YOU: Being Beautiful: The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty

by Michael F. Roizen

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Michael F. Roizen and Dr. Mehmet C. Oz bust the myths and stereotypes about the way we view ourselves -- and how we define beauty.

Most people think that beauty revolves around such things as lipstick, sweet eyes, or skinny jeans -- all those things that we can see (and obsess over) in the mirror. But the fact is that beauty isn't some superficial pursuit, and it's not some random act that you can thank (or curse) your ancestors for.

There are, in fact, scientific standards to beauty. Beauty is purposeful because it's how humans have historically communicated who we are to potential mates. Beauty, in fact, is really about your health and happiness.

In these pages, you'll find out why beauty isn't as much about your vanity as it is about your humanity. Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz take a scientific, informative, and entertaining look at the three levels of beauty and explain how they all work together to form a complete and authentic YOU. With their usual candor and honesty, the doctors break down the mechanics of beauty and explain how little adjustments in your routine can help you become a happier, healthier person.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Reference, Audiobook, Adult, Unfinished

Audiobook

First published November 11, 2008

About the author

Michael F. Roizen, MD

Reviews

[Mohammed omran · Rating 4 out of 5]

ما اعجبني في الكتاب موضوع واحد وهو استغلال الاشخاص المقربين لفرض السيطره ظاهره التنمر .. الدكتور " مايكل رويزن " بيحكى عن " التنمر " من خلال قصة جارته البنوتة " ريتا " اللى عاصر قصتها من 10 سنين فاتوا بحكم صداقته لوالدها .. الشاب " فلورنس " خطب " ريتا " بعد فترة حب مش بسيطة إمتدت من أيام الدراسة الإبتدائية لحد بعد الجامعة .. قصة حب من الطرفين ماشية بتفاصيل حلوة وبتنتهى النهاية السعيدة زى ما أفلام السيما بتقول .. بس وعشان مفيش حلو بيكمل للآخر؛ الأخ " فلورنس " كان عنده عادة زى الزفت .. كان دايمًا على لسانه جملة واحدة بيقولها لـ " ريتا " من وهما عيال لما بييجى يناديها : ( أيتها البدينة ذات النمش ) .. جملة كانت ممكن تكون مقبولة نوعًا ما لو كانت فضلت فى نفس الحيز الزمنى اللى إتقالت فيه أول مرة وهما فى إبتدائى .. أهو شوية عيال بيتريقوا ع بعض وخلاص وبكره يعقلوا ويتربوا .. لكن وبسبب عدم وجود فرملة من البنت أو أسرة الولد من الأول بقت الجملة لزمة ع لسانه بشكل مستفز حتى لما أتخطبوا .. و " ريتا " ؟ .. رد فعلها فى البداية كان النرفزة العيالى الطبيعية والتخبيط فى الأرض بس بتهدى بعد كده .. لدرجة إن وقع الكلمة نفسه ع ودان البنت بقى طبيعى وبقت بتتريق ع نفسها وتضحك مع اللى بيضحكوا ! .. ده من بواخته ماتكسفش يوم الخطوبة وهما واقفين فى الجنينة قدام أكتر من 120 شخص من الأسرتين إنه يشيلها ويلف بيها ويقول بعلو صوته وبفرحة صادقة : ( أخيرًا أصبحتى خطيبتى أيتها البدينة ذات النمش ) ! .. الفكرة إن وبشهادة أغلب أصدقائه وأهله " فلورنس " بيحبها فعلًا وإلا لو كان شايف اللى هو بيتريق عليه ده عيوب حقيقية فيها ماكنش إختارها من الأول .. طب إيه ؟ .. هو " التنمر " .. فكرة إنك تفرض سيطرتك ع أى شخص إنت شايف إنه أضعف منك بشكل أو بآخر وتعتدى عليه باللفظ أو بالضرب .. تكتشف كمان إن " ريتا " كانت بتخزن وبتحفظ فى عقلها الباطن كل المرات اللى الكلمة إتقالت لها فيها ! .. هى نفسها إستغربت لما أكتشفت إنها فاكرة .. 1483 مرة ! .. أوووف .. لحد ما فى مرة قررت تثور وهما فى خروجة مع أصدقائهم و " فلورنس " قال لها وهى بتقرأ المينيو اللى هتختار منه الأكل : ( هاااا ماذا أختارت بدينتى ذات النمش ) .. حطت المينيو ع الترابيزة بعنف وقالت : ( لست بدينة يا " فلورنس " وما بوجهى ليس نمشًا ) .. إستقبل كلامها بسخرية كعادته وقال لها وهو بيلمس وشها بصوابعه : ( لا ، إنكِ بدينة للغاية وهاهو النمش يملًا كل جنبات وجهك ) .. زاحت إيده بعنف وضربته ع كتفه : ( أصمت ) .. " فلورنس " لا إردايًا لما حس إن منظره قدام أصحابهم بقى عرة ضربها بالقلم ! .. صوت طرقعة القلم رن فى المكان كله لدرجة إن الشاب اللى كان بيعزف ع الجيتار ورا الترابيزة سكت والمكان كله بقى هُس هُس .. ضربها وقام مشى .. البنت كمان قامت مشيت بدون ما ينزل منها ولا نقطة دموع وده فى حد ذاته كان غريب لكن تأثير القلم ماكنش ع وشها بس، لكن ألمه إمتد لوجع فى جسمها كله : ألم فى المشى ، صعوبة فى الكلام ، جفاف فى الحلق والعين ، فقدان القدرة على الشم ، خلخلة فى مفاصل الفك ، صعوبة فى البلع، وبسبب آخر حاجة دى بقت مضطرة إن أكلها يبقى عبارة عن بطاطس مهروسة بيدخلوها لمعدتها من خلال أنبوبة طبية متوصلة بالأنف لمدة 8 أسابيع ! .. لما كشفوا عليها عرفوا إنها مصابة بمرض إسمه ( متلازمة سجوجرين ) بيصيب المناعة وبيخلّى خلايا الدم البيضاء اللى جوا الجسم تهاجم إنتاج الرطوبة فى الجسم ! .. تمام برضه فين السبب وإيه علاقته باللى حصل من خطيبها ؟ .. اللى أكتشفه الفريق الطبى إن " ريتا " اللى كانت بتبان إنها عادى ومش متأثرة من كلام اللطخ " فلورنس " كان كل ده بيتخزن فى نفسيتها يوم عن يوم لدرجة إن جسمها بقى يهاجم نفسه بنفسه عن طريق خلايا الدم البيضاء اللى بتهاجم إنتاج رطوبة الجسم ! .. طبيبها المعالج قال لها : ( أنتِ مهلهلة للغاية وأنا فى حيرة من أمر علاجك يا عزيزتى والأمر كله نفسى وليس عضوى، توقفى عن مهاجمة نفسك ) .. والسبب ؟ .. مجرد كلمة .. لما " فلورنس " قابل أبوها وعرف منه اللى حصل لـ " ريتا " كان هيتجنن وماكنش مصدق إن الجملة الهبلة بتاعته دى تعمل كل ده وكان بيردد دايمًا : ( قلتها لها مرارًا ولم يبدو أنها تأثرت ! ) .. بتتفسخ الخطوبة و " ريتا " بتاخد وقتها عشان تتعافى 6 شهور تقريبًا .. من وقتها إتعلمت إنها تقف وتواجه أى حد يدوس لها ع طرف وتقفل حدود التمادى معاها فى أى حاجة تضايقها عشان فهمت إن الخسارة فى النهاية هتبقى هى نفسها .. فى أول يوم بتقدر تخرج فيه للشارع بتروح لـ " فلورنس " مكان شغله وهى داخلة عليه هو بيفتكر إنها جاية تصالحه وبيقرب منها فاتح دراعاته بسعادة حقيقية وبمجرد ما يقرب منها بتنزل على وشه بقلم قوى بيفوقه وبيرجع لها ثقتها فى نفسها وبيوضع حد لـ " تنمره " وبتقول فى وشه بمنتهى الهدوء : ( لم أكن يومًا بدينة ولا ذات نمش أيها التافه ) .. بتخرج وهى ماشية بمنتهى الثقة والقوة وسايباه وراها وهو شايف قدامه واحدة تانية.

