Trying to Give Ease or Into the Shadows

Trying to Give Ease: Tommie Bass and the Story of Herbal Medicine

Author: John K Crellin

The authors here focus on the life, practices, and accumulated knowledge of the late Appalachian herbalist "Tommie" Bass. "This book merits praise as one of the best investigations of an herbalist and his context in the literature of folk medicine and as a powerful synthesis of important historical, social, and psychological factors in general folk medicine".--NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH CAROLINA FOLK SOCIETY. 352 pp.

Booknews

Reprint of the 1989 work published as . See adjacent reference to v.2 . Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Bulletin of the History of Medicine

What is uncovered in Trying to Give Ease is the practice of an empirical healer who held to no particular theory of medicine but implicitly followed diverse (often antiquated) principles such as humoralism and the notion of the body as a thermodynamic engine. . . . [T]here can be little doubt that Tommie Bass has left an impress upon the community he served. . . . [B]ecause of the unique and valuable perspective given to its subject, this book deserves to be on the shelves of those interested in the history of America's vegetable materia medica.

Appalachian Journal

Trying to Give Ease and A Reference Guide to Medicinal Plants are two of the best resources I've come across. I highly recommend Trying to Give Ease for anyone interested in the study of mountain culture, public health, or the interactions of humans and plants.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

[V]ery pleasant to read. . . . The description and illumination of the special example [of] Tommie Bass might raise (critical) questions in the minds of those responsible for research into and organization of health care as well as in each individual reader.

Interesting textbook: The Absolute Beginners Guide to Internet Wealth or Google SketchUp For Dummies

Into the Shadows: A Journey of Faith and Love into Alzheimer's

Author: Robert F DeHaan

Husband tells story of caring for his wife who is struggling with Alzheimer's. In this intimate and moving chronicle, Robert DeHaan combines his finely honed skills as a professional psychologist with his unwavering Christian faith to show that the love and grace of God are far greater than this terrible disease.

Book offers message of hope to one in four adults affected by Alzheimer's, either as caregivers, relatives or friends. Insightful, sensitive, loving and God-honoring account of his wife's journey into Alzheimer's disease.


About the Author

Robert F. DeHaan is a graduate of Calvin College and the University of Chicato. He served for 12 years as professor of the Psychology Dept. of Hope College in Holland, MI prior to establishing the Philadelphia Urban Semester of the Great Lakes College Association.