Editorial Review

Reviews

Every doctor, teacher and parent needs to read this book!, January 25, 2005
T. Colin Campbell has made a career of challenging the conventional wisdom around nutrition, and this book is the culmination of his work. His integrity, brilliance, and unflinching courage shine through every page.

The main point of this book is that most nutritional studies that we hear about in the media are poorly constructed because of what the author terms "scientific reductionism." That is, they attempt to pin down the effects of a single nutrient in isolation from all other aspects of diet and lifestyle.

While this is the "gold standard" for clinical trials in the pharmaceutical world, it just doesn't work when it comes to nutrition. Given that the Western diet is extremely high fat and high protein compared to most of the rest of the world, studies that examine slight variations in this diet (i.e., adding a few grams of fiber or substituting skim milk for full fat milk) are like comparing the mortality rates of people who smoke five packs of cigarettes a day vs. people who smoke only 97 cigarettes a day.

Campbell's research, which he describes in a very accessible and engaging fashion, has two tremendous advantages over the typical nutritional study. First, there is the China Study itself - a massive series of snapshots of the relationship between diet and disease in over 100 villages all over China. The rates of disease differ greatly from region to region, and Campbell and his research partners (including some of the most distinguished scholars and epidemiologists in the world) carefully correlated these differences with the varying diets of the communities.

It's not lazy "survey research" either - the researchers don't rely on their subjects' memory to determine what they ate and drank. The researchers also observed shopping patterns and took blood samples to cross-validate all the data.

The second amazing part of Campbell's research method is his refusal to accept any finding without taking it back to his lab and finding out how exactly it works. In other words, we discover in The China Study not only in what way, but precisely how, the foods we eat can either promote or compromise our health.

The book is part intellectual biography / hero's journey (although Campbell is always wonderfully humble - there's no trace of self-congratulation, just a deep gratitude for what he has experienced), part nutrition guide (the most honest and unflinching one you'll ever read), and part expose. The final section leaves no sacred cow standing, and names names! From the food industry, to the government, to academia, Campbell calmly reports on a coverup of nutritional truth so widespread and insidious that all citizens should be enraged.

I have a PhD in health education and a Masters in Public Health - and I can honestly say that no book has shaken my worldview like this one. Anyone interested in health - their own, or that of their family, friends, or community - must read this book and share it. Campbell has started a revolution. Skip this work at your own peril.

Why, oh why didn't I take the blue pill?, December 24, 2006
I love juicy steaks, delicious cheese, and big bowls of ice cream. I love to eat out at nice restaurants. And I really like eating without thinking about the operations and consequences of our dietary industrial complex. But I don't get to enjoy these things any more because I read the China Study. Like Neo in the movie the Matrix, you have a choice, take the blue pill and believe what you want to believe, take the red pill and you will be exposed to the reality of the world we live in. The China Study is the red pill.

This is a fascinating book on the capitalism, politics, and human behavior that drives the food industry. It is also frighteningly insightful into the health consequences of an affluent societies' diet. I am not a scientist so I don't know if this is good science. But I did work ten years ago as a government attorney on the USDA dietary guidelines and was surprised by the political influence and acceptance of what the author would call scientific reductionism. I also worked for a man who lived and worked until he was 100 years old, and he had a dietary regime very similar to that recommended by the China Study: not vegan nor vegetarian, but largely based on plants and whole foods rather than animal based foods. So I found this book very persuasive - in fact, too persuasive. It scared me straight so I eat healthy now and that's good for the long term...but I don't enjoy it like I used to.

Fantastic!, December 25, 2005
This is a fantastic book that's loaded with so much eye opening information, it's the kind of book that I'll read again. I feel if you don't convert to a whole food plant based diet after reading this book, I don't think anything in the world will convince you....the evidence is just overwhelming.


As for my story, I was on statins for high cholesterol for over 6 years....and a moderate to high dose at that. Over the years, my cholesterol kept rising gradually and my total cholesterol was just over 300 and a triglyceride level in the mid 200's without statins. The moderate/high dose statin brought my cholesterol down to the range of high 190's to low 200's. Over the years, I tried to get off the medication and I was told to try to eat a low fat diet, don't eat shrimp, lobster, etc. I went off the statins, tried this diet for several months and none of this helped....actually my cholesterol went higher....I was told it's hereditary, there's nothing you can do, and I should take the statin and that I would be on them indefinitely. Well, after reading the book "The China Study", there's a few paragraphs tucked in this great book mentioning that the major factor causing high cholesterol is eating any animal protein. The only meat I ate at the time was fish and chicken and small portions of it....and maybe beef a few times a year, if that. I have to say I was skeptical and figured what do I have to lose, so I went on a whole food plant based diet (vegan diet)as Dr. Campbell in the book suggests. I started that last November (same time I stopped taking the statins), and I had my cholesterol checked this past summer and was stunned at the result....my total cholesterol went from over 300 without statins, high 190's/low 200's on moderate/high does statin, to 175 without statins on Vegan diet, with good LDL and HDL. I'm guessing next time it's checked it will be even lower. Also, my triglycerides went from the mid 200's to 64! All as a result of just giving up animal products....amazing. Now I wonder....why wasn't I ever given this option by the doctor's I've seen over the years? Even if a person doesn't want to give up animal products completely as I have, why isn't this advice offered as at least an option to a patient.....and let the patient decide? What a concept!

Of course, I feel my cholesterol and triglycerides levels are just the tip of the iceberg on how my health has improved on a plant based diet....the only regret?....I wish I started the vegan diet earlier....I never have had so much energy and just downright have never felt so good....seriously...this is not an overstatement.

As to all the doubters out there with harsh reviews, I say to each is own but ignore the evidence at your own risk. I've seen many of my friends and family sick by what I feel this book has proven by many studies to be nothing more than a bad diet for the most part and most of them are looking for a magic pill to save them....and the old standby argument that it's all genetic doesn't appear to hold much water either....again, proven by studies in the book.

My friend, family, and co-workers know how I eat now and wonder why I want to live forever....that's not the issue....quality of life over quantity of life...isn't this what we should all be after?

My Personal Experience, August 22, 2006
On January 21, 2006, the day I started eating according to guidelines given in The China Study, I was 63 years old, 5 feet 10 1/2 inches tall, weighed 213 pounds and with a BMI of 130 was on the first rung of being obese, even though I did not look it. The first week I lost 5 pounds, the 2nd 5 pounds, the 3rd five pounds, the 4th 4 pounds, then 3, 2, 1, until I lost 35 pounds in about 3 months and then stabilized at about 178 pounds. My blood pressure went from an average of 141 over 91 to an average of 120 over 81. My total cholesterol went from over 200 to 127. I no longer feel that I am on a slow decline from 50 years onward, but feel happy and alive now. Much like when I was a kid. Today is August 22, 2006 and I know that this will be the way I eat and live for the duration. For me it's a matter of survival, physically and spiritually. I have given over 20 copies of the book to people I care about, including a waitress at an Outback Steakhouse in Virginia. It was May; she was worrying about her dad and wanted to get him something for Father's Day. By the way steakhouses are a great place to get real yummy vegetables. This is my true story. By the way, thank you Dr. Campbell and Thomas Campbell.

Nutritional Excellence-A Nobel Worthy Masterpiece, January 17, 2007
As an M.D. nutritionist I was inspired by and practiced the concepts in Dr Campbell's book for over 10 years. I'm here to document that in practice,with very sick people these principles of nutrition work! For the past decade I have taught and guided many patients in vegan diets using Campbell's earlier booklet, The China Project, as my primary reinforcement. Thousands of very ill people with cancer, autoimmune disease,degenerative heart and vascular disease and other problems have reaped the benefits of this landmark nutritional masterpiece. Acheiving nutritional excellence does not "treat" disease. It does, however, enhance our body's innate physiologic mechanisms which fight disease. For over 10 years I've documented these often dramatic and unbelievable results. The beneficial response patterns over time are clear and undeniable. To delay reading this book is to postpone a journey into wellness. This book can and will change your life forever and you will never again fail to understand why you are sick and why conventional medical treatment may not be the answer. Doctor's, hospitals and medication kill over 200,000 people a year. Can you afford to trust your health to a medical system that may not have the answers to your dilemma? The answers you seek, the understanding you crave will be found in The China Study. Dan E. Chesnut,M.D.

China Study Review, September 22, 2007
When I began reading this book, I couldn't put it down. In the first section, when Dr. Campbell described his own experiments on the effect of milk protein on liver cancer in rats, I just poured through page after page, thinking, "What great science"!

At that point in the book he reported his experiments, their rather dramatic results, was careful to point out the limitations and did not extrapolate. So far, very good.

In the next section he describes the China Study itself. There is also an addendum at the back, which gives more detail about the structure of the study. The foundation for the study was a database collected by the Chinese government during the 1970's. It listed the age and causes of death in each of China's provinces over a certain time period. For the follow-up study ten years later, they chose 67 rural villages and gathered data on details about diet, several markers from blood samples and other factors, on approximately 6000 individuals. He claims to have data on about 350 variables. However, only 57 of the 417 pages in the book are devoted to discussion of The China Study.

The purpose of the study was to try to relate diet and other factors, with the diseases that caused death, especially cancers. His particular interest was about the effect of a purely vegetarian diet. It bothered me that he had undertaken leadership of that follow-up study, with a pre-conceived notion of what he wanted it to show.

At this point in the book, Dr. Campbell began to make very broad statements about the Chinese diet and the benefits of a diet that was devoid of animal protein. This is where I really began to have trouble, because I felt that either the study itself or his description of it fell short of supporting the broad claims he was making.

There's no discussion of things like smoking, environmental pollution and sanitation, all of which plague China.... Even rural China.

Another thing that bothered me was his description of the Chinese diet. It flies in the face of my own observations and experiences during many trips to China and other parts of Asia, over the course of about 35 years.

Meat and seafood are a major staple of the Asian diet. They eat quite a bit of pork, chicken, duck, pigeons, fish, eggs and even snakes, organs and sea creatures that Americans would not eat. They do eat much less animal protein than Americans and always accompany it with lots of rice and vegetables. In that sense, their diet is much better than ours. But it is not vegetarian. Although much of their food is stir-fried in a wok, it is done with vegetable oils. Until very recently, junk food has not been available and it is rare to find beef. So it is a much better-balanced diet than ours.

In years past, during trips to Taiwan, I've been to markets where live chickens & ducks were laid on the ground with their feet tied together. People would either buy them live, or have the merchant slaughter & clean them before their eyes. In one market I saw a vendor selling the blood from snakes he had killed & drained as the people watched. Next day, my hosts took me to a snake-meat restaurant for lunch! (Not much meat & lots of bones.) In back alleys of Taipei, I saw families raising pigeons for food.

Just last year at a Shanghai food market in a very old and traditional neighborhood, the emphasis was on meat and fish. There was a section that sold vegetables & rice, but around the fringes of the central meat market. The displays were open and there was no refrigeration!

As the book proceeded through other chapters, making incessant claims about the preventative and curative effects of an all-vegetable diet, he begins to sound like a 19th century "Snake oil" merchant.

He's a zealot on a soap box. Mind you, HE MAY BE RIGHT. Most of what he says about nutrition has been heard before and is considered by many, to be the Holy Grail of diet. There is certainly a lot of public opinion that red meat, animal fat and highly refined carbs are bad for you. But after the first section, I felt that his science became lost in his rhetoric.

Throughout the early parts of the book, I began to wonder what the meat and dairy industries had to say about all this. He certainly got into that in excruciating detail. Again, to the extreme where unfortunately, he sounded like all the folks at the fringes who claim that "Big business" and "Government" are trying to discredit them. I kept thinking of all the stories of big oil companies buying the patents for a "90 mile per gallon" carburetor, to keep it off the market. (On the other hand, there's Galileo.)

After finishing the book, I went to the Internet to look for critiques. There are plenty! Most are by vegetarians and vegetarian societies, all were having orgasms over the book. Finally I did find a site with some criticisms. Now I'd better mention that this site belongs to an organization that advocates increased consumption of fats and oils. However, the critique of the book was limited to a few specific items and did seem to be based on good science.

I do have some experience with statistical methods of extracting the effect of individual variables from data involving many variables and felt a bit uneasy about the analysis methods while reading Campbell's chapters about the study. This critique pointed out that with 350 variables and just 67 samples, there are not enough samples to establish high (95%) levels of statistical confidence. The best that data structure could accomplish is an "Indication," but not proof.

Actually, Campbell himself does discuss the limitations of statistical methods. His problem is that as the book progresses, he wanders away from "probability" and speaks with "certainty" about too many diverse subjects.

The critic, who had apparently examined the actual 900 page Study report, also claimed that Campbell had ignored data that was counter to his theories and in some cases showed negative results of a vegetarian diet. (That does happen when dealing with probabilities.) He then went on to question the reliability of some of the blood markers that were used. (That part was far beyond any of my knowledge.) Also, the fact that the blood samples of each village were pooled, did enable more markers to be measured, but all data about the variability among individuals was lost.

Another thing that bothered me was that Campbell completely ignored the fact that anthropologists tell us that hominids have been eating meat for about 2.5 million years, apparently with great success. Also, if meat is so harmful, why and how do carnivorous animals thrive?

He tells that cow's milk can cause type-1 diabetes in babies, but that mother's milk is ok. He leaves a gaping hole in his discussion because he doesn't explain the differences between those two types of milk.


So, what is my bottom line on this book?
It is widely accepted that vegetables, especially fresh vegetables, are good for you. No argument there. His early research clearly indicates that there is a threshold, above which animal protein can do some harm. That is intuitively appealing. We Americans do eat much too much meat. But, given the extremely long omnivorous history of mankind, it would seem that a moderate amount of animal protein is an important dietary nutrient.

I feel that Campbell has raised many good points, but his zealotry has taken him too far from sound science. That's too bad. He's hurt his credibility.

A Life Saving Experience, November 14, 2006
As a physician, I know how little is taught to medical students about nutrition. As an amateur chef, I've read for years about what we need to do for our diet in order to be healthier. Large studies, such as the Framingham study, do make comments about exercise and nutrition, but as far as I know have never gone into the detail that Dr. Campbell has. His credentials are impeccable. His research is impressive. It brought everything together for me. I've stopped eating meat and avoid most dairy. I bought 12 copies for family and friends immediately, because I felt that I was ethically bound to do this. Now I'm ordering more copies. It is a terrific example of how information that can literally be lifesaving is suppressed by many means. I only wish I'd had this info when I was 40 instead of 62. Of course, my husband, a cardiologist, so far has not read the book. He does eat everything I cook.

Good science leading to bad conclusions, September 11, 2009
Review of the China Study

I am a scientist, not specifically in the field of nutrition, though I have touched on it as an aside of my main focus, and I know how to research and interpret (correctly!) scientific work. I have read The China Study and the China Project (a publication of the actual data from the study). Normally when reading bad science information I would just shrug it off and move on but thought that there would be people out there that would just take the authors word of the truth of the book, resulting in unnecessary dietary alterations and damage to health all with the aim of trying to get healthier. As such I have written my thoughts on the book - take from them what you will.

The China Study is an attempt by Campbell to promote veganism as a dietary lifestyle through scientific research. Unfortunately the scientific basis of the book if full off misinterpretations, omissions of conflicting data, and conclusions and statements based on unreferenced facts (possibly not facts?). I began reading the book with an open mind but from the outset it was clear that Campbell had one mantra - animal based food is bad, plant based food is good, and this is repeated over and over throughout the book.

Let's first look at Campbells own laboratory studies. In the presence of Aflatoxin, a carcinogen, rats fed a diet of 20% casein, a milk protein, develop cancer while those that are fed 5% casein do not. Okay, I am willing to accept that study on face value. How much casein causes cancer then? In a dose response study Campbell found that 10% casein doesn't contribute to cancer development, but above 10% does. Again, I am happy to accept that. A diet made up of 10% casein contributes to cancer development. How does that apply to humans? After describing a study about nitrosamines and how the dose wasn't relevant to the human population (page 45), Campbell has done the exact same thing with his Casein study. Casein is a milk protein. In 100ml of whole milk, the macro nutrient content is 5.2g of carbohydrate, 3.25g of fat and 3.2g of protein that equals 11.65g of nutrients, the rest of the 100ml mostly made up of water. Milk protein is 80% casein, 80% of 3.2g is 2.56, so out of that 11.65 total, 2.56 is casein which equals 22% of the total. Oh no! Milk will cause us to develop cancer! But don't worry, as long as we get the casein down to 10% we will be safe. How do we do that? Eat 13.95g of anything that is not casein. Pretty easy to do. So as long as we are not living of more than about 50% milk, then we are safe from cancer as a result of the casein in the milk. Do you know anybody that has that much milk? And that is ignoring the fact that casein extracted from milk for the purposes of his study is not exactly a healthy, natural source of protein purely as a result of the chemical extraction.

But hang on, what if other proteins contribute to the development of cancer? Campbell thought that so he investigated gluten and soy and found that neither of them had the same impact as casein. That clearly shows that not all proteins contribute to cancer, and having tested 2 plant proteins and 1 of the many animal proteins, we must therefore conclude that ALL animal proteins lead to cancer and ALL plant proteins do not. Does anybody else see a problem with this? All that we can conclude from these studies is a diet made up of above 10% casein, may contribute to the development of cancer and a diet below 10% casein does not contribute. That is all. Other proteins, both animal and plant, like gluten and soy, may behave differently and unless you have a milk fetish or you are downing large amounts of casein based protein powder (like the rats in the study) then the study is largely irrelevant to your diet or your health.

Before moving on I have one more observation; To test the impact of decreased protein from 20 to 5% they replaced some of the protein with carbohydrates to keep the calories the same. Commenting on the addition of carbohydrate he says "the extra starch and glucose in the low-protein diets could not have been responsible for the lower development of foci because these carbohydrates, when tested alone, actually increase foci development" (page 351). So carbohydrates, which come from plants, increase the development of foci? PLANTS CAUSE CANCER TOO?? Could this be something worth elaborating on or including in a conclusion? No, better not, lets keep that brief mention of carbohydrates causing cancer stuck away in an appendix in case anybody gets the wrong idea.

It is apparent from his casein studies that Campbell has come to the conclusion that "20% casein causes cancer, therefore all animal protein is bad". It is with this mindset that he then set out on the giant study of the China Project, a commendable effort that could have had many beneficial outcomes. Unfortunately, possibly as a result of his previous work, Campbell has gone in with blinders on, and all he can see is animal protein and the negative health outcomes associated with its' consumption. The project itself and the original publication arising from it produced a vast amount of data that provides some interesting insight into health and disease. However, what Campbell has shown in the China Study is but a fraction of the information to be gained from the project. It would require a whole new study (unbiased this time preferably) to go into all the beneficial knowledge we could gain, but I will touch on a few things here.

Campbells main conclusion in the China Study is that all animal protein contributes to disease and all plant protein prevents disease. In the original project, they performed a diet survey over 3 days, analyzing all the food consumed per person in that time. Guess how many of the measured mortality factors (about 50 of them), were associated with animal protein consumption measured from the diet survey. Zero. Zero. Zero. Okay, so Campbell can't have come to his conclusions from there. They also had study participants fill out a questionnaire that included one question on meat consumption. Guess how many mortality factors correlated with that? One type of cancer (naso-pharyngeal or something I think it was). An example of some of the many other inclusions in the questionnaire are canola oil and potatoes (not sweet potatoes) which both had a number of positive associations with the development of different types of cancer. Apparently that wasn't worth mentioning in the China Study. Speaking of oil, Campbell makes reference to %fat in the diet being a good indicator of animal protein consumption, despite the fact they clearly use enough canola oil (a vegetable fat) to measure in the study.

So a 3 day food consumption survey shows no association between animal protein and mortality and a questionnaire shows an association between meat and one of many cancers measured. From where can Campbell come to his evil animal protein conclusion then? They also took plasma samples and measured them for blood biomarkers of animal protein consumption. These biomarkers, listed in the references for chapter 4 #39 are "plasma copper, urea nitrogen, estradiol, prolactin, testosterone and, inversely, sex hormone binding globulin, each of which has been known to be associated with animal protein intake from previous studies". No mention of these previous studies of course. So the associations with most of those biomarkers and mortality rates are dubious, and the only biomarker statistically associated with cancer mortality is copper. Many places show food sources of copper and I went to [...] find the best sources of copper. The best? Calfs liver. The next 40 best? All from plants. 42 and 43 are shrimp and venison, the only other animal source in the list on the site. So for copper to be a biomarker of animal consumption then the participants in this study must be eating a lot of calf liver and avoiding a lot of vegetables. Sound realistic?

So from an association between blood biomarkers, the only real one being copper, and cancer mortality, Campbell has concluded that animal protein gives you cancer, despite the fact that the majority of dietary sources of copper are actually from plant sources. So that basically leaves Campbell with no actual evidence between animal consumption and mortality as a result of the original China project.

A final note. In his eating right section Campbell says supplements are bad (principle 2). Principle 3 then says "there are virtually no nutrients in animal-based foods that are not better provided by plants"(page 230), but over the page he says plants are not a good source of vitamin B12 and you probably should take a supplement. What? Then in the how to eat section on page 242 he says "the findings from the China Study indicate that the lower percentage of animal-based foods that are consumed, the greater the health benefits-even when the percentage declines from 10% to 0% of calories". As I've clearly shown, the China Study does not show this, and his own study with Casein proved that there was no benefit in eating less then 10% of your diet from Casein.

Clearly Campbell is a vegetarian, as he states in the book, and promoting vegetarianism is his main goal, which he tries to back up with scientific research that actually disagrees with him, but that he has interpreted in a way that makes it agree with him. Bad science, bad book and definitely bad recommendations as far as health. While I'm not saying go out and live on animal products alone, I don't think you should stop eating them, especially because they are tasty, but even if only for a natural source of vitamin B12.

Invaluable Information about nutrition, food & drug industries and medical profession, December 10, 2006
It's about nutrition and chronicle diseases (heart, cancer, diabetes, etc.). A highly readable book, from the medical angle as well as from societal angle.

Here is shock #1: Protein in milk promotes cancer. Unbelievable? It's proven in animal trials and observed in human population study. The book presents findings of many researchers, including a large scale study on nutrition and chronicle disease done in China by Dr. Campbell (hence the title China study).

The author grew up on a farm (milking cows when he was a boy), became a well-trained, well respected and well funded research scientist at Cornell and participated in national-level nutrition policy making. He found convincing evidence through decades of research (funded by NIH, etc.) that switching to a plant-based food can reduce risk of top killers in the U.S. (heart diseases, cancer, etc.) and even stop and reverse them!. Ha!

So basically he calls for veggie diet (the whole-foods type, not the pasta, sugar and cookie type).

This is not a big news to many people. But I was really surprised by how readable his book is and how reasonable he is, addressing all possible suspicious aroused by his stunning conclusions. He was suspicious himself in the beginning and cautious in conducting his research. He asked "Am I crazy?" after he discovered the protein intake positively correlated with liver cancer in children in the Philippines, where he went to promote "good nutrition" by adding more protein in their diet. He then explained the solid follow-up research he conducted (all peer reviewed and funded by NIH and other reputable organizations).

He also spends maybe 50% of the text on powerful influences from industry as well as the medical profession itself that prevent research results like this to reach the public. For example, in Cleveland Clinic, the renowned heart-disease treatment center, some senior staff doctors and trustees, having heart problems themselves, go to see Dr. Esselstyn. Dr. Esselstyn was a top-ranked surgeon in the world. However these patients went to see Dr. Esselstyn not for his surgical skills, but for his plant-based nutrition treatment. Dr. Esselstyn, despite all awards he got during his successful career (in fact top earner in department of general surgery for over ten years!), he came to realize that without a change in diet, all the surgery and drugs didn't prolong patients lives, didn't reduce their chances of heart problem after these treatments. So he conducted a study of 18 patients following a low-fat, plant-based diet. Their heart diseases were reversed! Yet he couldn't get the Clinic to use his program to treat heart patients. So he had to set up his own practice. Then words get out and apparently the senior staff doctor and trustees KNEW this is a better option than surgery - many of them seeked help from Dr. Esselstyn. YET THEY STILL DON'T ALLOW DR. Esselstyn''s program to enter the Cleveland Clinic!!!

Wow! That's something, huh?

But think about it, it makes sense. Doctors are people, they need to make money to pay for houses, children's education, etc. If you tell them just by eating a true whole-foods veggie diet, people can avoid and indeed reverse heart diseases and various cancers, which the medical man cannot do yet, then their skills, and therefore their earning power, are rendered worthless. I wouldn't be happy if I were a heart surgery or cancer specialist.

This book demands attention!, February 13, 2005
The China Study is a courageous survey of the best science has to offer about your health and what you eat. In addition, the China Study reveals a system of nutrition misinformation that has created public confusion equal to that which surrounded the health implications of smoking. Remember the days when "no one knew" that smoking was bad for you? That all ended when a few morally courageous individuals spoke out and demanded examination of the topic. We now know that the tobacco industry not only knew the health risks, they added ingredients to make their products more addictive. The current state of nutrition information is just as convoluted - and the food industry is just as interested in keeping you confused and addicted to its products. Dr. Campbell (writing with his son, Thomas) is the morally courageous voice in this field and he speaks the truth about what he has found, above the clamor of the objecting voices in "the establishment".

The book is organized into four parts. The first part follows the compelling life story / research career of Dr. Campbell. Campbell grew up on a dairy farm in Virginia and began his professional life trying to discover more efficient ways of raising cattle to deliver protein to our diets. Through an accidental series of discoveries, he became interested in the relationship between high levels of protein consumption and cancer development. He ended up with astonishing research that showed high levels of protein consumption to be a more potent promoter of cancer than high level exposures to Aflotoxin. This startling evidence led him to organize "The China Study" (namesake for the book) - a uniquely comprehensive study of the relationship between diet and disease in 65 counties of rural China. The study examined approximately 6,500 adults and looked at blood samples, urine samples, and food intake records (researchers went into homes to observe and collect this data), to document over 367 variables related to health status and diet. This data was systematically compared with disease rates for 48 different diseases.

The second part of the book is a survey of professional scientific research from around the world, regarding the relationship between diet and a whole host of diseases. Campbell focuses on a class of diseases - referred to as "diseases of affluence" - that are experienced at higher rates in developed countries than in developing countries. This part of the book meticulously documents the relationship between various diets and the following diseases: heart disease, obesity, diabetes, common cancers (breast, prostate, large bowel), auto-immune diseases (including type I diabetes, MS), osteoporosis, kidney stones, macular degeneration, dementia and Alzheimer's. This survey reveals that across this broad range of diseases, there is one diet that consistently prevents these diseases, and one diet that consistently promotes these diseases.

