New book by two Dopers - the truth about vaccines

[Kolga]

Two fed-up dopers share with you all we've learned about vaccines. We have no ties to the pharmaceutical companies. We're simply two ordinary people sick and tired of arguing with the wrong people about this subject over and over again.

We'll show you: Why Andrew Wakefield was in the wrong from the very start -- What life was like before vaccines -- What's in a vaccine (and what isn't) -- What's behind the so-called epidemic of autism -- Exactly what's wrong with the really bad anti-vax websites -- Where to find the good sources to use in an argument -- How they test vaccines for safety -- What you can do to help reduce true vaccine reactions.

Two hundred and twenty pages of footnoted, double-checked, multi-sourced, Paul Offit/Respectful Insolence-endorsed honest and accurate information about one of the vitally important subjects of our time. A must for any parent and anyone else interested in vaccines.

Available on Kindle starting tomorrow, and available for pre-order in hardcover:

http://www.amazon.com/Your-Babys-Best-Shot-Vaccines/dp/144221578X

[China Guy]

Whew! I thought this was going to be the TRUTH about vaccines and autism (which didn't EXIST before vaccines) and St. Wakefield.

Good on ya for debunking the above pack of BS. :)

[TriPolar]

Congrats. Hope you sell a lot of copies. It's too bad a book like this is needed for this purpose.

[Rick]

Two fed-up dopers share with you all we've learned about vaccines. We have no ties to the pharmaceutical companies. We're simply two ordinary people sick and tired of arguing with the wrong people about this subject over and over again.

We'll show you: Why Andrew Wakefield was in the wrong from the very start -- What life was like before vaccines -- What's in a vaccine (and what isn't) -- What's behind the so-called epidemic of autism -- Exactly what's wrong with the really bad anti-vax websites -- Where to find the good sources to use in an argument -- How they test vaccines for safety -- What you can do to help reduce true vaccine reactions.

Two hundred and twenty pages of footnoted, double-checked, multi-sourced, Paul Offit/Respectful Insolence-endorsed honest and accurate information about one of the vitally important subjects of our time. A must for any parent and anyone else interested in vaccines.

Available on Kindle starting tomorrow, and available for pre-order in hardcover:

http://www.amazon.com/Your-Babys-Best-Shot-Vaccines/dp/144221578X

Ummm I don't want to tell you how to sell books but when I took the link Amazon said there was only 1 book left in stock. Kind of a small first printing IMHO.
If it were me I probably would have them print at least a dozen. :D
Seriously congrats. Looks like you did a great job.

[LavenderBlue]

Whew! I thought this was going to be the TRUTH about vaccines and autism (which didn't EXIST before vaccines) and St. Wakefield.

Good on ya for debunking the above pack of BS. :)

We think Wakefield ought to be shot. And eaten.

:D

Or fed to wolves. Or sent back in time to beg for forgiveness from smallpox victims. Or forced to tend to little kids with measles.

Failing that, a long jail sentence for scientific fraud and child abuse would be just fine.

[TriPolar]

Any chance the parents of children who contract infectious diseases from an unvaccinated child could sue that rat bastard until his ears leak?

[LavenderBlue]

Ummm I don't want to tell you how to sell books but when I took the link Amazon said there was only 1 book left in stock. Kind of a small first printing IMHO.
If it were me I probably would have them print at least a dozen. :D
Seriously congrats. Looks like you did a great job.

Thank you. Must be an Amazon glitch. I'll have to mention that to Rowman & Littlefield. We STILL haven't gotten our author's copies, grumble, grumble, grumble, whine, whine, whine.

I nearly fainted when Dr. Offit told us he loved the book. Offit was extremely helpful while we were writing the book. He answered our questions with great patience. One of my honest to god heroes.

[LavenderBlue]

Any chance the parents of children who contract infectious diseases from an unvaccinated child could sue that rat bastard until his ears leak?

That fuckhead had the nerve to sue the British Journal of Medicine and two people for pointing out what a fuckhead he is. The lawsuit was just recently dismissed. (http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/2012/08/03/wakefield-vs-bmj-lawsuit-dismissed-on-jurisdiction-grounds/)

[kayT]

I read the pages available on Amazon and will read the book even though I don't have kids or any particular interest in the topic, just because you write well -- and of course because you're Dopers! Good luck. And it's good to see it's available on the Kindle right away too.

