Book Description
"Marc Siegel is an articulate voice of reason in a world beset by hype and hysteria. We would be well advised to listen closely to what he has to say."
-Jerome Groopman, M.D., staff writer, the New Yorker

"Siegel cuts through the hype about the 'deadly' this and the 'lethal' that, and applies reason in seeking the answers."
-John M. Barry, author of The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History

"Timely and needed. At such times, we need soothsayers and explicators to redirect the ready-fire-aim mindset. Siegel's book fulfills this role well."
-The Journal of the American Medical Association

As bird flu sweeps through Asia, the rest of the world has begun to worry that it might spread west and start infecting humans. As many experts have pointed out, an influenza pandemic is only a matter of time and that time could be now. Or is it? In Bird Flu, Dr. Marc Siegel cuts through the hype, the facts, the fears, and the realities to explain what has the experts so worried and why there's still plenty of reason to be calm. Among the questions he answers are:
* What is bird flu, and who has it?
* What can I do to protect my family?
* Should I stockpile Tamiflu?
* Will this be like the deadly Spanish flu of 1918?
* Why is there no bird flu vaccine?
* Will the annual flu shot protect me?

In his sensible and entertaining style, Siegel looks at the advances we've made in treatments, the research still to be done, and the challenges ahead for Asia to lay out a realistic plan for ending this global threat. While a bird flu outbreak in the United States may or may not happen this year, there's still a great deal of work to be done in readying America for outbreaks of any kind. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

Don't bother!
Don't bother with this book unless you enjoy being talked down to by a condescending physician. He treats the readers as if they are imbeciles. The quality of the writing and research is abominable, and it is obvious that the author is just trying to make a buck off book sales. If you want the facts about avian influenza, don't read this. You won't find any facts or advice here.

Finally A Balanced View
Dr. Marc Siegel's book delivers what has been sorely missing in the discussion of bird flu--a balanced, reasonable, and objective view of this possible threat to our health. Dr. Siegel carefully explains that calls for alarm are not appropriate based on current scientific knowledge and only serve to raise the fear level. At the same time he outlines steps such as upgrading vaccine manufacture and government responsiveness in case a real threat materializes. His basic advice which is to eat smart, exercise, and reduce anxiety, will likely help all of us to live longer. This highly readable and informative book is really "everything you need to know" about this subject.

Good Insights!
Siegel believes that it is not likely that the bird flu will mutate to human form, and that even if it does, it will be less lethal than currently.In addition, generally unreported evidence from Hong Kong (about 16% of those tested had antibodies to the H5N1 virus) indicates it is less virulent than believed.

Siegel also suggests looking at the downward trend in U.S. flu pandemic deaths - about 500,000 in the 1918 Spanish Flu, 70,000 in the 1957 Asian Flu pandemic, and 34,000 during the 1968 Hong Kong Flu.He attributes this to improved sanitation and the use of pneumonia vaccines (pneumonia causing about half the deaths attributed to flu).Finally, he also points out that cooking poultry kills 100% of the flu virus.

The greatest problem with the avian flu, according to Siegel, is our tendency to panic and over-react.He does not recommend that citizens stockpile Tamiflu because it is expensive, only has about a three-year shelf life, and most citizens would probably waste it because they wouldn't know when to properly use it.

Siegel's "Bottom-Line:"We should be focusing more on the pandemic we already have - AIDS/HIV.

A sensible look into the hype, the facts, and the fears of Bird Flu
The spread of a lethal strain of bird flu in the past two years has sparked fears of a new pandemic. In Bird Flu, Dr. Marc Siegel looks through the facts, the fears, and the realities to explain what has the experts so worried and why there's still plenty of reason to be calm.Regardless of whether a bird flu outbreak will occur this year in the United States, there's still plenty of work to be done in preparing America for outbreaks of any kind.

A rational approach
Superb.Dr. Marc Siegel's book "Bird Flu" portrays a concise, realistic and informative outlook on a media bred epidemic: fear and anxiety.Certainly an epidemic from bird flu is possible, I know of no one who disagrees.One, however, needs not confuse the terms possibility with probability.The irrational belief that the bird flu virus has a greater chance of mutating to humans in opposition to the thousands of other viruses currently in existence is unfounded.Certainly we should not remain naïve of such possibilities but we also need to take into consideration the probability of an epidemic from one particular virus that has yet to master the chain of specific mutations it would need in order to become pandemic.Even if this virus mutated to infect humans on a large scale, who is to say that its virility and potential deadly effects would also not alter and wither.If we resort to stockpiling antidotes to this one particular virus, must we then stockpile antidotes for every other potential viral metamorphosis?It is not only impossible to achieve, it is also illogical to think that we should.More research to develop means of developing appropriate vaccines quickly as well as global containment preparedness would be better served.To Dr. Siegel I say "BRAVO" and I hope that you continue educating your readers with such rational approaches. ... Read more

Download Description
"

The latest and most effective information on preventing and treating colds and flu

Under the weather? Eminent lung specialist Neil Schachter, M.D., arms you with the knowledge you need to boost immunity and avoid illness. And when colds, flu, and other respiratory infections do strike, you'll know exactly how to relieve uncomfortable symptoms like congestion and fever.

