Customer Reviews

Seductive Delusions: How Everyday People Catch STDs

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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As a parent of a college student, I think ALL parents should get this book for their guys and girls. It's a MUST read for them now, and would've been great to have in those earlier H.S. years as well. This book makes it clear exactly when, how, and why people who are not promiscuous are catching STDs. This is NOT a boring textbook lecture on STDs, it reads like a story, featuring smart, educated young people who look, act and talk like your teen (or 20 or 30-something). What our kids consider "low risk" activities (you may or may not know what those are) actually still transmit diseases - with or without sex (who knew?) and with or without condoms! Whether you think your son/daughter is sexually active now or will be anytime soon, even and perhaps especially if it's with their future spouse, Seductive Delusions is a MUST HAVE so that you and they know what his/her real risks are! YIKES! P.S> I'm now buying copies for my single, adult friends too (it's a jungle out there)

Sexually transmitted diseases (or STDs for short) are a nearly taboo subject in modern American culture, which is very strange considering how sexually-liberated it is. Many Americans, especially younger Americans, have gone through some sort of sex education, and they know more than pervious generations about human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases. In spite of all that, many people have a lot of misconceptions about STDs.

In this very educational book, Dr. Jill Grimes, experienced family physician, uses the medium of story telling to drive home the risks and realities of unprotected sexual activity. She covers seven STDs in this book: herpes, human papilloma virus, cervical cancer, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, pubic lice, HIV, hepatitis C, and Syphilis. Each of the STDs is covered in two stories (one in the case of cervical cancer), explaining about the disease through a conversation between a man and a woman and their doctors. After that is a fact sheet and FAQ on the disease.

This is a very sobering book, one that addresses a subject that we would rather not talk about, but really must. I think that it is extremely informative, and really should be read by just about everyone. Don't wait to get the sad news from your doctor, be proactive and read this book!

(Review of Seductive Delusions: How Everyday People Catch STDs)

Seductive Delusions: How Everyday People Catch STD's, is a must-read for anyone who is dating or thinking of dating. Whether you are a teenager contemplating a relationship, or re-entering the dating scene, you will find this book informative and helpful. Read it cover-to-cover, or use it as a reference. It is clear, accurate, up-to-date, and thorough. It gives you the information you need without boring statistics or off-putting lectures. The real-life stories draw you in. I have bought this book for relatives in high school and middle school as well as those who are re-entering the dating world. Dr. Grimes tackles the "unmentionables" with grace and tact. I wish each of my patients had this information before they started a new relationship.
Julia Schlam Edelman MD, Gynecologist

After I read the first 26 pages of this book I made my two teens read them before reading more myself (it's like I didn't want to wait for them to get the information). When my third child gets older she'll be reading it as well. Teens and young adults are often so hard to reach because they feel so invulnerable. There is something about Dr. Grimes' story telling that is very effective at getting around this problem. These stories don't read like a doctor imagining what a teen or young adult would be thinking. These stories read like teens and young adults talking for themselves as they grapple with the consequences of not having had the information in this book (or acting like they didn't have the information). That's what makes it so gripping and effective.

Also I was shocked by some of the things I didn't know about STDs, more than a few times saying out loud "holy ****."

I'm a dad, direct a psychology training clinic, supervise the clinical work of others in a doctoral program, and have a private practice in clinical psychology focusing on children and adolescence. In each of these contexts I am finding this book to be extremely helpful. I count myself fortunate that I stumbled upon it and am recommending it broadly.

I am only in high school, not a person who is going to have sex before marriage and my parents payed me to read the book just so that i know the facts. Greatest idea ever. I now know all the risks and have confirmed that sex during teen years or random hookups are more dangerous than ever. Greatest book I have ever read, and best way to make $50.

Dr. Grimes provides a fantastic way of detailing the signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted infections in a very easy to read book. The most compelling aspect of Seductive Delusions is the writing style; it is written as dialogue between college students and healthcare providers or other students. As a former university health educator, I think this type of writing is very useful when providing information on sexual health to students. Students will be able to relate to the characters in the book. Seductive Delusions is written in a way that will hold attention and stays away from purely biological and scientific discussions.

Another very exciting aspect abou this book is that it does not rely on fear tactics. There is no over-dramatization of the STI's nor does Dr. Grimes to a purely abstinence based approach. The symptoms are detailed, but hope is provided throughout the written conversations. Dr. Grimes provides HOPE to students who have been diagnosed with incurable STI's and recommendations for healthy relationships while contending with the STI's.

But hands down, my most appreciated aspect of this book is that Dr. Grimes provides stories about sexually transmitted infections from the perspectives of BOTH sexes. This book is not written solely from a woman's or a man's perspective. In this way, Dr. Grimes is able to provide details about the STI's, the transmission, and recommendations from perspectives that every reader will be able to relate to.

I think every health education program should have a copy of this book. In fact, as a former peer educator and health educator, I think this would be an excellent resource when training student peer educators. It provides excellent details, explanations, and methods of discussing sexual health to college students. A tremendous benefit for our field!

Seductive Delusions should be required reading for every pre-teen, teen and parent. Like Dr. Grimes, I diagnose sexually transmitted infections every day. The reaction is always the same..."I didn't think it could happen to me". It can happen, and it does happen. Reading this book will prevent it from happening. Finally a book with information that is scientifically accurate, balanced, practical, and presented in a way that teens will identify with, understand. This is a book a teen will read cover to cover. This book will make an impact. I'm looking forward to the sequel...Seductive Delusions: How Middle Aged People Catch STDs!

This is a GREAT book! I am a Registered Nurse and work in the University setting and I can tell you that all students should read this book prior to going to college. If they are already there, they need to read it now! This book places students in familiar settings and situations and gives the facts instead of the delusions many people have about transmission of STD's. This one is a 5! Seductive Delusions: How Everyday People Catch STDs

I am an educator in the field of sexual health and sexuality. After reading this book, I recommend it to all young adults as well as teens and maybe even adolescents. The book is an easy and interesting read. The characters in the short stories are very much so comparable to the young folks I work with regularly at the college level and beyond. So, if you ever wanted to know more about sexually transmitted infections but did not want to peruse fact sheets that are more mind numbing than useful, this is the book for you! Jill Grimes takes a new and refreshing approach to educating everyday folks about sexually transmitted infections.

I've been working in sexual health education for years, and I have to say this book is an essential read for young adults. I would recommend that parents give this book to their teenage children well before they're sexually active so that they have realistic knowledge of their risks and how to take steps to protect themselves when they do decide to engage in sexual activity. Health teachers in junior high or early high school should also consider making this required reading for the class. Grimes' creative approach to disseminating necessary information is quite smart and I belive she may be starting a new trend in STI prevention/sex education.