health Books

This is a sweet loving story about how despite her little brother's disability an older sister sees nothing "wrong" with the way he is.

Poignant yet simple book for teaching siblings about Down Syndrome. My students loved it!

We'll Paint the Octopus Red is a book about a little girl named Emma, who is going to become a big sister soon. Through the first half of the book Emma and her dad talk about all of the things, she is going to be able to do with her new little brother. She wants to kick the ball, go on safari in Africa, and paint the octopus. Then when her little brother is born, her dad tells her that he has Down Syndrome. She then thinks of all the things she wanted to do, and tells her dad she guesses he will not be able to do those things after all. Then her dad and her go through each thing and decide that if they are patient and take time with her new brother, he will be able to do all of those things in life. Therefore, Emma decides that Downs will not be that big of a deal, and goes to see her little brother at the hospital, and tells him that she will teach him to paint the octopus red when he is older. The end of the book also has questions and answers for children about Down Syndrome.

A little girl eagerly anticipates the birth of her little sister and she pictures all the things they will do together. When her sister is born with Downs Syndrome, she must realize that they won't be able to do all of those things, but there are still fun things they can do together and be loving siblings.

This is a very positive book that is excellent for a child with a special need-learning to love your sibling no matter what and finding things to do with her has to be one of the hardest parts for any big sister, and this book lovingly shows how to do that. Excellent for read aloud and early readers, up through about 3rd grade.

I bought this book while pregnant because I'm sure that someday my daughter will have questions about her big brother who has Down syndrome. I'm hoping that this book will help both of them understand why when the day comes that she is able to do things that he hasn't learned yet. Being only 23 months apart, I felt the need to be prepared as soon as possible.

This is a beautiful book that very sweetly explains that delays don't mean that someone will never be able. I like the fact that this book doesn't dwell on the negatives of a Down syndrome diagnosis, but also includes the idea that Mom & Dad may be sad. I hope that my daughter someday cherishes the book and why I bought it for her.

This is good basic information but, if you've ever read anything about sleep/rest, this won't be news to you.

"Even if you do think you're getting the amount of sleep you should, you may wonder why you feel so tired and unrefreshed much of the time. This is not surprising. More than half the women surveyed in a recent National Sleep Foundation Women and Sleep Poll reported insomnia symptoms sometime during every month. Various studies and polls indicate that nearly 30 million American women claim they long every day for a good night's sleep." -Janet Kinosian, in The Well-Rested Woman - 60 Soothing Suggestions for Getting a Good Night's Sleep

For many women, a good night's sleep is a luxury. However, restful and deep sleep is an innate biological need. It's only in the deeper stages of sleep that the body releases growth hormones and regenerates, restores, and repairs organs and tissues.

With the demands of modern life, women often juggle work, family, and household-and are just plain exhausted. Beyond not getting enough shut-eye, there are very real sleep disorders that rob individuals of precious, rejuvenating sleep. Surprisingly, it was only until 1996 that the American Medical Association recognized sleep medicine as a secondary specialty. The real kicker is that until the early 1990's, women were often excluded from sleep studies because it was believed that their hormones would skew data. The result? Women don't have a whole lot of scientific history for help with sleep difficulties.

The good news is much of this is changing, with sleep researchers finally studying women's sleep cycles, as well as factors such as hormones, age, fertility, work, children, health, pain, etc.

The Well-Rested Woman - 60 Soothing Suggestions for Getting a Good Night's Sleep, author Janet Kinosian shares what she has learned about sleep-not as a medical doctor or a Ph.D., but as a female insomniac.

While Kinosian briefly discusses the stages of sleep and sleep disorders, as well as female-related issues like perimenopause, menopause, postpartum, and PMS, the bulk of this book is dedicated to practical ways to promote a good night's rest. And except for the first 30 pages, these welcome remedies are just as applicable to men.

This 212 page book is filled with tips on creating the right environment for sleep, de-stressing the mind, fine-tuning the body, soothing the soul, sleep hazards and more. Also included are an extensive resource section, listing books, music, organizations, and websites to help you on the journey to restful sleep.

