reading that style through a couple of chapters it got tiresome. Ms. Lyden seemed more interested in demonstrating her command of the English language than in telling her story.

   I was also disappointed by too-frequent and too-lengthy sidetracks into other aspects of the family's life (for instance, the whole trip to Mexico story could have been told in a couple of pages). I had the impression Ms. Lyden was trying to flesh out the book.

   For those interested in the subject matter, this is worth a try if you can find it second-hand or in the library, but not worth full price.

   I do recommend watching Ms. Lyden if you ever get a chance to see her being interviewed - she is an excellent communicator...just not on paper.




5. I am saddened to find so many unfavorable reviews of this memoir. Reading it, I was reminded of "Angela's Ashes," "A Beautiful Mind" and "Growing Up." I found Lyden's prose both poetic and evocative. I thought she portrayed her own family and herself with remarkable journalistic perspective, but also with compassion. I am amazed at the extent of Lyden's success in her attempt to describe her mother's mania, as well as the author's candor about her own life. There's no self-indulgence in these pages, only a long and difficult distance bravely traveled and recounted for us, so we can see the terrain through her eyes. To the critical reviewers, I say, "Let us read your life," and to Ms. Lyden an unequivocal, "Bravo."

1 comments about Doctor of the Heart.

1. After reading other books authored or co-authored by Dr. Baars, (Healing the Unaffirmed - Baars & Terruwe; Born Only Once - Baars; Feeling & Healing Your Emotions - Baars) I enjoyed reading the extraordinary story of his life. The book relates details of how Conrad "Koert" Baars was involved in WWII and then imprisoned at the hands of the Nazis in Buchenwald Concentration Camp for almost two years. It shows how that experience had a powerful effect on the rest of his life and gives the background for his delving into the psychology of healing and affirmation. After discovering the works of Dr. Anna Terruwe and collaborating with her - together they brought to the world the understanding that every person needs affirmation and love. They introduced and promoted the concept of the healing of the *whole* person - mind, body, and spirit. I highly recommend this book and the others written by these authors. They promote the wholeness and well-being of all men and women.

5 comments about Across the Red Line: Stories from the Surgical Life.

1. I was a patient of Dr. Karl's back in April 2002. I was in my mid 30's and of course scared to death of surgery. Dr. Karl was the 4th surgeon that I had consulted. Once I met him, I knew he was the surgeon for me. His understanding of what I was going through, his grace, his medical experience. I could go on and on.
   
   When I heard he had written a book, I had to read it. As a patient of Dr. Karl's, when I was reading his book, I felt he was writing from his heart. There was no fluff in this book. Dr. Karl is a wonderful man, surgeon, person and spirit. I am sure Dr. Karl has touch so many people's lives. This book is a must read for patients and surgeons!
   Tammy (Brock) Cartiglia



2. I was totally engrossed with this book. I have read several books recounting the life of Doctors in training and although I also found those fascinating, this one was great because it came from a different perspective.
   I would sure feel much better facing a major medical need in my life with a sugeon who's understanding of the human condition is as keen as Dr. Karl's. Thanks for sharing you journey in medicine with us Dr. Karl.



3. If you have not read Dr. Karl's book you are missing this summer's #1 read. His insightful, thought provoking writing style takes you inside the operating room and so much more. I was deeply moved by his experiences and his notable style of writing about them.



4. naturally i give this 5 stars becaue the author is my uncle but it is truely a GREAT book a must read



5. A wonderful collection of stories about surgical life and how being a patient has made this surgeon a better health care provider. Karl does a terrific job of relating the hopes and fears that a surgeon has when performing his duties. The frailties and strengths of both patients and surgeons. Things that have gone right and things that haven't. The author has an obvious passion about his work and just as obvious compassion for his patients. Karl's unique writing style and skill really take the reader there. His descriptions of the feelings, moods and events are right on the mark.

2 comments about You Get Past the Tears: A Memoir of Love and Survival.

1. If you have any misunderstandings of aids, especially Pediatric Aids this is the most knowledgeable book to read and to educate yourself. From the moment in 1999 while I was watching the Essence Awards and heard Hydeia's acceptance speech for her award. I was automatically moved. I cried during her speech and I cried reading this book. I was sympathetic to her condition and was wondering what she must have went through as a child. She had a pretty good childhood and her mom was just so honorable to take on her and her little sister.



2. I really loved reading this book, what Mrs. Broadbent did for those two young girls was wonderful. I did feel bad for keshia and Mr. Broadbent, becasue they were neglected alot. I would like to know how Hydeia Is doing these days. I feel like I need the story to keep going, I now wonder about Hydeia All the time, I pray that she leads a long and happy life.