AN ECLECTIC ADMIXTURE OF BOOKS, MOVIES, TELEVISON & TUNES

We buy books, other publishers send us carloads of ‘em, people give or loan us copies of books they think we’d like, and of course, we also WRITE the cotton-pickin’ things - six or so dozen to date. Thus, one could say ‘’books ‘r us'’ - but that is only partially the case.

We also are serious motion picture buffs and watch some teevee, listen to a lot of radio and Cds, peruse a number of newspaper and magazines and of course, surf the Net quite a bit. In general, we enjoy a fairly broad spectrum of current media output, thus, from time to time we drop into this feature our recent finds, such as:

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‘’How To Fight Cancer & Win'’ ISBN 1-891434-01-2, by William L. Fischer, foreword by Leslie H. Salov, M.D., published by Agora Health Books at $24.95 (inc. shipping). Contact data: Box 925, Frederick, MD 21705-9838, phone: 1-888-821-3609 or: www.agorahealthbooks.com

We bought two copies of this book - one to review here and the other for P.C.’s Uncle Heinz (on her mother’s side). He’s about 55 and was recently diagnosed with incurable Pancreatic Cancer - coincidentally, on the very day that our May issue (of our hard-copy monthly, PERSONAL SUCCESS - THE NEWSLETTER) was mailed out - the one in which we addressed the impact of horrific diagnoses such as that.

This is a fabulous book - one which you may come to refer to as ‘’a bonafide life-saver.'’ There are many thoroughly researched and studied methods for preventing cancers of all kinds as well as, in many cases, virtually curing existing cancers.

One such that caught our attention (and our personal involvement) concerns the life work of one Dr. Johanna Budwig, a German research physician who has been nominated for the Nobel Prize six times.

Since the mid 1950’s Dr. Budwig (now in her mid 90s) has been treating thousands of people who have been struck with all kinds of cancer and in many cases, saved their lives. On many occasions, she has gone to hospitals and taken home with her those patients on whom the doctors have decreed an irrevocable death sentence - and totally cured them! These people are back to work - back to life - and fully functioning members of society!

Whilst a careful reading of the material would be in order if one were to fully understand her techniques, I can tell you this: One of her important discoveries concerns the daily consumption of a half cup of low-fat cottage cheese (high sulphur content) mixed thoroughly with a tablespoon or two of linseed oil, more commonly known as Flaxseed oil.

It is essential that only virgin (first pressing), unheated, unrefined cold-pressed oil be utilized. Other types of processing has a lesser effect.

SuEllen and I have each commenced a daily regimen of consuming the admixture (she likes tomatoes chopped up on hers - I prefer garlic and onions) because each of us has a doctor-diagnosed ‘’stable'’ but nevertheless annoying growth - her’s in one breast - mine in the right lung.

Further benefits from the concoction are said to be in the area of lowering one’s blood pressure as well as bringing the cholesterol numbers down and in general, improving the cardiovascular system.

Incidentally, there is additional empirical evidence of the importance of consuming certain oils, and recently a widely-published report showed where omega-3 oil is actually superior to the widely prescribed statin drugs in regards to lowering cholesterol numbers.

The cost, by the way, is negligible by comparison: A 16 ounce bottle of flaxseed oil can be had for (about) $12.00 (a monthly supply for one) versus more than fifteen times that amount for statin. But . . . CHECK WITH YOUR OWN DOCTOR!

A CANCER COINCIDENCE

About 25 years ago, my late friend Hameed’s daughter, Serena, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. My oldest daughter, Laurie, contracted Hodgkin’s Disease and believe it or not, so did John Lane’s daughter, Barbara!

She was telling me recently that she had become so ill that she weighed a mere 72 pounds when John decided to take her to Germany (on a stretcher) to be treated as a last-ditch effort to save her life.

Upon arrival at the German clinic she was down to 68 pounds, and later learned that her father had already made funeral arrangements for her before embarking on the trip. She was treated in Germany at the Janker Clinic and neither of us knows (at this time) whether Dr. Budwig was part of that treatment.

