Witching Moon (The Moon Series, Book 3)

Book Description

A Georgia swamp is the perfect place for forest ranger Adam Marshall to hide his werewolf nature. But when he finds himself irresistibly drawn to biologist Sara Weston, their future is threatened by a coven of witches with a score to settle with the locals.

Customer Reviews:

Witches and werewolves and psychics, oh my!.......2007-09-23

This is third book in the Moon series by Ms. York and a fun one at that. This one gets more into the intrigue and differences between paranormal species.

Adam Marshall is a werewolf and forest ranger (really, what better job after all?). Dr. Sara Weston is the target of a group of witches who think the Atlanta swamp is theirs to control. Together Adam and Sara have to trust each other to save themselves.

Wonderful idea, but..........2007-07-29

The idea for the series was a good one. I am always looking for a good werewolf/shapeshifter series. This book was not to my liking.

Nice Atmospheric Werewolf Book.......2006-06-28

The first one of Ms. York's books I read was Crimson Moon. Her take on werewolves intrigued me, so I went back and read the other books in the series. This one has some really interesting elements. I love the spooky backdrop of the swamp and the small town setting with its prejudices and hidden past. I love the idea that the waters of the swamp gave some of the townspeople psychic powers. And I love the way the author uses that as a jumping-off point to write about how people deal with their primal fears. She drops werewolf Adam Marshall into this churning mix of myth and buried secrets and stirs up a story of suspense, intrigue, and sensuality.

Slow read!.......2006-01-22

I'm reading this book now and all I can say is it is a slow read. I'm not at all enthralled about it. Sometimes books hook me from the 1st page and I don't want to put it down. Well this isn't one of those books. I will probably force my self to read the rest of it but it just isn't what I thought it would be.

Alright read........2005-12-21

There's not much I can say about this book. It was just okay. If you don't like soulmate type books then this one probably won't appeal to you. Sara and Adam's relationship developed way too fast for my taste. One minute they're just lusting after each other, then the next Adam's turned from a gruff forest ranger to a big mushy lovestruck werewolf. The plot was alright, I liked some aspects of it, but I think there could've been more about what exactly the witches powers were and maybe a bit more background to plot than there was. I'll probably attempt another of York's books in this series, because this book wasn't a horrible read. And I really liked her short story "Burning Moon" from the anthology "Cravings" which was set in the same world as this.

Average customer rating:

Witching Moon

Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HN9FYC

3 Rebecca York-marshall brothers[werewolf series,softcovers] (moon[marshall brothers], 1-3[shadow of the moon/new moon/witching moon)

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3 Rebecca York-marshall brothers[werewolf series,softcovers] (moon[marshall brothers], 1-3[shadow of the moon/new moon/witching moon)
rebecca york
Manufacturer: berkley sensation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UPMHCE

Product Description

a wonderful hot&sultry werewolf series!3 brothers each have to overcome a sinister and powerful evil to help their mates.....shadow of the moon/new moon/witching moon!

Killing Moon Trilogy: Killing Moon, Edge of The Moon, Witching Moon, Crimson Moon, Full Moon (Set of 5 Romantic Suspense)

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Killing Moon Trilogy: Killing Moon, Edge of The Moon, Witching Moon, Crimson Moon, Full Moon (Set of 5 Romantic Suspense)
Rebecca York
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000QX7ZU4

Amazon.com

As author, poet, and editor, Jane Yolen has published more than 150 books and has won two Nebula Awards, the Caldecott Medal, the World Fantasy Award, the Rhysling Award, the Daedalus Award, the Kerlan Award, and the Academy of American Poets Prize. She has written one of the 20th century's greatest high-fantasy series, the Chronicles of Great Alta (Sister Light, Sister Dark, White Jenna, and The One-Armed Queen). Her first collection of short fiction for adults is Sister Emily's Lightship and Other Stories. It assembles 28 stories, three of which are original to this volume, many of which take the form of folk or fairy tales, and all of which are excellent. Sometimes dark, sometimes humorous, the stories are always beautifully written, sharp, and wise.

"Snow in Summer" portrays a modern, Appalachian Snow White with a fringe-Fundamentalist snake-handling stepmother. "Granny Rumple" reveals the grim origin of Rumplestiltskin. A prequel to the Chronicles of Great Alta, "Blood Sister" explores both love and the nature of narrative. In "The Gift of the Magicians, with Apologies to You Know Who," Beauty and the Beast meet with a horrifically suitable O. Henry twist. The Nebula Award winning "Lost Girls" revisits Peter Pan's Neverland with a feminist slant. "Dick W. and His Pussy; or, Tess and Her Adequate Dick" is an amusingly naughty retold fairy tale. In the Nebula Award winner "Sister Emily's Lightship," the poet Emily Dickinson finds a strange and otherworldly inspiration. --Cynthia Ward

Book Description

A new collection of the short fiction by a New York Times bestselling author. Jane Yolen is an treasure, a writer of tremendous beauty and simplicity, a teller of true tales that reach deep into the human heart. She is one of the bestselling, most honoured childrens book writers, but more than that, she is a fantasy writer of extraordinary subtlety. These stories illustrate her art to its fullest. This collection contains twenty-eight magical tales, including three brand-new stories. Also included are two recent Nebula Award-winners, Lost Girls and Sister Emilys Lightship.

Customer Reviews:

Witty, surprising, fresh.......2002-03-17

Jane Yolen never seems to write a bad story. Anything I've ever read by her, I've liked. This collection is no exception. With killer wit and straightforward prose, Yolen playes around with Emily Dickinson, fairy tales, and anything else that strikes her fancy.

