Comments on: Love, Medicine and Miracles: Lessons Learned about Self-Healing from a Surgeon’s Experience with Exceptional Patients

By: A. K Cogswell

A. K Cogswell — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:06:12 +0000

This book broke my heart. I read it, hoping to learn some more encouraging postivie ways of coping with my mother’s cancer. Instead, I was subjected to an ideology that believes dying of cancer is the patients fault. Bernie, as he likes to be called, believes that patients are able to heal themselves if only they “love” enough. And if they don’t, they die – regardless of treatment. Bernie also surmises that cancer is brought on by patients and their emotional states. That is outrageous! My mother, who is dying of cancer, has nothing but love to give and has been loving, kind and supportive all her life. I would love for Bernie to tell me what exactly he thinks my mother did to give her cancer and cause her to undergo the dying process??

I’m disgusted that he wrote this garbage and passes it on as a legitimate source for coping with terminal illness.
Rating: 1 / 5

By: Blaine Greenfield

Blaine Greenfield — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:22:22 +0000

If you're like me and a fan of Dr. Bernie Siegel (author of THE
NEW YORK TIMES bestseller LOVE, MEDICINE and MIRACLES), then
do what you can to obtain THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO HUMOR
AND HEADLING--his CD that will make you both laugh and think.

Siegel is a physician who believes that laughter can help boost
the immune system . . . he describes his work and best of
all, in doing so tells many funny stories that would lead you to believe
that had he not become a doctor, he should have become a stand-upmake
comedian.

His ideas make sense for virtually anybody, regardless of age,
education, profession or health . . . for example, there was this
one that I would love for any store to consider:

* Hang a sign that reads, "If you're ever less than a B-, let us know,
and we'll give you a hug."

Then there was this bit of useful advice:

* It's OK to sleep late and enjoy life 'cause the truth is that
you're going to die anyway. So get busy living!

When it comes to children, Siegel had me laughing with
this quip:

* You know why neither one of us will get a divorce is
because neither one of us wants the children!

Lastly, he noted that:

* You don't kill yourself doing what you love. You only get tired.
So go take a nap, then start all over again.

Good advice . . . in fact, that's something I'll do right now so
that I can get some much-needed beauty rest! Rating: 5 / 5

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:14:13 +0000

I love books by Bernie Seigel! I feel like I am talking to a friend when I am reading them. I learned how to listen to myself and trust myself after reading his books. They are very informative, but easy to read!
Rating: 5 / 5

By: F. Hussain

F. Hussain — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 08:59:02 +0000

Bernie’s central theme is that there is a strong correlation between emotional health and physical health. However he rarely cites any scientific evidence for his claim. He keeps repeating this message based on his experiences with random patients. Surely one can conclude many things from random patients, but a theory has to applicable accross a large sample. There has to be a ‘control’ if the study is to have any scientific merit. I wished he had shown more of these studies.

This would definitely be a five star book had the author been more scientific in prooving his point. Nevertheless I do personally agree with it.
Rating: 3 / 5

By: kathy heckscher

kathy heckscher — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 07:18:00 +0000

I reviewed this book weeks ago, with no reaction, then I sent a note which was placed as a review (where did my original review go?). What I was trying to say was that I found Siegel very heartwarming, but had (only) one complaint namely the referring to experiments on animals without a word of regret. There was a description of baby monkeys not surviving without their mother when in an extra stressful situation (or something like that, it was SO SAD, I wanted to forget it if possible). I think if you write about love you should at least, if you can’t avoid that type of experiment (which I think you often can) say something in defense of the lives offered. I missed that. Normally medical journals never stop to think of this, but the whole point is Siegel does not have the cool, clinical, medical approach. Yet there was no mention from him either. That is my only complaint. My first reaction was better, it’s kind of second hand now. Yet I hope you will send it out as it is a point worth mentioning, even though not popular. In fact it’s a new idea and worth thinking about. Anotherwords as few experiments as possible and if you have to use them, refer to them, then at least add something regarding the suffering they have caused. Like an Indian would, or a Buddhist. Otherwise he is very impressive and so loving, so unclinical. Very nice indeed. With best wishes, Kathy Heckscher
Rating: 4 / 5