Factotum

Customer Reviews:

Chinaski Tests Bottom.......2007-10-01

In FACTOTUM, Charles Bukowski follows his alter-ego Hank Chinaski through a sequence of 19 menial jobs. For each, Buk shows how Hank gets, experiences, and then loses a job, while the core activity in his life is really boozing.

Take, by the way, this description of FACTOTUM. Then, replace the subject of menial jobs with the subject of strangely worshipful women. What you get is a decent description of WOMEN, Buk's hilarious novel about the mature and successful Chinaski. For this reader, Bukowski's ability to write in such parallel structures is almost eerie.

In FACTOTUM, Bukowski presents the young Chinaski, who is just beginning to define himself as a writer and to gain some recognition for his work. In contrast, Chinaski is an established poet in WOMEN and pursued, to his incredulous delight, by attractive but crazy women, who feed his verse. While WOMEN is hilarious, the humor--in my opinion--isn't really there in FACTOTUM. Instead, this novel is a story about sly but self-destructive integrity, with the young Chinaski willing to live a very marginal existence, since this is the life that makes sense to him. I don't think Bukowski is writing with a message. Even so, young Hank is "just saying no" to work until he achieves the work that he wants.

Once again, Bukowski uses a very clear and direct style in this novel. In fact, I don't remember a single striking metaphor or simile in FACTOTUM. In a way, his writing is the opposite of his poetry (I'm reading THE ROOMING HOUSE MADRIGALS), with Bukowski seldom, if ever, pulling a wry or melancholy or thoughtful subtext out a short poetic narrative. Instead, the style in FACTOTUM is straightforward while the voice is consistently that of an alienated boozer who has "realized everything is a hoax" (page 61).

FACTOTUM is amusing but not hilarious. It is also occasionally grim, especially when Bukowski lets Hank test bottom and, oh, say, soil himself. This is an easy read and a good novel but not for the squeamish.

Factotum.......2007-09-20

Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) was an underground writer of poems stories, and novels who has exerted a fascination over me for many years. He is best known for his portrayals of the shabby, dingy side of Los Angeles. His reputation has grown subsequently to his death. Many of his works originally were published by a small publishing house, Black Sparrow Press which specialized in unusual writers, A few years ago, Black Sparrow was purchased by a HarperCollins which continues to maintain Bukowski's works in print and to publish posthumous works.

Last year, an independently-produced film of "Factotum" was released starring Matt Dillion and Lili Taylor. The movie sparked substantial interest in Bukowski and in his novel. Earlier Bukowski movies include "Barfly" (1987) and the documentary "Bukowski: Born into This" (2004).

Bukowski's novels are autobiographical in character and feature an alter-ego named Henry Chianski. Factotum (1975)was Bukowski's second novel and was written when he was already on the path to success as a writer. He had left the life he described in the book behind almost three decades earlier. As a result, the book gains a great deal by a measure of artistic distance.

The word 'factotum" means "A person having many diverse activities or responsibilities" or "a general servant". These definitions, particularly the second, capture much of the spirit of the novel. Chianski is a young man, down and out, who has been rejected for the draft during WW II. In short, fast-moving chapters, the novel chronicles Chianski's search for work crossing back and forth throughout the United States.

The novel is gritty, raw and tough. Chianski is hardly a hero as he loses one dead-end job after another and throws away the few possible opportunities that come his way. Chianski is solitary and anti-social. He drinks heavily and plays the horses. He takes up with women and generally drops them as quickly as he meets them. He leads the life of a drifter, loner, and outsider.

Without prelude or introduction, the book opens as Chinanski arrives "in New Orleans in the rain at 5"o'clock in the morning" and is quickly accosted by "a high yellow sitting on the porch steps swinging her legs". He goes through a series of jobs and shabby hotels before embarking on a journey that takes him to Texas, Los Angeles, his hometown, New York City, Philadelphia, St Louis and, finally back to Los Angeles. At the end, we see Chinanski, frustrated and angry fantasizing over a dancer in a burlesque house.

