In 1986 Dr. David Snowdon, one of the world's leading experts on Alzheimer's disease, embarked on a revolutionary scientific study that would forev...
read full description
reviews
Feb 13, 2009
Cecily
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 15, 2007
Jennifer
rated it: 
I can't remember when I read this book...
I found it a fascinating telling about a scientific study. The woman in this study are gracious and thoughtful about the work, the PI of the study is thoughtful and respectful.
One of my elderly aunts is a nun, and this book also provided me greater insight into her life. She said she knows many of the sisters enrolled in this work.
I found it a fascinating telling about a scientific study. The woman in this study are gracious and thoughtful about the work, the PI of the study is thoughtful and respectful.
One of my elderly aunts is a nun, and this book also provided me greater insight into her life. She said she knows many of the sisters enrolled in this work.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 22, 2009
Jenny
rated it: 
The Nun Study recently returned to the U of M and I was interested to learn more about this epidemiological study which has enrolled hundreds of nuns from a particular order, and has led to numerous studies and findings about aging, Alzheimer's, the role of diet and exercise in aging, etc. It's a fascinating story of how the study was launched and has evolved over time. This isn't a particularly well-written book, and the author comes across as narcissistic at times, but I so enjoyed getting to
More...
Jan 31, 2011
Bobby
rated it:
I found this book to be far more interesting than I had projected, learning much about Alzheimer's Disease in it's pages and about healthy lifestyle. I also learned about the life of a nun, which was completely foreign to me as a person who grew up without much knowledge of Catholicism or the beliefs of Christianity. David Snowdon wrote in a reader friendly manner that held my interest. I am glad that I read this book, it opened my eyes to a lot more than the intended comprehension of Alzheim
More...
Jun 09, 2011
Johanna
rated it:
Though the information about Alzheimer's research was interesting, I was mostly drawn in by the character descriptions of the various women who ended up in this order. How they handle the different personalities in their community with respect, love, and faith. I hope to be as fortunate as them to have an inkling of that kind of community when I'm ninety years old, but to do that, I realize I must start growing it now.
I found the book compelling and inspiring. If you still have room o More...
I found the book compelling and inspiring. If you still have room o More...
Sep 29, 2010
Marley
rated it:
I read this book quite awhile ago and neglected to write up a review at the time, so it's not as fresh in my mind as it was when I first read it. Amusing, since the main topic is memory. I found the book to be quite fascinating, sweet and touching at times and sad at others. The author summarizes a study done on a group of nuns who had written short personal history essays as young women entering the convent and decades later as elderly women agreed to be studied for effects on aging. Because th
More...
Jan 31, 2010
Linnie
rated it:
Old age does not have to mean a slide into illness and disability. A study of Catholic nuns, ranging in age from 74 - 106, shows that serving others may help us to live longer. Building linguistic ability in childhood may protect against Alzheimer's, ordinary foods promote longevity and healthy brain functions, preventing strokes and depression is key to avoiding Alzheimer's, the role heredity plays and whiy it is never too late to start an exercise program are brought to play in this book.
May 10, 2009
Rachel
rated it:
For anyone interested in Alzheimer's research, this is a fascinating book. The author stumbled upon an amazing test group for research in a group of nuns who lived virtually their entire lives with similar controls and detailed documentation. While slow for a novel lover, this does not contain contrived facts and action sequences, this book introduces facts about Alzheimer's disease in a way that is understandable, yet basically scientific. I learned many things and marvelled at the path travell
More...
Nov 11, 2009
Jenn
rated it: 
Book for my Neighborhood Book Club, which is predominantly retired older women. I think I'm a little young to really be enthralled with the book-- all the other women are seeming to really enjoy it. Plus, I thought the things learned on how to age well were kind of common sense-- eat well, exercise, don't smoke, etc. Not earth shattering.
May 26, 2011
Jane
rated it:
This book is very informative about the latest knowledge on dementia and growing old. It is a study of Nuns as a control group. The biggest carryaway that I received is this: the brain is an amazing thing we do not fully understand,so live life to your fullest while you can. Hopefully all this science will help find a cure for dementia!
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 23, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Read this book for LIS 2970. I expected it to be a dry account of a scientific study about dementia, but found it to be a rather fascinating account of how the nuns once again became educators, teaching the researchers what it means to age well.
Jan 27, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
Snowdon takes some scientific research and writes for the non-experts. He studied a group of nuns who all joined the convent very young, and teaches about the things that keep the brain young. By the end, you feel like you actually know the sisters.
Jun 09, 2011
Mary
rated it:
An interesting description of a long term epidemic and scientific study of >600 nuns. The participants have agreed to take yearly tests and to donate their brain up death. One chapter was somewhat technical but overall it is quite accessible for the non-scientist.
Feb 22, 2009
Ashleigh
rated it:
Brilliant. Over ten years, Snowdon researched aged nuns and made some interesting discoveries about depression and Alzheimers. My mother used this book, I believe, for the class she taught on positive psychology.
Sep 24, 2009
Amy
rated it:
This book was a fabulous insight into the world of Alzheimer's patients and aging. I learned a lot that I am implementing in helping my Dad with this diagnosis, and helping my Mom as his caregiver.
Feb 28, 2009
Mary
rated it:
This is a really interesting book about how our brains are affected by Alzeheimers. And although it is about a study, the lives of the nuns are still respected.
Jan 18, 2010
Laura
rated it:
This was a fascinating and charming book documenting the research of an alzheimer study done on a group of nuns. Beautiful! I learned so much about aging.
Feb 19, 2009
Catherine
rated it:
It was great to read about the possibility of having tangles and plaque and showing signs of Alzheimer's. I agree with Snowdon that living in a community definitely has an effect on their health. No retirement for me.
Oct 21, 2009
Ruby
rated it:
This book taught me that it is never too late to improve myself and that to keep my brain in good health, I need to exercise it regularly.
Aug 27, 2009
Marjorie
rated it:
Learned a lot about how Alzheimer's affects the brain and some of the latest understanding on how to prevent it.
Feb 16, 2011
Charity
rated it:
If your curious about aging/alzheimers research this is a really well written description of a phenomenal study.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 05, 2011
Colleen
rated it:
This was a really good book about Alzheimer's and the study of why some people get it and others do not.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 20, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
Very interesting non-fiction study and results about memory. I really enjoyed it.
Jan 12, 2008
Beth
rated it:
David Snowden worked with Catholic nuns for years. All nuns in this cloister donated their brains to science and their brains were autopsied after their death. Many of the nuns were teachers in various grades of school. Alzheimers clearly showed up in many of the nuns' brains. Some of these were of the teachers who taught. The amazing thing is that many nuns who showed Alzheimers showed no symptoms whatsoever and taught until the end of their days. This book reads like a short novel and is inspi
More...
Sep 13, 2007
Marie
rated it:
This is a great book outlining Snowdon's groundbreaking research on Alzheimer's Disease. The results of the study have been widely published for a number of years. This book details, for the lay person, the procedures of the study and some of the results. Reading the personal accounts and experiences of the research participants (Nuns) and the researchers themselves gives an enlightening look at how research is conducted and what we can learn from those living with Alzheimer's.
