When Dr. Bernie Siegel tells a joke, it’s not only funny – it’s good medicine. Now this pioneering physician and author of the perennial bestseller Love, Medicine and Miracles (nearly 2 million copies sold) uplifts our hearts and tickles our funny bones again, with The Beginner’s Guide to Humor and Healing. From how love helps us lead longer, more productive lives – to fascinating research about laughter’s ability to boost the immune system – to true stories of miracles of spontaneous remission in “terminally ill” patients, here is a life-affirming house call with America’s favorite “stand-up physician.”
Humor and Healing…First Aid for the Soul I have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was a small child. Seven joint replacements, an average of at least 2 hospital in-patient stays per year and lots of pain and depression later, I keep these tapes in my walkman almost constantly. I know them word for word. They are the first thing I pack when going to hospital, the last thing I listen to if I’m having trouble sleeping because of pain or depression and the best thing I could recommend to anyone with chronic illness. Bernie’s voice is soothing and friendly. The content of these tapes is brilliant, drawing not just on famous comics such as Woody Allen but using inspirational people such as Helen Keller. From memory, my favourite quote from the tape is from a little boy named Jason, who says: “If God had wanted me to be a basketball player he would have made me 10 feet tall; but He gave me cancer so I could write a book and help other people”. For me, this typifies Bernie’s work and reminds me always that some good…
I laughed myself WELL! Having experienced chronic illness, one treasures anything that brings one a sence of wellbeing. This is certainly the case with this incredible audiobook. From antidotal stories to Amens, this work is medicine for the soul! As the old saying goes, “I laughed – I cried” and then I laughed some more! I recommend that you take a heaping dose of this “for what ails you”! You’ll be glad you did.