The Red Devil: To Hell with Cancer--And Back

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Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: after reading this book, i was full of admiration for rich, not just as a cancer survivor but as a brilliant story teller. she weaves medical info, personal history and romance together in a chronicle of discovery and self-awareness. for cancer patients, their loved ones, and anyone who enjoys reading about a struggle well fought.

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Summary: a difficult, powerful, blunt must read book....
Review: An incredible book every woman should read. I went through a wide range of emotions while reading Katherine Russell Rich's story. She had me laughing & crying, had me scared & angry but throughout the book her strength amazed me. I felt she could be my friend, my sister, me. She showed once again that women are capable of getting through the hardest of times despite the obstacles thrown in their way. We just need to learn to trust our instincts, take better care of ourselves, stand up & fight and respect one another. I can't wait to read the sequel!

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Summary: Read this book!
Review: Blunt, honest and at times, quite biting. I'll be recommending it to my patients who have cancer.

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Summary: Courageous
Review: For a cancer survivor to record the whole nasty experience and not succumb to the fear that the words she writes will be her last is so courageous and selfless. They don't have to share, but they do. My mother-in-law is in her second remission from ovarian cancer. As a family member who so dearly loves her and wishes this evil cancer would be silenced, Kathy's novel is refreshing. I agree with the fact a cancer patient has to keep her head in the game. Trusting one doctor is foolish when you're gambling with your life. It's better to ask, then lose time. Loved it.

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Summary: The Red Devil: To Hell with Caner -- And Back
Review: I found this book terribly depressing and agonizingly cynical. As a cancer survivor, I was truly disappointed to read Rich's assessment of her struggle. Cancer isn't easy, of course, but we hear enough awful accounts of the disease to not need a book describing the constant unhappiness of the self-indulgent journey of one who seems so focused on only seeing the difficulty. For anyone involved in a struggle with cancer, I recommend that you do not read this book. Read something uplifting rather than something that drags you down, because there are amazingly powerful success stories filled with hope and blossoming joy. A woman (especially one struggling with cancer) can be realistic while being strong yet positive, determined yet hopeful.

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Summary: Touching and ironically humorous
Review: I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in May of 2000; I am seventeen years old. Although this memoir deals with breast cancer, I still found it extremely helpful, funny, comforting, sad, etc. It illustrates the experience of cancer as not only harrowing, but as a learning experience. Ms. Rich attacks her disease with truth and strength. I recommend this book to ANYONE, involved with cancer or not.

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Summary: one of the best books on breast cancer I've read
Review: I would recommend this book to anyone with breast cancer who enjoys reading other's story of breast cancer. It is well written, easy to read and hard to put down. If you don't like reading books that show the darker side of breast cancer and all that entails, then don't buy this book. Not only does this book show you the dark, miserable, lonely side of dealing with breast cancer, but gives you many examples of miracles, hope, humor and I laughed out loud at the ms patient who decided to join the breast cancer support group. Hilarous. I loved it because of the truthful way she portrayed this disease and it's impact on the woman, her mate, her family, work and work relationships, oncologists, the medical system in general etc. She has a wonderfully delightful way of writing her story. Would read anything else she publishes based on that fact alone.

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Summary: An honest -- and witty -- account of surviving cancer
Review: I, too, couldn't stop reading this book! I truly appreciated Rich's no-holds-barred honesty, especially the fact that she doesn't present herself as this invincible hero, but as full of shortcomings and frailties as anyone else. And this makes her story all the more compelling. As a person who has had two close family members diagnosed with cancer within the last year, I would definitely recommend this book not just to friends and family members of cancer patients and survivors, but to anyone. Rich provides much-needed insight into what it's like to fight for your life, while bringing in enough wit and humor to make it an enjoyable read.

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Summary: Read this book!
Review: If you never read another cancer survivor book, read this one. Katherine Russell Rich has been to hell and found genuine wisdom and true maturity there. Despite the negative aspects of her treatment, which in its initial stages was mediocre at best, her book is hope filled and positive. I thought this book was so important that I sent a copy to my oncologist. How's that for being a KickAssCancer Patient? It's not a book for the recently diagnosed, however, as breast cancer treatment now is a lot less gruelling than it was ten years ago, and the book might make the not-yet-treated needlessly apprehensive. (P.S.: Jean Cozad Lyon is my sister.)

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Summary: A happenin' New York chick tells her story.
Review: Katherine Russell Rich is a hip, happenin' New York chick whose life was turned upside down by breast cancer. I've never met Ms. Rich but I know she's happenin' because of the way she writes. I first heard her on an NPR interview and read her book to understand breast cancer. By the end of the book I understood her a little bit too because she writes like she talks, a must for a good writer. Read this book if you want to know the red devil more intimately. Ms. Rich knows how to write about it.