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WHEN THIS DOCTOR TALKS, YOU SHOULD LISTEN.
Thousands of people make an early exit each year and arrive on medical examiner Jan Garavaglia’s table. What is particularly sad about this is that many of these deaths could easily have been prevented. Although Dr. Garavaglia, or Dr. G, as she’s known to many, could not tell these individuals how to avoid their fates, we can benefit from her experience and profound insight into the choices we make each day.
In How Not to Die, Dr. G acts as a medical detective to identify the often-unintentional ways we harm our bodies, then shows us how to use that information to live better and smarter. She provides startling tips on how to make wise choices so that we don’t have to see her, or someone like her, for a good, long time.
• In “Highway to the Morgue,” we learn the one commonsense safety tip that can prevent deadly accidents—and the reason you should never drive with the windows half open
• “Code Blue” teaches us how to increase our chances of leaving the hospital alive—and how to insist that everyone caring for you practice the easiest hygiene method around
• “Everyday Dangers” informs us why neat freaks live longer—and the best ways to stay safe in a car during a lightning storm
Using anecdotes from her cases and a liberal dose of humor, Dr. G gives us her prescription for living a healthier, better, longer life—and unlike many doctors’ orders, this one is surprisingly easy to follow.
Mix consumer health information with reality television, and add a pinch of ickiness. The result is this surprisingly entertaining-albeit sometimes extremely graphic-informational work by Garavaglia, the star of the Discovery Health Channel's Dr. G: Medical Examiner. Garavaglia uses cases from her work to illustrate the results of dangerous or unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, drug use, unsafe driving practices, failure to see a doctor regularly, and not checking prescriptions. Invited to look over her shoulder, readers learn how to prevent ending up in her office too soon (e.g., avoid being overweight or too thin and don't drive with your window half down). Her advice is recapped in the appropriately titled epilog, "Lessons in How Not To Die." Because of the more graphic medical imagery, this is recommended for public libraries with consumer health collections as well as high school libraries open to scaring students into healthy behaviors. [See Prepub Alert, LJ6/15/08.]
—Rachel M. Minkin
bookmaven63
Posted April 6, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Excellent and informative. I could not avoid reading this book. Dr. G writes just the way she talks on TV. She's matter-of-fact about taking care of yourself and shows a wonderful sense of humor in spite of her serious job. If you enjoy this type of book, another book that will enlighten you big time is in "I Also Recommend".
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.LauraRN
Posted March 17, 2009
This was a very interesting and informative book. Being an RN, I was already aware of most of the information in the book, but it was still interesting to read the different case studies she talks about. Would be good for a lay person with no medical backround. Very easy to read and understand when she is talking about anything medical or dealing with the body.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Nurse_Student10
Posted December 28, 2008
As a nursing student, I am very interested in medicine, health, and quality of life issues. As I think everybody should - life would be much better for everyone! The concepts are very basic, but Dr. G does an amazing job of explaining medical terms and conditions for those who may have little knowledge of health - and for those of us who do know a little something, sometimes it can get repetitive, BUT repetition is the best possible thing for the issues in the book!
I think EVERYONE should read this and please, take it seriously.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ECW-STL
Posted September 7, 2011
I like the premise, but the delivery could be better. This book would be more interesting for those not in the medical profession, as there are lots of lengthy explanations of medical terms and pathology that get boring for those who already have some medical training or knowledge. That being said, this makes it much easier for the average reader to understand, and the explanations are well written and simple. Perhaps it is the nook formatting that confuses the reader...some of the text boxes, which would likely appear in the margins on paper, wind up being broken and randomly inserted into the text of the book, making it rather confusing to read. I would enjoy this book more if I were able to skip the lengthy medical explanations and get right to the message- how not to die.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 8, 2010
This is a very easy read. So interesting to hear about and learn of Dr. G's experiences through her autopsies. Also puts a more human touch to what she does every day and nice to know she doesn't take it all for granted. Very common sense health advice in an easy to understand format.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ypl
Posted July 17, 2009
I will read it again when finished and have given all 3 of my grown children one. It is for everyone from teenager up.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 22, 2009
Very heartwarming to know that someone in this profession is so compassionate and caring about people even after they die! Since I had met her in person, I was interested to read her observations. It was so enlightening that I am anxious for her to write another!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 14, 2009
Dr.G is the reason im getting into the medical field. I have always had an interest in health and medicine but from watching her shows and this book, it made me want to even more get involved in the medical field. Particularly in medical examination. Everyone should read this book for good advice on health and well being. Dr.G truly is an inspiration and my future is headed in the direction she is and i can only hope to one day be as successful, well known and help as many families as she has.
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Posted February 25, 2010
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Overview
WHEN THIS DOCTOR TALKS, YOU SHOULD LISTEN.
Thousands of people make an early exit each year and arrive on medical examiner Jan Garavaglia’s table. What is particularly sad about this is that many of these deaths could easily have been prevented. Although Dr. Garavaglia, or Dr. G, as she’s known to many, could not tell these individuals how to avoid their fates, we can benefit from her experience and profound insight into the choices we make each day.
In How Not to Die, Dr. G acts as a medical detective to identify the often-unintentional ways we harm our bodies, then shows us how to use that information to live better ...