Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Health & Medicine Book Reviews Available Now (page 8)


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Cover art for MAYO CLINIC BREAST CANCER BOOK
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 1, 2012

"An empowering tool that soothes the sting and shock of a cancer diagnosis with up-to-date information and physician-supported advice."
A medically sound, digestible reference guide to understanding, treating and coping with breast cancer. Read full book review >
Cover art for SPILLOVER
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 1, 2012

"A wonderful, eye-opening account of humans versus disease that deserves to share the shelf with such classics as Microbe Hunters and Rats, Lice and History."
Nature writer and intrepid traveler Quammen (The Reluctant Mr. Darwin, 2006, etc.) sums up in one absorbing volume what we know about some of the world's scariest scourges: Ebola, AIDS, pandemic influenza--and what we can do to thwart the "NBO," the Next Big One. Read full book review >
Cover art for IN SEARCH OF GENTLE DEATH
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 30, 2012

"A hot-button issue intelligently scrutinized."
The history and evolution of the controversial death-with-dignity movement. Read full book review >
Cover art for UNACCOUNTABLE
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 18, 2012

"A galvanizing book full of shocking truths about the current state of health care."
A searing insider's look at what really goes on behind the scenes at major hospitals and how implementing simple steps toward transparency can empower patients and dramatically improve the culture and safety of health care. Read full book review >
Cover art for CONCUSSIONS AND OUR KIDS
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 18, 2012

"A sober look at a substantial health risk for young and mature athletes."
With the assistance of sports journalist Hyman (Until It Hurts: America's Obsession with Youth Sports and How It Harms Our Kids, 2009, etc.), neurosurgeon Cantu offers parents, coaches and athletes an authoritative look at concussions. Read full book review >
Cover art for LIKE A VIRGIN
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 16, 2012

"A fascinating examination of a future that may not be too distant, as well as an account of historical misconceptions about conception."
An intriguing look at our reproductive future. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN US
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 13, 2012

"An entertaining overview of the science of physical attraction."
A pop-science analysis of the complex brain chemicals behind lust and love. Read full book review >
Cover art for VAGINA
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 11, 2012

"An unwieldy attempt to graft science onto a personal memoir/sexual-advice manual."
Cultural commentator Wolf (Give Me Liberty: A Handbook for American Revolutionaries, 2008, etc.) explores the effect of new neurobiological discoveries on our understanding of female sexuality. Read full book review >
Cover art for HAPPIER AT HOME
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 4, 2012

"Read Samuel Johnson instead."
A well-meaning but not especially insightful guide to deriving greater satisfaction in life by feeling "more at home, at home." Read full book review >
Cover art for AN EPIDEMIC OF ABSENCE
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 4, 2012

"A solid, up-to-date report on a growing area of scientific research."
More on the hygiene hypothesis by a science writer who has searched the literature, traveled the world and interviewed scores of scientists who attribute a rise in allergies, autoimmune disease, asthma and many other disorders in our sanitized societies to an imbalance in our immune systems. Read full book review >
Cover art for WHAT MAKES LOVE LAST?
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 4, 2012

"For such an overcrowded topic, this entry manages to be both instructional and enlightening."
Gottman and Silver (co-authors: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, 1999, etc.) return with a discussion of trust, intimacy and the secrets to love's longevity. Read full book review >
Cover art for MORTALITY
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 4, 2012

"Certainly, Hitchens died too soon. May this moving little visit to his hospital room not be the last word from him."
A jovially combative riposte to anyone who thought that death would silence master controversialist Hitchens (Hitch-22, 2010, etc.). Read full book review >