The third part of the book is a brief nutritional guide. It discusses eight principles of food and health, and gives advice on how to eat. In essence, these eight principles present Campbell's theory of nutrition - what is important to health and what is not. Principle six, for example, says "the same nutrition that prevents disease in its early stages (before diagnosis) can also halt or reverse disease in its later stages (after diagnosis)." The principles create a well-founded summary derived from the evidence presented earlier in the book.

The fourth and final part of the book answers the question "so why haven't I heard all this before?" Campbell sits in a unique position to answer this question. He has been involved in the relationship between nutritional scientific research and public health information at all levels. As a university researcher, he built a career on publicly funded grant research, he sat on the approval boards for similar grant programs, and he experienced the politics involved. As a well-respected expert in his field, he was called to testify before Congress on food safety, he sat on the panel that developed nutrition information labeling for packaged foods, and he has been on the National Academy of Science's expert panel on Diet, Nutrition and Cancer. As a dedicated scientist, he helped found the American Institute for Cancer Research, and he is familiar with the policy and funding priorities of this and other cancer research groups. From this unique position, Campbell reveals a public health information system that is biased. Although he is deliberate to state that he does not see a back room conspiracy here, he is conclusive in arguing that our system is corrupted and unreliable.

The fourth section, combined with the strength of the scientific evidence presented in this book, strongly establishes that this book should have an appeal that is MUCH broader than the alternative crowd, the "vegan" crowd, or the "health nut" crowd. This is more than a diet book, more than a book for people who are already suffering from disease and looking for help, and more than a fringe perspective. This is a book that demands attention, demands answers and should be given not only deep thought but also wide publicity. Who will answer for this system of corruption, and how will we get them to do it? Ignoring the information in this book would be as grave as ignoring the first courageous individuals that presented reliable evidence against the tobacco industry. Read this book, share it with someone you love, and call your Congressman to demand action. This book should change lives. Though it sounds an alarm, it also pronounces that we have strong hope - a simple, proven and economically efficient means to prevent and treat a host of diseases and to create long, vibrantly healthy lives. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

TOTAL KNOCKOUT!, October 12, 2010
I am shocked at how engrossed I am with this book. I want to cook every single recipe! The biggest surprise--aside from learning how many calories I could save by cooking for myself--was how motivating the recipes are. Beautiful pictures and simplified cooking tips turn complex dishes into super-easy recipes. Many of the recipes even come with variations in case you can't find a certain ingredient or just want more variety. Here are my four favorites so far:


*Red Pepper Alfredo - AMAZING dish, and I saved 830 calories and $10 over the same meal at Olive Garden.

*Loaded Calzone - Far easier than I ever imagined, and I saved 1,025 (!) calories and $4.50 over Pizza Hut's Meaty P'Zone Pizza

*French Toast Stuffed with Strawberries -Whole-wheat toast stuffed with ricotta cheese, strawberries, honey, and almonds. Yum. I will definitely be making this again! And I saved 810 calories and $11.40 over IHOP's version.

*Curry with Cauliflower & Butternut Squash - I had no idea I was capable of making curry. Or that I could save 717 calories and $8.50 in the process.


My kitchen skills are improving, I'm motivated to cook, and I already feel healthier. And if I don't feel like cooking one night, I'll just dive into the chapter dedicated to 10-minute meals. That should be easy enough. Though, to be honest, nothing I've cooked so far has taken me much more than 20.

Awesome utility!, December 2, 2010
I bought this book at Walmart (paid a lot more for it there) and it was completely worth it. So far, I have tried a half dozen of the recipes, and ALL of them have been a huge success. One reviewer rights about how it is only restraunt selections..... false. At the bottom of each ORIGINAL recipe in here, they show what a restaurant alternative is, and how much money and calories you save by cooking at home. Also helpful in this book is new cooking tips and techniques. For example, as a southerner - I love fried foods. This book showed me how to "oven fry" foods to have that familiar taste and crispy outside without all the extra calories from submerging foods in hot grease. Other techniques in this book that have been helpful are how to braise meats and use the natural drippings to make your own sauces while cooking, increasing the natural flavor of dishes.

2 weeks in, 11 pounds down

5 Stars in my book!

Perfect for Foodies and Flunkies, November 4, 2010
I'm a recent college student turned amateur chef. This book not only educated me on healthy food I should be cooking, but how to cook it easily. Many of the ingredients can be found in local grocery stores and recipes aren't complicated. That being said- the food is delicious. As a former junk food binge eater, I almost don't taste how good the food is for me.

Very well-written and educational, but also personal.

Awesome Book, November 28, 2010
I can not say enough good things about this book. The recipes are delicious and very easy to make. I have also found that I can buy fresh ingredients and use them for other recipes in the same book. I have been eating out of this book for about 2 months now and find the recipes easy. I had to eat processed food the other day and felt so sick afterwards. This has made meal planning in my house easier also. LOVE LOVE LOVE all the books, but this one is by far my favorite. Thank you!

350 Calorie Wonderful Meals, December 17, 2010
Excellent! Everything I have tried has been successful and utterly delicious. I am having a wonderful time cooking with these recipes. There are wonderful choices for each meal and the techniques learned are most helpful and easily adapted to cooking in general. I already had on hand most of the ingredients. I was surprised and delighted when I started falling in love again with my cast iron skillet. Who would have thought carmelized onions could be a staple in our diets! The selections turn out just like the beautiful pictures! I am ordering two more for family!

This book ROCKS!!!, December 4, 2010
This book is perfect for the dieter who doesn't want to let go of all flavors in life that many times dieting will do. It's a very simple, easy to follow book with amazing recipes! The key lime pie recipe is to die for!!

Good ideas for cooking healthier, November 17, 2010
This gives me a better idea of how to prepare the meals I like with healthier ingredients cooking with less fat.

Great recipes, November 7, 2010
This book is well worth the investment in healthy cooking. Every recipe we have tried has been great.

Great Resource!, November 19, 2010
This book has a ton of useful information on just about everything food related. I've only thumbed through it so far, and haven't tried any of the recipes yet, but there are several that sound great and I can't wait to try them out. The only downfall I see to this little book is some of the recipes require things I will never already have on hand, and some require ingredients that I would have to travel to a specialty store to pick up. Most of them won't require anything special though.

That said, my plan is to start at the beginning, and work my way through, making the recipes that I can do without having to go out of my way. Some items they require are used again in other recipes so not a big deal to buy them as they will get used, but others... I'd be better off skipping them completely.

I'm definitely glad I picked up this book, and am looking forward to cooking with it. The portion sizes seem to be fair as well as I can figure form reading ingredients and looking at number of servings, so I don't think I will be starving anytime soon! ... Read more

Editorial Review

A pocket compendium of food wisdom-from the author of The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food

Michael Pollan, our nation's most trusted resource for food-related issues, offers this indispensible guide for anyone concerned about health and food. Simple, sensible, and easy to use, Food Rules is a set of memorable rules for eating wisely, many drawn from a variety of ethnic or cultural traditions. Whether at the supermarket or an all-you-can-eat-buffet, this handy, pocket-size resource is the perfect guide for anyone who would like to become more mindful of the food we eat.

... Read more

Reviews

This book is necessary..., December 29, 2009
It is amazing how complicated we have allowed our diets, and our understanding of our diets, to become. Even Pollan's most recent book In Defense of Food: An Eaters Manifesto - which seemed to be a pretty simple premise - ended up being a (wonderfully) complicated journey through our food system. So when I read that this book was coming out, I wondered if it was necessary given the wealth of information already covered. The answer is: yes, this book is necessary.

While there are a million other guides to a healthy diet running around out there, few manage to boil down the essentials in such a usable way. Pollan takes the essential and fascinating information that he wrote about in his previous book and simmers it down into a succinct (the book is basically 70 half pages long) "manual" of rules for eating. While this book retains some of the bones of its predecessor, it is by no means a Cliff's Notes version. This manual is essential reading all on its own.

Food Rules is broken down into 3 sections (and this will sound familiar to those that read In Defense of Food): 1- What should I eat? (Eat food) 2 - What kind of food should I eat? (Mostly plants) and 3 - How should I eat? (Not too much). Each section includes 20 or so rules that you can pick and choose from in order to eat a healthy diet. Some of the rules overlap (Avoid food products that contain ingredients that a third-grader cannot pronounce and Avoid ingredients that no ordinary human would keep in the pantry, for instance) and some seem like such common sense that it is almost laughable to include them, but that is why this manual is so important. It distills all of this complex information that we see and hear every day and turns it into something relatable. We know, somewhere in our minds, that certain grains and oils are better than others. Pollan gives us an easy rule to help know which ones are best. We know that most breakfast cereals are little more than desserts and Pollan gives us an easy rule to know which ones are safe. Some rules are humorous (it's not food if it arrived through the window of your car) and some are serious; some rules are easy and others require a bit more dedication. But what this manual has is a wide range of useful tips that can be applied to any life at any time. This is no complicated diet; this is a little pocket book of sensible, realistic rules to help you eat your best.

Food Rules Rules!, December 31, 2009
I picked up Food Rules: An Eater's Manual, because I have been searching for just this type of book for many of my clients as a New Year's gift. I read the slim book quickly in a bookstore and it is the perfect present for my clients who are not eating healthy diets (but who have confessed they wish to.)

I am an interior designer/organizer and see how my clients eat all the time when I redesign and organize their kitchens. Pollan's In Defense of Food and The Omnivore's Dilemma are both excellent, but can be intimidating. Not Food Rules--it is short and easy to understand.

The book is divided into three parts and has 64 chapters or rules. The following will give you an good idea of what the book is about: Part I, What should I eat? Includes such chapters as "Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food", "avoid food products that contain more than five ingredients", and "avoid foods that contain high-fructose corn syrup".

Part II, What kind of food should I eat? Includes "Eat mostly plants, especially leaves", "eat your colors", and "the whiter the bread, the sooner you will be dead."

Part III, How should I eat? Includes "pay more, eat less," "eat less," and "limit your snacks to unprocessed plant food."

For those of you who desire a healthier diet, Food Rules is a terrific guide that makes understanding what to put into your body simple to understand and implement.

Finally, if healthy eating is a new concept for you, you will find the clever chapter titles easy to memorize, thus making the concept of healthy eating a simple one to learn.

Highly recommend.

By the author of the award winning book, HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT and SELL YOUR HOME FAST IN A BUYER'S MARKET

You could buy a #3 at Mickey D's --- or start to save your life, January 7, 2010
If you got in on the ground floor, you chewed every page of The Omnivore's Dilemma, (464 pages, $8.00 at Amazon).

If you were a second responder, the first Michael Pollan book you read was In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto, (256 pages, $7.50 at Amazon), which boils theory and anecdote down to a tasty, healthy feeding strategy.

If you're new to the topic or haven't paid attention --- or love Pollan's work and want to spread the gospel --- here's Food Rules: An Eater's Manual (137 pages, $11 retail, $5.50 at Amazon), a skinny paperback that says pretty much everything you'd find in his longer books.

Or you can consider Pollan's reduction of his message to seven words --- "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants" --- and read nothing more because you know how to crack that koan and adopt a way of eating that just might save your life.

Why, you may wonder, does a clearly written 256-page book need to be boiled down to 64 general principles?

Two reasons.

Those of us who read about food have, in the last few years, been swamped by the language of nutrition. Antioxidants. Polyphenols. Probiotics. Omega-3 fatty acids. But you can know all about this stuff and still not be able to answer the basic question: Yeah, but what should I eat?

Then there are those who have never heard Pollan's message. They're the folks on the coach, eating pre-packaged snack food, sucking down sodas, serving vegetables as an afterthought. In short, people who are devotees of the Western diet --- which is, says Pollan, "the one diet that reliably makes its people sick!"

Pollan wants to help both groups --- and break the cycle of self-created disease.

And the quickest way to do that is through lessons so simple even the guy chowing down a Hungry Man ("It's good to feel full") meal can understand.

"Food Rules" may be short, but it's elegantly organized. Part I addresses the question: What should I eat? (Answer: food.) Part II asks: What kind of food should I eat? (Answer: mostly plants.) And Part II considers: How should I eat? (Answer: Not too much.)

These are un-American answers. Advertising trains us to shop in the center aisles of supermarkets. We've been brainwashed to believe that fast food is food. Because we're so busy, we're encouraged not to cook for ourselves. And that way of living works for us --- right up to the moment we're overweight and diabetic.

But if we break the cycle?

"People who get off the western diet," says Pollan, "see dramatic improvements in their health."

What does Pollan tell you in these pages? Here's a sample:

--- "Don't eat anything your great grandmother wouldn't recognize as food."
--- "Don't eat anything with more than five ingredients, or ingredients you can't pronounce."
---- "Don't eat anything that won't eventually rot...There are exceptions --- honey --- but as a rule, things like Twinkies that never go bad aren't food."
--- "Always leave the table a little hungry.'"
--- "Eat meals together, at regular meal times."
--- "Don't buy food where you buy your gasoline. In the U.S., 20% of food is eaten in the car."
--- "Don't eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk."

Pollan would have you only eat junk food you cook yourself. He'd like you to buy your snacks at a farmer's market. He'd like you to use meat as a flavor enhancer, a condiment, an afterthought. And he'd like to see you hurt the bottom line of pre-packaged food companies by paying a little more for real food that's worth eating.

I can imagine a great many of of you nodding in agreement. And feeling superior. And still buying several copies --- to send, anonymously, to loved ones who are eating themselves to death. I can think of no better gift.

Rules for eating, January 5, 2010
Clever little book. . . . Michael Pollan has written a book of rules about eating, with brief text elaborating the statements. On first glance, it looks like a slight volume with little substance to it. However, it turns out to be a pretty interesting book.

In his introductory comments, the author notes a few undeniable truths--Western diets (e.g., processed foods and meats, lots of fat and sugar, etc.) lead to lots of health problems; traditional diets tend to be healthier than the so-called Western diet; when one leaves the Western diet, one tends to get healthier. Following are a number of rules (64 in all). The author's hope? (Page xix): "My hope is that a handful of these rules will prove sufficiently sticky, or memorable, that they will become second nature to you. . . ."

Examples?"Avoid food products containing ingredients that a third-grader cannot pronounce" (Page 17). "If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't" (Page 41). "Treat meat as a flavoring or special occasion food" (Page 53). "Eat some foods that have been predigested by bacteria or fungi" (Page 73). Examples? Yogurt, sauerkraut, soy sauce. . . . "Pay more, eat less" (Page 99). Cheap food in large quantities (supersize me??) is normally not so good for one. "Buy smaller plates and glasses" (Page 115).

In a sense, if one can keep a number of these apothegms in mind and follow those that seem most sensible, one might end up better off! So, a book that looks like a one trick pony ends up being much more satisfying than one might expect.

Waste of time and money, January 4, 2010
I love Pollan's previous book and I was looking forward to this one. I got my hands on it as soon as I could, but sadly, I was disappointed.

This book is just a (really)watered down version of In Defense of Food. Don't waste your time or your money on this book, especially if you already read his other books. It was kind of a sell-out thing to do: publish a book that takes exact passages from the last book he published, increase the font size, add a ton of blank pages and big pictures and then sell the thing for $11. Um... why? He should have just published an article in the NY Times magazine instead of a whole book. Why waste all that paper?

Thank goodness I work in a bookstore and didn't actually have to buy the thing to read it. If you really think you want this book, I suggest flipping through it first, or getting it from a library. It's not worth $11.

The Tao of Food, January 14, 2010
People complaining about the size of "Food Rules" certainly missed the point. In Twitterland, any message that can't be reduced from "bullet points" to 140 characters will not be heard. The Eloi don't read books. Food Rules compresses the message of Pollan's food advice into its second simplest form.

Pollan mentions in the introduction his discovery, while researching In Defense of Food, that the answer to the question, "What should we eat to stay healthy?" turned out to be seven words: "Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants." As he points out wrily, that wasn't enough to satisfy his publisher, but fortunately explaining it was. Food Rules is the middle ground between The Three Commandments and the Food Bible. Clearly it is needed, if one hostile reviewer thinks his "Don't eat more calories than you burn each day, and eat a balanced diet" is comparable to Pollan's seven words.

Food Rules consists of 64 aphorisms with a few paragraphs of explanation as needed (no rule runs much beyond a single page). Like the Tao Te Ching, Food Rules can be stuffed in a back pocket, thumbed through when you are bored, or purchased for a clueless friend you care about. The rules are common sense, unless you suffer from the literalism of some reviewers (No, gentle reader, Mr. Pollan did not MY grandmother, who was a rotten cook, but the proverbial grandmother, who is not). Common sense distilled to aphorisms rather than platitudes, Poor Richard's Culinary Advice. In other words they are crisp, memorable, and quotable. Who wouldn't wish they had thought up, "Don't eat any cereal that changes the color of the milk"?

For the Twitterpated, this is the place to begin with Pollan. Some of them, at least, may discover that they would like to know more. If not, no harm done.

Not worth the money, February 10, 2010
Finished reading this book in about 30-40mins. Its more of a pamphlet than a book. Its all common sense stuff (eat planets, dont eat stuff with chemicals, etc - really! this is as complicated as it gets). Its a book for those than don't understand the obvious. A regretful purchase.

Good info, wrong format, January 8, 2010
Don't let the fact that it's 112 pages long throw you, this is maybe 10 pages worth of information. Granted, it's GOOD information (for the most part). Handy rules to help you wade through the nightmare of American supermarkets and culture. I'm glad to see Amazon is only charging 5 dollars for it, because anything more than that would be a rip. If you look up his New York Times article, it's mostly the same information, just not broken down into clear rules.
Between pages 30 and 37 there are 11 (eleven) sentences.
There's no reason this needed to be over a hundred pages long.

Food Rules to Live By, January 4, 2010
I'd previously read and enjoyed Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto and was interested to pick up "Food Rules". "Food Rules" is an extension of "In Defense of Food" and his earlier books as it offers a common-sense approach about eating smart. What primarily sold me was its in pocketbook size, compact and easy to carry when you're out and about grocery shopping or dining. And unlike other complicated diet schemes and faddish trends (Grapefruit Diet anyone?), the advice here is well thought out and well articulated. At 70 pages there's not a lot of complications but it is crammed with considerable wisdom and thought. Broken into three parts (much like "In Defense of Food") it answers the most essential and fundamental questions: what should I eat and avoid, what kind of food should I eat (e.g.: unprocessed plant based foods), and how much should I eat? Each section contains roughly 20 rules to follow for healthier eating and living. "Food Rules" winds up being a handy little reference guide that can help you create better new habits, gradually phasing out the bad ones. And that's the approach Pollan seems to take. It's easier to adopt a new habit that it is to break an old one. By following "Food Rules" you can get yourself on track to healthier eating habits and believe me; you'll feel better as a result!

The Cliff Notes for In Defense of Food, January 18, 2010
This book is just the Cliff Notes version of the book In Defense of Food. Just take the time to read the real book. So much better. But if you must, you can read it while standing in the store. It is that quick. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

READ THIS BOOK!!!!, October 29, 2010
About five months ago, I started doing CrossFit (an exercise program/gym). The coach explained the Paleo diet model and suggested this book. It took me almost five months before I read it, but prior to reading I had pretty much adopted a Paleo diet, which completely changed my life. I mean, really changed my whole experience. I used to be a vegan (six years ago for four years), but then my hair started thinning and that was the end of that, so I started incorporating fish and eggs, and a little dairy. But I was still almost always hungry, and it seemed no matter what exercise I did, or how much, it wasn't ever really getting me to where I wanted to be, even though I thought I was eating super healthy. I also drank a lot of wine, which interfered with my sleeping. All in all my digestion wasn't so good. I felt my health slowly and steadily declining. So, long story short, when I started CrossFit I decided to give this Paleo diet a try. Amazing results! Never felt better, my blood sugar is even and steady all day long, and my sleep is restorative not something to "get through"; not to mention, my body is rockin'! I don't crave sugar, which is a miracle, and I hardly drink anymore. Why? Because I feel so good, I have no desire to mess that up. Me, a wino, yes, giving up wine. For once in my life, I'm lean, I'm stronger than I've ever been, and I feel certain solidity to my being. I never thought it possible. So then I bought Paleo Solution, because I'm thinking, "I gotta learn why this diet works so well. What's up with this Paleo stuff? I want to tell the world about it!" I was skeptical about the read, despite my great results in trying out this lifestyle. Books on diet and health can sometimes be boring, daunting, and uninspiring. Right? How many books have you bought, hoping to find the thing you were looking for, only to quit reading it half way through? Robb Wolf has assembled an incredible amount of information into one book, and he's presented it in a simple way. He's also got a great voice -- a great sense of humor -- and it feels like he's talking directly to you. I liked this. It felt personable and it was engaging. Plus, I was understanding all this scientific information, (and I'm not scientifically oriented at all), which when all put together into the bigger picture was like "WHOA!". (It was more like a holy you know what). So here's the skinny: If you are suffering from diabetes, a heart condition, high blood pressure, an auto-immune disease, indigestion, cancer, a sugar or alcohol addiction, or pretty much any illness; or, you are an athlete seeking greater performance, or you're wanting to loose weight and look and feel fabulous and incredible, then you MUST read this book! It's quick, it's easy, informative, it's entertaining, and it will change your life like it did mine. That is, if you're willing to give it a try. And for those of you who are vegetarian, or concerned about industrialized farming and general slaughtering practices, I suggest you check out eatwild on the internet to find out where you can get grass-fed animal directly from sustainable farms in your local area. READ THIS BOOK, for your health, and for the health of your family. Thank you, Robb Wolf!

Wolf's teachings in the Paleo Solution changed my life, September 14, 2010
Let me begin by saying that I have always been a healthy person--or at least that is what I thought. Since I was fourteen, I went to the gym almost every day and ate foods that I thought were good for me. Around the age of thirty I got super busy. Although I still worked out and ate foods that I had been told were healthy, I didn't sleep as much, stressed a whole lot more, and things began to go down hill. I developed a fairly good-sized tire around my midsection. The color of my skin was a little off. And, most importantly, I no longer felt super healthy. I tried everything I could thing of, which basically boiled down to eating less of the foods I had been told were healthy. I ate a ton of lean meats, and I combined them with a ton of carbs in the form of rice. I cut out every ounce of fat I possible could. And guess what? I started to feel (and look) even worse. In an attempt to correct the situation, I began working out even harder. Although I got stronger and gained more muscle, I still had that tire of fat around the midsection and had very little energy on most days. Was I just getting old? Were the good old days of being fit and healthy gone for good?

A friend of mine had been following Robb's teachings for some time, and he turned me on to the diet. As with most people who learned "nutrition" in college, I was highly resistant. I mean, why would they be teaching us the wrong nutrition in college. The professors seemed pretty smart, and I doubted that they had the goal of trying to kill me. But I was failing with the traditional way of thought, and so I decided it to give the thirty days. My friend told me that Robb preached the "give me 30 days" philosophy, and so that is what I decided to give this new and strange diet, which I still doubted would ever work. Well, thirty days later I had dropped TWENTY SIX POUNDS. Am I joking about that number--absolutely not. A part of it had to do with the fact that I was working out a whole lot more--but the only reason I could work out more is because I was feeling so GOOD. How good? Well, to be quite honest, I was feeling like I did back when I was eighteen (well, maybe not eighteen, but twenty one for sure.)

Now a year and a half later, I feel better than ever. That twenty six pounds of weight loss not only did not come back on, but it turned into thirty pounds of weight less (and yes, I needed to drop thirty pounds.) Just like Wolf's slogan, I LOOK, FEEL, AND PERFORM better than I ever thought imaginable. For someone who has always prided himself on being fit, healthy, and happy, I can honestly say I owe Wolf the world. His teachings have convinced me that getting older does not mean getting fatter, sicker, and less happy. Will you be eighteen for the rest of your life if you take Wolf's 30-day challenge and then adopt a Paleo lifestyle--no, probably not. But you most certainly won't be 40 or 50 or 60. You will look younger than you are, feel younger than you are, and be happy in your skin. Honestly, I don't see how you can put a price tag on that.

What about the sacrifices? This is the big one, right. Well, I have been on diets before, and this is not a diet. It is a lifestyle. And when you get that "diet" word out of your head, restricting certain foods becomes a lot less challenging. Trust me when I tell you that I was a guy who LOVED my bread and wheat beer. But you must also trust me when I tell you that I do not miss these delicious products in the slightest. . .Wolf's lifestyle plan puts you in much better contact with your body, and when you acquire that mindset, things that make your body feel, perform, and look better begin to taste better. Foods I used to despise now taste wonderful. And the foods that I once could not have lived without (bread, rice, pasta) are now the farthest thing from my mind. I've talked with other people on the Paleo diet, and many of them have told me that when they cheat, they can feel the negative effects immediately. Personally, I think I may have cheated on the diet twice in a over a year. Is it because I am super strong willed. Absolutely not. When it comes to will power, I don't think I have that much of it. The reason that I haven't cheated is because I simply don't want to cheat. When I smell the foods I once loved, I no longer have the urge to consume them. Did this take fun out of my life? Did this destroy the thrill of eating and socializing over a tasty meal? Actually, the opposite has happened. I actually enjoy eating a whole lot more because it makes me feel powerful, just like food should. It makes me feel strong, both mentally and physically. And despite what some people will believe, eating healthy does not destroy your social life. All it may do is add some interesting conversations into the mix.

In conclusion, try the Paleo Solution. it works. It works well. And it will change your life in ways you can not imagine. I know change is scary for a lot of people (it was for me), but when the changes you make break the barriers of what you thought life could be, you won't regret it!

Good but some things to fix for the second edition ..., October 21, 2010
I've read this book, Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint, and Cordain's Paleo Diet recently. Wolf's book was a good and accessible explanation of his overall approach, without the diet-book-y style of Cordain's effort.

With the growing popularity of paleo eating lately, I would have liked to see more discussion of some of the controversial issues within the field, such as "cheat meals" or the use of salt (Cordain is strongly anti-salt but Wolf's recipes often include it). Explaining how the Paleo Solution's prescriptions differ from those of others would strengthen the book.

I also would have liked to see an index. Not having an index is especially a problem if you're looking for a recipe. (I also would have run the entire meal plan, followed by all the recipes. When the meal plan calls for a recipe, just give the page number for the recipe.)

Finally, there are a couple of references to a "Gear List," which doesn't seem to appear as such anywhere in the book. The last section on resources seems to cover what the "Gear List" should have covered, but could have been more conveniently organized.

Unbelievable, October 26, 2010
Been following this devoutly for one month now and have never felt better. Waking up each morning with a renewed fervour, an abundance of energy and optimism I've never possessed (well not since I was a child!). Can't recommend enough.

