Date: Sun, 16 Jan 94 18:54:43 -0500 From: Ron Buckmire Subject: No. 4 (September 1993) A I D S B O O K R E V I E W J O U R N A L University of Illinois at Chicago H. Robert Malinowsky Editor Number 4 ISSN 1068-4174 September, 1993 An electronic journal reviewing books, videos, journal titles, and other materials covering AIDS, safer sex, and sexually transmitted diseases, published irregularly by the University of Illinois at Chicago Library. Editorial offices PO Box 8198 M/C 234, Chicago, IL 60680. AIDS Book Review Journal is free of charge and is available only in electronic form. Opinions expressed in the reviews are those of the editor or reviewers. The Editor welcomes comments at AIDSBKRV@UICVM. To subscribe over INTERNET: Tell Listserv@UICVM sub AIDSBKRV your first and last name or send note to Listserv@UICVM or Listserv@UICVM.UIC.EDU with note sub AIDSBKRV your first and last name. AIDSBKRV files are available through a LISTSERV. To find what is available, send note to: LISTSERV@UICVM or LISTSERV@UICVM.UIC.EDU. Leave subject blank; key into body of note: send AIDSBKRV FILELIST. This FILELIST contains a list of AIDSBKRV files with their filenames and filetypes listed as AIDSBKn EJ where the n is the issue number. To retrieve a particular file, send note to the LISTSERV saying send AIDSBKn EJ, substituting the issue number for the n. All materials in the journal are subject to copyright by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois and may be reprinted or redistributed for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or education advancement granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. For other reprinting or redistribution or translations, address requests to H. Robert Malinowsky, University of Illinois at Chicago Library, PO Box 8198, Chicago, IL 60680. **************************************************************************** It is the hope that this journal will be able to alert individuals about new as well as noteworthy older publications, videos, journal titles, and other print and non-print materials pertaining to AIDS, safer sex, and STDs. AIDS is a devastating disease that is infiltrating all levels of society. No one can be considered totally exempt. Information specialists need to be alerted to those materials that can educate everyone from the school child who needs a picture book about AIDS to the layperson who needs general information on the disease or a novel with an AIDS theme to the researcher looking for a synopsis of research to those who are HIV+ needing comfort and support through the writings of those who have AIDS or are HIV+. The Editor welcomes comments that can be sent to him at AIDSBKRV@UICVM. If any reader also is a publisher of any AIDS-related material and would like it considered for review in this journal, please send items to H. Robert Malinowsky, AIDS Book Review Journal, 1250 W. Grace 1st Fl, Chicago, IL 60613, so that the material can be considered. ====================================================================== Reviewed in this issue: 33. AIDS: 1,000 Full-Text Statistical Abstracts from the "A Matter of Fact Database," 1984-1992. 34. Medical Alert, a bi-monthly publication of NAPWA. 35. Senseless Casualties: The AIDS Crisis in Asia, by Mark A. Bonacci. 36. AIDS in the Industrialized Democracies: Passions, Politics, and Policies, edited by David L. Kirp and Ronald Bayer. 37. Writing AIDS: Gay Literature, Language, and Analysis, edited by Timothy F. Murphy and Suzanne Poirier. 38. Antibody Politic: AIDS and Society, by Tamsin Wilton. 39. Fighting for Our Lives, video by Center for Women's Policy Studies. 40. How to Find Information About AIDS, 2nd ed., edited by Jeffrey T. Huber. Pre-1992 books briefly mentioned: 41. AIDS and Vision Loss, by Edwin Kiester, Jr. 42. Perspectives on AIDS: Ethical and Social Issues, edited by Christine Overall, William P. Zion. 43. AIDS and Ethics, edited by Frederic G. Reamer. 44. Preventing AIDS in Drug Users and Their Sexual Partners, by James L. Sorensen, Laurie A. Wermuth, David R. Gibson, Kyung-Hee Choi, Joseph R. Guydish, Steven L. Batki. 45. Geography of AIDS: Origins and Course of an Epidemic, by Gary W. Shannon, Gerald F. Pyle, Rashid L. Bashshur. 46. Understanding and Preventing AIDS: A Book for Everyone, by Chris Jennings. ====================================================================== 33. AIDS: 1,000 Full-Text Statistical Abstracts from the "A Matter of Fact Database," 1984-1992. 1993. Pierian Press, PO Box 1808, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. 