The essential element in each of these stories is a big twist, a completely new look at something we had previously taken for granted. We assume certain things, and Yolen challenges our assumptions. What if Emily Dickinson's otherworldly poetry was just that--inspired by a joyride through outer space? What if the thirteenth fairy cursed the princess by accident; what if Snow White knew better than to let strangers into her cottage; what if Rumplestiltskin was an unjustly maligned Jewish moneylender; what if the girls in Peter Pan's hideaway got sick of playing housewife? The result is a wonderful collection of stories where you're never sure what the ending will be, but you can't wait to find out.

An added bonus--at the end she reminisces about the making of each story, the idea that got each one started. I love it when authors tell the stories behind the stories.

Essential collection for lovers of fantasy and fairy tales.......2001-07-25

I have been an admirer of Jane Yolen for many years, and consider her to be perhaps the finest fantasist in America today. This collection brings together 29 of her wonderful short stories, 3 published here for the first time. Having read a number of these stories in various science fiction and fantasy magazines, I am delighted to see them all together in book form.

One of the central themes that runs throughout this collection, and indeed through much of Yolen's other work (namely 'The Books of Great Alta'), is how the art of storytelling shapes both the teller and society, and vice versa. In 'The Traveler and the Tale', for example, a storyteller from the future travels back to medieval France in order to insert the fairy tale 'Dinner in an Eggshell' into the cultural mythos. In doing this, she believes she will warn of and prevent a take over by froglike aliens in her own time. However, her very act of temporal interference produces surprising cultural - and personal - transformations. In 'Salvage' a true SF story as opposed to a fantasy tale, aliens assimilate our poetry from a human captive and use it to enrich their own; they `digest' our concepts and poetical forms, namely haiku. In 'The Singer and the Song', a young prince finds out that the two can be entirely different things when his favorite musician joins the rebellion that leads to the prince's execution. Perhaps best of all is the title story, where Emily Dickinson is inspired to write a lifetime's worth of poetry by her meeting with an alien. Having found Dickinson's poetry to be, well, otherworldly, I found this very appropriate. I should also commend Yolen for the depth of her research into Dickinson's life and work, and indeed for giving the story the feel of one of her poems. I will definitely investigate Dickinson's poetry further thanks to Yolen. Most of the stories here are fairy tales told from a more modern, mostly feminist point of view. 'Snow in Summer' has a fiesty Appalachian heroine who finds a very simple way to a happy ending. In 'Lost Girls', which won the Nebula Award, a labor lawyer's daughter organizes the `Wendys' of Neverland in a strike against the injustices of Peter and the other lost boys. `The Thirteenth Fey' is a retelling of `Sleeping Beauty' from the point of view of the fairy who curses the princess - accidentally, not maliciously. In doing so, she may free her family from virtual enslavement to the very unlikeable royals. I quite liked this family of fey, who also feature in `Dusty Loves' and `The Uncorking of Uncle Finn', especially their wonderful library of books from the past, present, and future, and it's a pity that Yolen hasn't written any more stories featuring them. `A Ghost of an Affair' is a tender love story between an American jeweler and a Scottish silversmith who died 100 years before she was born. She does get a happy ending, but not the one she expected, and it takes work and time to achieve.

Yolen is also unafraid to explore the darker side of many of the original fairy tales. 'Allerleiruah' makes no secret of the incest at the heart of many seemingly innocent princess stories. In 'Granny Rumple', which is my favorite story of the whole collection, Yolen turns around the original 'Rumplestiltskin' tale (which she convinces me is an anti-Semitic allegory) quite shockingly and shows us who the true moral center of this tale is. Yet she also shows a fine sense of humor. We have here an extremely raunchy version of 'Dick Whittington and His Cat' with some great puns. In 'The Gift of the Magicians, With Apologies to You-Know-Who', Yolen mixes `Beauty and the Beast' with the famous O. Henry story `The Gift of the Magi', and the result is a hilarious surprise ending worthy of that great master. She skewers fundamentalist fanatics in `Creationism, An Illustrated Lecture in Two Parts', which is dedicated to Salman Rushdie. Also very funny is `Under the Hill' in which a fairy is forced to work for a two-bit mob boss.

The stories also are inspired by other cultures and mythologies.. 'Sister Death' is about Lilith, who according to Jewish folklore is the first mate of Adam who defied him and was thrown out of the Garden of Eden. I admit I prefer the Lilith-as-defiant-feminist-icon to the more traditional (if sympathetic) demoness shown here, but I still liked this story. Greek mythology is explored in `Sun/Flight' (where Icarus survives his famous flight but never learns from his mistakes) and in `The Sleep of Trees' (where a dryad makes love to a movie star she thinks is a god). `Journey into the Dark' and 'Words of Power' take place in Native American millieus. And of course, Yolen returns to her own mythology in `Blood Sister', a prequel to `The Books of Great Alta', where Jenna's mother Selna is devastated by the loss of her childhood friend after her friend calls up her dark sister. Frankly, this explains a lot in the book - both Selna's strained relationship with Marjo and the insistence of the priestess on separating Jenna and Pynt, but even if you haven't read it (and you should) the story works marvelously on its own. And there are several other fine stories here, if not as instantly memorable as the ones I've discussed.

In a delightful afterword, Yolen explains much of her inspiration (or what she thinks she remembers!) for these stories. Most importantly, she reveals the all-powerful magic word so that other writers can come up with ideas - BIC (Butt In Chair!). Of course, Yolen not only HAS many good ideas, she has the grace and skill to turn them into gold. Reading Yolen's stories can help teach you the craft needed to write your own, and I strongly recommend this collection to anyone who wants to write fantasy as well as read it.