Regardless, and before I forget it, Barbara has since established a website to help others in her predicament: www.thecancercoach.net Obviously, she fully recovered as did the daughters of Hameed and yours truly!

UPDATE: It has been 1 1/2 years since the ex brother-in-law was given the pancreatic cancer Damocles and sent home to die. He’s still his irascible old self - and now regularly drives to upper Michigan on his own, where he frequents the Indian casinos!

Since our first report, Barbara experienced a horrible relapse, first went to Germany for several weeks of therapy at a well-known clinic, returned to the U.S. for major cancer surgery and got her own copy of the book which we recommended.

She reports that she has been pronounced 100% cured by her physicians. Again, I refer you to her website - in fact, we have it as a featured link over to the left side of this page.

Needless to say, we highly recommend this book! You can get it at a much reduced price by going to www.Amazon.com I hope you do NOT have a need for it now - or ever - or for that matter, there isn’t a single soul you can think of who could benefit from it. Nevertheless, take my advice, get a copy of the thing, read it carefully, and equally as careful, stash it away somewhere safe.

Statistically, I fear that some day you may well be glad that you have this valuable information at your fingertips. Note: For years, we have also published a popular report on confronting cancer and winning, BUT:

For the money, you are further ahead to get ahold of a copy of the book reviewed above, ‘’How To Fight Cancer!'’ (Don’t worry - I can afford the ‘’loss'’ of any revenue from sales thus not made for OUR report . . . )

SINCE YOU ASKED . . .

Remember comedian George Gobel’s routine where he extolled the virtues of an accomplished person and then added, ‘’But he never got a dinner!'’ Hold that thought.

Several DAX-DOERS have asked for a status report on my own lung tumor and S.E.’s breast tumor. Most are genuinely concerned, whilst a couple probably just wonder if we’ll live long enough to fulfill their subscription term!

Hey! DAX-DOERS are a pragmatic lot! Anyway, we first learned that S.E.’s had stabilized and no further CAT scans would be necessary for a year. We went out and celebrated with a tasty (vegetarian) dinner.

Next, my CAT scan revealed that my uninvited guest was also stable - but I will need another kitty-look (CAT Scan!) in 6 months. When I told S.E. about it that night it seemed anti-climatic and only later did I realize ’twas because I did not get MY dinner ‘’out!'’ So a few days later, I enjoyed a huge, rare prime rib - the first meat/fish/fowl I’d had in over a year. YES! Was dee-licious! (Don’t criticize: I only fell off the [meat] wagon the one time . . . )

Example of reciprocity (a favorite term of the late J.F. ‘’Jim'’ Straw): I saw the book reviewed above advertised in REASON magazine and ordered it. My REASON subscription was a gift from longtime DAX-DOER Mark Lambert who also informed that in 1988 he took my Derek Dax Adventure/Mystery books to a creative writing class at a community college and scored a few Brownie points. His recent subscription gift to me may well result in a number of DAXER lives being extended. Now there’s a valuable ‘’chain letter!'’

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WARNING: FOR MEN ONLY

(And women who feel that a hard man is good to find . . . )

‘’The Hardness Factor,'’ ISBN-10:0-06-075551-2, by Steven Lamm, M.D., $25.95 by Harper-Collins. (No doubt you can get a copy through Amazon.com for half that amount or less.) I mentioned earlier in this issue that normally, we would not specifically go out of our way to review a book of this nature, but in this case there are good reasons to do so.

A few weeks back, as I was brushing my teeth and listening to ‘’Imus In The Morning,'’ I overheard him and his gang of merry idiots snickering about a book by Dr. Lamm, who they also said is a regular on some teevee show called ‘’The View,'’ hosted by ‘’Ba-ba-wa'’ (Thank you, Gilda) Walters, I believe. The guys sounded like ten-year-olds, giggling and making stupid sex-sourced remarks.

