Psoriasis is an unpleasant, disfiguring disease, whose sufferers often hide away from life or are pushed away. Its cause is unknown, and there is no cure. It can affect people of all ages, and sufferers can die from the disease or the complications of treatment. Cram has long dealt with psoriasis patients and understands current knowledge of it and how patients and others react to it.

Stress doesn't cause it, yet reducing stress often can help in managing it, and psychological scars are usually the main problem associated with it. Cram speaks wisely about those matters, drawing on stores of his patients to show how such scars may affect all aspects of life and how they can be handled effectively.

Many HMOs will not pay for adequate care, so Cram's advice on finding a doctor is important. In addition, he describes various treatment methods, speaking especially well of psoriasis day-care centers. Self-acceptance is the major goal, he says. -William Beatty--Booklist, Sept. 15, 2000

"Understanding Parkinson's Disease" is a well-written book introducing a patient to life as a Parkinson's patient. I purchased this book to pre-screen it for my parents and found that it was a good book to give them because of it's positive discussion about the disease. If you know a Parkinson's patient who refuses to read up about the disease (because they don't want to read about all the restrictions they will have to face in their future) this is a good "first" book. The "Self Help Guide" has a pro-active upbeat approach to working with the disease. It doesn't spend a lot of time belaboring how miserable the future will be, but focuses on how to deal with the present. Since Dr. Cram has Parkinson's Disease himself his viewpoints about the disease help give credibility and enlightenment to the reader. This book summarized all aspects of the disease while showing how to live with the symptoms. It is a good starter book for preparing to live with Parkinson's Disease. Purchase "Caring for the Parkinson patient" by Hutton for a more in-depth review of Parkinson's and how to live (or care for someone) with the disease.

Dr. David Cram has written a very touching and informative book about Parkinson's Disease that I encourage anyone who has been diagnosed with PD or who knows someone who has been diagnosed with PD to check out. Dr. Cram who was dianosed ten years ago with PD writes from personal knowledge and covers everything from symptoms to the newest drug therapies. I also enjoyed the comments interspersed throughout the book from patients, physicians, nurses, counselors and therapists. This is a very encouraging book and I recommend it highly!