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Rating: 
Summary: A dubious premise
Review: From George Goodheart's pioneering work in the 1970's has evolved Applied, Clinical and Behavioral Kinesiology. The author of this book was a leader in the field of Behavioral Kinesiology (which was also the original title, published in 1979). This book is important because Dr. Diamond's work has subsequently evolved into other areas of research and has frequently been referenced in later significant works like "Power vs Force" by David Hawkins. I would recommend this book as required reading to anyone interested in the field of kinesiology, its origins and applications. There have been recent books written that appear to be more comprehensive in the applications of kinesiology, but these are frequently over-reaching and innacurate in their attempts to be everything to everybody. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of this book is the clear direction given on how to properly perform the technique of muscle testing.
Rating: 
Summary: This Book Has Changed My Life
Review: I first read this book in 1984. At that time I knew nothing about the work of the thymus gland in the body, and how it is affected by so many factors. Reading this book has helped me greatly in knowing how cooperate with my body to keep it healthy. It is truly valuable to know how to build the immune system and increase our life energy by making choices in our everyday lives that will help! I appreciated the chapter on stress and cerebral balance. Being a musician, it reinforced my own belief that classical music helps keep the mind and emotions in balance. In the last 16 years, I have proven the truths in this book over and over, from the ideas about foods to those about fabrics and circumstances. I have re-read this book many times, and so have my daughters, and friends. I am so happy to find that I can order copies for others from Amazon!
Rating:
Summary: Practical and inspiring - essential!
Review: I first read this book in the early 1980s, and I have referred to it ever since for its highly practical suggestions on ways to reduce stress and enhance creativity. I have also used Diamond's discussion of "Stress and Cerebral Balance" as a text in teaching communication in college courses. While I understand that the use of kinesiological testing by those not professionally trained has turned out to be a more difficult and complex matter than suggested in this early work, the results of Dr. John Diamond's research are as relevant today as they were when this book was first published in 1979. This book truly laid the groundwork for Dr. Diamond's wonderful subsequent writings, which have developed and refined his work. And here, as always, Dr. Diamond's prose is wonderful reading -- robust, down-to-earth, and entertaining!
Rating:
Summary: A word to the sane (would give zero stars if I could)
Review: The world is divided into various types of people with regards to applied kinesiology: The sceptical: Any sceptic worth their salt who spends five minutes investigating this field will become a non-believer. I have nothing to say to you. The avid believer: You can't argue with a sick mind. I have nothing to say to you. The con-artist: Anyone who perpetuates the myth for personal gain. I have nothing to say to you. The flexible: Those who may have an opinion (either way) but are still open to persuasion - all I can say to you is; do a bit of surfing for applied kinesiology first and try including the words "scam" or "sceptic". When I first heard about it I thought it was a joke until a friend of mine actually paid good money for a session. Then I heard about applied kinesiology by proxy and I was incredulous that anybody, even the homeopathic faction, could take that seriously. The bottom line is this: It doesn't work. Don't waste your money on a book sold by someone who is either a con artist or a gullible fool. My favourite quote by a chiropractor (often advocates of A.K.):
"You see, that is why we never do double-blind testing anymore. It never works!" This book perpetuates the bad thinking, lack of rigorous investigation and downright lies that enables opportunistic money making out of those who are quite often ill or unhappy. By the way, I am not querying things like white sugar being bad for you or cows milk causing allergies in some people, but you don't need to buy this book to find out those kind of things.
Rating:
Summary: A Health Classic
Review: This book is a classic of its kind. Although it is probably best known for its discussion of the kinesiological muscle test, it is ultimately more important for showing that stimuli, whether physical or otherwise, effect our Life Energy constantly for better or worse. Furthermore, these effects tend to be the same for all observers: uncousciously, this painting, that food and so on all effect us the same, regardless of what we think in our conscious minds. This, of course, is a remarkable discovery, and the implications of it have been explored more fully by Dr. Diamond in many of his subsequent works. In short, this has to be one of the most important health books of the twentieth century.
Rating: 
Summary: Good beginners book
Review: This book is a great beginners volume on the basic physical aspects of this subject. I found the book lacking in the mental/emotional realms that could be delved into using these methods. The book could have used a few more illustrations or photographs depicting the exact methods and placements but overall it is a great beginning.
Rating:
Summary: BEST book out there for beginners.
Review: This book is excellent for beginners. It tells you the how's, what's where's and why's. It gives you are start on how to do it and the basics about why it works. I am an experienced muscle tester and this book started me off well. The person who wrote the 1 star review probably didn't invest any time into the book. If you put nothing in you get nothing out. But this book doesn't even require much investment. It is very easy to read, I finished it for the first time in 2 days. I still keep coming back to it. For a more advanced book, go to "Your Body Can Talk". That is much more in depth.
Rating:
Summary: Essential reading
Review: This is the first of Dr. Diamond's books that I read, and it's easy to see why it became a best-seller. Dr. Diamond looks in detail at some of the aspects of our lives that affect us negatively, and gives simple, effective ways of overcoming these stresses. I have incorporated Dr. Diamond's suggestions in my normal working day for many years now, and I have found them to be enormously beneficial.
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Summary: A Brilliant Introduction to Behavioral Kinesiology
Review: When I first read this book in the early 80's, it profoundly changed my life. The idea that there is an innate body wisdom that guides us, physically as well as ethically and spiritually, was a revelation to me. And the fact that this body wisdom could be known through objective means was a real eye (and heart!)opener. Dr. Diamond's pioneering work with the thymus gland is the basis for much of current immunology as well as mind-body therapy and interpersonal ethics. This is a classic that everyone interested in holistic health should read -- as well as everyone who practices holistic medicine or purports to to use kinesiological testing therapeutically.
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