Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Reader's Corner
The book is a wonderful addition to our library at the Family Caregiver Alliance.By sharing these books with us, you have helped us help our clients.The layout, in manual style with clear headings and bulleted or numbered items, makes the material very accessible...each book is divided into three parts: Getting Ready, Day-by-day, and Additional Resources..Additional chapters on therapies and special challenges are included in the Stroke guide.In both, tips notes and resources are included throughout, as well as sample forms.[Review from Reviewer's Corner from the Family Caregiver Alliance at www.caregiver.com]

An absolute "must-have" for anyone working with or taking care of a stroke survivor
The Comfort of Home for Stroke: A Guide for Caregivers is a practical guide especially for anyone charged with the responsibility of taking care of a stroke survivor. Chapters instruct the reader in the causes of stroke and how to prevent one from recurring, how to make the home safe and comfortable for a stroke survivor, the key factors for a successful stroke recovery, how to communicate effectively with health care professionals, coping with personality changes in a stroke survivor, handle everyday activities such as wheelchair transfers, bathing, and toiletries, and much more. Written in plain terms, and filled with valuable checklists, bullet points, black-and-white diagrams, lists of resources, glossary, and index, The Comfort of Home for Stroke is an absolute "must-have" for anyone working with or taking care of a stroke survivor. Highly recommended.

Good guide for caregiving for older adults in any health crisis
I thought this book had a lot of good basic information (including sources for products) for someone taking care of an elderly stroke survivor at home. This book assumes you will be taking on the role of full time nurse/medical assistant and even gives instruction things like changing bed linens with the person lying in bed - like in a hospital. I did like the reminders that caregivers need to take care of themselves - this is vital not only to the caregiver but also to the patient, who will receive better care and I applaud the authors for giving this strong emphasis. I took of a star because of them extreme emphasis on elderly stroke survivors and dark view of recovery. There are many many younger people who suffer strokes each year - in my case a young adult sister. After her stroke I sought out information on strokes like a woman possessed - and this book would have frightened me unnecessarily. For example, the book states that docs say that all of the recovery that will take place will happen within the first six months. After this heartbreaking statement, the sidebar "tip" says that although the MOST gains occur during the first six months, recovery continues after that time period. They did a huge disservice to readers by presenting this information in that way. Other stroke books I consulted (and my own experience) indicate that recovery will continue for a very long time - more than 3 years for noticeable gains. Also, the book assumes that the person will never, ever return to his or her old job - incorrect information in my experience. Overall, it is a good basic book - but overly pessimistic on recovery. The first book you should read is Living With Stroke: A Guide for Families, 3E....then once things settle down and you are thinking about long term care you might try The Comfort of Home. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Price Warning
I cannot comment on this book, as I have not read it.In searching for this title, I discovered that it is available directly from SAE for $100.There is no reason for you to pay over $400 for this book.

Highly recommended for students of IC engines at all levels.
This is an excellent book for students and their instructors at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. It develops the theory and practice of two-stroke cycle engines in a clear and concise manner. The book is uniquein that it presents in a single volume the whole spectrum of two-stroketechnology. The material is derived from the many years the author hasspent researching and consulting on the subject. The reader will be broughtright up to date on such important topics such as computer simulation,engine performance, fuel efficiency, noise, and exhaust emissions.

Design and Simulation of Two-Stroke Engines is a must read.
Design and Simulation of Two-Stroke Engines is a must read reference for the student of the internal combustion engine and the expert alike.This follow up to The Basic Design of Two-Stroke Engines begins with acomprehensive introduction which defines the simplest of engine geometry tothe thermodynamic terms specific to the two-stroke engine.Chapter Two, amost demanding read, explains in great detail the author's establishedtheory of unsteady, compressible flow through engine ducting.This theoryis the foundation of the GPB computer simulation code.This enginemodelling software allows for the complete prediction of engine performancefrom torque to fuel consumption to exhaust emissions.Scavenging andcombustion specific to the two-stroke engine are dealt with in individualchapters.Chapter Five describes the structure of the computer model andthe required input data.Several real world examples of computer modelsare given including a relatively low performance chainsaw and a highperformance racing motorcycle.As simple and effective as a computer modelmay sound, the author stresses that the numerical input for the model isimpossible to guess correctly.Therefore, Chapter Six details all of theemperical techniques the author has created as design guidelines.Datagenerated using these techniques are to be used as initial inputs to theengine simulation.Finally, the remaining two chapters detail research andsimulation involving reduction of fuel consumption, exhaust emissions andnoise emissions.New information not covered in The Basic Design ofTwo-Stroke Engines is presented on unsteady gas flow, scavenging flow,two-zone combustion models, computation of intake and exhaust soundpressure levels and discharge coefficients of ports and valves.

A Basic Requirement For Any Serious IC Engine Library.
A must read for any serious two stroke enthusiast, designer, or racer. This book is especially helpful in understanding all areas of IC engine design and how they interrelate, with an emphasis on two strokes.Blairgives volumes of insight as well as excellent illustrations, graphs andpictures to help the reader understand sometimes complex theory.Theauthor provides an excellent treatment of unsteady gas dynamics and motionof pressure waves through the engine.He takes the reader from theory topractice by using simulation through modeling with an abundance ofpractical empirical design advice. Although this book is mainly germane totwo stroke engines, the reader can glean the applicable theories to fourstroke engines (at least until Blair publishes his treatise on fourstrokes).

