Subjects:  1. Brain    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Historical    4. General    5. Identity (Psychology)    6. Patients    7. Religion    8. Religious - Historical    9. Religious life    10. Sagas    11. Tumors    12. Christian religious experience    13. Coping with illness    14. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    15. Social Science / Ethnic Studies   

Reviews (4)

A book of hope
This is volume 1 of a two-volume set.Buy them both.Just like the second volume, it is an essential "navigation" guide for patients with one of the deadliest cancers.The book is logically organized, gives all the necessary information and almost nothing is missing.I am brain cancer patient and I recommend this book.This book and a book by Ben Williams, Surviving "Terminal" Cancer should be on the bookshelf of every GBM patient.This book gave me hope and the strength to endure.Mine arrived with Dr. Zeltzer's dedication, "Knowledge is power".How true!

Brain Tumors - a complex diagnoses made simple
This is a good book for anyone who needs to understand the complexity and diagnosis of a brain tumor. It will give you the facts to help you or a family member make intelligent decisions when faced with this medical diagnosis. My identical twin brother was diagnosed with a rapid growing tumor that was affecting his vision. We are both software engineers not doctors. We need facts with absolutes. Not probabilities. He was admitted to the University of New Mexico Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery. His wife and 1 year old daughter were at his side waiting for the operation. I found this book at the medical school bookstore. I thumbed through it and could not put it down. The book carefully explained in detail exactly what the medical staff was saying. It was not a solution for the emotions we were going through but at least I understood the complexity of the brain and impact of tumors. He had two major operations, including a craniotomy. Thankfully, he pulled through. That was a year ago. He will be on medicine from the tumor operation for the rest of his life. But he is alive. There are other books I might suggest for the emotional impact on a family, but this review is just for the understanding of the medical diagnosis. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with a brain tumor I suggest this book.

Absolutely essential
If you or a loved one are newly diagnosed with a brain tumor, this is the book you must read immediately and use as a reference throughout the process of dealing with the disease.I wish that it had been available when our daughter was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme early last year. With a disease of this complexity, you and your family will ultimately be responsible for coordinating treatment options, anticipating and managing side effects of medications, etc.To be an effective advocate you need to learn as much as you can as quickly as you can, and this book is the place to start. The medical care that our daughter has received has been uniformly excellent, but a vigilent and informed caregiving team is a vital component in managing her disease.
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Subjects:  1. Brain    2. Cancer    3. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Cancer    4. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Nervous System (incl. Brain)    5. Medical    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Neurology - General    8. Oncology    9. Popular works    10. Brain Diseases    11. Handbooks, manuals, etc    12. Personal & Practical Guides    13. Reference   

Reviews (107)

Not great.....
Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther Senior is the story of his son's struggle with a brain tumor. It is actually quite interesting and the writing is good. I rate this book low because it is hard to spympathize with Johnny. His father, the author, is terribly biased and makes Johnny sound like a god among grasshoppers. It almost makes me, being a 15 year old, feel inferior. We never really see the Johnny actually being a kid. Sure we read that he plays games and has friends, but these details are minimal and minor. All we ever read ia about Johnny's Intelligence and Bravery, but never the fear he had over the tumor or how hard it was for him.

Though some have called thee Might and Dreadful; thou art not so
The quote in the title for this review is given to me by John Donne, who wrote the poem of same name. It starts this memoir, and another poem ends it.
Gone
Gone
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Subjects:  1. 1929-1947    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Brain    6. Gunther, John,    7. Health    8. Literary    9. Medical    10. Patients    11. Pediatric Neurology    12. Pediatric Oncology    13. Pediatrics    14. Specific Groups - General    15. Tumors    16. Tumors in adolescence    17. United States    18. Biography & Autobiography / General    19. Gunther, John    20. Reading Group Guide   

Subjects:  1. Brain    2. Cancer    3. Cancer invasiveness    4. Head And Neck Cancer    5. Medical    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Molecular aspects    8. Oncology    9. Treatment    10. Cellular biology    11. Medical / Oncology    12. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology   

Subjects:  1. Medical    2. Medical / Nursing    3. Oncology    4. Surgery - General    5. Surgery - Neurosurgery    6. Brain Tumors    7. Medical / Surgery / Neurosurgery    8. Neurosurgery   