In this book you'll find:

• Treatment plans for the most common respiratory infections, including colds, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, and strep throat
• The right way to use vitamin C and zinc to combat a cold
• The important difference between a head cold and chest cold
• The five best ways to quiet a cough
• Three signs that indicate if it's a cold or flu
• Three symptoms that signal it's time to call a doctor
• Why humming five seconds a day can reduce risk of sinus problems
• The surprising reason why women catch more colds
• And much more

With Dr. Schachter's guidance, you'll stay one step ahead of colds and flu.

Customer Reviews (5)

A fantastic publication for all, especially for parents!
A very informative and well-written book describing colds, flu, sinusitis, pneumonia and other common winter ailments. Dr. Schachter tells you what's happening with the ailment, how to treat it, and best of all, how to prevent it for the future.

We find this book helpful in our household as parents of young children (and we've had plenty of colds in our house) and recommend it to other parents.

The practical advice (and the clearly defined science behind it) makes The Good Doctor's Guide a very worthhile read for you and your health. A great buy!

Great Book!
This is a very readable book that gives you the information your doctor often does not take the time to tell you.The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds and Flu is smart, practical and well researched.Not only does Dr.Schachter explain how to prevent and treat colds, he explains the science behind his advice.I also really liked the way he combined natural and traditional remedies.Excellent job!

Very helpful and comprehensive
This book was very helpful. It was a good guide to what I can do to help myself when I get a cold or the flu and included ways to protect against contracting it (which I wasn't aware of until I had read it).

I picked up 3 copies for my brothers and sister because they have kids and I think this book can help them understand how to keep their households healthy.

And because of the great timing, I was able to stay healthier this cold and flu season!

The good doctor's guide to Colds and Flu
Few books written by health professionals can bridge the gap between providing comprehensive advice and information on a health issue and doing so in an interesting, readable and practically applicable manner.Dr. Schachter has achieved this and more.This book is "colds and Flu" for Dummies without treating the reader as one.There is a ton of good, common sense advice for cold and flu prevention through modifying activities of daily living.In addition, he informs the reader about the powerful alternative and nutritional approaches to maintaining everyday health that are available to everyone.This is a book I am happy to have in my reference library.

Helpful book but beware of zinc nasal spray
I am not really ready to review this book quite yet having just read through it quickly and at this moment, being sick with a cold. But I thought it was urgent to say one thing and then return to edit this review later:

In the chapter called "Treatment" the author recommends (among other things) Zinc nasal spray, using it every two hours. Well I purchased Zicam yesterday for the first time and it seemed to really help... But then I read up about it and learned that there are several lawsuits claiming it caused people to permanently lose their sense of smell and taste after just one use. I believe those people (their stories were very compelling), and will never use a Zinc nasal spray (or gel) again.The reports are not limited only to Zicam, by the way.

To learn more, try looking up the following article from The Los Angeles Times online: "Zinc for colds losing its luster Users of some products reporting loss of smell, taste" By Jane E. Allen Tuesday, March 30, 2004...or"Federal Lawsuit Refocuses Attention on Serious Risks Posed by Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel" dated December 21, 2005...or just do a general search.

To be continued when I'm feeling better. ... Read more

Book Description

Edward Albee has said, "Will Eno is one of the finest young playwrights I have come across in a number of years. Eno's work is inventive, disciplined, and, at the same time, wild and evocative." This play has opened to wide acclaim at London's Gate Theatre this year. Eno has also recently filmed a version of his first play Tragedy: a tragedy called Night, Night. His new play will be produced by the Rude Mechanicals next year.

Customer Reviews (2)

brilliant early work
This brillaint 2004 Oppenheimer award winning play by Will Eno is dark, funny, and disturbing.It echos his later pulitzer prize nominted work "Thom Pain" with its destruction of the fourth wall and piercing commentary on life and love.Its the kind of play that makes you think and feel.

the flu seaon
the play arrived packaged brilliantly and in a timely fashion very very new! thanks for the professionalism ... Read more

Book Description
Browsers and young students alike will enjoy these lively question and answer books with their unique mix of realistic illustration and engaging cartoons. The enticing questions will amaze, amuse and inspire, while the highly visual format encourages kids to keep reading. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Creepy crawly icky yucky germs
I was at the American Library Conference in New Orleans scoping out various publisher booths when I found myself at the Kingfisher location in possession of a nice hot pink non-fiction tome with the vibrant words, "Deadly Invaders" popping out of the cover.I knew that the New York Times had started publishing books for children, much as National Geographic has, but this was the first of its kind I'd had a chance to handle for myself.So for three or four nights in a row, I used this title to cautiously immerse myself in every dangerous virus outbreak from AIDS to SARS.The book is a fascinating look at how our ever-shrinking world may someday face a pandemic of the worst possible nature.For the kid that wants some info on deadly diseases that kill with no cure, I can't think of a better book to hand them.Just don't be tossing this title casually to any child prone to apocalyptic fears.