• بحسب منظمة الصحة العالمية فيه أكتر من 15000 شخص بيموتوا سنويًا فى العالم بسبب المعاناة من " تنمر " الغير معهم ! .. ماتسكتش على الإهانة حتى ولو كانت بهزار .. مع الوقت للأسف إهانتك بتتحول لحق مكتسب لغيرك ولو محصلش فرملة من الأول بتبقى عادة ولو أتكلمت وأعترضت؛ إنت اللى هتتهاجم ( الله ! ما أنت كنت ساكت طول عمرك ! ) .. إحنا عايشين وسط مجتمع ( متنمر ) بطبعه بينتهزوا الفرصة عشان يعيشوا ع إهانة غيرهم .. الجليطة فى الكلام وقلة الذوق والتسخيف منك فى أى فعل .. الثمن اللى هتدفعه بيكون من صحتك وكرامتك .. أنت لما بتوقف أى حد بيحاول " يتنمر " عليك عند حده أنت كده بتفيد غيرك وبتفيده هو شخصيًا لما بتفوقه .. عشان كده فى أى علاقة محبة ( صداقة أو حب ) الغلّاوة والمعّزة ممكن يتقلبوا للنقيض بسبب عدم التقدير .. الطبيعى بتاع أى إنسان سوى إنه ميخسرش نفسه عشان غيره يعنى .. ماتجيش ع نفسك عشان حد وكفاية مرمطة وإهانة ليها .. كان فيه سواق توك توك كاتب علي ضهره جملة بتلخص الموضوع كله : ( أنا آسف لنفسى جدًا والله لأنى مبهدلها معايا ) .. توقفوا عن مهاجمة أنفسكم وفرملوا " المتنمرين ".

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt that this book was just TOO MUCH! It seemed like such a hodgepodge of tons and tons of information, that I'm not even sure how much of it will stay with me. My other problem is that very little of the information provided was actually new to me. Let me break it down for you:

1. too much sun in bad for your skin;
2. drink lots of water;
3. using a hairdryer/curling iron/straightner all the time will cause damage to your hair;
4. you should be flossing;
5. you need to eat regular meals so that you won't feel like you're starving;
6. exercise is a good thing;
7. smoking is bad for you;

I think you get the general idea here.

The book is full of drawings that look like they belong in a middle-school health textbook from the 1950s, and the so called "humor" used throughout the book, made me feel like the author was making fun of me - not a good thing.

YOU (etc. etc.) is not all bad though. I did find the information on human biology and evolution to be quite interesting. The authors also went to great lengths to explain things such as the functions of our glands, the reasons behind headaches, and why you may be feeling less energetic these days. My favorite parts of the book were the "Safari Secrets: Lessons from the Animal Kingdom". There were lots of little tidbits on everything from the way animals see the world to the way elephants lose and replace their teeth. Again, no new news to me, but I still enjoyed the way the authors related the animal information to information about humans.

Overall, YOU Being Beautiful: An Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty just wasn't what I thought it would be. It is indeed very much like a health textbook, and not at all about things like make-up, hairstyles/colors, or dressing better. If you keep that in mind, you won't be disapointed.

[Lindsay · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had hoped that this would be an unconventional approach, but it was just typical propaganda aimed mainly at women, teaching that there are only a handful of molds that equal beautiful and that you should force yourself to fit into one of them. Boo.

The rest was hygiene information and advice that you have probably already heard (floss, heat damages hair, etc). Don't waste your time.

[Che · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has a lot of valuable information about feeling more beautiful about who you are. The majority of the tips are quite general, but they use science and medicine to back up the points. Either you'll find this very helpful (as I did) or you just find that it is information overload (honestly, I felt this way in spots of the book.) Overall, if you enjoyed the information provide and would recommend that you pick up the book, especially if you enjoy listening to Dr. Oz on the numerous tv shows he's been featured on. Honestly, I can't recommend the audio book for two reason (1) Dr. Roizen sounds like Woody Allen and it's really, really hard to take him seriously, especially when he's talking about sex. (2) There are times when the information just comes at you. If you listening in the car -- as I did -- some information came so quick I didn't have time to digest it. I think more of it would sync in if I had read the book. (But then again, I wouldn't have gotten through it as quickly.)

I'm not positive I'll go pick up the other books in this series right away. I'm definitely going to need a big break before diving into the other "You" books.

[Ice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long before we had blood tests and MRI machines, the human mind could determine in a quarter second if a potential mate/boss/foe was really healthy. The doctors take a scientific, informative, and entertaining look at the three levels of beauty—looking beautiful, feeling beautiful, and being beautiful—and explain how they all work together to form a complete and authentic YOU. From hair to toenails, they go through every part of your body to explain how different foods, vitamins, creams, gels, and injections can really boost your looks.

