Depression Books

Nazareth's Song is a historical fiction tale with a touch of romance. The novel is set in the depression era. This is the second book of The Millwood Hollow Series with the first being "Fallen Angels". But don't let the series fool you. This book stands on its own merits, as it is well written. It is an easy read with more of an interest to teen girls starting at age 16 to adult. The message is very inspirational. Yes it takes place during the depression in Nazareth, Arkansas but its message is clearly for today. And yes it is a page-turner for a fiction novel but take it slow and grasp the underlying message. In fact this is clearly a novel you may want to read more than once.

The main character is Jeb Nubey the banjo playing, ex-convict turned preacher. Who under the mentoring eye of Reverend Gracie is taught well the studies of the cloth. But even Reverend Gracie's teachings could not prepare Jeb for the things of life. When Reverend Gracie becomes ill and has to leave town, it's up to Jeb to run the church. He has his hands full raising the 3 Welby children, trying to run the church and keeping the family from starving. His choice of second job only adds to his problems and his heart is torn between Fern, the schoolteacher and the advances of Winona the banker's daughter. In the end his only choice is turning to God to lead and guide in all things, and regaining the belief that if he does the right thing all will be right with his world. See how Jeb makes the choices and decisions that untimely lead him to the right path.

I believe reading Nazareth's Song will make you hungry to read the entire series!

I fell in love with Patrica Hickman's writings after Katrina's Wings. Her characters are believeable, especially Jeb, who battles his own insecurities while tending three castaway children and trying to win the affections of the schoolteacher in the town of Nazareth, Arkansas. I can't wait for the next in the series!

In this book, Jeb is raising the 3 kids that were abandoned in Book 1 of this series. After studying under Gracie, he becomes the Church in the Dell's minister. Jeb is really struggling to put food on his table. Jeb is also struggling with Angel and her rebelliousness, probably stemming from her mom being mentally ill and in a hospital. And Jeb is also struggling with being a "delivery boy" for Horace, since Jeb is unknowingly doing some dirty work for Horace and Ace Lumber.

I thought the book portrayed the Great Depression well. Everybody was struggling so much and it appeared that some people really went off the deep end during that time. I thought Jeb was portrayed well. He is struggling with his conscience as he is making his deliveries for Horace. You can also see this as Jeb tries to decide whether to continue raising the Welby kids or if they would be better off with someone else.

I look forward to the next book in this series. I hope we find out more of Angel and if she overcomes her rebelliousness, and what happens with Jeb and Fern. Also, I would be interested in finding out about the Welby's older sibling, Claudia. She was mentioned in book 1, but not in this book.

During the Depression, criminal Jeb Nubey and his three-abandoned FALLEN ANGELS reached Nazareth, Arkansas where he posed as a preacher and they as his children until they were caught. To his shock Jeb likes the town, adores his "children" and loves schoolteacher Fern Coulter, who he wants to marry. Surprisingly, Jeb enjoys preaching and he is studying to become a minister.

When the highly regarded Reverend Gracie becomes ill, Jeb takes over as Minister of the Church in the Dell. However, faking the role vs. living the post proves quite different even with the encouragement of his loved ones and Reverend Gracie. Jeb wonders if he has the faith to perform the job. Due to a lack of funds he takes a second job, but that adds to his woes with the congregation and worse with his oldest child teenage Angel hanging out with a bad element. He cannot turn to Fern for comfort as she has become aloof towards him, but there is Winona who makes him feel more like Jeb than Job.

At times the poetic language slows down the deep inspirational story line, but fans of a pleasant well-written tale with a message will appreciate this soothing novel. The character driven plot grips readers as Jeb struggles with setbacks with the woman he loves, his adopted family, the townsfolk, and his faith. To succeed in his endeavors he must regain his belief that if he does the right thing all will be right in his world. Simple philosophy that make for a fine look back at the 1930s Deep South at a time when many only had faith to hold onto.

Harriet Klausner

Wow, I enjoyed this installment of the series more than the first one. The writing captivated you and kept you wanting more. I could not put it down and read it in one day. When a book keeps one that captivated, the very least you can give it is 5 stars. I loved the way the story kept you hooked and the characters all were so well written. I am looking forward to the next one in the series. Well done!!!

This is by far the best book I've ever read on depression. It is written in easy to read language and covers all the angles and perspective views out there. I highly recommend this book to any person who lives with someone with depression as well as the person themself. It explains a lot about this disease.

Finally a book that cares about those who are depressed and their loved ones. A spiritual and medical guide to the hidden and silent illness of depression. Practical knowledge that will inspire you to not just read it, but to use it to help others.