Then coincidentally, a few days later, a first edition copy of the self-same book arrived at DAX headquarters and was sent along to me at BLUE HERON POINTE along with a bunch of other review copies. We get many such freebies from publishers hoping we’ll give ‘em a plug - have for decades. I’ve previously told you how you may also get thousands of dollars worth of books gratis - as well as who-knows-what else . . . ’tis amazing the varied items sent to us, frankly.

Anyway, the book by its title tells you that the subject pertains to the pervasive problem that many men have which, in turn, was the underlying impetus for Viagra, Levitra and Cialis creating instant money-machines for their manufacturers.

So, you ‘’get my drift'’ of all this, right? - just in case there are one or two genuine ten-year olds in your household who might pick up this n/l up and start reading this article. Okay? Okay!

STARTLING STATS!

Here’s what I first found fascinating - actually, rather frightening: There are an enormous number of men who suffer the malady (well over 50% in all age ranges) - and far too many are in their teens as well as their twenties, thirties and beyond. Indeed, according to the good doctor, he sees many such in his practice, and further states that NO man in good health should experience a ‘’flagging sexual problem'’ even well into their seventies and eighties!

Some of the resulting problems for those who do suffer, include the erosion of self-confidence, they may well become shy, less resourceful, successful or any of several other things - all of a negative nature. One thing the book does not address is a fact that (I believe) most men do not know - really do not have a clue. I know this because I have made a point of spending as much of my life as possible amongst women - they smell and look a lot better than men:

Most women couldn’t care less about any of the concerns that their male counterparts have about their personal ('’manly'’) attributes - whether we’re talking size, condition, ability or whatever. As all women know (and a few will even disclose) their ‘’happiness'’ results from a whole other ‘’mechanical'’ approach that really has nothing to do with the subject at (or in) hand.

Indeed, many a female could be very happy with a eunuch if he had more brains than brawn . . . but again, none of this is really why I’m writing all this stuff in admittedly, couched terminology.

Nope, ’tis this: As clearly revealed in Dr. Lamm’s excellent book, if/when a man - at any age beyond puberty - experiences a recurring difficulty - either ‘’getting or staying'’(!) it is almost 100% a signal of poor health - and often, portends a potentially very serious - even life-threatening - condition.

Not surprising, all that often results from our horrible, standard, American, high-fat diet, plus a lack of needed exercise as we age.

Today, it’s common for even very young people (of both sexes) to spend much of their time in highly INactive pursuits - playing video games, watching television, hanging out at their computer and so on.

Conversely, it was once just ordinary for kids to out and play - often, play very strenuously - to the point of exhaustion. One time, my parents had to call the doctor in the evening after I wore out both myself and a new push-scooter that day! Regardless, children of yesteryear enjoyed (or endured) far greater physical exercise than today’s youth.

THAT SNEAKY BUT BRILLIANT DR. LAMM!

The true (and vital) message of Dr. Lamm’s book is that, by taking a series of specific steps (which he clearly outlines) one can all but ensure reversing any flaccidity and in so doing, greatly improve their overall health in meaningful ways that should, without a doubt, make their daily living happier but more importantly . . . cause them to live longer!

All this harkens back to my thesis, as detailed earlier in this issue, vis-B-vis finding a way to market a product by appealing to the prospect’s true concerns or interests. In so doing, he will also be exposed to the information that was actually your principal intention when you sat down to develop (whatever).

A man probably would not be easily convinced to buy and read a book that ‘’just'’ tells him how to get generally healthier than he currently is. What’s new about that? You hear it from your wife, mother, every other teevee report and so on. BUT . . . tell the same man that his sex life can be greatly improved and . . . whamo! Ya got ‘im where you want ‘im.

And to that end, we have reviewed this touchy-subject book and we strongly recommend it for the several very good reasons covered. I would go so far as to say this is a ‘’must-read'’ - for mature men and women, alike.

You will learn a great deal about several important factors that impact you and yours throughout your life and again, perhaps, the best thing to come out of the time you invest is a much stronger, longer and healthier . . . life!