Author Denise Grady is a science reporter for The New York Times and has been so since 1998.In the eight years since she joined the Gray Lady, Ms. Grady has had the mixed honor of being in a position to learn as much as possible about some of the deadliest diseases in the world.Grady begins "Deadly Invaders" with in-depth study of Marburg Fever.To study the effects of this viral hemorrhagic disease, Grady traveled to Luanda, Angola to view the doctors working in the area.She then traveled to the much smaller and, to be frank, filthier city of Uige and the province of the same name.Grady recounts both these experiences with the professionalism of a true reporter, then fills out the book with summaries of six other deadly diseases.The effect is simultaneously devastating and gripping (in a way that differs not too greatly from watching an informative but nasty car wreck on the highway).

To be honest with you, I had never even heard of the Marburg Fever until I read Grady's account of it.Now that I have, I am under the distinct impression that it is going to kill me.No no, I'm kidding you.In fact, if anything, Grady's story comes across as a rather hopeful piece on the competence of contemporary doctors.Sure there have been outbreaks and deaths all over the world from various viral amalgamations, but not one has ever turned into a full-blown pandemic.This is, to my mind, nothing short of amazing.Take, for example, the book's account of SARS.Providing a particularly useful little map o' infection, the reader is able to see how a single traveler from China managed to infect four hundred people when he stayed at a single hotel.Yet for all this, we are not currently walking around with masks on our faces.Well done us.

And well done, Ms. Grady.Her writing in this title for youth never patronizes her younger readers.She has the singular ability to make complex ideas and issues simple without being simplistic.In the book's introduction, for example, she is able to synthesize the "Why should I care about viral outbreaks?" question into a succinct chunk: "Whether or not you believe that a humanitarian responsibility exists, there is also a practical, perhaps selfish reason for the rest of the world to try to stop or prevent epidemics in seemingly remote places: nowhere is truly remote anymore."Most admirable, however, is Grady's ability to humanize a story of a dehumanizing disease.When she visits a clinic in Angola to follow the trials of a man in an isolation unit, she learns that his family provides food for him and brings it to the doctors.Unfortunately, all food must be placed in plastic bags, an act that would be considered humiliating in Angola.At one point we hear of a family who has placed the bagged food in a box contained within a beautifully embroidered piece of cloth.And then the man dies alone and without getting to see any of his relatives anyway.The reader hurts to hear this, but is able to stand outside the situation as well.I also enjoyed Ms. Grady's willingness to talk about how she had to convince The New York Times that this was a story worth reporting in the first place.And considering that that's their name on the cover, this comes across as mildly gutsy.

For kids, the book even has small tidbits of info that provide fascinating back-up to the larger story.At one point we learn that there is a theory that viruses are "scraps of rogue genetic material that somehow escaped people, animals, plants, or bacteria."Or how about the fact that many of this awful viral diseases come from eating monkeys?In May of 2002 more than seven hundred primate carcasses were tested for disease and they, "found SIV infection in 20 percent of them.More than thirty primate species were known to carry strains of SIV."Oog.And ick.

We would be amiss if we did not offer kudos to Anthony Cutting's book design as well.What could easily have ended up as a dull dry text punctuated by the occasional photograph becomes instead a lively book with the visual equivalent of sound bites popping up all the time.Maps, full-page info boxes, and mock index cards pepper the pages in such a way that the eye is forever flitting from interesting factoid to the main text.The color photographs, Source Notes, Bibliography of articles organized by date (with additional notes on books of particular interest), Internet Resources (thank heaven), and Index are enough to assure any non-fiction junkie that Ms. Grady knows from whence she writes.

Ms. Grady writes this book for a teen readership, but I feel "Deadly Invaders" will garner just as much interest from science-hungry tweens as well.It's a riveting account of those diseases we hear about all the time in the news, but in a way that makes them feel immediate and pressing.The hypochondriac kids you know may not be able to handle what Ms. Grady has to say, but for anyone else this book is a window into a world that our future scientists may someday wish to conquer.Now if you'll excuse me, I think I shall go and wash my hands.

An important first-person journey with many implications for modern health.
Denise Grady is a medical reporter who decided to survey the threats of flu and new illnesses caused by viruses, journeying to Angola to study the spread of Marburg. Hers is not only a survey of a single disease, but charts the course of health issues, scientific investigation, and accompany social and ethical issues. Students in grades 5-8 will find Deadly Invaders: Virus Outbreaks Around the World, from Marburg Fever to Avian Flu to be an important first-person journey with many implications for modern health.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
When I received my copy of DEADLY INVADERS, I had every intention of focusing on two of the diseases I was most familiar with--Avian (Bird) Flu and West Nile Disease.I had never actually heard of Marburg Fever, but quickly realized that a large portion of the book was devoted to this disease, and became intrigued.