This is one of the few books that I have read by a Christian author that talks about how medication can help depression, rather than relying on prayer alone. I have gotten a lot of comfort from this book in knowing that I am not alone and that medication may be medically necessary at times and doesn't mean that one is a bad Christian. Anyone who suffers from clinical depression and their family members should read this book.

Finally! A book with a medical point of view and a religious one. This book is by far my favorite book on depression. It is easy to read and dispels the myths associated with mental illness. I would recommend anyone with a mental illness read this book. It's not only for people with depression. I have a hard time putting it down, once I start reading it. This would also be a good book for some religious leaders to read who think mental illness can be controlled by prayers alone. The reflection questions at the end of each chapter are helpful also.

"New Light on Depression" offers a rare combination--medically reliable research and biblically sound insight. Co-author David Biebel uses his theological training to explore "faith, hope, and love" as a model for facing depression; while co-author Harold Koenig uses his training as a psychiatrist and researcher to probe biological and medical elements of depression. The end result is a well-written, easy-to-read wholistic volume on the causes, cure, and care of depression. Of course, given their integration of biblical principles and secular science, they will likely be criticized by folks on either extreme. However, for a well-reasoned, balanced, and up-to-date analysis of depression, this is a great place to begin.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," and the forthcoming "Sacred Friendships: Listening to the Voices of Women Soul Care-Givers and Spiritual Directors."

Move over Iyanla, there is a new empowerment guru on the block,Sil Lai Abrams! This book delivers all self-proclaimed DRAMA QUEENS from a life of crazy,disappointment,and unhappiness. Ms. Abrams successfully breaks down how to apply SEPIA (self empowerment principles in action) principles in your life. If you've watched the SECRET, waited in line to see the Dali Lama, bought every self-help book, shaved your head, planned a pilgrimage to India,and none of these things helped you, BUY this book immediately! Sil Lai's life experiences plus the SEPIA principles will help guide you to your own truth. Please throw your crown to the ground and relinquish the throne, NO MORE DRAMA will save from a miserable monarchy.

Bravo for this unpretentious, heart to heart , manual for well deserved self love! This is told by a real woman , just like me.... single....kids, hectic , life, has had her moments of glory... ok my life is not that dramatic, but i have to admit I can get over the top sometimes. My relationships have not been perfect ( failed marriage.. to an alcoholic)... I keep on going back to the same pattern over and over with my family relationship, my work habits and ethic, and my self-absorbed lifetyle. I read a lot of self help books and it seems to be so much work all the time. For once,I discovered that the simple tools to my unanswered questions...I had practiced each steps of the Book thruout the various stages of my existence.....sporadically, erradically, but never kept up because I did not have consciousness of my actions.
Most of all I suffered ( still suffer) from a big lack of discipline (Oh yeah... and I never finish what I start!). Sil Lai in her heart to heart conversation, confession, laid out her nine steps, in a very plain way, no threat, no big words... She makes us dig a little in our spirituality, our humanity, and most of all she heps us unveil our own Truth, our life's fuel. Letting us unveil the possibilities we all have to finally enjoy the plenitude of a well balance life, in tune with our innerself and aware of our surroundings, accepting and loving who we are, just the way we are!
.... and no, it does not feel like a self pitying trip after a sceance at a support group!

Any woman struggling with self-esteem issues or disempowerment will benfeit from reading No More Drama. The honesty and truth will resonate and Abrams' step by step help will transform your life.

This book is absolutely phenomenal. Sil Lai's story touched me on many levels and reminded me just how similar we all really are. Even though our life experiences differ greatly, we share many of the same emotional struggles triggered by our individual journeys. NO MORE DRAMA is a very poignant book that calls upon the humanity in all of us. There is something in this book for all of us, not matter what challenge we may face.

Sil Lai Abrams, a young woman of questionable heritage, grew up not really knowing who she was. She always had a feelilng she didn't quite fit into her family. Her hair was curly, her skin was darker and she just looked a bit different. It wasn't until she was almost a teen, she found out the truth. As a result, she started early into alcoholism, running away and other means of acting out her frustration. She has written a book, NO MORE DRAMA, which explains her early behavior, how long it went on, and what she did to control it later in life. She divides people into two categories: survivors and contenders. Survivors are merely trying to get through life; contenders are enjoying life without all the day to day drama and stress. She has nine steps, Self Empowerment Principles in Action (SEPIA), that will help make anyone's life better. The steps are Truth, Acceptance, Action, Commitment, Focus, Faith, Love, Humility and Charity. There is a chapter to cover each one and she uses her own life to show why you want to do it and how to accomplish it. She suggests that you write each one down, explore your feelings; it will cover the truth. In the case of Acceptance, write down those things which you know to be true and it will help you accept them as truth. Or Charity - the giving of yourself, while Love is used to generate emotional and spiritual growth within yourself and others.