Really great!!.......2000-08-10

I love Jane Yolen, anyways, and her previous short story collections are amazing. She writes so poetically . . . but I have to admit, my favorite story in the bunch was "Tess and her Adequate Dick; or Dick W. and his Pussy", which was a rather bawdy retelling of a completely innocent fairy tale. Laden with double-entendres, silly puns (Dick lives by a pier, and "after much pier counseling" took the name of the pier -- "Whittington Pier" -- as his own), and other things one does not expect from Jane Yolen . . . She said so, herself, in her afterword, but her notes about the first public recitation of this story are hilarious. Much recommended, provided you have an odd sense of humor . . . and if you don't, there are plenty other stories in this book, one of which must suit your tastes . . .

Sister Emily's Lightship and Other Stories

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Sister Emily's Lightship and Other Stories
Jane Yolen
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTWMOO

Average customer rating:

Sister Emily's Lightship and Other Stories
Jane Yolen
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTQHZE

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Sister Emily's Lightship and Other Stories
Jane Yolen
Manufacturer: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JOBASI

Average customer rating:

a fast read

Excellent book

Uncovering the Truth about the Cohen Book

Best book I've found

THE best miscarriage book out there!

Coming to Term: Uncovering the Truth About Miscarriage
Jon Cohen
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Women's Health | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Pregnancy & Childbirth | Women's Health | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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Miscarriage: Why it Happens and How Best to Reduce Your Risks--A Doctor's Guide to the Facts

Trying Again: A Guide to Pregnancy After Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss

Preventing Miscarriage : The Good News

A Silent Sorrow: Pregnancy Loss - Guidance and Support for You and Your Family (Revised and Updated 2nd Edition)

Avoiding Miscarriage: Everything You Need To Know To Feel More Confident In Pregnancy

ASIN: 0618277242

Book Description

After his wife lost four pregnancies, Jon Cohen set out to gather the most comprehensive and accurate information on miscarriage a topic shrouded in myth, hype, and uncertainty. The result of his mission is a uniquely revealing and inspirational book for every woman who has lost at least one pregnancy and for her partner, family, and close friends. Approaching the topic from a reporter's perspective, Cohen takes us on a surprising journey into the laboratories and clinics of researchers at the front, weaving together their cutting-edge findings with intimate portraits of a dozen families who have had difficulty bringing a baby to term. Couples who seek medical help for miscarriage often encounter conflicting information about the causes of pregnancy loss and ways to prevent it. Cohen's investigation synthesizes the latest scientific findings and unearths some surprising facts. We learn, for example, that nearly seven out of ten women who have had three or more miscarriages can still carry a child to term without medical intervention. Cohen also scrutinizes the full array of treatments, showing readers how to distinguish promising new options from the useless or even dangerous ones. Coming to Term is the first book to turn a journalistic spotlight on a subject that has remained largely in the shadows. With an unrelenting eye and the compassion that comes from personal experience, Jon Cohen offers a message that is both enlightening and surprisingly hopeful.

Customer Reviews:

a fast read.......2007-07-18

I could not put this book down. I found it to be extremely helpful and therapeutic.

Excellent book.......2006-11-14

This book gave me clarity and peace after suffering from 2 miscarriages. I refer to it often when I need some guidance and explanation. A must for all women who have experienced one or more miscarriages.

Uncovering the Truth about the Cohen Book.......2006-08-04

There are several reasons why this book does not deserve its present "five star" rating which are explained in this detailed review. The primary criticism is that the author demonstrates a lack of understanding of the scientific literature. He also shows a lack of scientific insight, and fails to recognize how immune issues can play a role in reproductive failure. He also uses a (now widely considered) flawed study to support his central arguments. Finally, he criticizes reproductive immunologists for their use of anecdotal evidence, yet relies on heavily anecdotal evidence to support his own views. In more detail, here are the weaknesses in this book:

On IVIG treatment for recurrent miscarriage

Cohen chooses to elaborate on the negative sides of the IVIG argument, yet fails to elaborate on the positive arguments, a disservice to the reading, investigating audience trying to understand all sides of IVIG issue.
For example, he agrees that elevated natural killer cell levels can be associated with miscarriage. On page 95, he says: "...studies suggest that women who repeatedly miscarry chromosomally normal babies produce higher level of natural killer cells." Cohen also agrees that IVIG may suppress natural killer cells. Page 95: "Some experiments show that IVIG suppresses natural killer cells" Yet, despite his acceptance of an NK miscarriage connection, he still chooses to scare patients away from lifesaving IVIG treatment that many clinics offer. On page 95 Cohen says "IVIG inadvertently infected people with hepatitis C" and "no amount of screening can test for a pathogen that science has yet to discover." Also, Cohen fails to mention the fact that modern IVIG preparations are screened for all known viruses, past and present. And fails to emphasize that IVIG is completely FDA-approved and thousands of patients are using it routinely with no ill effect for dozens of common autoimmune diseases. For a professional reporter supposedly reporting all sides of an issue, Cohen's investigation seems surprisingly one-sided.
Finally, Cohen seems to criticize the mental state of any patient choosing the IVIG option. At the end of page 95, he states: "untried options can have an intoxicating effect, leading them (women) to throw caution to the wind." I think Cohen's personal bias against reproductive immunology is clear. His ability to report on IVIG with logic and impartiality is sacrificed.