You will be able to revamp your beauty regimen (or start a new one from scratch). With their usual candor and honesty, Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz break down the mechanics of beauty and explain how little adjustments in your routine can help you become a happier, healthier person. You will learn about the biology of beauty, take YOU Tests to determine where you are on the beauty scale, get tons of YOU Tips to help you improve your life, as well as learn the secrets of the Ultimate Beautiful Day.

[Aleta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great book for teens and young people and may answer some questions for adults. There are a lot of simple tips, health science and common-knowledge information about basic self care, as well as a more indepth and scientific look at why the authors are suggesting the tips. The authors playfully cover topics such as self esteem, showering tips for healthy skin & hair, healthy psyche, grooming, weight and exercise: how to work with your body type, how to get the best results when brushing your teeth, making good decisions, and other general things. I think there should be a high school class based on this book.

[Wendy's Wanderings · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would actually prefer to read this instead of listen to it. I am more of a visual person. So, all the facts they list would be better taken in if I saw them instead of listened to them. I didn't mind Dr. Oz's voice but I did not care for the other person's too much. As a book I would give it three stars rather than the 2 stars for the audio book.

[Qb · Rating 3 out of 5]

its a great book with immense information on health and personality .

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be quite interesting and possibly not quite the way I had thought it would be. There was a lot of interesting information and the diagrams weren't serious but were helpful with the written explanations. I did walk away from it with more knowledge than I had.
A couple of the take away's that I didn't like were some of the jokey comments. Mostly they were fine but a couple of them felt a little out of line and there were 2 in particular that I thought were a little racist. I don't think this was intentional but it is how I read it.
The other part I had a difficult time with is being beautiful is seeing beauty in however which way we see it. There were a few parts that I perceived as being, if you weren't beautiful to a certain standard, because according to science there is a standard, and if this bit sagged or wrinkled or whatever then you could get surgery, botox and whatever to fix that. I'm not against this but again, it felt the way it was worded sounded like if you looked like you had sags and bags then this would be the best way to go about things and I don't like that because if it's you being beautiful you can be beautiful just the way you are, even if you aren't perfect.
I would say read it for the body information and how the adrenal glands and everything else work and what stress and the like can to your health and gain information this way but keep in other ways they are really hardcore about germs and bacteria's that I think are mostly out of reach for most people in regards to time and energy.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Giant waste of time!! Have a problem? Eat avocados and walnuts. Have some other problem? Eat avocados and walnuts. Skin issue? They like about six different organic/all natural brands. No Specific Products Listed. I've tried nearly every brand they listed with very little success. I wish I knew which exact thing they bought and liked.

And then, unexpectedly, there's some mind-blowing helpful tip! It happens every 20 pages or so. Lymphatic massage you can do in the shower. Your skin's acidic barrier (acid mantle). I've never seen these things anywhere else before! Of course, they're so lost in the material that they're hard to re-find when I try to flip back.

Now's the time to admit I couldn't finish the book. I tried. I read over a hundred pages. At no point did I feel all my work slogging through uninteresting, overly generalized advice was worth the bright spots of helpful moments. I ran out of time, and I quit.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is like a cookbook. You always want it around. It is a positive book that allows you to think about what you are doing and how to make it better. The good, bad, and the ugly. The book provides tips, tricks, and suggestions to help along the way. Gives you facts on way you shouldn’t eat/use products and what ones to use instead and why. At the end of the book it has the perfect yoga routine and also gives you a daily schedule to follow, don’t worry it is a simple schedule.

[Katharine Coggeshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be full of useful information about body and mind. It is about beauty, but this focuses on the science behind it all. As a scientist, I loved the read. I found the advice to be practical and easy to employ.

[Alexis Cardone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take notes on this book. Like others have commented, it is full of information on the body and mind, how everything works. I started reading it on a whim, thinking the title sounded silly, but it really helped me understand myself and my ideals better. Definitely recommend.

[Suzzane Dickman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is one of those "let your beauty shine from the inside out".

Most of the "advise" and tips seems like it's extracted from the pages of Cosmo - comical, a little sexists but sensible.

Not a must read but something to pass the time.

[Empathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tons and tons of information. No way you’ll remember it all a week later. Best used as a reference guide. However, it’s got a lot of great, useful tips and everything’s organized within it’s own section. Meaning you can easily find what you’re looking for when you need it!

[Laraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. The third book by Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz in the You series was an interesting read. Subtitled "the Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty", this book was as much about a healthy lifestyle as it was about being beautiful. I found it an interesting read.