Subjects:  1. Diagnostic Imaging    2. Medical    3. Medical / Nursing    4. Neurology - General    5. Radiology    6. MR imaging    7. Medical / Radiology & Nuclear Medicine    8. Medical imaging    9. brain imaging    10. brain tumor    11. central nervous system imaging    12. diffusion weighted imaging    13. stroke   

Reviews (4)

A great book on a tough subject
I purchased this book when I learned that my Dad's brain tumor had grown significantly and he was moving into the final chapter of his life.I found many of the stories to be inspirational and I learned a lot about people's real life experiences.I also read David Kessler's "The Needs of the Dying" and this was an amazing book of comfort and truth.I find knowledge to be comforting.If you do also, these books will be very helpful.

A good overview of experiences from brain tumor patients
I ordered this book when my husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor in October 1998. He was inundated with cancer books from family and friends, and this is one of the few books he actually read cover to cover. We wereamazed at some of the stories and given hope by several in particular. Thebook reinforces that everyone's journey is a different one, and theparticular tumor diagnosis is just one part of the story. I'd highlyrecommend this book, along with Rebecca Libutti's "That'sUnacceptable" (if it's a high-grade tumor), to anyone faced with adiagnosis of a brain tumor. (Ms. Libutti's book isn't available throughAmazon.com, but you can order it through virtualtrials.com.)

useful and touching
There's not much out therefor brain tumor sufferers;this book of shared experiences andinsights is a good beginning. As the editor puts it: "stories of triumph, stories of death, stories of pain, and stories of gratitude." However, those in the grips of immediate treatment decisions will want more than this light smattering of treatment and hospital information. Will appeal to anyone confronting brain tumor. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Brain    3. Consumer Health    4. Diseases - Cancer    5. General    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Patients    9. Popular works    10. Tumors   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases - Cancer    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Oncology    6. Reference    7. Family & Health    8. Health & Fitness / Reference   

Reviews (3)

Worth reading if you know someone with a brain tumor.
I read this book when my mother was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme IV.It was very quick and easy reading, which is good during a time like this.It tells what this guy experienced from the beginning symptoms, through surgery, and recovery.It helped to reaffirm that what the doctors were doing for my mom was the "standard" procedure for this type of cancer, and helped to familiarize me with the terminology that I was both hearing from the doctors as well as reading simultaneously in this book.Although people experience different symptoms from this cancer, much of it is the same.Because this guy was able to write about what he experienced, it helped me to understand more of what my mom was going through... with the loss of words and thoughts, inability to do simple everyday activities that we take for granted, the craniotomy, and treatments - radiation and chemo.I would recommend this book to anyone who is caring for someone with this tumor.. It's affordable, quick reading, and it will help give you more insight on what the patient is going through.
Can't Put It Down, Great Read
If you know someone that has cancer, this book takes you through the first year covering awake craniotomy surgery, radiation therapy, chemo therapy, and others.There are a lot of pictures.

Great book that helps you deal with personal tragedy
If you or a loved one is dealing with a tumor or a cancer this is the book to help you get through it.It details the authors personal problems and medical problems.It is a real page turner and very informative.A recommended read for everyone!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Diseases - Cancer    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Biography: general   

Subjects:  1. Brain    2. Diseases    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Neurology (General)    7. Neurology - General    8. Popular works    9. Reference    10. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    11. Popular medicine   

Features

• Bargain Price

Reviews (19)

Suspense with a twist
Peter Abrahams is known for his suspenseful thrillers that capture readers within moments of beginning one of his books. Oblivion is no different. We are introduced to Nick Petrov, a Russian-born private investigator made somewhat famous by a high-profile serial killer years ago, who takes on what seems to be a simple missing person case. However, as his investigation lengthens, it becomes obvious that this particular case runs much deeper than anyone would have imagined. Just as he nears a breakthrough, the story is thrown into disarray as he suddenly develops amnesia and loses his memory of the entire investigation. He then has to piece the case together from scratch, without knowing why he was involved in the case in the first place. The events that follow are well-crafted with several unanticipated twists that would keep any reader turning the page for more.
Should be entitled "Obvious."
This book was a fun, quick read.However, I was hoping that the obvious conclusion was a red herring and that there would be a twist at the end.Not so.The "mystery" is clear VERY early on, and the supporting details that come later are inconsequential. Many of the clues that are planted along the way, clues that should be noticed on one's own or enjoyed once one realizes they were missed, are hammered in.
I really struggled to finish this book.
I normally read more than 4 novels a month. In the beginning the book kept the suspense up, but by the middle I was struggling to read 30 pages a night. I finally finished and it took about 3 weeks. During that time I was reading other books as well, but this book did not live up to the hype and I found until the last 20 pages and the first 50 it to be boring. I think Abrahams had a good idea, but it was just not as good as I expected. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abrahams, Peter - Prose & Criticism    2. Brain    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    5. Fiction - General    6. General    7. Identity (Psychology)    8. Mystery/Suspense    9. Patients    10. Private investigators    11. Suspense    12. Thrillers    13. Tumors    14. Fiction / Suspense    15. Bargain   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (4)

