It has been a year since the Encyclopedia of AIDS has appeared and it continues to get very favorable reviews. It is the only comprehensive encyclopedia that covers AIDS and HIV in all of its social, political, cultural, and scientific aspects. In addition to the major part of the encyclopedia with its alphabetical entries from Abstinence to Writers, there are 8 lists of resources, 9 preliminary articles, a list of commonly used terms and abbreviations, and extensive notes on the editors and contributors. The resource guides include U.S. publications on HIV/AIDS; U.S. federal and state government documents; international English-language periodicals on HIV/AIDS; major North American HIV/AIDS information centers, libraries, and subject collections; major U.S. HIV/AIDS Organizations; major HIV/AIDS contacts in the United Kingdom and Canada; major international HIV/AIDS organizations; and internet resources. The lists are very selective but do contain the most important resources that were known at the time of publication.
The 9 preliminary articles include: "The AIDS Epidemic: An Overview; Basic Science Epidemiology: Challenging the Mainstream Consensus: AIDS Dissidents; Transmission and Prevention: The Intersection of Host and Virus: Risk Factors for HIV Infection; Pathology and Treatment: Fighting for Our Lives: AIDS Treatment Activism; Impacted Populations: Life in the Maelstrom: Living and Working Amid the AIDS Epidemic; Government and Activism: The High Price of Homophobia: HIV Prevention Education; Policy and Law: Double Discrimination: Women with HIV/AIDS; Culture and Society: The Plague of Our Time: Societal Responses to AIDS; and The Global Epidemic: Parallel Epidemics: AIDS in the Developed and Developing Worlds.
This is a highly recommended encyclopedia that should be in every library from school to academic to research. It is authoritative, well written, and unbiased.
946. Mosby's GenRx: The Complete Reference for Generic and Brand Drugs, 9th edition. 1999. Mosby, Inc., 11830 Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146. 1v., various paging. ISBN 0-323-00625-6. $71.95. (Descriptors: Drugs; Therapy)
Mosby's GenRx has become the most complete listing of prescription pharmaceuticals available today. It is an easy to use compilation that provides everything that one would want to know about a prescribed pharmaceutical. For each entry the following is given: categories; USPDI, vol. II off-label uses; FDA drug class; brand names; cost of therapy; prescribing information; how supplied; and supplier profiles. The prescribing information provides the following: description, clinical pharmacology, clinical studies, indications and usage, contraindications, adverse reactions, warnings, precautions, drug interactions, drug abuse and dependence, overdosage, dosage and administration, animal pharmacology, references, Centers for Disease Control dosage information, and patient information.
Other important information that is provided includes FDA pregnancy categories; DEA schedules of controlled substances; Poison Control Centers in the United States and Canada; Directory of AIDS Drug Assistance Programs; Key addresses and phone numbers; Oral solid dosage forms that should not be crushed; discontinued products; manufacturers listed by NDC number; drug names that look alike and sound alike; drug ID imprint guide; and comparative tables.
This is a highly recommended reference source that should be available in all public, academic and medical libraries. Pharmacies should consider this as a major source of information as should all hospitals.
947. AIDS and Men: Taking Risks or Taking Responsibility?, edited by Martin Foreman. 1999. St Martin's Press, 175 5th Ave., New York, NY 10010 for Panos Institute and Zed Books of London. 238p., bibliog. ISBN 1-85649-744-5, 1-87067-040-Xpbk. $55.00, $19.95pbk. (Descriptors: Behavior, Women, Mexico, Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Russia, Brazil, Malawi, Thailand, Ivory Coast, Bangladesh)
This small book is full of information about AIDS/HIV from around the world. The first section "examines the relationship between men's actions and AIDS around the world, the impact of those actions on men and women and initiatives designed to help men protect themselves and their partners." This is a must read section by everyone from those in grade school to those who have long graduated from college. It points out the inherent dangers in unprotected sex and discusses why so many cultures do not want protected sex because it is not masculine. Peer pressure, ridicule, and rejection come into play in many parts of the world, preventing the success of any and all sex education in some countries.
The second section looks at sex, risks, and responsibility throughout the world, focusing on Mexico, Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Russia, Brazil, Malawi, Thailand, Ivory Coast, and Bangladesh. Here one will learn of cultural and social barriers that are beginning to be broken but still are preventing any overall decline in the incidence of HIV. Young men around the world are sexually active and as a result seek out sex in any way they can. Religions preach of the sin of having sex outside of marriage but that does not prevent it from happening. These reports are frightening and show the rest of the world that there is much to be done in the underdeveloped countries. This is a highly recommended book for all academic and research libraries and should be made available throughout the world as a wake-up call to those countries that are still resisting any full scale AIDS education programs with safer sex high on the list of prevention.