The book is well-written, and because she uses the errors of her own life to show what can happen if you only seek to survive, it makes it very real and something easily understood. Especially when you are honest and realize that you have done some of the very same things without knowing why you were doing it. While Abrams gives us her life story, never is there a feeling that it is a pity party but more an example of how far astray we can go. Even for those who feel their lives are on the right track, this is a good book to read and to perhaps help you stay on track.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Was recommened to me! Has to be one of the best tools I've ever used in dealing with depression. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about depression.

Medication and therapy got me less depressed, but I still couldn't get anything done. This book was essential to get me moving again. It requires some work - record keeping is key - but it really helped me become productive. And that was key to improving my self-esteem.

This book and the exercises it offers may be the most effective way out of depression that I know. I am a therapist in a hospital and I work with people who have been truly overwhelmed by life and whose depression has come to dominate their world. This workbook gives a path out of the cycle of behavior and thinking that keep depressed individuals stuck. When I share the simple perspective that this book offers, my patients are so grateful to understand their depression and to get a sense that there is a manageable set of skills that they can use to make a positive impact on their lives.

I've found this workbook absolutely fantastic. It's written in plain English, is easy to follow, and makes real sense. Has helped me realise just how unhelpful some of the things I was doing really were, and given me a new perspective on depression and how to overcome it. Much more practically helpful than other workbooks I have looked at!

I found this workbook extremely helpful. It's very straightforward. The ideas about depression are different than your typical self-help book and I found them very powerful in helping me to feel better. The fact that this new approach is based in solid research is one reason for its effectiveness. The other is the authors' knowledgeable guidance through the process.

Taming the Depression BEAST is a remarkably fine workbook for almost anyone suffering from sporadic or chronic depression. It succinctly and clearly provides many cognitive-behavioral methods and people experiencing depression can promptly put to good use. I highly recommend it.

Gilson & Freeman's "Taming the Depression BEAST," a client workbook, will be an important addition to the field. Easily readable, it communicates complex concepts in an understandable manner, and the take-home message- that depression is a treatable illness- comes through clearly. It provides accurate information to clients about both cognitive therapy and antidepressant medications. There is no doubt that this manual will be helpful to many clients and their families.

This new patient treatment manual sets a high mark for presenting therapy in a clear and accessible manner to patients. It contatins the fundementals of treatment and self-help for the depressed individual in a readable and engaging format. The concept of BEAST (Biology, Emotion, Affect, Situation, and Thinking) allows for an easy conceptualization of the components of mood and at the same time is whimiscal and intriguing. It strikes just the right balance, and I believe it is a refined contribution to the psychotherapist's tool kit for providing empirically supported treatment that helps people improve their mood and function better in their lives.

Review by Kenneth B. Matheny, Ph.D., ABPP, Regents Professor and Co-director, Counseling Psychology Program, Georgia State University. Phone (404) 651-2550, FAX (404) 651-1160 Overcoming Depression is an expertly fashioned manual for clients suffering from depression, dysphoria, or sub-clinical mood disorders. Mark Gilson, founder and director of the Atlanta Center for Cognitive Therapy, and Arthur Freeman, chair of the Department of Psychology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, bring their considerable expertise to bear on the treatment of depression. Both authors have made major contributions to the cognitive therapy literature in the past, and their current volume promises to give hope to clients who have had the sunlight in their lives dimmed by the heavy clouds of depression. Readers are taught that there are specific reasons for their low mood states that can be identified and changed through concerted effort. This volume, like David Burns' Feeling Good Handbook, guides the reader through a series of self-examinations that are critical to the understanding and treatment of mood disorders. Although the clear conceptualization and the highly readable nature of the writing allow the work to be used as a stand-alone self-help manual, the authors encourage readers to seek the professional assistance of therapists. In addition to championing the use of cognitive therapy for the treatment of depression, the authors also present responsibly the merit of psychopharmacology as an adjunctive treatment. The book is replete with practical examples that clearly demonstrate the recommended treatments are simply and elegantly offered. To audit the reader's mastery of the content, brief review quizzes are presented at the end of each chapter. The theoretical background for the volume is drawn from the cognitive therapies of Aaron T. Beck and Albert Ellis. Gilson and Freeman acknowledge the multifaceted nature of the causes of mood disorders and suggest a holistic approach to its treatment. The acronym BEAST, is used to explain the components of the approach: B is for body; E is for emotion; A is for action to be taken; S is for stressful situations; and T is for thoughts. The primary focus is placed on aspects of wellness such as nutrition and exercise (the B for body) and thinking (the T for thoughts). The authors discuss three factors involved in creating and sustaining depression: The Cognitive Triad, cognitive distortions, and self-sabotaging schemas and assumptions. The cognitive triad refers to negative views about oneself, the world, and the future. Cognitive distortions refer to the self-defeating response sets or perceptual sieves that are not validated by others. And schemas are described as hierarchically arranged, coordinated sets of abstract ideas about self, the world, and relationships. These schemas are said to underlie and maintain one's belief system and automatic thoughts. The meaning of schemas is decidedly less distinct than the meaning of cognitive distortions or cognitive triad, but the concept seems to be used in a manner similar to the way in which Piaget used the term, to the manner in which Bandura used the concept of "rule governed behavior," and to the manner in which social psychologists use the term, attributional style. Such schemas are said to be formed in early life and can be up-dated through the process of accommodation, Piaget's concept for the learning, through experience, of new mental templates of the world. This concept of schemas appears to interface nicely with the use of unconscious dynamics by analytic therapists. This volume should prove especially helpful to cognitive therapists in their efforts to correct the irrational beliefs and distorted perceptual processes of clients. The reading of selected portions of the volume from week to week would likely prepare the client to profit more fully from the content of therapy sessions. Clients who dutifully complete the thought monitoring exercises will greatly assist their therapists in understanding the faulty beliefs, cognitive distortions, and underlying schemas that are responsible for their depression. Moreover, it seems to me that these exercises, so appropriately prescribed for uncovering the hurtful content of the client's thinking, could be complemented by the mindfulness exercises of the consciousness disciplines and the use of awareness continuum by Gestalt therapists. I salute Drs. Gilson and Freeman for adding another powerful tool to our repertoire of aids for clients suffering from depression, dysphoria, or undiagnosed mood disorders. I plan to own multiple copies for use in prescribing home expansion exercises for my clients.