Finally ..... something at MY level!
When our 5 year old daughter was diagnosed with a Brainstem Glioma, the hospital and Child Cancer Foundation (in New Zealand) gave us books to read, if you wanted to wade through all the technical stuff, personally I couldn't cope with it all.Then when I was looking at sites on the internet, I read about this book.I had a look at it at Amazon, and thought about it for a few days, trying to weigh up if it would be relevant to NZ'ers.I finally took the plunge and got it.I am soooo relieved that I did.Suddenly I was able to read something and actually get some benefit from it.The inserts from the parents are wonderful - suddenly I don't feel so alone, and the advice is universal.It relates to anyone in any country going through this nightmare.

This book is a "must have" for caregivers
As a parent to a child who had a brain tumor, I feel that this book covers all the major topics. When our son was diagnosed back in '98, I searched for such a book but none existed. Our son has since passed away but we are thankful that this book is available - particularly for newly diagnosed families. We purchased copies for our public library and for The Jimmy Fund in memory of our three year-old son, Kevin Kirsch. Thank you for writing this much needed guide. It will be a resource for caregivers and medical professionals alike.

The Best
Having a daughter die of a Brain Stem Glioma, this book would have helped tremendously. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brain    2. Caregiving    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Diseases - Cancer    6. Medical    7. Pediatrics    8. Popular works    9. Reference    10. Spinal cord    11. Tumors    12. Tumors in children    13. Coping with illness    14. Family & Relationships / Children with Special Needs    15. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Cancer    16. Health & Fitness/Diseases - Cancer    17. Medical/Caregiving    18. Medical/Pediatrics    19. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    20. Neurosciences    21. Oncology    22. Paediatric medicine   

Reviews (1)

A wonderful and informative resource
This excellent book is indeed everything the beginner needs to understand the human brain, and various neurological disorders. Part one is required reading, as it covers the structure and function of the brain. Part two covers strokes and vascular diseases of the brain. Part three is on brain tumors. And, part four is on other neurological diseases, including traumatic brain injury, meningitis, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and finally Multiple Sclerosis.Read more

Subjects:  1. Brain    2. Cerebrovascular disease    3. Consumer Health    4. Diseases    5. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Healthy Living    9. Popular works    10. Tumors    11. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Nervous System (incl. Brain)    12. Popular medicine   

Subjects:  1. Brain    2. Brain Neoplasms    3. Cerebral Palsy    4. Germ cells    5. Medical    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Neoplastic Diseases    8. Oncology    9. Pineal gland    10. Radiology    11. Surgery - Neurosurgery    12. Tumors    13. Medical / Surgery / Neurosurgery    14. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    15. Surgery    16. Zentralnervensystem    17. central nervous system    18. germinoma    19. neoplasm    20. pineal tumors    21. teratoma Neoplasma   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases - Cancer    3. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Oncology    7. Coping with illness    8. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Nervous System (incl. Brain)    9. Popular medicine   

Reviews (2)

A book of hope
This is volume 2 of a two-volume set.Just like the first volume, it is an essential "navigation" guide for patients with one of the deadliest cancers.The book is logically organized, gives all the necessary information and almost nothing is missing.I am brain cancer patient and I recommend this book.This book and a book by Ben Williams, Surviving "Terminal" Cancer should be on the bookshelf of every GBM patient.This book gave me hope and the strength to endure.