The Marburg Story is broken down into six sections:Luanda, Angola; The Hot Zone; Arrival in Uige; Claudia's Funeral; The Outbreak Ends, and Animal Origins.So what is Marburg Fever?The Marburg virus is found in Africa, Asia, and South America, and is called a viral hemorrhagic fever.Outbreaks tend to erupt without warning, and although they cause rapidly fatal diseases, the illnesses start out with ordinary flu symptoms--headache, fever, aches and pains, an occasional rash, diarrhea and vomiting.What causes Marburg Fever to become deadly, though, is the fact that about half of the victims who suffer from the flu-like symptoms then begin to bleed, both internally and externally.What often follows is a breakdown of vital organs like the heart, kidneys, and liver from the fluid that is leaking out of the blood vessels.

Sounds horrifically painful, doesn't it?It is, and although right now it's only been found in the aforementioned countries and has come to an end, it could arise again, and even be spread to other parts of the globe.One of the most important things I learned by reading DEADLY INVADERS is how easily a virus, whether one that is air-born or one that can only be contracted through direct contact of bodily fluids, can be spread.With the ease of travel from one country to another, and with short incubation periods for viruses with little or no obvious symptoms in the beginning, it is not unlikely that an epidemic of some sort will one day spread across the Earth.

Besides Marburg Fever, there are six other diseases profiled in DEADLY INVADERS:Avian (Bird) Flu, HIV and AIDS, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, West Nile Disease, SARS, and Monkeypox.Each virus has specific symptoms, and none have cures.It is up to medical professionals across the world to work together to find vaccines for these diseases, so that
we're prepared in the face of eventual outbreaks.

This is definitely an informative book.If you've ever wondered about the likelihood of outbreaks of Bird Flu or West Nile Disease in the United States, or if diseases that thrive in third-world countries will ever be a threat to those in the developed world, you need to read DEADLY INVADERS.The threat is there, and it's up to all of us to get ready.

Reviewed by:Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
... Read more

Product Description
A fire is smoldering in Southeast Asia. A fire, metaphorically speaking, that will soon sweep across our oceans and all corners of our continents, leaving little but death and destruction behind. The worst-case estimates are staggering and unfathomable: 100 million to 360 million souls lost; 1.9 million in America alone. And perhaps most disturbing, and sickening, of all: There's an inexpensive, easily accesible cure that could stop this pandemic dead in its tracks, were it not for the government and Big Pharma greed supressing the truth about this super nutrient's value.Here, in this alarming investigation, you'll find the truth. The facts. Knowledge shared from Nobel Prize-winning chemists and other top scientific minds. Knowledge which, ultimately, may mean the difference between living and succumbing to the worst influenza outbreak we've seen in nearly a hundred years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Provocative. Simple. Persuasive.
David Kennedy believes that government health officials and the medical community at large are in the hip pocket of big drug companies. This conspiracy has caused important, effective, powerful remedies, like vitamin C, to go unnoticed and unsupported. History will tell whether he is right about that.

What may be more important is that Kennedy and others believe Vitamin C can prevent and treat the avian flu. If this is true, Vitamin C can provide an inexpensive, powerful, effective treatment for a lethal virus.

It now seems clear to every serious-minded person that the Asian Bird Flu is going to attack, the only question is when. When the epidemic strikes, it will be deadly and fast. According to Kennedy, mega-doses of Vitamin C will be effective in protecting people against the flu. For those that have it, he believes that mega-doses of Vitamin C, administered intrvenously, may save many lives.

This book is mostly about the curative effects of Vitamin C. Based on studies and reports of it curing polio, cancer, and other deadly conditions, Kennedy, Linus Pauling, and others state that the health benefits of it are dramatically understated and even unknown.

I don't know if Kennedy is right about the pharamaceutical industry, time will tell. If he is right about Vitamin C and the bird flu, our family will be protected by an inexpensive, easily-available remedy. If he is wrong, we will have taken a lot of Vitamin C.

The highest potentcy in tablet form I am able to find are on amazon.com at 2000MG. Forget Tamiflu and pass the orange juice.

***** Read This Book and Raise Your I.Q.:
As a medical research scientist, I can say beyond a doubt that a flu pandemic is brewing that may change modern civilization in ways that will go beyond our wildest imagination soon. Physicians are observing the creation of a super strain of the avian influenza virus, H5N1, so-called bird flu, that has the potential to kill millions of men, women, and children in every nation. According to the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a recipe for disaster is clearly in the early genetic-mixing stage. We stand on the abyss of a global wildfire event that will start with the flick of a "viral" matchstick, burn everything in its path, leaving civil disorder and misery in its aftermath on an unprecedented-scale. But what can we do other than prepare ourselves for the inevitable death of our society as we know it? Other than prudent safety precautions, we can also boost our immune systems psychologically against the true number one killer: s-t-r-e-s-s.