Th1:Th2 theory

On page 79, Cohen states that Th1:Th2 (immunological rejection) theory is a "hugely controversial hypothesis." However, most people who read scientific reproductive journals today would wonder how Cohen arrived at this understanding of the miscarriage literature. If he had a proper grasp of current theory he would not see that the Th1:Th2 theory is not only not "hugely controversial," but it is actually one of the freshest and most accepted new research developments in reproductive immunology medicine today.
How does Cohen arrive at his "Th1:Th2 is controversial" conclusion? In the book, Cohen cites only one single Th1:Th2 review study by Laird SM et al. (he apparently ignores the rest of the rest of the supporting studies in the literature) Yet, interestingly, upon reading carefully, this study actually seems to support Th1:Th2 relevance to miscarriage. It states: "Immunological rejection of the fetus due to recognition of paternal antigens by the maternal immune system, resulting in abnormal immune cells and cytokine production, is postulated to be one cause of unexplained pregnancy loss...there is some evidence for an alteration in the ratio of Th1 and Th2 cytokines produced by peripheral blood monocytes."
Note the phrases: "evidence for an alteration in the ratio of Th1 and Th2 cytokines" may be the "cause of unexplained pregnancy loss." So Cohen's strongest study against Th1: Th2 theory actually seems like it does not bolster his argument much at all?

Antiphospholipid Antibody (APA) Issues

On page 96, Cohen implies that APA positive recurrent miscarriage patients are like a "Black Swans" meaning that, although these patients exist, they are not as common as people might think like (they are rare and over-sensationalized). Again, it appears Cohen is "off the mark" here too. In fact, any layperson who does a cursory Pub-Med search through the literature would find that APA miscarriage patients are actually very common in the recurrent miscarriage population. In fact, one study shows that APA positive patients are present in almost a third of ladies who suffer unexplained recurrent abortion. See study by Cubillos J et al, Incidence of autoantibodies in the infertile population." Obstet Gynecol. 1997 Sep;90 (3):364-9 which states: "In the group of patients with a history of miscarriage, 38.2% (p < 0.05) (tested positive) for APL."
In addition to failing to state the truth about APA frequency, Cohen fails to address the fact that very few centers do the proper APA testing. This may account for why so many APA patients are missed in many infertility clinics. Few local laboratories test for all 6 classes of APA, causing many APA positive patients to be missed: See study by Coulam CB et al: Antiphospholipid antibodies associated with implantation failure after IVF/ET. J Assist Reprod Genet. 1997 Nov;14 (10):603-8. Study quote: "A complete APA panel using seven isotypes is necessary for diagnosing implantation failure associated with RAFS. If only anticardiolipin antibody is measured, 4% (13/312) of the positive APAs are detected, and 81% (56/69) of women with implantation failure associated with RAFS will have the diagnosis missed." Cohen never addresses any of this.

Endometriosis

On page 44, Cohen asserts that no miscarriage/endometriosis connection exists.
Cohen's words: "...controlled, randomized prospective trials later convincingly showed that no such connection exists." However, the truth is, there are dozens of studies in the literature citing the connection between endometriosis to immune issues early pregnancy loss. Does Cohen simply not know these studies exist? Or just he just over-look these studies, instead? Doesn't Cohen ever wonder about the "coincidence" that endometriosis is closely tied to immune issues and is also connected to recurrent pregnancy loss? Has he ever thought that there may possibly be a connection between endometriosis and miscarriage? Once again, Cohen seems naive to the literature and totally naïve to the larger interrelated implications that individual, so-called "unrelated" studies can present. Not only do Cohen's assertions about endometriosis seem naïve, but his assertions seem weak as well. His arguments are based on one single study: Vercammen EE et al: Endometriosis and recurrent pregnancy loss. Semin Reprod Med. 2000;18(4):363-8.
Upon reading the fine print of the study, you find that the argument against the recurrent miscarriage/endometriosis connection is not even that strong to begin with. The authors (countering what Cohen might imply) actually suggest that endometriosis is associated with implantation failure...yes... the very study Cohen uses as his argument against such a connection makes such a connection! See study quote: "...some studies have shown that the decreased number and quality of oocytes, the fertilization rate, and the implantation rate per embryo may be reduced in women with endometriosis"

The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Issue

On page 114, Cohen states "The largest studies to date of pregnant women with PCOS estimate miscarriage rates of 40 percent and 60 percent." Yet, Cohen misses the connection between PCOS miscarriages and immune issues completely. There is one important immune-PCOS study that he omits entirely by Jakubowicz DJ et al: Reduced serum glycodelin and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome during first trimester of pregnancy. J. Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Feb;89 (2):833-9. Study quote: "These findings are significant in that they may provide a mechanism for first-trimester miscarriage in PCOS. Because glycodelin inhibits mixed lymphocyte reaction and natural killer cell activity, impaired production of glycodelin presumably allows a maternal immune response against the embryo." Cohen misses the PCOS immune connection completely.

Incompetent Cervix

Cohen's lack of understanding of the miscarriage literature comes through again in discussions about incompetent cervix as well. On page 138, he states "factors that cause the cervix to weaken largely remain a mystery." Yet he also says "some studies have shown links to other uterine anomalies, exposure to DES, and even antiphospholipid antibodies"
Why doesn't Cohen dig deeper here? If indeed he says incompetent cervix is linked to APAS, DES and uterine anomalies, how has he missed the fact that cervical incompetence is also associated with Th1:Th2 cytokine imbalance and that Th1: Th2 cytokine imbalances is associated with incompetent cervix? Doesn't he want to solve this cervical incompetence (as he puts it) "mystery"?
See supporting incompetent cervix studies that Cohen completely misses in his book:

1. Mohapeloa H et al HLA-DR typing of women with recurrent late spontaneous abortion and unsuccessful cervical cerclage. Hum Reprod. 1998 Apr;13(4):1079-82.
"The results suggest that HLA-DR-associated immunological factors might play a part in recurrent late spontaneous abortions and extremely preterm births under a cervical incompetence-like picture, at least in the subset of cases not treatable by cervical cerclage."