Chinanski loses a litany of jobs, including working as a janitor, window washer, shipping clerk, baker's helper, assistant in a dog buscuit factory, and similar ventures. He either quits, or, more often, is fired for absenteeism, attitude, fighting, and drinking. He has affairs with a variety of women, the most prominent of whom in this book is Jan, with whom he has an on again off again relationship punctuated by alcohol, horseracing, fighting, and Jan's affairs with other men.

Chinanski is an aspiring writer, when he is not drinking or otherwise occupied, and the book includes a scene in which a short story is accepted for publication. Writing and reflection are used, as is so often the case, as a way to understand and distance oneself from a shabby, difficult life. There are many lively, funny scenes in Factotum. Chinanski does not ask for sympathy and gives none. The story is toughly and unapologetically told. The book gives the impression of an individual deeply down on himself and on others who sees himself as fighting and carrying on simply to live his life for what it is.

Bukowski is a vulgar, raw author who will not appeal to everyone. But I continue to be taken with him and with Factotum. The book exerts a pull that I can't shake off.

Robin Friedman

Bukowski is a genius.......2007-09-03

A classic book of the damned poet Bukowski. Not for people with a weak stomach or prudes. Chinaski (the alter-ego of Bukowski) hops from one job to another, one woman to another, and is steadily drunk.
Some exceedingly realistic moments of the narration make you think that Bukowski has really been in that situation, or that he has a supreme imagination.
Although a little repetitive at times, this book is a necessary read for people interested in the nature of the human soul.

Não é um dos melhores.......2007-08-17

Já li alguns títulos do autor tanto de prosa como poesia e de longe esse é um dos piores.

É um livro sobre o período entre o Ham on Rye e o Post Office (Misto quente e Cartas na Rua no Brasil). Basicamente fala do final de sua vida na casa dos seus pais, de parte da viagem que o autor fez pelos Estados Unidos e da vida que levou ao lado da sua primeira namorada, que o deixa no fim do livro.

Enquanto isso o que acontece é basicamente ele bebe ao lado da namorada alcoólatra (que na vida real morreu disso) e pula de emprego em emprego, obviamente mal remunerados, degradantes, etc...

Sem delongas, é um livro bastante chato e repetitivo. Como recentemente saiu um filme baseado no livro, como fã, resolvi ler antes de me aventurar no DVD.

Se vc nunca leu nada do autor, recomendo começar pelo Ham on Rye ou Mulheres, meus romances preferidos ou, se quiser um de contos, vá de Hot Water Music (Numa Fria no Brasil). Esses são geniais.

sweet entertaining read.......2007-07-06

Either you like the man or you don't. If you have ever read any of his books and you liked them then you will like this one too. If you are a christian you will probably not like this, not because it is not good but because he can be very vulgar at times. I love his work and I own everything I have been able to find. There are some very good dvd's about him too.

Average customer rating:

Quick Read worth it for the laughs
Factotum

Factotum tie-in
Charles Bukowski
Manufacturer: Ecco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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post office: A Novel
Ham on Rye: A Novel
Women: A Novel
Factotum
Hollywood

ASIN: 006113127X
Release Date: 2006-08-15

Book Description

One of Charles Bukowski's best, this beer-soaked, deliciously degenerate novel follows the wanderings of aspiring writer Henry Chinaski across World War II-era America. Deferred from military service, Chinaski travels from city to city, moving listlessly from one odd job to another, always needing money but never badly enough to keep a job. His day-to-day existence spirals into an endless litany of pathetic whores, sordid rooms, dreary embraces, and drunken brawls, as he makes his bitter, brilliant way from one drink to the next.

Charles Bukowski's posthumous legend continues to grow. Factotum is a masterfully vivid evocation of slow-paced, low-life urbanity and alcoholism, and an excellent introduction to the fictional world of Charles Bukowski.

