Jann's Bookstore
in cooperation with Amazon.com
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Any profits gained from books ordered through my site will be given to a not-for-profit organization, which supports those who need help while dealing with Post Polio Syndrome. Click on highlighted titles to order from Amazon.com. Thank you.
FEATURED BOOKS
Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio
by Peg Kehret
"Peg [wrote] radio commercials, prize-winning contest entries, magazine articles, plays, and adult nonfiction books before she discovered her true voice as a writer in books for young people. She has now written more than 30 books for children, many of them award winners."
This would be a great book to read to your children or grandchildren!
Climging Kilimanjaro
by Helen Bergan
Read about Helen's African Odyssey. She has travelled to places I will never go, but reading her book makes me feel like I, too, have been there...even down to using the crutches! Even polio survivors find a way to travel.
POLIO HISTORY
Many people today under the age of 50 think polio is only a thing of the past, or that it is just a vaccination. Even though epidemics don't happen in the USA anymore, polio is still causing epidemics in foreign countries.
If you would like to read some very interesting books (or see a video) about polio from those of us who lived through those terrifying years, I have these suggestions:
Sunrise at Campobello
This is an excellent video suitable for the entire family. It covers 34 months in the life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt from the time he got polio in 1921 at his summer home in Canada until he appears at the 1924 Democratic National Convention in NYC. It is a unique look into the past of a man destined for greatness, and how he dealt with a disabling illness. You see the beginnings of a great "deception," described in more detail in the book by Hugh Gregory Gallagher (below).
Sunrise at Campobello: A Play in Three Acts
by Dore Schary
This is the wonderful play which was a great success on Broadway before it was made into the 1960 movie. The book also contains 8 pages of pictures from the movie.
FDRs Splendid Deception
The Moving Story of Roosevelt's Massive Disability-and the intense effort to conceal it from the Public
by Hugh Gregory Gallagher.
Many people never knew the extent of FDRs disability from Polio as he became a master of hiding his disability from the public. Few pictures were taken of FDR in a wheelchair, but there are some wonderful pictures of this historic period of time in this book. Note: This is the recently published Memorial edition.
Healing the Blues: A Success Story of a Patient and Her Therapist
by Dorothea Nudelman and David Willingham
This riveting book is written by Dorothea, a Polio survivor, and her therapist. Depression often accompanies Post Polio Syndrome, as it did for Dorothea. The book helps you understand the role of psychotherapy in dealing successfully with depresssion. It is worth exploring this avenue before resorting to drug therapy. It is also a trip back into Polio History.
A Summer Plague: Polio and it's Survivors by Tony Gould.
Tony tells a history of Polio in the United States. He explains about the first polio epidemic in New York in 1916, on through to the
1950s when the Salk Polio Vaccine was first approved for distribution. He also tells about Sabin vaccine. And, the second half of the book is personal stories of polio survivors,
like Dr. Lauro Halstead, polio specialist at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C. It is history at its best from those who lived through it.
In the Shadow of Polio: A Personal and Social History by Kathryn Black.
This is an intensely moving story about a little girl who lost her mother to Bulbar Polio, which is the one (of three) types of polio that affects the nerves that are needed to breathe. These polios are the ones in the Iron Lungs. Most of these polios died, as did Kathryn's mother when she was only 6
years old. But, as an adult, she tries to help the little girl within to deal with this awful loss and void in her life, and the
heartbreak of others around her. Too often polio is something we
tended not to talk about, and Kathryn accurately shows how that lack of communication keeps us from healing. As I said, intense and moving, but just so necessary.
Managing Post-Polio: A Guide to Living Well with Post Polio Syndrome
edited by Lauro S. Halstead, M.D.
There is a great review of this book on Amazon.com by Jack Trombadore, from the NJ Polio Network Newsletter, Fall, 1998. I have the book and recommend it highly. Good practical information. Buy a copy for someone you love who is trying to live with the after-effects of Polio.
Post Polio Syndrome by Lauro S. Halstead, M.D.
This is a textbook, but has the best information on Post Polio Syndrome. Highly recommended.
Post-Polio Syndrome: A Guide for Polio Survivors and Their Families by Julie K. Silver
A Paralyzing Fear: The Story of Polio in America by Jane S. Smith.
I highly recommend this new book on the Polio Epidemics of the past. Nice pictures, and first person accounts of how Polio affected so many lives. It will make you cry, so be prepared. Too bad Patenting the Sun: Polio and the Salk Vaccine is out of print, because it is a very good book about the development of the Salk vaccine and Jonas Salk, himself. If you are interested in it, Amazon.com will try to locate a copy for you. I did, and love my copy.