Dr. Douglas E. Hahn, Director Engine & ReliabilityEngineering ,Volvo Penta of the America's

An easy to follow theory backed by good practical examples.
The author has made an excellent attempt, and in my opinion succeeded, in presenting the gas dynamic theories for unsteady gas flow in an easy to follow format. The theories are well corroborated by providing practicalexamples of engine designs from the real world.This should instill a lot ofconfidence in designers who choose this approach to engine design, as itcertainly has for me. ... Read more

Product Description
The intimate, life-affirming journey of recovery and rehabilitation from a major stroke, written by one of morning television's most beloved personalities

Mark McEwen was at the top of his game and enjoying life when he suffered a stroke. After fifteen years on The Early Show, he had moved to Orlando to anchor the local news and spend more time with his family.While traveling, he experienced symptoms that led him to a hospital, where he was misdiagnosed with the flu. Two days later, on an airplane flight just hours before he finally collapsed, flight attendants and airport staff dismissed his slurred speech and heavy sweating.Misinformation not only delayed his treatment, but it also nearly cost him his life.

Now, in a candid and moving memoir, America's beloved morning-show weatherman recalls his harrowing journey of rehabilitation from a massive stroke.After the Stroke traces his recovery in the aftermath of temporarily losing some of his greatest gifts- his talent as a public speaker, and his warm, witty exuberance-while his wife worked valiantly to care for their children as well as her seriously ill husband.Sharing an ultimately triumphant story, McEwen emerges as one of our most dynamic new crusaders for stroke victims and their families.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Info on personal stroke
I have wanted all the information I can get on how people do who have strokes to help me understand my sister and her stroke. I have read maybe 5 books and although this one is good it isn't as informative on what I needed as others, such as MY STROKE OF INSIGHT. I like the details of therapy and what worked the best, etc. PM

isthere any after/?
Mark has zero entries for any thing "after the stroke in the the table of contents the title of the book is AFter the stroke"so, mark, how about some writing on"after ... Read more

Product Description
The revised and updated second edition of this comprehensive text continues to offer careful critical evaluation and authoritative advice on stroke, the most complicated disease affecting the nervous system of children and young adults. New chapters, the latest guidelines from the American Heart Association, tips for preventing misdiagnoses, and more provide you with the knowledge you need to make the best clinical and management decisions of both common and rare cerebrovascular disorders in the young population. Tightly focused, this fully referenced textbook fills the void in the literature by including detailed discussions on topics such as stroke in neonates, atherosclerotic cerebral infarction in young adults, strokes caused by migraines, stroke during pregnancy, and a myriad of others. Up-to-date tables containing rich troves of data along with the careful selection of multiple references further enhances your acumen.

• Offers practical, clinical guidance on stroke and stroke related issues, such as atherosclerotic cerebral infarction, non-atherosclerotic cerebral vasculopathies, cardiac disorders, and disorders of hemostasis to broaden your knowledge base.
  
• Includes an overview of stroke types, risk factors, prognosis, and diagnostic strategies in neonates, children, and young adults to help you better manage every condition you see.
  
• Discusses the diverse etiologies of stroke in children and young adults to increase awareness in the differences of presenting signs between children and adults.