Customer Reviews:

Quick Read worth it for the laughs.......2007-09-02

Bukowski's work here is effective for two reasons; the honesty and the hilarity of his voice. The bumming/drinking/gambling story wasn't new in 1975 and today even less so. But despite the eventually repetitive on-the-job and then losing-the-job musings, there is a open clarity and gasping laughter following Bukowski and his alter-ego's adventures, however small.

I think for all practical purposes, Factotum is a much more concise, effective and ultimately more entertaining work of prose than even Kerouac's "On the Road." The movie, on the other hand, is a little on the weak side.

Factotum comes in a little sparse and comes to drag in the final third, but its such a quick read, you hardly notice. The "inhuman fury" of a prostitute, wondrous pleasures of using the bathroom and quiet solitude of simply walking off the job every day are all here for you to discover. I say read it.

Factotum.......2006-08-24

Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) was an underground writer of poems stories, and novels who has exerted a fascination over me for many years. He is best known for his portrayals of the shabby, dingy side of Los Angeles. His reputation has grown subsequently to his death. Many of his works originally were published by a small publishing house, Black Sparrow Press which specialized in unusual writers, A few years ago, Black Sparrow was purchased by a HarperCollins which continues to maintain Bukowski's works in print and to publish posthumous works.

This reprint of "Factotum" was released by HarperCollins this month to capitalize on the movie version of Factotum. I read it eagerly in anticipation of seeing the movie, which premiered at independent film festivals before its commercial release. Earlier Bukowski movies include "Barfly" (1987) and the documentary "Bukowski: Born into This" (2004).

Factotum (1975)is Bukowski's second novel, and its main character is Bukowski's alter ego, named Henry Chianski. The word 'factotum" means "A person having many diverse activities or responsibilities" or "a general servant". These definitions, particularly the second, capture much of the spirit of the novel. Chianski is a young man, down and out, who has been rejected for the draft during WW II. In short, fast-moving chapters, the novel chronicles Chianski's search for work crossing back and forth throughout the United States.

The novel is gritty, raw and tough. Chianski is hardly a hero as he loses one dead-end job after another and throws away the few possible opportunities that come his way. Chianski is solitary and anti-social. He drinks heavily and plays the horses. He takes up with women and generally drops them as quickly as he meets them. He leads the life of a drifter, loner, and outsider.

Without prelude or introduction, the book opens as Chinanski arrives "in New Orleans in the rain at 5"o'clock in the morning" and is quickly accosted by "a high yellow sitting on the porch steps swinging her legs". He goes through a series of jobs and shabby hotels before embarking on a journey that takes him to Texas, Los Angeles, his hometown, New York City, Philadelphia, St Louis and, finally back to Los Angeles. At the end, we see Chinanski, frustrated and angry fantasizing over a dancer in a burlesque house.

Chinanski loses a litany of jobs, including working as a janitor, window washer, shipping clerk, baker's helper, assistant in a dog buscuit factory, and similar ventures. He either quits, or, more often, is fired for absenteeism, attitude, fighting, and drinking. He has affairs with a variety of women, the most prominent of whom in this book is Jan, with whom he has an on again off again relationship punctuated by alcohol, horseracing, fighting, and Jan's affairs with other men.

Chinanski is an aspiring writer, when he is not drinking or otherwise occupied, and the book includes a scene in which a short story is accepted for publication. Writing and reflection are used, as is so often the case, as a way to understand and distance oneself from a shabby, difficult life. There are many lively, funny scenes in Factotum. Chinanski does not ask for sympathy and gives none. The story is toughly and unapologetically told. The book gives the impression of an individual deeply down on himself and on others who sees himself as fighting and carrying on simply to live his life for what it is.

Bukowski is a vulgar, raw author who will not appeal to everyone. But I continue to be taken with him and with Factotum. The book exerts a pull that I can't shake off.

