Customer Reviews

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Circumcision

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is the most comprehensive and up-to-date source for information on the facts surrounding male infant circumcision. It explains in clear language the harm done to the circumcised individual and dispels the myths still surrounding this outdated ritual. Written by a Jewish doctor and a medical historian, it even serves to dispel the myth that circumcision is a covenant with God for the Jewish people. This book is a major step in the eventual outlawing of this barbaric torture performed in the USA on over a million of our newborns each year. This book should be required reading for every expectant parent, doctor, medical school student and health care professional.

Great book! Much information, but in a concise, easy-to-read and "user-friendly" format. There is no sensationalism either- no photos of circumcisions, horror stories or the like. Just plain facts on the how's and why's of circumcision. The authors are a pediatrician with 30 years experience, and a historian (Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford) with a special interest in 19th Century medicine. An excellent book for expecting parents, and those who just want to delve into the history of a practice which is often done without much forethought as to "why?". I would recommend it to anyone who is expecting a baby- even if they already have a boy.

From the first chapter, I was very impressed with the tone and scholarship of the book. The authors presented the facts clearly and without al lot of medical jargon or political agenda. I read the book in one sitting and was so impressed I reordered ten more copies for friends and family. I even gave one to my doctor who surprised me by promising to read it.

I have probably read every book on the subject of male infant circumcision. So, in Fleiss' and Hodges' book I was expecting a repeat of the usual information. I am delighted to say I was wrong; and, I learned a lot, too.

This book presents the truth about non-therapeutic circumcision in a straight forward and easy to read fashion. Whether you are a parent questioning circumcision, a survivor wanting to know more about your body, or a human rights activist needing a solid background of information, I highly recommend this book. It has become the first book I suggest people read on the subject. Dan Bollinger, Executive Director, International Coalition for Genital Integrity www.icgi.org

All children -- boys and girls alike -- deserve to keep their genitalia the way nature intended. I have the utmost respect and praise for Dr. Fleiss and this book. He clearly outlines the history and hysteria behind this unnecessary, painful surgery, and details the numerous reasons to leave your sons whole, intact, and uncircumcised. We've all heard the "myths" of why circumcision should be performed; now it is time to hear the truth of why it shouldn't. If you only read one book while pregnant, this should be it.

As the mother of an intact 3-year old, I am shocked and saddened that so far all his playmates were circed. When I dare to ask their moms why, they say things like, "So he'll look like his father. Because its hygenic. It looks better. So he won't have to go through it later."

These women clearly were not given the facts by their doctors. If only they had read this book. I don't see how anyone could allow their child to be circed after reading this comprehensive, referenced, and easy-to-read book.

If you are pregnant, you need to read this book. If you know someone who is pregnant, you need to give them a copy. If you are a medical professional, you need to read this yourself and recommend it to your pregnant patients. If you are an OB, you need to put copies of this book in your waiting room. If you are Oprah, you need to invite Dr. Fleiss on your show and possibly, in one hour, change the fate of millions of unborn baby boys.

Dr. Fleiss has done an incredible service in writing and publishing this book. We Americans need to stop circing our boys, and this book can help accelerate the turning of the tide.

This book provides solid data with plenty of sources about the dangers and misunderstanding surrounding circumcision. The author writes in a way that is poignant, yet easy to understand, and addresses common questions such as "Is there any good reason to circumcise?" "Does circumcision prevent AIDS?" and "Isn't circumcising healthier?"

It's amazing how uninformed and ignorant most doctors, nurses, et al are as far as dealing with a (GASP!) intact foreskin! This book should be required reading for any and ALL medical persons who deals with babies or children. You would not believe (well, maybe you would) how many ignorant docs out there think that foreskins on babies are supposed to be retracted (which can cause damage as the glans is FUSED there and it should be left alone)! I luckily saved my 3 day old son from the ignorance of a resident who with NO warning was trying to retract him! I told her that it should never be done, but who knows if she even paid attention. Doctors are NOT taught about the foreskin in med school and they should be. This book is a wealth of information, and shows how doctors are NOT infallible gods that never make mistakes. Even the author admits that he did many circumcisions on helpless infants before one day he realized what the heck he was doing and STOPPED DOING IT! More doctors have to wake up and smell the coffee...they are sexually mutilating baby boys for NO GOOD REASON (and some are being sued for it- see arclaw.org). The book by Dr Fleiss counters any (save religious arguments for it- another can of worms there, but good sites to look up are jewsagainstcircumcision, catholicsagainstcircumcision, etc) arguments that those who advocate circumcision can offer. His book goes through the history of this barbarism, what 'cures' it was supposed to address (like curing epilepsy?!?), multiple reasons why circumcision should be relegated to history, along with the rack, iron maiden chastity belts and stoning women for adultery, among other topics. This is a great reference book for anyone who wants to know why the heck circumcision came about in the USA.

If you like to live in an ignorant bubble and maintain a preconceived notion of the world, then this is not the book for you. This book completely removes the reader's blinders. The more information we have, the better decisions we can make. This book can be incredibly helpful in aiding parents to make the most educated choice possible about circumcision. I recommend this to any parent expecting a boy, and have given this book to friends who were expecting a boy. I also recommend this book to parents of intact boys, as it covers important information on proper care of the natural penis.

As a treatise on modern circumcision practice, this book is unmatched - and for a scientific work it's a very easy read indeed. Dr. Fleiss and his co-authors have a way with words, bringing the reader through the book with ease and making a very tough subject very entertaining. Yes, 'entertaining' might not seem an appropriate word for such a subject, but when the reading comes this easily - when the ideas and stories seem to rush out from the page, enlightening the reader seemingly effortlessly - then the reader is enjoying a show of wordcraft.