106p. (Statistical Perspectives Series, no. 1) ISBN 0-87650-329-6. $15.00. (Descriptors: Abstracts, HIV, Kaposi's Sarcoma) This publication includes some 1,082 abstracts taken from the A Matter of Fact database covering 1984 through 1992. It used AIDS, HIV, and Kaposi's Sarcoma as the keywords in retrieving the documents. It covers those documents that are easily found and those that are hard to locate including "occasional and special reports from groups such as fourth world and cultural survival organizations; focused newsletters and journals from environmental, social action, and other special interest groups; and related sources from selected research laboratories and academic institutions." Approximately 25% of the abstracts come from congressional hearings and 15 % from the Congressional Record. "The remaining abstracts reflect the editorial content of sources designed to inform and influence the general public and/or special interest groups, who, in turn, elect public policy makers to support their values and objectives." The abstracts do not present raw numbers but rather data selected and used by writers and speakers to support their statements. They do contain some selective statistical substance with careful and full citations to the original sources. These abstracts permit one to identify similarities and contradictions in evidence, data, and arguments; compare forecasts; develop a big picture perspective; compare the impact of one issue to the impact of another; and trace an issue over a period of time. This is an extremely unique collection of abstracts pertaining to AIDS. For someone searching for statistics, this would be a good place to begin. The abstracts are well written, presenting only that material which is statistical in nature. The citations are very complete, including SuDoc numbers for those government documents that are cited as-well-as ISSN and ISBN numbers. This is a highly recommended document for any AIDS collection. The full A Matter of Fact database is available in four formats: print--annual volumes; online--through OCLC's EPIC and FirstSearch systems; CD-ROM--from SilverPlatter; and tape-load for licensing. (H. Robert Malinowsky) 34. Medical Alert. v.1- , Jan/Feb, no. 1, 1993. NAPWA, 1413 K St, NW, Washington DC 20005. Bi-monthly. Free. (Descriptors: NAPWA, Alternative Medicines) This publication is produced by the National Association of People With (NAPWA) Aids and sponsored by the T2 Medical, Inc. It is bi-monthly and free for the asking. It publishes information about new treatments and drugs as-well-as trials that are ongoing in the medical community. It is intended as an educational document and does not constitute an endorsement. "T1 Medical is a leading provider of alternate site treatment services in the United States." It provides its services on an outpatient basis. The May/June, 1993, issue provided articles as follows: "GP160, Politics and You," "New AZT Study Viewed with Caution, Concern," "Cell Growth Technology Puts CD8 Cells to Work," "Standardization in CD4 Lymphocyte Count: Toward Better Patient Management for HIV Disease," and "Anemia in People with HIV/AIDS." The publication is only 6 pages in length but the information is very useful and informative. Since it is dealing in some instances with actual medication, a physician should be consulted before changing current medication in order to understand any side affects. (H. Robert Malinowsky) 35. Senseless Casualties: The AIDS Crisis in Asia, by Mark A. Bonacci. 1992. Asia Resource Center, PO Box 15275, Washington, DC 20003. 120p., illus., bibliog. $12.50. (Descriptors: Asia, Philippines, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Education) The Asia Resource Center (ARC) was founded some 20 years ago to provide educational resources on the peoples and cultures of Asia. It has exposed critical issues that transcend national boundaries including human rights abuses, nuclear disarmament, justice for the poor, rights of women and minorities, and the impact of development aid. It is recognized as a reliable source of information. "China, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Malaysia and Vietnam have a combined population of well over 2.3 billion people, thus representing approximately one-half of the total population of the world. HIV infection in Asia is presently reaching epidemic proportions but for various reasons, the governments and health officials of these countries have, for several years, been minimizing the statistics and diverting attention away from this crisis." "This book will examine the religious, cultural, social and economic reasons for the official suppression of the alarming data on HIV infection in these countries." The first chapter presents an overview of the problem in Asia while the second