HIV books

	Letting Them Die: Why HIV/Aids Prevention Programmes Fail (African Issues)
	By: Catherine Campbell ISBN: 0253216354 Publisher: Indiana University Press Release Date: September, 2003 Bioscience book rank: 91906	Superb study of an HIV/AIDS prevention programme in a South African township. Focussing on mineworkers, sexworkers, young people and (political)stakeholders. <br />Using several concepts of the social sciences, like empowerment, critical consciousness and social capital, she describes and analyses behaviour of the aforementioned groups in relation to the HIV epidemic in South Africa. <br />Making use of findings from 'The Summertown Project' she comes to a clear and lively story of the choices people from a marginalized community make. <br /> <br />I used this book for my final thesis on a research I did at an AIDS project in South Africa. It helped me to prepare myself on the things I was going to experience and to put my research in a broader perspective. This is an exceptional and courageously written book. It is a'must read' for anyone involved in efforts to get groups of people to change their behavior. Limitations of public education efforts identified in this book can be applied to numerous public health endeavors. Without the insights of this author, we will continue to make attempts to apply programs that will fail because we have failed to understand the context in which the undesirable behavior patterns occur. This is a tough, sobering and realistic piece of work.<br>I also found it a pleasure to read, profoundly interesting, although often tragically so. There are few books about AIDS that are worth reading, let alone reviewing. The vast majority remain constrained by the rigid confines of their conceptualisation, almost none daring to suggest that their conceptualisation might be wrong. The author of this book is one of the very few who dare do this and as a result has produced a book which is not only outstanding intellectually but should also be mandatory reading for anyone who has an interest in programmes that attempt to have an impact on any one of the multitude of epidemics of HIV infection. In fact it should be mandatory reading for anyone who has an interest in programmes that attempt to change the way people are in relation to what are called the development problems of today.<p>The book describes the author's experiences with a project that started out by trying to reduce the risk of infection by HIV amongst three groups in a mining town in South Africa - female sex workers, male miners, and young people. There were two approaches to doing this: peer education and the "promotion of partnerships between a diverse array of community groupings of stakeholders to coordinate and support the variety of local HIV-prevention efforts in such a way that maximized their overall cumulative effectiveness". The interventions chosen were all invested with the glowing approbation of the international `AIDS project' community as prime examples of what should be done in such situations. In terms of having any impact on the epidemic or on the sexual culture of the area the project has so far been a failure. The author analyses the reasons for this failure in a number of analytical contexts.<p>The author is very well placed to analyse the history of the project. She herself as a social psychologist had been involved in the township in 1995 in trying to understand the reasons why there is such a high prevalence of HIV infection amongst the miners and sex workers despite their obvious knowledge of the existence of HIV and the ways in which it is transmitted. The studies themselves form part of the opening chapters, and provide very good insight into the conditions of these people's lives and the enormous social factors that influence their lives and decision-making. The following chapters describe the way the project grew as a result of a drive from some local people for work that would affect the growing numbers of people with AIDS and from a group of scientists and professionals (including the author) who had an interest in the area. One chapter provides the initial theoretical justification for the various actions that were taken, with heavy leaning on the writings of Paulo Freire on the conscientisation side, Pierre Bourdieu for social capital, and on the experiences of peer education with sex workers in Zimbabwe of David Wilson and others.<p>The book will be invaluable for the discussion of the importance of the social context for behaviour, and indeed will be read by many for that alone. It also details the very many ways in which the project's ideals fell by the wayside (the rates of sexually transmitted infection in miners actually rose during the period of the project, there were many difficulties with the peer education approach for young people in school, the stakeholders were far from unified in their vision or even interest) or were partially successful (there were several changes amongst the sex workers), and again these experiences will be as interesting as they are familiar to many who work with such projects.<p>However this book goes far beyond such a discussion. She points to the inadequacies of our current theoretical and modelling frameworks for such interventions; to the fact that the stakeholders who were involved did not see themselves as part of the epidemic or as people whose behaviour had to change; to the fact that the designers and researchers of the project had much discord and competition amongst themselves; to the great mistrust that developed between the researchers and much of the `community'. In fact, although the author tries to scotch the problem with the definition of `community' by stating that in this case the term `community' refers to the people in a geographic area, the tension behind this definition continues throughout the book as it is acknowledged that only a few of the many individuals and groups in the area were in fact being requested to change their ways - the paternalism and continued power of the `senior' stakeholders continuing throughout.<p>The value of the book is still more. The lessons drawn in the concluding chapter smack of a level of desperation in the author to find lessons, and this may perhaps be the only weakness of the book. In these lessons the author still struggles to keep the idea going that somehow in a better world the interventions could have had an impact if only people had carried them through according to the wishes of the project designers. The deep question the author raises in the mind of the reader is whether such approaches can ever work in relation to an epidemic (as opposed to being valuable for a few individuals or groups). This question is not actually present in the book (although there are numerous hints of the author's disquiet concerning the mismatch between the daily reality of people's lives and the wishes and interests of the project managers) but it hangs over ever sentence as did the sword over Damocles. As for Dionysius in relation to those who wield power, it is a question hanging over all those who praise mindlessly the black art of development.
