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Green Barbarians: Live Bravely on Your Home Planet

Some people might see the title and think this is yet another eco-book on eco-living or such. In reality, this book is about how far we have drifted from common sense health in the way we live and eat. People are clueless to what's in their food and where it comes from or even how their immune system works (public education victims). Now, if you eat better and live better, one of the results will be a better environment. I.E., if you stop using your cloest full of chemicals, your health gets better, and so does your water supply. Sandbeck may come off anti-corporate, and even though I am far from being that way, there's truth to what she says in many companies. We have fallen into the trap of letting stangers convince us into buying things we don't need and scare us into buying things that don't improve our lives. Sandbeck is concise and funny and touches on a wide variety of topics from food safety, health, corporate funny-business, child well-being and the many myths we believe. A great place to start your efforts to improve your well-being. There is a growing awareness about such things and this book is a valuable addition. For more on the topics in this book, see The Hundred-Year Lie: How to Protect Yourself from the Chemicals That Are Destroying Your Health, Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal, Eat This and Live!, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, The Maker's Diet and Bottlemania: Big Business, Local Springs, and the Battle Over America's Drinking Water.

This book contains some practical information about how to counter our current germophobic culture and how to use less toxic products and practices in our homes and daily lives. However, there are some things that are disturbing about it that allow me to only rate it as a 2-star.

For one, much of this book is repetition from the author's Green Housekeeping book, which I'd already read. Why is the author repeating the exact same things in a different/new book? If there is to be a new book, there needs to be new ideas and new information, not merely rehashing the same old stuff.

Secondly, I noticed that the author presents somewhat of a contradiction in her own personal philosophy and practices. On the one hand, she's all about the "barbaric-we're too clean; let's eat dirt" mentality... on the other hand, she recounts her own almost phobic sanitization of her own food, kitchen, etc. It's a bit of a mixed message that made me wonder, well, which is it?

Finally, the biggest problem I have with this book is the way the author totally sneaks up on the reader, lulling them into thinking the book is about healthier living, housekeeping, etc., then, at the end of the book she is suddenly advocating circumcision of our baby boys. WHAT?!?!? And she does it in a way that is very condescending to those who don't agree with this practice, including potshots at the poor spelling of those who wrote about their disagreement on a website she found. Very lame and unprofessional.

To support her position, she includes a study done on very promiscuous African men truck drivers who are apparently having sex at every truck stop and getting Aids. My own conclusion of this study wasn't that every male should undergo genital mutilation in case they end up living this kind of high risk lifestyle and want to prevent getting Aids, but that these men might want to consider better lifestyle choices.

I could go on to counter several of the authors claims about how wonderful circumcision is, but will let the reader do their own research. There is a large body of information out there about circumcision and it is widely known that it is a totally unnecessary medical procedure, except in rare cases. My point is that to advocate unnecessary and unjustified genital mutilation as a way of "cleaner/greener" living is to me (and this is my review after all) preposterous, truly barbaric, and inappropriate. To me, it really discredits the book and the author.

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Green Barbarians is another wonderful title by Ellen Sandbeck. In this book she takes a look at how the fear of various ailments and of bacteria and microbes in particular has led people (especially in western culture) to over-protect themselves into ill health.

Chapters delve into details about the body, food, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, health, pets and children.

If you have read Sandbeck's Green housekeeping you may recognize some of the info and suggestions in the chapters about food, kitchen and bathrooms, she does repeat a little of the information from that book, but overall it's not as in-depth and cleaning-centric as Green Housekeeping.

This book really gives you some insight into some of the ridiculous things that people do that are completely unnecessary and some of the long-forgotten practices that might still be of contemporary use. A lot of the books value come from the condensed results of various research articles and applications that point to surprising results. Especially in the chapter on health where she includes discussion on treating various human ailments with other organisms (biotherapy) like intestinal worms. The bibliography is impressive and the book seems to be very well researched. Also has an effective index for looking up choice statistics or wanting to gross out your roommate with a verbatim reading.

In addition to the informative aspects of this book I also found it highly entertaining. This book had me laughing out loud and reading choice bits to my fiance more than any other recent book. The wit that Sandbeck writes with is indispensable, and though it doesn't take away from the gravity of some of the statements made in this book, it does make them a little easier to face.

Highly recommended, amusing and informative, what more could you ask for?

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Interesting ideas presented. Some (informatively) infuriatingie. food production and corporations, and plenty of useful tips/reminders/wake-up calls for life. A quick easy read, that may whet your appetite for meatier texts and ideas.

While I really wanted to like this book, and did agree with most of the ideas she presented I have a few criticism:

Though there does seem to be an extensive bibliography listing the multiple scientific studies referenced throughout the book, footnotes would have been incredibly helpful. It was difficult to tell at times what was scientifically based and what was just from her own advice formed from opinions and experiences.

