3 out of 4 stars
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Health Tips, Myths and Tricks: A Physician’s Advice By Morton E. Tavel, MD is a book that aims to educate the general public about the many incorrect and often dangerous misconceptions that they are led to believe about their own bodies. From the health benefits of chocolate to the truth about dietary supplements, this book takes a hard look at the facts we take for granted every day.
Tavel himself has a background in cardiovascular diseases, but has certainly strayed from his area of expertise in this title, including explorations of topics as diverse as commercial air travel and polygraph tests. The book is divided up into three main areas: tips, a section designed to educate the reader on their own bodies and wellness in order to improve their general health, myths, which serves to debunk many commonly-believed medical and scientific misconceptions, and tricks, which aims to expose the various strategies so commonly used to part those in need with their money. The author states in his introduction that the overall aim is that the reader finishes the book able to consider more critically the information we are fed in our everyday lives, and recognise “snake oil” remedies for what they truly are. Having read Health Tips, Myths and Tricks, I believe it was successful.
The first thing that struck me when reading this book was the sheer variety and number of topics included, from an overview of BMI and its application (clearly within the author's field of expertise) to a chapter that detailed unfounded myths about WiFi. This quick-change style of writing would be better suited to a casual reader searching for an extra bit of day-to-day knowledge rather than anyone looking to delve into a subject in depth, but it does make these often quite specialised topics much more accessible to the general public.
The structure of the book can be a bit choppy in places - 65 chapters in a 300 page book, some as short as two pages in length, gives the reader a sense of watching the scenery from a train - a quick glimpse of one topic, then onto the next one right away with no real detailed discussion. Despite this, the written style of the book shows a great deal of personal knowledge, and Tavel's years of expertise in the medical field are clearly shown in every page. The information is presented clearly and in familiar terms, though not so simply as to patronise the reader. In my personal favourite section, “False Cures: Don't Be A Sucker!” Tavel examines the process that any 'cure’ must undergo before it is deemed a viable method of treatment. Scientific terms are used, but also carefully defined and placed in context to provide absolute clarity for the reader. The overall experience leaves the reader a good deal more educated as to these common medical myths, and is reasonably entertaining to boot.
Overall, I would give this book 3 out of 4 stars. The information is clear, well-presented and accessible to readers of any level of scientific background. It is also well edited and an enjoyable read that maintains interest throughout, although it does lend itself more towards dipping in and out of than an afternoon cover-to-cover read. I would certainly recommend this to the book’s target audience - the everyday consumer who is unsure where to turn for sound, simple medical advice - but for someone looking to truly educate themselves on any of the topics contained within, Health Tips, Myths and Tricks simply has its fingers in too many pies.
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Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks
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