Customer Reviews

The Smart Woman's Guide to Midlife and Beyond: A No Nonsense Approach to Staying Healthy After 50

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These days, when I go to a doctor for anything more severe than sniffles or a sore throat, I take two things--my list of questions and concerns and a companion. I need all the help I can find to be sure that I ask the right questions and remember the doctor's answers and instructions. As we grow older, it's important to take every health issue seriously.

I have two new friends who will be helping with my office visits. Janet Horn and Robin Miller, authors of The Smart Woman's Guide to Midlife and Beyond. Both are medical doctors over fifty, and both know what concerns women of our cohort. They have combined their professional skills and experience to craft a readable, wise, and candid book that I will turn to when I prepare that list of questions. In fact, it will probably have the answers to a good many.

As the title suggests, the authors assume an intelligent reader. They present the basics on older women's health with both candor and completeness. It's all there, from the areas of major concern (cancer, heart disease, senility) through nutrition, exercise, and even plastic surgery. In case the reader needs more information, there is an extensive section of recommended readings and websites.

One appeal of the book is that the authors do not always agree. They have practiced in different parts of the country and have different specialties. (Miller is an internist and integrative medicine specialist, while Horn is certified in internal medicine and infectious disease and is trained in obstetrics and gynecology). They bring their various expertise to each topic and leave it to the reader to make her own choices.

The book is peppered with the personal experiences of patients and of the authors themselves, so it's not heavy reading. Even doctors get into unusual, and sometimes amusing, medical situations. All women, not only those beyond fifty, will find it a welcome addition to their personal libraries. Add it before the medical issues arise. Forewarned is forearmed.

by Patricia Nordyke Pando
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

Written by two women MD's, this fine book is packed with invaluable information on medical problems that face women as they age. This is in no way a forbidding tome, but a comfortably sized book presenting its information in a user friendly and informal but professional manner. The table of contents is detailed enough to make it easy to access specific needs. At the end of each chapter is a page titled "The Docs Chat About..." in which Dr. J and Dr. R ask one another questions that result in yet more useful advice and guidance. Another page follows,this one devoted to a list called "Pearls of Wisdom," recapping the main points of the previous chapter. The two doctors tell us that "physical aging can be tough especially if we're not prepared to deal with it." They go on to say, "We are not spouting theoretical ideas here...what we've included in this book is actually what we tell our patients and ourselves and each other about how to stay healthy while growing older." I found the contents of the book very reassuring--- aha, so I'm not the only one experiencing these new medical problems, and I felt much less alone. In addition to all of this I have to add: the book is a terrific read!

This is a great book and answers a lot of those embarrassing questions you're even afraid to ask your doc. I highly recommend it if you're in or approaching this stage of life as I am.

The book has been helpful in many areas of my life at the present time and I will recommend it to others.

This is a good book for any woman over 50 or even pre-menapausal and I plan to share it with my daughters. It is easy to understand and written in laymans language. Much of the information I was already familiar with but there are lots of new approaches and ideas also. It is good to have a book that deals with senior problems too. I am 72 years young and found it helpful.

This book was very useful with many different topics. I find myself using it often and I will continue to read it for those specific topics that you need more information on.