2. Lee KY et al: Interleukin-6, but not relaxin, predicts outcome of rescue cerclage in women with cervical incompetence. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2004 Sep;191(3):784-9.
"Amniotic fluid interleukin-6 is increased in patients with cervical incompetence, which suggests that subclinical inflammation may contribute to cervical incompetence. Further, an elevated interleukin-6 level predicts a cerclage short-latency interval between cerclage and delivery. In contrast with interleukin-6, amniotic fluid relaxin does not appear to contribute to cervical incompetence-induced cervical dilation."

DES immune connection

Also, Cohen misses the fact that families who have used DES to prevent miscarriage may indeed have a higher incidence of immune issues (causing the miscarriages) that this "family tendency" to immune issues may be why "DES daughters" have more miscarriages, not the fact that they have been exposed to the DES in the womb? This possibility is never even considered, brought up or discussed in the book. Cohen, again, fails to address the possible immune connections in families who have used DES, leaving the total DES discussion more confused, not less.

Environment

On page 172, Cohen seems to agree that a few environmental factors may affect pregnancy outcome in certain instances: Nitrates in well water (page 172), and Bisphenol A in plastics (page 173). Nonetheless, Cohen seems uninterested in following up with these studies, he instead still prefers to dismiss the environmental idea overall. On page 174: "... miscarriages, as far as science can now determine, rarely occur because of what a woman eats or drinks, where she lives and works, and what air she breathes."
In fact, Cohen uses a (frankly, ridiculous) description as an example of pregnancy environmental durability: he describes how his grandmother jumped repeatedly off a chair in an attempt to induce a miscarriage. (page 174) This anecdote is (somehow?) used to support the idea that "the uterus, amniotic sac, and the placenta marvelously work together to prevent harm." Quite frankly, this is an embarrassing example of the typically non-scientific arguments that Cohen uses to support his journalistic angles.

Infection

Similarly, Cohen uses faulty logic when he discusses infectious agents. He admits that certain infections possibly may increase the incidence of miscarriage: page 166: "Infection may cause miscarriage "...rubella, syphilis, genital herpes, mumps, toxoplasmosis, malaria, possibly gardenerella." Yet, despite conceding this, Cohen still manages to glide over the infection/immune problem connection. (page 166: "...a few pathogens may account for a small percentage of miscarriages, although their sporadic nature means they play no important role in recurrent loss.")
In addition to pushing the infection miscarriage connection "under the table", Cohen never mentions how infectious agents may possibly stimulate the immune system to cause immune related miscarriage? In fact, the infection- immune connection is never even addressed at all? This is a glaring fault in Cohen's research, especially considering the fact there are several studies implicating the immune system as the ultimate cause of infection-related miscarriage. In fact, Dr Attila Toth of New York City has devoted whole career to this infection/miscarriage issue. Yet apparently Cohen knows nothing of Dr. Toth's research? Or if he does, Cohen chooses not to discuss it? A few infection -immune studies that Cohen misses:

1. Korbel DS et al: Natural killer cells and innate immunity to protozoan pathogens. Int J Parasitol. 2004 Dec;34(13-14):1517-28.
"Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphoid cells that mediate significant cytotoxic activity and produce high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to infection."... "NK derived interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production is also essential for control of several protozoal infections including toxoplasmosis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis and malaria."

2. Ashkar AA et al: "Interleukin-15 and natural killer and NKT cells play a critical role in innate protection against genital herpes simplex virus type 2 infection." J Virol. 2003 Sep;77(18):10168-71. "This study demonstrates that IL-15 and NK-NKT cells are critical for innate protection against genital HSV-2."

3. Jensen JR et al: Fluctuations in natural killer cell activity in early syphilis. Br J Vener Dis. 1983 Feb;59(1):30-2. "In primary syphilis natural killer cell activity was increased, especially in patients lacking circulating lipoidal antibodies."

Luteal phase defect and progesterone

In addition to missing the infection-immune connection completely, Cohen also seems to miss the hormonal-immune connection as well. Though he says that an association may exist between luteal phase defect and miscarriage, Cohen misses (yet again) the possible immune relationship that may exist between these two issues. On page 99, Cohen states: "If the lining becomes inhospitable too early, as happens with what's called a deficient luteal phase, the embryo will not burrow, leading to a miscarriage, or it will not borrow currently, causing preeclampsia later in pregnancy"
No discussion is made about the fact that patients with poor luteal phases often have low progesterone in the latter half of the cycle...or the fact that progesterone has been shown to have an immunosuppressive effect. This immune factor may contribute at least in part to progesterone supplement's immune healing effect in recurrent miscarriage patients. See more studies that Cohen apparently misses in his book:

1. Szekeres-Bartho J. Immunological relationship between the mother and the fetus. Int Rev Immunol. 2002 Nov-Dec;21(6):471-95. "Another protective mechanism operating in favor of pregnancy is progesterone-dependent immunomodulation. Due to stimulation by fetally derived antigens, pregnancy lymphocytes develop progesterone receptors and in the presence of progesterone produce a mediator (PIBF) that, through altering the cytokine balance, inhibits NK activity and exerts an antiabortive effect in mice."