chapter presents compelling arguments that public education and counseling are the only hope to battle AIDS. The third chapter discusses the religious and cultural barriers to some of the educational attempts including the religious prohibition against contraceptives and the cultural barriers in talking about safer sex techniques. Chapter four covers the spread of AIDS in the urban centers of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, pointing out that the next areas could be Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Bombay, and Calcutta. Chapter five covers the effects of the AIDS epidemic on the economic well-being of these countries in trying to care for these people. Chapter six shows how the U.S. has not discussed the AIDS problem in and around the military bases of the Philippines. The last chapter is one that would be best read by anyone who works within the AIDS crisis. It "examines the phenomenon of AIDS fatigue which causes policy-makers and the general public to lose interest in the AIDS epidemic." Dr. Bonacci has done a very good job in presenting the facts about AIDS in Asia and should rightfully alarm the leaders that this crisis needs to be reckoned with now and not later. There are no real solutions but the facts are presented with many doors left open to create guidelines for dealing with this problem. Religion is a barrier as it is in all countries, when you talk about contraceptives, safer sex, gay sex, and sex in general. How we get through this barrier is a critical problem for all of those working in the AIDS field. When this is placed on top of cultural barriers such as there are in Asia, the problem is almost unsolvable. This book makes one very aware of how governments can suppress information in order to not alarm their populations. It is unfortunate that such tactics are used, especially when lives could be saved if they were upfront with everyone. This is an excellent book and one of the first that speaks about the Asian problem in frank terms. It is recommended for all libraries and especially for those libraries that serve the Asian populations not only in the United States but oversees. (H. Robert Malinowsky) 36. AIDS in the Industrialized Democracies: Passions, Politics, and Policies, edited by David L. Kirp, Ronald Bayer. 1992. Rutgers University Press, 109 Church St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901. 393p., bibliog., index. ISBN 0-8135-1821-0, 0-8135-1822-9pbk. $45.00, $16.00pbk. (Descriptors: Government Policy, North America, Europe, Japan, Australia) (Contributors to this volume: Erik Albaek, Aarhus Univ.; John Ballard, Australian National Univ.; Ronald Bayer, Columbia Univ. School of Public Health; Eric A. Feldman, Univ. of Tokyo Institute of Social Science; Guenter Frankenberg, Fachhochschule in Frankfurt am Main; Benny Henriksson, Swedish Institute for Social Policy; David L. Kirp, Univ. of California at Berkeley; Evert A. Lindquist, Univ. of Toronto; Jonathan M. Mann, Harvard School of Public Health; Jesus M. de Miguel, Univ. of Barcelona; David M. Rayside, Univ. of Toronto; Monika Steffen, National Center of Scientific Research in Grenoble; John Street, Univ. of East Anglia; Albert Weale, Univ. of East Anglia; Jan K. van Wijngaarden, Ministry of Welfare, Health, and Cultural Affairs of the Netherlands; Shohei Yonemoto, Mitsubishi Kasei Institute of Life Science; Hasse Ytterberg, Judge in the district court of Boras) "How the industrialized countries reacted to the epidemic, how it was conceptualized, and how different societal elements--governmental and nongovernmental--responded, are of central importance both for understanding the future directions of AIDS policy and for learning lessons of enormous practical value for the next pandemic." The first chapter, "An Epidemic in Political and Policy Perspective," lays the foundation for this interesting book that shows how the governments of the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Spain, Britain, France, The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Japan have responded to the AIDS crisis, each dependent on their political culture. Each chapter covers a particular country, describing its policies and in doing so "lays bare the social, cultural, and political character of entire societies." Together, the chapters illustrate that there are networks of international and transnational agencies that are creating a need for sharing, communication, and solidarity. It also shows that there can be tension between the countries. The final line, however, is that "a global epidemic of infectious disease helps us not only to explore health and science, but also to appreciate further