Robin Friedman

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Factotum
Charles Bukowski
Manufacturer: Allison & Busby
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 085031982X

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Factotum
Charles Bukowski
Manufacturer: NP
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NWAJNI

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Factotum A Novel
Charles Bukowski
Manufacturer: Black Sparrow Press, Santa Rosa
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JD0GKM

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Factotum Issue 2
Butman,hardison, Jr. Knowles and Henderson (editors) Honig
Manufacturer: Chapel Hill Historical Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000R7Z2SG

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Factotum-A Novel

Manufacturer: Black Sparrow Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HZ495U

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Factotum. Issue Two (November, 1948).
Harvey, et al., eds. Honig
Manufacturer: Chapel Hill:
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JPTUTI

Isaac Reed: Editorial Factotum (E L S Monograph Series)

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Isaac Reed: Editorial Factotum (E L S Monograph Series)
Arthur Sherbo
Manufacturer: Univ of Victoria Dept of English
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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$Melchior Grimm: L\'homme de lettres, le factotum, le diplomate. Avec un appendice sur la correspondance secrète de Metra$
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Melchior Grimm: L\'homme de lettres, le factotum, le diplomate. Avec un appendice sur la correspondance secrète de Metra
Edmond Scherer
Manufacturer: Adamant Media Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0543994465
Release Date: 2002-05-29

Book Description

This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 1887 edition by Calmann Lévy, Paris.

Book Description

They have kept the heart of her child...

They have accused her of murder...

Angels of mercy...or the devil in disguise?

Who owns your body, anyway?

Lynn Hightower's novels have tackled such diverse subjects as female serial killers and lethal debt collectors. Now, in her most explosive and controversial thriller to date, she exposes the hidden secrets of hospital pathology labs, the darkest mysteries of motherhood, and the most unthinkable crime of all.

Private investigator Lena Padgett has been approached by a single mother with a stunning tale to tell. Emma Marsden, still grieving over the death of her infant son from an inexplicable illness, has been dealt another devastating blow. Her pediatrician, Theodore Tundridge, has accused Emma of poisoning her son in a psychotic bid for attention. Emma wants to counter his charges by accusing Tundridge of keeping a shocking chamber of horrors in his pathology lab -- all the more frightening because it is entirely legal. Lena agrees to take on Emma's case and uncovers other suspicious deaths under the doctor's care. But when a secretly taped video incriminates Emma in the most intimate of ways -- and Emma's teenage daughter disappears -- even Lena isn't prepared for where the truth will take her.

Download Description

"They have kept the heart of her child... They have accused her of murder... Angels of mercy...or the devil in disguise? Who owns your body, anyway? Lynn Hightower's novels have tackled such diverse subjects as female serial killers and lethal debt collectors. Now, in her most explosive and controversial thriller to date, she exposes the hidden secrets of hospital pathology labs, the darkest mysteries of motherhood, and the most unthinkable crime of all. Private investigator Lena Padgett has been approached by a single mother with a stunning tale to tell. Emma Marsden, still grieving over the death of her infant son from an inexplicable illness, has been dealt another devastating blow. Her pediatrician, Theodore Tundridge, has accused Emma of poisoning her son in a psychotic bid for attention. Emma wants to counter his charges by accusing Tundridge of keeping a shocking chamber of horrors in his pathology lab -- all the more frightening because it is entirely legal. Lena agrees to take on Emma's case and uncovers other suspicious deaths under the doctor's care. But when a secretly taped video incriminates Emma in the most intimate of ways -- and Emma's teenage daughter disappears -- even Lena isn't prepared for where the truth will take her. "

Customer Reviews:

Originally Posted on Romance Junkies in 2005.......2007-05-14

I started reading Lynn Hightower's books only last year, and each and every one is an absolute gem. For fans of suspense thrillers, Ms. Hightower is definitely an author that should go on your auto-buy list, as her series starring private investigator Lena Padget only gets better and better as time goes on.