2. Laskarin G, Tokmadzic VS, Strbo N, Bogovic T, Szekeres-Bartho J, Randic L, Podack ER, Rukavina D.Progesterone induced blocking factor (PIBF) mediates progesterone induced suppression of decidual lymphocyte cytotoxicity. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2002 Oct;48(4):201-9. "The results indicate possible role for PIBF, as a mediator of progesterone in regulation of Decidual Lymphocyte cytolytic activity at the maternal-foetal (M-F) interface."

Preeclampsia

Lastly, on page 99, Cohen successfully makes the connection that patients who suffer from luteal phase defect may also suffer from preeclampsia at a higher rate. However (yet again) he totally misses the possible connection that exists between preeclampsia and immune issues (even more surprising considering the number of studies supporting the preeclampsia- immune connection that exist out there). How can Cohen miss this? Again and again it seems Cohen is totally unable to put the complex pieces of the miscarriage puzzle together. Again and again he fails to see the immune connection, failing to see how it can clarify so much of the "muddy water" that exists in this recurrent miscarriage field today. Here are some more immune/reproductive studies that Cohen completely misses:

1.Saito S, Sakai M. Th1/Th2 balance in preeclampsia. J Reprod Immunol. 2003 Aug;59(2):161-73. "Th1 predominant immunity is closely related to inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and poor placentation."

2. Makhseed M, Raghupathy R, El-Shazly S, Azizieh F, Al-Harmi JA, Al-Azemi MM. Pro-inflammatory maternal cytokine profile in preterm delivery. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2003 May;49(5):308-18.
"These data are suggestive of a maternal type 1 cytokine bias in preterm delivery".

3. Simhan HN, Krohn MA, Zeevi A, Daftary A, Harger G, Caritis SN. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha promoter gene polymorphism -308 and chorioamnionitis. Obstet Gynecol. 2003 Jul;102(1):162-6.
"Carriage of the TNFA2 allele is associated with a more than three-fold increased risk of clinical chorioamnionitis, even when accounting for important clinical and microbiologic risk factors."

4. Kaplan D. Fetal wastage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 1986 Oct;13(5):875-7.
"Ninety-six women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were found to have an abortion ratio higher than that of a comparison group (p = 0.005). This was true even before the onset of their RA (p = 0.007)"

5. Sergent F, Verspyck E, Marpeau L. [Crohn's disease and pregnancy. About 34 cases. Review of the literature] Gynecol Obstet Fertil. 2003 Jan;31(1):20-8.
"When the disease (Crohn's) is active, the risk of abortion and prematurity increases."

3. Cohen's flawed anti LIT arguments

Gullible patients

On page 58 Cohen begins: "Many couples plug their ears and firmly believe that because of the treatment, they have babies - and no amount of scientific data can shake the power of that conviction." From the beginning of the book, Cohen seems step off on the wrong foot about a typical reproductive immunology patient's psychological nature. He apparently accusing anyone who choose new or controversial treatments (like LIT or IVIG) to be emotionally gullible, unwilling (or unable?) to make sound scientific decisions. In fact, in my personal experience (through my many years watching these types of treatment programs) I have found that reproductive immunology (RI) patients are probably some of the most clear thinking, well read, well researched medical patients out there, able to pull apart any study to find its strengths, weaknesses and its flaws. Certainly most RI patients are not types to ignore solid scientific data. Already Cohen seems "off base" about the patient population he is writing about.

The REMIS LIT study by Carol Ober

Regarding the Carol Ober REMIS study Cohen states on page 69: "Because of the lack of benefit, we recommend against this intervention (LIT) as a treatment for unexplained recurrent miscarriage' concluded the researchers." It is already known that the REMIS study "proving" LIT ineffective was flawed in many ways. Dr. Beer outlined these flaws in detail in his Letter to the Editor sent to the Lancet. Among the REMIS study flaws that Dr. Beer cites are:

1. Failure to recruit an adequate number of study patients.

2. Failure to induce immune responses. Only 26% of women who received lymphocyte immunization developed HLA antibody response. (The immunization must have been prepared and/or given incorrectly to elicit this low response.)

3. 21 of 59 abortuses received genetic study. All (total 11) abnormal fetuses were from treatment group but this data was not reflected in the outcome analysis.

4. A higher proportion of treatment group had a previous live birth (P=0.054). Yet a previous meta-analysis had shown that lymphocyte immunization more effective in women with primary abortions. This was not discussed or considered in the REMIS study.

I know Cohen, through his LIT research, must have read the miscarriage support sites and Dr Beer's Lancet letter (available online to anybody), yet he makes no mention of this letter or any of its arguments in his LIT chapter. Why does he seem to avoid addressing this issue? This reporting bias not only does injustice the LIT, but also to those trying to find the truth about this LIT medicine. And frankly makes one wonder about how "impartial" Cohen's journalistic intentions really are.

Poor patient selection

Many of Dr. Beer's criticisms of the REMIS study similarly apply to other LIT studies. A common flaw found in negative outcome LIT studies is the failure to test subject's LAD (blocking antibody) levels before and after the LIT injections. As a result, researchers never really know if LIT patient:

1. Really needs LIT
2. Has achieved a proper LIT response before conception is attempted

In addition to these flaws, some LIT studies fail to use fresh donor cells (such as the REMIS study), making LIT less effective. Other studies fail to follow the timing and dose requirements that Dr. Beer recommends (i.e. some studies only do LIT once preconception, some studies do not wait the 3- 4 weeks necessary for the proper immune response take place). Lastly, those who understand reproductive immunology understand that LIT should be not be used as the sole immune treatment. Other immune problems need to be identified and independently treated as well (e.g. APA issues, ANA issues, cytokine imbalance, etc). Essentially, patients need a full immune work-up before doctors decide how LIT will fit into their total immune protocol. See Christiansen et al: Evidence-based investigations and treatments of recurrent pregnancy loss. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 83, Issue 4, April 2005, pages 821-839. Study quote: "Current meta-analyses evaluating the efficacy of treatments of RPL are generally pooling very heterogeneous patient populations and treatments. It is recommended that future meta-analyses look at subsets of patients and treatment protocols that are more combinable."

