I don't know if Ms. Zukerman meant to create a new kind of connection and common ground with the other women in her readers' lives. But she has, in this intimate, powerful and poignant treasure. Not only did I gain entre to the childhood and adolescent memories of these creative and accomplished women -- memories I hazard many of those interviewed for the book rarely shared with others before -- but through it, I found myself reminiscing about my own early relationship with my mother. I found myself reading "My Mother's Closet" over a series of evenings, lingering over each interview, reading many twice. And, as I did so, memories of my own mother's closet came drifting up to me.

But this is not a book I could keep to myself. I think it's meant to be shared with the other women in your life. My daughter likes me to read her the stories, and we talk about when she was small, and what dressing up in things from my closets meant to her. My friends who have bought and read it and I also share thoughts raised by the book. Through it, we have discovered new topics of conversation, new musings on the wonderful, funny, wistful and formative memories of our mothers and their powerful influence on our lives -- thoughts and wonderings that have brought us deeper understanding of one another. I can't wait to see what happens when I give it to my mother on Mother's Day!

A friend was recently reading "In My Mother's Closet" and she was moved to tears by some of the compelling memories that are brought back to life by author Eugenia Zukerman. Even while understanding it was a book rooted in different women's childhood experiences, I was still intrigued and got the book anyway. From the first page, I was immediately captivated and gained great insight into the early lives of Carrie Fisher, Anne Spielberg (Director Steven's sister), Lesley Stahl, and many other endearing women. We men also have these fascinating recollections of their parents' closets where there were secrets or clothing that would signal the beginning of a special event. I always knew where to look for my hidden birthday and Christmas presents. I even called my sister to reminisce about the times we both played in the closets and were frightened by our mom's Fox stole that peered back at us with many eyes, as it was unbelievably comprised of several animal skins. I also remember wearing my dad's jewelry proudly in my teenage years when I was coming of age.

Eugenia Zukerman wrote this book for easy reading to be picked up often, as each chapter is dedicated to and describes one of the sharing contributors. Sometimes the stories would initiate nice and warm conversations with my wife and even with my mom. I recommend this charming book not only for women to enjoy reading, but to also share them with the men they love...and love to talk with as well!

I began reading this book late one night on the subway, and I couldn't believe how deeply moved I was by the words and feelings that lept into my heart off the pages of this beautiful book. Women all over the world share an understanding of what it is to be a woman, a daughter, a friend. And, we know that our mothers and/or mother figures play an important role in our journey of self-discovery whether or not they are still present in our lives. This collection of poignant stories of women from all places touched many corners of my soul and opened my eyes to see what I sometimes do not see inside. It flooded my memory "closet" and inspired me to open its doors. It was VERY exciting for me and I have already ordered a copy for my mother and my "mother-in-law". I cannot wait to share this book with every important woman in my life!!

I was placed on a long-term treatment using Prednisone two years prior to the initial publication of this book to combat kidney disease. I had only wished that time would have been in my favor and I could have had this book in hand on the first day that I started the regiment. It discusses all those things that doctors don't quite like to scare you with before you begin. This is the story, written in the style of a journal or diary of one person's endurance of the drug and the side effects that she experienced. She also recommends several ways to handle or compromise with the harsh side effects of a very effective medicine.

I purchased this book for two reasons. First, I wanted to somehow validate the crazy experiences that I was having. Those undergoing the therapy feel very much alone with their experiences and have a difficult time recognizing its merits. The severe behavioral problems that evolve in the recipient of Prednisone or other cortocosteroids are under some very harsh criticism by peers and family who do not personally understand the very constant, real and aggravating side effects. It is somewhat comforting to know that these behavioral problems are not a figment of the imagination, as our peers and family may suggest. The author(s) do a superb job of discussing those behaviors and suggest ways to get around them.

The second reason that I wanted to browse this book was to read about any complications that I may encounter when the drug treatment was finally stopped. This subject was covered very lightly, but I got the general notion of what to expect and the time required. I was satisfied with what the author related and those observations seemed good, true and accurate.