[Gagundathar]

LavenderBlue, I am proud to share a message board with you!
I wish you the very best and will be buying a copy this weekend.
And, I will be using it to convince some of my friends that they have been mislead for years by the antivax crowd.

GOOD JOB!

[Typo Knig]

Send Phil Plait a copy, he hates the anti-vax crap and has a popular blog.

[digs]

Big congratulations!

[Try2B Comprehensive]

Thanks for taking the trouble!!

[LavenderBlue]

Send Phil Plait a copy, he hates the anti-vax crap and has a popular blog.

Thank you for that suggestion. I am donating my share of any profits to this (http://www.measlesinitiative.org/) website. Helping poor kids get vaccinated against measles is just wonderful work. I think that's what makes me craziest about anti-vaxxers: their pretense that nothing will happen if we stop vaccinating.

[Wheelz]

I plan to order a copy and have it sent to the following address:

Jenny McCarthy
Jenny Mccarthy Productions
Bloom, Hergott and Diemer, Llp
150 S Rodeo Drive
3rd Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

[CandidGamera]

Posted on my Facebook feed ... mainly to piss off an anti-vaxer I know, but hopefully it'll boost the signal. ;)

[Heart of Dorkness]

Congratulations, you guys. It sounds like a terrific book.

[Bookkeeper]

A much needed book. I've recommended it for purchase to our city library.

[Keweenaw]

the so-called epidemic of autism

I don't plan to buy or read your book but autism deniers are in the same class as the anti-vaxers IMO.

[LavenderBlue]

I don't plan to buy or read your book but autism deniers are in the same class as the anti-vaxers IMO.

It's not a question of denial. It's two questions: is there really an epidemic of autism and if so what's fueling it?

We get into that in the book in greater detail. But briefly as nearly as scientists can tell right now most the epidemic seems to stem from factors such as increased diagnostic awareness by peds, more available social services for autism patients and a push to give kids an autism diagnosis rather than one of mental retardation or learning disabilities.

This (http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/117/4/1028.full) paper in the April 1st 2006 edition of Pediatrics examines the issue more closely.

[LavenderBlue]

I don't plan to buy or read your book but autism deniers are in the same class as the anti-vaxers IMO.

It's not a question of denial. It's two questions: is there really an epidemic of autism and if so what's fueling it?

We get into that in the book in greater detail. But briefly as nearly as scientists can tell right now most the epidemic seems to stem from factors such as increased diagnostic awareness by peds, more available social services for autism patients and a push to give kids an autism diagnosis rather than one of mental retardation or learning disabilities.

This (http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/117/4/1028.full) paper in the April 1st 2006 edition of Pediatrics examines the issue more closely. The author points out:

The average administrative prevalence of autism among children increased from 0.6 to 3.1 per 1000 from 1994 to 2003. By 2003, only 17 states had a special education prevalence of autism that was within the range of recent epidemiological estimates. During the same period, the prevalence of mental retardation and learning disabilities declined by 2.8 and 8.3 per 1000, respectively. Higher autism prevalence was significantly associated with corresponding declines in the prevalence of mental retardation and learning disabilities.

Bolding mine. It's the sort of finding we think needs far more publicity. Instead we get coverage of Andrew Wakefield's lies and Jenny McCarthy's "google university" rants.

[StarvingButStrong]

If you want an annecdotal point: about 18 years ago I was working for a psychiatrist. We had a new patient that sent him to a medical library to research papers on this 'new' thing. He came back with a punch of xerox copies and new knowledge, and labeled the patient with autism. And over the year or so I continued there, he changed the diagnoses on at least a half dozen of his regular patients from non-specific retardation and such to autism.

Bingo! A proportionately huge rise in the number of autistic patients in his practice, and it had nothing to do with an increase in the disease among children.

[TriPolar]

I've never even heard of an autism denier. It's all a question of statistics.

[Kolga]

Thank you, everybody, for the kind words and the support! LavenderBlue and I really appreciate it!

And Wakefield shouldn't be eaten - he should be staked out over an ant hill.

If it were up to me, I'd charge him with murder.

I don't plan to buy or read your book but autism deniers are in the same class as the anti-vaxers IMO.

We are in no way autism deniers, so I have no idea how you pulled that interpretation out of the clear blue sky. What we talk about is the fact that there is not currently an autism EPIDEMIC. There are demographic and statistical explanations for the so-called epidemic that we discuss in detail in the book. Autism is a real disorder, but not related to vaccines.