Cannot resist this one(!): Imus said that his seven year-old son came to him asking about a certain ‘’new'’ phenomenon in his nether region - which he noticed in the morning, when he awoke. Imus told him not to worry about that - only to be concerned someday when it doesn’t happen . . .

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‘’Natural Cures They Don’t Want You To Know About'’ by Kevin Trudeau. Hardcover, 273 pages, ISBN: 0997559950X, published by the author on August 1, 2004. You will see this book marketed via 30 minute infommercials at all times of the day - not just in the less-costly, wee hours of darkness, as most such.

The book retails for $29.95 plus shipping, BUT if you want a copy, search Amazon.com and you’ll find both new and used copies for at least a full 30% or more discount. By the way, the book is ranked at #103 (in sales) at Amazon which is a terrific number. Unfortunately, most of the reviews by folks who have purchased the book are not as flattering - and range from harsh to scathing. We understand the why of that, however:

Whilst we cannot recommend this book for the reasons that would cause most to buy it, i.e., the promised revelations of ‘’natural cures'’ - promises made to tell you all the ways to avoid prescription drugs in dealing with the likes of acid reflux, cancer, heart disease, herpes, osteoarthritis - plus a host of other maladies - it readily becomes apparent that Trudeau is NOT about to present you with any of that information, citing various Federal institutions that would use his tale to put his tail in the proverbial wringer.

Indeed, he boldly states that he spent two years in a Federal pokey for some other infraction - which was based on his rights of free speech being abridged. He may well be correct in that, as we can tell you from several decades of writing and publishing umpteen millions of words, one must be rather careful about what you say or write in what most believe is our wholly ‘’free-speech society.'’

It is not, of course - but it is possible to state your case succinctly and remain within the confines of ‘’Big Brother’s'’ dictates.

Regardless, here is what most people dislike about the book - followed by what we LIKE about it: Throughout the text, Trudeau repeatedly (to the point of nausea) keeps directing the reader to his website. Okay, here and there ‘twould be okay - nothing at all wrong with self-promotion: We all need to do it if we are to survive.

BUT here’s the rub: When you have just read another paragraph about how he can NOT tell you what the actual cure is for (whatever), he then (again) directs you to that aforementioned website and the reader thinks,'’Ah ha! Now I’m going to get the answers I wanted.'’

No, you are not. What you will get is a ‘’bum’s rush,'’ as one wag put it, to pony up $400.00 for a subscription fee for a publication that may tell you more. Well yes, we can see where that might aggravate someone who had purchased the original thirty dollar book (plus shipping) - expecting that the answers to the questions posed in the advertising would be presented in the book, itself.

One reviewer, Will Vincent of Woodland Hills, California) came up with an alternative title, ‘’Natural Cures I Won’t Tell You About Unless You Spend More Money.'’

Then, there’s this: The book is a font of valuable data that would take a person quite a long time to gather - even with that wonderful 24/7 assistant we all have at our disposal - the Internet. He reveals data about things that we all suspect about drug companies, government agencies, food processing plants, retail stores and the like:

That does not make you feel very good about all of those listed entities (and many others) yet instinctively, you know it’s better to know than not to know(!) And it’s hard to fault his declarations (sometimes, rantings) as you can pretty much confirm his research if again, you just fire up your trusty ol’ ‘puter there.

So. Is the book worth reading? Absolutely. Will it do for you what you originally thought it would do for you? Probably not. But sometimes in life, the outcome of one’s actions are often far different than originally expected and sometimes, worth the trip anyway. Let’s put it is way:

The book comes with a money-back guarantee - and we did NOT exercise the option. From this ol’ cheapskate (who still measures every of life’s purchases against the 25 cents per lawn-mowing that I got when I was a kid) - that’s quite an endorsement . . .

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A VERY SCARY THING YOU MAY CONFRONT . . .

. . . not just during this scariest of all months - but at any time in your life: The suspicion that your spouse is cheating on you! As a veteran of way too many marriages - and more than my share of wayward wives - I can tell you two things:

1.If you seriously think your spouse is being unfaithful - the odds are 87% out of a hundred (according to the ‘’sexperts'’) that you are correct, oh cuckolded one!