Some of the great ideas you'll get from The Well Rested Woman:

*Accept Larks Versus Owls
*Keep A Sleep Log
*Know Your Sleep Positions
*Set Regular Wake-Up Calls
*Befriend Time
*Use Phototherapy
*Sleep Strategies For Shift Workers
*Silence Snoring Spouses

I'm the type of person that is not only a night owl, but also one that doesn't battle insomnia. (And for that, I am grateful.) Yet, I found a wealth of wonderfully simple ways that I can enhance my sleep, and feel more rested. Fellow insomniacs will bless Kinosian for sharing the results of her 15 year search for a good night's sleep, and those of us who are just plain busy and tired will benefit from the practical insights. A final note: this book isn't just for women! Men will also benefit from Kinosian's sage advice.

If you're a chronically under-rested and understlept woman, this is your book. I was given it by my mother, and it's been a godsend. It discusses just about every and anything that has to do with women, sleep, insomnia, and how to go about improving your sleep AND your life. Hormones, medications, herbs, alternative medicine, sleep diaries, exercise, foods, allergies, even fung shei and sleep positions are explained. Wonderful job. Very well written and a pleasure to read. It's got all the science you need but without question it's written by a (smart) woman and not an MD. The best book I've read on the subject and I've read far too many.

I just got this book, The Well-Rested Woman, for xmas and have finished it with a hopeful attitude. I'm certainly an un-well-rested woman and I found Janet Kinosian's efforts to be top-notch and excellent. I've read many books on insomnia to help with a chronic poor sleep life and this is the first to address me as a women from a woman's voice and point of view. She's obviously been there.

I haven't seen her chapters listed here so I suggest you take a look at the them - Creating the Right Environment[mattresses to feng shui]; Destressing the Mind [worry books, journals to sleep biographies]; Fine-Tuning the Body [hot baths to herbs and sleep positions]; Soothing the Soul [anger management; nightmares etc. MY FAV CHAP; Sleep Hazards [no-nos like sleeping pills and food allergies] and chps on accupunture, hypnosis, biofeedback and chiropractic.

Yep, she covers all the bases in a delightful read. Can't wait to get started on my first 6 suggestions. A useful Christmas present this year.

If we can't sleep well, we really don't function well.
Janets book is a must have if you or a close one is
having difficulty or can use some improvement with
her or his quality of sleep. This is simply a book
of sleep solutions. It kicks off with why we need
sleep & explains several types of sleep disorders.
You may be surprised to learn you should go see a
particular doctor & why. There's important
information for women on how your hormones &
reproductive system affect your sleep.
What follows it are 60 wonderful suggestions that
will help you to feel more alive as you will
be a more well rested woman(or man). Some of this
we already know but wish to be reminded of while many
other suggestions will seem more new to us.
There is also a helpful list on other sleep books,
a list of CD music choices for sleep , an organization
list with addresses, web addresses & phone
numbers for the AARP, Academy of Sleep Medicine,
Medical Women's Association, & many more.
If you wish to feel better,
well-rested, & more alive, then
"The Well-Rested Woman" is for you.
So remember, count your sheep.

since I am just beginning to apply it to my current situation. But after reading it, I certainly see where some past relationships have gone wrong.

And the basic theory does make intuitive sense: Hamburg focuses on physical issues, practical compatibility (day-to-day teamwork) and what he calls "wavelength compatibility" (that is, broader ways of looking at the world, and similarity of opinions on big issues such as religion). As he points out, if your prospective mate flunks on all three criteria, further communication and hard work will only make it clearer that he or she is not a good match.

My only real quarrel with Hamburg so far is his suggestions about which issues couples must resolve before being married. For example, he thinks that a couple should decide before marriage whether to have a "traditional marriage" (i.e. one where the male earns most of the money) or a more egalitarian mrriage. I am not sure that one can know in advance how "traditional" one's marriage can be; presumably most reasonable couples would move towards a less traditional marriage if the spouses' earning power is roughly equal, but towards a more traditional marriage if one spouse's economic contribution turns out to be minimal.

According to the author, there are 3 dimensions necessary for a successful relationship. They are:

1 -- the Practical dimension
This is about how well you live and work together.
Are you a morning person or a night person?
Do you want the air conditioner on or off?
Do you want to decorate in a minimalist modern style or a cluttered country style?
These may sound like petty, insignificant issues, but on a daily basis, if you and your partner are way off on this dimension, you could easily grate on each other's nerves.

2 - the Sexual dimension
This goes beyond sexual attraction to include sexual style.
Do you like quiet, missionary style sex or loud, try-every-position-imaginable sex?
Do you like sex once a day or once a month?
If you and your partner are way off on this dimension, then both of you will feel frustrated. The partner who wants less sex will feel like a spoilsport and the partner who wants more sex will feel like they are on a sex diet.