Product Description
Four years ago, Robert McCrum -- 42 years old, newly married, and at the top of Britain's publishing world -- awoke to find himself totally paralyzed on the left side. In the weeks to come, McCrum would have to face harsh realites: His life was irrevocably changed by a massive cerebral hemorrhage, and medical science could neither pinpoint the cause nor offer any guarantee of recovery. My Year Off poignantly traces McCrum's frustrations and inspirations as he faces an incomprehensible battle of recovery. Interspersed with excerpts from the journals he and his wife kept, and now featuring a poignant afterword on the tremendous reader response McCrum has received, My Year Off reflects the remarkable power of love to heal the body and soul.Amazon.com Review
On July 28, 1995, Robert McCrum suffered a severe stroke atthe age of 42. His thoughtful memoir chronicles the long, arduousprocess of recovery. Drawing on his own diaries and those of his wife,Sarah Lyall (then the publishing columnist for the New YorkTimes), McCrum presents a detailed portrait of the physical andpsychological effects of a stroke. His speech was impaired and hisleft arm and leg were paralyzed, but almost worse was the emotionalhavoc those disabilities wrought. As the hard-driving, hard-livingeditor of English publishing house Faber & Faber, McCrum had definedhimself for 20 years by what he did--now he was forced to ask himselfwho he was. He ruefully admits that his upbringing in the privilegedBritish upper-middle class, traditionally suspicious of introspection,had ill prepared him for such a struggle, and he pays loving tributeto his American spouse's crucial role in his recovery. (Indeed, theexcerpts from Lyall's diaries, which honestly reveal doubt, fear, andanger, are among the book's most moving sections.) Famous friends likeSalman Rushdie and Michael Ondaatje make appearances at McCrum'sLondon hospital bedside, but Lyall is the narrative's heroine, and thehard-working staff of physical and speech therapists the invaluablesupporting players. The author's lucid explanation of stroke's medicalaspects and thorough account of his slow progress toward nearly fullrecovery will inform and inspire other stroke victims, but at heartthis is a touching marital love story and an exciting drama ofpersonal rebirth. --Wendy Smith ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Guess you got to be lucky.
As a stroke survivor, I have purchased a number of books on stroke. Most of them follow the exact same recipe:
Woe is me, aren't you glad you weren't me, I made a full recovery and life is grand once again. Notone of these authors provides the reader with even a hint of what steps the stroke survivor could take to improve his or her condition. Maybe I'm bitter since I've remained partially paralyzed for over five years since my stroke. I've tried all kinds of remedies including extensive physical therapy, pills and concoctions, and the like, but nothing has measurably improved my condition. I even bought into the concept of functional exercise, you know, removing all the books I've purchased on stroke from the shelves and then putting them back one by one. Sure, we all want to read how others have suffered as much (and maybe even worse than) we have. After all, misery loves company.We are certainly gladdened to hear how a select few have made complete recoveries, but the means by which they made their recoveries apparently must remain a closely guarded secret. At least these books provide the reader with a sense of hope.
The author of this particular tome can write.Shucks, he was a professional a writer, after all. Any author
has a gimmick peculiar to him. What marks this author's style is his constant use of name dropping. I fully expected the Queen to pay him a visit at some point, but, alas, that never happened. The name dropping device is pretty useful, however. Just when the reader is about to nod off, up pops a new name.The author obviously had many friends and associates that were members of high society (although not the Queen apparently). It just goes to show you, I guess, that stroke can strike anyone at any time. Stroke affects the rich and poor alike, the erudite and the ignorant, taking no prisoners.
Some day, maybe, someone will write how he or she survivedstroke and then improved his or her physical condition. "This is how I did it" will appear somewhere in the opening paragraph.. I hope to write such a book someday, but for now I'll have to just carry on with my growing collection of "Woe was me" stroke manuals, referring to them now and again in an effort to regain the hope that someday I'll get better.

Stellar stuff about adversity and the healing power of love
This book brought to mind Lee and Bob Woodruff's book, In an Instant, but there are, of course, differences. While Bob Woodruff was disabled by a roadside bomb in Iraq, Robert McCrum was laid low by a stroke at the age of forty-two, at a time when he and his wife Sarah had only been married a couple of months. McCrum characterizes his crippling stroke as a "biological car wreck." He tells in frank terms how devastating the stroke was, leaving most of his left side paralyzed and "frozen," and how hard it was to come back from it over the next year and more. But besides enumerating all the struggles and treatments involved in being rehabilitated, he also explores the way it forced him to rethink his life and way he viewed the world. The Woodruff book was often as much a love story as it was a story of treatment and therapy. The same is true with the McCrum story. One cannot help but feel an enormous admiration for McCrum in effecting his recovery from the stroke, but I was equally moved by the unstinting devotion and love showed by his still-new bride in her tireless efforts to fix her cruelly "broken" husband. After all, she hadn't signed on in the marriage to be a nurse and caregiver, but she didn't complain. She nursed, encouraged and - most of all - loved him. This is an inspirational story, and an extremely well-written one too. Both Bob Woodruff and Robert McCrum were extremely lucky in the unkind hands that fate dealt them. They had wives who loved them, and who proved it every day. I recommend this book, MY YEAR OFF, without reservations. It's a good one. - Tim Bazzett, author of LOVE, WAR & POLIO

I'm grateful! The first book I read after my stroke (Hardcover)
I am also a stroke survivor. I was very fortunate to survive and to experience struggle, failure and triumph as a life's second chance. My year off, which I read soon after my stroke 4 years ago provided me with guidance andinsight as to what to expect. Especially the emotional aspect of my recovery. I also loved the author's music recommendations which revealed to me another way in which the brain recovers. I sprang from that and explored into frequenting activities that stimulated positive thinking (i.e. beautiful art). I learned so much from this book! I'm grateful that it was the first book I read during my recovery! Thank you for being so insightful!!!

Seeing a stroke from the other side...
I found Robert McCrumb's book to be very helpful in understanding how the stroke victim feels about what he is going through. My father just had a stroke and I spent a week with him in the ICU and rehab unit, trying to help him get his life back.During a victim's recovery period we rarely if ever hear from them, especially if they suffer from aphasia (loss of speech).Mr McCrumb's book tells us what we never quite understand-what the stroke victim really feels, thinks, hopes for, and dreams about.I appreciated the inclusion of his wife's diary, as she was his primary support person throughout his recovery. It was also interesting to learn how differently a stroke was treated in the mid 90's in the UK, versus in 2007 in the USA in Madison, WI. where they were able to administer the new TPA drug that helps prevent damage.Overall I would highly recommend this book as a good read, with not too much medical jargon to scare you away yet enough to help you relate to what he was going through.