2.Whether you are correct or not - the thought is extremely unsettling - as well may be your bank account and other hard-earned resources.

Now comes a long-time DAX-DOER with what may be a solution - at least, as regards giving you some peace of mind - even if that comes at the expense of confirming your deepest, darkest fears.

Edward Talurdey is a professional private detective who, when appearing on many of the popular chat shows over the years, such as Oprah, Maury and so forth - has illustrated various ways to trap a cheat and of course, he has offered (for sale) the service, itself.

Many have been willing to pay the oft-time thousands of dollars for a professional P.I. to confirm their suspicions as well as protect their assets - and again, I can tell you from personal past experience, the $$ can be very well spent - saving enormous sums during settlement ‘’discussion'’ (read as, ‘’Real Life War of The Roses!'’)

Regardless . . . just about anything and everything you’d need to know to first, determine whether you have a valid suspicion and then - onwards and upwards (or downwards, depending on your point of view) to the time when you have all the damning evidence to thoroughly and legally bust your no-longer loved-one.

It can get nasty - but then, if YOU are nice, faithful, truthful and all that good stuff like your momma raised you to be (and you are, right?!) then, why should you be taken advantage of by some errant n’er-do-well? Here’s the best part:

All that inside secret data stuff - tricks of the trade and so on - can now be instantly acquired - right off the Internet, via a download you can purchase for a measly $39.00 - no shipping or other extra costs involved!

Called, ‘’How To Catch Your Cheating Lover,'’ it’s a veritable compendium of fascinating psychological (and mechanical) means by which you can be 100% certain one way or t’other of what’s been going on behind your back and with whom! When and where - all the sordid details that hold up in court.

Bear in mind, what you do with your newfound insight is a serious consideration - one which you’d best REALLY cogitate at length! Do your best to avoid any action that will place you in the slammer and/or cause you to ‘’lose the farm.'’

Regardless, just visit this website and decide for yourself whether you even need to worry: www.cathacheat.com (There’s a helpful Q. & A. there). You’ll also get sources for just about any type of clandestine video/sound recording, voice stress analyzer, GPS or other tracking device you may find necessary - or amusing.

And good luck! If you are in a situation where you cannot trust (whomever) I really feel your pain - as one of history’s great philanders used to say frequently to anyone who would listen. That would be your colorful former President Billy (I’ve-Just-Never-Quite-Matured) Clinton, in case you’ve forgotten. I’ll bet ol’ Hillary hasn’t . . .

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More books from our own shelves:

SuEllen got ahold of the entire series of 11 Stephanie Plum books from a friend, read ‘em all, and I ended up doing likewise. They’re sort of fun - all about a young, ‘’modern'’ woman (read sexually active without apology) who, out of necessity, becomes a very unlikely bounty hunter. And as the old saying goes, ‘’Hilarity ensues!'’ Written by Janet Evanovich, you may well find these books a pretty fun - and fast - read.

Each title tempts the buyer/reader’s attention in a serial fashion, as in: ‘’One For The Money,'’ ‘’Two For The Dough,'’ ‘’Three To Get Deadly,'’ ‘’Four To Score,'’ etc. (Logically, it seems that one should have been entitled, ‘’Four For The Ho!'’)

SuEllen also highly recommends ‘’The Great Influenza,'’ by Jon M. Barry . . . both ‘’John Adams'’ and ‘’1776′’ by David MCCullough . . .. ‘’Faith of Our Fathers'’ by Senator John McCain, ‘’Under The Banner of Heaven'’ by Jon Krakaur and ‘’Empire Falls'’ by Richard Russo.

A few months back, HBO presented a short series based on the book called ‘’Empire Falls'’ which starred Paul Newman. It was a so-so production - worth seeing if you have the time and find on a CD at a garage sale.