the forces that are shaping the modern world. The community, national, and international response to the AIDS pandemic mirrors and helps to shape the global future." The titles of the chapters for each of the countries indicates the political thought of that country and the problems that it has created. The chapter on the United States, "At the Center of the Storm," presents such issues as testing, safer sex campaigns, education, contact tracing, and discrimination. These politically explosive topics have shaped the U.S. policies and have also provided much fuel for the activists. Each of the other countries is described as follows: Canada--"Community Activism, Federalism, and the New Politics of Disease," Germany--"The Uneasy Triumph of Pragmatism," Australia--"Participation and Innovation in a Federal System," Spain--"An Epidemic of Denial," Britain--"Policy-Making in a Hermetically Sealed System," France--"Social Solidarity and Scientific Expertise," The Netherlands--"AIDS in a Consensual Society," Denmark--"AIDS and the Political Pink Triangle," Sweden--"The Power of the Moral(istic) Left," and Japan--"AIDS as a Non-issue." These are fascinating chapters to read, providing the reader with new insights on each of the governments, some of which is both frightening and unbelievable. The last chapter, "The Second Decade of AIDS: The End of Exceptionalism?," sums up all that was presented. It is not surprising that much of what is done worldwide was first done in the United States. On the other hand, the U.S. showed other countries what not to do. For one, the U.S. does not guarantee universal access to health care and the welfare system in the U.S. leaves many unhelped. The key to AIDS policy can be summed up with five frameworks: "create a regime of legal rights; rely on professional expertise; utilize bureaucratic norms of consistency and internal accountability; let the political system settle matters, producing either ideological clashes or the give-and-take of interested parties; or leave matters to the market, subject to varying degrees of regulation." This is a unique book that should be read by all political leaders. It lays the foundation for policy and points out the many shortcomings that are present in the various industrialized countries, including the United States. It is well-written and easy to read with a great deal of statistics. The contributors have done an excellent job of presenting the facts in a manner that one can easily compare between countries on to how policies differ. This is a recommended book for those doing research on international policies and as such should be in all large public libraries and all academic libraries. (H. Robert Malinowsky) 37. Writing AIDS: Gay Literature, Language, and Analysis, edited by Timothy F. Murphy, Suzanne Poirier. 1993. Columbia University Press, 562 W 113th St, New York, NY 10025. 352p., bibliog., index. (Between Men--Between Women: Lesbian and Gay Studies). ISBN 0-231-07864-1. $29.50. (Descriptors: American Gays' Writings, AIDS in Literature, Homosexuality and Literature; Gays Writing) (Contributors to this volume: Emily Apter, Univ. of California, Davis; Peter M. Bowen, Rutgers Univ.; Franklin Brooks, Vanderbilt Univ.; Joseph Cady, Univ. of Rochester Medical School; John Clum, Duke Univ.; Richard Dellamora, Trent Univ., Petersborough, Ontario; Lee Edelman, Tufts Univ.; Sander L. Gilman, Cornell Univ.; Phillip B. Harper, Harvard Univ.; James W. Jones, Central Michigan Univ.; James Miller, Univ. of Western Ontario; Timothy F. Murphy, Univ. of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago; Suzanne Poirier, Univ. of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago; Michael S. Sherry, Northwestern Univ.; Paula A. Treichler, Univ. of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana) According to John M. Clum, AIDS "is the linkings of sex=disease, homosexuality=disease, promiscuity=disease, and, finally, homosexuality=promiscuity=disease, that enchain people with AIDS and, by association, all gay men." "Writing AIDS is an examination of how those equations are being rejected or rewritten in a healing way in today's writing about the epidemic in the literary presses, obituary columns, and even freshman compositions." The editors have brought together a group of contributors who have written essays that each identify a different look at AIDS in the literature. They have done a marvelous job at creating a book that once picked up to read, is hard to put down until each essay has been read through, maybe more than once. It should be pointed out, that "Whatever their positions, however, these writers maintain that the strength of the literature