3 - the Wavelength dimension
This is about the meeting of the minds.
Are you for or against abortion?
Is your humor quietly witty or loud and raunchy?
Are you interested in politics and keeping up with current events or does that stuff bore you?
In an ideal world, we would all be able to kindly accept each other's differences in values and opinions. In reality, though, when someone disagrees with a value we hold dearly, we tend to think that person is naive, crazy, or stupid...and respect goes out the window.

According to the author, dissatisfied couples are couples who only have one or two of these dimensions present.
If the practical dimension is missing, then living and working together with this person on a daily basis will lead to constant bickering. If the sexual dimension is missing, then you will feel frustrated and bored with your sex life. If the wavelength dimension is missing, then you won't be able to relate to your partner on an intimate level.
If a couple has all three of these dimensions, then they have struck gold and will likely have a fulfilling marriage. That's not to say you and your partner have to be twins (some difference is healthy because it allows you to grow and makes the other person interesting) but just close enough so that the ratio of good times outweighs the bad times. I agree with the author's outlook and consider this book to be a smart look at relationships. Highly recommended.

This book helped me understand why I couldn't say yes to someone who seemed like the perfect spouse for me "on paper" and to most of my family and friends. It clearly lays out the most important aspects of compatibility and helped me realized that my little issues with my ex-boyfriend were actually significant problems that would have led to a less than harmonious problems. It also helped give me the confidence to walk away from the relationship even though most above mentioned family and friends couldn't understand why I would do so. A couple of years later I met someone who I am very compatible with and now we have two kids and a very happy marriage. I often recommend this book to single friends and all have benefited from reading the book. Definitely the best $15 I have ever spent!

I've read a lot of books on relationships, compatability and love. This book was the most practical, straightforward, realistic and helpful. What impressed me most about this title was the author's ability to simplify a very complex topic. He also considered dimensions of compatability that are often difficult to define, but that are crucial to forming a good long term relationship. The author also included deceptively simple exercises for couples that allowed them to access not only their thinking about a particular area of compatability, but more importantly their felt sense of it. In short, this book helps cut through confusion in the area of love. It is well worth the cost and it is quite different that most books of the same genre, which I have often found to be very similar to each other. It is clear that this author has many years of experience counseling real couples with difficult compatability issues. I also appreciated that the book did not include too many case studies or examples. I have found many case-study approach type books to read more like a novel than a helpful tool to work with a problem, perhaps this is a personal bias. In short, this book is a very useful tool for understanding an existing relationship or as a benchmark guide for dating compatability. It also achieves its goal without a lot of unnecessary text or redundant stories about other couples.

The author presents a fairly straightforward theory of how he's seen compatibility relate to long term marital happiness and stability. He breaks it down to three areas: practical, sexual and wavelength. I've thought a lot in the past about the way I relate or don't relate in relationhships, but reading this book I had a number of "aha" moments where I felt like this makes real sense. I've discussed his ideas with a number of friends and the consensus is he's right on. The great thing is that after you read this I'll bet you'll feel compelled to talk about these ideas with friends and more importantly your lover. It's an easy, accessible read that I would see as invaluable to people looking for love or married for years.

Anyone dealing with heart disease, either themselves or a family member would benefit greatly from the information in this cookbook. The information is well laid out in a very easy to understand format and the recipes are easy and 'doable'.

WomenHeart's All Heart Family Cookbook

After my husband had triple pass surgery I wanted to start cooking "heart healthy", so I purchased this cookbook...and I am so glad I did. I use it everyday and have not found a recipe that isn't delicious and easy. I highly recommend it to everyone!

This cookbook contains so much good information about heart healthy foods-I learned a lot! And the recipes are wonderful. You will love this book whether you are trying to eat healthy, lose weight, or just enjoy a good meal. I plan to buy copies for Mother's Day and holiday gifts.

A friend gave me this book and it is just fabulous. The receipes are wonderful - love the Tandoori Chicken and Cilantro Broiled Chicken Breasts, Flourless Choc. Cake, Rich Tomato Soup and Beef Tenderloin with Port Cranberry Sauce, ---BUT--- it is the precise, clear, beautifully written and presented discussion of the 40 heart healthy foods that brings me to open this book several times a week. It is just such a valuable source of nutritional information. This book is not just for those who have heart disease (I, thank goodness, do not), but for every person who is alive in the 21st century and trying to eat a healthy diet.