Cohen criticizes the use of anecdotal evidence yet uses anecodotal evidence himself

On page 74 Cohen criticizes the LIT studies as being flawed saying, "the fuzzy scientific rationale behind theories often makes it difficult to select patients who indeed may benefit from a treatment." Yet at the end of the same chapter, on page 82, he uses the example of a solitary successful pregnancy (Jess') that succeeded without LIT use, saying this success "casts further doubts about whether the value of lymphocyte immune therapy"
So Cohen uses one solitary pregnancy success to "further cast doubts" on the value of LIT? He admits the success is anecdotal, yet still uses it as an emotional tool to bash LIT at the end of his chapter. Again Cohen seems to push non-scientific thinking here. How are readers supposed to respect the author as a scientifically unbiased journalist when so much emphasis is placed on the emotional power of the single success story, to pull the emotions of the reader at the end?
Also, it should be noted, if Cohen had any true understanding of LIT, he would recognize that blocking antibodies built of from Jess's previous successful pregnancy would have alone explained her second pregnancy success without LIT. Yet this possibility is not even touched upon in the chapter because Cohen apparently does not understand the LIT science (either "does not understand" the issue or chooses to skip over the issue altogether?) In either case, from a reproductive immunologist's point of view, this LIT chapter ends on a very weak note.

The Tender Loving Care (TLC) argument

Last but not least, we must talk about the author's focus on "Tender Loving Care" (TLC) Cohen's "beloved" argument that he seems to like to use to dilute the validity of many miscarriage studies in the book. Throughout the book, it is evident that Cohen has been rather "sucked in" by the Tender Loving Care argument, the idea that offering extensive psychological support and emotional support to a patient can significantly increase a patient's likelihood of pregnancy success.
On page 175, Cohen calls the Liddell TLC study, "a study with spectacular powers." In a RESOLVE Interview Cohen calls Dr. Lesley Regan's 1997 TLC study "an amazing study. I learned more from it than maybe any single paper (and I have read maybe1000). I highly recommend it." Essentially Cohen has three studies to back his TLC argument:

1. Liddell HS et al: Recurrent miscarriage--outcome after supportive care in early pregnancy. : Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 1991 Nov;31(4):320-2.
86% success with TLC (38/44)
33% success without TLC (3/9)

2. Clifford K et al: Future pregnancy outcome in unexplained recurrent first trimester miscarriage. Hum Reprod. 1997 Feb;12(2):387-9.
74% success with TLC (118/160)
49% success no TLC (20/41)

3. Stray-Pedersen B et al: Etiologic factors and subsequent reproductive performance in 195 couples with a prior history of habitual abortion. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1984 Jan 15;148(2):140-6.
86% success TLC (no actual pregnancy numbers given in this abstract)
33% with no TLC

At first glance, these success numbers seem surprising, even shocking and impressive considering the "vague", "touchy-feely" nature of the TLC subject matter. But looking deeper in the methodology of these studies, we find the statistics are probably more deceiving and more flawed than we know. First, all the patients in each of these studies were "self selected" to receive TLC from the clinic. Populations were not randomized at all, which, of course, is a Big Red Flag to anyone trying to get meaningful scientific results. So you have to ask yourself, given the fact these TLC populations are "self selected", what reasons could cause one patient to "select" to discontinue medical care while another patient chooses to continue it? Could it be that patients whose pregnancies succeed may be more inclined to stay with the clinic, while those that are having negative experiences tend to drop out of a program with higher frequency? This is not TLC are we are measuring here. It could be a measurement of an interesting tendency to "hide" and "grieve" in human nature.
Also, another point to note about these TLC studies: in not one of these TLC studies is the actual "Tender Loving Care" procedure exactly outlined. What does this TLC actually involve physically? There may be factors involved in these TLC pregnancy successes apart from the TLC itself, factors we could never pick up on because they are not outlined for us? This description deficiency is yet another red flag with these studies.

Dr. Beer's success due to TLC?

Last, but not least, it appears that Cohen sees Dr Beer's program through "TLC tinted glasses" as well. See Cohen's quote on page 82: "I suspect that he (Dr. Beer) does offer tender-loving care, and that its benefits may confuse the results his patients experience with experimental treatments." In making this statement, Cohen clearly reveals his lack of familiarity with the day to day running of Dr. Beer's program. One thing most of Beer patients know, only a small percentage of Dr. Beer's registered patients actually ever meet Dr. Beer in person. Most of Dr. Beer's consults are conducted by phone or by email. In fact, Dr. Beer only meets about 5% of his registered patients "in person" at all. Many of these patient meetings are "one time only" personal meetings with later consults being done over the phone or through email. Certainly, Dr. Beer does not have ongoing basis face to face relationship with most of his patients, unless one considers emails "TLC." All in all, Cohen puts these TLC studies on a pedestal in a way he rarely does with other studies in the book. Cohen's later words about the TLC studies are even more revealing:
Page 179: "Just as scientific research can never prove that love exists, I suspect it can never arrive at rock solid evidence that expert care prevents miscarriage or helps people come to terms with their reproductive fate. But as one researcher said to me, If you witness a talking dog, you do not need a control group to believe it. In three different recurrent miscarriage clinics around the world, I have seen the equivalent of a talking dog"
How can you argue with someone who has decided that controlled studies are no longer necessary to prove a theory valid? This is the same man who says we should dismiss LIT because the studies are flawed? A man who believes that TLC is as obvious because it is like a "talking dog"? It scares me, frankly, that Cohen is writing a book we are supposed to take seriously, that the world is supposed to take seriously, when he openly admits to using a "talking dog" type of reasoning.

