JCN reviews books and other media resources as a service to our readers. We do not sell or profit financially from these books. If you cannot find a book in your local bookstore, either ask the bookstore to order it for you or contact the publisher directly. Most publishers have websites through which you can order their books.
REVIEWS
NIGHTINGALE ALLIANCE
HTTP://WWW.NIGHTINGALEALLIANCE.ORG
This website is dedicated to opposing assisted suicide and euthanasia. An extensive list of resources, personal, real life stories, research, court cases and the latest news in this area can be found on the website. Articles from mainstream scientific and professional journals are referenced on the site. The alliance publishes an excellent booklet covering definitions, legal status, trends and alternatives entitled Understanding Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. The website and booklet provide information on pain control and support resources for care in chronic or terminal cases. While not a specifically Christian organization, their dedication to the sacredness of life is outstanding. The Nightingale Alliance can also be reached at 7 South 6th Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47807, and [email protected]. -KSS
THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS BUSINESS ETHICS
THERE'S ONLY ONE RULE FOR MAKING DECISIONS
By John C. Maxwell
142 pp., Brentwood, TN: Warner Faith Books, 2003, $14.95, paperback.
Maxwell's newest book addresses business ethics in a no-nonsense way. His thesis is that the golden rule should guide all decisions, including business decisions. He writes this book in the wake of a multitude of business ethics scandals that have left Americans shaken in their trust of corporate America. He calls corporate America to the golden rule, hastening to add that the principle is congruent with all major religious systems, not just Christianity. He cites ten sources with direct quotes to prove his point. Maxwell's emphasis on the individual's determination of proper behavior makes the book a humanistic treatise. This approach provides interesting perspectives, causing one to think about some issues in depth. Given that the Bible is quoted frequently, I was disappointed because a distinctly Christian response is lacking. In addition, others may not want to be treated the way I want to be treated. Preferred treatment may have cultural determinants. - Reviewed by Pam Price-Hoskins, PhD, RN, an administrator at Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee nursing program
NURSING ETHICS THROUGH THE LIFE SPAN
4TH EDITION
By Elsie Bandman and Bertram Bandman 333 pp., Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc., Prentice-Hall, 2001, $52.00, paperback.
Ethics is practical. The Bandmans set out to equip nurses to identify, analyze and make decisions about ethical issues, to implement the role of patient advocate. The ethical issues they address are outlined in the article by Price-Hoskins, (see pages 6-12 of this issue of JCN).
Ethics is placed in the context of relationships with patients, physicians and the nursing profession. The book introduces and illustrates the languages of ethics and ethical theories. The most useful portion of this text is the application of the extensive theoretical material to specific life span issues, including abortion and dying. Using case studies, a humanistic, holistic approach is used to explore ethical issues in depth. Age-specific issues are addressed in the life span chapters. This book is designed for the practicing nurse who wants to reevaluate nursing practice from a conceptual, ethical view. It can also be used in nursing schools, both as a text for an ethics course, as well as for use in successive courses.-Pam Price-Hoskins, PhD, RN, an administrator at Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee nursing program
MAKING IT RIGHT WHEN YOU FEEL WRONGED
GETTING PAST UNRESOLVED HURTS
By Jeff Wickwire 191 pp., Grand Rapids, MI: Chosen Books, 2003, $12.00, paperback.
Wickwire, a long-term pastor, offers yet another helpful resource for dealing with conflict and breakdown in personal and professional relationships. In his introduction he says, "This is a book written to the hurting, the heartbroken, the disillusioned and the discouraged. It is about how to handle the bite of stinging offenses the Jesus way." Wickwire stays true to this purpose and continues in a warm, inviting style. While he offers solid, in-depth biblical help for responding to offenses and healing relationships, his book is easy to read and not overly intellectual or spiritualized. Helpful, practical guidelines for approaching conflict appear throughout the book, as well as follow-up application questions at the end of each chapter. I highly recommend this book for nurses dealing with difficult personal or work relationships.-KSS
HUGS FOR NURSES
STORIES, SAYINGS AND SCRIPTURES TO ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE
By Philis Boultinghouse 128 pp., West Monroe, LA: Howard Publishing, 2003, $11.99, hardcover.
Feeling discouraged and tired from your work? Pour yourself a nice latte or iced tea, put up your feet, unplug the phone and enjoy some time with Hugs for Nurses. Boultinghouse gives us seven chapters of pure enjoyment to reflect on critical aspects of nursing practice: love, peace, comfort, hope, tenderness, empathy and TLC. You can read inspirational messages, Scriptures and sayings, along with real-world nursing stories. This book helped me to rejoice that God called me to be a nurse and reminded me that we make a huge difference in the world!! I would recommend Hugs as a great gift for yourself, a colleague, a student or new graduate.-KSS
BOOK BRIEFS
JCN receives more books than we have the space to review. Book Briefs are short synopses based on the publishers' descriptions. JCN staff have not read or evaluated these books.