Real help for stroke victims
While I found this book interesting it would be most disappointing if I were someone looking for real answers.If someone is looking for real recovery then I would recommend a book called Peeling the Onion:
Reversing the Ravages of Stroke.In 2000 my grandmother had a stroke which left her paralyzed, unable to roll over in her bed and unable to speak.Long-short, I took a shot and took her to this clinic where, in less than a week she and I were again having two-way conversations and she could transfer herself from the car to the wheelchair.By the time we went home she was walking 400 feet with a walker.Strokes change families but they don't have to be permanently debilitating.If you are looking for help for the stroke and not just a book to read, you might want to order it.Thank God for Dr. Hammesfahr and his stroke therapy!Peeling the Onion: Reversing the Ravages of Stroke

... Read more

Product Description
This concise and informative textbook is aimed at trainee doctors beginning work on a stroke unit or residents embarking on their postdoctoral training in stroke care. It has a practical approach covering all important issues of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. Chapters on the basics of neuropathology and pathophysiology are followed by reviews of clinical issues, including neuroimaging, clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment, stroke in the young, and stroke-related dementia. Topics of rising importance are covered in chapters on stroke unit management, monitoring and management of complications including infections, recommendations for thrombolysis, interventions and neurosurgical procedures, and clear and balanced recommendations for secondary prevention. Finally, neuropsychological syndromes are explained and an up-to-date view on neurorehabilitation is presented. The authors are all experts in their field and many of them teach on the European Master's Program on Stroke Medicine, which is supported and endorsed by the European Stroke Organization. ... Read more

Product Description
Stroke is a medical emergency. With active and efficient nursing management in the initial hours after stroke onset, effective recovery and rehabilitation is increased. Acute Stroke Nursing provides nurses with a current, evidenced based, practical text facilitating the provision of optimal stroke care during the primary prevention and acute phases.



This timely and practical text is structured to follow the acute stroke pathway experienced by patients. It explores the symptoms, causes and effects of stroke and provides guidance on issues such as nutrition, continence, positioning, mobility and continence. The text also considers rehabilitation. discharge planning, palliative care and the role of the nurse within the multiprofessional team. Acute Stroke Nursing is an essential guide to the management of acute stroke for all nurses health care professional wishing to extend their knowledge of stroke nursing ... Read more

Product Description
An indispensable guide for victims of stroke and their caregivers, from the authors of The Diabetic's Total Health and Happiness Book.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, an American suffers a stroke every forty-five seconds. More than 700,000 Americans each year find themselves struggling to recover from this affliction. June Biermann, a former stroke victim herself, and her coauthor-and caregiver -Barbara Toohey offer a sensitive and essential guide for sufferers and those who care for them. The Stroke Book provides readers with:

- analyses of the latest developments in stroke therapy;
- tips for creating a smart nutritional plan post-stroke;
- information on managing complex rehabilitation needs;
- ways stroke victims can reclaim their quality of life following a stroke, and how caregivers can manage their own stress.

With stroke now the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, Biermann and Toohey's optimistic, user-friendly guide to living well after an attack is a vital tool for recovery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Stroke Book
After my father had a stroke, we got little help from doctors and nurses about what to do. They saved him, but we wanted to know more about what to expect. My mother and I found this book a great resource to learn about what happened and what we could look forward to...both negative and positive.It is written by two women, one is the stroke survivor and one is the caregiver.They have first hand experience with great advice about how to care for a stroke survivor.The Stroke Book provides website resources and suggestions on how to cope with inspiring stories that give both the caregiver and stroke survivor hope and encouragement. Definitely a must read in order to be more informed and ready to help your loved one. ... Read more

Product Description
Designed for use by busy professionals who need quick answers, The Stroke Book is a concise and practical reference for anyone involved in managing critically ill cerebrovascular patients. Contributors from leading stroke centers cover a wide range of common conditions and provide focused protocols for assessing and treating patients in the emergency room, intensive care unit, or on the hospital floor. ... Read more

Product Description
A raw, artsy and energetic NYC quintet, The Strokes live up to their massive critical acclaim on this debut. Our folio features notes and tab for all 11 catchy songs: Alone, Together * Barely Legal * Hard to Explain * Is This It * The Modern Age * NYC Cops * Soma * Someday * Take It or Leave It * Trying Your Luck. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Julian Casablancas Leather Jacket Fund
Fans of the Strokes, beware.Anyone spoiled by Hal Leonard tablature books will find this to be somewhat disappointing, more of an attempt to milk more out of the cash cow that is the Strokes than an honest, thoughtful attempt at accurately transcribing their music.Having said that, let me break it down for anyone still on the fence.If you're not very competent at the guitar and want to eventually be able to bust out the solo from "Last Nite" at parties, this is the book for you.However, if you have already put a lot of time into figuring out how to play these songs and are hoping that this tab book will clarify some of the more difficult chords here and there on the album, you're out of luck--e-mail me instead.I hate to say it but a lot of this tablature is just plain WRONG.Shamefully easy parts of songs too, that the Strokes have been live on Conan O'Brian playing with their fretboards right up in the camera's face.So there you have it. ... Read more