	The First Year: HIV: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The)
	By: Brett Grodeck, Daniel S. Berger ISBN: 1600940137 Publisher: Marlowe & Company Release Date: 01 June, 2007 Bioscience book rank: 91154	This is a wonderful book it gives a general view on what to expect and which resources you have available. I believe it also helps family members understand better what their love one goes through, and how they can help. <br />Great tool I wholeheartedly recommended it. :) A WONDERFUL PRIMER FOR THE NEWLY DIAGNOSED, AS WELL AS FOR THE NOT SO NEWLY DIAGNOSED........HIGHLY INFORMATIVE AS WELL AS UPLIFTING. Books on Health: Smart Approach to H.I.V.<br>(December 9, 2003)<p>It is hard to be optimistic about an incurable disease, but the author of this supportive resource, a writer who has had H.I.V. for 25 years, manages to do it. "Now that I'm healthy," he writes, "I'm far more worried about getting in a car accident on the Los Angeles Freeway than I am about getting sick from H.I.V."<p>Mr. Grodeck, an online editor for the RAND Corporation, guides readers through the first seven days after diagnosis, the next three weeks, and the rest of the year.<br> <br>Combining the human element with essential information about treatment options, choosing the right doctors, the importance of diet and exercise, holistic alternatives and sex, the book transforms a complex disease into one that can be understood and managed.<p>In his discussion of treatment options, Mr. Grodeck takes a level-headed approach.<p>While noting that the new generation of medicines, taken together in various combinations, can slow or even halt the virus, he cautions that so-called alternative therapies do not improve the course of H.I.V. and that some are dangerous and can make the infection worse.<p>"If you like gambling," he writes, "you'll love herbal medicine. Most herbal or plant-based medicines haven't been properly tested, so they are risky." Moreover, he says, people taking prescription drugs should "be careful about taking herbs and supplements."<p>"Herbs and supplements do not work for treating H.I.V.," Mr. Grodeck concludes, "but some forms of alternative medicine help with symptoms of anxiety and depression."
	The Guide to Living with HIV Infection: Developed at the Johns Hopkins AIDS Clinic (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)
	By: John G. Bartlett, Ann K. Finkbeiner ISBN: 0801884861 Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press Release Date: 25 September, 2006 Bioscience book rank: 138174	As a PWA (Person living with AIDS) and a professional that works in the private Social Services sector specializing in HIV/AIDS patient care, I highly recommend this book!<p>This book can function as both a personal and/or professional guide to the disease, the services and benefits that someone living with HIV/AIDS may qualify for, and a general overview of some of the drugs and treatment options.<p>This book is also a wonderful tool to give to friends and family should someone living with HIV/AIDS choose to disclose their Sero-status.<p>Highly recommended without any reservation! I agree with most of what the other reviewers are saying, but I found it a bit dry, and somewhat frightening if anyone reading it was just diagnosed with HIV; flipping through it can fill you with "doom and gloom"..... An excellent guide which explains how HIV is transmitted, evaluates available treatment and prevention, provides counsel on coping with the emotional effects of the infection, and addresses financial and legal concerns. New to this revised and updated edition are detailed discussions of new drugs, special considerations for women, and recent data on CF4 cell counts and viral load.
	100 Q&A About AIDS and HIV (100 Questions & Answers about . . .)
	By: Joel E. Gallant ISBN: 0763750425 Publisher: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc. Release Date: 02 November, 2007 Bioscience book rank: 200950	At last, a book about HIV that's tells me what I want to know, that's written by a gay guy, and that's fun to read and doesn't drag me down. I've been a regular user of Dr. G's web forum for years. It's nice to read him now, with his amusing and irreverent style, in book form (where he can concentrate on education rather than just placating or pissing off the crazies). If you've just found out you're positive, then this is the book you should read first. But I learned a lot, too, and I consider myself pretty educated on the subject. Everyone with HIV infection should read this book...and lots of other people should, too. Dr. Gallant,an internationally renowned expert fromt Johns Hopkins, presents excellent and understandable answers to the most commonly asked questions about HIV-AIDS. A must read for anyone who is affected directly or indirectly by the disease!
	HIV and AIDS in Africa: Beyond Epidemiology
	By: Ezekiel Kalipeni, Susan Craddock, Joseph R. Oppong, Jayati Ghosh ISBN: 0631223576 Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Release Date: 02 December, 2003 Bioscience book rank: 294785
	The Origin, Persistence and Failings of HIV/AIDS Theory
	By: Henry H. Bauer ISBN: 0786430486 Publisher: McFarland & Company Release Date: 30 June, 2007 Bioscience book rank: 92148	A must reed. Very thoroughly researched and annotated. The best book on this sensitive subject. For those who don't already know 'AID$' is a sick puritan myth based on pseudo science and fueled by puritan and greed related motivation, this book is a must read. <br /> <br />Well constructed absolute proof that 'AID$' is a syndrome by definition only and is based on a foundation of quick sand.