[Seoyoung Cho · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book cause this book was connected to my learnings in school. Even though it was not a voluntary reading the way it discussed the definition of beauty was interesting.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting alot of knowledge about the body

[Shirin Abdel Rahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of the best books I've ever read about beauty and Health.

[Edina]

Very basic almost like for an elementary school child. Cute anatomical drawings.

[Kaitlyn Gertner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting sometimes but quite boring

[Mandy Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some good tips and information in it. I like that it focused more on healthy beauty than cosmetics.

[Mathew Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the "YOU" series. The illustrations are fun, the material informative and understandable. Perhaps slightly outdated, but that's to be expected with ongoing research in health and medicine.

[Tabitha Gallicano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lemon foot bath to promote relaxati0n was a great tip. Dr. Oz didn't disappoint by keeping things simple but informative, honest, and humorous.

[Sapphirasky · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's good to know we all fit in one tiny box. Just generic junk.

[Shenard Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

"There is some hotly disputed evidence suggesting genetic influence in the amount or degree in the spirituality a person can have. That people are more spiritual than others actually have a 'gene' that's linked to a specific spirituality receptor in the brain which would mean that people have various dispositions for feeling spiritual just the same way they have various predispositions for heart disease."

Roizen, Oz
You Being Beautiful

Being is as integral to consciousness as understanding the dynamic of the human body and what makes us all beautiful experiences while walking this green earth. This book was an insightful read as well as an affirming idea about self, spirituality, and spatial transcendence.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skin: Solid soaps are good because they can be made with a min. of ingredients (e.g. saponified olive oil w/essential oil like lavender, peppermint; Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil Soap and Plantlife Aromatherapy Soaps). For liquid soaps, good ones are Neutrogena and Cetaphil,See the Dawn Purity facial cleanser,Garden of Eve Facial Cleansing Nectar. Feed skin with nutrients at night when no UV light, and protect it from UV and toxins during the day. Look for products that list an active ingredient & a concentration (usually 1-10%), pH balanced. Ingredients that can make a difference: Vit.A (retinoids), VB3 (niacine or nicotinamide),VB5 (pantothenic acid, panthenol), VC,E, Alpha-hydroxy acids, Ubiquinone or coenzyme Q10 (small-molecule antioxidant), Ferulic acid (small-molecule antioxidant). Recommended: Dr. Perry's NightSkin (Vits. A/C, glycolic acid...) & Dr. Perry's DaySkin (Vits B3,B5,sunblock).
The ideal wash:
-Wash 2xday w/pH balanced soap/cleanser.
-Add Anti-oxis (Vitamin E (DL-aslpha-tocopherol), C (L-ascorbic acide/at least 10%), Vitamin B3 (niacinamide), Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid).
-Moisturize w/natural moisturizers such as squalene (from olives), avocado oil, walnut butter, cocoa butter + ones proven to be hypoallergenic, while skin wet. As you age, need Vitamin A (retinoids: retinyl propionate, retinyl palmitate, retinol (retinaldehyde))
-Exfoliate 1xweek, physical (but don't use ones with sharp edges like apricot seeds) or chemical (alpha-hydroxy acid (glycolic acid), glycolic acid (less than 10% concentration is safest, hyaluronic acid, apple cider vinegar)
-Protection against sun (use great moisturizer that includes SPF30 zinc)(get 20min. low-level sun 1st). Look for products that are hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic and water-resistent
-Facial 1xmo (microdermabrasion).

Hair: Can pluck or use other methods to remove unwanted hair. Recommended makers of shampoo: Aubrey Organics, Quinessence, So Organic, Avalon Organics, Organic Excellence.

Teeth: For whitening, if you want over-the-counter, try brush-ons (Rembrandt Whitening Wand, BriteSmile To Go pen, GoSmile Daily (single-use which is even better)). Best treatment: tray method, which is best to do at the doctor's. Usesunblock on lips, Burt's Bees lip balm is good because uses bee's wax, or cocoa butter.

For back pain: work foundation muscles in body's core (esp. abdominals). Do core exercises 3xweek to work abdominals and lower-back muscles, & don't forget lunges and squats which strengthen core by placing them on a firmer foundation. Rehab specialists prefer Pilates. Most successful programs integrate props such as big balls, resistance bands, balance disks. Work on flexibility with yoga. Move. Work on posture. Etc.