Just look at what happened to millions of people impacted by natural disasters in the past year alone from earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis worldwide: They are suffering from PTSD--Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Guess what stress does to your ability to fight bacterial and viral infections? Do you know that when a pandemic strikes within 30-days 100% of the population will be exposed to the virus, but that only 50% will get ill? Did you know that a pandemic comes in 3 phases with the second being the most deadly? Did you know that the most susceptible age group when the virus "hits" is not the young or the old, but the tender-age group 20 to 30? In plain terms, this book will give you the rest of the story; how nature ensures the "survival of the smartest!" Indeed information is power and it will make the difference between life and death in the coming pandemics!

So get smart and raise your I.Q.: "immunity quotient!"

Dr. John Jay Harper is executive director of the not-for-profit, American Delphi Academy, Spokane, Washington, author of Tranceformers: Shamans of the 21st Century, and a bird flu report website at johnjayharper.com

Linus Pauling knew what he was talking about!
I was a little disappointed that the information in the book, I already had most of in my head, due to the fact that I'm a Linus Pauling fan when it comes to nutrition.However, if you don't already know what I'm talking about, then this book is very important to you because it offers you the opportunity to embark upon a personal oddyssey beginning with a most critical, ubiquitous nutrient your body is not capable of producing, due to genetic damage that everybody has.You need this book.

No longer feel helpless
After having read this book I now feel I can do something to protect my family and will be starting us all on vitamin c!
I really felt this was information that could help us especially since it came from people who are considered tops in their field and had scientific studies to back up what they are saying and in some cases were Nobel prize winners.

Not for close-minded doubting thomases
To Mr. Doubting Thomas... why don't you just read the book and then weigh in. That's part of the problem with Americans and this country's sick-care system... too close-minded. Americans take what health officials tell them as gospel and fail to seek out truth and knowledge for themselves. I received this book Saturday and read through it carefully. I found it to be a valuable read. Knowledge that serves good.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not that good
I am a full time Mechanical Engineer, father and grad student going for my Master's degree. I don't have alot of time on front of a fireplace to read. When I bought this book I wanted a rundown of the pandemic and history involved. This book delivers that but I had to weed it out painstakingly. This book mostly gives biographies of the scientists and pathologists who researched the virus with a bit of info given on the actual subject of the book weaved into it. I constantly found myself skipping dozens of pages to get the the subject of the book. This one may end up on Ebay for whatever I can get for it.

this is junk; there are much better books out there on the subject
Forget this over-blown newspaper story that does not really talk about either influenza as a disease or events of 1918 at all.

Buy "The Great Influenza" instead, which does both, and more. Or Crosby's book.

Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic
In 1918 the Great Flu Epidemic killed 40 million people worldwide. More Amer. soldiers were killed by the 1918 flu than were killed in battle during WW1. And no area of the globe was safe. The percentage of Amer. who died is comparable to 1.5 million Amer. today. Scientists have recently discovered shards of the flu virus in human remains frozen in the Arctic tundra & in scraps of tissues preserved in a gov't. warehouse. Kolata tracks the race to recover the live pathogen & probes the fear that has impelled gov't. policy. She delves into the history of the flu & previous epidemics, profiles the experts hot on the trail & the misguided amateurs, & details the science of this mortal disease. Illus ... Read more

Product Description
The government promises it’s coming – at any moment. They say it’s likely to kill 10 to 100 million people.In 1918 it killed 6,300,000 in the U.S. – in just 2 months. Will you survive? Do you know what to do? You will if you read this book. How to Survive the Bird Flu™ provides you with concise checklists and tactics for survival. Before anything else, preparation is the key to success -- Alexander Graham Bell.Failure to prepare is preparing to fail – Unknown, but lived to tell. ... Read more

Book Description

"Will Eno is one of the finest younger playwrights I have come across in a number of years. His work is inventive, disciplined and, at the same time, wild and evocative. His ear is splendid and his mind is agile."-Edward Albee

"An original, a maverick wordsmith whose weird, wry dramas gurgle with the grim humor and pain of life. Eno specializes in the connections of the unconnected, the apologetic murmurings of the disengaged."-Guardian

Winner of the 2004 Oppenheimer Award for best New York debut by an American playwright, The Flu Season is a reluctant love story, in spite of itself. Set in a hospital and a theater, it is a play that revels in ambivalence and derives a flailing energy from its doubts whether a love story is ever really a love story.

Will Eno has been called "a Samuel Beckett for the Jon Stewart generation" (The New York Times)-he is a playwright with an extraordinary voice and a singular theatrical vision. Also included in this volume are Tragedy: A Tragedy and Intermission. ... Read more

Book Description
Monk is horrified when he learns there's going to be a blue flu in San Francisco-until Capt. Stottlemeyer explains that it just means the police plan to call in "sick" until they get a better contract.The good news is the labor dispute will give Monk a chance to get back on the force.The bad news is it means he'll be a "scab"-and he doesn't like the sound of that either.