Review by Kenneth B. Matheny, Ph.D., ABPP, Regents Professor and Co-director, Counseling Psychology Program, Georgia State University. Phone (404) 651-2550, FAX (404) 651-1160

Overcoming Depression is an expertly fashioned manual for clients suffering from depression, dysphoria, or sub-clinical mood disorders. Mark Gilson, founder and director of the Atlanta Center for Cognitive Therapy, and Arthur Freeman, chair of the Department of Psychology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, bring their considerable expertise to bear on the treatment of depression. Both authors have made major contributions to the cognitive therapy literature in the past, and their current volume promises to give hope to clients who have had the sunlight in their lives dimmed by the heavy clouds of depression. Readers are taught that there are specific reasons for their low mood states that can be identified and changed through concerted effort.

This volume, like David Burns' Feeling Good Handbook, guides the reader through a series of self-examinations that are critical to the understanding and treatment of mood disorders. Although the clear conceptualization and the highly readable nature of the writing allow the work to be used as a stand-alone self-help manual, the authors encourage readers to seek the professional assistance of therapists. In addition to championing the use of cognitive therapy for the treatment of depression, the authors also present responsibly the merit of psychopharmacology as an adjunctive treatment. The book is replete with practical examples that clearly demonstrate the recommended treatments are simply and elegantly offered. To audit the reader's mastery of the content, brief review quizzes are presented at the end of each chapter.

The theoretical background for the volume is drawn from the cognitive therapies of Aaron T. Beck and Albert Ellis. Gilson and Freeman acknowledge the multifaceted nature of the causes of mood disorders and suggest a holistic approach to its treatment. The acronym BEAST, is used to explain the components of the approach: B is for body; E is for emotion; A is for action to be taken; S is for stressful situations; and T is for thoughts. The primary focus is placed on aspects of wellness such as nutrition and exercise (the B for body) and thinking (the T for thoughts).

The authors discuss three factors involved in creating and sustaining depression: The Cognitive Triad, cognitive distortions, and self-sabotaging schemas and assumptions. The cognitive triad refers to negative views about oneself, the world, and the future. Cognitive distortions refer to the self-defeating response sets or perceptual sieves that are not validated by others. And schemas are described as hierarchically arranged, coordinated sets of abstract ideas about self, the world, and relationships. These schemas are said to underlie and maintain one's belief system and automatic thoughts. The meaning of schemas is decidedly less distinct than the meaning of cognitive distortions or cognitive triad, but the concept seems to be used in a manner similar to the way in which Piaget used the term, to the manner in which Bandura used the concept of "rule governed behavior," and to the manner in which social psychologists use the term, attributional style. Such schemas are said to be formed in early life and can be up-dated through the process of accommodation, Piaget's concept for the learning, through experience, of new mental templates of the world. This concept of schemas appears to interface nicely with the use of unconscious dynamics by analytic therapists.