Joint pain: Invest in right kind of shoes (well-cushioned walking, esp. running shoes). Go to a specialty store & buy a shoe for your gait. Resistance training.. Flexibility with yoga. Biking at rapid revolutions appears to strengthen cartilage. Fish oils. Supplement with 1500 mg daily Glucosamine. Chondroitin is also building block for cartilage (800-1200 mg a day). Adding methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) at 2,50 mg daily helps absorption of glucosamine. Add vitamins and minerals: Vitamins D3 (1000 IU daily), C (500 mg 2xdaily), and E (400 IU daily), 600 mg 2xdaily Calcium, 400 mg daily Magnesium. 2 bing cherries a day. Add lia (frankincense) at 1000 mg daily and willow bark.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I haven't reviewed any books for awhile. I also paid a bunch of late fees to finish up this book (and others), because the impatient librarians wouldn't renew them a third time for me. I've been reading way slow this last month or two, and I blame it on LOST. That dang TV show! What was up with the series ending and leaving 500 big questions unanswered? Dale was out of a town a few times, and instead of staying up reading, I discovered that abc.com had every single episode of LOST available for download. So I, the LOST fan that I was, started re-watching LOST episodes from the earlier seasons. I remembered all sorts of awesome mysteries and unrevealed truths that made me super excited for the finale, where (obviously) they would finally bring everything together and answer all these questions. I got little to no reading done, unless you count online blog reviews of LOST episodes. Oh, and lostpedia.com. That was a cool website.

But the LOST series ended with virtually NO answered questions. And don't even try to tell me crud like, "You just need to re-watch the series, they actually answered a lot of the questions and you just forgot." Because really, I paid a whole bunch of library late fees because I WAS re-watching the series, and now I'm mad that it was for nothing. I don't even care anymore. I am boycotting television forever.

Oh! I did like this book, by the way. I didn't love it as much as the original "You: An Owner's Manual", but it was interesting and totally worth reading all the same. Just like the other book talked about all of your major body systems and explained their function in an interesting way, this one talks about your beautiful parts, and how they work. Like teeth, hair, fingernails (although I seriously don't care about my nails at all. And really, do ANY guys care what your toenails look like?). It also talks about inner beauty, like how to be happy and not financially irresponsible. Some parts were a stretch to be included in a "beauty" book, like... avoiding joint pain or how to invest for the future, but whatever. I liked it. Way better than the LOST series finale, that's for sure.

One last time: How did Jacob leave the island to find the candidates? Why did all the pregnant women die on the island? What happened when 12 year old Ben Linus was taken to the temple that made him "never be the same", like Richard said before they saved him? Why the crap could Hurley see dead people all the time? And what was Hurley's nickname from? Sawyer's nickname was important, so where did Hurley get his weird nickname from? AHHHHHH!!! Dang you, LOST!!! I'll never know what those dumb numbers were, will I?!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read in this series, and I thought it contained a great deal of interesting and useful information.

As a high school teacher, while reading, I thought of how appropriate it would be for high school students, simply because of all the cartoons, illustrations, captions and margin notes. They should really consider creating student health textbooks (if they haven't already).

I read this book over a time span of a few months and found myself making notations in my own notebook as the information seemed jumbled and jumped around frequently. I prefer something straight to the point, but I understand the concept behind these books. Presenting information in small chunks while providing cartoons and other snippets is fitting for the average individuals attention span today. Brilliant!

Still, I learned some valuable information. I especially appreciated the section on vitamins and what ingredients should and should not be in skin care products. Highly useful!

[CMG (Mac) · Rating 1 out of 5]

For Part 1, I'd say don't waste your time. These authors seemed to have capitalized on their fame to sell a worthless book with advice like brush your teeth. Maybe you want to use a sonic toothbrush. I think they just went head to toe and dictated stream of consciousness and if he didn't have enough pages, he read from the encyclopedia (the jaw bone is used for crushing). I don't ordinarily read self help books and this part was very disappointing. I expected more on things like spend time meditating to change your point of view or perhaps more than three superficial sentences on nutrition like a list of food items such as salmon.

It picked up a little after that with some actually substantive informative information and better jokes. Seems they or their writers sit around trying to come up with best zinger analogies. Some of what I expected about reframing your attitude and not letting others' bad behavior affect you. If you have just a couple of the issues or concerns plus the regular recommended daily vitamins, you probably are at 20 plus supplements a day.