Rating: 
Summary: Even For The Teenage Soul
Review: 'Confessions Of A Kamikaze Cowboy' is one out of many autobiographies that have been written by actors. But it's one out the few that can really make people's life different. Not only in their way of thinking, but also in their lifestyle. But it's not that this book has TAUGHT me to think this way, but it's his experience supported by opinions that made me RECONSIDER my view of life. Though I still don't fully agree with them, I knew while reading the book that it's hís opinion, and I respect that.
Rating: 
Summary: macrobiotic lifestyle - up close and personal
Review: A library search for "macrobiotic diet" lead me to "Komikaze Cowboy". Dirk Benedict. I had heard of him, so I read it. An evocative writing style and familiar names - Gloria Swanson & Wm Dufty ("Sugar Blues") - added respectability to one person's discovery of true health and its attendant responsibilities. It is a story of excesses through a philosophy of moderation, but, everyone's journey is unique. I agree with many of his opinions of our world today. One caveat to my fellow feminists... The author details his failure to understand modern woman. We are granted biological superiority and entreated to accept the accompanying responsibility. The basis for this superiority? Our control over the "quality of both food and sex". I think this is what I used to call the "breeding cow" theory. And...sorry! my dad cooks. We are what we eat, but, we may also be what we think. Read the book to find out were Mr. Benedict's cancer manifested itself with this attitude toward women. The book ends with a challenge with Mr. Benedict as the prize. I'm halfway there. My recommendation? Read the book. It made me care enough about this man's future to have just ordered his 1993 book - 10 years after "Kamikaze Cowboy" was written. Maybe he has lightened up on the aging feminist.
Rating:
Summary: macrobiotic lifestyle - up close and personal
Review: A library search for "macrobiotic diet" lead me to "Komikaze Cowboy". Dirk Benedict. I had heard of him, so I read it. An evocative writing style and familiar names - Gloria Swanson & Wm Dufty ("Sugar Blues") - added respectability to one person's discovery of true health and its attendant responsibilities. It is a story of excesses through a philosophy of moderation, but, everyone's journey is unique. I agree with many of his opinions of our world today. One caveat to my fellow feminists... The author details his failure to understand modern woman. We are granted biological superiority and entreated to accept the accompanying responsibility. The basis for this superiority? Our control over the "quality of both food and sex". I think this is what I used to call the "breeding cow" theory. And...sorry! my dad cooks. We are what we eat, but, we may also be what we think. Read the book to find out were Mr. Benedict's cancer manifested itself with this attitude toward women. The book ends with a challenge with Mr. Benedict as the prize. I'm halfway there. My recommendation? Read the book. It made me care enough about this man's future to have just ordered his 1993 book - 10 years after "Kamikaze Cowboy" was written. Maybe he has lightened up on the aging feminist.
Rating:
Summary: This book should be mandatory for Medical Doctors!
Review: Before a medical doctor gets his license (to what?, to killaccording to the law of radiation and chemotherapy?) he should have toread and understand this book. He should be forced by law to give thisbook to every cancer patient before he explains the torturous methods of chemo, radiation and surgery. That's all I have to say. END
Rating: 
Summary: Kamikaze Cowboy says thanks.
Review: Dear Amazonian browsers... I want to thank those who have read my carcinogenic memoirs and taken the time to respond with their letters and via Amazon.com's comment feature. It means more than you can know. I could (and may some day) write another book on "Confessions of a Kamikaze Cowboy's" tortuous path to publication. It has been banned, burned and murdered. Initially, writing a book about my cancer experience was not my idea. My instincts were of the opposite kind...the fewer who knew what I had gone through the better. Finally, however, I succumbed and wrote "Kamikaze Cowboy" in my dressing room during the second season of filming "The A Team". It was promptly rejected by twenty major publishing houses, not only for the "dangerous" opinions espoused by it's author, but also because, according to the 'experts', it needed to be rewritten by a "professional". I was, after all, only an actor. Actors are well and good as tools by which to sell soft drinks, junk food and sneakers to our children but not to have an opinion on deeper issues of well being. Four years of rejection finally resulted in it's publication by a small house in California. A year later, that publisher was so intimidated by pressure from 'special interest' groups, he took it off the market and burned all his remainders. Several years passed until Avery called and asked if they might bring it out. I dug it out of my trunk, dusted it off and that is the edition that is now in print. After this ten year journey from my typewriter to the readers hands, it is with immense joy that I read the comments of those who have read "Kamikaze Cowboy" and know that it was all worth the effort and perseverence. I have received hundreds of letters from readers telling me that the book has imporoved the quality of their life's experience. So it seems the "experts" were wrong. What a surprise. Some of you have even expressed the view that it was well written! I can only say, well written or gobbledy gook, it is my story, it is true, and to hell with the "experts". (Don't get me started.) I wish there had been a book like this around when I was embarking on my kamikaze trek. It wouldn't have changed what happend, but it would have let me know that there was someone who had gone before and it (cancer) was not only survivable, but opportunity for a profoundly new beginning. In closing, for those many of you who have asked why I don't write a cook book...they're are already many wonderful macrobiotic cookbooks available and it is my motto to never write a book that A; has already been written; and B; someone else could write. I will say, The Kamikaze Cookbook would be without recipes, because it is my experience that all we really need to be a great cook is our own intuition and the courage to follow it. Yes, even in the kitchen. Especially in the kitchen. Which is where the destiny of our children, and hence all mankind, is decided. In these times of rising health costs, increasing chronic ailments and failed procedures ...we had better kick corporate America out of our kitchens and put Mom and Dad back in them. (Don't get me started.) And now I'm going to go make some soba noodles, sip some bancha tea and then play with my kids. See ya on my website. Yours in the Kitchen of Life, Dirk Benedict