I completely agree with the review below about the last section/lecture on male circumcision that comes completely out of nowhere. Stating several incomplete studies and not mentioning anything about safe sex education, she strongly advocates genital mutilation. Though she states at the end of the rant she just wants to help the reader make an informed decisionshe is obviously very pro-circumcision, with only one side presented. That section unfortunately completely overshadowed the earlier parts of the book and made me question the objectivity of some of her previous assertions.

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I picked this book up for a buck at a local bookstore blowout. It's a decent read, and covers many different topics. Some of this I have heard/read before, some was new. The book doesnt give us a "green way" of living, but more so is an attempt to have us question the choices we make in product selection. Much of the book discusses our fears of germs which the writer presents as unfounded. Overall, the book does lack some focus, as the topics vary widely with no disernable goal. While it may be worth a read, and possibly worth adding to your "eco bookshelf' I dont think i would have been happy if I paid full price. I would chalk this one up to a decent pic in the green theme, but far from the best out there.

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Practical Massage for Home Use

Easy read! Very useful and easy to go back and review! I have learned so much and use the book to reference often!

I don't know much about massage, but it is something I've recently become interested in. I wanted to be able to give a great massage, but I had no experience and didn't know where to begin. I wanted to learn more, and this was a great book in instructing me on everything I needed to know in plain English. There were some great illustrations to help guide me. Not only was this book informative, but it was also a pleasure to read. It didn't feel like like I was reading an instruction manual. Since reading this book, I can now give massages with confidence. Who needs to spend money on a massage therapist?!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has in interest in massage.

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i THOROUGHLY ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK IT WAS WELL WRITTEN WITH PLENTY OF ILLUSTRATIONS.IT HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO DO A MASSAGE WITH THE CORRECT MOVEMENTS. I WOULD SURELY RECCOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE THAT WANTS TO LEARN HOW TO GIVE A GOOD MASSAGE.

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Fashionable Clothing from the Sears Catalogs: Late 1930s (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

Yet another fine book from Schiffer's growing series of this kind. The images from the catalog are reproduced clearly and sharp. The colors also look well defined. The focus is primarily on women's fashions, as there usually is in this series, and there is a sampling of men's and childrens clothing, too. We will probably never see fashion like this again. The level of detailing seems almost "fussy" (bows, buttons, embroidery, pleats, gatherings, shirring and the like) but it can be pretty to look at and I can almost begin to admire the level of effort it took to maintain such a feminine image.

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Desperately Seeking Snoozin' : The Insomnia Cure from Awake to Zzzzz

I read this book in a desperate attempt to alleviate the chronic insomnia that had plauged me since the birth of my daughter. It was the only book of it's kind (I purchased two others) that made me feel genuine hopefulness about my condition. Mr. Wiedman does not make light of insomnia to the contrary, he sincerely understands what you are going through. This man has been through some truly hard times and you can sense his compassion and desire to help others. This is what sets the book apart.

I both laughed and cried while reading this book; it is very cathartic and reads like a novel at times. Although you may find other books containing more technical information, this book will give you that human touch that no other can provide. My insomnia is gone, and even better, I no longer feel anxious about the occasional sleepless night.

THANK YOU Mr. Wiedman, you have helped me tremendously. I cannot reccomend this book highly enough to anyone struggling with sleep.

"Desperately Seeking Susan" by John Wiedman is a fantastic book, that helped me so immensely. The other books on sleep discuss medications to take, this book discusses how to change your behavior, and to get off medications, eat right, cut down on or stop caffeine, and to go to bed and wake up at the same time each night. It also discusses the following: info on sleep clinics, sleep cycles, self employment, night eating syndrome, restless legs syndrome, circadian rhythms disorders, conditionioned insomnia, sleep apnea. There are several chapters on sleep aids, medications, herbs, and the impact of medications on sleep stages. It goes into the long term use of sleeping pills, smoking, depression, excercise, and good health. The next part of the book looks into "the solution", talk of a sleep diary, your medical history, a pre-sleep routine (like bathing before sleep induces sleep), relaxation techniques, trouble staying asleep (that was me along w/rls) and how much one should be committed to follow John Wiedman's book. The end of the book discusses the plan one should follow, sleep clinics, and more on medications. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Thanks John!

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Since I have had trouble sleeping (and it has been about ten years), I've visited just about every kind of doctor you can to help find "the cure." I wish that just one of the physicians had recommended a book called "Desparately Seeking Snoozin'" It could have saved me many doctor bills and many anxious nights.

The book brings comfort from the fact that there are many others who feel like they are at wits end and don't know what to do. Insomnia is kind of a personal problem and it was very interesting to read the various sleep disorders that others had.

But the real benefit to the book is the practical guide to helping you address how to solve your sleeping problem. It is very easy to follow, costs nothing, and put me back on the road to sanity. I have passed along the book to others I know who have experienced similar problems and it has worked for them.

Now if it's 3 a.m., quit reading this, buy the book and get some sleep.