The Polio Paradox by Richard Bruno
This is a very interesting book about PPS. Dr. Bruno has a great deal of experience with the subject and explains it all so very well. I am pleased that he addresses, as a part of the whole equation, the subject of nutrition as it pertains to people with a chronic condition, like PPS. He presents easy to understand information on the importance of protein as well as carbohydrates and fats. As a nutritionist, I know how important it is to eat well to get all the nutrients a polio-stressed body needs. I am glad he explains this, plus much more, in the Polio Paradox. It is must reading for anyone who had Polio, whether or not they have the affer-effects that so many of us are experiencing.
And, for a change of pace, for those of you who enjoy some twisted humor along with your stories, try the collected works
of John Callahan, the quad cartoonist, and see a little of his world......
Don't Worry, He won't Get Far on Foot
by John Callahan.
This is autobiographical and very frank as
John tells how he became a quadraplegic, and how he developed his cartoon style which appeals as twisted humor. It is a glimpse into a world not often seen, but
John opens the door for you to come into his world, if only for a little while and you can "walk in his shoes" so to speak.
Do What He Says! He's Crazy by John Callahan.
True Callahan! A unique look at the world through John's eyes...
The Books of Susan White-Bowden
Everything to Live For is the story of Susan's son, Jody, who committed suicide. It is the book for everyone who says "that can't happen to me." Susan tells her very personal and painful story in the hopes that it may help others. Jody White's short life seemed very typical and happy. But because of a series of events, it just ended much too soon. Parents need to know the signs (like realizing a boy is more "at risk" if his dad committed suicide). Susan is very honest, and tells it "like it is" so we can all learn from her. It is touching, truthful, and so very helpful.
Moonbeams Come at Dark Times: Turning 50 in the 90's. Delightfully written book about Susan's life as a wife, mom, grandmother, as well as a TV news person in Baltimore, MD. She is very good at using the lemons she wag given to make lemonade. When she lost her job, she used her new found for doing more family things. I love the chapter about the Summer Camp she did for her grandchildren one summer. She gave them a gift far more valuable than money and other material things, she gave the gift of herself. Susan's book is filled with so many warm memories of times past. I gave copies to many of my
"ageless" friends.
From a Healing Heart is a special and touching book. The beautiful pictures were taken by Susan's daughter, Marjorie. It is a great book for anyone who has experienced a loss of someone dear.
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COOKING and NUTRITION
A Dietitian's Cancer Story
by Diana Dyer, MS, RD
This is a terrific book full of healthy ideas and recipes for anyone who wants to eat well, especially someone with cancer. Diana writes about what she knows best as a dietitian and a cancer survivor. Additional ultra-healthy recipes and information can be found on her website.
Diana says: "My mission is to provide information and inspiration for cancer survivors regarding nutritional and lifestyle choices that promote the extension and quality of their lives."
The TVP Cookbook: Using the Quick Cooking Meat Substitute
by Dorothy R. Bates
This is a very good introduction to using textured vegetable protein, or TVP. It is a great vegetable protein, dry granules that are reconstituted with water or vegetable juices and can beused easily for part, or all the hamburger in recipes. Many recipes are included along with Nutrition Information. It is very inexpensive, and will serve you well.
The New Farm Vegetarian Cookbook
by Louise Hagler and Dorothy Bates
This is a easy to understand vegetarian cookbook. It is particularly useful if you just want to introduce some vegetarian dishes to your family's meals. It includes easy to do recipes like "High Protein Soy Bread" and dips to cooking with TVP, Tofu, Tempeh, and soy milk. It includes how to buy and cook soybeans which are the only complete protein vegetable. There are many health advantages to using soybeans over meat including help with menopause to prevention of some cancers. Adding soy products to your diet is a nice first step to a healthier lifestyle.
More-With-Less Cookbook
by Doris Longacre, ed.
My well worn copy of this cookbook is from the 1970s. I am now buying them as gifts. The time-savings recipes are marked (TS) for easy itentification.
There is information about growing your own sprouts, cooking with soybeans, lentils, etc. Our favorite snack recipe from "more-with-less" is Peanut Butter Popcorn. Yum!
Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook
This updated cookbook is a wonderful basic cookbook for anyone (I have an old copy from the 60s that my mom gave me when I graduated from college). I use mine all the time!
The Family Nutrition Book by William Sears, MD and his wife, Martha.