Finally, Cohen's most heartfelt speech in his book, making the strongest veiled attacks on any miscarriage patient's decision to use immune therapy are found on page 129: "Women and men who want babies, especially those who have tried and failed, would benefit if they recognized how intense desires can lead them to take unnecessary risks. It bears repeating again and again and again. Most women who miscarry even three or four times, will carry to term if they become pregnant again...they (millions of women) may logically end up in the delivery room praising an intervention that, years later, they will come to curse." What does this mean, praising an intervention "in the delivery room" that, years later, "they will come to curse"? Does this mean, even after delivering our "Beer babies" using immunotherapy, we will feel we made the wrong decision to do LIT and IVIG? Please! I just hope that others can see through the facade of this book the way that I do.

As I hold and play with my "Beer babies" each day, after suffering devastating losses, I feel blessed that I myself, at least I have put the scientific connections together. That I, myself, at least, have seen the patterns, seen the immune connections, as a result, understand the bigger miscarriage picture in a much more complete way.
Pity those who read this book and come away feeling more confused about immune therapies than they were before. Pity them. Pity Cohen for bringing this situation about. However, in the big picture, I am not worried. I honestly feel that so much progress has been made in this reproductive immunology field the last few years, that the blind, anecdotally-based musings of a sensationalist reporter will do nothing to hurt the field over the long term. The foundation of the RI science is far too reaching, far too strong to ever be marred by the non-scientific ponderings that are really so biased that most (if not all) true scientists will see right through them upon reading this very dangerously naïve and misleading book.

-An informed RI Advocate and Dr Beer patient

Best book I've found.......2006-07-08

this is definitely the best book that I've found on the subject of miscarriage. I have had three miscarriages and one child and have been told many differing opinions from doctors. When I suffered my last miscarriage at 37, a doctor told me that I had only a 40% chance of having another successful pregnancy. As with any medical condition, you have to be your own advocate, and this book is the best starting place that I've found to make the journey.

Since my last miscarriage, I saw a doctor that suggested IVIG. the procedure would cost me $9000. I consulted another doctor in the book, who gave me a better explanation of my situation and now I feel comfortable trying to move forward without expensive interventions.

When you experience several miscarriages you are faced with a maze. I found this book essential in figuring out the best way for my husband and I to proceed.

THE best miscarriage book out there!.......2006-06-14

Jon Cohen has done millions of women a great service in writing this book. This is the most thorough, objective, and balanced book out there on miscarriage. He goes into great detail about what we currently know about the causes of miscarriage and potential treatments, and explains how we know it, often describing the studies involved (and the strengths and weaknesses in their design). There are plenty of footnotes if you want to go hunt down the sources for yourself.

That's already a phenomenal acheivement, but he also manages to do it in layman's language that is easy to understand - yet never condescending or dumbed down.

And despite the wealth of clinical information, the tone is never cold or clinical. Cohen and his wife experienced multiple miscarriages. It is a grief that you can never fully understand if you haven't been through it. Since Cohen, unfortunately, has been through it himself, the book is full of empathy for couples who experience this tragic loss. He comes from the same perspective, and never says anything insensitive (unlike, for example, Henry Lerner's pitifully mediocre book on the same subject.)

I'd give this book 10 stars if I could. I just hope that he keeps putting out updated editions as our knowledge of the subject increases!

Coming To Term: Uncovering the Truth About Miscarriage

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Coming To Term: Uncovering the Truth About Miscarriage
Jon Cohen
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N772X8

Book Description

The rich tradition of country cooking, the distinctive taste of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, and the heritage of rural America are all elegantly captured in Jack Daniel's The Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook. Included are more than 350 recipes, stunning full-color photographs, and stories of the people, places, and traditions of Middle Tennessee. Illustrated and indexed.

Customer Reviews:

J.D. Spirit of Tenn Cookbook.......2007-05-17

Absolutely perfect gift for my friend who is a J.D. fan and a fantastic cook. He will love this birthday gift!

Excellent Southern Cuisine.......2004-12-22

This is one of my favorite cookbooks. It's full of beautiful pictures and really great recipes.

As you might expect, it has lots of recipes with the sponsor's product in it, and of course, they are really good. The chocolate velvet cake with Jack Black and the "tipsy sweet potatoes" are definite keepers. But so are the many recipes from Miss Bobo's boarding house. Miss Bobo did not allow spirits on the premises. One of my favorites that always draws raves is the artichoke, spinach, and mushroom casserole.

WOW your cooking with Jack Black.......2001-03-21

I have been cooking with Jack Daniels Black Lable Whiskey for many years. Today I was sitting in the isle of a book store looking at cook books and ran upon this unknown book. After spending at least a half hour pouring over it I was impressed beyond words. I realized that my cooking with this whiskey had only touched the tip of the iceberg. The book is beautifully laid out and written; the range of recipes is great and the pictures and stories rich with the Tennessee heritage. Of course I put the book back on the shelf so I can purchase it here at Amazon since the savings is much better. But I can honestly declare you will be totally delighted with the book and the great eating you will gain.

Postcards from Jack Daniel's the Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook

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Postcards from Jack Daniel's the Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook
Lynne Tolley , and Pat Mitchamore
Manufacturer: Rutledge Hill Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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