This volume should prove especially helpful to cognitive therapists in their efforts to correct the irrational beliefs and distorted perceptual processes of clients. The reading of selected portions of the volume from week to week would likely prepare the client to profit more fully from the content of therapy sessions. Clients who dutifully complete the thought monitoring exercises will greatly assist their therapists in understanding the faulty beliefs, cognitive distortions, and underlying schemas that are responsible for their depression. Moreover, it seems to me that these exercises, so appropriately prescribed for uncovering the hurtful content of the client's thinking, could be complemented by the mindfulness exercises of the consciousness disciplines and the use of awareness continuum by Gestalt therapists.

I salute Drs. Gilson and Freeman for adding another powerful tool to our repertoire of aids for clients suffering from depression, dysphoria, or undiagnosed mood disorders. I plan to own multiple copies for use in prescribing home expansion exercises for my clients.

The Greatest Generation is fast fading into history, a history that is not being taught to our children. The sacrifices that made America great must be recorded and passed on, otherwise we lose our heritage that was bought and paid for in blood.

I have read two great books, written by men who were there. Both enlisted in the military at a young age, and both rose to officer rank. Their stories are the story of America. PATRIOTS WILL is one of them. The other is BROTHERHOOD OF DOOM: Memoirs of a Navy Nuclear Weaponsman.

These two fine books record parts of our history and heritage. Both are highly recommended.

Lee Boyland, author of two award winning techno-thrillers dealing with current events, Islamic terrorists and WMDs: The Rings of Allah and Behold, an Ashen Horse.

I happened to meet Major Hubbard after flying on the B-17 Aluminum Overcast when it visited Sarasota this past Veteran's Day. You will enjoy this book. If you do get to fly on a B-17, Major Hubbard's book is must reading either before or after you fly so you can see what those men did and experienced in these aircraft - truly remarkable. Even if you don't get to fly on one of the few remaining B-17s that can still fly, you will enjoy this book.

Inspiring autobiography that left me in awe of his tenacity to achieve his goals. A self driven teen ager to a military life where he fought the dull assignments until he got what he wanted; putting his life in one of the highest risk assignments of World War II. One of many other brave men no doubt but clearly writes a book placing the reader there with him.
George Flavell -Author & Airline Pilot (Ret)

This is a very interesting work highligting one man's experiences during WW II as he went from being a teenager to eventually flying 25 combat missions as a gunner on a B-17.
What makes this book unique is the perspective on the war as seen through the eyes of an individual as he makes his way from the U.S. to the Canadian Army and how he eventually gets transferred to the US Army Air Corps. The book chronicles his his day to day experiences along the way - the problems of survivial, both large and small, the love affairs, the training, waiting, the bombing missions and his eventual return to the U.S. You will find this book to be an easy read with a new perspective on a subject that is usually treated from a more macro point of view.

This book is a fine contribution to WWII history. Mr. Hubbard shares his personal experiences as a boy during the Great Deppression in America and as a young man flying dangerous B17 missions over Europe. This book is well worth reading because it puts a human face to historic times. I highly recommend it.

I am not a professional in the field of Psychology. I am a parent that noticed more than a few reflections of sadness in my childs eyes. It occured to me that she may be experiencing depression or just feeling overwhelmed with the preteen issues that faced her. Considering that optimism is so very important, I decided to understand more about optimism, it's beginnings, and how to achieve it more regularly. In reading the book, I now consider how to contribute to an optimistic outcome, rather than expecting that optimism should happen on it's own.
That was a very powerful awakening.

Finally, an easy to read book that approaches child rearing with love, compassion and humanity in a straight forward and honest manner. Teaches how to be and not to be with every turn of the page. So informative and inspiring is "Raising An Optiministic Child" with it's easy to read format, with it's ample examples and it's encouraging approach. It's not only a guide book for child rearing but a book which inspires, gives hope and guidance and reminds us of how we all need to treat children and each other as well as how we all would like to be treated regardless of AGE! A must have book in every home library and in everyone's reading and learning repertoire.

I'll bet there'll be a lot of parents of children over the age of six who'll curse the authors for not bringing out this book earlier! I wish I'd read it twenty years ago. Still I'm now set up to be a really good grand-parent.

"Raising an Optimistic Child" is streets ahead of anything else written about raising optimistic children (and I've been reading a lot of child-raising books lately). It's clear, intensely practical and very simple to follow. In truth much of the information in the book is useful for people of any age who want to be more optimistic - even people like me in their 50s!

I never realized, for example, that a daily 20 minute walk in the park was the best cure for ADD/ADHD in children or adults. My husband has adult ADD and we tried this out - amazingly it really works!

The relationship techniques that Bob Murray and Alicia Fortinberry lay out (and they should know as they have, according to the book, been happily married for nearly a quarter of a century) are practical, simple and again, are really effective. And not just with children!

