These books are about health and medical issues.

Examining Your Doctor: A Patient's Guide to Avoiding Harmful Medical Care by Timothy B. McCall, M.D., 1995. This book is exactly what it says, a very thorough look at ways you can be harmed by medicine and how to navigate through the system to get appropriate care. It's easy to read and full of common sense as well as specific information. The last chapter is named "Taking Charge of Your Medical Care" and the author's purpose is to encourage people to do just that, knowledgeably. I learned quite a bit. Here's a quote: " We know from history that much of what doctors do at any particular time is ineffective or even dangerous when viewed in retrospect. Years ago a famous professor warned his graduating medical students that half of what he'd taught them was wrong, but the trouble was he didn't know which half…the principle still applies: we don't know which of the well-intentioned therapies of the present will end up looking like the leeches and bloodletting of ancient time or like the thalidomide, Dalkon shields, and routine tonsillectomies of a more recent era gone by. Accordingly, the pronouncements of doctors should be viewed with healthy skepticism." Recommended. Reviewed 1998.

The Intelligent Patient's Guide to the Doctor-Patient Relationship: Learning How To Talk So Your Doctor Will Listen by Barbara M. Korsch, M.D. and Caroline Harding, 1997. This book is well intentioned, and it addresses a subject that needs addressing, but I was disappointed. I felt the tone was condescending to the reader. The people who take the trouble to read the book are a smarter and more sophisticated than the scared or ignorant people in the examples given. Certainly it would be useful for a doctor with a communication problem who wants to know how to communicate better with patients, and maybe for timid people who want to learn how to get a point across to a doctor. But I can't recommend it for the general reader. Reviewed 1998.

Defeating Pain: The War Against a Silent Epidemic by Patrick Wall, 1991. An up-to-date overview of mostly chronic pain, including technical descriptions of the mechanisms and a look at all the treatments, including alternative ones. It also includes history and philosophy of pain, in fact too much of that for me. Reviewed 1997.

Pain Relief: How To Say No to Acute, Chronic, and Cancer Pain by Jane Cowles, 1993. The author is all for adequate pain relief for everyone. The book contains some good information but seemed a bit scattered. Sometimes she talks about "patients" from a medical professional's view; sometimes to "you" as the pain sufferer. Lots of lists of resources. Reviewed 1997.

Love, Medicine, and Miracles by Bernie Siegal, 1986. He says the "bad patient," by being rebellious and not necessarily accepting a prognosis, may have the best potential for healing. However, though he denies it, here and in his other books he's blaming the person who's sick; the implication is, if you have the right attitude you will get well. Reviewed 1996.

Living Beyond Limits by David Spiegel, 1993. A great antidote to the blame implied in Bernie Siegel's books. The author says you don't get cancer (or whatever illness) from having a bad outlook. However, having a good outlook, specifically getting support in support groups, can make a big difference in the course of the illness and the length of survival. Good to read after your New Age doctor asks you why did you need your illness. Reviewed 1996.

Healing and the Mind by Bill Moyers, 1993. This is a companion book to a public TV series. It consists of interviews with MDs and Ph.D.s involved in health care. It is a good view of mainstream people utilizing progressive techniques and attitudes such as approaching a patient as a person, biofeedback, and meditation. It is dry and intellectual compared to other books on this list. Reviewed 1996.

Living with Chronic Illness by Cherie Register, 1987. If you think you have it bad, the author and the others she writes about probably have it worse, yet she is upbeat and the book is well worthwhile. She goes easy on the medical establishment; she and the others have made their adjustments and don't have time or energy to waste on bashing. Reviewed 1996.

Taking Charge: Overcoming the Challenges of Long Term Illness by Irene Pollin and Susan K. Golant, 1994. Written by an MSW counselor who had two children who died of heart defects (one as a baby, one at 16), so she's been through it. Very methodical, lots of lists; she itemizes nine fears and goes through each one. It all appears to be good information, especially for people with life-threatening illnesses. Somehow, though, the tone rubbed me the wrong way. Reviewed 1997.

We Are Not Alone: Learning to Live with Chronic Illness by Safra Kabrin Pitzele, 1986. This book focuses on incurable but manageable illnesses such as MS, lupus, arthritis, etc. She has lupus. clear, well-written, informational advice on coping for the ill person and support people. Reviewed 1997.

Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired: Living with Invisible Chronic Illness by Paul J. Donoghue and Mary W. Seigel, 1992. Two practicing psychologists who have chronic illnesses write about what it's like. Good, but it mostly gives standard techniques psychologists would use in counseling. I'd like, along with being in touch with how you feel about, for example, a misinformed doctor, more information on how to figure out a practical way to handle it. Reviewed 1997.

For Better or for Worse: A Couple's Guide to Dealing with Chronic Illness by Beverly Kievman, 1989. Excellent, many stories and practical suggestions--especially if you're upper middle class. Reviewed 1997.

Inspirations for Caregivers by Caryn Summers, 1993. Cute little book with cute little inspirational quotes, one per page, in a cute typeface. Kind of new-age (lots of quotes from Ram Dass) but all in all some very nice inspiring material, for nurses, other professionals individuals caring for ill people, and people with illnesses. Reviewed 1996.

Choices in Healing: Integrating the Best of Conventional and Complementary Approaches to Cancer by Michael Lerner, 1994. Mostly about cancer, but much of it could apply to any serious or chronic illness. He surveys alternatives as well as standard medicine, and I like his way of evaluating alternative treatments. Good outlook and overall approach. Reviewed 1997.