Rating:
Summary: Kamikaze Cowboy Tells It Like It Is
Review: Dirk Benedict has produced one of the few books of our time that speaks the truth about life, health (both physical and spiritual ), and survival. How one man's story from his beginnings as a Montana farm boy, to television actor in the rough and tumble arena of "show business" has affected so many ( and so positively ) is heartwarming to say the least. Mr. Benedict's views on health have received many "blasts" from the medical community. The so called "experts" that said it could not be done.....that one man could not possibly cure himself of a life-threatening condition....those experts need only to look upon Mr. Benedict and all those who believe in the philosophy of "taking charge" of your own personal health and spirit, to know that ideed it is possible. Mr. Benedict's book "Confessions of a Kamikaze Cowboy" is a must read for those of us who know deep down ( and despite what the "experts" say ) that there truly IS a better way to self healing and preservation, a way to lasting health and happiness. Not only is Mr. Benedict's book a guide to all these things, he has opened his life up for the reader, with all it's intimate moments and personal feelings and reflections. For that, one can only tip their hat to a man who, in the public eye, has bared his very soul to millions. And paid the price. For those of you who have not read this wonderful book, please do yourself a HUGE favor and pick it up. I promise you a purchase that will grant you a lifetime of health and happiness. Every penny well spent.
Rating:
Summary: Gossipy, Hollywood Tell All ----NOT!
Review: For those of you who picked up this book expecting a Jackie Collins-type look into the life of the author, you might as well put the book back, because you will be sorely disappointed! And, if you don't like people with a strong belief system, who are intense and passionate about their beliefs (and don't mind telling you so), you may even be offended. Mr. Benedict writes a compelling autobiography about his struggle with his career, relationships, and dis-ease. He shares with the reader the path he took to becoming a whole person- mentally and physically. He does this with a great sense of humor, and a definite knowledge of how food contributes, or doesn't contribute, to our health and well-being. He writes in 1st person, which makes for a very entertaining, yet intimate, read. I did get the feeling, however, that through all his brutal honesty, Mr. Benedict was holding back a little. Just when I caught myself thinking "Aha! Now we are getting somewhere!" he pulls back. Whether it was deliberate, or for Cowboy II, or a "leave 'em wanting more" writing style, I haven't the foggiest. Although I do agree with him that ice cream is just as harmful to the body as cigars, I do hope he has given up his beloved stogies. All the healthy eating in the world can not combat the effects of smoking on the body. Also, I hope Mr. Benedict has come to realize that the education you receive in college is not so much about the things you learn in a book, as it is the things you learn in life. Knowledge is not such a bad thing anyway. After all, intelligence is the only thing we take with us when we leave this earth life. I look forward to seeing "Cahoots" on the big screen. I hope he continues writing and his next book will not be his last.
Rating:
Summary: A true Cowboy's tale:
Review: I believed in what Mr. Benedict is saying, and I hope that every one is taking their health seriously, and if someone is in trouble or confused with health, give them the book, if you do that you will be make making a great investment, people should take actors who have been through hell serious enough.
Rating:
Summary: Fun For Vegetarians Or Sci-Fi Fans, Double For Both
Review: I bought this book after seeing Battlestar Galactica for the first time as an adult(a lazy Sunday afternoon, a cable tv marathon ). When I was 14 I moved away from being a hard core sci-fi fan and got into a whole lot of "Eastern Stuff" ( karate, vegetarianism, meditation, tai-chi, yoga etc ). It was pretty neat to read how an actor from one of my favorite child hood shows also got on a similar path. I don't agree with all of Mr. Benedict's views on women and nutrition, but given that he grew up in the 60s and got cancer in the 70's I can understand them. From reading the book he sounds like a pretty cool guy all the same. The book has a great message. I enjoyed reading it. Anyone who is a veggie or who was a Battlestar Galactica fan will enjoy reading it too.
Rating:
Summary: This book will change your life
Review: I bought this book because of a fascination with Dirk Benedict that stemmed from a childhood crush I had on him in his A-Team days. How could I know that underneath the attractive persona lived a real writer. Dirk chronicles his courageous journey in a moving and inspiring way. Reading this book encouraged me to stop eating meat, dairy, and sugar, and make changes in my food intake. There were many moments in the book that made me laugh, cry, and want to know more about what happened. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to get to know more about Dirk or learn about how what you eat affects all aspects of your life.
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