[Inner Stickler]

Without even reading the book, based on my opinion of the knowledge of the posters involved on the issue, I feel comfortable saying there should be a government program to air-drop copies of it into the most egregious offenders of non-vaccination in the country.

I am continually astounded at how much reverence Wakefield gets when anti-vaxxers rarely actually refer to any of his 'science' to justify their position.

[Sarahfeena]

I've been looking forward to this! You just made a sale. :)

[RyJae]

As a parent of a currently 8 year old girl who uses an IPad and ASL to communicate with those around her I can assure you she isn't MR. The rocking back and forth, the flapping of the arms, are unmistakable. And I can say without a doubt, vaccines did not cause her autism. I don't know wtf did, but she regressed before her MMR.

I am very vocal against the anti vaccine crowd as well, and try to fight the fear they spread with the real world fears we will all face if more people start listening to the crazies.

I will withhold judgement on your stand on autism until I read your book. I have had other parents talk to me on a playground about their "autistic" child. Who I observe interacting with the other kids, running over and talking to their mom. All normal like.... and it bugs me... but I also know from everything I have heard around me, from my daughters teachers to therapists to family.... it seems to be growing.

[Inner Stickler]

MR?

[LavenderBlue]

MR?

Probably short for mentally retarded.

[RyJae]

Mental retardation. Sorry about that, so used to that being called just "MR"

[Inner Stickler]

Thank you; that makes sense.

[LavenderBlue]

When my late mother taught special education she used the initials EMR to describe some of her students. EMR stood for educable mentally retarded.

[JKellyMap]

Sweet! Talk about "fighting ignorance". Well done.

[yellowval]

Awesome! It's going on my B&N wish list and I hope to be able to buy it soon. Congratulations to you both.

[LavenderBlue]

I just got my physical copies. This is one hell of an amazing place. About two years ago I thought I want to write a book about this subject but oh hell that's a huge and daunting task. Yeah I've written articles here and there but never an entire actual book. I can't possibly do it alone.

So on a whim I threw out a request in a pit thread for a co-author on my potential book. Allison immediately showed up and pm'ed me with a barrel of wonderful ideas about how to turn my ideas into a real book. After a lot of hard work and hours and hours and hours of research we crafted a book proposal and then mailed them out to publishing houses. Five months and ten nos later one house said yes.

A year later I'm sitting here reading my own book with tears streaming down my face. Thank you, Dopers. You are wonderful people!

[redtail23]

As a parent of a currently 8 year old girl who uses an IPad and ASL to communicate with those around her I can assure you she isn't MR. The rocking back and forth, the flapping of the arms, are unmistakable. Right. They're unmistakable now, when we know what the symptoms of autism are. But before that knowledge was widespread, if a doctor didn't know what the hell was wrong with this kid but that they weren't quite right and wouldn't interact, what did they call it? Mentally retarded.

Just like a lot of deaf/hoh kids got labeled MR before they started doing hearing tests as a regular part of pediatric care.

Kolga and LavenderBlue, congratulations and thank you to you both.

[DrDeth]

Congrats. I am a rather noted Amazon reviewer. If you would like to send me a copy, I’ll review it for you on Amazon. If so, PM me.

I added it to my wishlist, this sometimes gets a book a little help in the rankings.

[Antigen]

Congratulations!

I've got it on my birthday wishlist, and if I don't get it by then I will buy it myself! I'll also be recommending it to my local library - they have a very good medical section and this will be a great addition to it!

[JackieLikesVariety]

congratulations!!

I posted it on FB, too, in the spirit of Good for YOU! I love hanging out with smart people...;)

[gardentraveler]

Very cool! Just downloaded the Kindle preview and added it to my wish list. Will post to FB, too.

I was going to suggest sharing with Phil Plait too.

[IvoryTowerDenizen]

This is fantastic. I'm so impressed. Thanks or igniting the good fight.

[IvoryTowerDenizen]

Posted to FB, too.

[WhyNot]

Congratulations on your publication! Facebooked it as well. I'm sure it will cost me a couple of Friends, but...fuck 'em, I'm rather sick of their psychotic posts anyhow. :D

[Jragon]

I sent a link of this to my friend who posted a link to an anti-vax site a long while back. He's a sane, rational individual, though, not an anti-vaxxer, I just think he didn't have the expertise in the matter to really evaluate the claims the site made. I sent him this because it will do a better job than I ever would of explaining everything.