In WHEN SECRETS DIE, Lena is faced with a case that truly has her baffled. Emma Marsden is still grieving over her young son's death from what she believes to be some type of rare liver disease. Trying to piece her life back together for both her sake and her fifteen-year-old daughter, Blaine, Emma attempts to deal with infant Ned's death as best she can. Her temporary reprieve is shattered, however, when her son's pediatrician, Dr. Theodore Tundridge, accuses Emma of killing her son herself-of secretly poisoning him in a crazy bid for attention as a sufferer of Munchausen by Proxy.

Still reeling from her son's death, Emma must now deal with the charges brought against her. Blaine, Ned's half-sister, may now be taken away from her mother due to the investigation by the Department of Children and Family services. With nowhere else to turn, Emma enlists the help of P.I. Lena Padget to disprove the allegations against her.

Lena finds other suspicious deaths that have happened under Dr. Tundridge's care, most specifically two SIDS deaths of children of one of his employees, Amaryllis Burton. Then there's more incriminating evidence against the pediatrician-the doctor has sold, for millions of dollars, an unusual, patented genetic material that was found in Ned Marsden's blood. When it looks like the doctor himself might possibly be behind Ned's death, Lena discovers a video-tape that shows, almost without a doubt, that maybe Emma Marsden isn't the innocent, grieving woman she appears to be.

But then Blaine goes missing, and no one knows what to do. Is the doctor behind her disappearance, a man who wants nothing more than to get his hands on more genetic material? Is Emma Marsden really suffering from the horrible and unexplainable Munchausen by Proxy? What really happened to Amaryllis Burton's children? And most importantly, can Lena get to the bottom of the mystery before any more innocent children die?
WHEN SECRETS DIE is Lynn Hightower at her best. Although Lena Padget isn't the main character of this book in the series, I was thoroughly immersed in the story from start to finish. I've always been interested in the machinations of Munchausen by Proxy, wondering exactly what must be missing in a person's brain chemistry to make them harm their own children for attention. WHEN SECRETS DIE explores not only this dreadful disease, but the fact that power, in the wrong hands, can be a deadly weapon.

I can't wait for the next book in the series, and can only hope that Ms. Hightower delves into another interesting subject!

Confused about Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.......2006-07-13

The story was compelling enough, though many of the characters are deeply unlikable, but the term Munchausen syndrome by proxy is used incorrectly. It is not a "psychosis," nor does the main villain "have" it. She is psychotic and a serial killer to be sure, but not a Munchausen syndrome by proxy perpetrator. If the author was going to wade into the waters of MSBP, she did have a responsibility to get thoroughly educated about it.

Informative and Pleasing........2006-03-29

I can say the book was an overall success but I can say that I knew where I was when reading the book except in the first two chapters. The dialogue is easy to sort through and the characters at times are complex but worth it. The story started to lag around the middle but quickly picked up paced. One disappointing thing about this book is that by the last 3 chapters you already figured out most of the plot. It's a fun read and worth the time reading.

Great Book, Great Series.......2005-12-16

Heartsick over the loss of her toddler son, Emma Marsden faces another devastating challenge. She's been accused by pediatrician Theodore Tundridge of poisoning her son. Now the department of children's services is involved, accusing Emma of Munchausen by proxy and seeking to take her teenage daughter, Blaine, away from her. But Emma has a counter-complaint against Dr. Tundridge: he's keeping body parts in the basement of his clinic. Although private investigator Lena Padget is broke, she agrees to take Emma's case in exchange for her BMW Roadster. Lena's investigation leads her into the mountains of East Tennessee and on a desperate search to find Emma's teenage daughter, who has been kidnapped.

This is one of those books you do not want to put down. Entertaining, informative, and packed with suspense. In-depth characterization, realistic dialogue, and a galvanizing plot. It is my opinion that the Lena Padget series is perhaps the best series being written today. This PI is down-to-earth, gutsy, and a woman with a compassionate soul. Great series, great book.

strong medical thriller .......2005-09-28

After caring for her son during a traumatic illness that eventually killed him, Emma Marsden is finally coming to terms with her grief. Her world is shattered once again when a call from the Clay's Mill children's clinic that was treating her son informed her that they had some of his organs that they kept for research purposes. When she goes to collect them, the person who called her is under orders not to give them to her. She takes them anyway.