But before he knows it, Monk has his badge back, and his own squad to command. Unfortunately, some of the squad members make Monk look like a paragon of mental health. But despite the challenges, they'll have to pull together to catch an astrologer's killer, solve a series of mysterious fatal assaults, and most importantly, clean up their desks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Books as good as the TV show!
I bought this and three others of the Monk mystery novels.Written in first person by "Natalie" -- they are a really good read.I like to just relax with a book and re-read.Love the show but the books are just as pleasant.The humor comes right through, and you can see Mr. Monk as he rolls his shoulders....Lee Goldberg is obviously part of the writing team for the show.Even references in the books to past shows!Super! A++++

outstanding detective work
Monk is pressed into duty on the SFPD after the regular cops stage an illegal walk out.He gets a group of misfit detectives under him, and quickly has to deal with several homicides.Lots of classic Monk OCD humor, and plenty of spectacular aha moments as Monk cleans up the city.I read the Monk-Firehouse book, and thought it was very good... but this one is even better!

Classic Monk all the way through
This book reads just like an epsiode of the TV show. We already know these characters very well & the actors who play them. As you read this story you can see them acting out the story. Its a credit to the writing & to the show. We know who Monk is & we know how he reacts to certain things. You'll find yourself waiting for the next "Monk Bit" and laugh out loud when it happens.
The actual story here is good as well. Like the show, its really pretty simple when you can isolate it and break it down. The problem is that you get distracted by Monk & his craziness so that when all the pieces fit together in the end you say, "Oh, yeah! I should have seen that coming", but that is basically what makes Monk so much fun. Its not about us trying to figure it out (reading or watching) is about going along for the ride.
One aspect of this book which is worth noting is that it is writing from the point of view of Natalie (Monk's assistant). Because she is the narrator we understand her thoughts and reasoning we get to see a lot more to her character than we do on the show. At first it was a little different because Monk, Disher, & Stottlemeyer are so well defined that, like I mentioned earlier, we can visualize them perfectly beacuse we know their characters so well from the show. Natalie ends up being a little different and I don't think its a bad thing. After finishing the book & getting a better feel for her character I realized that on the show there really isn't any depth to her. She's kind, friendly, supportive, etc. but we really don't get to know who she is. I think the author of this book did a fine job of adding to her character.
The only drawback that I will mention is the supporting cast of charachters in this book. There is a group of detectives who assist Monk. They all have a function in the story & serve it well but they are all crazy characters too, and I think maybe they are just a bit too crazy. Monk is ridculous and we know this, we've come to expext it. The extra characters in this book just make the story a little too ridiculous in parts. Besides that, I think this a great read and although it is not the first Monk novel to be printed it is the first one that I've read & I plan on going back & reading the others.

Solutions not very Monkish
The Blue Flu stikes SFPD and Mr. Monk is given his badge back along with a promotion to Capt. of the Homicide force.While many murders are solved, we are deprived of the many monkisms we have grown to love from television episodes. Writing can stimulate imagination, however, this book does not.Basically we're reading about a detective who solves murders and has some curious banter with his sidekick.Disappointing save for the cover photo

Great Monk fun!
This is the first Monk book I have read. It's great fun. Lee Goldberg knows his characters so well. I enjoyed the plot. Having Adrian back on the force, albeit in a not-so-kosher way, made for a good story. The fact that his co-detectives were at least as defective as he was just great. Each was well-rounded and I loved the interaction of their "handlers." There were plenty of sub-plots and twists to keep the mystery going well until the end. Two of the moments where Monk is in real trouble were incredible fun. I have no complaints (except that there are typographical errors but that's not Lee's fault, I'm sure.)
I'll definitely be getting more of these books, published and future. I love this genre and this character. A great book for any Monk fan! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good series of books
These are a well-written series of helpful books, I own a few including this one.Don't expect to be astounded but each have several more natural solutions for whatever topic and include scripture to go with the condition.Prayers and diet to go along with each treatment are a nice touch. ... Read more

Product Description
In the midst of a World War, the true enemy was unseen.

It came with a handshake or a breath and it left behind 40 million dead.

In October 1918, World War I was winding down, but the world had yet to face the deadliest killer known. Spanish Flu would devastate the world.

In Cumberland, Maryland, Dr. Alan Keener, a young doctor fresh from medical school, suspects the flu has reached Allegany County. He wants to take steps to prevent its spread, but he is met with resistance from old-school doctors who believe that the flu’s deadliness is overblown and easily treated.

They soon learn differently as the flu begins to spread throughout the county. No one is safe from its effects.

A street preacher named Kolas aids the flu’s spread. During the delirium caused with his own bout with the flu, he believes he was anointed as the wrath of God and must spread to the flu to bring God’s retribu-tion on the world.

As Alan races along with other doctors trying to find some vaccine that works, he must deal with overwhelming sickness in the county. Nearly half of the residents have the flu and many are dying. Nurses and doctors are already in short supply because many are serv-ing in the war. It becomes a critical shortage now as many fall sick with the flu themselves and those left have a workload that would be overwhelming even if there had been no shortage.

The fight becomes personal for Alan as his daughter and then his wife fall victim to the flu. Can he find a treatment to keep them alive or will they become one of the millions who are dying?
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Customer Reviews (1)

Very good and very easy to read
In late 1918, World War I is winding down, but America's major cities, like Boston and Philadelphia, are being decimated by Spanish Flu.