[Terr]

I will withhold judgement on your stand on autism until I read your book. I have had other parents talk to me on a playground about their "autistic" child. Who I observe interacting with the other kids, running over and talking to their mom. All normal like.... and it bugs me... but I also know from everything I have heard around me, from my daughters teachers to therapists to family.... it seems to be growing.My kid is autistic. Diagnosed etc. Unmistakably. Yet if you see him on playground, you will see him interacting (somewhat) with other kids, running over to me and talking with me (you'd have to stand close to hear the speech problems such as mixing pronouns and formulaic speech).

[EmilyG]

It looks like a splendid book. I shall try to get my hands on it. :)

Congratulations!

[ENugent]

Requested at my county library. Good luck with sales!

[faithfool]

That's so amazing! Congratulations and I, too, will be recommending it to people I know.

[LavenderBlue]

It looks like a splendid book. I shall try to get my hands on it. :)

Congratulations!

Requested at my county library. Good luck with sales!

That's so amazing! Congratulations and I, too, will be recommending it to people I know.

Thank you all.

I wish Amazon had more sense on this issue. Put the word vaccine into an Amazon search on books and this one up comes third on the list:

http://www.amazon.com/Vaccine-Safety-Concerned-Families-Practitioners/dp/188121737X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345425496&sr=1-3&keywords=vaccines

That's the Neil Z. Miller book.

Miller is a nutter. Where does he get his information from? Why from speaking with space aliens of course! I am not making that up.

http://www.facebook.com/neilzmiller/posts/319935448097243

Last year, over the course of several months, I had the honor of interviewing several extraterrestrials from advanced civilizations. They discussed the nature of God, evolution of the soul, universal laws, the true nature of time, alternative energy, the real cause of disease, shadow governments, and lots more! Our interviews were published this month in a new book, Ambassadors Between Worlds.

[j666]

Congratulations and thank you.

So, do you know Brian Deer?

[Kolga]

We do not (unless LavenderBlue has a relationship with him that I don't know about, in which case we shall Have Words :) ). However, his investigation into the Wakefield issue was an inspiration to us.

[j666]

Well, if you ever meet him, tell him you know someone on a message board that just gushes about what a hero he is.

In the meantime, you will be my heroes, and I will brag to everyone how well I know you.

[Khadaji]

Congratulations and good luck!

[Rachellelogram]

Oh yay! I'm so happy you found a publisher. :D

[Kolga]

Well, if you ever meet him, tell him you know someone on a message board that just gushes about what a hero he is.



I'll do that, right after I finish gushing to him about how *I* think he's a hero :D

[LavenderBlue]

I talked to Dr. Offit over the phone like a teenager within ten feet of Justin Bieber. Does that count?

:D

[Kolga]

I talked to Dr. Offit over the phone like a teenager within ten feet of Justin Bieber. Does that count?

:D

What LavenderBlue is kindly not sharing is that while she was the point contact person for Paul Offit, I was too star-struck to even talk to him on the phone :D

[StusBlues]

I plan to order a copy and have it sent to the following address:

Jenny McCarthy
Jenny Mccarthy Productions
Bloom, Hergott and Diemer, Llp
150 S Rodeo Drive
3rd Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

I plan to take a monster-class poop and have it sent to the same address.

[LavenderBlue]

Nice review of the book on the Parents Magazine website:

http://www.parents.com/blogs/mom-must-read/2012/08/21/parenting-advice/two-new-baby-books-about-recipes-and-shots/

Written for parents who are pro-vaccine or who just want information about what’s in all of those kids’ shots, this book is a great resource.

Yeah!

[Jackmannii]

Congratulations to both of you.

I was going to mention the book in an Amazon health forum discussion on vaccines, but the end result would probably be a pack of antivaxers posting negative reviews of the book without ever having read it.

So, how much did Big Pharma pay you to write it? :D

[Heart of Dorkness]

Nice review of the book on the Parents Magazine websiteAwesome. What bugs me about that review, though, is that she then says:
This book is not for parents who agree with Jenny McCarthy. I think that's exactly who this book is for, along with people who are uninformed or on the fence. People like me who are already pro-vaccine might well enjoy the book, but it's kind of preaching to the choir. I wish she would have said something like, "Parents who agree with Jenny McCarthy (that there is a link between vaccines and autism) will find a wealth of information in this book that challenges those ideas."