they champion lies in its ability to (re)affirm gay existence, self-respect, and love, an assertion that is a central theme of the essays." These essays cover a wide range of content from the language that is used to describe AIDS to teaching AIDS 101 where students write about their knowledge of AIDS and how it affects them to how AIDS is depicted in the media to pointing out how AIDS is not mentioned in recent American gay erotic fiction. These essays are well written and scholarly, providing the reader much to contemplate and include bibliographies for additional reading. The editors point out that many novelists, journalists, and screenwriters still see the writing about AIDS as an option. "In a very real sense, all writing today is AIDS writing in that it must consciously choose how to respond to the epidemic, whether by direct involvement or evasion. Moreover, this involvement by an increasing diversity of writers raises the possibility of a unity of effort and concern that is encouraged or foreseen by several of the contributors to this collection." It is aptly pointed out that "Gay men, either as authors or subjects, dominate the written word in the literature of the epidemic." That, however, does not mean that others have not written about AIDS, as these essays so carefully show. For the researcher there is an "Annotated Bibliography of AIDS Literature, 1982-91" that is broken down into fiction, poetry, drama, biography and autobiography, and essays, criticism, and analysis. This is a highly recommended book for all level of readers from high school student to the researcher. It is a book that will make you think as you read each essay. (H. Robert Malinowsky) 38. Antibody Politic: AIDS and Society, by Tamsin Wilton. 1992. New Clarion Press/Paul & Co. Publishers Consortium, PO Box 442, Concord, MA 01742. 164p., illus., index. (Issues in Social Policy). ISBN 1-873797-05-2, 1-873797-04-4pbk. $44.50, $16.95pbk. (Descriptors: Social Issues, Medical Impact, Media, AIDS and Racism) "The first aim of this book is to provide an accessible introduction to the subject for the non-specialist reader." To this end, the author has done a good job of presenting "Basic medical information, an overview of some of the major social issues and a potted history of the epidemic...along with a simple guide to safer sex and drug use." Although slanted towards what has happened in the United Kingdom, this book has given much basic information for all who read it. The title to the first chapter, "No longer someone else's problem: the social and medical impact of AIDS" says much. It is in this chapter that some historical perspective is presented. Wilton ends the chapter with the statement that there are three global AIDS epidemics: "The first was the unsuspected, silent spread of HIV from the 1950s to 1981. The second is the highly visible epidemic of AIDS which we are now witnessing. The third is what might be termed the social epidemic, the various reactions of fear, hatred, bigotry, denial and repression with which the peoples of the world have responded." In chapter two, "Fire and brimstone: press coverage of AIDS and its consequences" one realizes how many social problems AIDS has created. Some of these problems have always been there, but now AIDS can be blamed for their perpetuation. Such things as the gay plague years, overt and covert homophobia, guilt by differentiation, blame, sex and drugs, and death by misinformation are discussed. Such statements are brought to the readers attention that have been around--"because they believed that it only affected gay men," "gays are not worth worrying about," and "Wrath of God Syndrome." The third chapter discusses AIDS and women while the fourth covers AIDS and racism. AIDS in women is a growing concern both heterosexually, and in lesbians. AIDS in Africa is something that has to be reckoned with by the world health agencies. Here is where racism is very evident. For example, in South Africa, "Whites have a doctor-patient ratio of 1:330, while for Blacks the ration is 1:1,200." AIDS is definitely a "disease of poverty" in Africa. The fifth chapter presents what has been done to work with the epidemic through experience and expertise. Community action, volunteering, and cooperation have become key to fighting this epidemic both in Britain and throughout the world. There are frightening consequences if nothing is done and governments are well aware of this, even if they do not admit it. Finally, it is pointed out that there is much to be ashamed and angry of. "Medical interest was slow to get started, unwilling to devote energy to something which appeared to affect only gay men and to offer no kudos or financial reward. The medical industry now, policed though it undoubtedly is by AIDS activists, continues to exploit the tragedy of AIDS for profit, while the political and religious establishments of almost every nation in the world continue to exploit AIDS for their own political and ideological ends." This is a recommended book for all who are interested in the social implications of the AIDS epidemic and deserves a place in all academic and medical libraries. (H. Robert Malinowsky) 39. Fighting for Our Lives, by Center for Women's Policy Studies. 