Product Description
Crispin Hawke’s sculptures are revered by the ton. And tales of his fiery bed skills whispered behind every fashionable fan. But can this artistic genius transform an awkward heiress into the most sought-after original in London...without falling for her himself? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

missing the heart
I was anxious to read this after I read Vexing the Viscount.I had really enjoyed that book, but I didn't feel a connection with this book like I did in the other one.Crispin Hawke, a self-made phenom of a sculptor and Grace Makepeace, tall Bostonian whose mother is looking for a titled husband for her, meet when he is to sculpt her and the sparks fly.I'm not going to go into the details of the story, just say that I didn't feel the heart in this book that I did in other books.Grace seemed just a little hard-hearted to me, even though I don't really think she was.It was a mystery to me why I didn't really like this book that much.It should have worked, but, ultimately it didn't.It seemed to rely a little too much on sex and I have to say, Grace's French maid and her escapades with Crispin's valet bordered on skanky, in my opinion.
Maybe I would have a different feeling if I read this at another time.There were things I did like--the little snippets of Crispin's early life and his dealings with Olympia were interesting and I could see why he was the way he was.I really didn't care for his name--Crispin.Just not romance hero enough for me.Again, just my opinion.But, I did like him.My problem was more with Grace.Just didn't cotton to her for much of the book and that ruined my pleasure in this book.Throw in her oversexed maid and it adds up to a book I didn't enjoy that much.

amusing historical romance
Grace Makepeace arrives from Boston for her first London season.In order for her daughter to attend the Ton's top galas, Grace's mom asks renowned artist Crispin Hawke to sculptor her offspring's hands while Grace prefers other lessons from the rake.He already drew her, his scandalous style having "met" her in his dreams.

Crispin is the prototype of the arrogant aristocrat while Grace is the brash Bostonian.However, his intellectual conceit means nothing to Grace who rips his skin for being so haughty.As they clash and argue, he sculpts and she writes her version of Pygmalian, they fall in love.However, each wonders why total opposites although strongly attracted to one another repel each other.

This amusing historical romance is a classic gender war tale of the irresistible force meeting the immovable object; as the attracted opposites battle one another.Meanwhile their devoted servants Wyckham and Claudette also fall in love but their loyalty to their respective employers tested.Fans will enjoy the love between the Charles and the Thames as Grace proves Crispin the genius is a dope when it comes to love.

Harriet Klausner
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Customer Reviews (3)

recient order ofItem being reviewed Simple Stroke Calligraphy
Order came quickly, very happy with seller, book in good condition as advertised, would re order from seller.

A great book to own!
What a great primer for a beginning calligrapher or someone like me, returning to lettering after a long absence.This author gives clear instruction and exemplars for four significant styles of writing --Gothic, Italic, Uncial, and Copperplate -- as well as tips for informal playful scripts, monoline alphabets, and lettering with a brush.The text of the book is encouraging, helpful and very easy to read.I was most interested in updating myself on the current pens and inks in use, and the first chapter is devoted to this.The color photography throughout the book is rich with ideas ranging from the simple that anyone might feel comfortable attempting, to more complex projects.I am so glad I own this book because I find myself referring to it often!

What a beautiful book!
I had taken a couple of calligraphy classes a long time ago, and I bought Marci Donley's book thinking I might want to get back into it.I was so pleasantly surprised.Not only is the information very clear, very detailed and well organized, but the book itself is a beautiful work of art.The photography is so interesting, with many wonderful examples of incredible calligraphy pieces by different artists. There are, of course, examples of many different calligraphy styles in life-size, easy to copy alphabets.The book gave me all the information I needed to get back into calligraphy, plus it was very entertaining. ... Read more

Product Description
Diagnosis, evaluation, imaging, emergency evaluation and management, management of hemorrhagic stroke, therapies to restore or improve blood flow, neuroprotective therapies, and secondary prevention of stroke are discussed. Algorithms are presented for evaluation of suspected stroke, ordering of tranesophageal or transthoracic echocardiography, assessment prior to treatment with rt-PA, and prevention of stroke. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The riddle of a painting and one man's life.
First off, this isn't a typical Amazon title, rather it is the product of PS Publishing, which puts out limited, signed editions by various science fiction and fantasy authors.Specifically, "The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke" by Mark Chadbourn was limited to 300 hardcover and another 500 paperback copies, and at the time of this writing, some copies were still available from the publisher as well as on the internet.

PS Publishing is known for putting out unique works, titles like "A Year in the Linear City" and "In Springdale Town" defy easy explanation, but "The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke" is in a class by itself.On its surface, it presents the story of Danny's quest to find meaning and personal redemption in Richard Dadd's painting, The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke.A prodigy who has wasted his talents on drugs and alcohol, Danny turns to the painting as a lifeboat after a near fatal overdose.

The first thing one notices about Danny's narrative is that the timeline ebbs and flows like the tide rather than flowing smoothly from point A to point B.In other circumstances this might be disruptive, but it actually matches quite nicely with Danny's mental state and creates further questions in the reader's mind about his reliability as a narrator.As Danny begins to drift between our world and the Invisible World (the fairy world, the world of myths or dreams, etc.) Chadbourn quite effectively leaves his sanity open to doubt.

However, it in its purposefully enigmatic conclusion that the book truly shines as Chadbourn manages to place questions of parenthood (and specifically one's own parents) with those of growing up into related signs of the same coin.In particular, Danny's revelation that growing up shouldn't mean losing one's sense of wonder is both true and completely in keeping with the spirit of the book.