[Inner Stickler]

The problem is that, in my experience, people do not come to the conclusion that vaccines cause autism through logic and reason and therefore, logic and reason have little to no effect on their opinions. Do you know what Wakefield's study was about? He hypothesized that the MMR vaccine was causing gastrointestinal problems in children and that was what was causing the autism symptoms. Now, there's nothing to support this view in his study and later studies found a similar lack of evidence. So what happened? The anti-vaxxers transferred their fear to thimerosal and since vaccines have been thimerosal-free for many years, they find other chemicals to fear or simply state that there's not enough info to come to an informed decision, despite the wealth of evidence on the CDC's side.

[Mama Zappa]

My kid is autistic. Diagnosed etc. Unmistakably. Yet if you see him on playground, you will see him interacting (somewhat) with other kids, running over to me and talking with me (you'd have to stand close to hear the speech problems such as mixing pronouns and formulaic speech).
Ditto - it's definitely a broad spectrum of symptoms, and RyJae's daughter is more severely impaired than my son (or yours).

Whether it's truly growing, or better / more accurate diagnosis, or whatever, is hard to say; I haven't done the research. I do know that my own family is pretty hard hit (4 out of 6 biological cousins have significant issues, 2 of them autism).

For Kolga and LavenderBlue: In your research, have you stumbled across *any* health issues that seem to be tied to vaccination? By that I mean things that appear to have an autoimmune tie (e.g. the increase in allergies, any other disorders).

We never subscribed to the whole Wakefield thing, but kept an open mind about a possible autoimmune component, mainly because my nephew's symptoms *seemed* to improve somewhat when he was on high-dose steroids for a while. So, my kids have been fully vaccinated, but we *did* take a slower approach than the official plan (e.g. never more than 2 at a time, waited longer than average between 'em, never got a new vaccine within a year or two of its being introduced etc.). In our judgment, this posed minimal additional risk while ultimately offering acceptable protection.

[LavenderBlue]

Awesome. What bugs me about that review, though, is that she then says:
I think that's exactly who this book is for, along with people who are uninformed or on the fence. People like me who are already pro-vaccine might well enjoy the book, but it's kind of preaching to the choir. I wish she would have said something like, "Parents who agree with Jenny McCarthy (that there is a link between vaccines and autism) will find a wealth of information in this book that challenges those ideas."

I agree.

We were aiming for two kinds of parents: those who don't know much about this subject and those who do. We wanted to provide the latter with the means to help combat the nutters. Both of us have spent hours and hours and hours arguing about this issue on various message boards. We approached the book from the POV of what the hell are the anti-vaccine arguments and how can we show they're wrong.

Many people who are pro-vaccine can find themselves confronted by anti-vaxxers and find themselves unsure about how to respond to their arguments. We wanted to help provide people with the tools to confront them effectively.

Inner Stickler,

We're not aiming for the true believers. I have and so has Allison. At one point I spent three days of my time at the anti-vax forum over at the now defunct Mothering Magazine boards. The boards still exist unforunately but the magazine has stop publication. I got one thank you note from an on the fencer and approximately fifty allegations of pHARMAshill, baby killing, crazy liar.

I try not to poke my toes in the crazy unless I have absolutely have to.

Mama Zappa,

We did not see any autoimmune links from vaccines. We found no evidence (http://blogs.webmd.com/child-health-411/2010/05/no-benefit-in-delaying-vaccines-only-risk.html) of a decrease in side effects from spacing out or delaying vaccines.

[Mama Zappa]

....
I try not to poke my toes in the crazy unless I have absolutely have to.
Heh - yeah, that can NOT have been pleasant.

Mama Zappa,

We did not see any autoimmune links from vaccines. We found no evidence (http://blogs.webmd.com/child-health-411/2010/05/no-benefit-in-delaying-vaccines-only-risk.html) of a decrease in side effects from spacing out or delaying vaccines.
Thanks - I'll read up on that later. In our situation (this was mostly 10-15 years ago), we had to try to juggle the whole disease-prevention thing and the family concerns, and come up with a compromise. Plus I just thought it was *mean* when they tried to jab my kid 3 times in a single visit ;) (I brought her back for the 3rd one a month or so later).

[LavenderBlue]

Mama Zappa,

I understand. I hate needles myself. The only thing that got us through the shots was nursing. My girls love to nurse so I let them when being jabbed.

Scientists are working on needless shots right now:

http://voices.yahoo.com/flu-vaccine-patch-painless-needleless-time-saving-6453526.html?cat=70

Maybe one day our grandkids will be able to get shots without needles.