Both of my parents have undergone bypass surgery within the past 8 months. It has been very intimidating to read all the information of how to prevent heart disease, especially having to relay the information to my parents. I came across this book last week and love it. Coming from a family that loves to ask questions this book has a lot of answers. I love that the first part of this book thoroughly explains heart disease, prevention, and how certain foods can be beneficial to your heart. It was also a great idea to list the recipes (w/ page numbers) at the end of each 'Heart Healthy Food' description. This book is well organized and makes cooking their recipes along with other heart healthy recipes more attainable.

I had now idea how far my journey was going to go! This book takes me further than I ever imagined!

I've not finished reading this book yet, but it has a lot of good information on yoga. So far I enjoyed it.

I've read and really enjoyed Donna's other books, but never bothered to read this one because of my almost 10 years of practicing asana and having read tons of asana books I thought that all of the books said the same thing. I recently took one of her week long trainings and practically filled my notebook with all of this new and great information. Later I bought this book and lo and behold most of it is in this book and her Breathing Book with pictures to boot. This was really a turning point for my practice as before I was more focused on getting the "ideal" yoga pose and not going with my bone structure. Also instead of forcing something to happen I learned to go with gravity, the breath and my natural structure so I can have 'effortless movement'. This concept opened me up to lots of other books that explore this in more detail.

One thing that really stuck with me (and what I think will help you understand where she's coming from) was in her introduction:
"Increasingly doing "good" yoga has come to mean having a beautiful body, remaining forever youthful, and being able to show one's adeptness through the seemingly solid evidence of advanced postures. But as we stretch our muscles deeply or strengthen our abdominals, are we coming closer to feeling a deep peacefulness within ourselves and an inner equanimity that can meet the challenges of life in a compassionate and skillful way? Like the botanist who finally breeds the perfect rose only to discover that in the process he has lost the fragrance of the bloom, when we strip yoga to its mechanics, we also loose something essential.
I have been as guilty as any of both practicing and teaching yoga in a way that made the postures and practices more important than the spirit of the person practicing them. My early obsession with perfecting the forms of yoga brought with it a greater and greater sense of unease and dissatisfaction. The realization that I had bought into dictum of a culture obsessed with achievement and the unhappiness wrought by such striving led me to a long period of deep experimentation in my own practice....I have slowly uncovered a more natural way of discovering the essence of the practice through form. The forms then become vehicles for experiencing one's essential nature rather than goals in and of themselves. Then whether you attain any particular posture becomes irrelevant. The shift from dominating, controlling, or ignoring nature to listening and working with nature's wisdom marks the beginning of this change of mind....
I am convinced that there is nothing new about this approach and that it can best be described as a neoclassical revival of the original way of working first explored by yogis centuries ago..."

In regards to the inquiry parts of the book, they are a much better way for you to learn and understand your body instead of being told what this is doing and what you should be feeling. It also helps you build your kinesthetic awareness. In the workshop Donna came up to me and asked where I was feeling pain in my spine while practicing cobra pose. At first I was baffled b/c I hadn't requested help and didn't notice anything off the top. But she sat their patiently so I took a moment to inquire within and found "hmmm I do have this little tiny twinge". That was my aha moment. She didn't rush me, accuse me, or tell me anything. I felt as if she had given my power back. My power to listen and to know the truth within my body. It was truly amazing and I will always recommend her if you are looking for a more awakened style of practicing asana.

Her section on forward bends is really great. The rest of the book is a nice supplement to Iyengars "Light on Yoga".

Since I first began practicing yoga several years ago, I've read a ton of different books on the subject, and so far, this is one of my favorites. Author and yogi Donna Farhi takes some of the best elements from other works and combines them into an extremely readable, practical format. For example, she begins by reviewing the eight-limbed path of yoga and then focusing on a discussion of the "ten living principles" - basically, these are moral and spiritual guidelines from yogic philosophy. She then moves on to the asana limb, or the practice of yoga postures, and introduces seven "moving principles" (breathe, yield, radiate, center, support, align, engage) to assist the reader in gaining a greater body awareness within the poses. Farhi also reviews anatomical information in a way that is much more simple and more accessible than in The Anatomy of Yoga (although this is also a wonderful book).

