Koenig's book has the rare quality of being both readable and scientific. He presents credible data showing how religion benefits people's mental and physical health. This approach is quite unlike the anti-scientific rant of anti-religious treatises like Wendell Watters' book Deadly Doctrine, which relies mainly on anecdotal evidence, personal bias, and theoretical speculation. Instead, Koenig uses controlled studies to prove his points. I'd give him a few extra brownie points for managing to show a Christian attitude to people like Watters, whom I find maddening.

I came across this book while doing research for religion and psychology. I would like to say that this is a great book. The effect of religion on mental and physical health is approached with a very critical and great perspective. Buy it without a doubt.

The research is surprising. What we mental health professionals have been presuming for all these years seems false! Religion, according to this author, does appear to have benefits. I'd like to read more about this area.

I was hoping there would be documented cases within this book but there are not. All Keonig talks about is "many cases", "various cases" and "multiple studies" which makes his assertions somewhat dubious.

I was hoping for some; "In 1994, at Harvard Medical school, 345 patients...." type stuff. I didn't find it.

If you want a light/feel good read this is it.

If you want facts and figures look elsewhere.

Dr. Harold Koenig is a professor of medicine and psychiatry at Duke Unversity Medical School. He writes a candid account of his spiritual journey that motivates his research interests in religion and health. Evangelical Chrisitans will especially appreciate the book and its honesty.

It is pleasantly refreshing to find a medical doctor and scientist willing to tell their life story with such vulnerability and humility. Disagreeing with the editorial review mentioned earlier that Koenig, "succumbs too often into self-congratulatory mentions of his many achievements," I rather think that Dr. Koenig presents his story honestly as part of his own struggle to realize his purpose in life. The Healing Connection by Koenig is an excellent book for the lay person interested in the relationship between faith and health. I would strongly reccommend this book!