[Jackmannii]

Scientists are working on needless shots right now:Arrgh! Needleless!

[LavenderBlue]

Arrgh! Needleless!

You don't want to know how I spelled Hippocrates in the rough draft.

:smack:

[Mr. Miskatonic]

I just read this since I almost never go into this section. Awesome work guys!

You should be interviewed on Skeptic's Guide to the Universe podcast or something.

[Maeglin]

Marvelous. Add me to the list of parents with autistic children who will be eagerly digesting this book.

[fumster]

The problem is that, in my experience, people do not come to the conclusion that vaccines cause autism through logic and reason and therefore, logic and reason have little to no effect on their opinions. Do you know what Wakefield's study was about? He hypothesized that the MMR vaccine was causing gastrointestinal problems in children and that was what was causing the autism symptoms. Now, there's nothing to support this view in his study and later studies found a similar lack of evidence. So what happened? The anti-vaxxers transferred their fear to thimerosal and since vaccines have been thimerosal-free for many years, they find other chemicals to fear or simply state that there's not enough info to come to an informed decision, despite the wealth of evidence on the CDC's side.Had a discussion with my anti-vax sister the other day. Pointed out that vaccinations have helped reduce diseases once common, she replies "Polio was already on its way out when the vaccine was developed" I walked out and slammed the door.

Later on when I cooled down we talked more. She tries and makes peace by saying "we'll never really know" which made me even madder as I tried to explain that yes, we will know, because we can look at statistics of people who did and did not get vaccines of various types. The concept seemed to escape her: her thought was that if a kid develops autism after a vaccination it may have been caused by that, even if the statistics over a large population do not support it. Absolutely pointless to argue, she can go to dozens of web sites supporting her view and any that disagree with her are just part of the pharma conspiracy. The only thing that gave her slight pause was when I pointed out that Wakefield was working for a pharma company himself trying to push an alternate vaccine.

[Yeticus Rex]

I just found this thread and even though you are preaching to the choir here, I too will purchase the book.

Congratualtions.

[Kolga]

Thanks again for all the support and all of the kind words, guys!



You should be interviewed on Skeptic's Guide to the Universe podcast or something.

We have a Skype interview set up for the "Skeptically Speaking" podcast on September 23. I don't know what the air date is, but we'll keep you posted :)

[LavenderBlue]

I'll be at the Words Bookstore (http://wordsbookstore.com/) in Maplewood, NJ for a book signing and q and a session on October 21st at 2 p.m. The independent book store aims to help employees and patrons with autism. I'm both excited and a little scared.

[Northern Piper]

Thanks so much for writing this book! Mrs Piper has already posted a link to her Facebook page for her mommy friends to see.

[LavenderBlue]

Lovely (http://autismum.com/2012/09/05/your-babys-best-shot/) review of the book from a blogger who writes about her son's autism. I think one of the very worst things the anti-vax nuts do is try and make parents who vax feel guilty if their child winds up autistic. I have seen quite a bit of cruelty directed towards mothers of children with autism who don't tow the vacccines equal autism line.

[Andy L]

Lovely (http://autismum.com/2012/09/05/your-babys-best-shot/) review of the book from a blogger who writes about her son's autism. I think one of the very worst things the anti-vax nuts do is try and make parents who vax feel guilty if their child winds up autistic. I have seen quite a bit of cruelty directed towards mothers of children with autism who don't tow the vacccines equal autism line.

Autismum is a great blogger - congrats on getting a review from her

(P.S. "toe the line")

[LavenderBlue]

Autismum is a great blogger - congrats on getting a review from her

(P.S. "toe the line")

Thank you.

I need to stop posting on the days when Youngest is getting up three times a night.

:smack:

[lorene]

Posted to my Facebook page as well.
Most of my friends have kids who are older, but there are friends of friends and all that.

[lorene]

Posted to my Facebook page as well.
Most of my friends have kids who are older, but there are friends of friends and all that.

Within 20 minutes a friend of mine posted that she is buying herself a copy and one to lend! Yay!

[LavenderBlue]

Within 20 minutes a friend of mine posted that she is buying herself a copy and one to lend! Yay!

Yeah!

Meanwhile I just got essentially censored by the West Caldwell NJ library today. I walked in past a sign lauding the appearance of an author about a silly book about the paleo diet at the library next week. I showed a copy of the book to the librarian. The creep dismissed me with a few muttered cursory comments about how they really don't do want to do personal author appearances at the library anymore as they only attract a few people. He said "We're not interested" a few times and waved me away.