1992 (c1990). Distributed by Women Make Movies, 225 Lafayette St., #207, New York, NY 10012. Color video, time, 29:00. $175.00. (Descriptors: Women, Latinos, Asian-Pacific, Native Americans, Education) This beautiful video is not about AIDS in particular but about how to educate women about AIDS. It is a collection of interviews, snapshots of organizations, and straight talk from various narrators. The "how we do something good" approach has been put into 29 minutes of beautiful photography, pleasant background music, and selective coverage that emphasizes women of color. It covers the Asian-Pacific communities, Native Americans, Latinos, and African-American women in California and Washington, DC. Since women are the main caregivers in any health-related situation, they are depicted in that role in this video. With the Asian-Pacific women one has to go to the workplace to educate them; with Native Americans you need to speak in their languages; with Latinos you are faced with rejection by the family when someone has AIDS; and with the African-Americans you need to speak in straight forward terms. Excellent examples are shown through the work of such groups as the Native American Women's Health Resource Center, DC Women's Council on AIDS, and National Resource Center on Women. This is a very worthwhile video that should be shown at all women's health centers where AIDS is a concern. It is non-threatening with a message that cannot be missed, stressing that education and working together is one of the best ways to fight AIDS. Schools that have progressed to having more than just a passing mention about AIDS should have this video and show it on a regular basis to all women students. Highly recommended. (H. Robert Malinowsky) 40. How to Find Information About AIDS, 2nd ed., edited by Jeffrey T. Huber. 1992. Harrington Park Press/The Haworth Press, 10 Alice St., Binghamton, NY 13904-1580. 290p., index. 290p., index. (Haworth Medical Information Sources). ISBN 1-56024-140-3, 0-918393-99-Xpbk. $29.95, $14.95pbk. (Descriptors: Information Services, Directories, Bibliography) This handbook/directory is one of the better guides on locating information pertaining to AIDS. It is very well organized with each chapter covering a particular source of information: Organizational Resources; Health Department; Research Institutions, Grant Funding Sources, Federal Agencies, and Education and Training Centers; Hotlines; Electronic Sources of Information; Print Sources of Information; and Audiovisual Producers/Distributors. Each of these chapters contains names, addresses, telephone numbers, annotations when necessary, and other pertinent information that helps the user locate a source for AIDS services. Especially useful is the chapter covering the electronic sources. Here each is described and provides producer, availability, coverage, update frequency, print counterpart and other data. There is a fairly comprehensive bibliography of books, journals, newsletters, other print sources that would serve as a core collection for any library needing AIDS materials. As with any book that has directory information, that part of the book is the most useful immediately following publication. So many agencies and task forces change names, disband, or just disappear that this information needs to be updated on a yearly basis. However, the major agencies continue and their addresses and telephone numbers will be just as useful now as later. The Hotlines are very useful. This is an excellent reference work providing a multitude of sources for persons doing AIDS research. It is also a useful book in any hospital setting, clinic, or agency where telephone numbers are needed or addresses. Dr. Huber has done an excellent job in putting together this book. It is similar to this reviewer's AIDS Information Sourcebook, but goes beyond just the directory and bibliography aspect. Huber's book is recommended for all libraries and agencies as well as any hospital-related facility. (H. Robert Malinowsky) 41. AIDS and Vision Loss, by Edwin Kiester, Jr. 1990. American Foundation for the Blind, 15 W 16th St., New York, NY 10011. 