The Invisible Hand of Cancer: Navigating its Impact Beyond Diagnosis

The Invisible Hand of Cancer by author, Carola Schmidt, could be labeled a handbook on cancer’s far-reaching influences in personal, medical, pharmaceutical, financial, cultural, and familial ways. This deep dive into the topic doesn’t rehash symptoms, prognosis, and treatment, though these topics are couched within firsthand stories shared in the book. Instead, it puts the influence of cancer under the microscope. The result is information designed to equip people to navigate beyond a cancer diagnosis where these influences prevail.

About the book: The Invisible Hand of Cancer

The author’s passion for distilling scientific information into simpler terms for non-scientific readers works. Yes, medical terms are used but are then explained in everyday English. For instance, when talking about how the invisible hand of cancer has influenced research, she explains the role of epigenetics in the life of and fight against cancer. She doesn’t leave readers scratching their heads wondering what epigenetics means but clarifies that it is the study of how cells control gene activity without changing the DNA sequence. She strips down scientific techno babble even more to a form most readers will understand. Epigenetics are factors beyond the genetic code.

The Invisible Hand of Cancer book review

The impact cancer leaves in its wake includes a wide range of topics. This book offers insights into different sides of off-label treatments and looks at cancer’s effect on the development of drugs used to treat various types of this prolific disease. One of the sections I found most useful was on palliative care and how one person cannot do everything but everyone can do something. It also stresses the importance of palliative care being provided during anticipatory grief, grief around the time of death, and grief after death. It also pinpoints some of the most common and troubling symptoms at the end of life but also shares positive ways to build a legacy that results in tangible keepsakes that have proven beneficial for caregivers and families during the grieving process.

I could go on about the helpful nature of this book; how it addresses the culture of avoiding the subject of death and how it brings anxiety. The good and bad sides of the pharmaceutical industry, affordability issues, the differences in costs from one country to another, but also discusses the hope of hematopoietic stem cells and regenerative medicine.

I recommend this book to patients with cancer or cancer history, families of those diagnosed with cancer, advocates, oncology professionals, and people on the fringe of the lives of people dealing with the emotional stress of this dreaded disease. The science aspect of this book does lean heavily on evolution, for those who dismiss evolution as fact, this book still offers much useful information. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

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As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from Black Coffee Book Tours and have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

 

About the Author: Carola Schmidt

Pediatric Oncology Pharmacist & Writer.

Author of “Chubby’s Tale: The true story of a teddy bear who beat cancer,” which is listed on BookAuthorithy’s “81 Best Leukemia Books of All Time.”

Best-selling author of children’s books about cancer, including “Bald is Beautiful: A letter for a fabulous girl,” and “Cancer Daily Life.”

Springer Nature author of the books “Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Pharmacists: The Gold Standard to Practice,” “Pediatric Oncologic Pharmacy―A Complete Guide to Practice,” “Chemotherapy in Neonates and Infants―Pharmacological Oncology for Children Under 1 Year Old,” and “Drug Therapy and Interactions in Pediatric Oncology―A Pocket Guide.” Editor of the book “Chemotherapy and Pharmacology for Leukemia in Pregnancy: Guidelines and Strategies for Best Practices,” published by Springer.

Post-Graduation in Pediatric Oncologic Pharmacy; MBA in Planning and Business Management.

After a career in hospitals and classrooms, she has been linking her two passions: writing and oncology. She can be found on Twitter @_CarolaSchmidt
 

Carola's Social Media
https://kidscancerbooks.com
https://twitter.com/_CarolaSchmidt
https://www.instagram.com/kidscancerbooks
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07CVJB713
Publisher's Social Media
https://www.springernature.com/
https://twitter.com/SpringerNature
https://www.instagram.com/springernature
https://www.linkedin.com/company/springernaturegroup/
 

 

Captures the essence of human resilience

Sharkman is a gripping true-life adventure recounted by Tom Vater. The plot transports readers to the early 1990s in Mali and the Sahara, where Peter Hauser and two of his friends make a unique but dangerous journey. A thrill ride that became a little more thrilling than any of them expected.

Vater paints this harrowing tale within a rich historical framework. I enjoyed learning new things like how they drove across the desert carrying metal sheets in their vehicles to give them traction when needed, how borders weren’t well defined, and all these details came into play. The vivid descriptions of Hauser's distressing escapade had me on the edge of my seat as the trio comes face-to-face with Tuareg bandits in the unforgiving desert. Through Hauser's recollections, the characters come alive, and the line between friend and foe blurs, portraying a nuanced depiction of survival in a harsh landscape. As Hauser's story unfolds, it becomes clear how confronting death shapes one's perspective on life, evident in Hauser's present-day fearlessness, such as swimming with tiger sharks in Thailand. 

 

Book review: Sharkman

Vater's skillful storytelling captures the essence of human resilience amidst adversity, offering readers a riveting read that resonates long after the final page. With its blend of danger, historical context, and introspection, this novella is a must-read for mature audiences seeking an adventure that transcends time and place. I give it 5 stars and recommend it to those looking for a real-life experience that keeps the pages turning.

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As BookHookup I received a free review copy of this book from Black Coffee Book Tours but was not compensated for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

Captivating, plausible, and imaginative tale

In "Dragons in the Clouds" by David Blair, the reader is transported into a realm where imagination knows no bounds. Within its pages, kings, knights, wizards, villagers, and dragons populate a magical world that harkens back to ancient literary fairy tales. Blair's narrative transcends temporal and cultural barriers, embracing the timeless tradition of oral storytelling.

About the book: Dragons in the Clouds

At its core, the story revolves around a man returning home from World War II, burdened with nightmarish memories and symptoms of PTSD. As a gift for his young daughter, he brings a toy dragon, promising to share its story. This framing device, reminiscent of The PrincessBride, sets the stage for a captivating narrative.

The tale unfolds as Rago, a young vegetarian dragon, forms an unlikely friendship with a human boy named David. However, their relationship is shattered when the King orders the extermination of all dragons, regardless of their nature. Merlinius, the King's wizard, attempts to protect the vegetation-eating dragons by hiding them in the clouds, but complications arise.

Book review: Dragon in the Clouds

Blair's storytelling is masterful, delivering a blend of visual and emotional conflict with perfect pacing that keeps the reader engaged. Rather than inundating the reader with excessive detail, Blair employs subtle worldbuilding techniques to convey essential aspects of the Kingdom of Albion and its magic.

Overall, "Dragons in the Clouds" is a captivating, plausible, and imaginative tale suitable for readers of all ages. I highly recommend it and am delighted to award it 5 out of 5 stars.

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I received a review copy of this book from the author and have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.