The best-selling, groundbreaking classic by Norman Cousins on combating life-threatening illness through humor and patient participation in care.
Anatomy of an Illness was the first book by a patient that spoke to our current interest in taking charge of our own health. It started the revolution in patients working with their doctors and using humor to boost their bodies' capacity for healing. When Norman Cousins was diagnosed with a crippling and irreversible disease, he forged an unusual collaboration with his physician, and together they were able to beat the odds. The doctor's genius was in helping his patient to use his own powers: laughter, courage, and tenacity. The patient's talent was in mobilizing his body's own natural resources, proving what an effective healing tool the mind can be. This remarkable story of the triumph of the human spirit is truly inspirational reading.
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Editorial Reviews
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Amazing and heartening. -- Chicago Sun-Times
An entertaining and instructive example of an inspired participation of a patient in his own treatment. -- Washington Post
An entertaining and instructive example of an inspired participation of a patient in his own treatment. -- Washington Post
About the Author
Norman Cousins was a longtime editor of the Saturday Review and the author of eleven books on health and healing, among other works.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This work contains numerous strategies aimed at maintaining
health into the far future. For instance, the author explains
how cancer occurs more frequently in patients with significant
grief, anger or fear in their daily lives. He indicates the
importance of physician contact with the patient. The importance
of a balanced diet is articulated. The author decries poor
nutrition in some hospitals . i.e. white bread and bleached flour
Specific medical tests are referenced i.e. SED RATE
The sed rate is the speed with which red blood cells settle in a test tube measured in milli-liters~ severity of inflammation.
He explains the importance of Vitamin C in collagen maintenance.
This work would be valuable for any middle-age or elderly person
seeking to maintain health far into the future.
health into the far future. For instance, the author explains
how cancer occurs more frequently in patients with significant
grief, anger or fear in their daily lives. He indicates the
importance of physician contact with the patient. The importance
of a balanced diet is articulated. The author decries poor
nutrition in some hospitals . i.e. white bread and bleached flour
Specific medical tests are referenced i.e. SED RATE
The sed rate is the speed with which red blood cells settle in a test tube measured in milli-liters~ severity of inflammation.
He explains the importance of Vitamin C in collagen maintenance.
This work would be valuable for any middle-age or elderly person
seeking to maintain health far into the future.
53 of 56 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Norman Cousins examines such topics as creativity and humor as being essential to treatment. Important to anyone touched by chronic illness. This was one of the first books my husband Tom and I read when we found out he had Alzheimer's disease. It was one I found particularly helpful in meeting the demands and changes Tom's illness imposed on me. It is a book that talks about outlook and attitudes and taking charge of one's life.
64 of 69 people found the following review helpful
By David Spero
Format:Paperback
This book revolutionized the way Americans think about health and health care. Diagnosed with a life-threatening and incurable condition, Cousins checked himself out of the hospital and basically healed himself with laughter, rest and Vitamin C. A few years later, he recovered from a major heart attack on his own and wrote about that, too.
These books jump-started the whole field of mind-body medicine. Hundreds of books have followed in its tradition, including mine, The Art of Getting Well: Maximizing Health When You Have a Chronic Illness. Anatomy of an Illness holds up well. I just re-read it and it's still relevant.
Not everything here will apply to most readers, because Cousins was a major cultural figure with many physicians among his friends. Not everyone would have his self-confidence or his sources of support. But his ideas and his approach are more needed than ever today.
David Spero RN [...]
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I highly recommend this book for several reasons. The author made a recovery from a terminal illness, and had a doctor who cooperated and encouraged him in his recovery. They even had the hospital run tests to verify whether the authors strategy was working.
The author's strategy involved the use of laughter, and found that 10 minutes of laughter, in his case watching Marx brothers movies would give him 2 hours of pain relief. Tests conducted by the hospital proved that the laughter caused the sed rate (which monitors tissue inflammation) to drop, proving the strategy worked. In addition taking megadoses of Vitamin C would also inhibit the deterioration of his connective tissue. Important elements of his recovery were his determination, the power of the placebo effect, and homeostasis, which is the body's natural ability to heal itself.
There are important topics covered in this book, and I particularly liked his stories from Dr Albert Schweitzer, a Nobel Prize winner.
Interestingly, Linus Pauling, a two time Nobel prize winner popularised the use of megadoses of Vitamin C, but that was in 1970, according to the author, six years after the author used the same strategy on his own illness.
I am very impressed with this book. Having explored energy healing, and emotional healing techniques for myself, I agree unequivocally that good body chemistry emanates from good emotions, just feeling good. How would you feel if you felt 100% healthy? I also remember a quote from the movie The Secret that 'cancer cannot survive in an emotionally healthy person.'