The second half of the book centers around the yoga asanas themselves. Farhi groups the poses into chapters on standing postures, sitting postures, back bends, arm balances and upside-down poses, and restorative postures and breathing practices. Each chapter begins with incredibly useful information on properly aligning the body, including many wisdoms which I had never seen before. The descriptions of the individual asanas are also enormously helpful; many include variations for those unable to attain the full posture. I particularly liked the suggestions included under the "Having Trouble?" section, as these anticipated common complaints in many of the poses; those who are pregnant will also appreciate the prenatal guidelines given for every pose. For the more difficult postures such as upward bow and reclined hero's pose, Farhi offers prepartory positions, often using various yoga props. Finally, the simple black and white photos provide multiple illustrations for each asana, and I found the companion photos showing "correct" versus "incorrect" versions of the poses to be especially beneficial.

The book ends with a chapter on "Putting It All Together"--ie, sequencing the postures into specific yoga practices. This was the one section of the book that I found to be a bit less helpful, partly because the shortest suggested sequence is an hour long and partly because only the names of the asanas are included here, requiring the reader to flip back to earlier sections of the book for the full pose descriptions. Overall, however, I felt that I learned many new things from this book, and I would highly recommend it to yogis of all levels.

BEST BOOK I HAVE READ ON THE SUBJECT OF ANTI AGING

BOOK IS FILLED WITH OVER 800 DOCUMENTED SCIENTIFIC
DOCUMENTATIONS

POWERFUL

ARNIE STROM

Fabulous information about cutting edge nutritional support, yet from centuries old sources straight from the earth! Everyone needs to read this to know how to provide natural whole food nutrition that none of us gets from our "foods". Much American food isn't even real food --- on what trees do "cheetos" grow?! And why are many labels stating "enriched", or "added vitamins" -- because they refined and processed the essential nutritents out of the food.....so they had to add something back.....foolish and deadly! Let's learn from and follow Shaffer Fox's research. His website and products are the purist manifestation of that research -- great book and great products! Do yourself and your loved ones a favor - read this book!

Most health books have made me suffer through chapters of mush in order to learn what could have been written in a magazine article. This book was different. This book's 300+ pages is a cornucopia of facts about how our bodies work and how they can last longer. A few pages in Chapter three slowed me down somewhat, but otherwise the book is concise and it provided a lot of new knowledge. I now know more about the republic of Georgia, cholesterol, cells, cancer, diabetes, fat people, intestines, diabetes, free radicals, inflammation, how we age, and how brains get screwed up than anyone else on the block.

This is a very enjoyable book to read. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their health or keep the good health they have. It's one of the most interesting health books I've ever read.

I found this to be a most informative book, well-written and
obviously well researched. I was so impressed, I searched out
some of the products and have found them to be extraordinary.
We need more books of this nature.

A good way to spend a little while--or a little longer while is to jump into these human interest stories.

A wonderful touch by a writer who knows his craft. Anytimre reading.

This book is amazing! Hurley's dazzling, normal, starving artist lifestyle is an inspiration. His book's style is kind of chicken soup for the soul meets Dear Abby. Snaps to Dan Hurley, the sixty second novelist.

Everyone's life has a story to tell. Dan Hurley, the author of "The 60-Second Novelist," does an excellent job drawing out stories and writing about the people he meets all over America. The fun part about reading this book is that Hurley writes the stories in roughly 60 seconds!

Some of the stories will make you laugh, others will make you cry, and some will make you smile or laugh aloud. The 60-second novel may inspire you to write a 60-second novel about yourself or someone you know.

Dan Hurley Does Planet Earth . . . Oh wait. That's his NEXT book. I found The 60-Second Novelist to be very real, and easy to relate to. Dan's gentle psychological approach to people brims with humor, yet gets to the point. It is good storytelling, yet a unique take on very real people and situations. The spontaneity factor makes it all the better. And though I am partial to Dan's Evil Twisted Twin and his absurdist humor, I do enjoy Dan's warm and fuzzy side. I found the biographical element of the book to be especially fascinating.Dan followed his dream of being a writer, and set up his Remington on a Chicago street, eventually creating a wonderful success story. 'Just DO it!' his behavior seems to encourage us. It is difficult for me to choose a favorite story from The 60 Second Novelist. I especially enjoyed the romantic stories (Donna's Dream Lover, Walk Along The Ocean)and the absurdist (I Like Eyes, The Reclamation, Fly By Night Monkeys). In the book design, I really liked the copies of Dan's original stories, typos and corrections included, peppered throughout. But two questions remain. Who will play Dan in The Dan Hurley bio-pic? I suggest that we take a poll. And when is his next book coming out?!