Though less than one hundred pages long, "The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke" somehow manages to encapsulate one man's entire journey from personal growth from a child with the attitudes of an adult, to an adult with the attitudes of a child, and finally to an amalgam of the two that is healthier than either end of the spectrum.Imbued with mystery and suspense, but also offering a lot to think about, "The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke" is another terrific offering by PS Publishing.

Jake Mohlman
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Product Description
If you or someone you know has had a stroke, you need information. The American Heart Association Family Guide to Stroke will give you the facts you need to make the most informed health-care choices. It will also give you the confidence and reassurance that there is a lot you can do to recover from this devastating event.

The American Heart Association Family Guide to Stroke explains all the exciting new developments in treatment, recovery, and prevention. In clear, accessible language, it discusses the causes of stroke, those at risk, the warning signs, and how stroke is diagnosed. It offers practical guidance on coping with life after stroke, in both the short and the long term, and reviews the most up-to-date medical treatments and rehabilitation techniques that can help stroke survivors get a fresh start. This reassuring sourcebook will help you:
-- Spot the five warning signs of a stroke -- and get immediate medical aid to improve the chances of a full recovery
-- Find out whether you're at risk for a stroke and change your lifestyle to help prevent a first or second stroke
-- Receive the most effective and up-to-date treatment available, including medications, surgery, and psychological counseling
-- Get the most out of rehabilitation in the hospital and at home
-- Involve the whole family in coping with the physical and psychological issues of recovery
-- Tap into a support network of resources for stroke survivors and their families. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I didn't know anything
until I read this excellent book, I was lost and confused.This book covered everything I wanted to know about strokes.It was written clearly and plainly. Medical terms that were often used were explained simply.Though most of the information seems to be up to date, I wish there would be a newer edition available.

Good info, but written with a lot of technical jargon.
I had no previous experience with strokes.This book has a lot of info, but not as well written for a non-medical person as some of the other books available.Although the technical terms are accurate, I felt like I was back in college wading through professional jargon to get a grade, ratherthan simply finding answers to my questions. ... Read more

Product Description

EVIL FROM BEYOND TIME RULES THE GREATEST EMPIRE ON EARTH!

Link, the supercomputer from a future that should not exist, has used terror and gunpowder weapons to forge the Malwa Empire, harnessing the vast manpower of the Indian subcontinent and using the barbarian races of the periphery to bind the whole together. No power on Earth in the 6th century could stand against Link's evil.

Aide, a human soul embodied in a jewel, has come back to halt evil's progress. Aide has no power but that of truth, but truth is the only power that could move the greatest general of the age, Belisarius.

With his sword, his paladins, and his genius, Belisarius has turned the armies of Byzantium into a weapon capable of blunting the first assault of the Malwa hordes. Now, supported by allies from all the world yet free, Belisarius, with his wife and co-commander Antonina, faces overwhelming Malwa numbers in a ring that tightens about them.

There is no room for maneuver and no safety in defeat. The armies of Good and Evil gathered on the fertile plains of Mesopotamia will decide the fate of the world --

And the fate of all the future!Amazon.com Review
Getting to follow big, bad Byzantine Belisarius around the alt-history battlefield--courtesy of Eric Flint and David Drake--comes in a close second to having your own personal unit of cataphracts. (Although, of course, those cataphracts would be nice to have in traffic.) Following on the heels of Destiny's Shield, the fourth installment in this popular series follows the superhuman general as he harries Malwa troops in the mountains leading into Mesopotamia. He's still got the across-time assistance of the crystal Aide to help him deal with the threat, augmenting his senses and keeping him briefed on the tactics of everyone from Wellington to Turenne. But Link, the Supreme Commander of the Universe, still calls the shots for the evil empire, and Belisarius has to double-time to keep up (especially facing such shrewd field commanders as Damodara).

Fortune's Stroke downshifts the series a notch in terms of sheer Belisarius-meted carnage, because Damodara's Ye-tai barbarians and Rajput cavalry aren't the only show in town. Flint and Drake spend a good deal of time with other characters in the series in other locales, like Kungas and Irene in south India and Antonina in Axum (for a start). But this investment will surely pay off as the series continues, as Belisarius and his cohort close in on the Malwa for good. (And if you're new to the battle, start with An Oblique Approach, the first title in the series.) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Pressing the Malwa
Fortune's Stroke (2000) is the fourth novel in the Belisarius series, following Destiny's Shield.In the previous volume, the Malwa army lifted the siege of Babylon and pulled their troops back to Charax.Shakuntala had a discussion about her marriage prospects in Suppara, but Kungas recommended that she wait for further developments.

The Persians offered a bride to the Emperor of Rome.Photius was appalled at the idea until his friends pointed out the advantages to the common people of Rome.Then the emperor joined in the celebration and even got a little drunk.

In this novel, Belisarius faces Lord Damodara and the Rajputs in the Zagros mountains.He scouts out the terrain and almost gets caught by an ambush set for him by Rana Sanga, but Belisarius and his bodyguards elude the Rajputs.Belisarius certainly deserves the rebukes he receives from his friends for underestimating his opponents.