Soon after that incident, Dr. Theodore Turnbridge, her son's doctor, accuses Emma of poisoning her son because she has Munchausen by Proxy. She is in danger of children's protective services taking her fifteen year old daughter away from her and there is the real possibility she might go to jail. She hires private detective Lena Padgett to disprove the charges. Lena, who has an intenseapport with her client, takes the case but it isn't until Emma's daughter is kidnapped does Lena, the police and the medical people have a clue who is behind Emma's legal troubles.

Lynn Hightower is one of the best thriller writers of the new millennium and will appeal to fans of Patricia Cornwell and Nancy Taylor Rosenberg. Readers learn about the power of the medical profession and how in the wrong hands it can ruin the lives of innocent people. Emma is a sympathetic character and readers will empathize with all the problems she has to bear through no fault of her own. Lena plays more of a secondary role then in previous novels in the series but the audience won't feel cheated because she is still a key player in a tense drama.

Harriet Klausner

When shadows die: "Her mother's secret", third series (New Southworth library)

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When shadows die: "Her mother's secret", third series (New Southworth library)
Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth
Manufacturer: Street & Smith
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Ingulf the Mad (Dark Border, Vol. 4)
Average customer rating:

P.C Hodgell and David Gemmell fans read this book.

Ingulf the Mad (Dark Border, Vol. 4)
Paul Edwin Zimmer
Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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A Gathering of Heroes (Dark Border, Vol. 3)

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ASIN: 0441370942

Customer Reviews:

P.C Hodgell and David Gemmell fans read this book........1998-08-23

This book details the reason for Ingulf's madness and the origins of Carroll Mac Lir. We find out a considerable amount about the structure of society in the dreaded land of Sarlow be warned some of it is quite stomach turning. Making cameo apparences are Svaran the Black, Grom Beardless and Vildren as well as a certain traitor. This book is diffrent in tempo from Paul Zimmer's other books. Due in part to the Focus on Ingulf's angst over his unrequited love for an elven princess and Vildren questioning of his long held belief systems. But have no fear there is still plenty of swashbuckling action and heroism to sate the hungriest conniseur. Interestingly we are introduced to the "Council of Seven" the ruling body that orchestrates the defence against the shadow and maintains the mystic barriers that confine them. What I found enjoyable about this book was the more indepth character study of the key protagonists.And we find out just why Carroll Mac Lir is accounted as the greatest of the heroes of Y'gora. I've been reading Paul Zimmer books for almost 16 years because they still carry a resonance that removes you from this mundane world, a sense of wonder that carries the reader to a continent perpetually at war and to a land far across the sea where heroes still walk and strive against evil.

The Pain-Free Back: 6 Simple Steps to End Pain and Reclaim Your Active Life
Average customer rating:

Not worth your time or money

Good

Thorough, holistic approach

Recommend to men and women with back pain

Bye Bye Back Pain

The Pain-Free Back: 6 Simple Steps to End Pain and Reclaim Your Active Life
Harris H. McIlwain , and Debra Fulghum Bruce
Manufacturer: Holt Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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No More Aching Back: Dr. Root's New Fifteen-Minute-A-Day Program for a Healthy Back

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Treat Your Back Without Surgery: The Best Nonsurgical Alternatives for Eliminating Back and Neck Pain, Fully Updated Second Edition

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RESPeRATE Blood Pressure Lowering Device

Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Original Orange, 10 Tablets (Pack of 3)

