“At the close of the twentieth century, the female body poses an enormous problem for American girls, and it does so because of the culture in which we live…Although girls now mature sexually earlier than ever before, contemporary American society provides fewer social protections for them, a situation that leaves them unsupported in their development and extremely vulnerable to the excesses of popular culture and to pressure from peer groups…girls today make the body into an all-consuming project in ways young women of the past did not.”  (From the Introduction)             

                In this book, Joan Jacobs Brumberg looks at the history of the development of American girls from the 1870ies to the present.  The research is extensive and her primary source material is diaries of American girls themselves.  Using these diaries as a springboard she looks in to the culture in which these young girls grew up and explores the “projects” that they worked on seeking that ideal look.  Every aspect of the female body has been brought before society for scrutiny and control.  And American society has used the natural self-awareness of adolescent girls to sell a product claiming that they are somehow less of a person if they do not possess or use this particular product.  This constant drumming into the minds of girls of whatever perfect body type is being sold has created a sense of self-hatred because they simply cannot measure up to this airbrushed and retouched ideal.              

            In reading this book I came face-to-face with how our society has, in the process of advocating more freedom of expression to girls, stopped advocating for social protection of these girls, making them very vulnerable to the excesses in society.  As a male, I also came face-to-face with how I have contributed to girls’ need to exercise greater and greater control over their bodies to chase after an unattainable ideal.  Our personal ideas of what is attractive are governed largely by the culture in which we live and I cannot say that I stand completely outside of culture.             

I found this book challenging me to advocate for girls.  We need to be able to help girls find other means of expression than physical.  I find myself stumbling around for the words.  Perhaps it is because I do not have the vocabulary for the appropriate expression.  At the same time this is a very probing and insightful look in to the minds and hearts of one of our greatest national resources.  I pray we do not continue to squander it as we have so many others. Kevin Adams Timeless Healing by Herbert Benson, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1996              

Benson writes in the opening pages of this book, “what I was learning about the human body would be obsolete in 5 years.”  In many ways this has proven to be a true statement.  Medicine is always changing.  As Benson spent time with his patients he came to observe that some had a resource that helped them to reach a level of healing in addition to medicine.              

                  Timeless Healing is a spiritual book that will profit those from any faith background and those who avoid organized belief systems.  As I read this book I found place for my personal beliefs to fit and found assistance in understanding how other individuals find support in their beliefs.              

                  Benson provides a well-balanced overview of the subject.  The reader is provided information on the biology of the brain and how the body is able to appropriate this gathered information in the pursuit of wellness or illness.  He addresses what he refers to as, “remembered wellness” as the process each person calls upon, even when they are unaware that this occurs, to help in the healing process.  Benson illustrates this by noting how persons often begin to feel better after calling and setting an appointment with a doctor they trust.  He also refers to the power of belief involved in helping a non-therapeutic treatment, i.e., a sugar pill, bring about a desired effect.  One of his better illustrations speaks of a physician who discarded the large bottle of blue sugar pills left behind by his predecessor.  His patients did not improve as quickly as in the past.  In their visits with him they began to talk about the blue pills that the last doctor had given them and asked for more since they always brought relief.  This new doctor then ordered a large supply of blue pills that were dispensed with care after listening to his patients and the same results returned as in the past.              

                  Within the pages of the book, Benson addresses “the relaxation response”, a subject about which he has written in the past.  Here, he provides suggested activities that involve, in addition to intentional relaxation, reciting a simple phrase, e.g., “Lord have mercy”, or “Shalom”, or the word “Om”.  Benson encourages one to repeat this process two or three times a day.  Through this regular process health can be improved.                          

                 I encourage the curious reader to give time to this book.  Benson’s writing style makes reading it enjoyable.  The material provides an excellent view of the relationship between spirit, mind, and body in the pursuit and maintenance of health.  Benson also provides charts to give clarity to his information and ends the book with a listing of audio and videotapes and a large listing of references. 

Al Voorhis

 How To Really Love Your Teenager

by

               Ross Campbell, Victor Books, Wheaton, IL, 1993               

This book has been a real inspiration for me over the years, especially when I was attempting to raise two teenagers.  It gave me hope when facing the challenges of matching wits with teenage daughters.  Dr. Ross Campbell is a Christian psychiatrist who specializes in working with problems of children and teenagers.  He believes many teenagers feel unloved although their parents provide for them and actually love them.  Campbell outlines ways parents can move closer to teens and let them know they are really loved and accepted.  This book of common sense helps to show how parents can practically coexist with a teenager, how one can build a relationship into something rewarding.  This book encouraged me and gave me hope when I was struggling with difficult issues.  I recommend it to many of my friends and hope you will benefit from the author’s wisdom, experience, and insight. 

Jim Melick

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