Circumcision: Frankly Speaking [Paperback]

Gerald N. Weiss (Author), M.D. (Author), Andrea W. Harter (Author), Mike Korey of Old Army Press (Editor), Gary Raham (Illustrator), Gerald N. Weiss (Author), Andrea W. Harter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1998

DEDICATED TO THE EDUCATION OF PARENTS OF A NEWBORN SON AND CONCERNED OTHERS. The circumcision of newborns has been practised in many cultures and societies, not because of the Jews and their Covenant of Circumciision, but because of its merit as a secular surgical health measure. Contemporary research confirms that circumcision maintains and promotes quality genital health for males of all ages

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Book Review by Anton Shaw However, here at last is a worthy 95 pages which redress the balance. It' s a reasoned book, well chaptered and easy to read. Dr Weiss is clear, calm and polite. He doesn' t duck any of the issues, indeed his opening sentence reminds readers that making this decision on behalf of your son can be a sobering experience. He then takes all who care to follow him through every aspect, every issue, steadily building up the information into a powerful pile. Each time a point is made he leaves the reader to decide. Nowhere does he push or harangue; the choice is still yours. --Personal Comment: Anton Shaw

About the Author

Weiss is a surgeon with more than 60 years of medical and surgical experience and has published multiple articles in a variety of prestigious medical journals. His articles, based on medical soundess and practices, with a tablespoon of history added, have been widely read. Joining his expertise with his journalist co-author, to enhance reader understanding of so interesting and controversial a subject, should attract many concerned about the circumcision issue. Harter is an award winning reporter, garning recognition in the fields of business and health. Currently a senior investigative writer for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, she covers a variety of topics and has writen several books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Wiser Publications; 1st edition (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096672190X
• ISBN-13: 978-0966721904
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,355,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Book Full of Cultural Superstitions, January 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Circumcision: Frankly Speaking (Paperback)

As a man who was born and raised in Europe, I was astounded (and horrified) to find out that circumcision is the most commonly performed surgery in the United States. European countries do not circumcise their boys. Neither do non-Muslim Asians or Latin Americans. In fact, the only places on earth where the majority of babies are circumcised are Israel, the Muslim countries, certain primitive tribal groups, and the United States. We Europeans consider the amputation of normal, natural, sexually important tissue from non-consenting infants to be child abuse and genital mutilation. It is totally unnecessary and unethical. So, when my daughter and her husband found out they were expecting a boy, since they live here in the U.S., the issue of circumcision naturally came up. Had we been living in Europe, this issue would not even have been a consideration. We purchased Frankly Speaking hoping to find out why circumcision is so popular in this country. What we found was nothing more than rationalizations for a cultural phenomenon very similar to the rationalizations presented by those societies who circumcise their girls.

Space does not permit a detailed recounting of the misinformation, cultural superstitions and blatant falsehoods--all masquerading as medical fact-- contained in this book. One illustration will have to suffice. On page 8, the authors say, "Cleanliness of the area is at the heart of much of the debate about penile care." To any rational, logical, non-superstitious person, soap and water is the correct recommendation for cleanliness, not amputation. The idea that the male penis is so filthy that the foreskin must be amputated, as the authors insist, instead of merely cleaned with warm water as you would a woman's genitals, is one of the most ludicrous ideas I have ever heard. No wonder Europeans, Asians and others consider the U.S. a culturally backward and often barbaric country.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars We were very disappointed with this book, January 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Circumcision: Frankly Speaking (Paperback)

We were very disappointed with Frankly Speaking. We had hoped for accurate, up-to-date information to help us decide whether or not to circumcise our expected boy, but really only found pro-circumcision propaganda. This book, (actually a 96 page pamphlet), is really nothing more than an attempt to talk unsuspecting parents into having their son circumcised. Filled with factual errors such as ("the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends newborn circumcision," when in fact it does not,) outdated information (recycled penile cancer research from the 1930s!, which we later discovered on the web was refuted by the American Cancer Society ), and blatant misinformation (that the foreskin is "vestigial," when in fact we found that there has been research over the past ten years proving its protective and neurological value to sexual sensation). The authors seem to be mere shills for the 1.5 billion dollar a year circumcision industry.  Any parent would be far better off going on the web, as we did, and searching the many circ sites found.  We found two excellent books called "Say No to Circumcision" and "Circumcision Exposed," which, unlike "Frankly Speaking," are truthful about their anti-circumcision stance. These books are also available from amazon.com

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book contains misleading information, January 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Circumcision: Frankly Speaking (Paperback)

After researching circumcision resources on the Internet I read this book to see how its information compared to other sources. It did not fare well in light of current research which is readily available online.

The book's views seem antiquated when compared to the vast majority of recently published reports on the subject. It appears that the author is attempting to promote his religious views disguised as medical rationale. I suggest seeking other sources for comparison before making a decision about having a child's body surgically altered by circumcision.