Interesting approach to “common sense� about medical rumors and myths. I not only liked the information that it gives, but I appreciate the overall foInteresting approach to “common sense� about medical rumors and myths. I not only liked the information that it gives, but I appreciate the overall format. It put the whole thing in a relatable set of conversations and, yes, theoretical potential “love stories� that were totally unnecessary but added a bit of a kick and motivation. And it was nice to see some clarifications on statistics and both unintentional and purposeful misrepresenting results and perceptions of various foods and medications and vitamins....more
What an interesting combination of entertainment and education! I have always been interested in poison, disturbing though that may be, but I really aWhat an interesting combination of entertainment and education! I have always been interested in poison, disturbing though that may be, but I really appreciated learning both about poisons and poisoning. There were several specific instances where an individual or more than one actually used specific poisons to commit murder (as has been done both privately and publicly, and pains were taken to explain the effects of said poisons on the body and how said effects could be detected and attributed. The author also pointed out that poisons, in and of themselves, are not evil. As the well and overused statement goes, “The dose makes the poison,� and many substances that are considered poisons are also used as medicines or treatments as well. As I said, this book was total entertainment and education....more
I loved it! My husband and I listen on the way to my father's funeral. It was all about death and what to expect generals; and what happens to a body I loved it! My husband and I listen on the way to my father's funeral. It was all about death and what to expect generals; and what happens to a body when the owner dies: what are the stages of death and decomposition and does it involve? It's somewhat morbid, but she keeps it light and entertaining and extremely informative! We watch videos on YouTube, and she usually has good things to say (informative many different fields), and her entire approach, tone, and attitude throughout the videos and the book are great! :-)...more
It is pointed out that ideas that we had all thought concrete are really, really wishy-washy, questionable. It is necessary to consider truth and realiIt is pointed out that ideas that we had all thought concrete are really, really wishy-washy, questionable. It is necessary to consider truth and reality which had heretofore been obvious and unquestionable as dependent on individual groups and personal policies rather than the expected interpretations. How a particular group or political party believes or sees things definitely influences and individual's interpretations. Of course, I personally cannot possibly be affected by my crowd � I am far too aware of my surroundings and society for that. Wait. My eyes have been opened to the necessity of truly examining what is actually running the thoughts and media affecting me. This book is somewhat outdated (I believe it was published in 2007, and it's currently 2023), and there have been huge changes in our government and society that weren't even considered in this, but boy, it makes me think....more
I finally gave up on it; I only got 70% through. The first half was annoying, confusing, and terribly inconsistent, but the second half started with pI finally gave up on it; I only got 70% through. The first half was annoying, confusing, and terribly inconsistent, but the second half started with pseudoscience and totally impossible ideas, I just finally said, "no more". Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy science fiction � even when there are impossibilities, but when the story appears to be presented as a possible extension of current technology, but then they throw in ridiculous mental and conscious impossibilities well, then, all bets are off...more
For the most part, it has good information about different forms and sources of folklore. I like both narrators, but the male one had a tendency to apFor the most part, it has good information about different forms and sources of folklore. I like both narrators, but the male one had a tendency to appear to drone on and really get boring, occasionally. I like the fact that it presented both some (famous) urban myths AND discussed folklore overall and its current and traditional roles and uses in society....more
Well, it wasn't quite what I expected, but it was still a pretty good book. It was a series of case histories of several famous historic figures. I leaWell, it wasn't quite what I expected, but it was still a pretty good book. It was a series of case histories of several famous historic figures. I learned more about some famous misconceptions of several people. For instance, I had long believed that Helen Keller's blindness and deafness was caused by measles, but it was probably meningitis. Furthermore, there appears to be some question as to whether FDR actually had polio or GBD, although it's still a question not a certainty. He talked about some well known mis-practices in early radiation studies (witness the Curies) and in (theoretical) healing practices. I own the second audiobook/set of lessons (it is "Great Courses" , after all), but I'm not sure that I'm ready for more at the moment....more
