I'm glad to see your review. I didn't read the book but I've seen the advertisements and I've seen her speak on the net. I got the same impression that she was romanticizing strokes to be something wonderful. I kept thinking that she couldn't have had a very bad stroke if she could remember and record it as it was happening. That book could do a disservice to people with worse strokes who couldn't go on to do what she did in writing the book, but their families think they should be cognitively the same as pre-stroke because she seems to be.

Jean

Is it possible for you to write a review on Amazon? That would be a way to alert people who might buy the book.

Thanks for your comments.

Vi

How disappointing and upsetting that must have been, to have something that was so devastating to your life romanticized and trivialized that way! This only confirms what I've said to you before - with your intelligence, great memory, excellent writing and communication skills, YOU should really write a book on your experiences surviving a stroke. A message board like this is proof that people benefit from sharing their experiences with one another and your experience would be beneficial to others, rather than harmful, as this book seems to be!

Mema - done!

jriva - although she didn't 'record it as it happened', she definitely made it out to be a better experience than reality.

I have the book to review in the newsletter. I have it targeted for the August issue. This book has been reviewed and advertised a lot. I am especially interested because she did brain research before her stroke, so the perspective should be interesting. I noticed the book was on the NY Times best seller list this week.

You would think the perspective given her background would be really interesting. You would think...

I have the book requested from my local library to read. I'm going to try and read it with an open mind but I saw the video that was posted on site and I was not impressed with her revelations that the stroke experience was wonderful. As any survivor/caregiver/family member knows, stroke stinks (though my verbage could be stronger this is a rated "G" site) Like Lin, I was drawn to her experiences prestroke.

I'm glad I'm not purchasing the book only renting it for 3 weeks.

It is good to read this feedback. Rather than purchasing her book, I am going to request it from my local library, too. I did see the video that was posted, too, and felt uncomfortable when she said the stroke experience was wonderful. Frankly, there's not one thing I can think of or even relate to that was "wonderful" about stroking.

I'm getting in on the tail end of this book review and conversations plus I haven't seen or heard other than what I read here. So, if any of you have read "After a Stroke by Cleo Hutton" a couple years back, how would you compare the two books for stroke information presented fairly?

Just wondering if I should go out of my way to get a copy or view what that author has to say. I will be looking to read a little more when Lin does her thing in the August newsletter. Thank you!

I am happy to read your review. I saw her on a program the other night and was disturbed about her talking about how lucky she was to have a stroke... Give me a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If we could go back 4 1/2 years and realize the signs and maybe do something about it we would be so much happier to have never had stroke in our home. And when someone says "buy my book" that tells me what the bottom line is. help others or make money.

Wow I think you hit a hot button..Great comments

I actually just finished my post asking for comments on what others thought of this lady. I was getting negative vibes and so emailed her with some very open concerns. I got a very shout email back telling me that in essence due to my Right brain hemorrhage I tended to be critical and that she hoped that I would be able to control that part of my stroke. then wishing me peace, hope and joy along with blessings hoping that I would enjoy her book.

My gut feeling is that this bird is a ditz but I was encouraged to read the other comments left here already.

Maybe the stained glass brain was the tip off. Or the so called "real brain" prop that she so eagerly displays during her magic medicine show.

I too have ordered her book through the library and will read it when it comes in.

In the meantime I see no reason not to question her motives on any and all posts and comments that I put up on the net. It may even get her attention.

Smiles )

Gary

I appreciate reading this review of Dr. Taylor's book. I have not read it yet, but was impressed with her talk which is circulating on the Web. Of course, I found her right brain, "new-agey" experiences encouraging and far from nonsense. But, that's my world view. It doesn't have any more credence than someone else's.

I think it is important that we recognize that Taylor's experience was her experience. Other people's experiences are no doubt different. To call her a fraud, I think, is discounting what she may have actually experienced. I have not had a stroke, but my wife has. Her experiences were not the same as Dr. Taylor's. I am sure they are not the same as anyone else's, either. They are certainly different from those Dr. Taylor discusses. Yet, they are real; they are valid. They are hers. Just as I have no reason to believe Taylor's experiences were anything but real, valid and hers. One may like the book, or not; one may agree with her conclusions or not. We do not have the right, or the knowledge, to say that the experiences she described, and the lesssons she learned, were false or fraudulent. They just may not be ours.

Spyglass - I understand that and concur with your sentiment. However, when she says things that either (a) represent strokers that is incorrect or (b) deviates from her experience to say she 'wished others could have the wonderful experience of a stroke' she is being more than just irresponsible, she is being glib and dangerous.

It's interesting reading the comments about Dr. Jill Taylor's book My Stroke of Insight. It took my about a year after seeing her video before I was ready to order the book from the library. My first reaction to the video was similar to many of those on here.

Now as we all know strokes are like snowflakes, no two are alike and my Hemorrhagic stroke was on the opposite side as the good doctor's. So I am in no position to judge the experience of another, however when I heard Dr. Taylor describe her stroke as Euphoria and Nirvana, I initially had no further interest in reading her book. My experience was more like confusion, anxiety, extreme pain and dread but then it started to get much worse.

I must say though I am glad that I did eventually read her book. She does do much to promote the cause of stroke awareness. She has some interesting perspectives of dealing with emotions and controlling our minds.

One book that I really do highly recommend though that actually gives a step by step approach to doing more was written by a member of this board, Dr. Bob Guns, titled Rewire Your Brain Rewire Your Life.

You can find it on Amazon or go here http://strokessuck.com/bobguns.html

I increased the areas that focused on by 45%. i don't know if it's in the library because it just came out recently.