115p., illus., bibliog., index. ISBN 0-89128-167-3. $29.95. (Descriptors: Visually Handicapped Services, Patient Rehabilitation, Complications and Sequelae, Blindness) "This handbook is a first attempt to synthesize what is known about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and vision loss and appropriate rehabilitation methods for visually impaired PWAs." It contains chapters discussing the disease profile, who gets AIDS, how AIDS is treated, and the emotional impact of AIDS. These are straightforward discussions that are well written. The rest of the book discusses services that can be provided for the visually handicapped AIDS patients. This is a very good resource book that would do well to be continually updated with any new developments in treating AIDS and the visually handicapped. (H. Robert Malinowsky) 42. Perspectives on AIDS: Ethical and Social Issues, edited by Christine Overall, William P. Zion. 1991. Oxford University Press, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016. 179p., bibliog., index. ISBN 0-19-540749-0. $24.95. (Descriptors: Social Aspects, Moral and Ethical Aspects) (Contributors to this volume: H.A. Bassford, York Univ.; Jerome E. Bickenbach, Queen's Univ. in Kingston; John Dixon, Capilano College; Benjamin Freedman, McGill Univ.; Patricia Illingworth, McGill Univ.; B. Lee, AIDS Action Now in Toronto; James Miller, Univ. of Western Ontario in London; Christine Overall, Queen's Univ. in Kingston; Arthur Schafer, Univ. of Manitoba; Michael Yeo, Westminster Institute for Ethics and Human Values; William P. Zion, Queen's Univ. in Kingston) This well-written book "is a collection of essays by Canadian academics and activists who explore some difficult questions relating to AIDS and HIV infection in North America, particularly within the context of Canadian culture and the Canadian health-care system." The first 5 essays are part of the section, "Culture and Context." The titles of the essays speak for themselves: "AIDS: The Social Dimension," "AIDS and Disability," "AIDS and Women: The (Hetero)sexual Politics of HIV Infection," "AIDS, Ethics and Religion," and "Acquired Immanent Divinity Syndrome." These essays talk about many of the myths that are associated with AIDS such as it being just a gay disease and the idea that everyone who has AIDS is a victim. The other section, "Ethical and Social Issues," is more clinical in its approach but very appropriate in how it is presented. These essays are "Sexual Ethics and AIDS: A Liberal View," "Health-Care Workers' Occupational Exposure to HIV: Obligations and Entitlements," "HIV Test and Confidentiality," "Catastrophic Rights: Vital Public Interests and Civil Liberties in Conflict," "Warning: AIDS Health Promotion Programs May Be Hazardous to Your Autonomy," and "Living with AIDS: Towards Effective and Compassionate Health Care Policy." All in all this is an excellent book for anyone to read. 43. AIDS and Ethics, edited by Frederic G. Reamer. 1991. Columbia University Press, 562 W. 113th St., New York, NY 10025. 317p., bibliog., index. ISBN 0-231-07358-5. $29.50. (Descriptors: Moral and Ethical Aspects, Social Aspects) (Contributors to this volume: Ronald Bayer, Columbia Univ.; Nora Kizer Bell, Univ. of South Carolina; Courtney S. Campbell, Oregon State Univ.; James F. Childress, Univ. of Virginia; Donald H.J. Hermann, DePaul Univ College of Law; Carol Levine, Citizens Commission on AIDS; Robert J. Levine, Yale Univ. School of Medicine; Gerald M. Oppenheimer, City Univ. of New York; Robert A. Padgug, Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Frederic G. Reamer, Rhode Island College; Ferdinand Schoeman, Univ. of South Carolina; Abigail Zuger, Albert Einstein College of Medicine) The ethical aspects of AIDS have been issues from the beginning of the first case. There is no area of the epidemic that has not escaped someone labelling it an ethical issue. Probably no other medical problem in man's life has there been so many questions concerning the whys and wheres of AIDS. The very mention of AIDS raises a political furor and results in name calling and finger pointing. This book explores all of those ethical areas beginning with public health and civil liberties, followed with mandatory HIV screening and testing, human subjects for research, the impact on health insurance, and the overwhelming problems involved with AIDS education at all levels. Then there are the issues of ethics and militant AIDS activism, AIDS and the physician-patient relationship, the obligations of health-care professionals, privacy, and the law. "The AIDS crisis is important in and of itself because of the nature of this public health pandemic. However, if ethical thinking is to make a meaningful difference in the AIDS crisis--and in any comparable crisis--it must help us balance our concern about abstract reasons for right action with a concern about what moves people to care about right action." This is a must-read book and one that physicians and other caregivers should have close-by. (H. Robert Malinowsky) 44. Preventing AIDS in Drug Users and Their Sexual Partners, by James L. Sorensen, Laurie A. Wermuth, David R. Gibson, Kyung-Hee Choi, Joseph R. Guydish, Steven L. Batki. 