I'm giving this book to my mom-to-be daughter. It's the best present I could possibly give her - and her baby!

"Raising an Optimistic Child" has captured the latest and greatest of parenting wisdoms, but that's not all. As a child therapist of 3-5 year olds and a daycare provider of toddlers, I am pleased to say that it has affirmed my intuitions and greatly informed my practice, with children and adults alike.

This book has reminded me once again of the paramount importance of our earliest years, and the caretaking relationships that surround them, in predisposing us to mood disorders later in life. It is a thorough compilation of the key ingredients that make for a healthy human, combining the most up-to-date psychological research, together with all-too-undereferenced ancient wisdoms and some refreshing new "ah-hah's."

Dare I say it? I agree wholeheartedly with most, if not all, of the book, including the authors' de-pathologizing of children and their sensitive examination of the sticky subjects of drugs and over-diagnosed ADD/ADHD.

While very easy to read, the excellent guidance may not be so easy to do. At least the best information is nearly all in one place, as is the optimism to "have a go" at it.

I am so glad I read this book. I can't recommend it highly enough - to parents, teachers, childcare providers, therapists, couples, and adults who struggle with depression and/or other psychological challenges or know someone who does. In short, everyone.

Recently Time Magazine reviewed this book and called it "a fine blueprint for a noble aim: to send out into the world more children equipped to find the beauty all around them." I've just finished reading "Raising an Optimistic child" and I'm determined to change the way I parent my 2 and 5 year olds.

Amazingly this is the only book I can find which is written for parents of kids under six.

The authors - who wrote an earlier best-seller called "Creating Optimism" - eschew the familiar child-centered approach. Rather they take a `relationship-centered' view. What is most important to the emotional well-being of a young child, they say, is the relationships between the adults around him or her, particularly between the parents.

"Raising an Optimistic Child" is solidly how-to. The book has marvelous tips for such issues as work/life balance, dealing with ADD/ADHD, how to select the best child care, how to monitor the sort of media that children are exposed to and how best to work out the problems of blended families or even being a single parent.

At the same time as having a very, very user-friendly style, the authors back up everything they say with really solid research.

I thoroughly recommend this book to all those who are already parents, or who are thinking of becoming parents or are in the position of looking after children.

Jack Dreyfus is clearly a true believer in Dilantin. Americans have unfortunately been following the advice of the AMA and taking pharmaceutical company's money making drugs. No country is more overmedicated while at the same time improperly medicated. Jack's book addresses these issues.

Interesting and passionate, he gives endless examples of Dilantin improving the quality of people's lives. It is a great example of experiencing the benefits of something, researching it further, and then trying to tell the world of its benefits.

Interesting and worth reading!

As a psychologist for 30 years, I found this book fascinating and well thought out. For anyone suffering depression, I strongly suggest they read the book and make their own decisions regarding Dilantin.

I've read a few reviews of this book, many laudatory, and a few nasty attacks from medical professionals (see:"davidb321us" and "kohoutekdriver8").

Most of the reviews, save one, fail a crucial test: did the reviewer have a positive experience with dilantin from which they could base their assessment of the usefulness of Dreyfuss' work?

I pass that test. I can feel my chronic, endogenous depression lifting within 15 minutes of taking 100mg of dilantin. Others can see me sitting blankly staring off into space, and then cheerfully talking and moving about the business of my life. This is the first drug that has had this effect on me. I love it, from first-hand knowledge.

In an advertising culture, personal testimonials are always suspect. And in medicine, the true causes for life-changing healings are frequently dismissed as "anecdotal evidence" by the heavy-handed dogmatism of doctors when those reporting the changes are few in number or doing things that aren't within the "medical church of acceptibility".

My answer to such skepticism if to offer the best scientific explanation (that I have been able to piece together from my own readings) to explain how dilantin "cures" endogenous depression. SPECT brain scans show that a lot of depression can be visualized as inflammation and increased blood flow in the deep limbic system of the brain. This means that neurons are being overstimulated there. Dilantin is an electrical membrane stabilizer. It stops excessive firing of neurons, via sodium and calcium channel blocking, which is why it is effective in epilepsy. Adding these two facts together makes it is easy to see how dilantin can cure depression by "calming down" the deep limbic system. While I haven't seen before and after SPECT brain scans to prove this, it is a very good rational explanation supported by many known facts.

Point being, there is a lot of evidence to support Dreyfuss' contention that dilantin is useful for deep depression: a plausible neurobiological explanation exists, twenty first-hand case reports of cures -- Dreyfuss' positive experience with himself, six other friends, 11 prison inmates, and my positive response to dilantin along with one other Amazon reviewer's.

Given this, a careful reader can conclude that Dreyfuss' book is a charitable piece of brilliance.

He lucked out bigtime.