	Science Sold Out: Does HIV Really Cause AIDS?
	By: Rebecca Culshaw, Harvey Bialy ISBN: 1556436424 Publisher: North Atlantic Books Release Date: 02 January, 2007 Bioscience book rank: 120709	This is a very concise book about the HIV disclosure. The author made a very strong case against the propaganda of the "hypothetical" causative agent of AIDS. One of the most interesting points that the author highlighted is that our genome is 45% endogenous retroviruses. These viruses are latent and could be activated under varieties of conditions. I do recommend readers to read carefully the evidences that author attacked to support her point before accepting/rejecting her conclusions. I have enjoyed reading this book although I am not working on HIV; the logic of analyzing and criticizing the supporting results of HIV story are very persuasive. Many reviewers of this book attack the author irrationally; personal attack is not valid criticism!, remember that the author herself is a PhD holder on the topic of HIV and immune system. Holding different opinion or providing a different theory is really something very healthy for the scientific community. Above all the main goal of medical science is to provide solutions for medical problems to help the patients. I highly recommend reading this book to everyone interested in science. This book is very disturbing. Its disturbing there are people who will read this book and make decisions about their health because of it. Living with HIV and even AIDS is reality for lots of people today, and this kind of pseudo-science doesn't make it any easier for them. Alot of people also don't have a science education to know they are being deceived by HIV deniers who "sound" like scientists. <br />If you want good information you go to an expert. This author is not an expert. The "detailed scientific jargon" another reviewer talks about in this book isn't even used right by the author. She is a mathematician. She is not a biologist or a doctor. She substitutes strong emotions and shrill language about this subject for good reasoning and facts. I am a scientist myself and I don't know how she gets so much wrong in such a small book. <br />Please if you want accurate information about HIV look somewhere else. An amateur who knows just enough to screw up the facts royally is not a reliable source. This book scares me. I read this book for a class and I will have to say that it has the potential to be quite dangerous to those who are in some way affected by HIV/AIDS and are seeking some sort of hope. With the use of mathematical figures and detailed scientific jargon, the author has created what appears to be a valid proposition--that contains half an argument. In an attempt to break the connection between HIV and AIDS, Culshaw has done little more than discuss the weaknesses of the HIV/AIDS correlation. However, it must be pointed out that Culshaw herself does say that there is no current understanding of AIDS which leads me to believe that her theory is based on what she does not understand. Overall, the book is skeptical at best and relies too heavily on repetitious points, mathematical figures, and scientific jargon that does little more than confuse and possibly impress readers. After reading the book I was left with a sense of discontent because I felt that the only thing she truly proved was that there is still a lot of research left to be done in the fields of HIV and AIDS--which should come to a shock to no one. I believe that the book is a bit reckless in its presentation of "fact" and "fiction," especially coming from a member of the scientific community. I would not recommend this book, but if you read it please approach it with caution.
	Built To Survive: HIV Wellness Guide Fourth Edition
	By: Michael Mooney, Nelson Vergel ISBN: 1890772437 Publisher: Hohm Press Release Date: February, 2005 Bioscience book rank: 572806	This is a great book, well-organized and full of useful information. BTW, the authors frequently post to the PozHealth group on yahoo.groups. The book is not bad. It gives you knowledge and choices. The author definitely did his homework. It is a great read, it gives you choices, just keep that in mind. Remember that what works for someone may not work for you!
	Legal Aspects of HIV and AIDS: A Guide for Policy and Law Reform (Law, Justice, and Development Series) (Law, Justice, and Development Series Law, Justice, and Devel)
	By: Lance Gable, Katharina Gamharter, Lawrence O. Gostin, James G., Jr. Hodge, Rudolf V. Van Puymbroeck ISBN: 0821371053 Publisher: World Bank Publications Release Date: 22 August, 2007 Bioscience book rank: 122722
	Stedman's Oncology Words: Includes Hematology, HIV & AIDS (Stedman's Word Books)
	By: Stedman's ISBN: 0781773822 Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Release Date: 01 August, 2006 Bioscience book rank: 483740	This is the only oncology book I have that gives the staging and grading names and whether they are arabic or roman numeral. This is an important Item. I've used the book quite a bit. As with all of Stedman's word books, this is power-packed and indispensible. I transcribe for cancer clinics, among other clients, and the people at Stedman's do a great job in this specialty as with all of their word books. In addition to hundreds of pages of terms related to cancer and diseases of the blood, there is terrific cross-referencing, appendices with details on different staging and classification systems, names and addresses of many major cancer centers (alphabetized by state, excellent idea), chemo regimens alphabetized by diagnosis, etc. <p>You may also benefit from the good deal Amazon offers for pairing this with Stedmans' equally fine Radiology book, or, if you would prefer these on a CD, you will find a CD on this site that has the Oncology and Radiology books gathered onto one CD with images etc. I couldn't do my job without Stedman's.