948. Iron Peter: A Year in the Mythopoetic Life of New York City, a novel by Charles Ortleb. 1998. Rubicon Media, PO Box 1823, Radio City Station, New York, NY 10101-1823. 145p. ISBN 0-9663454-0-1. $13.00. (Descriptors: Novel)
Pegged as the "most controversial book of the year" and "terrifying," by the Gannett News Service, Iron Peter will certainly make you sit up and think or make you raging mad that anyone could put into words what Ortleb has done or just be another one of those AIDS novels that one sees more and more of in today's bookstores. Ortleb does not waste any punches about what he thinks about AIDS, those who are positive, those who are trying to find a cure, and the activists who are championing the AIDS cause. He hits you smack in the face and makes you wince and wonder how anyone could write such prose. Then again, one only has to realize that Orleb is a rogue gay publisher who was president of the publishing group that published Christopher Street, Theater Week, and New York Native, all of which are now out of business.
Iron Peter is about a beautiful blonde Adonis who arrives in New York one January and vows to "assassinate the AIDS epidemic." In addition, he vows to never have sex as long as the HIV virus is alive and killing. With this in mind he proceeds to scout the city's gay life, causing such a stir with his beauty, but creating much deep-felt hatred toward him with his caustic remarks. Even though he could be cruel in his response to those who wanted to take him home and to bed, there was humor in some of his remarks. When a macho man whispered in his ear "I want to fuck you with a condom.", he replied "I'd rather vote Republican.", leaving the man in a state of shock. Needless to say, it did not take Peter long to develop a nasty reputation among the AIDS activists.
This is a novel that needs reading, not because it will enlighten you with new facts about AIDS and the HIV virus but because it is a story about AIDS that many people think about but are afraid to voice or put into print. Recommended for academic libraries and large public libraries.
949. Subway Stops: Collected Poems, by Abnorman. 1998. GLB Publishers, PO Box 78212, San Francisco, CA 94107. 83p. ISBN 1-879194-24-4. $11.95. (Descriptors: Poems)
Norman Nichols, whose pen name was Abnorman, was born December 16, 1956 in Louisville, KY and died 38 years later of AIDS. He was constantly on the move from Miami to Washington State, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Houston, and finally back to Louisville. Most of the poetry in this book was written during his San Francisco years. He wrote spontaneously without much revision. His work was little appreciated by most of his friends and strangers of the time. Only 91 poems have survived with 67 of them in Subway Stops. The original manuscripts are in the Williams-Nichols Institute, Inc., a gay and lesbian library and archives in Louisville.
His poems are of two types: "Upper Level" and "Lower Level." The Upper Level poems are light and of things that many people enjoy--love, afternoons in the park, haircut, and innocence. In "I'm Pleading, Innocence," he writes "Come, let me teach you of innocence. I have the truth to tell. Take my hand, take my work, take a ride. Come on..." Lower Level, on the other hand, are "those poems filled with his most startling verbal pyrotechniques. Images of leather sex, heavy drug trips, orgiastic nights, high powered rushes, assorted degradations and times of madness."
These are poems from the heart of one who lived his short life to the fullest. He made no excuses for himself and was not devastated when he discovered he was HIV positive. Recommended reading by anyone who enjoys gay poetry.
950. Economics of HIV and AIDS: The Case of South and South East Asia, edited by David E. Bloom, Peter Godwin. 1997. Oxford University Press, 198 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016. 263p., bibliog. ISBN 0-19-564150-7. $21.95. (Descriptors: Economic Aspects; Thailand, India, Sri Lanka)
Although this is a 1997 publication, the topic is one of great interest to AIDS researchers who are studying AIDS/HIV as it is developing in South and South East Asia. "The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a dark cloud on Asia's horizon. The large number of projected cases, the relatively high cost of caring for those with AIDS and HIV, and the fact that the disease is concentrated among individuals in their prime productive years all suggest that the epidemic has the potential to affect Asia's remarkable trajectory of rapid and sustained economic growth."