:rolleyes:

I swear that probably explains why the stupid branch has copies of nearly every horrible anti-vax book ever written. I am half tempted to contact the mayor and ask why their local librarian refused to let a pro-vaccine advocate and published author speak to the community about a vitally important health issue.

[Antigen]

Posted to my Facebook page as well.

Count me in. Trying to spread the word against misinformation and vaccine hysteria.

[kayT]

Yeah!

Meanwhile I just got essentially censored by the West Caldwell NJ library today. I walked in past a sign lauding the appearance of an author about a silly book about the paleo diet at the library next week. I showed a copy of the book to the librarian. The creep dismissed me with a few muttered cursory comments about how they really don't do want to do personal author appearances at the library anymore as they only attract a few people. He said "We're not interested" a few times and waved me away.

:rolleyes:

I swear that probably explains why the stupid branch has copies of nearly every horrible anti-vax book ever written. I am half tempted to contact the mayor and ask why their local librarian refused to let a pro-vaccine advocate and published author speak to the community about a vitally important health issue.

Do you have a local paper?

[LavenderBlue]

Do you have a local paper?

Yes we do. I may see about contacting them to write for them. I will be speaking at the West Orange NJ library in November at a date as yet undetermined.

[Jackmannii]

Meanwhile I just got essentially censored by the West Caldwell NJ library today. I walked in past a sign lauding the appearance of an author about a silly book about the paleo diet at the library next week. I showed a copy of the book to the librarian. The creep dismissed me with a few muttered cursory comments about how they really don't do want to do personal author appearances at the library anymore as they only attract a few people. He said "We're not interested" a few times and waved me away. Are you sure it was an actual librarian, and not a clerk or other individual with no actual power to make such a decision?

I'd think most libraries would be pleased to attract readers through a freebie author appearance. If this one is run by someone who only wants to promote woo, then alerting his/her boss(es) is appropriate.

I don't recall ever seeing an author talk at our local library branch; we get some signings at the B&N (typically fiction authors, thankfully no health loons or similar wooists).

If you're traveling through central Ohio, let me know, as it would be a pleasure to take a couple of distinguished authors out for good barbecue. :)

[LavenderBlue]

Are you sure it was an actual librarian, and not a clerk or other individual with no actual power to make such a decision?

I'd think most libraries would be pleased to attract readers through a freebie author appearance. If this one is run by someone who only wants to promote woo, then alerting his/her boss(es) is appropriate.

I don't recall ever seeing an author talk at our local library branch; we get some signings at the B&N (typically fiction authors, thankfully no health loons or similar wooists).

If you're traveling through central Ohio, let me know, as it would be a pleasure to take a couple of distinguished authors out for good barbecue. :)

Oh I know exactly who I spoke to today. It was Ethan Galvin (http://westcaldwell.bccls.org/DepartmentAndStaffDirectory.html). His official title is Coordinator - Adult Programming, Public Relations & Community Outreach.

I would also think that most libraries would be happy to see a local author in person. But judging by the number of anti-vax books I routinely see at that branch and that branch only, I think someone there is definitely on the nut bandwagon over there. I have no proof. Going by today's conversation I strongly think it's him. My husband dubbed the guy the head of the Librarians Against Facts local chapter.

I get emails all the time about local author appearances and routinely go them when I have a chance. This library is sponsoring an appearance by a fellow local author (http://westcaldwell.bccls.org/Programs.html) promoting a fad diet that is presently announced the minute you walk through the library doors.

If Diane Sanfilippo can babble about the "whole foods lifestyle" there's no reason I shouldn't be able to talk about what we can do help protect our babies from this state's pertussis outbreak.

If you're ever in NJ, let me know as would be happy to take a fellow doper out for truly great pizza.

:D

[lorene]

Coincidentally enough, the FB friend who is buying 2 copies lives in New Jersey (and is a scientist. HA!). :)

[Exapno Mapcase]

I clicked on Marketplace by sheer accident so I've seeing this for the first time.

I want to add my congratulations. I've written several popular medical books and I know both how incredibly difficult they are and how rewarding they can be. A simple thank you from a stranger means more than a thousand knocks from the crazies and loons. You done good.

I have a few suggestions for going forward built on my experiences. I don't know what your plans are so these all may be obvious to you or totally irrelevant. If anything's helpful, though, feel free to use it.