I feel great!!!!!, September 27, 2010
I have been on this for 12 days and my energy level is through the roof. I have not had this kind of energy since my twenties, and I am 53. Dropped 6 pounds so far and I feel fantastic. Dan Adkins

Robb Wolf helped change my life!, October 3, 2010
I always considered myself "healthy" - having been athletically active and with reasonably good blood-work and body weight markers all my life. But after I turned 30 years old 6 months ago, with 9 years of highly stressful desk-jockey jobs behind me; I realized I had slowly accumulated a number of afflictions that could be considered part of normal "aging":
- joint pain & arthritis (in my knee)
- hair loss
- muscle & strength loss
- slow build-up of spare-tire around my mid-section
- allergies (to something new every few years)
- canker sores
- disrupted sleep
- chronic tiredness, leading to increased caffeine consumption
- a growing sweet tooth
- gum pain

After doing some basic research on arthritis, I came across the concept of the ancestral diet, primarily through the internet. However, having trained with a scientific background, I was highly skeptical of many of the stunning claims despite all the testimonials.

Of all the different recognized experts in the arena, it was Robb Wolf's scientific explanations (through his website and his podcast) given freely (with no hidden financial agenda or sketchy corporate relationships) that convinced me to give the ancestral diet a try.

I have since never looked back.. all the above afflictions disappeared in a few months, and I now am healthier, fitter, stronger, leaner, sharper and more pain-free than I have been in 15 years.

I owe Robb and his compatriots in the field a huge debt.

However, I have struggled to explain the concepts to others. This is why I am excited about Robb's book!

The Paleo Solution brings the right amount of scientific background, complete with associated reference material, while maintaining a conversational, engaging tone. It covers all the right bases of a hugely complex subject (the key apocalyptic "horsemen" of the Standard American Diet) from the perspectives of anthropology (ancestral history), biochemistry, nutrition and actual clinical practice. It scares the reader, while at the same time providing the right solutions and motivation, with enough hope and optimism.

If asked to bring someone up to speed on the concept of the ancestral diet, I would absolutely recommend this book as the perfect start!!

So:
If you've ever been confused by "expert" dietary recommendations (This food is poison! No it's actually good for you! All fat is bad except fat is good from fish or avocados! Have whole grains! Don't have eggs! Have eggs! You need vitamins! Vitamins don't work! etc etc bla bla) and wanted EVERYTHING to just make sense for once - read this book. Even if it's just from a robust scientific perspective, and you don't enact the actual diet, you'll never look back.

Not enough!, October 10, 2010
What I like about this book:

1. It explains in a scientific way how the Paleo Diet works from the nutritional point of view.
2. The book is written "with an attitude" and is fun to read.
3. The author is passionate about his ideas and this rubs off on the reader getting the reader excited, fired up, and motivated


What I don't like about this book:

1. Paleo Diet is nothig new. Loren Cordain published a book of the same title some 8 years ago. If you happened to have read it or anything written by Mark Sisson, then you might as well skip reading this one. There is nothing new in this book. In fact jn my opinion The Primal Blueprint is a better read.
2. The author doesn't go beyond the basics, the book is very general in nature and lacks in specific how-to's
3. I am very uneasy about some of the most popular reviews of this book that seem to be "doctored". One reviewer goes on and on about how this book changed his life, only two days after the book has been published (!!!???)
4. Most importantly, this is yet another diet. We need to understand that unless we change our focus we will never fix the obesity problem. It is not only about what and how we eat, but mainly about living a healthy lifestyle that is in total agreement with nature. Read " Live 150 -- The Body Maintenance Handbook " to properly understand the problem and how to deal with it.

As good as it gets, September 20, 2010
I'll be honest, I've been a fan of Robb's work for a while so I'm somewhat biased but even considering this I was impressed. He lays out not only why a change in diet, and more importantly lifestyle, is scientifically validated but it also gives you a jumping-off point in a 30 day, meal by meal guide. It doesn't get easier than this folks. Buy it. Now.

Excellent, September 17, 2010
I definitely didn't expect it to be this enjoyable! Loved all the humor and the geeked-out info as well.

The information is very concise - with a lot covered in few pages. As someone who already follows a paleo life style, I know it works but wasn't very clear on all the reasoning behind the results. Robb pretty much cleared up every question I could have asked plus I have lots of new recipes to try!

It Just Plain Works, September 20, 2010
I've been studying carb restriction diets for over 15 years. I've read the Paleo Diet, multiple Zone Diet books, much of the Eades' work, Dr. Atkin's books, read and re-read Gary Taubes' "Good Calories Bad Calories," hundreds of studies, and digested blog posts and podcasts while doing a fair amount of writing and coaching on the topic ([...]). Robb's work is a mixture of the rants of a guy who's too smart for his own good, a clinician who's been tested by working with real clients for over ten years, and a serious competitor in a variety of physical arenas. I know of other approaches that will work, but don't know of any single source with a more dense store of knowledge or a more accessible plan for health, fitness and competitive performance. I by no means agree with all of Robb's editorial temper tantrums outside of this book, but I've competed against him, listened to every podcast, and read most of his entire blog before reading this book. If you want a book that cuts to the chase giving you the yellow brick road for health, performance, longevity and with a detour around the diseases of the West, this is your book. I've been looking for a book that does not cheat on the science, is not too hard to read, and therefore makes the truly common sense of the paleolithic diet accessible to everyone with an IQ of room temperature or better - Robb, thanks for writing that book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The companion volume to The New York Times bestseller The Omnivore's Dilemma

Michael Pollan's lastbook , The Omnivore's Dilemma, launched a national conversation about the American way of eating; now In Defense of Food shows us how to change it, one meal at a time. Pollan proposes a new answer to the question of what we should eat that comes down to seven simple but liberating words: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. Pollan's bracing and eloquent manifesto shows us how we can start making thoughtful food choices that will enrich our lives, enlarge our sense of what it means to be healthy, and bring pleasure back to eating. ... Read more

Reviews

Care for your family? Want to live long and well? This is required reading., January 8, 2008
What's better for you --- whole milk, 2% milk or skim?

Is a chicken labeled "free range" good enough to reassure you of its purity? How about "grass fed" beef?

What form of soy is best for you --- soy milk or tofu?

About milk: I'll bet most of you voted for reduced or non-fat. But if you'll turn to page 153 of "In Defense of Food," you'll read that processors don't make low-fat dairy products just by removing the fat. To restore the texture --- to make the drink "milky" --- they must add stuff, usually powdered milk. Did you know powdered milk contains oxidized cholesterol, said to be worse for your arteries than plain old cholesterol? And that removing the fat makes it harder for your body to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins that make milk a valuable food in the first place?

About chicken and beef: Readers of Pollan's previous book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma", know that "free range" refers to the chicken's access to grass, not whether it actually ventures out of its coop. And all cattle are "grass fed" until they get to the feedlot. The magic words for delightful beef are "grass finished" or "100% grass fed".

And about soy...but I dare to hope I have your attention by now. And that you don't want to be among the two-thirds of Americans who are overweight and the third of our citizens who are likely to develop type 2 diabetes before 2050. And maybe, while I have your eyes, you might be mightily agitated to learn that America spends $250 billion --- that's a quarter of the costs of the Iraq war --- each year in diet-related health care costs. And that our health care professionals seem far more interested in building an industry to treat diet-related diseases than they do in preventing them. And that the punch line of this story is as sick as it is simple: preventing diet-related disease is easy.

In just 200 pages (and 22 pages of notes and sources), "In Defense of Food" gives you a guided tour of 20th century food science, a history of "nutritionism" in America and a snapshot of the marriage of government and the food industry. And then it steps up to the reason most readers will buy it --- and if you care for your health and the health of your loved ones, this is a no-brainer one-click --- and presents a commonsense shopping-and-eating guide.

If you are up on your Pollan and your Nina Planck and your Barbara Kingsolver, you know the major points of the "real food" movement. But if you're new to this information or are disinclined to buy or read this book, let me lay Pollan's argument out for you:

-- High-fructose corn syrup is the devil's brew. Do yourself a favor and remove it from your diet. (If you have kids, here's a place to start: Heinz smartly offers an "organic" ketchup, made with sugar.)

-- Avoid any food product that makes health claims --- they mean it's probably not really food.

-- In a supermarket, don't shop in the center aisles. Avoid anything that can't rot, anything with an ingredient you can't pronounce.

-- "Don't get your fuel from the same place your car does."

-- "You are what you eat eats too." Most cows end their days on a diet of corn, unsold candy, their pulverized brothers and sisters --- yeah, you read that right --- and a pharmacy's worth of antibiotics. And they bestow that to you. Consider that the next time there's a sale on sirloin.

-- "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." By which Pollan means: Eat natural food, the kind your grandmother served (and not because she was so wise, but because the food industry had not yet learned that the big money was in processing, not harvesting). Use meat sparingly. Eat your greens, the leafier and more varied the better.

In short: Kiss the Western diet as we know it goodbye. Look to the cultures where people eat well and live long. Ignore the faddists and experts. Trust your gut. Literally.

In all this, Pollan insists that you have to save yourself. And he makes a good case why. Our government, he says, is so overwhelmed by the lobbying and marketing power of our processed food industry that the American diet is now 50% sugar in one form or another --- calories that provide "virtually nothing but energy." Our representatives are almost uniformly terrified to take on the food industry. And as for the medical profession, the key moment, Pollan writes, is when "doctors kick the fast-food franchises out of the hospital" --- don't hold your breath.

"You want to live, follow me." I loved it when Schwarzenegger said that in "Terminator." It matters much more when, in so many words, Michael Pollan delivers that same message in "In Defense of Food."

Back to Nature, February 22, 2008

It is so good to read a book about nutrition that does not promote any new diet! The author's message is plain and simple: Go back to nature, eat wholesome foods, and don't bother with dieting. Don't overeat; instead eat slowly, and enjoy your meals - such notion has already been promoted by Mireille Guiliano in her bestseller "French Women Don't Get Fat".

Our curse is processed food. The dieting industry completely distorted our feeding process. Our desire to improve everything and to separate 'needed' ingredients from the 'unneeded' ones leads us to refining most of our food products. However, our artificially 'improved' food only seemingly has the same nutritious qualities as natural food. Artificial and natural foods have as little in common as silk roses with real ones.

Processed food is easily obtainable, doesn't require much work to prepare, and, unfortunately, it is often also addictive. At the same time it is full of calories with very small nutritional content.

Like "The Omnivore's Dilemma", Pollan's new book is indeed eye-opening. It makes us think twice about what we are going to put into our mouths the next time we eat. For more reading about the danger of refined foods I strongly recommend Can W e Live 150 - another book devoted to living in agreement with nature, and revealing the secrets of healthy diet.

We truly are what we eat . . . . . or don't eat, January 6, 2008
Americans are fat.

Who's to blame? The government. Ay, but there's the rub. If the government undoes its mischievous agricultural subsidies, voters in farm states will throw the rascals out of office. Look what happened to Sen. John McCain in Iowa because he wants to end ethanol subsidies. No politician can afford to be public spirited instead of self-centered. The cure is not in government.

Instead, an intelligent solution begins with this book. Pollan goes to the heart of the matter, which is the content of our food. Our consumer society is based on making attractive products. For food, this means added sugar or added fat.

To quote Pollan: ". . . we're eating a whole lot more, at least 300 more calories a day than we consumed in 1985. What kind of calories? Nearly a quarter of these additional calories come from added sugars (and most of that in the form of high-fructose corn syrup); roughly another quarter from added fat . . . "

These extra calories are from nutrient-deficient food. It began with refined flour in the 1870s which removed bran and wheat germ to produce long-lasting snowy white flour. Consumers loved it because flour no longer turned rancid, and it didn't become infected with bugs.

Okay. Why didn't bugs chomp down on this new flour? Quite simply because the nutrients, the bran, wheat germ, carotene, were gone. Pollan explains, ". . . this gorgeous white powder was nutritionally worthless, or nearly so. Much the same is now true for corn flour and white rice." Take a look at a package of white flour and count the additives that make up for the loss of natural ingredients. Then you'll understand the basic thrust of this book and its remedies.

How do refined carbohydrates affect us? They are implicated in several chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

This book outlines those problems and practical solutions to the lack of nutrients and excess of fat and sugar in our daily food. Quite simply, good health is often less a matter of miracle medicines than of common sense meals. Pollan outlines the problem and offers solutions, as indicated in a University of Minnesota study of natural ingredients in wheat which concluded, "This analysis suggests that something else in the whole grain protects against death."

Protects against death? Did that get your interest? If so, this book is truly a major step toward a much healthier lifestyle . . . . . merely by changing the foods you eat.

Try it. You'll like it.

Some good basic info, but lacks scientific rigor, April 18, 2009
Michael Pollan's book has some generally good advice about what to eat, and some fascinating/disturbing info about the American food industry, but I was continually frustrated by the author's weak attention to research. Pollan is a not a scientist, and doesn't seem to find it very important to ground his assertions with unimpeachable facts. His advice can sometimes be contradictory ("don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize" but "eat tofu"--If your great-grandmother didn't come from Asia, it's doubtful she would recognize anything made of bean curd) and he tends to cite sources that he likes, rather than sources he's really investigated. For example, Pollan would never list a dairy-industry pamphlet as one of his sources, but he gleefully quotes some rather doubtful statements from an organic-food-industry pamphlet, and apparently didn't bother to ask even one secondary source to verify them. He writes a compelling essay showing that nutrition and dietary habits are incredibly difficult for scientists to study, and implies that any information based on nutritional studies is flawed, yet quotes certain studies as if they are somehow immune to this problem. Pollan maintains that the American government's health-education programs are a major cause of the obesity epidemic, yet the descriptions he gives of these programs don't match my memory of what was actually being taught at the time. And because he gives merely general endnotes, rather than specific footnotes, it's difficult to check where he got his information.

I also had a little trouble with Pollan's tone, which is strangely naive, and occasionally condescending. He seems overly impressed with some of his own statements, such as his claim that humans are the only animals that turn to experts to tell them what to eat. Even if one accepts that this is true, humans do a lot of things that animals don't do, and in many cases, we should be glad of it. (And as Paula Poundstone has pointed out, she has to tell her dog to get his head out of the garbage every day.)

I think Pollan is basically right that the American food industry would benefit from a major overhaul, and the suggestions he's making to the government would make us all healthier if they're implemented. But it's too bad that someone with generally sound ideas can't take a little more trouble with the details. Overall, if you read this book to learn how to eat healthier, you'll get some good tips, but take his "facts" with a grain of salt. This is definitely a book to be read, but it should be read critically.

Omnivore's Dilemma Updated In A Quick, Focused, Factual Form, January 4, 2008
I thought I'd discovered gold two years ago when I chanced upon Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma" on the new-book shelf at my local library. I'm a health nut, and what Pollan had to say between the covers of that book was exactly what I'd been looking for. The message blew me away. I started telling all my friends, colleagues, and family about how phenomenal and groundbreaking the book was, and encouraging them to read it. I even went so far as to buy five hardbound copies to give out and loan. But in the end I don't believe I really made any serious converts. Plenty of people wanted to listen! Telling my friends and acquaintances about the content of Pollan's book made me a big hit in social situations, but I honestly don't think many people took the time to read the book or, more importantly, to change their eating habits.

But Michael Pollan's book did convert me. Over the last two years, I have changed my eating habits--not as much as I hoped I would, but significantly nonetheless. The problem is, as I am sure anyone else knows who has also tried to follow his path: eating healthy in modern, urban America is extremely difficult.

"Omnivore's Dilemma" went on to become a nationwide bestseller. Thanks in part to the stir that book caused, and the many newspaper articles and television programs that followed, there has been a small but noticeable difference in the availability of healthier, more naturally produced vegetables, fruits, meats, and fish in the area where I live. Merchants now appear to be very conscious of the fact that many buyers are eager to know how and where each batch of produce was grown; whether fish is wild or farm-raised; and whether meats, dairy products, and eggs come from range-, grass- or grain-fed animals. In our area, the local farmers' markets are thriving, and the supermarkets...well, they don't seem to be doing so well anymore. Instead there are a number of small health food chains opening up that seem to be robbing the supermarkets of a large portion of their business. People are starting to "vote with their forks." They are saying they want better quality food, and slowly, their voice is being heard.

When I heard that Pollan had a new book out--"In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto,"--I jumped at the chance to be one of the first to buy it. It is a small book, easy and quick to read. I finished it in one enjoyable afternoon. Frankly, there is not much in this new book that wasn't already covered in "Omnivore's Dilemma." However, what this new book accomplishes that the previous book did not, is to present the basic concepts--about what is wrong with the modern Western diet and what we can do to eat in a more healthy manner--in a far more concise and readable form. Gone are the stories, the humor, the horror, the amusing dialogue, and the semitravelogue--all that was, for me at least, very delightful--but it also made the book perhaps too long and chatty for some, especially those just seeking a quick, focused, factual read. This book will most certainly appeal to a wider audience. It reads more like a practical manual for the general public.

I was hoping this new book might give me some further clues. It did that, but not as much as I had hoped. Nevertheless, I am happy that I purchased it, and read it. The most important thing it did for me was to reinforce all the lessons I'd learned from "Omnivore's Dilemma," and to present them to me with more justifications and updated scientific findings.

Hopefully, "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" will go on to become another national bestseller, and in the process continue to spread Pollan's healthy food revolution. A "Manifesto" sounds serious and political and Pollan speaks in the book about people "voting with their forks." It must be working, because many of the folks in my neighborhood appear to be voting with their forks, and the local farmers, ranchers, and grocery people are listening. There is a small revolution stirring and perhaps this book will help move it along.

I recommend this book highly to all who have not yet read "The Omnivore's Dilemma," and to those that have, I recommend this book as an inspirational updated refresher course.

Simply Not as Good as The Omnivore's Dilemma, January 6, 2008
This was not a bad book, but the biggest problem I had with it was that it was too short (just over 200 pages of text in large typeface) and it often repeated points without elaborating on them in as much detail as I would have liked. Pollan goes back to the theme of "Nutritionism" throughout his book, and discusses how the interests of food scientists and manufacturers have aligned to create the food environment we have today. This is a very fascinating story, but he seems too narrowminded on the theme of nutritionism and how that has ruined our food system and doesn't detail other potential causes.

Other interests (such as the beef and dairy lobbies, which he briefly alludes to a couple times in the book) have also had a tremendous influence on the national diet. Moreover, the way we live our lives, busily, without time to eat, is a tremendous contributor to poor health that Pollan again only alludes to. Lifestyle is a huge part of the food culture that Pollan encourages, but he doesn't specify what elements of lifestyle are common in the most successful food cultures.

My other major bugaboo with the book was that he barely touched on the notion of vegetarian and vegan diets, which are becoming increasingly popular in the States. The question of whether these diets are safe and healthy was not mentioned much (about a paragraph or so) and some insight into these two movements would have been appreciated.

Overall, it's a quicker read than the Omnivore's Dilemma, but less detailed and with fewer eye-opening moments. A book that should be read, but I recommend you save your money and wait until the paperback edition is released.

Want health?, January 4, 2008
". . . no people on earth worry more about the health consequences of their food choices than we American do--and no people suffer from as many diet-related health problems."

What to do? Like so much today, food truth is hard to find. We can't trust government to tell us the truth because it is influenced by the industrial agriculture giants that produce most food. We certainly can't trust labels using "natural" to describe chemical agglomerations. And, frankly, we can't trust doctors because they are simply not educated about food. Nutritionists? Many are educated, but how do we learn their bias? And, can they overcome "the pitfalls of reductionism and overconfidence?"

I trust Michael Pollan. He has now written enough books regarding food that we know who and how he is. If he has a bias, it seems to be that he really gives a damn about we American consumers.

Pollan shows how, starting in 1977, government dietary decrees began to speak in terms of nutrients rather than specific foods. This was due to the pushback from the meat industry against the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs. Senator George McGovern's committee had made the fatal mistake of suggesting that Americans should eat less red meat and fewer dairy products. Enter agribusiness lobbyists. And that changed the whole story of the Western Diet. "The Age of Nutritionism had arrived." No longer would certain foods be extolled; now we would be sold nutrients. No matter that these mysterious and unpronounceable ingredients might be manufactured rather than grown.

At the end of the day, and near the end of this most valuable book, is the suggestion: "Cook and, If You Can, Plant a Garden." I relate well to that. I was lucky--I grew up in a poor family that raised most of our food. The proof of the eating is that my parents long outlived their eight younger "buy it at the store" siblings; Dad died at 93 and Mother is still avidly gardening at 94.

If we can't raise food we can buy from small producers as close to us as possible--we can be locavores. The more we know about the people who produce what we put in our body the more we can trust our food-buying decisions. And when we buy food we vote our values. The shorter the distance from field to plate, the less oil is consumed. Win-win.

So buy from nearby growers. Buy from farmer's markets and CSAs. Spend more money on best-quality food and spend less money on health insurance. It's an essential choice.

I won't be a spoiler and tell you about the new and contradictory information about fats, cholesterol and heart disease. I won't bore you with the stories of how our present unhealthful dietary condition came to be and the many businesses and agencies who have created it. And I won't tell you what you should do, beyond this: read this book and act on the uncommon commonsense knowledge it gives you.

Disappointing follow up to Omnivores Dilemma, April 14, 2008
I'm a huge fan of the Omnivores Dilemma and recommended it to more people than any other book I've read so `In Defense of Food' had a lot to live up to but somewhere something what badly haywire.

American's are getting fatter and fatter with average life spans that are considerably out of sync with the wealth of our nation. `In Defense of Food' takes an outsiders view of nutrition in the U.S., throwing stones at the establishment including nutritionists, food manufacturers and the FDA. Michael Pollan's argument is that it is our very obsession with food that throws the system off and we need to just relax and enjoy food. It sounds like the same advice being expounded in the book about how French women are supposedly never fat. Unfortunately we can't relax because we are constantly bombarded with calorie dense foods specifically designed for massive consumption. The author's suggestion is to step back, avoid the processed foods and start spending more on `whole foods' and items purchased from local farmers markets.

The main emphasis in the book is on eating a `traditional' diet. Something great-grandmother might have created. The author blames `western diseases' on a `western diet' but it's hard to know what constitutes a western diet, after all, three of the countries he suggests emulating are France, Italy and Greece. Are they not western? American's are definitely growing fatter but if it's due to synthetic substances like Margarine, Crisco and Nutrasweet why have American waistlines continue to grow as these substances have grown decreasingly popular? And if eating natural food is the magic elixir why do I find overweight farmers at my local farmers market? Shouldn't they all be aglow with vitality living to 120?

My wife is from Malaysia and her fathers' parents consumed a very `traditional' Chinese diet all their lives and yet died in there early 60's. Her grandmother passed away from a stroke brought on by high blood pressure and her grandfather by a heart attack. The way Michael Pollan talks this doesn't sound possible. I would also say that for an author who insists on taking a holistic view of eating as opposed to a reductionist one he completely omits taking into account cultural lifestyles in people heaths. Perhaps it's the high quality health care system in France that makes the difference or perhaps not but the author never even considers anything but consumption.

The advice that Michael Pollan gives is sound but most of it is so simple that it could probably fit into a pamphlet rather than a 200 page book which may explain why the book seems to veer off into unnecessary directions. Eating more vegetables is always good advice and the author even admits that every hated nutritionist he's talked has offered exactly that advice so how exactly is Mr. Pollan different from nutritionists? He lambastes nutritionists for taking a reductionist view of nutrition but then goes on at length about maintaining a proper balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 in your diet. Did great-grandmother worry about the ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 in the food she served?

Morgan Spurlock of `Supersize Me' probably hit the nail right on the head. It's the amount of calories that American's eat that's doing us in. Avoiding synthetic foods is probably good advice but it's advice like avoiding swimming after eating a meal and not likely to make much of a change in your life. I lost 50 pounds last year and it had nothing to do with eating traditional meals or avoiding margarine. I reduced my intake of calorie dense food including soda and fast food. This is the kind of advice any nutritionist will give out.

What bothered me most about this book was how Michael Pollan went on the attack when none of his advice is that far off from what other nutritionists and dieticians are recommending. It's a decent book but lacks focus and has difficulty defining what he's talking about when he uses terms like `Western' and `Traditional' diets. Quite frankly, this book is more of just a subset of Omnivores Dilemma and if you've read that one you could probably skip this one.

Our relationship with food, how it has changed, January 5, 2008
Pollan has written a far-reaching, easy to read and very informative book that breaks through the nonsense of reductionist nutrition or what he refers to as "nutritionism." He steps back from the Western diet to expose how science, industry and culture have created this strange departure of human beings from their historical relationship with food. A radical break from tradition began in the mid 1800's with the ability to grind grains down to their smallest elements. At the same time as the birth of refined grains, scientists declared that metabolism could be explained in terms of a few chemical nutrients. This approach to nutrition continues today with the USDA MyPyramid nutrition guidelines.

But is that how nutrition really works? Pollan exposes many scientific mistakes that have been made since the mid 1800's. In our quest to isolate nutrients from their food, we ignore the reality that nutrition is as complex as a symphony orchestra. Rather than associating a health outcome as the result of including a nutrient in our diet, we are beginning to see that many health outcomes are due to the exclusion of another nutrient we have yet to identify! Heart disease is no longer linked to saturated fat in the diet but more likely due to the fact that the animals we eat no longer eat grass and the non-traditional use of grains.

Why with all of this science and information do we see an increase in chronic degenerative disease throughout the Western world? Could our approach be wrong? What should we do? After Pollan's in-depth look at the progression of medicine, government policy and the food industry over the past 150 years, he gives his solution. "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants." Sounds simple and it is. Something simple for a complex problem; that's refreshing! But, it's not easy. It requires more time and more money for less food but greater health.

Eat whole foods, traditional foods, avoid processed foods, buy from local producers, eat green (leaves) and eat foods (animals) that eat green. Eat wild foods, game and wild caught fish. Other than his omission of recommending lamb as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, his coverage of omega fatty acids, the latest nutrient `craze,' is one of the best I've seen.

Non-Western diets may be healthier not because of some `magic bullet' in these diets but because they eat more variety (our refined grain diet consists primarily of wheat, corn and soy), they don't snack, they prepare their whole food at home, they sit down together as a family to eat and most importantly... food is a tradition that they love and embrace. If we regarded food with that same joy, rather than fuss over its health consequences, we might even see a reversal in chronic degenerative disease. At the very least, we would once again have a healthy relationship with food.

A good companion book for Pollan's book is "Real Food" by Nina Plank.

Naked Lunch, March 31, 2008
"In Defense of Food" is a fine book, cleverly written in clear and musical English, and I recommend it to everyone in the hope that the victuals of this benighted land eventually improve.

I go out of my way to obtain decent food, so I'm in agreement with Professor Pollan in much of what he has to say, but as to his central premise, that refined and manufactured food is poisonous to the degree that it is causing the present epidemic of obesity and diabetes -- not to mention all the other maladies he lists-- I remain skeptical.

