The book Fasting and Eating for Health: A Medical Doctor’s Program for Conquering Disease is written by two authors. They are Joel Fuhrman and Neal Barnard. They both could be taken as rather qualified specialists who have deep knowledge in the chosen field. Joel Fuhrman M.D. is a famous specialist in the sphere of healthy eating. He used to be a figure skater, however, the injury deprived him of the chance to continue his career in the chosen sphere and he became a physician. He is famous for a series of books and works devoted to the healthy way of life and preventing diseases with the help of natural methods. Neal Barnard is the founder of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine which main aim is to promote various natural ways to protect health. He has a great number of publications in scientific journals and, moreover, he created six various books devoted to the given sphere. With this in mind, the book written by these two specialists could be taken as a rather credible source.
Introduction
The main theme of the given book is the health of a person and the influence of different ways to consume food on it. The authors cogitate about the issue of fasting and tend to show its beneficial effect on the health of a person. However, they underline the fact that fasting is the difficult and complicated process which should be organized in accordance with some scientific ideas and in terms of a special course created by specialists. The authors provide a certain method for people who suffer from chronic diseases. They suggest the idea that medication is not the only way out for a patient and that some progressive ways exist. Moreover, Fuhrman and Barnard tell how to start and what to expect from their course (9). Taking into account the fact that both authors are qualified specialists in the given sphere, it should be said that the information presented in the book can be taken as credible and all the concepts, suggested by the authors are valid and scientific. The book could be used by a very wide audience as its main aim is to help as many people as it is possible.
Critical analysis
Analyzing the given book, it is possible to say that it has both advantages and disadvantages. Speaking about the obvious strengths of the book, it is possible to outline the fact that it is written in a simple manner with the help of clear and understandable language. This fact makes the book useful for a great number of people. The authors do not use many medical terms without a strong need and explanations. All the concepts, ideas and hypothesis suggested by the authors are supported by detailed clarification and explanation for a common reader to be able to understand them. Additionally, it should be said that another advantage of the given book is its great efficiency. The book was published in 1998 and since that time many people had read it. That is why, it is quite simple to find a great number of positive feedbacks from people who used this book to get rid of their problem and who managed to do it. Moreover, there are precise diet and fasting programs which could be used from the moment a person has bought the book and which turn out to be rather efficient. However, there are also certain drawbacks which appear while reading the given book. Sometimes the authors criticize traditional ways of treatment too much. They underline the fact that these ways are widely used though they are not so efficient as it is supposed to be which could be taken as the attempt to make a reader prefer their system. However, it is possible to say that scientist, who tend to prove their idea, very often use this way and, that is why, Fuhrman and Barnard also promote their point of view.
Conclusions
With this in mind, it is possible to make a certain conclusion. First of all, it should be said that in general the book imposes a good impression on a reader. The information obtained from the book is very useful. The authors provide a great number of facts and thoughts which prove their ideas and show efficiency of their method. Moreover, there are many various diets which also help a reader to improve the state of his/her health with the help of suggested concepts and theories. The most valuable information obtained from the book is the fact that medication is not the only possible way of treatment, and, moreover, the idea that fasting could have the positive impact on the health of a person. Being the central idea of the book, these two assumptions are rather innovative and, that is why, the explanation of their nature and main concepts could be taken as a very valuable information.
Resting on these facts, the given book can be recommended both for common people, who want to improve their health, and for specialists, who can obtain new ideas and use them in their practice.
References
Fuhrman, Joel and Neal Barnard. Fasting and Eating for Health: A Medical Doctor’s Program for Conquering Disease. New York: St. Martin’s Press. 1998. Print.