It seems to me that medical professionals who take pot shots at Dreyfuss aren't reviewing the data (see: "davidb321us"). And if you want to denigrate the man, call him obsessive, not egotistical.

Why would an egoist spend hundreds of thousands of his own dollars to bring potentially life-saving (and CHEAP) therapeutic information to millions of health professionals and suffering humans?

Medicine is all about money and ego in America. I suspect that the medical reviewers who poo-pooed Dreyfuss' account prefer to prescribe more expensive drugs whose patents haven't expired for the multitudinous ailments dilantin has been shown effective for.

They are also likely threatened by someone "not in the club" offering useful additions to the human fund of medical knowledge.

Beware the fountain of knowledge that you drink from.

This is one fountain that springs pure, though.

Use your independent judgement, drink deep and see for yourself.

As a medical researcher I found the information contained very helpful. This substance appears to exhibit some powerful bioregulation qualities. In particular I am interested in the life extention implications it may have.

This is an example of what I would call a "Beneficial Drug" Side effects mentioned appear to be limited to high epileptic dosage.

The Author must be commended for the self sacrifice He endured bringing this unbelievable resource to us.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Eric Lloyd
Tampa Fla

It's quite clear who is the "madman" here - or who otherwise has their own agenda???

I find it interesting that Jack Dreyfus had his own severe anxiety / depression / insomnia cured almost immediately by use of Dilantin. I find it even more interesting that Mr. Dreyfus is STILL going strong at age 92 (yes, he turned 92 this year).

And yet, Mr. Dreyfus is "not a well man"? I also found this quote interesting:

"He proceeded to use his money to bully doctors and government officials into promoting Dilatin for every condition under the sun."

In reading and re-reading his books, I have found absolutely no evidence of such maneuverings as claimed by that quote. Instead what was found time and time again was a bureaucratic indiffference to detailed examination of a medication - simply due to the primary fact that its patent had expired and huge fortunes could no longer be made by a solitary pharmaceutical company.

Either "davidb321us" did not actually read this entire book - or is in fact one of those in the "medical profession" (I note that he did not specifically say that he was a doctor) whose very attitude has stonewalled legitimate extensive testing and education regarding this clearly remarkable medication. What is even more ironic is that most educated people today know that most people in the medical profession obtain a significant amount of their "education" of pharmaceuticals from drug company sales reps (whose agenda is clearly to push the latest patented versions of whatever the "flavor-of-the-month" happens to be).

Finally, Jack Dreyfus - nor ANY of his organizations - have ANY financial interest in Dilantin (PHT) in any form whatsoever. And his ongoing foundation (the Dreyfus Medical Foundation)? It is strictly a charitable medical organization.

I love Dorothy Garlock. I think this was her last great series of books. Her writing is not as strong as it used to be and that is very sad. Read this whole series you will not be sorry!

What a well-written, engaging novel! Dorothy uses just enough description, but doesn't over-do it. She uses the river and it's potential flooding as the backdrop, building suspense behind all the sub-plots. Loved the characters she creates. My fave book of the year!

April Asbury leaves a big city hospital where she worked as an emergency room nurse to work in the small town of Fertile as Dr. Forbes office nurse. On the surface Fertile seems like a serene little town where neighbor helps neighbor survive the Great Depression. She meets Joe Jones when her car breaks down forcing her to walk until she finds herself in a field with a bull. Joe rescues her and takes her into town where she rents a room at Mrs. Poole's and starts work in Dr. Forbes office.

She begins to sense that the postcard prettiness of the town masks secrets that people want kept hidden. Dr Forbes is in love with a woman most people would consider black and is not allowed to legally marry her. Mrs. Poole's brother Fred spies on April when she is naked in her room and Mrs. Poole is going through with a diabolical plan that could destroy innocent lives. April is afraid to give her heart to Joe because she thinks he is a flirt while Joe thinks April would not want to get involved with a poor farmer. When the river threatens to flood the town many secrets and feelings finally see the light of day.

Dorothy Garlock is the queen of Americana tales and RIVER RISING is a perfect example of her superior writing talent. The romance of April and Joe plays out against the manipulations and actions of the secondary cast who are drawn very realistically. There are multiple sub-plots that all tie to the main storyline that enables readers to feel what it was like in small Missouri town during the Great Depression.

Harriet Klausner

River Rising is an excellent book with great subplots. I couldn't put it down. Dorothy Garlock's stories are always so real and emotional.

My attention was captured by the rural farmhouse art on the novel's cover, Dorothy Garlock's name, and the word "Americana" in reviews.

Been analyzing various types of mysteries and needed a relief from the clue focus. Was definitely refreshed returning to my old haunt of Early-American, 1930's romance. In that genre I live with the characters and plot in warm, family settings, yet I'm removed enough from the heavy work loads and financial horrors families shouldered in the depression era.