Sanga later inspects the scene and tells his subordinate that he had expected the ambush to fail.He also agrees with Pratap that there was no reason for following the Romans through the qanat and plenty of reasons not to do so.Both of them have a profound respect for the ability of Valentinian, not to mention the other Romans.

Antonina is getting a tour of the city of Axum with Eon while his father Kaleb is consulting with the imperial advisors about the proposals from Rome.They are returning to the royal compound when she sees three men -- one an Indian -- running away from the compound.Then Ousanas tackles both Eon and Antonina and takes them to the ground just as a huge explosion destroys the buildings.

The negusa nagast and his eldest son died in the explosion.Now Eon is the only remaining heir to the throne.After a brief -- and largely symbolic --trial of the dawazz Ousanas, Eon is conferred with the title of negusa nagast.He immediately begins planning for revenge against the Malwa and their dupes.

In Suppara, Irene Macrembolitissa -- Roman ambassador to the rebels in southern India -- literally runs into Kungas in the halls of the palace.She has been briefed by Belisarius, but doesn't expect much from an illiterate barbarian.Then she learns a little more about him and gains ample respect for the man.He is certainly illiterate, but he is not a barbarian.So she starts teaching him to read.

Then Irene has a private meeting with Dadaji Holkar, Shakuntala's peshwa and the former slave of Belisarius.She is expecting his arrival.Irene now has an extensive network of spies and volunteers to search for Dadaji's wife, son and two daughters before he can even ask for her help.

In this story, Rana Sanga realizes that Belisarius is blocking them from turning to the south.Lord Damodara agrees and the two decide to continue to the north into whatever trap Belisarius has contrived.When the Ye-tai object to marching rather than attacking the pass, Damodara gives them the honor of leading the march.Let the Ye-tai bear the brunt of the next ambush.

Then Belisarius discovers that the Malwa army under Damodara has built its own armament industry in Marv using Kushan artisans.Now Damodara is not dependent upon the supply lines from northern India for powder, shot and rockets.Worse yet, the new rockets have venturi to control their flight and are much more accurate.

As the Malwa army attacks the Roman positions, the Rajputs force their way around the flank.The cataphracts counterattack and Belisarius is almost captured.Valentinian is cut off and finds himself in personal combat with Rana Sanga. After hours of swordplay -- with judicious rest periods -- Sanga breaks Valentinian's sword and takes him prisoner.Lord Damodara refuses to ransom Valentinian back to Belisarius.

Eon prepares to put down a revolt within his forces.Three regiments are supporting their own candidate for the negusa nagast.Garmat -- the only surviving advisor to Kaleb -- recommends that they concentrate on gaining the support of the Quraysh in Mecca.Ousanas agrees wholeheartedly with Garmat.

This tale takes Belisarius into a parlay with Rana Sanga where he privately reminds the Rajput to remember the exact words of his oath.Then Belisarius takes his army off the battlefield and pursues other plans.Meanwhile, Antonina is sailing for a rendezvous with her husband.

Aide has learned to mumble.Valentinian has mumbled for years in the service of his maddingly clever general and Aide has taken up the habit.Belisarius now hears mumbles in his head even while Valentinian is a prisoner of the Malwa.

The story has the Romans supplying cannons to the Axum navy as well as for their own ships.Belisarius gains more allies in his campaigns against the Malwa.And the Malwa face another setback in their plans.Enjoy!

Highly recommended for Drake & Flint fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of military and naval combat, political intrigue and a touch of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Good Military SF
If you like military SF you would love this book.
The writing is very good, caracters plausible and the fighting scenes very realistic.

You get very interested in the historical figure of Belsarius. You want to know more of this man. Who was he? The greatest general in history?

Well, I can only say this. Read all of the books!

Fourth in a Great Series !
Great, great, great book.I especially enjoy a great series since I sometimes read 2 to 3 books a week.Very engaging, the characters are real and well developed, the plot is very interesting.I generally do not go in for alternate history but this one draws me in for some reason.

Belisarius and the musketeers--Byzantine alt. history
Belisarius has pushed back the Malwa (Indian) invasion of Persia, but the threat remains. While the main Malwa army regroups in southern Persia, their main cavalry force is crossing the Zacros Mountains and threatening northern Mesopotamia. Even the smaller army is large enough to do great damage--and to force the defending Persians and Romans to divide their forces, allowing the main army to attack once more. Somehow, Belisarius must slow the best army the Malwa can bring--yet can even slowing that army do more than delay the inevitable conquest of the entire world by Malwa armies guided by a future intelligence--and equipped with future technology?

FORTUNE'S STROKE continues the BELISARIUS Series. Historically, Belisarius was the greatest general of the late ancient world--the man Byzantine Emperor Justinian relied upon in his reconquest of the Roman Mediterranian. In this alternative history, Belisarius is warned by a crystal intelligence of the destruction sought by the future entity Link, and Link's human servants. Using Roman technology and modern knowledge, Belisarius is able to build a small force of musketeers and develop combined arm tactics that combine the best of Robert E. Lee, and Wellington.