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This book was a godsend for me: within weeks of putting its simple principles into practice, I became a happy, healthy "good sleeper" -after having endured months of severe insomnia (two to four hours of sleep a night) and the physical and psychological difficulties that came with it. The style is very warm and real, like a chat with a kind, informed friend. And the program is blessedly simple: after my increasingly rare bad nights, I just refocus on the suggestions in the book and get right back on track. Highly recommended.

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A very good, practical book. Although at first blush, the advise almost seems overly simple, it works. I guess, like lots of good ideas and advise, sometimes simple is the best. I've suffered from insomnia on and off for about 25 years and I've tried most everything, including sleeping pills. I've been doing this program now for about 3 weeks and it has definitely improved my sleep. In those 3 weeks, I've had maybe 3 bad nights, and even those nights weren't as bad as what I used to consider bad. In addition to sleeping better, I have an extra hour or two at the end of the day because of how this program works. Over the years, I've read quite a bit about insomnia and sleep, like all of us insomniacs probably have, but I would say this book contains the most practical advise. While this program may not cure everyone's insomnia, at a minimum, it will certainly help everyone who has insomnia that is not related to some type of underlying physical condition.

The Interval Training Workout: Build Muscle and Burn Fat with Anaerobic Exercise

This book discusses interval training and is a good starting point for anyone who is new to the concept. However it is basic, and unless you have no idea what is meant by "interval training" then you will not learn anything new. At its heart the message is, go really fast for a minute, then slow down for two minutes, repeat until done.

The most glaring problem is that the book only talks about interval training as manifested in the traditional cardio sports (running, swimming, cycling, etc.) It does not talk about ways to incorporate interval concepts into your strength training routines, and even worse does not adequately talk about how to incorporate your strength training with the interval program recommended.

I think this book is most useful for the type of people who "just run" (or just "whatever") at a steady pace for a predertmined time and have no plans to lift weights. However, if you are looking for a more holistic program that will cover more aspects of fitness, then I would suggest searching further.

Interval Training (IT) is systemic conditioning based on low intensity activity punctuated with bursts of high intensity activity. IT has an advantage over "aerobics" done at constant pace because the high intensity phase triggers growth hormone and other effects that are never quite achieved by extended low intensity training. This means that you can achieve benefits beyond those of aerobic training for athletes and also for weight control and general fitness. IT does not neccessarily replace low intensity training entirely, nor does it replace more specialized strength or flexibility work where needed. It is a concept with its own niche in physical training.

This book introduces the concept of IT and gives examples of how to set up a conditioning program for yourself with IT at the core. There is a lot of practical advice here for the novice and for those who have only a passing knowledge of physical conditioning. Those with moderate knowledge of conditioning including interval techniques will find most of this to be review or variations of ideas they alreay use. Trainers and those who use formal interval techniques already will probably not get much out of this, and should instead look to more advanced, more technical, or more specialized books.

An excellent practical introduction to interval based fitness.

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In my capacity as Medical Director of 2 Fortune-50 companies I have had the occasion to review numerous fitness and health promotion programs. Dr. Nitti's Interval Training offers a common sense approach to physical fitness which is applicable to the average person as well as to world-class athletes. It is refreshing to finally see a fitness program that is scientifically based and does not attempt to repeal the laws of thermodynamics or the principles of human physiology. I highly recommend this book to anyone serious about physical conditioning.

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I purchased this book with the hopes that it would have some hard core anaerobic workouts using intervals with bodyweight exercises, medicine balls and other non-standard methods of good all around functional or "combat conditioning" type training workouts. This is not a book like that. However it is a good book that will help you understand why interval training is important to include in your workout and can help you develop your own personal workouts.

The book mainly focuses on interval training for the runner, swimmer, or biker which I'm sure will help you a lot of you've become stagnant in your workouts. It does include workouts and good guidelines for these type of sports and has a basic section on weight lifting and stretching.

The book also includes short and concise reasons as to why interval (anaerobic) training is so beneficial. It didn't try to get too medical or scientific about it just plain old English as to how interval training works in your body.

Even though the book didn't include the type of training workouts I was looking for, it was still a worthwhile book to read and I will use some the principals from this book in developing the type of workouts I am looking for.

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Essential Guide to Natural Home Remedies

This book is simple in its presentation. It not only provides reference to herbal medicines, but also to the use of food as a medicine. It's not what I would recommend for a serious medical practitioner or herbalist, but it's the type of thing that is handy to have around for the average person. Doses and recommended forms of preparation and ingestion are included, but there is not enough in the way of warnings or interactions.

Poisonous Plants of Paradise: First Aid and Medical Treatment of Injuries from Hawaii's Plants (Lati

If you live in Hawaii and have one or more young children, put this book on your shelf. If you garden in Hawaii, you'll find this an intriguing and informative book. Even if you don't fit either of those descriptions, this is a marvelous book to have, beautifully done, lucid text, remarkable photos.

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