The prologue was a chilling, mesmerizing lead-in to the plot's contrast of emotionally heated grit around a good cast of strong, feisty characters weaving wit into wherewithal.

Say what?

Okay. Re-wording:

The prologue gave an accurate profile of a rapist, and the psychological response to the discovery of that profile (after 5 years grieving her husband's death) by a wife who had no clue to his dark side. The easy, quipping banter among characters in the ongoing plot gave a good contrast to the pain in the prologue.

I enjoyed the easy reading rhythm of slipping through a plot without the necessity of applying memory retention techniques to hold onto an intriguing horde of details, clues, and diversions. My recent reading tastes have been craving cozy culinary mysteries, with other genres and mainstream novels temporarily shoved off the back burner onto the floor behind the stove, where greasy dust bunnies abide and multiply. Even within a craving frenzy, though, one needs a break. This was mine.

How refreshing to live through the pages of a book with no underlying game-board beyond the simple elements of a good story. Not that simple stories are empty; with a balance of plot, characters, and setting, enough is most often enough. And, there is clearly thematic and psychological depth here.

I cheered the cunning contrast between the enduring country values of the Jones, and the un-elegant, empty ethics of a few snobs in town. It was refreshing to see redemptive evolutions of youth (Sammy) and of more mature characters (Jack). Of course the conflicts, tensions, and resolutions were predictable, as they're expected (desired) to be in this genre. If these anticipations are altered too dramatically, the drama sometimes descends into a literary category, and (for me) can too easily go sour in that miasma.

I was refreshed by the formulas met, yet literarily satisfied with this warm story's easing gently and sagely into and through difficult issues.

Surprisingly, the exposure (and healing) of a mild sexual perversion was artfully and tastefully done within this plot, edging the work almost into a literary gestalt, without leaving the appealing warmth of healthy romance

Loved the scene of peeping Fred snapping his backbone to stand up against bitter Shirley. Once backbone is acknowledged, perversion has an option to dissipate. What I enjoyed most in that first scene of Fred's spirit surge was that he accomplished this initial shift in his sibling relationship simply and gently. This situation occurred earlier in the story, giving characters the opportunity to begin healing dark tendencies, and the reader the regenerative benefits of "taking cues" from realistic character growth.

Woven naturally into the action were Lots of interesting bits of info for dealing with various types of emergencies, including medical. The fitting manner in which these "how to's" were delivered increased my involvement in the reading.

I liked it because I really like the Amelia stories (also by Marissa Moss) and learning about the Great Depression. They finally came together!

Marissa Moss's Dustbowl story is one of the most compelling books I've ever read on the topic. I'm a literate adult, but was shocked at how much I DIDN"T know before I read this book. She packs Depression-era "facts" into a heartbreaking (and ultimately heartwarming) tale of a girl and her family, all rendered especially poignant with charming drawings that accompany the text. The whirling storms of dirt that cover everything with mounds of dirt ("we could tell where it came from by the color: gray dirt from Oklahoma; red dirt from Texas; brown was our own Kansas dirt") are brought to life with the evocative drawings, as well as the well-rounded characters. This book should be read by every child--and adult--in the country, as an essential part of U.S. history. I loved the book, was moved by it, and was sorry when it ended.

This book is about a girl who lives in a house and they live by a farm and all they have are horses and cows and chickens. She is in a big dust storm. They cannot keep anything growing so her mom and dad go out to a dancing contest to see if they can earn money for seeds. They come back without any money. So they join a last man standing club. This club is for people who are having hard times but will not abandon their town. I liked this book because it was based on a true story, and it was from a long time ago. The setting was set in the desert with lots of wind storms and also set during the Great Depression.

This book was alsome. It puts me in her place. I can get in to alot of books but this is the book that it gust took a little bit to read it. It might be little but it is good. We could have done alot of other books but i picked this one. I'm all so reading two other books. It is about a girl in the gret depresion she has to clean ever day. She lifes with her mom,dad,and her brother. She and her panters and her friends have to live in the sand storms. My reflection is i would recmond this book to other people that have to do something on the great deppresson. OR if you just want to read it for fun. The story elements are where the story takes place in the dester. the point of fewe is that the worst can happen.

Rose's Journal is one of Marissa Moss' best books yet. It is both a vivid picture of the Depression era and a moving portrait of an individual child. Rose's relationships with her family, friends, farm animals and land are delicately, poignantly, and even humorously depicted. The narrator's soulful and childlike drawings leaven the serious text; her words are also enhanced visually with real photos of the time and drawings of her brother's comic strips. A humane, creative, refreshing and vivid way to present history to children.