What a fun pregnancy book! I had reviewed the Mayo Clinic book and stated that it was the only prenatal book one would need in preparation for baby. Well, that might be the case for all of the important, basic information needed during pregnancy, but I have to qualify that previous review because, after skimming sections of this Chocolate Lovers book (I just received it today), I find that it's a great addition for those of us who are fascinated by the science of pregnancy and the strange things the body does. It's a light, fast read, especially considering the good amount of references to scientific studies, and surprisingly enjoyable because the topics covered are interesting and sometimes odd-ball. I'm not one for pop-science as a rule, and I can't stand cutesy pregnancy books like the "Girlfriend's Guide" kind of stuff (bleh), but I needed something a bit more unusual and off-beat than the overly straightforward May Clinic book to keep me entertained and engaged during this pregnancy. Plus, for those of us who want a list of works cited....it's here! Yes! My one complaint about the Mayo Clinic book was that there isn't a bibliography or "further reading" section for those of us who understand that the sciences include "gray areas" as "facts" become out-dated, debatable, or whatever. Jena Pincott gives various studies, all presented as objectively as anything really can be presented without it sounding absolutist, and she does so with a nice, flowing, engaging, readable style. As someone who teaches rhetoric and literary analysis, style and presentation are as important to me as the information given in a text; Pincott is just scholarly enough without being pedantic, and she includes personal anecdotes and some literary styling that is much more engaging than the typical fare. And after reading Baby 411, which has a terribly condescending and judgmental tone, I appreciated that Pincott respects her readers enough to assume we have brains in our heads: she speaks to the reader and not at the reader, as though she's sharing some really fascinating, strange information she's learned while asking her own crazy questions about why and what her body is doing during her pregnancy, just in case we might find it fascinating, too. Very nice. : )
Things to keep in mind:
- This really is a pop-science book with some educational value mixed with a heavy dose of entertainment value.
- This is not a guidebook: it is not meant to offer specific advice about doing one thing or another during pregnancy and/or child-rearing, but there is a nice, concise "Lessons from the Lab: A Summary of Practical Tips" section just before the list of source material that could be useful for some. It's mostly common sense, but sometimes we need reminders of that common sense stuff, right? I know I do! Like everything else in this book, I appreciate how Pincott presents these lessons.
- This includes bits and pieces of personal experience, so if you're not into the use of personal-story-as-frame-narrative before scientific studies are referenced, you might find it off-putting and too subjective for what you're looking for. As a reader, I found this technique engaging and effective in holding my interest.
- Along with personal anecdotes, Pincott references pop culture every now and then. I didn't find it annoying, pandering, or excessive at all.
I look forward to reading this in more depth and highly recommend it!
| ASIN | 1439183341 |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Free Press; Original edition (October 11, 2011) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 288 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 9781439183342 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1439183342 |
| Item Weight | 10.4 ounces |
| Dimensions | 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.44 inches |