The disease hasn't yet reached Columbia, Maryland, where Dr. Alan Keener, fresh out of medical school, treats a young mother named Sarah. She is feeling sick and feverish, classic flu symptoms, for which she is told to go home and rest. Sarah is found dead the next day, her lungs full of fluid.

The local authorities are reluctant to declare a health emergency over one death. They become convinced after the local death toll starts climbing, fast. All indoor gatherings are banned. Church services are moved outside. The local bars and taverns are forcibly closed. People start acting justifiably paranoid, afraid to leave their houses unless absolutely necessary. It becomes personal for Alan when his 5-year-old becomes one of the fatalities, and his wife almost joins her.

A traveling snake-oil salesman gets the flu, and during his flu-induced delirium, he believes that he is visited by an Angel of God. Mankind is being tested; he has been given the name of Kolas, and told to spread the disease as much as possible. Those who don't die are the new Chosen of God. After nearly infecting Alan, Kolas is captured by the police, where he is "encouraged" to give up several samples of blood to be made into a vaccine. It helps to return things back to something approaching normal.

This is a very good, and very easy to read, novel about a famous, yet unknown, bit of 20th Century American history. While reading this book, in your mind, replace all mentions of "Spanish Flu" with "bird flu." Hmmm. . .
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Book Description
Everyone now knows that Bird Flu is killing chickens and wild birds all over the world.What we don't know is how dangerous the outbreak is for humans. Dr. Greene cuts through the hype and hysteria to explain exactly what we need to be prepared for, and what we can do to keep ourselves safe if a pandemic happens. In an authoritative and easy-to-understand style, Dr. Greene explains:-Available medicines and vaccines-The likelihood of a global catastrophe like 1918-What to eat and what to avoid-What we need to know about our pets, and much more.The Bird Flu Pandemic will help you make the right choices for you and your family. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Administrator
Thank you Dr. Greene

You explain it in lay peoples terms for everyone to understand.This is a good book.What you have done is good public service

Understanding Bird Flu
I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Jeffrey Greene's just published book, The Bird Flu Pandemic. Dr. Greene, a well respected physician, infectious disease specialist and teacher, writes with great clarity and in a most comprehensible style. He has the unique ability to present scientific material in a way that is both informative and readable. He addresses the various concerns and answers the many questions raised about this disease. As articles about Bird Flu are appearing almost daily in newspapers and periodicals, this book is most welcome.

Dr. Greene discusses the history of the influenza outbreaks of this century, with particular attention given to the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918. He writes of the Swine Flu scare of 1976 and the more recent SARS cases. He explains how much medical science has learned from these diseases and the importance of communication and planning in responding to a flu outbreak. He discusses the prevention and treatment of Bird Flu emphasizing the importance of developing a vaccine. He writes about Tamiflu, its' uses and limitations. This book is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand or expand his or her knowledge of this most timely and pertinent topic.

A Complete Joke and Waste of Money
Boy, what a complete joke this book is... one of the WORST purchases I have made in a long time. Buyer Beware: A TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Book Description
When Dragon fakes the flu to get out of attending a tea party at Spiderus’s lair, Miss Spider teaches him that being sick is nothing to joke about. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Lesson About Playing Tricks

"The Bug Flu" is a story from the television show in which Dragon learns a lesson about honesty and the importance of work and helping others.

When Spiderus wants to get out of work, he pretends that he's injured his left third leg. This gets the kids to help out with picking sunflower seeds and Spindella invites them to a tea party to thank them. When Dragon realizes that Spiderus was just faking, he decides to fake being sick in order to get out of having to go to the party, which everyone thinks will be boring.

Dragon is soon taught a lesson that having the "fakey flu" is the wrong thing to do. He misses out on fun and is taught that his actions hurt the feelings of others.

Another nice Miss Spider story. Dr. Bee Better is a fun character, hope to see her again sometime in one of the books. The story zips along as always and is a nice adaptation of the television story. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (9)

A must read for anyone that wishes to understand the bird-flu
This is a wonderful book.It has only 90 some pages and you can read through it fast.The book brakes down this flu first by explaining what it is on the molecular level.Then it gives six scenarios of what the experts think might happen.The book talks about medications and natural foods that might help you to fight against the flu if you contract it.The book discusses the 1918 flu and other flues that have attacked in the last 100 years.Last and most important it give you a list of items you should stock up. If and when this does becomes dangerous for people many items will be gone from store shelves in a matter of just a few hours. The book in no way uses scare tactics but just presents you with the facts and informs you of what the experts see as the potentially dangerous outcome of this H5N1 bird flu.

Interesting, Practical and Brief
This is a pretty straightforward treatment of the potential Avian Flu Pandemic that contains some useful information and insights from an M.D. I didn't give it 5 stars since much of the information can be found in the public domain at the CDC and WHO websites.In addition, the very nature of the Avian Flu story lends itself to quick developments which quickly date a book of this nature.

