Brawley, Otis Webb, M.D., with Paul Goldberg. How We Do Harm: A Doctor Breaks Ranks About Being Sick in America. St. Martin’s. 2012. c.320p. ISBN 9780312672973. $25.99. MED
Brawley’s (medicine, Emory Univ.; chief medical officer, America Cancer Society) dual perspective as both a rigorous scientist and a 
compassionate practicing physician illuminates this powerful account of the best and worst aspects of this country’s medical care. He illustrates these issues with stories of actual patients he has treated throughout his career at distinguished hospitals, including Atlanta’s Grady Hospital and the National Cancer Institute. He describes tragedies caused by overtreatment administered by financially self-interested doctors, the dangerous side effects of questionable (though heavily advertised) drugs, and the misguided wishes of relatives who insist that everything be done‚ even painful, invasive treatments and tests‚ for dying patients with no viable options left. Interspersed with these stories are tributes to the teachers and mentors who shaped Brawley’s admirable vision. VERDICT Brawley challenges readers with his calls for strict scientific standards for medical treatments and a national commitment to caring and effective medical care for all our citizens. Thoughtfully argued and compellingly readable, this book will reward both general readers and health-care professionals interested in health policy.‚ Kathy Arsenault, St. Petersburg, FL
Nattrass, Nicoli. The AIDS Conspiracy: Science Fights Back. Columbia Univ. Mar. 2012. c.256p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780231149129. $34.50. MED
Nattrass (economics, Univ. of Cape Town) here exposes the antiscience consequences of AIDS denialism and AIDS conspiracy theories. By claiming that HIV doesn’t cause AIDS, denialists undermine HIV prevention work and cause more infections among adherents by influencing them not to take precautions against HIV. Thousands died in South Africa when President Thabo Mbeki advised citizens not to take anti retroviral drugs. Nattrass describes the strong social components of AIDS denialism, which typically centers on four players: the hero scientist (e.g., denialist Peter Duesberg), the cultropreneur (e.g., those who exploit HIV patients by condemning antiretroviral medicine and selling herbal remedies instead), the living icon (HIV-positive people who offer themselves as proof that HIV doesn’t cause AIDS), and the praise singer, such as those who produce films praising the denialism. VERDICT Focusing mostly on the United States and South Africa, this book is readable and compelling though written in a scholarly style. A remarkably well-argued case against unscientific approaches to AIDS and a brilliant defense of evidence-based medicine. A must-read for all who study AIDS history.‚ Jeffrey Beall, Univ. of Colorado at Denver Lib.
Seaman, Barbara with Laura Eldridge. Voices of the Women’s Health Movement. Vol. 1. 448p. ISBN 9781609804442. $21.95.
Seaman, Barbara with Laura Eldridge. Voices of the Women’s Health Movement. Vol. 2. 384p. ISBN 9781609804466. $19.95. ea. vol: Seven Stories. 2012.photogs. index. pap. MED
Seaman (1935‚ 2008), a pioneer in women’s health advocacy and an accomplished science writer, and Eldridge (coauthors, The 
No-Nonsense Guide to Menopause) have gathered over 200 articles documenting the history of the women’s health movement. The contributors include both historical (e.g., Sojourner Truth, Fanny Burney) and contemporary authors who represent a wide variety of disciplines. Phyllis Chesler, Gloria Steinem, Angela Davis, and the National Women’s Health Network are featured. The many entries discuss medical, sociological, psychological, and political issues related to women’s health. Classic essays such as Betty Dodson’s Bridal Shower from her 2002 book Orgasms for Two: The Joy of Partnersex and Gloria Steinem’s 1978 article from Ms. Magazine If Men Could Menstruate appear along with discussions of parenthood, domestic violence, and harmful drugs. VERDICT A valuable work for anyone interested in the women’s health movement and an essential resource for all collections.‚ Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L.
Bejan, Adrian & J. Peder Zane. Design in Nature: How the Constructal Law Governs Evolution in Biology, Physics, Technology, and Social Organization. Doubleday. 2012. c.304p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780385534611. $27.95. SCI
Bejan (J.A. Jones Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Duke Univ.), with the editorial assistance of Zane (journalism, St. Augustine’s Coll., Raleigh), has written a book that should be in every academic library. In 1995, Bejan first outlined the concept of constructal law, a theory of organization that studies the thermodynamics, shape, structure, and patterns of flow systems. This emergent body of knowledge has quickly developed into a new extension of physics, with applications in fields including evolution, predictability, engineering, biology, and intelligent design. Constructal first principles are a new way of investigating the world to better predict patterns and structures in systems small (e.g., the flow of water, blood, and electricity) and large (e.g., river patterns, social organizations). VERDICT Bejan’s writing is brilliant. He effectively illustrates complex ideas for a general audience, provides real-world examples, and includes scholarly notes and references. A landmark publication.‚ Ian D. Gordon, Brock Univ. Lib., St. Catharines, Ont.