Certainly there is nothing new about Professor Pollan's hypothesis. Admonitions about the deleterious properties of sugar have circulated for many years; Hitler was said to be a sugar addict, and there is a song of warning called "Poison Sugar" on the Holy Modal Rounders' 1978 album, Last Round

However, I am ancient enough to have lived in a time when the quality of food was even worse than that under which we suffer today. In the 1950s, no food package bore the label All-Natural or No Artificial Ingredients. Instead, food was marketed as being new and improved, modern, and scientifically advanced with secret ingredients such as Platformate. Unlike the culinary utopia that Professor Pollan depicts in those days, television advertising had ensnared American minds, and families were more likely to dine on what were then called TV Dinners (each of which came in an aluminum tray) rather than mother's home cooking. The standard lunch which children carried to school in their Roy Rodgers lunchboxes consisted of a peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich on Wonder Breadďż˝. If a child expressed hunger upon return from school, he or she would be encouraged to eat another such sandwich, because the jelly came in decorated glass tumblers which, when emptied, served as attractive tableware in which to serve Kool-Aidďż˝, the standard drink of the day.

The "peanut butter" in these meals actually contained little that was derived from peanuts, but instead about 60% of the paste was hydrogenated cottonseed or corn oil (as were all foods made by the Corn Products Refining Company and the Union Starch Company). When children drank milk instead of sugar-water, it was often enhanced with Boscoďż˝ corn syrup. At my best friend's house, they used Similacďż˝ powdered milk, and before corn flakes came encrusted with sugar, it was common to sprinkle granulated sugar (a lidded sugar bowl was always kept at the center of the table) on one's cereal.

Bacon grease was saved in a jar that was kept in the ice box, but later Criscoďż˝ and Swiftďż˝ shortening became more popular for frying. Everything, all cooking, was fried, and the remaining grease was saved like a precious substance. Hot dogs were even more popular than they are today, only then, the casings of these floor-sweepings from the abattoir were supplemented with non-meat extenders -- often cereal or starch byproducts.

Penny candy was sold, and after school, children would load up on it at the corner store. Penny candy was what one might consider to be on the fringe of food. For instance, a common candy was buttons of colored sugar stuck to a tape of paper. Another was tiny wax vials containing dyed (but not flavored) sugar water -- some kids even ate the paraffin wax. One which survives today is bubble gum. Can any of these things actually be considered food? Whatever the answer, many such substances were consumed.

The era of air freight and food transportation had not yet arrived, so it was the utopia of local food that Professor Pollan rhapsodizes over. Unfortunately, this meant that fresh produce was unavailable to most of the country for the winter months. During this time, canned fruits were popular -- all canned fruit having been packed "in heavy syrup."

In short, the American diet of the period (the postwar diet of Europe was far worse, and our family charitably sent canned goods and sugar to the old country) was exponentially worse than even the most egregious crimes against the palate Professor Pollan describes in this book. If refined sugar and the wrong type of fat and artificial food are so patently malefic to the human body, why is it that diabetes and obesity were as rare in those bygone days as appendicitis is today? Since we Americans --obedient as always to the orders of the all-seeing TV eye -- ate nothing but processed food swimming in cholesterol, sugar and number-10 red dye, how is it that any of us lived to tell of it? Why didn't Americans vanish from the face of the Earth leaving the ruins of supermarkets as a warning for future archeologists?

In fact, this worst of all imaginable diets seemed to exhibit no symptoms among the populace. Hyperactive Attention-Deficit Disorder had yet to appear in children. It may be argued that it was there, lurking, but hadn't yet been discovered, but to this I would suggest that it was kept in check by the power of fear. Anyone "acting-out" (as I believe it is now termed) in a classroom would be administered swift and cruelly-painful corporal punishment. Obesity was rare and rarer still in children, because most people were employed in manual labor, and in my city, there were no such things as school buses. For that matter, there were never any snow days. Even in those brutal winters --and this was in the era before Global Warming eliminated winter forever-- we were expected to be in school and on time every day. After school, boys spent most of their free time injuring each other.

On the other hand, in times past the wealthy few who could afford the type of diet Professor Pollan advocates -- unadulterated, minimally-processed, unpackaged, natural food in wide variety; fresh-picked produce and prime meats that had been fed on wild clover and fallen peaches; wines without sulfites -- such gourmands often developed gout (the cure for which was a diet of Jell-Oďż˝ with the tiny marshmallows mixed in).

Upon casual consideration, Professor Pollan's call for a return to the "good ol' days" is admirable, but for those of us so unfortunate as to have been born before the advent of such food messiahs, how is it that we apparently thrived? Actually, Professor Pollan is but one of a long line of food prophets foretelling our doom if we don't repent, and as with all the others, he's getting rich doing so.

There's the real lesson! ... Read more

Editorial Review

At last! The cookbook based on the bestselling The Paleo Diet

Dr. Loren Cordain's The Paleo Diet has helped thousands of people lose weight, keep it off, and learn how to eat for good health by following the diet of our Paleolithic ancestors and eating the foods we were genetically designed to eat. Now this revolutionary cookbook gives you more than 150 satisfying recipes packed with great flavors, variety, and nutrition to help you enjoy the benefits of eating the Paleo way every day.

• Based on the breakthrough diet book that has sold more than 100,000 copies to date
• Includes 150 simple, all-new recipes for delicious and Paleo-friendly breakfasts, brunches, lunches, dinners, snacks, and beverages
• Contains 2 weeks of meal plans and shopping and pantry tips
• Features 16 pages of Paleo color photographs
• Helps you lose weight and boost your health and energy by focusing on lean protein and non-starchy vegetables and fruits
• From bestselling author Dr. Loren Cordain, the world's leading expert on Paleolithic eating styles

Put The Paleo Diet into action with The Paleo Diet Cookbook and eat your way to weight loss, weight control maintenance, increased energy, and lifelong health-while enjoying delicious meals you and your family will love. ... Read more

Reviews

Excellent Cook Book and then some...., December 7, 2010
I have begun "cooking my way through" this cookbook and am very impressed! It is a combination of a great book (summary of the paleo diet), great reference, as well as a thorough cookbook. The recipes are fantastic - simple yet flavorful, easy yet complex and just plain delicious. Frankly, this is the best damn cookbook I have found if you want to cook and eat real food. Hands down a great buy and worth every penny! I took the book to kinko's to cut the binding and replaced it with a ring binding and laminate the cover and back so it is a bit more durable. I am adding my own pictures and recipes in the back. I could not be happier (and in better shape).

Another Paleo Cookbook..Finally, December 4, 2010
Okay so I received the cookbook and was excited to get it. The saddest thing of it all is it could have been an amazing cookbook instead of just average. No pictures is a major (no no) on a cookbook. Also I think it should have been a hardback book. I wish they would have taken some cues from the Primal Blueprint Cookbook, with that said it does have some merits.

Pros: 150 recipes, Cost, Smoothie recipes look good, A couple good chapters on what a Paleo Diet is and what your Kitchen should consist of to be Paleo. More Recipes than The Primal Blueprint Cookbook, Different recipes than the Primal Blueprint, so it is awesome to add to my choices of foods to cook. Paleo Diets are easy and they work.

Cons: No Pictures, Not Hardcover

Conclusion: This could have been a amazing cookbook but it is not, its good and cheap but they really messed up when they did not make it hardcover and no pictures. If you own the Primal Blueprint Cookbook, then get this one...If not go Primal first. Just don't expect this cookbook to be even come close to the excellence of the Primal cook book. Now with that said I have not begun to cook out of this book yet, but I will update this review on how the food comes out. Making the recipes is the true test of it all. Still I would say they could have had a amazing cookbook, instead of "I like it" cookbook.

Disappointing, December 3, 2010
There are no pictures of any of the recipes written in this book. It is a recipe book for sure, but unlike its main competitor (The Primal BluePrint cookbook) it is recipes and nothing else. No real idea about how your dish is supposed to look. Very disappointing because it shows pictures of some dishes on the cover but inside the book, nada. Perhaps it was written somewhere that there were no pictures of any of the dishes but I didn't see it.

Pretty good, December 23, 2010
This has a large assortment of recipes and an decent intro to the paleo diet. I will use this often! HOWEVER, it is paperback, so I don't know how well it will hold up for regular usage and WHERE'S THE PHOTOS? A cookbook is so lacking without pictures. The The Primal Blueprint Cookbook: Primal, Low Carb, Paleo, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free and Gluten-Freeis what I got first. It has REALLY good recipes that are so easy to prepare! I've used about half of them, and they have all turned out to be great! I recommend getting that one first.

Paleo-Culinary-Superb, December 12, 2010
This recipe book really takes Paleo cooking up a level to great tasting dishes and a learning cooking experience. It remains beautifully simple to make. I feel like with these recipes I could rival those great Seattle chefs who insist that butter and cream, with grain dishes are the only true flavours. How wrong they are! Thank you Nell Stephenson!

Well organized and easy to follow., December 8, 2010
This is a great cookbook! It is well organized by categories and the recipes are eazy to understand and to follow. Many of these items can be made with ingredients we have on hand or with a quick trip to the store. Whether you are interested in the "diet" part of the Paleo Cookbook, or you are just looking for a delicious change for dinner; this is the cookbook to have. I highly recommend "The Paleo Diet Cookbook." I give it two thumbs up.

Fantastic Book!, December 7, 2010
The book is full of great recipes for novices as well as for people of advanced culinary training. The introduction to the Paleo diet is fantastic. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone looking to get healthy the way the body designed it! ... Read more

Editorial Review

There is a reason Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN^® Examination has been called "the best NCLEX exam review book ever." You'll find everything you need to review for the NCLEX exam under one cover - complete content review and over 4,500 NCLEX examination-style questions in the book and on the free companion CD! Don't make the mistake of assuming the quality of the questions is the same in all NCLEX exam review books, because only Silvestri's Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN^® Examination includes the kind of questions that consistently test the critical thinking skills necessary to pass today's NCLEX exam. And, what's even better is that ALL answers include detailed rationales to help you learn from your answer choices, as well as test-taking strategies that provide tips for how to best approach each question. It's easy to see why Silvestri is THE book of choice for NCLEX examination review. But don't just take our word for it - read any customer review or ask your classmates to see why Silvestri users believe that there's nothing else like it!

• Each question includes the correct answer, a complete rationale for all responses, and a test-taking strategy to help you develop techniques for locating the correct response.


• Each question includes a page reference to an Elsevier textbook to allow for further research and study.


• All alternate item-format questions are included, with multiple response, prioritizing, fill-in-the-blank, figure/illustration, chart/exhibit, and audio questions to prepare you for the wide variety of question types on the NCLEX-RN examination.


• Organization by nursing content area provides a logical, effective review to use throughout your nursing program.


• Pyramid Terms define key terms at the beginning of each major unit or chapter.


• Pyramid Points within each chapter highlight content that is important in preparing for the NCLEX-RN examination.


• Pyramid to Success sections provide an overview of major units or chapters and specific content related to the latest NCLEX-RN examination test plan.


• Pharmacology is emphasized with 13 pharmacology chapters, a medication and intravenous calculation chapter, and a pediatric medication calculation chapter to reflect this priority content on the NCLEX exam.


• Introductory chapters cover preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam, test-taking strategies, the NCLEX-RN exam from a student's perspective, and transitional issues for the foreign-educated nurse.


• A comprehensive exam consists of 265 questions that cover all content areas in the book and mirror the percentages identified in the NCLEX-RN examination test plan.


• A companion CD allows practice in quiz, study, or exam modes, with questions selected from content area, integrated process, category of client need, or alternate item-format type.

• Completely updated content is based on the new NCLEX-RN examination test plan, effective April 2010.


• A total of 4,500 questions ensure that you're thoroughly prepared for the content covered on the NCLEX-RN Exam.


• New chapter on physical assessment highlights the key components of physical examination and health history often encountered on the NCLEX exam.


• Audio and video questions on the companion CD provide experience with these new types of questions before the exam.


• Unique! Audio review summaries included on the CD cover the three core areas of pharmacology, fluids and electrolytes, and acid-base balance.


• Expanded coverage of prioritization, delegation, and nursing leadership and management provides critical information for these growing areas of nursing.


• Unique! Priority Nursing Actions boxes outline and explain clinical emergent situations requiring immediate action, including detailed rationales and textbook references to help strengthen your prioritizing skills in clinical and testing situations.


• Pyramid Alert boxes highlight important nursing concepts to help you focus on the content that is most frequently tested on the NCLEX examination.


• Automatic software updates on CD make it easy to check for changes and updates throughout the life of the edition.

Reviews

Top notch!, January 29, 2005
Without a doubt this book is a must for nursing students or those preparing to take the NCLEX. I have used it tirelessly to study for tests through nursing school and it has proven invaluable. I like that the book is split up into sections by topic. Not all NCLEX books are designed this way. I also like that at the beginning of each chapter there is an outline defining all the necessary information needed to critically think through questions. It's like having all your years of nursing school compiled into one book! Following each topic summary there are NCLEX type questions with answers that follow at the end of the chapter. Answers contain rationale as to why the given answer is the correct one. Probably most helpful are the test taking strategies. For anyone who has taken a standardized test such as the SAT or GRE you know it's all about knowing how to take the test...knowledge is secondary. FInally, the CD that comes with the book is great. In addition to the questions printed in the book, it gives you about 50 more questions per section to answer. Bottom line...get this book.

A very helpful review tool, June 23, 2004
Failing my first NCLEX attempt at 264 questions (one short of the max -I scored A and B averages in school), results said "near passing" on all categories. I was pretty upset. I had used books (including Kaplan passing strategies) that friends gave or lent to me, for my first attempt. For the second, I purchased this (Saunders) book, and immediately wished I'd had it when I was in classes. Unlike the other books -which tended to be concept reviews and suggestion-based strategies, this book is essentially an RN program review. The disk-based test and review program it comes with is similar to that of others, but allows you to pick up where you left off, if you don't finish your review when you shut down the computer -this was unique among my other programs.
I've been recommending this book to other test candidates and students. After reading this book, I passed my NCLEX with the minimum questions required (75)-this was after the pass-level was raised in April 2004!
I cannot say enough about this book. If you get no other, get this one.

Best review book ever!, February 15, 2006
This book is the best. I just got it last week and already it has helped me a lot. There are priority questions where you list things in numbered order ,which is new for the boards. There are also pictures with questions,which is also new. Studying for my first exam this level(3 out of 4) with this book was even more helpful than I anticipated. I got to the test and noticed many familiar questions being asked and I sat there thinking, thank god I studied that review book. Worth every penny!

This is the one to use, July 19, 2005
I purchased Mosby's review and got about halfway through before I threw it in the trash. (The questions were written very poorly.) I got Saunders Review and the Q&A Review and found them to be much more consistent and resembled the NCLEX questions closely. Don't waste your money on any other review book; this will get you where you need to be. I passed my boards in 75 questions.

J. Wiley, RN

Good Review Book but get another book for NCLEX questions, August 1, 2007
I just passed the NCLEX!!!!! :-)
Anyways, This book is a great review BUT the NCLEX questions in this book were much easier than the actual questions I saw on the test. Check out NCLEX 101: How to Pass! and Kaplan's NCLEX-RN Strategies for the RN licensing exam 2007 Edition for questions more like NCLEX.
Good luck everyone!!!!

Not just for state board preparation, May 24, 1999
I purchased this review book midsemester. It has not only prepared me to take my state board examination but has been useful in studying for class as well. It has an easy outline form to follow. The review book has helped me remember key points and increased my critical thinking skills. I would recommend this review book to everyone. My whole class is using it!

PASS YOUR CLASSES AND THE NCLEX-RN, August 9, 2004
I purchase this book my first semester of school and it did not disappoint me. I hardly open any of my textbooks and after two semesters didn't even buy the required textbooks. Everything that you need to know to get you through nursing school is in this complete comprehensive book. I LOVE this book. Passed my boards first try at 75 questions. Used it to review and will keep it as a reference. Get this book you will not be disappointed you will be thankful.*****

All that and more!, December 19, 1999
I bought this book at the beginning of my last semester in nursing school---I wish I had purchased it in the first semester! It served as an invaluable resource when studying for unit exams. It increased my knowledge, provided useful tables and was organized in an easy-to-follow outline format. The questions posted at the end of each section allowed me to concentrate on specific topics. I would recommend this book to ALL nursing students!

BEST NCLEX REVIEW BOOK, August 16, 2005
I would highly recommend this book if you want to pass the NCLEX-RN exam on your first try. Information learned all those years in nursing school is compacted into this book in such a way that won't make you feel overwhelmed. Diseases and treatments are simply put. The questions at the end of each review tests what you've just reviewed and the rationales provided at the end of each section are excellent. This book is the best I've looked at and I am happy to report that I passed on my first try using this book as my primary studying aid.

My Favorite NCLEX-RN Review Book, April 27, 2000
My search for the best NCLEX-RN book has ended; my sixth NCLEX-RN purchase and my favorite. I also have 1)PreTest by Dahlhauser, 2) The Princeton Review by Pearson, 3) Nat'l Student Nursing Assoc., 4) A Good Thinking Approach by Poorman, and 5) American Nursing Review for NCLEX by Bininger. I love the organization of the outline. It is very thorough yet concise. Each category includes a Pre-test and Post-test. The print and the paper are very comfortable to my eyes, too. Good Luck on the NCLEX! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Proposes that a person's blood type can both influence health and explain individuals' reactions to foods, and presents four different plans, based on blood type, for diet, exercise, and good health. ... Read more

Reviews

Try it yourself, January 20, 2001
Two of us have been following this plan for over 1.5 years. My partner lost about 20 pounds in the first few months, without counting portions or calories, and has maintained his ideal weight without effort. His energy returned to a level not experienced for several years - one of the keys was putting MODERATE amounts of organic beef back into his diet. Eliminating wheat, dairy products and foods with problematic lectins, while emphasizing beneficial foods such as leafy dark-green vegetables also helped. Since he's Type O and I'm Type A, the protein part of our diets differs somewhat, but we've quite easily found ways to cook together. We both noticed much clearer sinuses after just a week. He eliminated asthma symptoms and my allergies improved. I no longer suffer from PMS. I lived with knee problems since childhood, but these have now disappeared, as did the stiffness in my fingers and back in the morning. Digestive problems and stomach aches, a major problem for me since childhood, eased greatly in the first couple of months and are still improving. My complexion cleared and my heart stopped "skipping beats" - I could go on and on.

I have been interested in nutrition and have kept abreast of various schools of thought for the last 25 years. When I first heard of Eat Right I dismissed it as a fad diet that was not based on scientific evidence. Before reading Eat Right I consumed what I believed were "healthy" foods for many years: whole grains, little or no meat, lots of fresh vegetables, fruit, legumes, "good" fats, spring water. Very few additives, prepared or fast foods or medications. However, some foods that were healthy according to the literature and research were healthy for other blood types but not for Type A. When I eliminated these foods and ate more of the beneficial foods I immediately saw results.

I just read most of Live Right 4 Your Type and highly recommend it. Eat Right 4 Your Type was a great introduction, but it's several years old and much research has taken place since then. For someone new to the eating plan, reading both books would be helpful. The information in Live Right is more current, more specific for individuals and a little more technical. Beyond food recommendations, Live Right's information about cortisol and stress was very useful for me.

Read the reviews of people who have actually tried the eating plan, then try it for a month and decide yourself!

Receipt for better living : "Eat Right for Your Blood Type", October 21, 1999
While working in a health food store in Wichita, Kansas about a year and a half ago, I was exposed to Dr.D'Adamo's book. It took me a while to decide to take small bited of his recommended diet for my blood type. Quit frankly it seemed to me that I would have to give up every food I liked, and that staying on this program was a jail sentence which I was most likely to abort in a few short days. The theory made a lot of sense, but after many years of "yo-yo" dieting, I must admit I thought this was just the latest diet fad. I felt that I needed to do something about the way I was feeling both physically, and emotionally. I decided to make some suggested changes a bit at a time, finding at one point that I was ready to make a full commitment to the doctors advice, as I had started to feel better, and wanted to see if what I was experiencing could possibly get even better. I went to my family doctor who agreed to support me in my efforts, after she agreed to read the book! She took base line blood work,checked my vital signs, including a physical. She found that my blood pressure was too high, my triglyceride level was unacceptable, cholesterol was elevated, and my energy level was extremely low. I had complaints of leg cramps, fatigue,irritable bowel syndrome,depression,and carbohydrate cravings. I had also put on over 50 pounds in the past 3 years. Being 50 years old I was also struggling with postmenopausal symptoms. After 20 weeks of following Dr. D'Adamo's suggestions many of my symptoms subsided, and much to my delight I have dropped 27 pounds. I am even more motivated to continue my eating life style changes due to the drastic changes I have obtained. I highly recommend for anyone to explore this wonderful perscription for staying healthy, and see what taking control of your life feels like. The rewards are well worth the personal commitment toward living longer and, having the quality of life that makes you want to face every new day.

It's not just another nutrition book., July 4, 2000
I have to disagree with the customer review that stated that this book was just another way of saying, "Eat better and exercise, and you'll lose weight." I have type O blood, and one of the many helpful recommendations Dr. D'Adamo gives is for type O's to avoid wheat, which is quite contrary to most health recommendations. I've tried all my life to eat whole wheat products because health experts recommend it. Little did I know how hindering it was to my body and my weight loss efforts to eat wheat. I also found that not all people benefit from strenuous exercise. For some blood types, yoga and tai chi can be more beneficial than strenuous aerobics. The whole point of this book is that people cannot follow the same diets and exercise programs to get the same results, and I completely agree. If this wasn't true, people who are trying to follow traditional health recommendations for exercise and eating wouldn't be finding themselves overweight and unhealthy, despite their efforts. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is trying to lose weight, reduce stress, and increase their overall health. I have lost weight, but more than that, I am more healthy than I've ever been in my life. I don't believe Dr. D'Adamo would have done such strenuous research, nor would people be doing so well on the diet, if it was just another way of telling people to eat right and exercise.

Too much arm-waving, February 22, 2000
I bought this book from Amazon after a referral from a friend who lives by it. The biggest problem I have with it is that the author presents virtually no scientific justification or research results behind any of the claims he makes. He freely dispenses all sorts of advice (e.g. type As shouldn't eat oranges because they interfere with digestion) and then expects readers to just take his word for it. As the world's biggest skeptic, I would normally advise people to stay well clear of this one, except for one little problem: the diet does in fact appear to be working, at least in my case. I didn't modify my lifestyle, and I haven't followed the diet to the extent that the author would have liked me to. I have, however, made a concerted effort to cut down on many of the foods he warns against for people of my type (A). In the 2 months since buying the book I've dropped an astonishing 20 pounds, down from 190. I don't know how well it works for other people, and I really don't like the unscientific manner in which the information is presented, but my own results force me to begrudgingly give it 4 stars.

The Blood Type Diet Works--It's Real--It Changed My Life, July 30, 2000
Eat Right 4 Your Type is great. It works. I'm a Blood Type A and it worked great. Believe me, I was skeptical when I read about it, but after getting the book and reading it, I decided to give it a try. It helps to read all of the book. Don't just go to the part about your own blood type and skip over the rest. After just a few days avoiding the foods the diet says aren't good for my blood type, I noticed a change. I started feeling better. I had more energy. I had trouble with my stomach for years, digestive problems. And I was overweight. The diet has helped to change that. I didn't feel sick to my stomach so much. The more I kept to the diet, the less my stomach hurt. Then it stopped hurting at all. And I started losing some weight. It wasn't any miracle weight loss, but after almost 6 weeks following the book, I lost about 12 pounds. Weight is still coming off. I feel better than I have for years, and I'm in my fifties. My wife bought Cook Right 4 Your Type also, for ideas about meals for people with different blood types. That's the hardest part, giving up almost all of the fast, easy stuff. I still want to eat Italian bread. I try not to watch the food commercials on TV. I miss fast food junk like that. But I love Eat Right and Cook Right. They helped me so much, and my wife. I'm still surprised. Dr. D'Adamo and Catherine Whitney make it all so easy to understand. Read this book from cover to cover. There's really good information here for everybody. My wife is Type O, and she feels great right now from following the blood type diet. There's also a blood type web site to get any questions answered. There's a message board in there that's a real help. Buy the book, read it, and then use it in good health. You're going to be surprised. The blood type diet works. It's great. I give it a Five stars rating, plus. I hope this helps you.

It Seems To Be Working For Me, August 26, 2000
I purchased this book because I had been having a lot of digestive problems, like embarrassing gas everyday, and heartburn that was becoming more frequent. Also, during the past few years, I had gained 10 pounds and nothing I did seemed to make a difference. I attributed it to the fact that I was "middle-aged" and began to dread getting "old". I found the book to be very interesting, but wondered about the scientific aspect. Was he making this up, or could it be true? I decided to give the diet a try, just to see what would happen. As a "B" blood type, the information in the book revealed to me that the almost total vegetarian diet I had adopted in the past five years was incorrect for my blood type. I read the food lists, and discovered that many of my favorite foods were on the "avoid" list. I made some simple substitutions, giving up "avoid" foods, and replaced them with foods from the "highly beneficial" and "neutral" lists. I added meat and fish back to my diet a few times a week. To my great surprise, within three days, all of my digestion problems cleared up. The gas and heartburn disappeared, and have not returned for four months. An added benefit has been that I have lost nine pounds. This happened within the first two months. My energy has increased, and I feel pretty good! A few times when I have splurged and eaten foods from the "avoid" list, I have developed temporary digestive problems, but they immediately go away when I return to the Blood Type Diet. I asked a physician friend to read the book, and he refused to do so, because it had not been "peer-reviewed" in the medical journals he reads. He expressed concern about the unqualified people writing books and taking advantage of the simple people, like me. Well, all I can say in answer to him is that it simply seems to be working for me, and I cannot argue with the positive results I have seen. I am back to my high school weight and feel good.

IT CHANGED MY LIFE, August 16, 2001
The blood type diet has changed my life for the better and I challenge all the scientist rubbishing it to try it themselves! From the age of 27 I started to suffer from acne and increasing weight gain. My Doctor prescribed anti-biotics for the acne and I ate less and less to loose weight; nothing worked. The weight gain although upsetting did not effect me like the acne as it completely took over my face and back and destroyed my self confidence. I suffered like this for six years until last year when I met my Nutritionist who I can only described as an 'Angel' at a business meeting. She, just by looking at my eyes told me I had serious digestive problems and to go and visit her. That day was the turning point in my life. I underwent a food tolerance test and the results were amazing. Every food that I had been eating, which I thought were healthy, my body could not tolerate. The list was endless of foods which I should not eat. The subject then came up about blood type and I was given a copy of ER4YT. When we compared my test results to the book I was amazed to see that every food I had shown an intolerance to was listed in the bad foods; from that point on I was converted.I am a B type and ate huge amounts of chicken, wheat, pasta and tomatoes, thinking they were healthy but they were the worst things I could have eaten. I left her office in shock but convinced this was the answer, it made sense! I changed my diet from that moment on and have never looked back. My skin cleared up almost immediately and I have lost the weight I wanted to.My energy levels have increased ten fold and I am a much happier. The most fantastic thing was it was so easy. OK cutting out bread was a bit of a problem at first but I now eat rice bread and rice pasta. The scientific evidence may not be there but what other evidence do I need? I have a clear skin, I have lost weight and I have my confidence back. STUFF the science, it works!

