A practical guide to male health issues, presented in an accessible format, provides coverage of specific conditions and outlines a four-part program for health maintenance that involves diet, exercise, supplements, and behavior modification. Reprint. 20,000 first printing.

Reviews

While it may not be as hot as the latest issue of Maxim, this new health guide should be required reading for any man between the ages of 18 and 80. The book's success is rooted in the no-nonsense approach of author Simon, the founding editor of the wildly successful Harvard Men's Health Watch newsletter, who has long been urging men to get in shape and stay that way. Simon uses the results of three Harvard studies of more than 95,000 men over the last 25 years to provide five main "answers" (diet, exercise, aspirin and other supplements, moderate alcohol, and behavior modification and stress control) to five main "maladies of men" (disorders of the genital area, sexuality and reproduction, benign prostate disorders, prostate cancer, and kidney and bladder disorders). Along the way, he discusses other topics such as reproductive anatomy, vitamins, depression, Viagra and herbal medications. Though it's packed with provocative data (e.g., "every one of the ten leading causes of death in America is substantially more common in men than women"; "even committed teetotalers who review the data will have to agree that light to moderate drinking appears to reduce a man's risk of angina, heart attack, sudden cardiac death, and ischemic stroke"), the book stays focused on Simon's main message: "Above all, men should concentrate on the basics, on the core issues that remain constant in a sea of change." (Sept.) Forecast: Neither overly serious nor laced with chirpy beer-and-babes humor, this tome should remain a steady seller after trendier books are gone. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

While this excellent men's health guide stands on its own, its research is based on the Harvard Men's Health Watch newsletter and shares common goals with the Harvard Family Health Guide. Simon (medicine, Harvard Medical Sch.; Staying Well), the newsletter's founding editor, aims to empower men to improve their health and to motivate them to change lifestyles for the better. Basing his advice on three long-term Harvard studies that have tracked more than 96,000 men for many years, Simon reviews programs of diet, exercise, supplements, stress control, and medical care, and addresses frequently asked questions (e.g., should I take a daily aspirin?, is wine really good for me?, and should I have a PSA blood test?). Much like a very caring family doctor, Simon presents both sides of issues and lets the reader know what the evidence recommends as best practice. This comprehensive, informative, engagingly written guide is a standout among a slew of similar titles. Highly recommended for most consumer health collections. James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.