Natural Causes
Many of you may remember Barbara from her fabulously popular book called NICKEL AND DIMED. I was fascinated with her depiction of America and the working class.
Ehrenreich writes smart non fiction books. This one caught my eye when I saw the sub title on the cover. An epidemic of wellness, the certainty of dying, and killing ourselves to live longer. How can you not read on…
I quickly found myself flagging pages and rereading entire paragraphs. Everything we read tells us how to live longer…. but not necessarily better. Inside the front flap “A razor-sharp polemic, which offers an entirely new understanding of our bodies, ourselves, and our place in the universe. NATURAL CAUSES describes how we over-prepare and worry too much about what is inevitable. Ehrenreich topples the shibboleths that, one by one, guide our attempts to live a long, healthy life-from the importance of preventive medical screenings to the concepts of wellness and mindfulness, from dietary fads to fitness culture.”
I read through this book in an afternoon by the pool. I kept stopping to read passages to my husband. At times, I found it laugh-out-loud funny. Others, caustic and even sad. Mostly what I found was that Ehrenreich is of the age where we often times say “no more” to the usual suspects such as too many routine tests. I especially liked the part where she talks about rebellion against yearly dental x-rays. Are they absolutely necessary? And how much radiation are you receiving? I question so much more now that I am of a certain age. Maybe we all should. I”m not advocating throwing caution to the wind, but I am questioning some of it.
NATURAL CAUSES might even brighten your day. Might have you lightening up a bit. After all, don’t we want to enjoy the rest of our lives as well as be healthy and safe!
Barbara Ehrenreich
Barbara Ehrenreich
has a PhD in cellular immunology from Rockefeller University and writes frequently about health care and medical science, among many other subjects.
I am not beholding to any publisher for this review. I borrowed it from the library. Boom!
Maurice on Books 