Mom's Marijuana: Insights About Living (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "MY PARENTS always kept a small plot of land in the backyard as a garden..." (more)
Key Phrases: moms marijuana, coach douglas, bone marrow transplant unit, Shands Hospital, New England, Dictated Chart Note (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

With some touting marijuana as a palliative to chemotherapy's side effects, which the author smoked as he combated Hodgkin's disease, one might expect Shapiro to explore the controversies surrounding the issue of grass-as-medicine. Besides briefly relating how his mother cultivated hemp in the backyard, he never allows the subject to impinge on his potpourri of cancer survival memories. Diagnosed at age 20 with a tumor, Shapiro details the biopsies, I.V. drips, radiation sessions, and blood draws alongside his characterization of the doctors, technicians, and nurses who managed his care. Interleaved with this commentary about the antiseptic quality of modern hospitalization are Shapiro's deeply drawn recollections of growing up and pursuing a career in psychology. Regrettably this volume lacks a thematic linkage to Shapiro's myriad memories of dreams, his walk along the precipice of death, and his amour. Nevertheless, the book's origin as NPR pieces and the author's lectures to oncology organizations will most likely generate interest. Gilbert Taylor
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Review

"Mom's Marijuana is so full of verve and pluck, even the Grim Reaper would have to laugh."        
--Carol Orsborn, author of The Art of Resilience

"An engaging, thoughtful, and funny account from a first-rate writer."        
-- Andrew Weil, M.D.

"Intensely moving, insightful, and often humorous . . . required reading!"
-- Gerald P. Koocher, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School -- Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harmony (October 24, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609605690
• ISBN-13: 978-0609605691
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,650,950 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book!, November 28, 2000

By	Paul Croteau "Patriot" (San Antonio, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you know someone that is or has suffered through cancer treatment, you owe it to yourself to read this well-written first-hand autobographical portrayal of Dan's personal story. Even if you don't know someone that has gone through the experience, this book is a must read.

At times I laughed out loud at Dan's Woody Allen-like wit, other times I found myself in a dazed stupor wondering how anyone could go through what he went through. His characterizations are heart-warming, his attention to detail is splendid, I am amazed at how vividly he was able to tell his story.

Mom's Marijuana is a fast read with many short chapters (similar to the many Chicken Soup books). However, all of these short chapters weave an intricate trail in chronological order (for the most part) from Dan's breif discussions of his youth through the finer details of cancer treatment.

This book educated and inspired me. It also raised my understanding of a terrible disease to new heights. Do yourself a favor, stop reading this review and just buy the darned book. You will not regret it. You da money man, Dan.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it or you'll miss out on this jewel., December 5, 2002

By	MMMallory (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mom's Marijuana: Life, Love, and Beating the Odds (Paperback)

I picked this book up in the biography section of my library.
I was about to have my knee operated on and wondered if I could find a good book to read during the days in bed not moving. Well, I was moved by this book.
It is one of the best books I have ever read.
You almost feel like you know Dan through his setbacks and triumphs.
You'll laugh. You'll cry. You will fall in love with this wonderful book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Death Be Not Proud" on Pot, September 5, 2001

By A Customer

A book in which a guy narrates the various stages of his harrowing medical ordeal shouldn't be this entertaining. I started reading and found I didn't want to stop. It's warm, amusing, wise, playful and filled with laugh out loud moments -- without a trace of bathos or self pity. This is not a book I would have chosen on my own. I received it as a gift. Now that I have read it, I would recommend it highly to anyone.