Yet again, the book is audible an Audible Audoook, not a Kindle book; I still can't add that, and I don't even know who or how to ask� :-(. I really liYet again, the book is audible an Audible Audoook, not a Kindle book; I still can't add that, and I don't even know who or how to ask� :-(. I really liked the book, but I'm afraid that plot got a little too involved and intricate � not that I have any ideas as to what should be different. The characters were still amusing and likable. I got a feeling that the stereotypes of bad government and uncaring government officials was too exaggerated and painted a consistently negative picture! Don't get me wrong; I do believe that there are many uncaring individuals in government, but it's irresponsible to not recognize that there ARE a lot of responsible people, too, and to paint them all with the black brush is incorrect and ignores the fact that many people do their best to make things, for the population at large, both fair and reasonable! Off my high horse....more
Patients and doctors are both get so convinced of what they believe is the appropriate choice, because they think it should be right or it just "makesPatients and doctors are both get so convinced of what they believe is the appropriate choice, because they think it should be right or it just "makes sense" that they are unwilling to accept that "making sense" is not enough, and actual studies have proved that although it seems right, the longtime tradition and "sensible beliefs" are just not the way to treat medicine. We believe in things because we hope that we can improve the results by acting a particular way. After all, many doctors have always done it that way, and studies are simply superfluous to RESULTS! Nevermind that anecdotal results are basically worthless to individual situations, and go far from explaining the entire story. Clearly, this is not to say that medicine, overall, is worthless. But Dr. Offit helps to illustrate how personal gains and greed, as well as trust in what's always been done, are running and ruining our current medical system. And we trust in the totally wrong people/treatments! For entirely the wrong reasons! "Well, Linus Pauling DID win two Nobel prizes! He's clearly a smart guy, so we all ought to follow him about vitamin C, nevermind that that's unrelated to his prizes." AND, "there's a blockage in my artery, so we need to stint it. Examining what else might be going on or why is stupid and a waste of time!" We have been counting on random decisions for years. Paul Offit points out that there has been lots of research done � and lots of pushback against it. Neither physicians nor patients want to believe anything else!...more
Amazing things are addressed! Trust issues; murder; facing imminent death; deceit; love; self-knowledge�. The story is involved and it has surprising Amazing things are addressed! Trust issues; murder; facing imminent death; deceit; love; self-knowledge�. The story is involved and it has surprising twists. And, the reader is left hanging on and unknowable thread at the end, but it's not uncomfortable in that respect. It's a mystery, but it's far from standard! I like it a lot....more
An amusing book that laughs at some of the sillier ideas that we've had about medicine over the years. Knowledge to be gleaned from it is not obvious,An amusing book that laughs at some of the sillier ideas that we've had about medicine over the years. Knowledge to be gleaned from it is not obvious, but overall it seems to all tie together. And it's easy to see how scientists and physicians can fall into really stupid conclusions! Apparently, there is also a "sawbones" podcast too, but I have not examined it. Interesting compendium....more
Another of my demonstrated "likes" � science, and medicine, and some humanity, too. The book was a nice summing up of the experience as a forensic patAnother of my demonstrated "likes" � science, and medicine, and some humanity, too. The book was a nice summing up of the experience as a forensic pathologist. It covered the 9/11 world trade center disaster, another airplane disaster, suicides and heart attacks, and the difficulties of determining natural death from accidental from downright homicide. Very interesting examination and exploration of determination. Definitely well within my realm of interest....more
Well, if you read many of my previous reviews, you'll know that and not much of a history person, but this book has two advantages over normal (and thWell, if you read many of my previous reviews, you'll know that and not much of a history person, but this book has two advantages over normal (and they're somewhat related: I find the title fascinating and intriguing. It has a handle that grabs me, namely poison amongst the wealthy and royals. I am so glad that I did not live in those days (although my lack of beauty and royal blood certainly does provide me some protection� But seriously, if one wasn't being actively poisoned for profit or revenge, one's Dr. "cured" by killing � after all, one can't suffer anymore, if one's dead � or in a misplaced effort to provide beauty or power to oneself or a loved one, the recipient is treated with poison! My husband heard part of the book, and his immediate thought was that the author is like Mary Roach who has written several books about, perhaps inconvenient, health, and society overall. I agree, and and look forward to reading about sex with presidents and sex with kings (by the same author: both on my wish list, but not yet in my library� That's okay, I seriously have years worth of books in my library�)...more