1991. Guilford Press, 72 Spring St., New York, NY 10012. 220p., bibliog., index. (Guilford Substance Abuse Series) ISBN 0-89862-173-9. $25.00. (Descriptors: Prevention, Intravenous Drug Abuse, Sex Behavior, Sex Counseling, Substance Abuse) (Contributors to this volume all from the Univ. of California, San Francisco: Steven L. Batki, Joseph A. Catania, Kyung-Hee Choi, Rani Eversley, Patricia Franks, David R. Gibson, Eve Golden, Joseph R. Guydish, Karen Hembry, Julie London, Jane Lovelle-Drache, Eduardo S. Morales, John L. Peterson, Linda E. Rico, Rebecca L. Robbins, James L. Sorensen, Laurie A. Wermuth) Injection drug users are the second largest group of people to encounter AIDS and is the most frequent source of heterosexual and mother-infant transmission of HIV. This book is basically an account of the excellent research program being conducted by the Substance Abuse Services of the San Francisco General Hospital. It presents many case studies and how-to aspects of dealing with AIDS in drug users. The three sections are: "AIDS and Drug Use," which discusses the AIDS-connection, prevention, needle sharing, unsafe sex, and behavior change; "Preventive Interventions with Drug Users and Their Sexual Partners," covering treatments and counseling; and "Social Implications," consisting of adopting effective interventions and policy implications. This is an excellent book for drug treatment centers and should also be available in all counseling centers that treat drug users. (H. Robert Malinowsky) 45. Geography of AIDS: Origins and Course of an Epidemic, by Gary W. Shannon, Gerald F. Pyle, Rashid L. Bashshur. 1991. Guilford Press, 72 Spring St., New York, NY 10012. 192p., illus., bibliog., index. ISBN 0-89862-445-2. $30.00. (Descriptors: Epidemiology, Medical Geography) This is an overview of how AIDS has progressed throughout the world. It does not treat each topic in detail but rather gives the reader a sense of urgency to seek out other material that can cover specific topics in more detail. After discussing AIDS in general terms in the first two chapters, it covers Africa, Europe, and the United States. The last chapter attempts to provide a mode for the geography of AIDS. This is a good general book that should be in all AIDS collections. Although not detailed, it gives enough information for the general reader and provides a stepping stone for those wanting to do further research. (H. Robert Malinowsky) 46. Understanding and Preventing AIDS: A Book for Everyone, 2nd edition, by Chris Jennings. 1988. Health Alert Press, PO Box 2060, Cambridge, MA 02238-2060. 230p., illus., bibliog., index. ISBN 0-936571-01-2. $24.95. (Descriptors: Prevention, Education, Epidemiology) Even though AIDS has been the topic of numerous shows, magazines, books, and lectures, there are countless millions of people who are still ignorant about AIDS facts. Some of this is related to the homophobic mentality of some of these individuals, some is because religious leaders are reluctant to consider it for their congregations, and some of it is the political aspects connected with AIDS education. "This book was designed to provide accurate, non-sensationalistic, easy-to-understand information for both medical professionals and the laypeople alike. Beyond providing facts, this book creates a framework which outlines the biological nature of AIDS, the scientific and social aspects of the AIDS epidemic, and how AIDS relates to them as individuals." It is a book that is intended to be read from cover to cover. The information pertains to AIDS in the United States and it is intended for educational use only, not as medical advice. Topics covered include HIV genes, the name game, lentiviruses, monkey viruses, lymphatic system, diseases common to AIDS, physical disorders common to AIDS, relative risks of sexual activities, HIV screening, experimental drugs, support groups, condom use, U.S. military screening, ethnic breakdown, and hygiene. This is not an in-depth book but rather a summary of information about the virus and what is and can be done to treat patients. A good general book. (H. Robert Malinowsky)