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Rating: 
Summary: A Journey to Wellness
Review: It was uplifting! I was a little apprehensive about reading a book about a disease, since I also have an auto-immune disease. But it wasn't like that at all. It was about a journey to wellness. I was so inspired by her story, that I bought three more books for friends. I read over half of it in one night. It is well written, informative, and human. I have enjoyed following her research, and have started to rethink my eating habits.
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Summary: Not really a lupus book
Review: Reader beware. Except for the second chapter ("What is Lupus?"), this book isn't really about lupus. It is, rather, a somewhat haphazard introduction to naturopathic practices by a lupus sufferer who happens to be a competent writer.I picked up this book because I wanted to learn about lupus-specific health practices. I did not want to read a diatribe about unrefined sugar, or hormones in beef, or pesticides in produce. I already know these are bad things. I did not expect nor want to read a weak defense of homeopathy based on quantum mechanics. There are annoying contradictions in the book, for instance, whether to include or omit soy in the diet: page 141:
"Determine to find organically raised meat. If that is not possible, move to eating soy products for protein [...]" page 55:
"Other foods lupus patients may need to avoid include peanuts, soybeans and lentils." Although Ms. Moore has a negative attitude, perhaps rightfully so, about caffeine, her touting of gota kola and ginkgo biloba as replacement stimulants puzzles me. I find them just as jarring as caffeine. Many of the claims in this book seem to be in the realm of the purely subjective, or at best highly speculative. In the recommended reading section, only 3 of 25 books are about lupus. This is a fair representation of the (low) percentage of this book that is likewise specific to lupus. Lastly, the 4 glowing Amazon reviews prior to this one are all from people who live within a few miles of Ms. Moore. They are apparently heartfelt but perhaps not unbiased. I truly wish the author well. But as someone recently diagnosed with a serious illness after a lengthy and frustrating diagnostic period, this is not the book I wanted or expected. Readers wanting to read an anecdotal, non-scientific and perhaps "emotionally uplifting" (as one reviewer claims) story may find this book a good choice. The first book in any lupus collection, though, should be Daniel Wallace's The Lupus Book.
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Summary: Not really a lupus book
Review: Sharon Moore's book combines many valuable attributes. First, it tells a fascinating story of the author's search to discover the nature of her frightening illness. I could sense that, in spite of being so ill, she was determined to discover the most effective therapies to bring the disease under control. In the process, she has done an enormous amount of research that she shares with her readers. Anyone, whether suffering from lupus or not, can benefit from the research she has done and that she so competently reports to her readers. While her purpose is to reach out to lupus patients, her research is so broad that any person interested in alternative approaches to the promotion of physical, mental, or emotional health can learn and benefit from this useful book. Her approach is detailed and scientific, yet easily understood. In addition, it is an interesting story about a very interesting individual who has lived an extremely interesting life. Above all, she makes clear her hope to reach out to others who suffer from lupus so that they can benefit from what she has learned and find themselves recovering from this debilitating disease.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Valuable Book, Whether Suffering from Lupus or Not.
Review: Sharon Moore's book combines many valuable attributes. First, it tells a fascinating story of the author's search to discover the nature of her frightening illness. I could sense that, in spite of being so ill, she was determined to discover the most effective therapies to bring the disease under control. In the process, she has done an enormous amount of research that she shares with her readers. Anyone, whether suffering from lupus or not, can benefit from the research she has done and that she so competently reports to her readers. While her purpose is to reach out to lupus patients, her research is so broad that any person interested in alternative approaches to the promotion of physical, mental, or emotional health can learn and benefit from this useful book. Her approach is detailed and scientific, yet easily understood. In addition, it is an interesting story about a very interesting individual who has lived an extremely interesting life. Above all, she makes clear her hope to reach out to others who suffer from lupus so that they can benefit from what she has learned and find themselves recovering from this debilitating disease.
Rating:
Summary: A Welcome Book
Review: Sharon Moore's book provides a gripping saga, detailing her encounters with a painful and confusing illness. As her desperate search for a cure evolved, she examined both the historical and scientific backgrounds of numerous alternative therapies. Her tenacity, curiosity and indomitable spirit led her to a hard won victory over this debilitating disease.
Rating:
Summary: A Welcome Book
Review: What a welcome book for those of us with chronic and debilitating health conditions! From the outset, the reader can feel Moore's empathy come through. This is an affirmation for us and a small antidote to the social isolation that is common in us. The experience of reading her book is the experience of receiving support and encouragement. We are not alone! The content of Moore's book, in addition to being emotionally uplifting, is also helpful in a more concrete way: She describes in readable prose an avenue each of us can take, can tailor to our individual needs and preferences, so that each of us can take control of our lives and our healing. In addition, we find ourselves educated along the way by a woman who is knowledgeable about the human body and its intricacies and who is able to communicate with us lay people about our health concerns. I especially enjoyed the way Moore described her "journey," her method of systematically trying out non-mainstream therapies and evaluating their effectiveness, ultimately coming up with a menu of treatments that works for her. She offers tools each of us can employ so that we can decide what works for each of us as individuals. Moore ties together her recommendations in her final chapter on how to begin and offers a succinct, detailed process in which to do just that. Instead of being left overwhelmed, I loved having a way to actually get started.
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