A Promising Hypothesis, September 24, 1999
I had heard about the ER4YT book about two years ago and considered it to be a bunch of bunk at the time. Friends told me about it and I didn't even bother to read it before I condemned it. How could I, a Type A, who eats healthily, be told to avoid such delicious foods as whole wheat, tomatoes, mushrooms, potatoes, etc.! The corrleation between food selection, health, and blood type seemed to be complete fiction, especially since I had no health complaints with my current eating patterns.

Well, curiosity got the best of me and a month ago I bought the book version of ER4YT. I was intrigued when two acquaintances related their almost miraculous improvements in their well-being by following Dr. D'Adamo's advice.

My wife insisted I check out the book with our family doctor before I became a fanatic of ER4YT. My doctor was quite dismissive of the whole idea and said that as far as she was concerned there wasn't any research to unequivocally back up D'Adamo's hypothesis. I left her office feeling like I'd just been hoodwinked by another book-fad. For another perspective I called my brother-in-law who has a doctorate in biochemistry and is currently doing research in San Diego in immunology. He said that various lectins are regularly used in his lab to induce tumours in lab animals and that the link between health, cancer, lectins, and blood type is only beginning to be understood. Ah ha!

Anyways, I have read the book and have been on the Type A diet for 2 weeks and these are my impressions:

o the anthropological info is amusing reading but it seems extraneous to the rest of the book

o the chapters on blood type, lectins & diet, cancer, etc. are well-written and convincing

o the diet is cumbersome to get used to -- some of the ingredients are hard to find or just strange to incorporate into daily life (would you like another scoop of steaming kasha?)

o I have been on it for 2 weeks and have noticed no health benefits excepts a great reduction in gas, which is nice. I also have noticed that when I stray from the diet my digestion feels very unhappy. I will give it more time and hopefully I will become a full convert to the ER4YT gospel!

o the most important thing to me is that my doctor said that the diets Dr. D'Adamo prescribes are NOT harmful, and in her opinion, the reason why most people notice improvements in their well-being is because they are finally incorporating fresh whole foods in their diet instead of fast-or-packaged foods. She's probably right, but I'm also banking on D'Adamo's hypothesis.

Does it work?, January 24, 2004
Let me get a few things out of the way before reviewing the book itself. I've been on the Blood Type O diet for 9 months now and have lost 30 lbs. To give you some background I started a new job in a new industry about 3 years ago and had gained nearly 25 lbs due to the long hours and free snacks and dinners (which I ate because I was working 60-90 hours a week) - in addition to the 20 lbs I had gained since getting married almost 7 years ago. Both my wife and I searched for a diet that would work for the both of us. My sister and her husband had some success with the Atkins diet, but it seemed too stringent for us. It was my wife who suggested this diet and I admit to being sceptical.

After reading the book I searched the internet for further information about Dr. D'Adamo's research. Not much came up other than the "official" website. Does this mean that Dr. D'Adamo is wrong or that his book is just another diet clothed in new language? Perhaps, perhaps not. And therein lies a caution I would give you: be careful not to glorify this diet or Dr. D'Adamo beyond it, or his, relative worth. I've met many people over the years who have tried a variety of diets with varying degrees of success. Many tend to dismiss the diet if it doesn't work for them and, on the other hand, present it as the one-and-only true diet if it does work.

My criteria for deciding whether or not to try the Blood Type diet was twofold: 1) is it a radical diet that emphasizes one or two types of food to the exclusion of all else or does it recommend a balanced intake of a variety of foods, which in my opinion is the right way to go and 2) is it something that I can incorporate as a lifetstyle change rather than being a fad. In my opinion, and my experience, the answer is yes to both. However, I would also say that your success with this diet may be different as I believe a number of psychological factors are also applicable, to any diet e.g. willingness to follow a regime and a recognition of when it is ok for them personally to "cheat".

The book itself provides information about the different diets and, in general terms, why they work. Dr. D'Adamo doesn't provide details of his research - though he does describe some case studies, again in general terms. While that isn't the purpose of the book the fact that you virtually can't find the information if you wanted it is a little disconcerting. It provides a few recipes, but you should buy the supplemental recipe books if you have trouble creating them on your own. The first three chapters cover general information about Dr. D'Adamo's approach and the next four cover diets for each blood type. Chapters on the individual diets give some background information and then a list of foods categorized as Highly Beneficial, Neutral, and Avoid. At least for the Blood Type O diet a list of the foods that encourage weight loss and a list of foods the contribute to weight gain are also given.

I gave this book 3 stars for a couple of reasons. The lack of further detailed information about the research leading to his conclusions and the contradictory categorization of foods that are beneficial, neutral, and to be avoided throughout the "series" of Blood Type books. The end results is that I have lost 30 lbs and have been able to keep it off. But I must also give myself some of the credit for being able to make the lifestyle change necessary to make it happen.

Magic, November 10, 2001
Hello. This book gives me the type of feeling I get when I watch "Street Magic" on TLC. I'm Awed. Incidentally, I am a BRUTAL reviewer. If I smell a quack or a fraud, I go for the jugular, (to save someone time and money). D'Adamo knows his stuff. Here's the lowdown: I am an O+ blood type. Recently I had serious health problems. I saw a lot of doctors and did a lot of research, and it turned out to be Candidiasis and serious food allergies. I took a test called ELISA/ACT to find out what stuff I'm allergic to. Now, when you develop food allergies and intollerances, the first things your body starts rejecting are: 1. The stuff you never should have eaten, that your body could somewhat put-up with before, when you were younger and stronger. and 2. The stuff you ate on a very regular basis during the period of increased immune response (brought on by Candida). You want to know something? About 90% of the stuff I can't tolerate is on D'Adamo's Avoid List. DAMN IT! Magic. (The other allergies are to some stuff I ate EVERY DAY, which is normal). So my particular case helps prove him right. You want to know what else? As a child I was a very finicky eater. I loved certain foods, and I hated others. Most of the ones I hated as a kid are on his Avoid List. DAMN IT! Magic again. How does he do that? Do yourself a favor and A) Get this book. B) Get a gluten intollerance test if you are an O+ (gluten is in wheat, oats, etc...). C) Get the ELISA/ACT test (very expensive, but your health is worth more than that patio furniture you want). Here's food for thought: Most Americans are O+. Wheat is a HUGE staple here. Most O+ people are intollerant to wheat to some extent (which increases as you grow older). Some people are FLAT OUT allergic to it. Some people get different levels of A.D.D. from it. Some people are AUTISTIC because of it. Get that GLUTEN intollerance test PRONTO (and you might say good-bye to the inexplicable moodyness and lethargy you get after eating).
Good luck in your search for better health! ... Read more

Editorial Review

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Taber s 21 is today s most comprehensive health science dictionary. Under the editorial direction of Donald Venes, MD, MSJ, a team of expert consulting editors and consultants representing every branch of health care, work with the Taber s in-house editorial staff to ensure that the content reflects the state of the art.

* Cyclopedic entries offer more than just definitions.
* More than 60,000 reader-friendly definitions, including 3,000 brand-new terms and 7,000 revised terms.
* Over 1,000 full-color illustrations in the book and DVD combined.
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Every print copy of Taber s 21 features the Taber sPlus DVD. This multimedia toolkit offers a wealth of interactive activities, clinical tools, and resources.
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Explore through Sight & Sound 1,000 images and hundreds of terms with their definitions and pronunciations.
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Bonus Appendices Twelve appendices including valuable clinical resources.
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DavisPlus Online Resources for students and instructors like test banks, animations, videos, and more. ... Read more

Reviews

Best Medical Dictionary., October 3, 2000
I was 'raised' on Stedman's, the usual medical dictionary at my Med School. When I recently bought a Taber's as a gift for a future colleague, I was surprised at the easier 'navigation' possible with Taber's (the tabs are excellent) and I was impressed with the quality & quantity of the illustrations. I believe this is the best choice for both health care providers and consumers.

Indispensable for Professionals, Students, & Laypeople, May 4, 2004
This dictionary has enough information to be useful for even the most learned medical professional and is still simple enough to use to be accessible to any mildly educated member of society. The dictionary is much more than simply a dictionary. Consisting of the vocabulary section and then some appendices, this 2270-page godsend is chockfull of definitions, examples, full-color diagrams, charts, diagnoses, and more. The preface to the dictionary actually lists all of the features of this cyclopedic dictionary, so I will regurgitate it here:
1. Vocabulary
2. Easy-to-Use Entry Format
3. Alphabetization
4. Eponyms (including biographies of those after whom things were named)
5. Definitions
6. Pronunciations
7. Singular/Plural Forms
8. Etymologies
9. Abbreviations
10. Encyclopedic Entries
11. Illustrations
12. Tables
13. Adjective Forms of Words
14. Cautionary Statements
15. Synonyms (Very helpful!)
16. Cross-References
17. Appendices (Basically all the stuff that doesn't fit well within the dictionary, like medical terminology prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms as well as lots of various classification schemes)
18. Nursing Diagnoses Appendix

The book comes with a trial subscription to Taber's Online. This is my only complaint. Taber's Online does not appear to have received the thorough thought that the printed version did. I found that it was generally unhelpful, but you don't have to pay any extra for it, so I'm not complaining, just commenting. Overall, I would strongly recommend buying the Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary.

Great book for non-medical persons too!, August 24, 2001
Having taken a medical terminology class at the hospital where I work, I quizzed the instructor on a suitable medical dictionary in his opinion that I could use for my daily work needs. He suggested a few including this one. Next day in work, I was about to ask a few of the many people in my department what their preferences were but decided to take a stroll around the cubicles instead. Sure enough, nearly every cubicle I passed, held a copy of this dictionary. After purchasing a copy, I wasn't surprised to see why. The book is very easy to follow and understand so, if you find yourself in need of this subject, I'd definitely recommend Taber's.

Incredible collection, July 8, 2005
Although Stedman's dictionary seems to be the preference for most medical schools, Taber's actually contains a lot more words than Stedman's. To be fair, there isn't much competition when it comes to medical dictionaries, it's either Stedman's or Taber's. Stedman's update is usually 4 to 5 years, but you'll only notice the lack of new words if you're in the research field. Taber's tends to release a new edition every year or two, plus you get more words at a lower price. In terms of the definitions in Taber's, it's written to be just a bit more considerate for the layman. Whereas in Stedman's, you would probably need to be at least a medical student or higher to make the most use of it. Best solution is to get both, at least one of the two definitions will make better sense to you.

A must have for any Nursing student, June 19, 2004
I can't tell you how invaluable this book is to me. It is safe to say I would be lost without it. I am in a bridge nursing program (RN-Masters) and have never worked in the medical feild before. Upper division textbooks are usually unhelpful because they contain no glossary at the back of the book. If your books are the same way this book is a necessity!

Definitions are in plain english rather than crazy medical jargon so you rarely have to filp pages to define words in the definition of the original word in question. Even better are the multitude of pictures and diagrams that really solidify your understanding of select terms.

There are some additional niceties specifially for nurses or nursing students. The appendix is filled with useful nursing guides such as:
1. Nutrition and dietary refrence values
2. Herbal medicines and their uses
3. Normal refrence laboratory values
4. Prefixes and suffixes
5. Latin and Greek nomenclature
6. Medical abbreviations
7. Units of measurement
8. Mini English-Spanish-French dictionary inclusive of specific medical phrases that may be used on the job
9. Classification of poisons and poisoning, including pathology, symptoms, and medical treatment
10. Addresses for health care resources and organizations, and nursing organizations
11. NIC and NOC lists
12. Nursing diagnosis
13. Conceptual models and theories of nursing

Those additional resources alone are worth the price of this book. You may be on a tight budget, but this is one book you cannot afford to be without.

The best medical dictionary for practical use, March 1, 1999
I continue to use this book, after 5 years in private practice. It is fast, concise and still amazes me at its depth.

I've just recommended it to my brother who is begining his EMT training.

A Definitive Medical Dictionary, April 3, 2002
The Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary is probably the best medical dictionary that you can buy today. It is very definitive in it's defintions and the charts, illustrations, and pictures make this medical dictionary vey fun. Whether you are already a doctor or are a medical student this dictionary is an absolute must. When I started to show an interest in medicine this was my first medical book. Whenever you are watching or reading something that pertains to medicine and something comes up that you are not sure about, this dictionary will solve your problems. I do have one problem with this dictionary, however. The pages are very thin and rip easily. This is not a biggy but is still something that I'm not too crazy about.

This medical dictionary is the best of all other medical dictionaries that are out there today. I recommend this to a medical student, a doctor, or anybody that holds and interest in medicine. This dictionary is an absolute must. Be sure to check this dictionary out, it has valuable information.

Happy Reading!!!

DISCOVER ITS PORTABILITY AND POWER, August 20, 2002
When the theme is Medical Dictionary, Dorland's and Stedman's often come to mind. No doubt, both are very good. But the truth is that apart from their CD-ROM versions, one may require the services of a powerlifter in order to lug either of the two around. This is where 'Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary' proves to be a winner. It delivers a near Stedman's (or Dorland's) output for half the weight. It is concise, accurate, and well-illustrated. Unless you are a medical transcriptionist, there is little (or no) need for a giant or pocket-sized dictionary if you already own Taber's.

Good but lacking some words., April 4, 2003
I bought this dictionary because it was one of recommended texts for my medical transcription course.
PROS:
1. The version I have is thumb-indexed so it's very convenient.
2. It has a CD-ROM so you can install the dictionary into your computer, copy, cut and paste definitions, or just read them while you are typing your transcript.
3. After the word definition, it gives you the origins of the word. THis is very helpful since a foundation in medical terminology is essential for a medical transcriptionist.
4. The CD allows you to search medical phrases and will give you all the entries where the phrases may be found. Example: If you type in "column of Bertin", it will give you entries where "column" and "Bertin" appear. By clicking on the entries, you will find that this is not listed under C but under B: "Bertin, column of".
CONS:
1. The CD-ROM should be in your drive while you are using it on your PC desktop.
2. Dictionary sometimes doesn't pop up when you want it to while you are typing a document, even when the CD is inside the drive. Sometimes it asks you to go online. I haven't mastered exactly why it does this because at other times, it will immediately come up.
3. Biggest con: some words aren't there at all. Etoposide is an example. The seventh cranial nerve (facial) isn't listed under "facial nerve" or "seventh cranial nerve". This is funny because all the other cranial nerves are listed under 2 entries each: e.g., "first cranial nerve" lists the olfactory nerve and its definition and description; under "olfactory nerve" you will see it referred to as a cranial nerve. Cranial nerves I-XII are listed as such except for the seventh. Normocephalic is another term that doesn't appear, but is commonly heard on trancription. These are the words I can remember not being there because they are the ones that I looked up most recently to make sure I had the correct spelling (in the case of normocephalic, most new transcriptionists would transcribe it as normal cephalic; if the doctor eats his words while dictating, you wouldn't even know the difference). There have been others that I had to look up in other medical dictionaries or word books.
VERDICT: If you are a medical student or medical transcriptionist, you need other resources besides this book.

Best medical reference for court reporters, December 31, 1998
I find Taber's to be the most comprehensive and accurate medical reference and recommend it to the students in my court reporting course. We also use it in our court reporting office. ... Read more

Editorial Review

For thousands of years humans have enjoyed the taste and nutrition of fermented foods and drinks. We rely on the transformative, almost magical power of fermentation to preserve and improve all sorts of food, making them tastier, more digestible, and more appealing. Author Sandor Katz takes readers on a whirlwind trip through the wild world of fermentation. The book is divided into chapters that focus on particular types of food and Katz provides readers with delicious recipes-—some familiar, others exotic—-that are easy to make at home, including vegetable krauts and kimchis; sourdough breads and pancakes; miso and tempeh; beers, wines, and meads; yogurt and cheeses.

The recipes provide a veritable smorgasbord of tastes, like homemade tempeh, sauerkraut, and borscht, along with a basic description of yogurt and cheese-making, complete with vegan alternatives.Whether you prefer to wash down your meal with Elderberry wine or Nepalese rice beer, there's something here to satisfy any palate.

Katz, a leading expert on the history of these foods, has written a revolutionary and informative culinary guide he calls "a cultural manifesto." He has experimented with many forms of fermentation and has developed and collected a wide range of techniques and recipes from around the world. ... Read more

Reviews

Wild Fermentation, September 15, 2003
This is the only cookbook that I know of that you will read from cover to cover. It is not the dry "do this in this order" kind of book, it walks with you on your culinary endevors like your mom or grandma would, telling you stories along the way, including the secrets that make not just sourdough bread, but unforgettable sourdough bread.

Sandor doesn't just tell us, he shows us, how to be self-sufficient about making and storing food (with little need for a stove or a refrigerator): making sourdough, cheese, miso, making tempeh, making wine, beer and, it seems, almost every other fermented food made the world over. And he gives you a list of resources where you can order the most mundane and exotic of starter cultures and even seaweed from our own Atlantic coast.

And your concept of "self" will never be the same again. He shows us how to reclaim and restore a part of ourselves that has protected us like the ozone layer protects the earth: the world of microbes in and around us, the protective cloak of the microecology that is meant to be a part of us like our skin.

Fermented foods restore a health balance like no probiotics and vitamins can. Happy reading, happy fermenting, happy eating!

viva fermented foods!, October 29, 2003
To refer to this as a 'cookbook' is disingenuous; it's a book about life and living foods! Having first read through a 20-ish page xeroxed copy of Katz' guide to fermented foods, I welcomed the increased breadth and volume covered in this published edition. I especially appreciate the cited references, although some works are relied on too heavily and there is a relative dearth of scientific citations. That said, there are some and the critique is balanced by the realization that Western science and nutrition have not been overly interested in such topics. A friend with Krohn's disease is hopeful it will help him to find foods he can more easily digest. Katz' book is an unconventional guide to storing foods with methods proven useful over centuries of preservation....and years in his own kitchen. It's detailed, thought provoking and contains a host of colorful characters worth reading about all on their own. It gets four stars because I look forward to a 2nd edition - thanks for a fine book!

OH So Good!!!, December 2, 2005
I love this book! I've tried a few of the recipes and just love the results! I can't believe none of the "back to nature" type books and publications I read talk about the simple and healthful ways of preserving food through fermentation!

Sandor does a fantastic job of taking the mystery and careful measuring out of fermentation. Most of the recipes I've read for fermentation say you must follow the recipe exactly or risk food poisoning. I'd rather play around with the recipes, so this is just perfect for me! I'm also impressed with his research into traditional recipes.

I just read that kimchi may cure Avian Flu, and the recipe in this book is a fantastic hit here! We use it as salad dressing with some sesame oil!

This is the cookbook of my dreams!, October 8, 2003
This cookbook has all the mundane and esoteric recipes I've ever wanted to own but have not been able to find all in one glorious place. Non-vinegar pickled pickles? It's there. Amazake? No problem! Kimchee? Likewise! And it's all written in a very intelligent, humorous and engaging manner with short and entertaining anecdotes that do not go on forever or stray far afield. **This book is a gem.** I recently attended a cooking class conducted by the author, who is just as amazing as his cookbook. He is full of energy and enthusiasm for spreading the gospel of these traditional and oh-so-nourishing foods. I own about 60 cookbooks, by the way, and this book is in my top five. I can't say enough good things about it. Buy this book!

Highly Recommended Modern Treatment of Ancient Technique, June 26, 2004
`Wild Fermentation' by Sandor Ellix Katz appears like a living fossil of the sixties counterculture, surfacing after forty years of being both shaped and scarred by the currents and tides of the last forty years. The author is a member of a very sixties hippie influenced rural community whose lifestyle seems to be grown directly from the soil laid down by `The Whole Earth Catalogue', `Easy Rider', `Alice's Restaurant', and the Hog Farm, but without any trace of the Merry Pranksters' antics or inclinations towards mind-altering drugs. The shaping of the last forty years is seen in the author's being HIV positive AIDs infected young man with a major interest in sharing his passion for fermented foods with the rest of the world through modern publishing and scholarly rigor.

Fermented food products are probably much more common in our lives today than they have been since the advent of the processed foods industry. And, this is a fact that even the average foodie may not be conscious. A quick inventory of fermented foods commonly used in modern American homes will show how widespread they have become.

The most obvious fermented product is beer, which has always been with us. Their cousins, wines and meads are also the product of fermentation. Virtually all cheeses are produced by fermentation, and our interest in and consumption of artisinal cheeses is rising fast. Yogurt is a close cousin of cheeses and consumption of yogurt has been rising since the early seventies. Sauerkraut and Choucroute have been with us since the beginning, but Asian fermented cabbage such as Kimchee and other fermented vegetables are becoming more popular. Pickles have also been a part of western cuisine for millennia Another part of the increasing interest in Asian foods is an increase in consumption of miso and tempeh, both from fermented soybeans. Asian fermented fish sauces from Thailand and Vietnam are also much more common today than they were 50 years ago. The granddaddy of fermented foods for Western cultures is yeast bread, especially sourdough breads.

Fermentation has at least four beneficial results, two of which have been known since prehistoric times. The first and most important effect is that fermentation is a method of natural preservation by the creation of acetic acid (acid in vinegar) or lactic acid (acid from milk sugar). The second, represented most clearly by the brewing of beer, is in the action of microorganisms on sugars to produce ethanol (alcohol in beer, wine, and liquor). The third is based on our physiological salivation response to acidic foods, or even the anticipation of acidic foods, thereby making the mouth feel of these foods more succulent by the combination of natural food moisture and our own saliva. Ancients may have sensed the last beneficial result, but it probably has not been fully realized until the 20th century. This is the ability of fermentation to break down foods which were hard to digest into different products which are both easier to digest and more nutritious. The two best examples of this action are the conversion of soy carbohydrates into miso and the conversion of milk into yogurt.

All of this has made fermentation into a darling of vegan advocates, as it broadens the range of useable non-animal protein and makes it all more palatable. It has also made fermentation into a favorite of alternate lifestyle nutritionists such as Sally Fallon, the author of the excellent book `Nourishing Traditions' who supplied a Foreword to this book. Fermentation is also one of the hallmarks of the slow food movement. Aside from the North African method for preserving lemons, I know of no other culinary methods that take as long to complete.

Anyone who has made pickles, sourdough bread, or beer should have a very good idea of the times involved in fermentation. And this doesn't even get into some of the olfactory `delights' that accompany the process of fermentation.

The author covers all of the types of fermentation mentioned above, devoting the greatest amount of space to vegetable, bean, and dairy fermentation. Bakers should not miss the lesser attention paid to breads, as for every book on yogurt, pickles, and kraut, there are ten books which cover artisinal baking with its sourdough sponges, poolishs, and begas.

On the political front, the most active issue regarding fermentation is the issue of unpasteurized cheeses being imported into or made in the United States. It is truly ironic that the home of Louis Pasteur relishes their raw cheeses while the squeaky-clean US won't let it in.

Aside from the thoroughly careful presentation the author gives of his material, the veracity of the book is strengthened by the extensively footnoted research behind his statements and the fact that the fruits of fermentation are essential to the lifestyle of the author and his comrades at their rural homestead. The similarity to both the hippie counterculture doctrines and the Amish lifestyle are unmistakable. One would almost take them for being scions of the Amish except for the names cited in the acknowledgments that I found myself checking against the names of the communities' goats. We owe this book in part to humans who go by the names Echo, Nettles, Leopard, Orchid, Spark, Book Mark, and Ravel Weaver.

I also thank Echo, Nettles, Leopard, et al and author Sandor Ellis Katz for this deeply thought out exposition of a pervasive and growing part of the modern culinary and nutritional environment.

This book may not be for everyone, or even for every foodie, but if anything I said sounds a chord in your psyche, I recommend you get a copy of this book and read it carefully.

There is no guide better than this one!!, January 31, 2004
This book is trully awesome. My husband has Crohn's disease which affects his digestive system and he was told that he needed to recolonize his gut with good bacteria and one of the ways is to eat fermented vegetables. This book guided me thru the process joyously and easily. Well researched and fun to read. Recipes for all kinds of vegies, dairy ferments and breads. Makes you pine for the simpler life in an intentional community.

Not a "Flip Open and Cook" Kind of Book, April 11, 2010
While the introductions to the chapters and the recipes definitely catch my interest and make me want to prepare these recipes, I am finding over and over again that the recipes are not written in a way where you could flip to the page and go.

Frequently, the instructions refer in an unclear manner to a different recipe that you need to follow in part, but make some changes.

Other times one of the ingredients is a recipe in itself, but no page number is given for where to find these extra instructions. For instance, many recipes call for "honey water," but give no information about how to prepare "honey water" or where in the book to find this concoction, leaving you to page through and search for it. Once you find honey water, you find that it is in a recipe for honey wine. Are the the recipes that call for "honey water" intending for you to use the ingredients from this honey wine recipe or use the final product? No answer is apparent.

I feel like I will have to re-write each of these recipes to include their FULL INSTRUCTIONS to make them user friendly. I don't know whether this was a choice made to save space, a sign of a disorganized mind, or simple laziness on the part of the author.

The stuff of life, January 17, 2004
I didn't expect how much I'd get into this when I picked it up, but Sandor's writing is clear and engaging and the subject is universal. I love that he talks about the history and the culture of fermentation alongside the concrete details of just making it work yourself with the kinds of things you have at hand.

It's true that fermentation is a fundamental chemical process that human beings have used for thousands of years to make food edible and tasty, but we've lost touch with that when we peel back the plastic on store-bought food. We've also forgotten the magical transformations involved, and this book lets you do that for yourself. Now I just have to find a good crock somewhere.

Awesome, October 19, 2005
I love this book, I have made sourdough bread and ginger beer. They both turned out great. I am now looking to make kimchi and sauerkraut. Recipes are easy to follow and taste great. Love it.

For those looking for an introduction to fermenting, April 9, 2005
In response to the two-star reviewer...could you direct me to the pages where you found those anecdotes and transexual behavior? Because I've had the book for a few days, read most of it, and didn't find any of those anecdotes. I skimmed through the whole book to check, and I didn't find any. The closest he comes to doing so is describing his experiences in dealing with AIDS, and how his passion for fermented foods have aided him in this process. That's far off from anecdotes about sexual behavior. Maybe you were reading an earlier edition of the book.