Zeltzer empowers patients
...Zeltzer empowers patients stressing the importance of becoming informed, being unafraid to ask questions, getting a second opinion, and doing research ...helpful chapters deal with children's brain tumors and the navigation of the healthcare system (HMOs, Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security Disability).
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Subjects:  1. Medical / Nursing    2. Oncology   

Editorial Review

Nicole Krauss's elegant, haunting debut, Read more

Reviews (23)

Recommended
This is the story of Samson, who in his mid-thirties suffers from a tumor in his brain and is found wondering in the desert, not knowing who he is and having lost memory of the last 24 years of his life. The story follows him as he struggles with readjusting to his old life that no longer fits the man he has become, and as he searches for a deeper meaning to what has happened to him. This is a very original story. Nicole Krauss is an obviously talented author and she tackles this subject wonderfully, with just the right balance of sciencitific facts, emotions, reflections on memory, life, the past and future. Excellent and highly recommended.

slightly lacking
I read a story of hers not too long ago called "future emergencies" and I came into this book really looking forward to it.It was a good book it just wasn't the kind of book I would tell everyone I know to read.It was lacking something.This novel just didn't grip me and by the time I was done I didn't really want more.
Unkown White Male
I have not actually read this book, but by reading the summary I was reminded of this documentary I just saw. Unknown White Male is about a man who wakes up one day in the subway near Coney Island. He didn't remember who he was or anything. The documentary is about his struggle finding who he used to be and about how much his memories shaped who he was. I figured anyone who liked this book might also enjoy this documentary about a real man who actually experienced this. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brain    2. College teachers    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. Human experimentation in medic    6. Human experimentation in medicine    7. Literary    8. Patients    9. Tumors    10. Fiction / Literary   

Subjects:  1. Cerebral Palsy    2. Medical    3. Medical / Nursing    4. Neoplastic Diseases    5. Neurology - General    6. Oncology    7. Surgery - General    8. Medical / Surgery / Neurosurgery    9. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology   

Reviews (2)

Rare and Valuable Advice
What would you do if you woke up one morning feeling a little absentminded, only to discover that you had a brain tumor and little chance of surviving even for two years?That happened to Rebecca Libutti and, although not a trained writer, four years later she wrote this book about her experience.She has some important things to say. Thank God for Rebecca Libutti
At the time when a friend received that most terrible of diagnoses, GBM4, this book has been a lightbeam of hope and a treasure trove of practical advice.Read more

Subjects:  1. Medical    2. Surgery - Neurosurgery   

Editorial Review

Elizabeth Berg has a single great gift as a novelist. She creates heroines who are stuck and unhappy, yet deeply sympathetic. This may seem like an easy trick to pull off, but it's not. Think about it: usually when a character is mired in a problem--especially a problem stemming from her own reluctance to change, or fear of commitment, or lack of identity--the reader is ready within a few dozen pages to shout, "Pull yourself together!" and set the book aside. In contrast, Berg's characters seem like enjoyable challenges: problems with actual solutions.Read more

Reviews (110)

A STORY OF LOVE, GRIEF AND LEARNING HOW TO LIVE
The main character in this novel, Myra Lipinsky, is a woman who quietly sits on the sidelines and watches the world go by. As a nurse, she has seen more than her share of pain, suffering and death, but nothing prepares her for the return home of her high school idol, Chip Reardon.Chip has a brain tumor and his cancer is terminal.Myra becomes Chip's visiting nurse, but then Chip moves in with Myra and the loving relationship she has always dreamed of sharing with Chip becomes reality.
good, strong characters
It's hard not to be able to relate to the characters in this book. Time spent reading Elizabeth Berg's work is like spending time in the company of a good friend.She has the ability to bring you into the world of her story and show you what she's saying through mere words.This book does not fall short of her ability and is a good example and reminder of how we can learn to change ourselves for the better.I enjoyed this book very much.

Too many good books out there to waste time reading this!
Not at all memorable.Formulaic in that Oprah's Book Club sort of way...martyr-like female who is a "better" person at the end of the book having learned a valuable lesson about life, love, the world or all three.Yawn, yawn, yawn...there are too many good books in the world to waste your time reading this. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brain    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Literary    6. Middle aged women    7. Middle-aged women    8. Patients    9. Tumors    10. Visiting nurses    11. Fiction / General    12. General & Literary Fiction