ASIN: 0805073264

Book Description

Four out of five adult Americans experience back pain at some point in their lives-it's the nation's third most common reason for surgery, the number-one occupational hazard, and the most prevalent cause of disability in men and women under age forty-five. Whether it results from injury, osteoporosis, or an unusually intense weekend golf game, back pain is a common cause of serious discomfort or even debilitation. Dr. Harris H. McIlwain has devoted his career to bringing relief to sufferers of back pain and arthritis; in The Pain-Free Back, he reveals his six-step program for achieving and maintaining a healthy back. Nearly all of this pain can be controlled without surgery, and McIlwain addresses every aspect of this process, including - exercises to strengthen your back - lifestyle changes that reduce the stress on your back - touch therapies for soothing various types of back pain - tips for maintaining a healthy weight on a back-friendly diet - complementary and alternative medicines that will ease your pain naturally This comprehensive guide diagnoses and explains back pain; more important, it shows you how to eliminate it without expensive medical procedures. Anyone who experiences back pain will find this an indispensable aid to recovering a full and active life.

Customer Reviews:

Not worth your time or money.......2007-01-12

I kept reading hoping to find something of importance but zip. The weightloss solutions are to find a fad diet out there that you like. The exercises are nothing new. Save your money and go take a yoga class.

Good.......2006-09-05

I have enjoyed the book. It is very informative. Will continue to use and enjoy it.

Thorough, holistic approach.......2004-05-22

"The Pain-Free Back" is a comprehensive examination of back pain and what you can do about it. The authors discuss various symptoms and when you should be concerned that it might be something serious. This includes answering the very important question "When do you try to treat it yourself and when do you call a doctor?"

After this groundwork is laid and you and your doctor have determined that your back pain is nothing serious, the authors delve into a detailed program for alleviating your pain. The first part details an exercise program and how exercise helps resolve back problems. The appendix includes detailed stretching and other exercises. Of course exercise is only part of the treatment plan, it also requires a healthy eating program. Because excess weight can contribute to back pain losing weight and correcting unhealthy eating habits is part of a total approach. This section also includes various dietary changes that keep bones strong, connective tissues healthy, and other health issues that can affect back pain in check.

In the interest of being thorough it also includes complementary and alternative medicine techniques that may help. These include herbals, balms, back to basics of sitting, lifting, lying, and other normal activities, music therapy, biofeedback, massage, Rolfing, Pilates, chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture, and even surgery.

Of course all this advice is not of much help if you don't provide the details of how to get there. So, the appendixes contain many recipes, exercises, references, and supporting information. If you have a back pain problem "The Pain-Free Back" is a recommended read and an excellent resource to become informed about your treatment options.

Recommend to men and women with back pain.......2004-05-18

I read this book to get ideas on how to stop back pain. While I'm not a proponent of natural or complementary therapies, these doctors convinced me that taking control of my lifestyle habits was the only way to end the pain. I even went as far as to start taking the natural dietary supplements glucosamine and SAM-e (recommended in the book). Other anti-inflammatory medications had caused a horrible stomach condition, and the natural supplements ease the pain and have allowed me to be more active and start walking again with my wife and kids. The review of causes of back pain was most helpful, and I began to question whether my primary care doctor had really diagnosed my pain correctly. A consultation with a rheumatologist confirmed that I had a form of arthritis common to men instead of pulled muscles. This book urged me to seek answers and reclaim an active life. Thank you. I must add that this book is not hype or sham. I'm cautious of books such as that. This book is highly credible by two renowned doctors and experts in their respective fields. I'm now getting the Pain-Free Arthritis book they wrote for more information on my back condition. Good luck.

Bye Bye Back Pain.......2004-05-18

A most enjoyable and helpful read. I have osteoarthritis in my spine and it's one part of aging that is definitely not fun. I thought I would have to live with it--forever--until my rheumatologist recommended this book. I scanned through the book and found that the step-by-step multifaceted program focused on my lifestyle habits. From exercise to diet to stress management, the authors explain how these habits influence back pain--either decreasing or worsening it. I found the step on computers and back pain most helpful, as I am a newspaper editor and get horrific pain after a long day of work. The suggestions on how to sit, lift, stand, and work at a computer were insightful. I recommend this book to men and women who suffer with back pain and--no, it's not in your head. There are hands-on tools you can use today to end it. I did!

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