These minor criticisms aside, I appreciated the author's discussion of conventional flu treatments and possible alternative remedies. He also included a list of items that you should consider storing in anticipation of a panic, if the virus goes pandemic.I didn't think the book was over the top in terms of trying to frighten people.This is a frightening topic, but the author presented a range of possible scenarios from the mundane to the apocalyptic.You can either allow yourself to be scared silly, or you can take the information available, make your own plan and rest easy.Knowledge kills fear.

An expert book, but sold by encouraging selfishness and panic
My mother asked me to buy this book for her, and she has not slept since and I wish I read it first. She is upset because bird flu is a worrying possibility, yes, but also because this book writes about it in a way that is designed to make you think, o dear what if the neighbors infect me? how would i save myself, if other people were suffering? It is a bad state of mind, to think of your self when the whole community is badly sick. This book remind me of those men who go to remote deserts and dig fallout shelters and hide there with guns and canned soup. It sounds too excited about the possibility of everybody else dying and being horribly dangerous to you like a zombie film, even though it is written by doctors who should be wise and not selling to people's selfishness and fear. My mother keeps crying in the night and she needs comfort and shame on them.

This will help
This is a relatively easy book to read and doesn't get bogged down in too much "technical detail."I've read two other books about the flu and one about the international epidemic in WWI.While those books were generally historical, this one is practical and actually addresses things we can do if the flu gets over here.It's worth the time and money to read.

Practical, with herbal information
A practical, informative book, with the information you need to be prepared. I especially like the information on herbal remedies - key, since we know that vaccinations will be next to useless. ... Read more

Book Description
Each year, millions of people suffer from the influenza virus. Conventional medicine prescribes the flu vaccine as a preventative. But what if vaccine supplies run short? What if you don't want to take the vaccine? What you come down with a particular strain of the flu virus that the vaccine won't defend against?In "Flu Therapy", naturopathic physcian Elizabeth Wotton shows you how to support your body's built-in defense mechanisms using the best of nature's pharmacy. You'll find tips on what you can do to keep yourself healthy during flu season as well as easy-to-prepare natural remedies that will help you safely through a bout of illness. This indispensable guide teaches you everything you need to know about the flu-and most important, how to stay healthy! ... Read more

Product Description
The major disasters of this century- the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 that killed 2,752 people; the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) global epidemic (pandemic) that spread like fire across the globe killing 800 people in 2003 and caused $100 billion in economic loses; the December 2004 tsunami that was caused by the second largest earthquake ever recorded and killed more than 150,000 people in Asia; and the August and September 2005 hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which caused hundreds of deaths and destroyed New Orleans and other towns and cities across the Gulf of Mexico-will be seen as minor events compared to the coming catastrophes we face in 2006 and beyond. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Terror Unleashed Review
This book provides you with a lot of useful facts and helpful tips on how to prepare for potential crises.I found the information on the bird flu and terrorism especially beneficial.There is no way of knowing if or when any of these events will occur, but by following the suggestions given in the book, you can at least be as prepared as possible should one of these situations arise.As they say, it's better to be safe than sorry!

Outstanding book for those who are concerned about unfolding global issues
There are many books on the individual topics listed in the title of this book, however, few authors have the courage to discuss the interconnectedness of these issues like Dr. Frank. These issues will not unfold one at a time, but are more likely to overlap with potentially devestating consequences for you and your family.The author discusses not only the issues at hand, but what we can do about it to protect ourselves.A must read for anyone in tune with global issues!

Review of terror unleashed
This is an excellent book written by an accomplished physician who has done a stupendous job of tying in the major issues affecting our universe currently. The book gives a detailed account of how these hot issues are interrealted and can impact our lives in multiple domains.I highly recommend this book to adults who are thinking about the political scene in the world. I found this book to be more comprehensive than "The Long Emergency" ... Read more

Product Description
Holistic health author Mike Adams presents effective step-by-step strategies in "How to Beat the Bird Flu." Bird flu is currently one of the most frightening health threats facing the global community, and health officials around the world are warning that a pandemic could be disastrous. The time to plan for an outbreak is now."How to Beat the Bird Flu" gives readers the best tips for surviving a crisis situation such as this. Readers will learn what to do if essential services, such as water and electricity, aren't available, and how to prepare for the worst-case scenario. The book also lists specific supplies that consumers need to have in the home and how to locate the most effective and inexpensive (at time of printing) products. In addition, "How to Beat the Flu" provides a holistic approach to combating the bird flu and any other viral infection. The popular guide reveals 12 antiviral herbs that can be used to boost the immune system as well as foods, vitamins, and minerals that have been proven to increase resistance to viral infections. In "How to Beat the Bird Flu" readers will learn: · How to recognize flu symptoms at the first sign and what to do to fight infection· Where to find the most effective respiratory masks and other protective geaer· How to safely store food and water supplies· Smart strategies to ensure personal safety and comfort during a crisis· And more"How to Beat the Bird Flu" is one of the most comprehensive bird flu publications available to date, with the second edition having received considerable updates in January 2006, and it is an essential guide for everyone wanting to be prepared for a bird flu pandemic. ... Read more