Although the series continues to be interesting, with engaging characters and vivid battle scenes, FORTUNE'S STROKE is not the strongest novel in the series. Although Belisarius and his allies repeatedly note that the first law of battle is that things get messed up (in stronger language), in fact, Belisarius's plans never actually get messed up (except a minor problem at the very beginning). He seems to have just the right future technology at just the right time to do maximum damage to his enemies. Worse, the most dangerous enemies he faces are clearly being set up to become future allies. I also felt disappointed by the 'clever' Belisarius plan at the end. The entire book led up to this--it seems to me that Flint and Drake could have come up with something a little more, uh, oblique.

Authors Eric Flint and David Drake deliver vivid characters along with detailed battle scenes. Although the interaction between Belisarius and Antonia is sometimes a little too precious, most characters become real--even the Malwa and their allies.

Fans of this series will definitely want to read FORTUNE'S STROKE as it details a critical period in the war between Rome and the Malwa, continues character development, and even--brutally but realistically--ends the lives of some characters. This book should not be read first--but fortunately, Flint and Drake offer the first three novels in the series for free from the Baen.com Library so this isn't a problem.

Another Installment in a Great Series!
This book carries on the tradition of a fine series. It has strong character development and good continuity with the previous books in the series. Belisarius continues to vex the Malwa with the assistance of his loyal supporters and Aide(his crystalline guide from the future). It also expands the role of those supporters considerably, making Belisarius seem more human. ... Read more

Product Description
A groundbreaking recovery method for stroke survivors who don't want to give up on life!

Many stroke patients end rehab with lingering disabilities, told they can do nothing more. But they CAN continue their recovery--if they do the right things. This innovative workbook presents simple, effective, scientifically based recovery plans to help stroke survivors become capable and active again. These plans show you how to recover your ability to walk, speak, think, use your hands, see better and swallow. A nutritional plan helps your brain and body heal. Weekly and daily worksheets let you track your progress for 3 months. There is plenty of work involved--but you will be in charge and there is no limit to how much you can achieve!

Author Roger Maxwell researched this effective home-based recovery program after his own stroke and through his own efforts he fully recovered. He is a full-time patent attorney, an avid marathon runner, and a new father. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Stroke Recovery
I found the exercises in this book to be too hard for me.I have regained a lot of function, but still have a lot of weakness on the left side.This is not a criticism of this book - just a note that you must have a lot of function - if not, it's very frustrating.

Offers hope and means to organize and measure steps towards recovery
Almost 20 years ago I was graduated from physical therapy and told there would be no further improvement.So glad times have changed.I like that the book does not accept limits on the extent of potential recovery or the time within which recovery can still occur.Breaking down exercises into parts that can be accomplished and intensified with a workbook for setting goals, recording compliance, and measuring results seems like a good way to develop a habit of working towards recovery consistently.The records should be positive reinforcement of achievements that might seem minimal except when viewed over time in a log.I haven't stared the suggested program yet, but the book and the potential for recovery inspire me to concentrate and implement on aplan for recovery.

Really Good Book
This Book Has A lot Of Good Ideas That I Am Using For My Husband Thanks ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Nice Surprise for Casual Readers & Medical Professionals
Right Hemisphere Stroke is an amazing surprise. Johnson has approached his topic with humor, intelligence, and good writing skills. The result is a sometimes-funny, always-informative, and touching memoir about the stroke he suffered when he was 38 years old. I read it to get some specific information about strokes. I didn't find the information for which I was searching, but happily read on, learning answers to questions I hadn't thought to ask. For instance, I found out stroke victims often suffer personality change. Johnson was lucky; his personality shifted from someone who cared little for others to a kinder, more affable person. This was only one of the benefits for his family. His wife now has a more considerate, attentive lover: "I could not plop over Judy in the traditional missionary manner; I had to entice her to come to me. Our sex now had a good deal of give and take rather than a one-sided domination."
Of equal interest is how Johnson learned to function as a part of a hospital environment that seemed designed more to fulfill job descriptions than to meet patient needs. Yes, it would seem that meeting patient needs is the essential framework of medical workers' job descriptions, but there arises a perverse difference between the medical establishment's perception of the patients' needs and the needs perceived by the patients themselves. The doctors, nurses, therapists and diverse hospital staff are focused on getting the patient as close to recovery as possible (or, as Johnson found out, as close as they can get before the insurance runs out). Johnson learned to navigate the system both honestly and superficially, as the occasion demanded. In one instance, he observed that patients who were perceived as "religious" or "a family man" got more compassionate treatment, and so he put a framed photo of his son on his dresser top alongside a Gideon bible. Having the time to study his surroundings, he was thus able to construct ways to maximize the benefits of his hospitalization. Sometimes, this was as simple (yet excruciatingly difficult) as putting up with an unpleasant roommate in order to be labeled "a good patient."
The unexplainable continues to fascinate me and pique my curiosity about the brain. I have an abiding interest in the spiritual episodes experienced during and after stroke by many sufferers, a topic Johnson touches upon lightly and with apology to "scientific" minds. The power of emotional memory is another of my interests, and in this regard, Johnson offers his ever-so-interesting version of anniversary disease: Each year on the anniversary of his stroke, he suffers transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).
Johnson begins by saying "there are only two kinds of strokes, those that kill you and those that don't" and ends by quoting his wife's words of comfort to their son who longed for a happy ending: "We have yet to live our ending." ... Read more