NURSE EDUCATION TODAY 245

Missed Beginnings: Death Before Life Has Been

Established

June Jolly Austen Cornish in association with The Lisa Sainsbury Foundation 1987 7Opp ISBN: l-870065-02-6 f3.50

June Jolly is known for her empathetic and sensitive approach to paediatric and family care and together with a caring holistic presentation, she has brought alive the practical and emotive problems associated with stillbirth and miscarriage. Her simple but pro- found style makes compulsive reading for clients and their carers and highlights the importance of a client centred and multi-disciplinary based support network.

The needs of health care workers are explored. Nurses working in paediatric, midwifery, gynaecology or community settings will recognise the emotive feelings so often experienced at the time of a miscar- riage or stillbirth and sensible, sensitive coping mechanisms are discussed. This is an invaluable book which makes essential reading for all levels of health care workers.

JENNIFER A JONES

RGN RSCN RCNT RNT DipN(Lon) MSc (Health Ed)

Changing Relationships A Brechin &J Swain Harper & Row 1987 15Opp Illus ISBN: O-06-318294-3 &7.95

This book was originally written as a component of the Open University course ‘Mental Handicap: Patterns for Living’ for those involved with people with mental handicap. The theme concentrates on Shared Action Planning in which the unique strengths, needs, and particular circumstances, of specific individuals are emphasised. The importance of the personal relation- ship between the handicapped person and those involved in providing support is stressed. Communi- cation and mutual involvement in goal setting are central issues.

The shared action planning approach is clearly explained and numerous practical activities are included. The text is very easy to read, free from jargon and contains valuable references.

An appendix summarises the Shared Action Plan- ning Process and contains forms and guidelines which are free from copyright enabling them to be repro- duced for study activities which translate the ideas in the text into practice.

Although written for a specific group, the phil- osophy and ideas contained in this book could be adapted for a wider audience. Many of the activities could be used by teachers and students at introductory level, either for personal development or to approach client centred care.

At f7.95 in paperback I would recommend this book for teachers involved in planning common foundation programmes, and as an early reader for students attending initial courses in nursing.

ANNE TOMLINSON

MSc SRN DipN(Lon) RNT

Living with Breast Cancer and Mastectomy N Tarrier Manchester Un Press 1987 128pp Illus ISBN: O-7190-2314-9 f4.95

Although this book has as its target readership women who have breast cancer, it should also be valuable to nurses who care for women in this situation.

The author aims to equip women with the skills necessary to overcome the stress associated with cancer and mastectomy. He does this by devoting chapters to identified aspects of stress and its management, including relaxation, positive thinking and getting back to normal. Information is also given on the drugs which may be prescribed to aid psychological recovery and is written in a manner which would reduce the fears currently associated with ‘tranquillisers’.

The lack of an index does not detract from the usefulness of the book, as the chapter headings are self-explanatory. The test is easy to read and the use of ‘you’ throughout, will personalise the book for the individual.

Nursing staff should familiarise themselves with the contents as there are skills described which could form the basis for positive help during hospitalisation. Failing this, the book could be recommended to patients and their families and could be available on the ward. Nurses caring for patients in other situations where stress is a factor, could also benefit their patients by becoming ‘au fait’ with the contents.

PATRICIA RODRIGUEZ

RGN RCNT STD RNT

Living with Cancer

J Bryan &J Lyall Penguin 1987 234pp ISBN: 0-14-009409-l 23.95

An alternative title for this book might be ‘All you ever wanted to know about Cancer, which the carers would not tell you’. It could be seen as an indictment that a book of this nature needed to be written, as many individuals would suppose that the information within the book should be otherwise available.

The author has collated a mine of information which it is hoped will be of value to people with cancer and their families and friends. The book covers a wide array of topics from a chapter on ‘What is Cancer?’ through ‘Telling people about Cancer’, ‘Coping with