Surgeon Memoirs
Cooley, Denton A., M.D. 100,000 Hearts: A Surgeon’s Memoir. Univ. of Texas. 2012. c.300p. illus. index. ISBN 9780976669777. $29.95. HEALTH
In this well-written and engrossing memoir, legendary heart surgeon Cooley (founder and surgeon in-chief, Texas Heart Inst.; surgery, 
Univ. of Texas, Houston) describes his pioneering surgical procedures as well as his early life, education, and family history. Though he once dreamed of being a dentist like his dad, he ultimately became one of the nation’s top heart surgeons. Struggling with doubts and insecurity every step of the way, Cooley nevertheless spent his career successfully performing groundbreaking operations. He was one of the first surgeons to perform a heart transplant and the very first to implant an artificial heart in a patient. VERDICT Anyone interested in the medical profession, surgery, or the history of medicine‚ lay readers and medical professionals alike‚ will want to read this story of one of the world’s leading cardiac surgeons, whose pioneering spirit made possible many of the surgical heart procedures developed in the 20th century. ‚ Dana Ladd, Virginia Commonwealth Univ. Libs., Richmond
Ruggieri, Paul A., M.D. Confessions of a Surgeon: The Good, the Bad, and the Complicated…Life Behind the O.R. Doors. Berkley: Penguin Group (USA). 2012. c.272p. bibliog. ISBN 9780425245156. pap. $15. HEALTH
Ruggieri ( The Surgery Handbook: A Guide To Understanding Your Operation ), a general surgeon in private practice, here gives readers an honest and open look into the surgical profession. He reflects on topics such as the rigors of training, excessive work hours and fatigue, medical errors, malpractice and the fear of being sued, dealing with the guilt of patient death, and medical ethics. Interspersed throughout the book are stories about real patients, which illustrate his points. VERDICT Though interesting and well written for the most part, the book is a little disjointed chronologically. Additionally, Ruggieri’s concluding chapters are presented in the format of an interview, forcing readers to transition from narrative to transcript and creating a rhetorical shift that detracts from the overall flow of the book. Still, those interested in the hard work of medicine and especially surgery may find this a worthwhile read. ‚ Dana Ladd, Virginia Commonwealth Univ. Libs., Richmond
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The following titles are reviewed in the February 15 print issue. Visit our Reviews Center (Beta) for the full reviews.
Agriculture
Adelman, Charlotte & Bernard L. Schwartz. The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants; An Illustrated Guide. Ohio Univ. 2011. c.272p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780821419373. pap. $26.95. GARDENING
Health & Medicine
Agus, David B., M.D. The End of Illness. Free Pr: S. & S. 2012. c.352p. illus. ISBN 9781451610178. $26. MED
Davis, Robert J. Coffee Is Good for You: From Vitamin C and Organic Foods to Low-Carb and Detox Diets, the Truth about Diet and Nutrition Claims. Perigee: Berkley. 2012. c.240p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780399537257. pap. $15. HEALTH
Hoyt, Kendall. Long Shot: Vaccines for National Defense. Harvard Univ. Feb. 2012. c.264p. index. ISBN 9780674061583. $29.95. MED
Home Economics
Levenstein, Harvey. Fear of Food: A History of Why We Worry About What We Eat. Univ. of Chicago. Mar. 2012. c.232p. illus. index. ISBN 9780226473741. $25. COOKING
Sciences
Cerulli, Tovar. The Mindful Carnivore: A Vegetarian’s Hunt for Sustenance. Pegasus. Feb. 2012. c.320p. ISBN 9781605982779. $26.95. SCI
Feduccia, Alan. Riddle of the Feathered Dragons: Hidden Birds of China. Yale Univ. 2012. 368p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780300164350. $55. SCI
Hubbard, Scott. Exploring Mars: Chronicles from a Decade of Discovery. Univ. of Arizona. Feb. 2012. c.224p. photogs. index. ISBN 9780816521111. $45; pap. ISBN 9780816528967. $17.95. SCI
Petroski, Henry. To Forgive Design: Understanding Failure. Belknap: Harvard Univ. Mar. 2012. c.408p. photogs. index. ISBN 9780674065840. $27.95. SCI
Rosenhouse, Jason & Laura Taalman. Taking Sudoku Seriously: The Math Behind the World’s Most Popular Pencil Puzzle. Oxford Univ. Feb. 2012. c.226p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780199756568. $21.95. MATH
Sasselov, Dimitar. The Life of Super-Earths: How the Hunt for Alien Worlds and Artificial Cells Will Revolutionize Life on Our Planet. Basic Bks: Perseus. 2012. c.240p. illus. index. ISBN 9780465021932. $25.99. SCI
Scardina, Julie & Jeff Flocken. Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals They Are Committed to Saving. Running Pr. Mar. 2012. c.264p. illus. ISBN 9780762443192. pap. $20. SCI
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