Unexpected Recoveries: Seven Steps to Healing Body, Mind, and Soul When Serious Illness Strikes

Monte, a prolific author on “health, healing, and personal transformation,” delivers encouragement to readers struggling with serious illness. He methodically shares seven steps for coping with serious illness, beginning with the plainspoken “get past the shock.” Subsequent topics and steps include empowerment in step two, the importance of creating a “supportive community” in step four, and finding a purpose for living, step seven. In each step, Monte includes examples of individuals (famous and not) who committed to transformational change, and breaks down information into small, specific actions through “What to Do Now” and “Where to Start” sections. Prescribed actions are both practical (plant-based diet changes, finding a way to “give back” through service) and mental (“commit to healing,” “believe in your ability to heal.”) Monte continuously offers simple and manageable ways to incorporate change into one’s daily routine (e.g., three 10-minute exercises) and includes a daily meal schedule and menu plans with supporting recipes. He also includes a concluding resources guide. The easy-to-follow format, combined with compelling and dramatic patient recovery stories, makes for an appealing read.[em] (May) [/em]