SACRED RHYTHMS
FINDING A PEACEFUL PACE IN A HECTIC WORLD
By Christine Sine 238 pp., Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2003, $21.99, paperback.
Sine urges readers to stop and take their pulse-not heart rate, but the pulse of life. She offers a prescription of a healthy life, flowing from rhythms created by God, for our pleasure and well-being. Take your pulse and begin paying attention to sacred rhythms to discover a peaceful pace.
HABITS OF THE HIGH-TECH HEART
LIVING VIRTUOUSLY IN THE INFORMATION AGE
By Quentin J. Schultze 256 pp., Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2002, $ 18.99, paperback.
Schultze states, "History shows that every technological advance also delivers us to new moral quandaries. If we do not address such moral dilemmas, we will lose our capacity to act responsibly. We will wrongly let instrumental practices unravel the moral fabric of our lives. The habits of our hearts will become high-tech instead of virtuous" (pp. 13-14). Reading this book helps readers see clearer what is and what is not acceptable about rapid technological changes.
A PASTORAL COUNSELOR'S MODEL FOR WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE: PSYCHERGONOMICS
By Robert L. Menz 162 pp., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Pastoral Press, 2003, $24.95, paperback.
Menz outlines how psychosocial factors such as family, conflict, emotional stress, addiction and financial pressures can affect an employee's health and well-being. The concept of ergonomics is taken beyond physical and environmental concerns to include mind, body and spirit.
ORDINARY PEOPLE, EXTRAORDINARY LIVES
THE STORIES OF NURSES
By Carolyn Hope Smeltzer and Frances R. Vlasses Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau International, 2003, $29.95, hardcover.
This book grew out of the authors' passion to see that nurses' stories were told. Within this book are 109 stories, sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, but all about nurses. Stories are illustrated with photos, making it a good gift option.
THE SOUL OF THE CARING NURSE
STORIES AND RESOURCES FOR REVITALIZING PROFESSIONAL PASSION
By Linda Gambee Henry and James Douglas Henry 135 pp., Washington, DC: American Nurses Association, 2004, $21.95 (ANA members $16.95), paperback.
Developed from interviews with more than thirty nurses, the authors have compiled more than 100 strategies and resources for personal, patient and organizational caring. Despite their avoidance of linking caring with any spiritual or religious orientation other than holistic beliefs, the authors provide constructive ideas to help nurses grow in self and professional caring.
THE ESSENTIAL PARISH NURSE
ABC'S FOR CONGREGATIONAL HEALTH MINISTRY
By Deborah Patterson 158 pp., Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim Press, 2003, $18.00, paperback.
Patterson provides a practical and detailed resource for developing a parish nurse program, including organizational planning and financing, a congregational survey, job description, evaluation and outcome tools.
VOCATION
DISCERNING OUR CALLINGS IN LIFE
By Douglas Schuurman 190 pp., Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004, $20.00, paperback.
Many Christians find it difficult to interpret their social, economic, political and cultural lives as responses to God's calling. Schuurman renews a biblical perspective on life as vocation, combating the bureaucratic, individualistic tenor of American cultural and institutional life.
THE MARKETPLACE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
A CHRISTIAN GUIDE TO BOOKS ON WORK, BUSINESS & VOCATION
By Pete Hammond, R. Paul Stevens and Todd Svanoe 222 pp., Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002, $25.00, paperback.
A valuable resource for developing a biblically integrated view of work, the book provides annotated reviews on hundreds of Christian books on topics like career guidance, terminations and layoffs, business ethics, time and financial management, workplace issues, leisure and evangelism.
POCKET DICTIONARY OF ETHICS
OVER 300 TERMS & IDEAS CLEARLY & CONCISELY DEFINED
By Stanley Grenz and Jay T. Smith 128 pp., Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003, $7.00, paperback.
This is a convenient resource on ethics for the real-world, examining terms, issues, and various ethicists and ethical perspectives. It's a handy tool for students, practitioners or ethics committees.
MENTORING
THE MINISTRY OF SPIRITUAL KINSHIP
By Edward Sellner 198 pp., Cambridge, MA: Cowley Publications, 2002, $ 12.95, paperback.
Mining the wisdom of many Christian traditions and writings, Sellner develops a new understanding of an ancient biblical idea. Mentoring relationships, when grounded in the love of Christ, can forge fast friendships, heal wounds and bring about the reign of God.