Anyways, I like this book because it addresses all of the subconscious thoughts that I had about fermentation, such as why we ferment foods, how we discovered the process, and the subjectivity of distinctions between foods fermented to perfection and rotten foods. Most of all, I like how he encourages us to experiment and tells us that fermentation does not require precision and control, as others may tell us. The simplest recipe in the book involves leaving fresh apple cider out. I also like his desire for us to recycle foods as much as possible, such as by making fruit peel vinegars. He gives us about fifty recipes, which includes all of the popular items, such as sauerkraut, miso, and beer, along with a few more obscure ones, and he encourages us to experiment with these. Although over half of the book seems to be anecdotes and stories, they give helpful knowledge for anyone new to fermentation. You may find his writings on the analogy of fermentation to cultural revolution and the process of life cheesy. (Damn, I spent more time on this review than I wanted to.) ... Read more

Editorial Review

Gluten free doesn't have to mean taste free, and chef Robert Landolphi proves it with his new work, Gluten Free Every Day Cookbook.

Landolphi is the up and coming gluten-free cookbook author. His dishes aren't just delicious, they're also quick and easy, and take living without wheat from endurable to enjoyable.

It's lots of flavor without the fuss. This cookbook includes more than 100 recipes for contemporary dishes ranging from main courses and sides, to soups and chowders, biscuits and muffins, pies and puddings, and cookies and sweetbars.

* Gluten Free Every Day Cookbook is one of only a few gluten-free cookbooks written and developed by a professional chef.

* This cookbook provides a fresh and progressive voice for gluten-free living. ... Read more

Reviews

Excellent gluten-free cookbook!, September 18, 2009
I was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease and needed a good "every day" cookbook. I followed the reviews here, and I was not led astray. This is by far one of the best cookbooks I have ever owned! My husband (who is not GF) and I have been very impressed with every recipe we've made from this cookbook. The recipes are easy, the ingredients aren't hard to find (which is a big plus if you live in the boonies like we do), and the food you will make is far better than non-GF food (really!). I highly recommend it!

This Cookbook is Simply "Fabulous"!, May 31, 2009
I bought this book because of an interest in gluten free eating, but this cookbook is great for even those not following a G-free diet. I find the recipes all very interesting and delicious. I made the "Coffee-Encrusted Beef Tenderloin with Port Wine Sauce" for dinner last night, and I only wish there was some left - it was amazing! I'm making the "Hazelnut-Encrusted Salmon with Cilantro-Lime Creme" tonight. I can see myself using this book frequently. The Gluten-Free Basics section at the beginning helps with understanding how to cook G-free. It seems this book will make this transition to a G-free diet very easy. I highly recommend this book!Gluten Free Every Day Cookbook: More than 100 Easy and Delicious Recipes from the Gluten-Free Chef

Gluten Free Goodness!, May 6, 2009
I had overheard a few people discussing this book and decided to buy a copy for myself to try. I have one relative with Celiac Disease and thought this book would be great for holidays or just when the family gets together. At our most recent family gathering my family members raved about the Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin Recipe! The recipe directions are to the point and very easy to understand. I look forward to trying every recipe in this book!

Great Recipes, March 7, 2010
I ordered this book in an attempt to try my 6 year old son on a gluten free diet. Eliminating gluten from his diet has helped him to calm down in school and he has become less "angry" which I believe was a side effect of gluten in his diet. This book has a lot of basic information about gluten free ingredients. I especially appreciated the descriptions of many non-wheat based flours. This cookbook has excellent recipies including one for flaky biscuits and awesome chocolate chip cookies. It's a great book to start or add to a more healthy living cookbook collection.

Really Great Recipes, November 7, 2009
I've tried out a dozen of the recipes in the book so far - and all have been winners! The real proof can be found in the fact my father (a picky eater through and through) happily eats at my house when these recipes are on the table. Straight forward, easy to follow, but a different take on each recipe.

And the romantic in me can't help but be touched that a chef would go gluten free and work so hard just to make sure his wife got tasty food!

Lots of great gluten free ideas and helpful cooking and prep information, July 10, 2009
I had been searching for a new cookbook recently, which can be challenging if you can't eat gluten. My friend gave me a copy (actually signed by the author) and was immediately excited about finding lots of easy to follow recipes that contain many ingredients that are easily accessed as well. It also contains many simple tips about special food prep and cooking ideas that can take your recipe over the top. Although, the only meat that I eat is select fish, the meat oriented recipes can be replaced with meatless sources too. Lots of cool dessert recipes that even the most discerning gluten eater would enjoy!

gluten free cooking, November 28, 2009
This is a wonderful book for anyone, gluten consceience or not, who enjoys cooking and wishes to create healthy dishes. Author Rob Landophi offers his reasons why he became involved in gluten free cooking and his personal experinces add a special touch. The love and dedication he feels for his family come through in each recipe. The book covers all the different areas of cooking in easy-to-read text with fabulous explanations of gluten free products for the beginner.

What a find! - Best gluten free cookbook!, June 1, 2010
No. 1: This is one of the few gluten free cookbooks written by a certified chef.
No. 2: Everything is superb!
No. 3: I can now make biscuits better than I could when I was on a gluten diet.
No. 4: A nutritionist was involved in its creation.
No. 5: It teaches you how to cook whether it is gluten free or not.
No. 6: It teaches you about the gluten free ingredients and its purposes.

What an easy decision. Buy this book! It has great recipes. I can't wait to try the pizza dough recipe!

I've been sharing this book on my blog and with my over 3400 Facebook fans and they love it, too!

He recipes are INCREDIBLE!, November 14, 2009
All I can say is THANK YOU for these great recipes. My seven year old son finally likes something that is gluten and dairy free. The shrimp recipe is to die for!!!! I can't wait until the next book comes out :-)

Great Book - Great Food!!, August 20, 2009
This book has been such a delight. I was struggling with how to cook some favorites and this was the answer. Clearly written with great suggestions for products and sources. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The #1 selling medical review book in the world -- updated with the latest must-know facts and test-taking strategies for the USMLE Step 1

INSIDER ADVICE FOR STUDENTS FROM STUDENTS

First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 is the undisputed "bible" of USMLE Step 1 preparation. This annually updated student-to-student review delivers an unmatched collection of the most frequently tested high-yield facts and mnemonics. Written by medical students who took the boards in 2010, it provides a complete framework to help you prepare for the most anxiety-provoking exam of your career.

• 1,100+ high-yield facts based on student reporting from the 2010 exam
• Hundreds of clinical images, including a 24-page full-color insert
• Student ratings of top review books
• Updated information throughout
• High-yield facts organized into basic principles and organ system sections facilitates study
• Use with First Aid Cases for the USMLE Step 1 and First Aid Q&A for the USMLE Step 1 to create the ultimate Step 1 review package

Here's why this is the #1 USMLE review:
Section I. Guide to Efficient Exam Preparation; Section I Supplement. Special Situations; Section II. General Principles; Chapter 1. Behavioral Sciences; Chapter 2. Biochemistry; Chapter 3. Embryology; Chapter 4. Microbiology and Immunology; Chapter 5. Pathology; Chapter 6. Pharmacology; Section III. High-Yield Organ Systems; Chapter 7. Cardiovascular; Chapter 8. Endocrine; Chapter 9. Gastrointestinal; Chapter 10. Hematology and Oncology; Chapter 11. Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue; Chapter 12. Neurology and Psychiatry; Chapter 13. Renal; Chapter 14. Reproductive; Chapter 15. Respiratory; Chapter 16. Rapid Review; Chapter 17. High-Yield Images; Section IV: Top-Rated Review Resources ... Read more

Reviews

NO BRAINER for USMLE, December 28, 2010
Must have for the USMLE, great tool to study by as you progress through medical school. You will need a bit more if you are looking to do more than average, but this is a MUST for your foundation. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The first cookbook from the author of Gluten-Free Girl and GlutenFreeGirl.com

Combining tempting recipes with an authentic love story, Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef is a narrative cookbook for anyone who loves food.

A must-have for those who need to eat gluten-free, this cookbook offers irresistible stories and plenty of mouth-watering meals. From the authors of the much-loved food blog, Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef, the book includes evocative photos, cooking techniques, and 100 chef-tested recipes that are sure to give joy in the belly.

• Illustrates the working day of a talented chef and what he does to put delicious food on the plate
• Contains great-tasting recipes that everyone can cook and eat
• Meant to be read cover to cover

Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef inspires anyone who has to eat gluten-free to say yes to the food he or she can eat. ... Read more

Reviews

This would be Julie and Julia copy cat is going to make all 100 recipes, September 14, 2010
I have read this book cover to cover, twice. Captivating story, stunning photos and a plethora of recipes for me to work my way though this fall. Well, maybe not all this fall, after all I am going to heed the advice about cooking in season. I am going to be a Julie and Julia copy cat and work my way though each of the recipes. O.K. maybe not the smoked salt carmel ice cream which seems really overwhelming and intimidating. I love how the book approaches the idea of cooking, connecting with people and providing joy to the belly. While I consider myself to be a very good cook I still found the tips and suggestions through out the book very helpful. For example, how to season food with salt and pepper to evenly distribute the seasoning, why you should use fresh herbs instead of dry, how to braise, and finally a recipe for veal stock that I think I can manage. Offering variations for each recipe is also a wonderful sidebar to each recipe. Most importantly I find the writing and the stories, especially the stories of each recipe compelling and satisfying. I love knowing the history behind the food, how the recipe evolved. I am drawn to long, slow days in the kitchen and this cookbook is going to carry me far in expanding my kitchen skills. At the expense of being critical of other gluten-free cookbooks it is finally time for classy, upscale approach with a hardback cookbook that earns distinction. Finally, here it is!

This one earns a permanent spot on my Counter!, September 14, 2010
I pre-ordered this book so that I could be one of the first to receive it. I just got it yesterday and I must say that it is not often that i can curl up and read an entire book, cover to cover, in just one sitting (especially with two young children running around). But that is exactly what happened with this book. The beautiful recipes have been intertwined with an amazing love story - i could not stop reading it. Shauna and Danny Ahern's love story reminds me very much of my own (and of my parents). The story was as addicting as the recipes and images themselves. And with Fall descending on us, many of these recipes look so enticing, especially the crusty bread recipe, the braising recipes, and a particularly fascinating cassoulet that I am really excited to try for a Sunday night dinner!

I have made many of the amazing recipes from The Gluten Free Girl's blog in the past, so I know each of the recipes in this cookbook have been perfected and tested with the same total love that the recipes on her blog recieve! Bottom Line: This one has earned the coveted #1 position in my cookbook holder on my counter...

A gem!!!, September 14, 2010
I love reading Shauna's blog because it is real and genuine. Life is messy sometimes, but how we bounce back and keep going speaks to our character. These two individuals have lived and taken risks, have experienced pain on many levels, and have also experienced amazing amounts of joy. Watching the vimeo videos with the Chef and Shauna gives you a hint to their love and adoration for each other, for food, and for living.

My copy arrived yesterday and I could hardly put it down. This is a cookbook that is more intimate than your typical cookbook- you get another peek into the lives of these two incredible people, and it is a gift. Say YES to this cookbook and YES to life. The tips from The Chef are helpful, and it is written in a way that is easy to understand (and actually use!!)

An Every Person Book, September 15, 2010
Both my husband and I eat gluten free and we have for almost a decade. Frankly until Shauna's first book arrived (Gluten Free Girl), we were working very hard to bake and cook gluten free with little inspiration. I think I've gifted that first book to more than a dozen people by now because it is that good. This one is no different and even more inspiring. I've been able to have a ringside seat watching the two of them create this book by keeping up on their blog, and I've tried many of the recipes that are now in the book. I cannot thank them enough for helping bring gluten free baking and cooking into the mainstream. Sure, there are folks who also need gluten free-diary free- vegan, but many of us love butter, and dairy and do fine with it. I wanted to bake gluten free, not taste free. And if you are thinking that you want to do the same, then buy this book. And follow their blog. Thank you thank you thank you to everyone for making this book possible. And now since Lu is getting to the right age, how about a gluten free kids cookbook? Just saying....

Worth the Wait!, September 13, 2010
I usually don't bother to write reviews on Amazon. I am gluten free (I don't believe I have full blown celiac sprue, but I am definitely sensitive to it). I've been following Shauna's blog since she started it and I follow both the Ahearns on Twitter. I pre-ordered this book as soon as Shauna mentioned it on her blog. It came today and I've already read it (and dog eared most of the recipes). I fully expect it to be covered in sauce splotches and dustings of flour soon. It will not sit all pristine on my cookbook shelf pretty, but unused. The language is beautiful and evocative (what I would expect from Shauna), the pictures are gorgeous and the recipes are clear and seem easy to follow (I've been cooking for awhile, so I can't speak to how a beginner would fare). I especially like the way Danny broke the instructions down into steps, like forming the crumble, preheating the oven, preparing the filling, baking the crumble. It helps keeps things organized and since I'm prone to having 2 or 3 dishes going at once, it's really great. I also appreciate the sidebars with substitution suggestions, since I am lactose intolerant and keep kosher, which means beef tenderloin is out. I am excited to start cooking from this book.

As far as the language goes (and that's the main reason I'm bothering to write this review), yes, there's some swearing. Meh. It's in the dialogue and it isn't gratuitous. Some people swear and some people don't - to each his own. I am not bothered by it and would not recommend anyone pass up this book just because of words some find offensive.

An extraordinary contribution, September 15, 2010
Shauna James Ahern and her husband chef Danny Ahern have made an extraordinary contribution to the world of gluten-free cooking and to the wider world of food lovers as well. As someone who has cooked gluten-free for 30 years, with 3 Celiacs in the family, I am so grateful for the delicious food, the innovative recipes, and the loving voices of the authors. It is an insightful book about becoming a family and learning to live, love and cook together. Of course our family needed three copies for each gluten-free household, and we are thrilled that they have arrived!

Amazing!, September 15, 2010
This is an incredible haute cusine cookbook- even if you are not a celiac or have a gluten intolerance, it is a must for every kitchen!!! Fabulous details and pictures!!!

long awaited and worth it!, September 13, 2010
My family and I are mostly gluten-free, loved Shauna's first book and love this one. I hope the previous review does not put anyone off because this is a wonderful book. Anyone who is offended is now fore-warned and is free to read many other lesser cookbooks which speak to the gluten-free life (and the bountiful life of the Northwest) - but you will be missing the best! Shauna is a beautiful, creative spirit who has enriched my life and countless others with her honest and sensitive writing about her own journey (check out her blog - [...]

EXCELLENT!, September 15, 2010
I've read one of Shauna's books, and it was excellent! She is heart warming, captivating and inspiring! Anyone who has Celiac Disease will be able to relate to her experiences and her challenges. The cookbook will be a sure hit for anyone eating gluten free or cooking for someone who is. They will be thrilled! Sometimes her recipes are challenging; but she is awesome! She's constantly striving to feed us well! You can tell she has a heart of gold. She inspires me to be better in the kitchen! She's a blessing!

One of the best gluten free cookbooks ever!, September 15, 2010
Shauna & Danny are incredible people! This amazing cookbook is about so much more than gluten free recipes. It's about real cooking in your kitchen. It's about learning techniques & using new ingredients. It's about being willing to experiment with gluten free baking if you've never tried! Shauna's warm & humble voice shines through this love story that is so elegantly written it's hard to put down. Danny's calm guidance through each and every recipe is encouraging and makes you want to cook. Danny wants you to cook. You will learn so many things about what it means to show love through your cooking & baking skills and it's just a good story. Buy the book. Give it to friends & neighbors. Hold a Gluten Free Girl & Chef Cookoff one afternoon with friends and try the recipes. Thank you once again Shauna & Danny for making my gluten free kitchen a glorious place to be! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Safety 1st Theinformation nurses need.when, where, and how they need it!Today's most comprehensive nursing drugguide emphasizes safety 1st!Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses,Twelfth Edition always puts safety first.emphasizing the information nurses need to know toadminister medications competently and safely.across the lifespan. Well-organizedmonographs for hundreds of generic and thousands of trade name drugs reflectthe latest FDA approvals and changes.The TWELFTH EDITION at a glance.NEWand UPDATED CONTENTNEW! Free, 1-year subscription to Drug Guide Online (DrugGuide.com) featuring over 1,500 complete drug monographs, the latest FDA approvals, and much more.NEW& UNIQUE! Pharmacogenomic content.UPDATED! Thoroughly reviewed, revised, and updatedmonographs.UPDATED!Evidence-based content relatedto pharmacotherapeutics.UPDATED!Full-color insert, includingphotographs of "Tall Man," high alert, and commonly seen drugs.NEW! Additionalheadings for special populations.EXPANDED!Herbal content. UPDATED!Cost information for 200 top drugs.UPDATED!Nursing diagnoses.UPDATED!FREE mobile download of 100 complete drug monographs. NEWand ENHANCED CLINICAL and LEARNING TOOLSNEW! Interactive Flash cards. UPDATED! Case Studies. NEW! Audio podcasts. NEW! Calculator for Body Mass Index (BMI). NEWand ENHANCED TEACHING RESOURCESNEW! Electronic Test Bank.UPDATED! PowerPoint presentations.UPDATED! Case Studies.UPDATED! Classroom Activities.SAFETY1ST WITH ALL OF THE STRENGTHS THAT HAVE MADE IT THE DRUG GUIDE OF CHOICE YEARAFTER YEAR!nursing practiceAll 5 steps ofthe nursing process.The Joint Commission's guidelines on pain management.Vulnerable patientpopulations across the lifespan in each monograph.Extensive coverageof IV administration, in boththe Pharmacology and Nursing Implications sections,highlighted by special subheads, with specific information on.dilution, concentration, and rateclinical precautionsdirect IV administrationintermittent or continuous infusionslifespan considerationsIV compatibilities and incompatibilities patientsafety and preventingmedication errorsMore high-alert coverage and patient safety information than any other drug guide.Life-threatening side effects most frequently encountered problems do not confuse with, do not crush, break, or chew medicationshow to avoid common errors, where appropriate.Drug-drug, drug-naturalproducts, and drug-food interactions.How to administer medication safely by all routes, withinformation on preparation and mixture of oral medsmethods for parenteral administration, toxicity and signs ofoverdosedosing considerations for patients with renal or hepaticimpairmentmuch more!Thorough Patient and Family Teaching Guidelines. Well-structured and readableOrganized by generic drugname, with an index thatincludes generic and trade names, classifications, combination drugs, and herbals.An engaging, easy-to-readstyle.Safety1st with Unique clinical and learing tools!ResourceKit CD-ROM (Mac & PC Compatible) This is not your ordinary drug guide CD-ROM! Completely revisedand updated, Davis's Drug Guide, Twelfth Edition CD-ROM is a complete Resource Kit with tools students andclinicians need to administer medications safety and competently.UPDATED & UNIQUE! Preventing Medication Errors Tutorial provides.a medication safety reviewa self test with "real-life" scenariosphysician ordersrationales for correct and incorrect answers UPDATED & UNIQUE!Psychotropic Drugs Tutorial depicts the safe administration of psychotropic medication and includesmonograph content for select psychotropic drugs and a multiple-choiceself-test.UPDATED! Wound CareTutorial provides a photographic overview of the different types ofwounds and wound care products as well as a self-test, with answers andrationales.UPDATED!FREE, mobile download of 100 complete drug monographs. UPDATED!Interactive Case Studies offer brief"real-life" scenarios followed by a series of questions. Results can be printedor e-mailed.UPDATED! DrugSearch Program offers easy access to nearly 700 drug monographs with audiopronunciations. (Copy, paste, and print each one.)NEW! Calculator forBody Mass Index (BMI) as well as calculators for metric conversions, IV drip rates, dosage/kg calculations, and Fahrenheit/Celsius.NEW! Audio Library for nearly 1,000 drug names from the Davis'sDrug Guide for Nurses database.Wound Care ClinicalSheet, pocket sized and printable, offers a quick review of pressure ulcer prevention strategies.wound assessmentpressure ulcer stages and treatmentwound care productsmore! ... Read more

Reviews

Keep this with you while administering meds to clients., December 23, 2003
I teach nursing, and this DAVIS Drug Guide for Nurses is a must-have for all my students as they learn how to professionally administer medications to their clients.
All nurses should have a convenient system to use when the occasion arises that a nurse gives a medication that they are unfamilair with...I found that this DAVIS Guide is a quick and easy way to investigate the medication, it's indications, contraindications, nursing considerations and idiosyncrasies. Adverse reactions and normal dosing ranges are included for all medications .....
There is also caution advised to prevent medication errors....near misses are always preferred over real errors any day. How the heart skips a beat whenever that happens!
Nurses NEVER intend to make errors, and this book gives a cautionary tale in the beginning - to help professionals understand the grave seriousness of it all.
It's never too late to buy an informative drug guide, and here I recommend this book to ALL --- professional or not.
It's cruicial that all people who give medications or take them understand the actions of the medications comprehensively.
The more one knows the more choices they posses.
Before you pass the meds,
pass the DAVIS Drug Guide!

Best Drug Guide For Nurses, July 30, 2002
My pharmacology class required Davis's Drug Guide For Nurses. Being a cynic, I checked out all the other guides available at the time. Davis's is the BEST drug guide for students, new grads and long-time nurses. Nursing dx are included with every drug listed. Quick and simple to use. Cross-referenced by brand and generic names. OTC medications get the same treatment as prescription medications. Davis's also has listings for the most used herbals and excellent content to help guide the nurse in herbal-drug interactions. The best deal out there, I am buying my third copy of this excellent resource.

Most useful Nursing Drug Book Available, March 8, 2000
I have found this to be the most useful drug book on the market. The doctors at the hospital prefer to use my Davis' over the PDR. It's a quicker to find the pertinant info on any type of dosage for every type of patient.

Superb drug guide for nurses, December 19, 2005
You can't go wrong with this fantastic drug guide! It is listed under generic names but if you don't know the generic name you can look up in the index at the back of the book for the trade name. I had a nurse/lawyer professor for my first year care plans and she wanted it all. This book delivered it ALL: classification, pregnancy catagory, indications, mechanism of action, contraindications and precautions, adverse reactions and side effects, interactions, route and dosage, availability, nursing implications and even potential nursing diagnoses! Also implementation, patient/family teaching and evaluation. Wow! I've been very impressed. It came through for me so I didn't have to go out and buy another drug book which is saying something! Davis's Drug Guide has even more in the back of the book with many appendixes including: recent drug approvals, additional drugs, combination drugs and opthalmic meds all that include class, indications, adverse reactions and side effects, route and dosage and contraindications and warnings. Appendix E is about natural/herbal products which is as thorough as the drugs that make up the main part of this book. There are pictures of the intramuscular drug sites, formulas helpful for calculating doses, routine pediatric and adult immunizations, recommendations for the safe handling of hazardous drugs, schedules of controlled substances, food sources for specific nutrients (ie foods rich in K, Na, Ca, Fe, vit K, vit D, low Na, foods that acidify urine as well as foods that alkalizine urine), and insulin and insulin therapy. Also throughout the book there is plenty of red lettering amidst the black for high alert warnings where drug overdoses have occurred in the past. The organized, easily found references in this guide could save your client's lives. Just because a doctor orders it doesn't mean it is ok to give, as a nurse we have to look it up and know the safe dose and contraindications and more and this book has it all! Highly recommended! Good luck all future nurses!
Soar!

An Excellent Reference for Paramedics, July 31, 1999
I am an Instructor of initial Paramedic programs for East Carolina University in Greenville North Carolina. This is the best reference that I have found. This text contains information not found in many similar references such as the half life of a drug and duration of onset. This information is of particular interest to the Paramedic. The individual drugs are easy to locate and the language is precise and free of the useless clutter found in many drug references.

Registered Nurse, September 7, 2002
I work in ICU/CCU, and at times the ED. I especially like the syringe compability and IV compability guides. I have not found this information in other drug books for nurses. In an emergent situation, it is great to have one text which contains the information you NEED! Nurses in my unit will grab this book for reference (others are available), and so will the doctors. A Nurse Practioner referred this book to me, and I cannot thank her enough. I highly recommend Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses to all nurses, and student nurses. Paperback, 2002 edition review.

Great Drug Guide!, November 19, 2003
I am a 3rd semester nursing student and I absolutely love this drug guide. I have used others before, but this one is the best. It has the best IV drug administration info. It has side effects listed as the most life threatening in bold, and the most frequent in underlines. That makes it easy to wade through all of the possible side effects to the most likely and the most threatening that you may need to know for patient care and, of course, when getting quized by clinical instructors :) When my friends can't find a drug or a detail about administration they always ask for my book or my PDA (i have this version on my PDA also). This is the best drug book I have seen; it also has nursing diagnoses and great patient teaching instructions.

Davis's Drug guide report from the field, March 30, 2000
Im currently a RN student and many of the students in my class including myself use this book. I've actually used 3 different brands but this book stands above all. It lets the reader know important points about the drugs and does not confuse as some of the other books have done w/elaborate terminology. Davis keeps it simple and its well designed. Software isn't bad as well but I find myself using the book more often when I look up the drugs.

Not properly formatted for Kindle, July 29, 2009
The Kindle edition is incorrectly formatted and you cannot find the individual drug monographs via the Table of Contents. If you type in the generic name, you can get over a hundred items because all the cross references come up on the search.

A Great Reference for non- Nurses, September 19, 2000
As a home health care therapist, I have been searching for a drug reference book that was easy to use and provided good information I could share with my patients. After reviewing several options, Davis' book meet my needs perfectly. I have given it to my staff for comment and it was so well received that today I am ordering 10 copies for our department. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A powerful call for a paradigm shift in heart disease therapy.

Based on the groundbreaking results of a twenty-year nutritional study by Dr. Esselstyn, a preeminent researcher and clinician, this book illustrates that a plant-based, oil-free diet can not only prevent and stop the progression of heart disease but can also reverse its effects. The proof lies in the incredible outcomes for patients who have followed Dr. Esselstyn's program, including a number of patients in his original study who had been told by their cardiologists that they had less than a year to live. Within months of starting the program, Dr. Esselstyn's patients began to improve dramatically, and twenty years later, they remain free of symptoms.

Complete with more than 150 delicious recipes, this book explains the science behind the simple plan that has drastically changed the lives of Dr. Esselstyn's patients forever. It will empower readers to take control of their heart health. ... Read more

Reviews

Meet Dr. Esselstyn, say goodbye to your cardiologist, February 10, 2007
Dr. Esselstyn's brand new book, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, delivers just what the title promises. 21 years ago, Dr. Esselstyn took 17 people who were very sick. They had had heart attacks, bypass operations, angioplasty, pills, you name it. These people had by and large been sent home to die by their cardiologists, their heart disease so severe nothing further could be done. Doctors told several they would be dead in "less than a year."

But they didn't die. Instead, each agreed to become part of Dr. Esselstyn's study, and adopted a low-fat plant-based diet as their medicine. 12 years later every one of these patients was alive, free of heart disease, and living full, active lives. Even those originally given a death sentence of "one year to live" are alive today 21 years later; and all thank Dr. Esselstyn for giving them knowledge, inspiration -- and recipes -- to save their lives. Their experiences as well as the many in his ongoing counseling, are documented in this amazing, highly readable book and backed up by 20 years of rock hard, peer reviewed science.