His uncanny ability to look into a person's eyes and see straight into their soul is nothing short of magic! His ability to then share with the reader, through the written word, what the soul has shown him makes the enchantment complete. From page one, I was utterly under his spell.

Each story is as different and varied as we are as human beings. Each evoked a strong emotion. Hurley's insight and compassion, mixed with his wacky sense of humor, makes this book a treasure to be read over and over again. A rollercoaster ride for the heart.

"7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare" is an invaluable book that every person should own. I think many will find themselves returning over and over to use this book to use it as a reference. Finally, a book that helps put the patient in the driver's seat! Well done!

As I picked up Dr. Russo's book, I wasn't sure what I was about to discover. As a seemingly healthy almost 30 year old, why would I worry about healthcare? As I finished, I was surprised at how much I had learned. I have a new found confidence that not only am I able to make beneficial and stronger healthcare decisions, but that I will continually adapt to find the best care for myself and loved ones, as we strive to live a long and healthy life.

Dr. Russo's book helped guide me in putting my health care priorities in order. After reading this book, I took a long overdue look at my doctors and medical needs which led me to make some long overdue changes. As a result I now have more control over my health and have reached several goals including better diabetic control, renewed eyesight and necessary weight loss. This book came along at a pivotal moment in my life and I cannot express how great I feel. I strongly recommend reading this book.

This is an excellent resource guide for all who need a roadmap to navigate through the confusing healthcare labyrinth! It is an easy read peppered with with practical advice from real life experiences. I have been in the healthcare field for over 37 years and I thought I knew it all; however, I realized that I still had a lot to learn. Dr. Ruthann Russo has taken the complex and made it simple. She has crafted a game plan for all of us who want to be in control of our healthcare management. If you are intimidated when navigating through our healthcare system, then this book is just what the doctor ordered!

Everyone needs to learn how to advocate for their own healthcare. This book is an essential guide for anyone who is faced with their own personal or a loved ones health issues. Dr. Russo explains how, through your own advocacy process, you can have a significant impact on the quality and outcomes of your general health status as well as dealing with a specific health issue.

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

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

I was a patient of Dr. Karl's back in April 2002. I was in my mid 30's and of course scared to death of surgery. Dr. Karl was the 4th surgeon that I had consulted. Once I met him, I knew he was the surgeon for me. His understanding of what I was going through, his grace, his medical experience. I could go on and on.

When I heard he had written a book, I had to read it. As a patient of Dr. Karl's, when I was reading his book, I felt he was writing from his heart. There was no fluff in this book. Dr. Karl is a wonderful man, surgeon, person and spirit. I am sure Dr. Karl has touch so many people's lives. This book is a must read for patients and surgeons!
Tammy (Brock) Cartiglia

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

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

Very informative book. Definitely not a light read but will leave you with a good understanding of the Amish. Without doubt, it is the first book to read when starting your study of these fascinating people.

After reading Brad Igou's "The Amish: In Their Own Words" I then came to this book by Hostettler - and am glad I did. This book "fills in" the portrait of the Amish by providing a very clear, readable, though factual history of the Amish "progression", if you will. With the Amish existence being much more fragmented than many people think as they lump them all under the term "Amish", this book really brings about an enlightened understanding of the range of the sects and their relation to each other and "the outside World" over the course of their development. It also offers the reader a very gracious, very real portrayal of the Amish that, thankfully, dispels many of the traditional misconceptions about these kind and earnest people.

I purchased this book to educate myself for an upcoming vacation to Pennsylvania Dutch country. I had a basic understanding of Amish beliefs and cultures, but was totally astounded at the differences between the sects. Mr. Hostetler provides first-hand knowledge that no one else has in any other book I've read pertaining to the Amish & Mennonites.

I have studied Amish culture and mores for some time out of both interest, admiration, and other motivations. And nowhere have I found a better resource than this book. That the author was himself raised Amish only lends to the credible nature of this book. But more importantly is the concise and thorough manner in which this book presents its truths and dispells rumors and myths. It served to take many of many of the half truths that I had known of the amish and complete them as no other resource has yet done. I heartily recommend this book. And it was a rather easy read, not bogged down by language. I finished it in a few days.

This was the most informative book on the Amish lifestyle that I have found. The author opens up the life of the amish to his readers. It is easy to understand. He takes you through the history, culture and beliefs. I have a deeper respect for the amish and understanding of their customs since purchasing this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like a look into a different way of life. This book opened my eyes and my heart to respecting the amish lifestyle and their privacy.