It is a very good nutrition book for the entire family. All kinds of very good information on a healthy diet and lifestyle. It is lacking recipes, but then again, it is not a cookbook but a book on nutrition. And, a few very good Sears family recipes are included.
Jane Brody's Nutrition Book: A lifetime guide to good eating for better health and weight control by the personal health columinist of the NY Times (Jane Brody)
This is a comprehensive nutrition book that has a lot of good information on so many topics of interest on Nutrition. She addresses the subject of weight loss and why (fad) diets don't work. Good basic information in an easy to read and understand format.
Power Nutrition for Your Chronic Illness by Kristine Napier, MPH, RD.
A Guide to Shopping, Cooking, and Eating to Get The Nutrition Edge.
While there isn't anything specifically on PPS, other chronic illnesses such as Arthritis and Fibromyalgia are covered. There is great overall nutritional information and
many nutritious and easy recipes. Some of my favorites are "Easy Seafood Salad,"
"Pumpkin Muffins," and "Beef and Barley in a Creamy Broccoli Sauce."
Food-Your Miracle Medicine by Jean Carper
It is said that you are what you eat. This easy to read book is compiled from information about many of the foods and nutrients in the news. But, it is all in one place and the chapters address different diseases and conditions like, arthritis, osteoporosis, anti-cancer foods, anti-stress and low cholesterol dietary recommendations. My favorite part is "Disease Fighting Powers in Sixty Common Foods" as well as lists of foods high in necessary vitamins, minerals, and oils (including omega-3 fatty acids in seafood). Buy it, you'll like it!
HOMEOPATHY
Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicines: Safe and Effective Remedies for You and Your Familyby Stephen Cummings, Dana Ullman (Contributor).
Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants
by Dana Ullman.
CLASSICS (IMHO)
On The Beach by Nevil Shute
An absolutely well written story about the after-effects of a Nuclear War told by the people living through it. Set in Australia, but it affects everyone on earth. It is a must read to understand how vunerable we all are, even now (or more so than when it was written). There was a movie made from this book, too.
Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven, Jerry Pournette
This is a story about survivors. The characters are people you really get to know and care about. It is a study in what they must do to survive after a comet hits the earth. It's almost the end of the earth, but not quite. It is a gripping tale of how mankind manages after a near disaster.
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
If you liked the TV mini-series, you will love this book. It has much more depth with the characters, Meggie and Father Ralph,
and others that you didn't see on TV. I particularly enjoyed the relationship of three generations of women (Meggie, her mom, and her daughter) as they strive to find a way to communicate their love for each other, and to accept the differences in their lives. Awesome characters and stories about them to enjoy.
The First Man in Rome by Colleen McCullough
Love, sex, politics, betrayal....this book has it all. Plus,
you get a lesson in the history and culture of Rome as you are drawn into the life of Gaius Marius and his family and friends.
It is historical fiction at its best.
Coma by Robin Cook
Gripping medical thriller about a third year medical student who uncovers a black market in human organs. Better than the movie, Coma. Robin Cook has written many other medical thrillers, but this is one of his best!
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MISCELLANEOUS
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause: the breakthrough book on natural progesterone
by Virginia Hopkins, John Lee
This book is a must read for anyone who is approaching hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The author makes a good case for checking a woman's hormone level BEFORE just routinely suggesting estrogen to all women at a certain age. Many menopause symptoms are not the result of low estrogen, but low progesterone. And, natural rather than artificial progesterone (and there is a list in the book) is what the body needs. This book gives women the information (from an experienced doctor) that she needs to help make an informed decision when discussing this with her doctor.
Touching: the Human Significance of the Skin
by Ashley Montague
Our skin is the largest organ in our body, and it is so important that loving touch is started in infancy. This is a classic of sorts, and a must read for all parents.
Square Foot Gardening: A New Way to Garden in Less Space with Less Work
by Mel Bartholomew
This book has great information about gardening anywhere, rgardless of how much or how little space you have. The concept in the same, and it adapts well to container gardening, as well as specially set-up gardens that are wheelchair assessible, too.
Lots of good basic garden information, like companion gardening, and frost charts, too.
My son recommends...
In the Beginning ... Was the Command Line
by Neal Stephenson
Cryptonomicron
by Neal Stephenson
COMING SOON: Polio Book Reviews. I have gotten a lot of books from the auction sites, and will be reviewing them as time allows. Some are out-of-print (OOP), but can still be obtained from on-line bookstores, if desired.
Jann's PA Dutch Kitchen© 2004 JKH
New, but not yet reviewed:
"The Diet Trap: Your Seven-Week Plan to Lose Weight Without Losing Yourself"