This is not a book just for people with heart disease (one out of every two Americans will die of heart disease). This is a book for anyone wanting to regain or preserve their health, anyone wanting to enjoy great health throughout their entire life.

The infomation in Dr. Esselstyn's book can save your life, and the recipes alone make it a must-have.

The land of Esselstyn... where the living is easy!, September 6, 2007
My cousin turned me on the Esselstyn lifestyle. Her husband, who has suffered from genetically high cholesterol, had seen many male family members die before their time due to heart disease. When vegetarianism and then veganism didn't solve his problem, they went hardcore into the Esselstyn lifestyle.

In 5 short months, my cousin (average size 12 American female) lost almost 30 pounds, much of it by foregoing the core of their vegan diet: olive oil, nuts, avocados, etc. Her husband also lost weight; better yet, his high cholesterol finally responded and is now in the excellent range.

My cousin then recommended the Esselstyn book to me, as my husband's cholesterol has stubbornly remained above 200, and he, too, has a history of heart disease in his immediate family. Though we believed we were already eating a healthy diet, several hours of reading through Esselstyn's findings soon proved we were wrong. We made a pact to try the diet for just 1 month and evaluate where we stood.

Well, 1 short month convinced us that this is the way to eat for life! We've now been following the program for 37 days, and the changes are already obvious. My husband has lost about 12 pounds and 3" in his waistline. He feels "lighter" and less bloated, and is "completely satisfied" (his words) by the wide variety of natural and delicious foods we eat.

As for me, I have lost about 9 pounds and a total of 12"; I will soon need new jeans! My mid-afternoon cravings are miraculously gone. And no one was more surprised than I to discover that we do not miss eating the staples of our previous diet, such as grilled salmon, eggs, olive oil, fat-free dairy products, dark chocolate, and an occasional 96% Laura's Lean sirloinburger. Another side benefit is that we are spending less at the grocery store!

If you're on the fence about this one, do what we did... try it for just 1 month (but be sure to give it 100%) and then make your decision.

Probably accurate but very difficult to follow, March 5, 2009
After searching for books on reversing cardiovascular disease I came across this one. He makes an excellent case for reversing heart disease and provides before & after angiogram pictures as well. I have no argument with the science. I also have a bone to pick with experts that don't like this doctor because he is not a heart specialist. Since when do all things correct have to come from only specialists? This guy treats patients that cardiologists have given up on when their invasive treatements fail. Angioplasty & bypass only relieve symptoms & do not cure the disease. My father found that out! After seeing what he was like after bypass surgery perhaps we need to do nearly anything to avoid that like the plague.

While the science is very compelling, and I believe it is right, the diet itself is extremly hard to follow unless you really love eating beans & vegetables, some fruit, and grains (no white bread or white pasta). The basis of his recommendations are no dairy at all, no meat, no fish, no eggs (not even egg whites), no cheese, no oil of any kind, no high-fat vegetable sources like nuts & avocado. Pretty sparce eating to me.

The author says that eating any oil at all, whether in animal or vegetable form, affects the arteries in a negative way & in at least one patient contributed to his angina. That statement ups the ante and leads you to believe that oil is not just undesireable but extremely dangerous. I find that eating out is nearly impossible as just about all food not prepared on your own is cooked in oil or has oil as part of the food....refried beans, soup, bread, crackers, tortillas, etc. Wanna eat out? You are pretty limited to steamed vegetables & some fruit, maybe rice (no sauces unless they are totally fat-free, and who can know if the marinara sauce has soybean oil in it?). Thinking that eating salad will solve your problems? Naw, not unless you like to eat it naked or carry around your own homemade dressing. Commercial fat-free salad dressing is NOT fat-free, and ANY vegetable oil at all is not allowed.

Sticking to this diet has been a huge struggle, but I've only been on the diet for 14 days. The hardest part is finding prepared foods, like bread, that have no fat at all in them. So far I've only found one manufacturer and the loaf costs $4.00. Can't even find tortillas that meet that criteria, and you really have to pay attention to labels. Fats go under other names like glycerin, mono & diglicerides, lethecin.

Do I sound frustrated? Yeah, I am. Most of the positive reviews I've read are written by folks with blocked arteries who welcome anything to keep them out of surgery, and having had a parent who had quadruple bypass surgery I totally get that. My dad's mother died of a heart attack, and so did her father. So, despite my frustration I'm going to adhere to this diet because I am convinced the author is right & I hope to avoid the fate of my relatives.

I have cooked many of the recipies in the book and did not like the majority of them. I don't like vegetables very much, and therein is my struggle. Try them anyway........

Do I like the book? Yes, it's very thorough. Do I like the diet it recommends? Nope, but I'm going to do it anyway.

A must read for anyone who wants to remain alive as long as possible, February 8, 2007
This is an extremely important book. Dr. Esselstyn has conducted the longest-running study, with the most impressive results, of any study in which heart disease has been arrested and reversed. I have read it once and plan to read it a second time. I had known of Dr. Esselstyn's work prior to reading this book, but it is wonderful to have all of his thinking and recommendations available in one easy-to-read book, together with a treasure trove of wonderful recipes supplied by his wife Ann Crile Esselstyn. Dr. Esselstyn points out that everyone over 60 who has been eating the standard American diet has some level of heart disease and it is increasingly found to be starting in children and young adults.

I used to think that there was nothing one could do about the chronic diseases of aging such as heart disease and strokes. It is exciting and heartening to learn that there is something one can do to prevent, arrest and even reverse heart disease. The proof is shown in the stunning photos of actual angiograms before and after Dr. Esslestyn's treatment (you can actually see that the arteries are wider after the treatment!) and more importantly, in the remarkable improvement in his patients that he tells about.

I have decided to follow Dr. Esselstyn's lifestyle guidance and I encourage all of my friends and associates to do the same. I direct a residential special needs school and have changed the menu plans for the 230 students at our school to follow Dr. Esselstyn's guidelines. I plan to send a copy to a cardiologist I know. I wish every physician would read this book. Do yourself a favor and read this book. It could be a life-saver, literally.

Matthew L. Israel,Ph.D.
Executive Director
Judge Rotenberg Center
Canton, MA 02021

Lucky To Be Onboard!, February 21, 2007
I was lucky enough to find Dr. Esselstyn almost 3 years ago after a stress test showed an insufficient blood flow during exercise. Rather than undergoing a quadruple by-pass operation (standard procedure), I adopted his healthy life style and my last two annual stress tests showed no blood flow deficiency. Each day I eat healthily I feel in control of my life. My stamina has returned, my indigestion has gone and my optimism is back. Don't feel deprived. Feel empowered! Edward Flax, Syosset, N.Y.

Does it really work?, April 4, 2008
With all of the promises being made regarding health cures it is hard to figure out which ones really work & which are vehicles to remove dollars from your wallet. I am a skeptic about these apparent fad cures & diets because most ultimately fail while an author or guru gets rich.

I have heart disease and things were going well after my bypass over 7 years ago. After the surgery I changed to a lowfat diet, exercised more and felt good. Throughout my 20's I was a triathlete and was top condition - training 2 to 3 hours 5-6 days a week and understood, so I thought, the value of exercise and an effective diet.

Thinking I had my heart problem beat (pardon the metaphor) after favorable results from 2 extensive thalium treadmill tests 3 & 5 years ago, I went about eating the great American Diet that included the occasional burgers, sodas and the rest.

I found that I was short of breath during heavy exercise (Jiu Jitsu), I decided to have my heart tested with the elaborate systems in the hospital - thinking that it must be my age of 53 years catching up with me and nothing else. I got the shocking news that my heart condition had gotten 50% worse since I had the same test 3 years before! That was truly bad news...

Being fully depressed but determined to not have my quality of life wither away, I decided to do something about it and not wait for the doctors to give me more meds since surgery was not an option. My doctor said that the only reason he could see for my diminishing condition was an increase in cholesterol in my diet that has started to block other heart vessels.

I stumbled upon this book with this bold title including "reversing" written by a heart surgeon - a heart surgeon indeed!

I read it along with the China Study (if you want a tech book about the western diet, this will blow your mind) and made the dietary change - of course, family members gave me grief for eating a plant based diet.

Four months later my results are as follows: Cholesterol went from 230 to 150. Weight 236 to 202, great for someone who is 6'4". My energy during exercise is 50% better than before my checking 4 months ago. Mental clarity improved significantly and that is the short list.

So, does it really work? Try it and find out.

PS
One family member & wife who scoffed loudly is now on the diet simply by seeing my results (I had no interest in defending or arguing about my choice because I decided to extend my life). They read the China Study as well and decided to give the fast food industry a miss from their eating habits. Read it and you will think twice about it as well.

Caldwell Esselstyn, June 7, 2007
This is the best heart book ever written period. I have about 50 health books. Ornish's book made me think about it, Esselstyn's book made me do it. All other health and heart books are just noise, they will just confuse you. This one is the best in many ways. In many ways the study is more powerful, and the book is more powerful than the Ornish books by far, though I think Ornish is admirable. This book really should be read along with The China Study, as the two authors refer to one another and their work in the two books. The China Study goes more in depth about the science and rational behind what Esselstyn is suggesting. The China Study is also an outstanding book. Congradulations to Mr Esselstyn, he is by far the best thing going at the Cleveland Clinc, this from one of its angioplasty patients. The only addition I would make to his analysis, is once you are able to, you need to add reasonable exercise, it is essential. But I understand his reasons for sort of omitting it. I suggest Mr Esselstyn write a Reversing Heart Disease Part 2, or "Advanced" there I am sure he would suggest strongly about exercise, as seen with himself and his own family. And I am sure he also has a lot to update us on. Great book, a must for anyone with heart disease.

Buy This Book For Everyone You Know, April 18, 2007
I am a cancer survivor who went whole foods vegan the moment I got my diagnosis in early spring of 2005. I experienced no side effects during six weeks of radiation treatment, and my other health benefits were swift and, frankly, miraculous. Chronic pain in my back, leg, and foot that I'd had for nearly two years was simply gone on the 8th day of "veganism". The pain never returned. My weight dropped to 120 and has remained there regardless of how much I eat. My cholesterol dropped from 191 to 127, and my blood pressure is 90/60 on average. If I pull a muscle or a tendon, I'm good as new the next day. I recently cut my finger chopping vegetables and two days later it was completely healed. When I tell people my story I feel like an impossible testimonial, yet here I am: almost 46 years old and feeling about 18!

I collect low-fat vegan cookbooks and as soon as I saw this book with "150 recipes", I grabbed it. These recipes are the most delicious and easiest to prepare that I've ever encountered. What a PERFECT collection! Everything I make comes out gold! I recommend this book to anyone who wonders, "What do you eat?" This recipe section is all anyone needs to make the switch to low-fat vegan easy and delicious!

As for the rest of the book, I've read it four times already, determined to commit memory everything in it regarding the effect of fat and junk food on our arteries. Dr. Esselstyn has done a tremendous job of writing a book that includes only what's necessary to clearly illustrate a path to health. I appreciate the fact that he avoided "filler" and got right to the point, pictures and all. I wish I could buy this book for everyone. It should be required reading by the time kids reach 5th grade!

Have a Heart--Save Yours!, February 8, 2007
Anyone with a heart problem or who wants to avoid heart disease needs to read this book. Dr. Esselstyn details the results of a 20-year study that proves that heart disease can be reversed. This reversal was accomplished not by surgical procedures but by a nutritional program that has been remarkably effective. Unlike other doctors who tell you to eat a balanced diet, Dr. Esselstyn spells out the foods you must eat and those to avoid to promote a healthy heart. To help those who need guidance in preparing meals, the book provides over 150 easy-to-prepare recipes.

Dr. Esselstyn is a remarkable man who has written a remarkable book that dares to challenge his professional colleagues. In an era where so many people are eating themselves into chronic illnesses like heart disease, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease presents a simple nutritional solution to a problem that has evolved into a national health crisis. His recommendations empower each individual to take charge of his/her health instead of turning to the medical profession for surgical intervention.

He says, "I have an ambitious goal: to annihilate heart disease--to abolish it once and for all." His goal will be realized only if his message is widely disseminated and people to turn their backs on unhealthful eating patterns to embrace a lifestyle that encourages their wellbeing.

Hopefully, doctors, instead of mocking and marginalizing practitioners like him, will change their focus to prevention instead of surgical procedures that cost thousands of dollars and offer no cure. He points out that surgery is far more lucrative for doctors than providing nutritional guidance to make that surgery unnecesary. As Esselstyn concludes, "We can start teaching people how to walk alongside the edge of the cliff instead of trying to save them after they fall off."

JUST SAY NO to heart disease, May 6, 2007
This is a very clear, very concise book.

A plant-based diet can prevent and reverse heart disease.

It has the potential to save millions upon millions of lives.

My cardiologist suggested that I try the South Beach Diet. Somebody slap him for me. Living proof that medical school nutritional education is NOT only pathetic, BUT actually DEADLY. I'd love to be able to say that this was a joke. Actually, it was. But true too.

Luckily I had read Ornish. McDougall is great. Esselstyn is the clearest and most up to date AND he recommended a vegan diet PLUS statins, with ZERO further cardiac events for those who followed the program. What more did you want? Did my cardiologist thank me for excitedly passing on that information? HA! Have you got a lot to learn ...

BUT you are not alone. You have Drs. Ornish, McDougall and Esselstyn and (biochemical) Dr. T. Colin Campbell. As for an actual live family practioner or a cardiologist, you may get lucky, but unfortunately I wouldn't count on it. When you have a new diagnosis of heart disease and you are petrified, or 'they' are shoving a coat hanger up your leg, is that tough? Oh Yeah ;-).

Younger doctors may be more open and/or have less to lose? (Sample size = 1 ;-) ).

Find support on McDougall's online forum and see if Dr. Esselstyn starts one. The very best of luck to you.

May you be as lucky (and Iron Willed) as those already happily following the advice.

(REMEMBER the one about the Formula One driver in Australia. A spectator says to a friend of the driver, "He's very lucky." To which the outraged friend replies, "Yeah mate, and you know what? The harder he works, the luckier he gets!"). Trust Drs. Esselstyn, Ornish and McDougall, be lucky and you'll do fine.

Esselstyn recommends reading The China Study. Having now done so, all I can say is "My God. What you don't know can SERIOUSLY damage your health." So that is why Ornish, McDougall and also Esselstyn say NO DAIRY. Got Cancer?

Can't do it? Willpower of a gnat? That's too bad because from here on heart disease is surely suicide by fork and spoon.

Tip - You can start with partial adherence; get used to it; then gradually increase the compliance. % compliance is entirely up to you. Better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all? Plus the secret is: following the diet becomes extremely easy as it becomes a daily habit. In about a year. ... Read more

Editorial Review

New for 2010, this book matches the lastest version of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) that is used as a pre-entrance exam by nursing schools across the country. The proctored TEAS test, developed by Assessment Technologies, Inc. (ATI), measures basic essential skills in reading, mathematics, science, and English and language usage. With revised and updated questions throughout, this study guide contains instructional content in each of the four key areas, along with practice tests and answer keys, and a comprehensive test and answer key. ... Read more

Reviews

Book Helped A Lot, July 6, 2010
This is the version of the test that is currently being administered. I used this book and got a 94% on the TEAS. There are a few life science type questions that aren't in this book like fault zones and rock types.

Excellent!, May 10, 2010
This book has been a great review for the actual test. It's way better than the last TEAS manual study guide! I recommend it to anyone! Buying it from Amazon was cheaper and a pleasant, quick experience!

Helpful., October 12, 2010
This TEAS review book is directly from ATI testing, which is responsible for production of the TEAS, so the material in the book definitely has a chance of showing up on your version of the test. There are explanations of concepts and example problems that correspond. The example problems show you how to find the correct answer. There are also practice problems (with answers in the back of the book). Also, there are 3 comprehensive practice TEAS tests (with the answers in back). Amazon had the cheapest price on this guide that I could find, by far.

Essential!, November 7, 2010
I would absolutely recommend picking up this book if you're taking version 5. I borrowed a version 4 book from a friend, and it just didn't cover a lot of the stuff I saw when taking the exam, and covered outdated material, such as tectonic plate movements, weather patterns, etc, none of which was on version 5.
As a side note, I would recommend waiting to take the TEAS until after you've taken anatomy, physiology and microbiology, as there were some questions on the exam that I knew only from having taken those classes.
I am SOOO glad I spent the money and bought this book. It allowed me to review areas I needed to review (like mitosis and chemistry). I started studying a month prior to taking the exam, and I got a 96%! I'm really pleased!

Very good book, December 4, 2010
I purchased this book about a month prior to taking the test. I found it to be very helpful in math, reading, and language usage. Those sections were very similar on the actual test and quite easy. I only missed 3 questions in those combined. However, the science section was way different. There were many questions and topics that were not covered in the manual. I recommend additional study material for the chemistry sections. I had several questions where I had no clue. Fortunately, I still scored in the 99th percentile. The other three areas certainly compensated for my lower score in the science section. Amazon price was very good and shipping was lightning fast!

Study Guide, December 9, 2010
Without this study guide for the Teas V, I would be lost! I take the exam on December 20th, 2010 and feel confident that I will do fine. The book covers all the subjects that are in the exam, and gives you practice tests. I would recommend this study guide to anyone who wants to score high on this exam! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Completely updated to reflect April 2010 test plan changes

To become a registered nurse (RN) in the United States, nursing school graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN. Each year, nearly a quarter of a million nursing students take this exam.

Kaplan NCLEX-RN is the only book to combine its unique strategy guide with a comprehensive review designed to meet the challenges of this rigorous exam, including:

• Two practice tests (one in the book and one online)
• Detailed answer explanations
• In-depth analysis of NCLEX-RN question types
• Review of alternate question types

Strategies play an important role in passing the NCLEX-RN, which is a critical thinking test requiring students to go beyond simply recognizing facts. In this guide, test-takers will have access to the most effective methods available to guarantee a passing score.

With a bold, fresh user-friendly design and more of the most challenging questions, readers of Kaplan NCLEX-RN will be assured and confident on test day. ... Read more

Reviews

Key to success on the NCLEX, March 12, 2010
Coming from a newly registered nurse, this book was my saving grace on taking and passing the NCLEX on the first try. It helps you dissect the question to find out what it is really asking and offers very practical and useful strategies in how to look at the question. It even comes with a CD w/ many practice questions and rationales and has a paper version of the test in the back. Had I not used this book, I'm pretty sure I would have failed the NCLEX because the test tests more of your critical thinking skills than it does your knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology, etc.

There are better NCLEX review books on the market, June 4, 2010

Pretty good, but not complete, September 22, 2010

Excellent test preparation, September 16, 2010

Kaplan NCLEX-RN review book, September 2, 2010
This book is absolutely amazing. If you actually sit down and take the time to read it thoroughly, it is very helpful. It really makes you think about how to critically think, which is exactly what you have to do on the NCLEX. There are very many strategies in the book that help you to narrow down choices on the NCLEX and they really work! It also comes with a CD that has 1 test on it and this test helps you to see where you are and what you need to work on before the real test. This book is very good I would recommend it to anybody who is serious about passing the NCLEX on the first time.

I PASSED!, June 24, 2010
I waited to write my review until I knew that I passed or failed NCLEX. Yes, I passed in 75 questions, even while a fire-drill bell was going off in the building. In part, I credit this book. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, because it isn't a complete study program.

By no stretch of the imagination will this book totally prepare you for NCLEX. The new test is just, well, HARD! The real benefit to this book is the test-taking tips in the first couple of chapters. I wish I had been taught these things before starting nursing school, because those tips alone would have improved my test taking in school, when I needed to narrow down past the last two "good" answers.

The practice questions in this book, are far too easy to help you prepare for NCLEX. The questions in the Saunders book are too easy as well. What do I recommend? I took a computerized prep course with computerized testing that was DIFFICULT. I had the instructor "unlock" the rationales for me, so that I could see where my thinking was leading me astray. And, I used the techniques I learned from this book to hone-in on the correct answers. I also recommend doing as many "alternative format" questions as you can do, especially the "check all that apply." It seemed my test was nearly all of that style.

In the end,on the big day, I didn't get any drugs that I knew, and didn't get any of the diseases I had studied. It was all completely new, but armed with my rigorous OCD preparation, I was able to translate what I DID know, across to something I didn't know, and in part, I credit this book with helping me achieve my goal.

It's counterintuitive but, study hard, and if after the big day, you feel like you failed the hardest test in the world, and you knew nothing, you probably passed.

I wish you the very best of luck!

NCLEX-RN 2010-2011 - Great!, June 16, 2010

A must for student nurses, June 11, 2010
I am a registered nurse and I used the Kaplan NCLEX-RN as part of my study regime for the NCLEX exam. This is the latest edition. Kaplan is a must for nursing students. It not only provides the user with test questions in the book, but it also offers a test very similiar to the actual NCLEX on disk that can be installed on the computer and used over and over again. What makes Kaplan different from other NCLEX study guides? It not only provides hundreds of sample questions but it also gives the rationale for all the answer choices, so not only do you know why the correct answer is correct, you also are told why the other three options are not correct. If you take the time to read all the rationales, even on the questions you answered correctly, you will gain a wealth of information and will hone your NCLEX test-taking skills. Kaplan also offers an indepth tutorial on test taking strategies that will prove invaluable. The NCLEX is not like any other test you have ever taken. All of the answer choices could be correct for the topic the question is testing on, but only one answer will be the best answer. Kaplan will help you learn to look for what the question is really asking and to answer ONLY what the question is asking. I highly recommend getting this book as soon as possible, even if you are only in your first semester of nursing school. It will also help you improve on your grades in nursing school since most of those tests mimic the NCLEX style of question. This is the best use of your money for study guide material and if you can only afford one NCLEX study guide, buy this one. Good luck.

good book, May 27, 2010
I thought this was a good review book for the NCLEX. IT doesnt really focus on content, but it teaches you strategies to break down questions and goes through how the test is divided into different topics.

Looking to prep for the NCLEX-RN? Start here., August 24, 2010

Editorial Review

Thanks to processed and fast foods, being overworked, and feeling stressed while eating on the fly, it is increasingly difficult for most of us to eat anywhere near a balanced diet. We may not be obviously sick, but may suffer from lack of focus, insomnia, sluggishness, or any host of symptoms caused by nutritional deficiency. Green Smoothie Revolution takes aim at this silent epidemic by restoring balance to our diets.
 
Combining nutrition and know-how with recipes that pack a powerhouse punch, Victoria Boutenko reintroduces long neglected fruits, vegetables, and greens in the most persuasive style for our busy lives: with fast prep and delicious results. Featuring 200 recipes, Green Smoothie Revolution offers both simplicity (4 ripe pears, 1 bunch parsley, 2 cups water; blend well) and enough variety to keep taste buds happy and nutrients coming from a wealth of options. ... Read more

Reviews

This is the answer to my big question, October 3, 2009
I loved Michael Pollan's book "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" in which he summed up his research into what we should really be eating by saying "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." I then thought, O-K, that's great advice but how do I do that? Salads?

Victoria Boutenko's book answers my question so completely that you would think that she was wondering the same thing. Many of the plants that are the healthiest for you (the dark green types) are difficult to eat raw in any meaningful quantity; kale, mustard greens, spinach, collard greens, etc. This is why so many people either cook them to death or smoother them with high calorie dressings. The Green Smoothie Revolution book showed me how I could add all of things that I believe are healthy for us (leaves, fruit, and berries) to my diet in an easy and fun way.

I was introduced to the Green Smoothie by a friend who had been eating this way for a while. I have to admit that when I made my first one I looked at it and said "Really?" It looked like something that Yoda, the swamp dwelling Jedi master from the Star Wars movies, would eat. Green, thick and kind of bubbling. I pride myself on my cooking abilities, especially in making a dish look appetizing by skillful plating. This did not look good; as a matter of fact my other friends used quite a few "colorful" expressions to describe my concoctions, none of which are appropriate here. The taste however is an entirely different matter. The simple blend of bananas, strawberries and kale was sweet, earthy and fresh. I was hooked!

In addition to the wonderful recipes for green smoothies (with alluring names such as "Hawaiian Hibiscus", "The Laughing Gorilla" and "Green Monkey Face") the book also offers moving testimonials and, most importantly, sage advice from Mrs. Boutenko. I have grown to really enjoy mustard greens as a part of my smoothie meals but she gives a great reason to "rotate" your choice of greens. It seems many plants have ingredients in them (including alkaloids) that could become slightly toxic if eaten in large quantities in order to encourage animals to vary their diet so that the plant would not be eaten to extinction. By regularly changing my choice of greens I can avoid this problem as each plant has a different chemical make-up. Another thing that surprised me is that pets enjoy this type of food as much as people do.

I will have to admit that I am not planning to eat 100% raw foods. I believe that humans are omnivores and that a varied diet is a good thing. However, I feel much better now that I have made my daily Green Smoothie my major meal of the day. I still enjoy my cheeses, breads, butter (I LOVE good, cultured Vermont butter) and meat, but I am eating much less of each of them. Thanks to a great friend and this book I have finally learned a practical way to "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto

Great Intro to an Easy Way to Improve your Nutrition, August 22, 2009
This is a nice primer on a very easy way to amp up your nutritional habits.

I've been studying raw foods eating for the past week and the Boutenkos are definitely pioneers. The book has a brief testimonial from Victoria, a really neat Russian lady whose entire family at one point was diagnosed with severe medical conditions. Desperate for answers she met a lady who introduced her to the raw food diet. The entire family went 'cold turkey' and despite complaints and grumbling the daughter's asthma went away, and the son who was recently diagnosed w/juvenile diabetes, noticed that his blood sugar readings were dropping. Eventually the family was healed from all their medical conditions and they became sold on the raw foods way of living.

The Green Smoothie was a culmination of Victoria's efforts to figure out why her family had seemed to reach a plateau. She researched chimpanzee diets and found that leafy greens comprised a high part of their diet. However she admits that she had very little tolerance for raw leafy greens and found them disgusting.

After trying to blend the raw greens in a blender, which resulted in a stinky mess, Victoria added a banana and realized the fruit masked the smell of the greens. So she and her family began incorporating this vital nutrient into their diet by making 'green smoothies' w/fruit, water and greens.

The book contains a testimonial, important pointers for preparing smoothies such as rotating greens to avoid buildup of 'alkaloids', opinions on what ingredients add to or detract from an effective smoothie, a section w/smoothie recipes, and an appendix, which contains a testimonial from a 400 pound guy who found that green smoothies were the only way he could cut his cravings and effectively complete a weight loss program.

It's a very nice little book and it's something anyone can do. All it takes is water, greens, fruit and a blender. It would make a very nice gift for someone who needed a simple way to start improving their diet.

I have actually been drinking them and notice a big difference in my energy. Raw foods can be intimidating but this is such an easy first step. The book also has footnotes is well researched.