The 5 chapters cover: "The AIDS Epidemic and Economic Policy Analysis," "AIDS, Flu, and the Black Death: Impacts on Economic Growth and Well-being," "The Economic Impact of HIV/AIDS Mortality on Households in Thailand," "The Household Impact of Adult Morbidity and Mortality: Some Implications of the Potential Epidemic of AIDS in India," and "Socio-Economic Dimensions of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Sri Lanka."
A recommended book for all academic libraries and medical school libraries where research on AIDS in developing countries is ongoing.
951. AIDS Imaging: A Practical Clinical Approach, edited by Jacques W. A. J. Reeders, John R. Mathieson. 1998. W. B. Saunders, The Curtis Center, Independence Square West, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3399. 327p., illus. (part in color), bibliog., index. ISBN 0-7020-1904-6. $140.00. (Descriptors: Imaging; Neurology; Pathology; Pediatrics; Women)
This is a highly technical book that presents "a review of the current knowledge about the wide range of manifestations in AIDS and how the role of modern medical imaging techniques in diagnosis and treatment can be applied." The first 9 chapters of part one present a general overview of the history, epidemiology, and pathology of AIDS. In the chapter on epidemiology, the World Health Organization estimates that by the end of this century, "the global prevalence of HIV (including AIDS cases) will be approximately 20 million and the cumulative number of HIV infections that have occurred since the beginning of the epidemic is 30-40 million." Further, the number of orphaned children under 10 years will exceed 5 million by the end of this century.
The second part of the book provides the clinical and imaging features of AIDS (organized by body system): central nervous system, cardiopulmonary system, lumenal gastrointestinal tract, hepato-pancre-atobiliary system, retroperitoneum, urinary tract, reproductive system, skin and musculoskeletal system. The last part consists of "Quick Reference Tables" that summarize the radiological abnormalities and imaging findings in AIDS-related disease of each body system. Each chapter can stand on its own which means that much is repeated between chapters. The editors found this to be very useful. Readers could read a chapter without having to refer to another chapter for material that may have already been discussed.
This is a highly recommended book for all AIDS researchers and a necessary purchase for all major medical school libraries.
952. Double Jeopardy: The HIV/HCV Co-Infection Handbook, Lillian Thiemann, Jacob Lalazeri. 1999. Community Prescription Service, 349 West 12th St., New York, NY 10014. 30p. free. (Descriptors: Drug Therapy, Hepatitis C Virus)
This small handbook produced by the Community Prescription Service through an unrestricted educational grant from Schering-Plough Corp. provides an excellent overview of the co-infections of HIV and Hepatitis C. The book is intended for the general public and is written in non-technical language, in some cases, using street slang. It stresses information for those who use drugs since 80%-90% of all intravenous drug users have the hepatitis C virus. This booklet has been widely distributed and should continue to be distributed to teenagers and young adults. Highly recommended.
953. Clinician's Guide to Nutrition in HIV and AIDS, by Cade Fields-Gardner, Cynthia A. Thomson, Sara S. Rhodes. 1997. American Dietetic Association, 216 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60606. 178p., bibliog., index. ISBN 0-88091-148-4. $26.00. (Descriptors: Diet Therapy; Nutrition)
Although published in 1997, this is still an important book since proper nutrition is vital in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. "Nutrition should be seen as an integrated medical and psychosocial therapy." The American Dietetic Association has taken the lead in address the issues of nutrition during this time of increased new drug treatments and the always present problem of malnutrition and wasting. Too many times individuals now are feeling better with the drugs they are taking and overlook the issue of eating the right things at the right time. The 5 chapters cover "Overview and Nutritional Implications in HIV and AIDS," "Nutrition Screening and Assessment," "Oral Nutrition Interventions," "Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Strategies," and "Assessment and Intervention Issues in Various Health Care Settings." The one most important point that this book makes is "The challenge for the dietitian specializing in HIV disease is to overcome barriers and find a balance in providing the best care possible in every health care setting." In other words do not get frustrated when confronted with the indigence and suffering of many of the AIDS patients.
This book provides some very good background information for dietitians. It should be required reading for them and a recommended book for all health science and hospital libraries.