In the beginning, the author states that he is an "old-fashioned" Dr.,, but in reading the book, it becomes more and more obvious that he is nothing lIn the beginning, the author states that he is an "old-fashioned" Dr.,, but in reading the book, it becomes more and more obvious that he is nothing like an "old-fashioned" Dr., at least not in my perception. He clearly cares more for the patient than the doctor himself, much less the medical institution as a whole! It's interesting to see the combination of factors that an individual physician needs to keep running in his/her mind in order to actually CARE for the patient, and the recognition that no one approach is right for all patients. I truly enjoyed the combination of cases that were described as well as his, Dr. Reilly's take and reaction on all of them. The recognition that there OFTEN is no "correct" medical decision, but everything comes with its own risks and side effects. And the treatment of his parents. In the end has got to of been difficult, but definitely well considered. (And the book _, Thinking Fast and Slow_, that is mentioned near the end, is one of my husband's favorites, and I STILL need to add it to my list�) ...more
The title of the book is unfortunate in that it made me expect a Ringling Brothers type tale. This book was nothing like that! It goes into the biograThe title of the book is unfortunate in that it made me expect a Ringling Brothers type tale. This book was nothing like that! It goes into the biography of Dr. Mutter and the history of Pennsylvania medical College and the true beginning of modern medicine. I suppose that by reading the subtitle, one could get the idea that's really is what it's all about, but again, one could also think it's satirical. And I don't know how much doctors or the general public really know about Dr. Mutter. My baby sister lives in Pennsylvania, and I am very interested in visiting the museum! Everything we know about ancient medicine is that it's horrendous, but this book points out that there were attempts, even back then, to make it bearable and humanitarian! It's too bad that Dr. Mutter died so young � there is so much more that the medical community had to learn and have used! What a fascinating story and history!...more
This is such a combination; the thought that just hoping for and visualizing something will make it so is totally indefensible! Yes, in his particularThis is such a combination; the thought that just hoping for and visualizing something will make it so is totally indefensible! Yes, in his particular situation, things did go his way a lot, but I refuse to believe that his relaxation and meditation was responsible for that. On the other hand, I like the recognition that believing in yourself is the first step toward success! And the connection between the brain and the heart and all other parts of the body is unknown and spectacular. Of course, we all know that "love" as nothing to do with the actual "heart" to begin with! I really wish that the modern meme had become the liver or the kidney rather than the heart! And his studies into the plasticity in the brain is definitely worthwhile....more
The title presents the question, "mental or physical (i.e. evolutionary)." The answer is obvious from the very beginning, it's evolutionary. EvolutionThe title presents the question, "mental or physical (i.e. evolutionary)." The answer is obvious from the very beginning, it's evolutionary. Evolution has provided people with amazing advantages as well as horrible and frustrating DISadvantages! And the question becomes, is the trade-off worth it? Clearly, in most ways it really is, but the next time that someone tries to convince you that humans were made perfectly, don't even start to buy it! Even amongst the mammals, we have significant disadvantages: no other primates have the difficulty overall with child delivery as humans. Furthermore, although other mammals to get allergies, they don't even begin to compare with the severity and quantity of those of humans. And don't even talk about autoimmune disease! Other mammals don't go into menopause; other mammals are born more developed than we; other mammals don't get upper respiratory infections at the same rate as we, nor do they get "stomach flu" or diarrhea as much as we! He goes through a whole range of physical errors that are borne by humans. He also goes into how some of them are our own fault. He does go into SOME mental things, but that is definitely not the overall gist. It's a good book, and it points out both the physical errors it in our creation as well as the psychological errors that we tend to make....more
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