Inspiring, informative and entertaining, August 26, 2009
Green Smoothie Revolution by Victoria Boutenko
Review by Susan Schenck, author of The Live Food Factor
Inspiring, informative and entertaining

As the author of a raw food book myself, I rarely come across a related book in which I find many new facts. But it is clear that Victoria did her homework, because I found myself highlighting sentences on nearly every page. Though Victoria includes ample science in her book, the tone is very conversational and easy to read.

I was delighted to come across many surprising new tidbits such how, if you blend the greens you only need half as much as you do if you eat them in a salad; green grapes, tomatoes, apples, bell peppers (and more) are really unripe fruits; a zinc deficiency can create a lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, and much, much more!

Victoria also teaches us how processed foods have created degeneration that progresses with each generation! She found that ear lobes get smaller, which reflects a lack of cartilage in the body. She points out that the current generation of children is not only more obese than ever, but also is using more psychiatric drugs, braces for the teeth, and glasses. Our lack of good nutritious food (especially greens) is clearly degenerating us as a species.

I was most impressed with the research Victoria did on greens. For example, I used to have a nosebleed at least once a week until I switched to a raw diet 7 years ago. From reading this book, I realize now it was a lack of Vitamin K. Victoria lists the many symptoms that come from a lack of Vitamin K, which is found abundantly in greens. There plenty of other useful lists, such as cultivated greens, wild edibles and weeds, herbs, medicinal herbs, and most important: poisonous plants (with a stern warning to learn how to identify these before going foraging for wild plants!)

Victoria assures us that if we start blending the greens with plenty of fruit we will love the smoothies. She argues that this is good food combining, since greens are not really vegetables--because they are not starchy. Then, as we get used to them, we will not need so much sweet fruit, but will crave and enjoy the bitter greens. There is info on how to get even your cat to eat green smoothies (dogs are easy!) and also guidelines and tips for green smoothie production.

The book also contains personal stories, such as the delightful one about how her grandchild became hooked on green smoothies while in the womb, and another about leaving green smoothies out for wild animals -which led to, among other creatures, a bear coming for green smoothies! In one appendix we learn about how the Boutenko family went raw, and in another we read about how one guy lost 230 pounds in a year by doing green smoothies. (When will the TV "Biggest Loser" contestants catch on to this?)

All of the above makes the book worth the price even without the recipes. Yet the recipes make up the half of the book--there are 72 pages of them! Many are donated by readers from all over the world, and there are even green smoothie soups, puddings and body care recipes!

This book has truly inspired me to get back on track with more green smoothies. I had gone down to just one a day because of my fondness for chewing. But reading this has definitely inspired me to upgrade my "raw glow" to a "green smoothie glow."

What great receipes..., August 12, 2009
I have been eating about 90% raw since February, and am used to "green" juices, which I love, and these receipes expand my opions 100 fold. Many recipes contain combinations of the same ingredients, so you can easily shop and pick and choose what you like. Me, I love the spinach, or kale with mixed summer fruit! If you don't want to drink 2 qts. in a day, put the extra in a glass jar and save until tomorrow! Have given some to people who have never had a green juice, and they loved it. If you are in to eating healthy...this is book is a great addition to your library. Oh, yes, you absolutely need a Vita Mix or other high speed blender. My only addition to the recipes is to add a few ice cubes to the mix prior to blending - as the final product is quite thick, this is better than adding ice cubes to your glass.

What a disappointment, February 27, 2010
First of all, I highly recommended the author's Green for Life - it is the definitive work on green smoothies. Oddly, this highly anticipated sequel is the same book, but with less information. Instead of expanding on the ideas in the first book, she simply cut all out all the background research on the importance of greens and added more recipes. If you really need hundreds of smoothie recipes, you may appreciate this book, but for most people, once you have a few recipes down you'll feel comfortable experimenting on your own. I have no idea why this book was written. But buy Green for Life - it's what this book tried to be and so much more.

Green Health for Everyone. Cheers!, September 25, 2009
One of my favorite books is GREEN FOR LIFE, by Vicoria Boutenko. This book had a big effect on me, convincing me for the first time in my life to eat kale. I always tried, but never liked it and only ate it dutifully and smothered with earth balance when I did. Green For Life taught me to put leaves of raw kale in my blender with fruit for an ultra nutritious beverage/meal. I got that book two years ago and green smoothies have been a big part of my life ever since and for that I'm grateful to Victoria.

Her latest effort, GREEN SMOOTHIE REVOLUTION, has about 150 recipes for those needing ideas. There are also many stories of how individuals were able to transform their health by the simple addition of green smoothies into their diet. Public health could be completely revolutionized by following Victoria's advice, so I think it's an apt title.

After two years of green smoothies, I feel like I can't live without them. I often joke that if my house were on fire, the first thing I would grab after my son is the blender. You get hooked. My son loves them too, we drink them several times a week, and in the summer, at least once a day. Green smoothies are for everyone, not expensive, and she even tells you which greens you can find through foraging.

There is an interesting back story. Her family had some health issues the medical system failed to cure or even provide manageable care for. So she did a ton of research and her family transitioned to a raw food diet. Their health dramatically improved and then hit a plateau at one point. After doing extensive research on the chimpanzee diet, Victoria realized the missing link was greens. The story is fascinating, illuminating and very exciting. Why wasn't this obvious to all of us all along--it's so simple!

Green Smoothie Revolution stands on its own, but I would highly recommend Green For Life first. You don't have to be a raw foodist or even heading down that path. This is for everyone, and that's the beauty here, it's accessible to all. If you feel like you need to boost your nutrition levels or know anyone who is suffering from ill health or a chronic condition, these books could be potentially life changing. Highly recommended.

Green Smoothies - The NEXT Generation, September 7, 2009
Victoria Boutenko's first book on green smoothies, Green For Life, covers the subject so thoroughly and clearly that I wondered what more she would find to create the basis for a second book. I was not disappointed! Green Smoothie Revolution offers dozens of new recipes that show off the smoothie's versatility and inspire you with new creative ideas. You can make a thicker smoothie and serve it as a savoury soup. Or make it thick and sweet and voilďż˝ -it's a satisfying pudding! There are also recipes for children or those who are new to green smoothies, and super green smoothie recipes for those who are wanting more green intensity! Some recipes feature wild or unusual greens, like grape leaves and milk thistle.

In addition to the extensive recipe section, there is a brief chapter to inspire pregnant moms (and dads!) to drink green smoothies every day to ensure a healthy pregancy, comfortable birthing time and super healthy baby. I use this chapter - and green smoothie snacks - in my Hypnobabies childbirth education class.

In another chapter, Clent Manich tells how he lost 230 pounds and gained strength, endurance and health benefits (and climbed Mt Whitney) in a year on a primarily green smoothie diet - very inspiring!!

The book contains enough basic information about preparing and drinking green smoothies to get you on your feet and blending! To gain a thorough understanding of all aspects of the subject, I recommend that you read both of Victoria's ground-breaking books - Green For Life (indispensible and very enlightening) AND The Green Smoothie Revolution (for the REST of the story). Why not have it all?

Brilliant Book, August 23, 2009

Green Smoothie Revolution: The Radical Leap Toward Natural Health

Hi Victoria.

This Spring, a friend of mine told me about you and your Green Smoothies and how they were changing his life. Although I have been mostly vegetarian (no meat and no milk products; fin fish and eggs occasionally) for 24 years, I was reluctant to try the Green Smoothies for a few reasons. The major reason is because of my allergies to many fruits; and the fact that I cannot tolerate a lot of sugars of any kind.

In June, I started adding spinach and other greens to my rice protein smoothies. I noticed a difference in digestion immediately. In July I purchased your Green Smoothie Revolution book. What a great book! I started experimenting two weeks ago. For the last 5 days, I have been using your recipes (modified to reduce the amount of fruit by 1/3 to 1/4 of what is recommended) and drinking Green Smoothies 2 to 3 times a day. In between the GS, I am eating one to two meals a day. I am already noticing a major difference in the way I feel, in just 5 days.

My digestion is getting better and better almost daily. My mood is improving (this is a big deal for me). My energy level has increased slightly. I am hoping that as I continue with the GS, my energy levels will climb.

I cannot wait to see what happens in the next few months!

I am so excited to be doing something for my health that actually seems to be working positively for me. I have told several family members and friends about your book.

Thank you very very very much for sharing your knowledge. Your GSR book is brilliant. I could write more, but I think this is long enough. :-)

Tammy

Sometimes Mothers are smarter than Doctors., September 17, 2009
What Victoria Boutenko has contributed to the field of practical nutrition is nothing short of a miracle. After first turning around the health of her immediate family with raw food, she tackled the subject of an optimum raw food diet. The leap to drastically increasing greens in the diet, making them palatable by mixing with fruit is sheer genius. She certainly did a lot of research, both on wild chimpanzee dietary habits, and an inspired 30 day green smoothie experiment with real people. She tops the book off with enough recipes to satisfy any palate. Finally, she includes the inspirational first-person account of a man who lost 230 pounds, conquering cravings by consuming green smoothies throughout the day along with fresh raw fruits and vegetables.

The Boutenkos had doctors who couldn't fix their health problems. The 400 pound man had doctors who gave him "an FDA-approved diet and exercise plan" which failed to get the weight off. It took a housewife willing to do research and go out on a limb with a revolutionary food concept to bring them all to a state of health. Not since "Lorenzo's Oil" have I read such an inspiring story of one mother's determination to use logic and science to create a food solution to health challenges.

Sometimes Mothers are smarter than Doctors!

Thank you, Victoria Boutenko.

This is too easy ..., November 8, 2009
I know I need more vital nutrition in my diet. I've tried raw, vegetarian, master cleansers; I just find it difficult to continue things long term with my busy work and life schedule and my completely carniverous husband. I'd experimented with this "green" smoothies in the past, but this book surpassed my imaginations on what you could do with a few leafy veges and some fruit - that can literally change your life. In just a few easy minutes I can have an absolutely delicious drink that's extremely filling, energizing, cleansing, and clarifying. I take to work and now several coworkers are starting thier own green smoothie revolution. I'm starting to experiment on my own now ... like adding whole golden flax seed to my blender before the vege/fruit - and grinding for 20 sec - then adding all the other ingredients ... or adding different spice blends for say umm - apple pie green smoothies. What's even more amazing is that my husband is becoming a fan - he actually is starting to make them on his own even when I am not around. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Often imitated, never duplicated.

• New! Lay-flat binding makes coloring easier.
• New! 8 plates have been added: Accessory Structures of the Skin,Temporomandibular Joint, Upper Limb: Shoulder (Glenohumeral) Joint, Upper Limb:Elbow Joints, Lower Limb: Male and female Pelves, Lower Limb: Sacroiliac and Hip Joints, Lower Limb: Knee Joints, Somatic Visceral Receptors.
• New! 7 additional sections: Skeletal and Articular Systems, Skeletal Muscular System, Central Nervous System, Central Nervous System: Cavities and Coverings, Peripheral Nervous System, Autonomic Nervous System, Human Development.

Wynn Kapit is the designer of the The Anatomy Coloring Book, The Physiology Coloring Book, and The Geography Coloring Book. Mr. Kapit received a B.B.A. and an L.L.B. from the University of Miami and an M.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.

Lawrence M. Elson, Ph.D. is a clinical and forensic human anatomist who taught at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, the University of California Medical School at San Francisco, and the City College of San Francisco. Dr. Elson is the founder and president of Coloring Concepts, Inc., and the director of graphic and textual content of its several publications. ... Read more

Reviews

A Great Anatomy Aid -- A must for med students, June 29, 2000
This book is the best reference on the human body I've found! It focuses individually on each system, with large ready-to-color pages. This book list all bones and muscles in the human body (in the drawings, too) and reveals their locations. It goes into extreme detail about everything, and shows a fetal circulation diagram, which I have had trouble finding in other books. This book lists the view names (anterior, posterior, superior, ventral, etc.) and gives a diagram. It even spends some time talking about cells and tissues, with a colorable diagram of a cell. This book is a MUST for med students, and would make a great reference book for physicians. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in human anatomy, for I sure am enjoying it. Also check out "The Physiology Coloring Book, 2nd Edition". Note:For this book you should have a good supply of quality colored pencils, probably about 30, including gray and black.

Great supplement for any anatomy course, June 21, 2003
I am using this book as a study tool for my Gross Anatomy course. Anyone who has taken an anatomy class can tell you that color-coding structures is one of the most helpful ways to remember them. There are drawings of bones, muscles, joints, organ systems and explanations of virtually everything that could possibly be covered in an anatomy class. The drawings are excellent and most of the features of the bones are labelled as well. This was very helpful to me since I had to memorize virtually every tubercle, ridge, groove, or other protuberance on every bone of the body. When I had trouble with the skull because the drawings in my class notes were horrible, the drawings in this book were much clearer and helped out a lot. If you are taking an anatomy class, this is a smart and relatively inexpensive investment that will help you remember everything better.

The most learning enriched coloringbook you'll ever find!, October 13, 1999
I'm an 11th grader attending Norwich Free Academy currently taking AP anatomy & pysiology. This is one of those books, not required, but extrememely useful for surviving anatomy. With all the memorization, the coloring and written out labels w/ definitions, helps your out class grade so much. The visuals are so graphic and precise I find it has helped maintain a high gpa in the course. I would recommend this book for highschool & college anatomy students as well as for anatomy teachers. When the teachers print out the different coloring pages to assign for hw, as silly as it sounds, it infact helps w/ the whole physical concept. It is also a great break in between attempting Uconn Chemistry problems and reading about a bunch of dead guys in AP history. =P

A Must Have for Students of Anatomy, Massage, etc., September 8, 2001
Just when you thought they couldn't improve on the original, they keep making it better. The third edition contains all the strengths of the first two editions with dynamite new additions that will help all students of anatomy. Go down to your local hobby shop and buy the biggest set of felt tip pens you can find. After the book is colored, it should be kept as a quick reference book. You color the labels to match the illustrations, so it's easy to look back and spot the name of the muscle, bone, organ, etc. Make sure to read the section on HOW TO USE THIS BOOK before you begin coloring.

As the owner of a massage therapy school, we use this book and Salvo's Massage Therapy: Principles and Practice as our two main texts. It is incredible for those who are visual learners. We highly recommend it.

Great - Wonderful Learning Tool for Students, November 14, 1998
I am an undergrad Pre-Med student, and I found that working with this book was a valuable resource for helping me to learn the parts of the body that I need to know. This book is laid out very well, and in addition to the outlines of the structures, provides brief summaries of their functions. I don't really know why this book helps ingrain the anatomy in one's brain, but my whole class purchased this book and we have found it extraordinarily helpful!!!!!!!

Could it Get Any Better!, August 16, 2006
I am a doctor now, but i used this book when i was a medical student and i thought it was great.

Some people may say it does not have a lot of detail. But i thought the annotations were pretty detailed. And i had the 2nd Edition!

There is no way you can know all that is in this book and NOT get a good grade on your anatomy final!

The only down side, its a bit time consuming, all that colouring takes time. SO use it WITH your course work. Dont wait till you are close to exams, because you wont have time.

To tell you how much i loved this book, i bought a copy of the 3rd edition for a friend of mine who is starting med school in september!

BUY IT!!!!

An excellent tool for visual learners, October 21, 2002
This is a workbook I'd reccomend for any student of Anatomy. I make a point to get a new copy every three to four years and color through it just to review and stay fresh. I am studying massage Therapy now, and first used this book six years ago when I was thinking about going into massage therapy or physical therapy since I knew I would need this(if you're wondering why the long length of time, just getting money together for school).

The knowlegde of the muscles, thier attachemnts, origins, and actions have stayed fresh in my mind for years so that going through A&P was much easier for me than for my classmates. While the bones and muscles were my main interest, I aquired a good working knowledge of the rest of the body from this book along with my textbooks.

This book is great for anyone even thinking of a medical profession, or artists needing a better understanding of how the body is put together. I have known a few people this book didn't help, but this was because they were not visual learners, but this is great for anyone who learns visually.

Excellent adjunct for anatomy, August 17, 2001
The beauty of this book is that it's appropriate for all ages--it's detailed enough for a 1st year med student (especially for the summer before you start--it takes too long to color during the semester), and if you're a visual learner, you'll probably find it a better tool than just any old textbook. The text accompanying each picture is probably too much for a high school student, and maybe just enough for a med student, but it's a good starting point no matter what your level.

Jennifer, a nursing studern, August 10, 2001
This is a great book. Being that anatomy consists of being a visual learner, utilizing the guidelines in the book to color in the different aspects of anatomy is exteremely helpful. The diagrams are very detailed with excellent descriptions. I used colored pencils, they are a lot less messy and enable detail.

Best way to learn, April 13, 1999
I am a massage therapy student and this is the great way to learn all the insertions of each muscles. It even has general information about each muscle group. Coloring is not only fun, but this really does sink in. How else can you learn all the names? ... Read more

Editorial Review

Between your full-length mirror and high-school biology class, you probably think you know a lot about the human body. While it's true that we live in an age when we're as obsessed with our bodies as we are with celebrity hairstyles, the reality is that most of us know very little about what chugs, churns, and thumps throughout this miraculous, scientific, and artistic system of anatomy. Yes, you've owned your skin-covered shell for decades, but you probably know more about your cell-phone plan than you do about your own body. When it comes to your longevity and quality of life, understanding your internal systems gives you the power, authority, and ability to live a healthier, younger, and better life.

The flagship book of the YOU series, which spawned three subsequent New York Times bestsellers, has now been expanded and updated to make you understand your body even better—perhaps too well.

YOU: The Owner's Manual, Updated and Expanded Edition challenges your preconceived notions about how the human body works and ages, then takes you on a tour through all of the highways, back roads, and landmarks inside of you. In this update, the doctors have included a new chapter on the liver and pancreas, which will finally demystify the most exotic parts of our bodies; a new workout chapter that will finally get you moving; and nearly one hundred Q&As asked by you, the reader. It has also been updated throughout to give you up-to-the-minute know-how to not just understand what to do to keep fit, but also why and how.

The book opens with a quiz, "How Well Do You Know Your Body?," which sets the stage for the following chapters. After taking the quiz, you'll learn about all of your blood-pumping, food-digesting, and keys-remembering systems and organs, including the heart, brain, lungs, immune system, bones, and sensory organs. Each chapter also contains common myths of the particular body part that the authors will debunk.

Just as important, you'll get the facts and advice you need to keep your body running long and strong. You'll find out how diseases start and how they affect your body—as well as advice on how to prevent and beat conditions that threaten your quality of life. Complete with exercise tips, nutritional guidelines, simple lifestyle changes, and alternative approaches, YOU: The Owner's Manual, Updated and Expanded Edition gives you an easy, comprehensive, and life-changing how-to plan for fending off the gremlins of aging. To top it off, this new edition includes even more great-tasting and calorie-saving recipes as part of the Owner's Manual Diet—an eating plan that is designed with only one goal in mind: to help you live a younger life.

Welcome to your body. Why don't you come on in and take a look around?

Reviews

Anatomy and Physiology for Dummies, May 8, 2008
In short, just a very fun and informative book with several worthy goals. For one, it educates your average person in the inner workings of the human body. It does this quite entertainingly through frequent quizzes, trivia, facts, and interesting pictures- for instance the authors use a lot of elf cartoon. Corny, but fun.

Additionally, the book also gives one many helpful tips on how to keep their body running smoother and it is a pretty informative and amusing read that should enhance the well-being of many- especially middle-agers like me who want to learn more about how their bodies work so they can keep it running smoothly in the years to come. Aged readers may also be interested in Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff to keep the shoulder working well- 54% of people over the age of 60 have a torn rotator cuff.

Note: People who have read the first "You The Owner's Manual" will notice additional information on the liver and pancreas, as well as a new workout chapter.

Your body is a wonderland, May 13, 2008
What a fun and important book! Everyone with a body should have a copy.

When I first cracked it open I landed on page 234: Figure 8.1 The Male Dipstick (yes, that's how it's titled). At first glance the full-page illustration of the male reproductive organs appears to be from any science reference book, but then I look again. Mr. Peanut is drawn hanging onto a tubule inside the scrotum.

This kind of silliness permeates "You: The Owner's Manual." The humor and breezy tone makes it a surprisingly easy read.

The first two-thirds of the book covers everything in the human body, from the heart and brain to the lungs and liver. The last third focuses on ways to keep your body healthy. A 70-page chapter called the Owner's Manual Diet has more than 30 recipes, enough for a 10-day trial. The diet isn't so much about losing weight, but about "making you feel better, helping you live younger, and slowing the effects of aging." The following chapter, the Owner's Manual Workout, illustrates some simple exercises.

Throughout the book are fun "Factoids." Did you know that pound for pound, the tongue is the strongest muscle? Also scattered throughout are lots of little quizzes.

Under the dust jacket is a plain red cover.

Here's the chapter list:

1. Your Body, Your Home: Super Health
2. The Beat Goes On: Your Heart and Arteries
3. Do You Mind: Your Brain and Nervous System
4. Motion Control: Your Bones, Joints and Muscles
5. To a Lung and Healthy Life: Your Lungs
6. Gut Feelings: Your Digestive System
7. In Your Trunk: Your Liver and Pancreas
8. Sex Marks the Spot: Your Sexual Organs
9. Common Sense: Your Sensory Organs
10. Sick Sense: Your Immune System
11. This Gland is Your Gland: Your Hormones
12. Hell Cells: Cancer
13. The Owner's Manual Diet
14. The Owner's Manual Workout
15. FAQs

Good Information Buried in a Sea of Jokes, September 27, 2008
I'm having a very hard time with this book. I've started and stopped reading it about dozen times already in the past 2 weeks. My problem? There is a lot of good information in here (really!) but it gets lost in the constant barrage of sarcasm and jokes inserted by the authors to (apparently) make it "entertaining". For me, the sheer number of jokes starts out as annoying, and finally becomes so distracting that I usually have to put the book down after about 20 minutes.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about from page 176 under a heading of "Mouth":

"The food-consumption process starts right here--in your body's food processor. Though opera singers, politicians, and courtside fans are known mostly for what comes out of their mouths, what makes our mouths so special is how we handle what goes into them. For starters, consider you mouth to be like the guy who buckles you in on a Ferris wheel--it's there simply to prepare the food for the journey."

The paragraph then goes on to describe crocodile teeth and elephant teeth, but I'm so distracted with thoughts of "what do opera singers and Ferris wheels have to do with MY mouth?" that I'm no longer learning, I'm ruminating on low ratio of information-to-jokes in the text. (Out of the 7 sentences in that paragraph, I felt the relevant information could have been boiled down to 2.)

Like I said, the book has a LOT of good information. If you are someone who can filter out all of the "noise", you'll get a lot out of it. However, if you're like me, and find all the sidebars distracting, it's a grind.

Excellent, May 12, 2008
There is a reason Dr. Mehmet C. Oz and Michael F. Roizen write best-sellers--their books are excellent. You: The Owner's Manual, Updated and Expanded Edition: An Insider's Guide to the Body that Will Make You Healthier and Younger, they outdo themselves. This edition has been carefully updated and expanded to teach the reader everything we need to know to keep our bodies healthy and young.

Specifically, the updated version includes a chapter on the liver, new recipes and a new workout. The book also includes a 100 FAQ's from their reader's inquiries.

The book resembles the Dummies in layout and tone and the authors write simply and, at times, with humor. Included are "Factoids" and the like.

The book begins with information on how to achieve superior health. There are chapters on the major organs and how they function, cancer, workouts and recipes.

There is an extensive index, a must for this type of book.The reference book is a must for every library.

By the author of the award winning book, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet.

Love the book, love the audio CD better!, May 27, 2008
Ordered the book and audio CD at the same time, but the book came in first. I started the book which I found to be a slow read. Then received the CD's (8 hours/7 disc). . . I love them!! I'm able to listen in the car and when I get home, I highlight in the book things that are important to me. This way I don't feel I have wasted time reading sections that don't pretain to me but I have listened to it all. The CD's are narrated by Dr's. Roizen and Oz. I highly recommend both versions.

Every Home Should Have this Book!, June 7, 2008
I LOVE this book!!! Enough that I bought this "improved and expanded version" after having bought the original, and that is rare for me. It is written with a hint of humor and such a plain layman's language that EVERYONE can understand what is going on with their bodies, how they work, every organ in your body, what its job is, how to take care of it, how to protect it, improve its doing the job its meant to do, thus helping one to avoid many ills they could get, and thus less visits to the Dr. or how to better communicate with your Dr. to help them help you. Every home should have this book!!! I believe this is the only book of this kind and so complete for the ANY person. It definitely is NOT a boring read, but written in such a fun and interesting way everyone who wants to understand how their body works or is concerned about how to take care to feel better, would enjoy learning from this book. It has many drawings showing how your internal parts work . I HIGHLY Recommend it!!!

Simple & easy guide to your body - it is not just for dummies, good for even the most "well read folks", October 16, 2008
There is so much information about our body, diseases & fitness on the internet that most of us would think that we do not need to read another book on our bodies, hmm, well think of it again - do you really understand what and how does our arteries get clogged, what might cause cancer, or did you know that exercising more could actually do more harm ...

I used to think that I am well read about my body, not until I read this book - some of the most common ailments and body functions are so well explained with diagrams that you will never get this information on the internet - not on wikipedia, not on webmd - you may find lots of information, but not in a way in which we can understand.

The book may seem silly at times, grouse at times, but a very informative and helpful book if you are planning to be live a healthy life on this planet for a couple of years/decades to come.

How did this book help me:
- Understood more about heart diseases & cancer
- Importance of flavinoids in our diet
- Importance of drinking good amount of water for many common ailments
- Controlling stress is a more important than anything else and cannot be stressed enough
- Exercising more can be bad (limit to 30 mins per day) - alternate between cardio, stretches & weights
- Importance of deep breathing
- Free weights are better than machines

& lots more

simplistic, July 2, 2008
A little bit goofy, a refreshing sense of humour, but not a lot of in-depth information. Good for a teenager, perhaps--but not especially informative for a well-read adult.

full of useful information, June 4, 2008
When I ordered the book, I did not expect the extent and breadth of information that it contains....I have learned a lot from the information and would recommend it to anyone.

A Good Introduction to the human body but..., September 18, 2009
Overall, I learned a good bit of information. But that information is buried in nonsense jokes and weak writing. I feel it was geared at folks who don't read as a hobby. If that was the case, then this book would probably meander along well enough to keep the attention of a non-reader. But I found the style a distraction and found myself wishing they'd drop the want-to-be-your-friend act and just get to the info.

The diagrams were cutesy and wouldn't help much if you were studying for an anatomy exam, but understandable enough to the average person. I did enjoy the paragraphs in the margins with interesting trivia and facts.

This book is a good start if you slept through high school biology (like me) and need a refresher in how the body works. But don't expect anymore then that. ... Read more