If you or someone you know has a serious health challenge, this book could be enormously helpful. It is an easy read. I devoured it in less than a day, and gave it to my mother.... Read more ›
The author's strategy involved the use of laughter, and found that 10 minutes of laughter, in his case watching Marx brothers movies would give him 2 hours of pain relief. Tests conducted by the hospital proved that the laughter caused the sed rate (which monitors tissue inflammation) to drop, proving the strategy worked. In addition taking megadoses of Vitamin C would also inhibit the deterioration of his connective tissue. Important elements of his recovery were his determination, the power of the placebo effect, and homeostasis, which is the body's natural ability to heal itself.
There are important topics covered in this book, and I particularly liked his stories from Dr Albert Schweitzer, a Nobel Prize winner.
Interestingly, Linus Pauling, a two time Nobel prize winner popularised the use of megadoses of Vitamin C, but that was in 1970, according to the author, six years after the author used the same strategy on his own illness.
I am very impressed with this book. Having explored energy healing, and emotional healing techniques for myself, I agree unequivocally that good body chemistry emanates from good emotions, just feeling good. How would you feel if you felt 100% healthy? I also remember a quote from the movie The Secret that 'cancer cannot survive in an emotionally healthy person.'
If you or someone you know has a serious health challenge, this book could be enormously helpful. It is an easy read. I devoured it in less than a day, and gave it to my mother.... Read more ›
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My husband has been very ill over the last 7 years and although the doctors were sure he's be dead by now... he's not and doing better every day. He has Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, ITP, Lymphodema, as of now, everything it either in remmission or under control and I believe this book "Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient" and "Cancer: 50 Essential Things to Do: Revised and Updated Edition" and "Getting Well Again: The Bestselling Classic About the Simontons' Revolutionary Lifesaving Self- Awareness Techniques" As well as the DVD "the Secret" have not only made a difference in his health, but in our lives and those of our family.
Keep things in prospective, give it to a higher authority and LAUGH!
Keep things in prospective, give it to a higher authority and LAUGH!
47 of 52 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
As an essay, Anatomy of an Illness is engrossing. At as a work of inspiration, it is indispensible. Anyone you know who is ill, or who simply cares about his or her state of health, will gain wisdom and hope from this carefully constructed, sober, yet passionate memoir of healing.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As I have a rare form of cancer (mesothelioma) with no real known cure this book was one I was told about that may help.
It has, and it should be read by all those with so-called incurable diseases, as it explains how much power we have in our own minds and body's when we take control of our own illness.
And when you feel in control it changes your perception of what is uncontronable.
I believe all the current medicos should read this and start realizing the incredible power the body has to heal itself and stop relying on all the drugs that are really the big killers of the day.
Not only that in his book Robyn Cousin's says that over 90% of all visits to the doctor could eliminated if people knew about this.
Knowledge is power and reading this book will give you power.
Ron Sullivan
It has, and it should be read by all those with so-called incurable diseases, as it explains how much power we have in our own minds and body's when we take control of our own illness.
And when you feel in control it changes your perception of what is uncontronable.
I believe all the current medicos should read this and start realizing the incredible power the body has to heal itself and stop relying on all the drugs that are really the big killers of the day.
Not only that in his book Robyn Cousin's says that over 90% of all visits to the doctor could eliminated if people knew about this.
Knowledge is power and reading this book will give you power.
Ron Sullivan
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Taking Responsibility For Your Health
This was a fantastic book. The one theme that resonated with me was that of taking responsibility for your own health. Read more
Published 1 month ago by joyce garofolo
4.0 out of 5 stars
Attitude and Recovery
Can you laugh yourself to recovery in the face of a serious illness? That’s not exactly what Norman Cousins argues in this very humane examination of his own illness, but he does... Read more
Published 3 months ago by MoseyOn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Informative
Every healthcare provider should read this book. Reading about the point of view from a patient is eye opening. Too often the patient's feelings are over looked.
Published 3 months ago by Linda Williams
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great if it works out for you.
He basically says that your self determination, cooperation by caregivers, and some luck will get you through. Read more
Published 3 months ago by cavu
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good book, but no need to re-read
I enjoyed this book as a doctor in training. I did sell it though after I read it, because it's one of those books you'll never need/want to re-read again. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Sara J. Mays
5.0 out of 5 stars
It helped to turn my life around!
I read this book 30 years ago after being hospitalized at Duke University Medical Center with an undiagnosable malady. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Paul
5.0 out of 5 stars
Do Emotions Affect Our Health?
This is a publication based on the recovery Norman Cousins had in 1964 from a terminal, according to medical beliefs, illness. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Princelight-7
5.0 out of 5 stars
Zig Zigler recommended. Wonderful
Zig Zigler recommended. Wonderful. I have bought two copies for friends. Excellent book. I wish it were available on audio book.
Published 8 months ago by Anthony J. Long
4.0 out of 5 stars
Anatomy of an Illness, as Perceived by the Patient
Norman Cousins has written this book that will benefit any long-term patient. His observations on the benefits of keeping a positive attitude are very useful. Read more
Published 12 months ago by K. Gottlieb
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is a must-read for all patients!
Western medicine has saved countless number of lives and improved the lives of people with illness. However, at the same time, it has caused a lot of unnecessary deaths as well as... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Rena
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