Being that a person on strong doses of Prednisone is somewhat out of character, it was a good idea that the duo published this book after her experience was complete. We patients are somewhat mentally hyper-emotional while undergoing treatment and I feel that a complete evaluation of the use of Prednisone would have only been useful if written by someone in a normal and emotionally-balanced state of mind.

This book is especially good for parents who are desperately trying to understand the reasons for the behavior of one of their children who must undergo this treatment. I am not sure that friends, siblings or other family members would find it helpful in order to completely understand what friend, brother or sister is experiencing. They'd still chalk us off as being "out of our gourd!"

In summary, I recommend this book to all who question the drug and its use as a form of validation, comfort of understanding or help in recognizing what to expect. It may be the written form of a self-help group, and in some cases, a "how to" book for getting through it all.

I have a rare, autoimmune disease called Pemphigus Vulgaris. When I was diagnosed I was placed on a high dose of prednisone in 1998 and I am still on prednisone to help keep my disease under control.

I knew nothing about my rare disease or about prednisone and found this book "Coping with Prednisone" which became my lifeline as to exactly what prednisone was, its side-effects and what I could do to help prevent many devastating side-effects of a drug that was to become my friend and my foe.

I still use it as my bible of information on prednisone and refer to it often, as new questions or problems arise. Although it isn't specifically written for my disease, I found it to be convenient to read and easy to refer to.

Actually, when I found the book was available on Amazon.com, I read a review here by someone else who had pemphigus and I contacted him via his email. I ordered my book and have never looked back.

I have come a long way since I bought this book back in 1998 and have become very knowlegeable about my disease and prednisone, including writing my own online newsletter about pemphigus.

So, I would highly recommend buying this book if you want to learn a lot about prednisone...no matter the disease or medical condition you may have that calls for you taking prednisone....especially if you have to take prednisone for more than a few months.

I cannot believe it has taken me so long to find this book. I am a long term prednisone user and am always looking for information about this drug, it's side effects and ways to cope with all those "things" prednosone does. The authors have compiled a wealth of information, including personal experiences, in a very concise easy to read book. (This in itself is signifacant to those of us with problems concentrating!) This book contains very accurate discriptions of the effects of long term prednisone use along with very practical advice on how to cope with the changes that occur. I could identify with many situations presented and found some very helpful advice. The advice is given by a prednosine user as well as a physician.

I would (and do) recommend this book to anyone beginning their treatment with prednosone, those who have been on prednisone and most of all to the family members and care givers of those on this "miracle" drug.

I was recently diagnosed with systemic lupus and I found alot of useful information about the side effects of prednisone from this book. Fortunately I have a mild case of lupus and my rheumatologist has me on a 3 month alternating schedule of prednisone 'til she can wean me off of it. There were some parts of the book that I found irrelevant to my illness and thus skipped those sections. I would recommend this book to anyone who has just been prescribed predisone therapy whether it be for a short period of time, or for life. It will explain alot of things that your doctor might have forgotten to mention.

I bought this book when I was frustrated with the effects of prednisone. I have cystic fibrosis and asthma, and have been on steriods off and on, but most recently 8months straight- with no end in sight. I happen to be a registered nurse, so many of the medical information was not new to me, but was straight forward and easily understood for the average person. I enjoyed reading though that I am NOT alone in the side effects - and more importantly tips to cope with them. The author was not on prednisone year on end, and her condition stablized to where she no longer needed it, HOWEVER- her insight was valuable. The only way I could see this book being more helpful would be if the patient was a long term steriod user - with a chronic illness.

I was looking for a book to help explain the side effects from the prednisone, that I've been on for the last 14 year's due to asthma that I have had my entire life. None of the doctor's were willing to give up the answer for some unknow reason. When I started read this wonderful book I said to myself, Oh My God, someone actually wrote a book on everything I was wondering about. The more I kept reading the more I understood how to deal with this awful but life saving drug. I wish I could say thank you to Eugenia and Julie in person. I belong to two asthma chat groups online through the internet. I have recommended this book to everyone. And mostly everyone has baught the book. Although I may never be able to get off steroids, as I've been told by my doctor's at least I have a better understanding about Prednisone. I recommend this book to everyone with asthma and other illnesses that require prednisone. It's the best book.