As for my personal reading of late:

Mostly, I’ve gone back to re-read some of my old-timey favorites, including, ‘’Atlas Shrugged'’ by Ayn Rand, and ‘’Fountainhead'’ - also by Rand. It was from that book’s protagonist that I was inspired to name my youngest daughter, Dominique some 36 years ago!

I’ve also waltzed trough all of the John McGee books by my late friend John D. Mcdonald (I have most of ‘em in first edition, signed, dated and inscribed by John). And as conceited as it may sound, I also read three of my own work sof fiction, ‘’The Big Dream'’ (a political intrigue novel) and the first two books in the Derek Dax series, ‘’The Enchanted Cottage'’ and ‘’Class Prophecy: Murder!'’ It was the first time I had ever read any of ‘em since I wrote the original manuscripts almost three decades back!

But the one old book I enjoyed reading more than any other was the very first hard cover cook I ever bought, ‘’The Best Stories of Guy de Maupassant.'’ It was about seven and stopped by an old book store in Sturgis, Michigan called Kolady’s.

The book was expensive (for me, at the time) - about $3.00 I ha dto work very hard mowing lawns (25 cents each - old reel-type pus-mower), collect old papers and sell for a few cents a pound, etc, to raise the funds. But I did - and to this day, it is one of my most prized possessions! The short stores are great, too!

As for movies: Even though S.E. and I have always enjoyed them immensely (our first date 16 years ago was to see Whoppi Goldberg’s ‘’Ghost'’) - and in my case, I actually ran motion picture theatres in my misspent youth - nowadays, we are hard-pressed to find or recommend ANY contemporary films.

Instead, we dig out DVDs of older releases such as, ‘’Stranger Than Paradise'’ (S.E.’s all-time favorite, methinks!), ‘’Bunny Lake Is Missing'’ (creepy but it still holds up despite its age of 40 years or so),'’ most anything that Alfred Hitchcock and Mel Brooks ever made or Albert Brooks ever starred - ditto for Robin Williams and Steve Martin.

There is no better-structured comedy than ‘’The Jerk'’ in my not-so-humble judgment! We get really selective when it comes to Woody Allen flicks - some yes, some no. That is a very personal choice for sure!

When it comes to music - music comes to us - virtually all the time - at home, in the office, in cars, etc. For starters, I have a had a lingering very loud ringing in my ears since October of 1969 so I mask it with noise - and generally, that takes the form of music of all genres.

I prefer classical but strayed from that years ago when my youngest daughter was still at home playing (loudly) all the music of pop artists of the day - Blondie, ABBA, Billy Joel, Billy Idol, Pat Benatar - that sort of thing which seemed wild back then - very MILD nowadays!

Currently, I play an eclectic mix of Cds by the likes of Elaine Paige, Linda Eder, Ray Charles, Lucinda Williams, John Prine, Barbra Streisand, Betty Buckley, Celine Dion, Aaron Neville, Paula Abdul, Karen Akers, Vonda Shepherd, The Polyphonic Spree - plus some 300+ others.

SuEllen enjoys an even more peculiar mix(!) which includes Elvis Costello, Heart, Cowboy Junkies, Rosemary Clooney, The Mills Brothers, Dean Martin, Thelonious Monk, Ethel Merman, Patti Smith, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Dave Matthews band and Randy Travis.

Television-land has become rather barren of late - only a short list for us:

‘’Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO), ‘’Weeds'’ (Showtime), ‘’Bill Maher Show'’ (HBO), ‘’Boston Legal'’ (ABC), ‘’House'’ as well as ‘’Bones'’ (FOX), ‘’It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia'’ (Fx - great to see Danny DeVito again!) and ‘’The Closer'’ (TNT).

The CBS trilogy of CSI shows has worn a bit thin - still prefer only the original one based in Vegas. I also like ‘’Vegas'’ (also CBS) although, it’s quickly starting to lose its original luster. As much as I like them both personally, both David Letterman and Jay Leno have allowed their nightly shows to become so formula that it makes me turn to Jimmy Kimmel - which is really unbelievable . . .

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