Author Topic: Laurie Edwards, IN THE KINGDOM OF THE SICK: A SOCIAL HISTORY ...  (Read 224 times)

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Offline agate

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EDWARDS, LAURIE

    IN THE KINGDOM OF THE SICK:  A SOCIAL HISTORY OF CHRONIC ILLNESS IN AMERICA (2013)

There is one problem with books in this genre, and there are many such books--the author usually has a disorder or two prompting the writing of the book, and in order to illustrate points in the book's content, the author almost has to bring that disorder into the discussion.

When that happens, if there's a tad too much of it, the book comes across as more about that person's disorder(s) than about helpful information for others unless, of course, the others happen to have that disorder.

In this author's case, others with her disorder aren't going to come along very often. She has primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a serious lung disorder, somewhat like cystic fibrosis, but so rare that it took a long time for Edwards to be diagnosed.

If her book has a fault, it may be that it gives a bit more information about the author's medical history than is warranted.

She covers a wide range of chronic medical conditions, but the coverage is rather standard information, easily available from other sources. She touches on multiple sclerosis a couple of times but very briefly.

She has an impressive bibliography but these references turn out to be drawn primarily from the Internet.  More depth would have been welcome here.
MS Speaks--online for 17 years

SPMS, diagnosed 1980. Avonex 2001-2004. Copaxone 2007-2010. Glatopa (glatiramer acetate 40mg 3 times/week) since 12/16/20.