DES: The Complete Story by Cynthia Laitman Orenberg, 1981. DES is a drug that was given to pregnant women for decades to prevent miscarriages. It not only turned out to be totally ineffective, but it also damaged the babies, now adults, who were exposed to it in utero. This is a well-written book about the problem by a DES mother turned activist. It gives a lot of good information; however, she presents as facts some things that don't quite merit that status. I like her outlook. Reviewed 1997.

To Do No Harm: DES and the Dilemmas of Modern Medicine by Roberta Apfel and Susan Fisher, 1984. This book, by two psychiatrists, gives some background on DES but focuses on a psychiatric viewpoint that I would find amusing if I didn't find it so annoying. They say nobody's to blame; blaming a drug company or a practitioner or a mother would just show the psychological viewpoint of the blamer. Outdated and still grandiose view of the relationship of doctors to patients, especially psychiatrists. Well-meaning though with attempts to be compassionate. Reviewed 1997.

DES: The Bitter Pill by Robert Meyers, 1983. A book about DES by a journalist. He goes into great detail about the history of the issue, from the initial synthesis to government approval, and also into the effects on individuals, use on animals, lawsuits, and implications. Many sources, though the way he quotes form his sources makes the reading a bit choppy. Lots of good information. I wish there was a more up-to-date book with the most recent information on each of his topics. Reviewed 1997.

A Taste of My Own Medicine: When the Doctor is the Patient by Edward Rosenbaum, 1988. A doctor gets cancer and sees the patient's view of medicine. Easy reading and very good. Reviewed 1997.

Time on Fire: My Comedy of Terrors by Evan Handler, 1996. A young man's journey with a bad leukemia through the medical system. He's an astute observer both of his own reactions and of the good, bad, and dangerous practices of doctors and other medical workers. Very well written. Reviewed 1997.

Healing Lessons by Sidney J. Winawer, 1998. A doctor's wife gets cancer, and he gets to see the other side of the usual doctor's perspective. He learns a lot. Very readable. Reviewed 1998.

Confessions of a Medical Heretic by Robert Mendelsohn, 1979. I read this book many years ago and don't remember enough specifics to write about it, but I loved it and believe it is a classic. Reviewed 1996.

Anatomy of an Illness As Perceived by the Patient: Reflections on Healing and Regeneration by Norman Cousins, 1979. A classic on the power of laughter. Reviewed 1996.

My Own Country: A Doctor's Story by Abraham Verghese, 1995. A doctor works with AIDS patients in a Southern community. Good reading. Reviewed 1996.

Healing the Wounds: A Physician Looks at His Work by David Hilfiker, M.D., 1985. He frankly admits his mistakes, talks about his conflicts about the enormous responsibility and about the financial pressures that keep doctors from doing the best they can with each patient. Reviewed 1997.

Not All of Us Are Saints: A Doctor's Journey with the Poor by David Hilfiker, M.D., 1994. After he wrote Healing the Wounds, the author quit his GP job and went to work as part of a Christian community providing medical care to the poor in Washington, DC. The book gives a devastating look at how hard a time poor people have in getting medical care and otherwise, and the problems this causes and is caused by. His constant self-examination can be a little tiresome, but it is relevant. Reviewed 1997.

First Do No Harm: Reflections on Becoming a Brain Surgeon by J. Kenyon Rainer, M.D., 1987. His experiences in hospital neurology and neurological surgery from a senior medical student to a full partner in a group. Well-written and educational. Reviewed 1997.

Bonding by Marshall Klaus, M.D., 1995. A wonderful book about bonding between parents and new babies. In the 70s, Klaus and his research had a major effect in changing hospital practices about how much contact parents have with a new baby directly after birth. He found that interactions in the first hours and days can have a strong effect on the later relationship between parent and child. The book is directed at parents, and includes his classic findings and summaries from newer studies. It has a warm and caring tone and a wealth of interesting information. My only problem with it was that sometimes I couldn't tell who the intended audience (again, parents according to the jacket notes and introduction) was. The recommendations at the ends of chapters were sometimes directed at doctors, hospitals, nurses, etc. And I don't know how many parents want to read so much about the subject. Still, highly recommended for anyone interested, including medical professionals I found the chapter on premature babies especially interesting. Reviewed 1998.

Moving Beyond Words by Gloria Steinem, 1994. I read this while dealing with medical issues. While it includes nothing strictly medical, there is a long and wonderful critique of Freud, and lots more to strengthen your resolve not to take any shit. She's a great writer. Recommended. Reviewed 1996.

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman, 1997. A look at how medical problems can be compounded by a wide cultural gulf, in this case between immigrant Hmongs with an epileptic daughter and the American medical system. Very interesting. Recommended, especially for any medical professional with a multicultural patient base. Reviewed 1998.

Living in the Labyrinth by Diana Friel McGawin, 1994. A woman who has Alzheimer's disease writes about her experience with it. Impressive and well done. Reviewed 1998.

The Dancing Healers by Carl A. Hammerschlag, 1988. Excellent book by a psychiatrist who worked with Native Americans in the Southwest and learned a lot about their approach to healing. He is a good storyteller. Recommended. Reviewed 1999.

Note: I know my taste is quirky, and I have strong opinions that are far from mainstream. I am aware that I am skeptical, cynical, and not always kind. I am not interested in arguing about anything, but if you like and/or dislike the same things as I do, and feel like it, email me.

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