954. HIV Testing and Confidentiality: Final Report, prepared by Ralf Jurgens for the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and the Canadian AIDS Society. October, 1998. Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, 484 McGill St., 4th Fl., Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2H2. 290p., bibliog. ISBN 1-896735-16-9. For availability e-mail email@example.com or visit the website at http://www.aidslaw.ca. (Descriptors: Testing; Confidentiality)
Testing and confidentiality has been an issue in Canada since the late 1980s even though "except in a few well-defined circumstances, people should be tested only with their informed, voluntary and specific consent; when counselling and education before and following testing are available and offered; and when confidentiality of results or anonymity of testing can be guaranteed." After an extensive review of the issues raised by HIV testing and confidentiality in Canada, "The report acknowledges that new testing technologies, in particular the availability of rapid testing and of home testing kits, new treatments, and changing patterns of HIV infection, force us to reconsider approaches to HIV testing and confidentiality." Further, testing policies will continue to require constant reevaluation as treatments and technology evolve.
The report contains and Introduction and background information on the issues. It then provides a history of consent, discussion on access to HIV testing, and an assessment of counselling. The section on advances in testing technology raise questions and concerns on home testing and rapid testing. The last part delves in to the sticky issues of mandatory or compulsory HIV testing, confidentiality, reporting, and partner notification. An extensive bibliography and glossary make up the final part of the report. This is a recommended publication for all Canadian libraries as well as medical and research libraries in the United States, especially law libraries.
955. Legal and Ethical Issues Raised by HIV/AIDS: Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography, 2nd edition prepared by Ralf Jurgens, Bruce Waring as a Joint Research Project of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and UNAIDS. November, 1998. Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, 484 McGill St, 4th Fl., Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2H2. 191p. ISBN 1-896735-18-5. For availability e-mail firstname.lastname@example.org or visit the website at http://www.aidslaw.ca. (Descriptors: Bibliography; Ethical Issues)
This extensive literature review and annotated bibliography is an update of the first edition published in 1995. Although the focus was on legal and ethical materials, much related material has been included because of the inherently interdisciplinary aspect of the literature. Most of the material is from the United States since very little legal and ethical material was published in Canada. It is hoped that this literature review and bibliography will be useful to organizations and individuals who are interested in legal, ethical and human rights issues that have been raised by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This is a highly recommended book for all libraries from public to academic to law.
956. End Points: Journal of an AIDS Wife, by Christine Halvorson. 1999. An electronic book published by Christine Halvorson, 4 Parent St., Jaffrey, NH 03452. 108p. $11.00. available only online. Contact author at email@example.com. (Descriptors: Social Aspects)
Not many times do you find an AIDS book that is honest, to the point, and compassionate. End Points is just that. Christine Halvorson has produced an electronic book that relates the anger, anguish, hostility, hope, love, confusion, and distrust of a woman who learns first that her husband has AIDS, second that he is gay, and third that he had sado-masochism tendencies. She fell in love with a man who was a master of disguise, not knowing that a minister, then a senator could be all three.
Her account of learning the truth will touch the hearts of many other wives who, also, learned that their husbands were gay after raising a family. Society has played a cruel game on the closeted gay who so wants to look normal, get married, have children, and then come out to the world. In the age of AIDS this has taken on a very frightening turn where the virus is so easily transmitted to an unsuspecting , faithful wife. Many point fingers at troubled childhoods but the straight world has made it so difficult for gays to be open about themselves. End Points has done a beautiful job of trying to explain the feelings of a wife who, at one time, wanted her husband dead, but now is glad he is fighting to live.
In the last chapter, the feelings of the wife are so vividly revealed: "I never described his keeping the HIV secret from me as evil. I came to believe it had just been standard denial. His attempt at protecting me. Now I know he was only protecting himself, taking the intervening year to construct a story he could live with I would buy. He had been the one back then to describe this as evil, and I never accepted his word for it. How could I?" "How can there be evil in a man who would spend Sunday afternoon baking a blueberry and peach pie, with crust made from scratch, and offer to let me eat the whole thing if I wanted?" "How can there be evil in a man who cries when his children leave him or when they achieve some award in school?" "How can there be evil in a man who still preaches God's word and dedicated his public life to saving the world in tiny ways every day? A man who wants written on his tombstone, 'Do Justice. Serve the poor. Walk humbly with God'?" "How can there be evil in a man who never failed to hold and touch and say, 'I love you.' even when the years had made this unnecessary? A man who calls his mother and worries over her? A man who can sing Handel's Messiah a cappella with such clarity you can believe the orchestra is in the room?" "Can evil live in the mouth of a man who sings perfect harmony? Yes. The answer is yes."
This is a must read book that will make you realize that life can be very cruel, that AIDS is even more cruel, but deep down there is always love waiting to smooth over the rough edges.