Checking in on Amazon I found that your books comes up #32 when searching on vaccines and at #7 when searching for anti-vaccine. That's pretty good but probably a reflection of Amazon building publishing date into its algorithm. (I heard a pundit during the convention call it an a-logarithm and I wanted to throw a chair.) Amazon also uses customer reviews to decide relevance. If you look at the top 30 books almost all the ones without customer reviews are new, while much older - and probably outdated - books with high review counts outrank them. I'd encourage people here who want to support the book to add a review. And I'd encourage you to tell all buyers to post a review.

You don't seem to have a web page for the book. That could help a lot. People can link to web pages and that drives you up the Google listings. And they provide a place to post appearances and comments, answer questions, and get feedback from readers. A blog can do most of this but a site with fixed information that doesn't scroll has advantages. I had a pro put up a site using Wordpress for a nominal amount of money but I do my blog myself. Your book is already appearing on related websites and that's good. Try to make as many contacts through them as possible and keep your names active.

Remember that the crazies are organized. I once many years ago put up a blog post about a truly crazy alternative allergy treatment that's on the far periphery of what I normally write about. Yet I've gotten more comments on that post than any other. And virtually 100% praise the wonderfulness of the treatment and call me names. It's a fringe treatment that you would never have heard of and there are days when I believe that more people have written me about it than have ever actually tried it. They're not your audience. The louder they are the more they lessen themselves in the eyes of people who want real, hard information and facts. Or so I tell myself.

With 250,000 books being published every year, breaking through the clutter takes as much work as writing the book in the first place. Just when you thought you were out...

[LavenderBlue]

I clicked on Marketplace by sheer accident so I've seeing this for the first time.

I want to add my congratulations. I've written several popular medical books and I know both how incredibly difficult they are and how rewarding they can be. A simple thank you from a stranger means more than a thousand knocks from the crazies and loons. You done good.

I have a few suggestions for going forward built on my experiences. I don't know what your plans are so these all may be obvious to you or totally irrelevant. If anything's helpful, though, feel free to use it.

Checking in on Amazon I found that your books comes up #32 when searching on vaccines and at #7 when searching for anti-vaccine. That's pretty good but probably a reflection of Amazon building publishing date into its algorithm. (I heard a pundit during the convention call it an a-logarithm and I wanted to throw a chair.) Amazon also uses customer reviews to decide relevance. If you look at the top 30 books almost all the ones without customer reviews are new, while much older - and probably outdated - books with high review counts outrank them. I'd encourage people here who want to support the book to add a review. And I'd encourage you to tell all buyers to post a review.

You don't seem to have a web page for the book. That could help a lot. People can link to web pages and that drives you up the Google listings. And they provide a place to post appearances and comments, answer questions, and get feedback from readers. A blog can do most of this but a site with fixed information that doesn't scroll has advantages. I had a pro put up a site using Wordpress for a nominal amount of money but I do my blog myself. Your book is already appearing on related websites and that's good. Try to make as many contacts through them as possible and keep your names active.

Remember that the crazies are organized. I once many years ago put up a blog post about a truly crazy alternative allergy treatment that's on the far periphery of what I normally write about. Yet I've gotten more comments on that post than any other. And virtually 100% praise the wonderfulness of the treatment and call me names. It's a fringe treatment that you would never have heard of and there are days when I believe that more people have written me about it than have ever actually tried it. They're not your audience. The louder they are the more they lessen themselves in the eyes of people who want real, hard information and facts. Or so I tell myself.

With 250,000 books being published every year, breaking through the clutter takes as much work as writing the book in the first place. Just when you thought you were out...

Thank you so much for this wonderful post. Allison and I will carefully consider your suggestions. We're trying to do what we can in between our full time jobs and family committments.

[Yeticus Rex]

Lovely (http://autismum.com/2012/09/05/your-babys-best-shot/) review of the book from a blogger who writes about her son's autism. I think one of the very worst things the anti-vax nuts do is try and make parents who vax feel guilty if their child winds up autistic. I have seen quite a bit of cruelty directed towards mothers of children with autism who don't tow the vacccines equal autism line.

I have talked to the parents of our son's class (when we celebrate one of their birthdays), and every single one of us are ardent defenders of busting the vaccination-autism connection; each one of us has had the opportunity of setting an anti-vaxxer straight to a point where they don't even get a chance to be cruel.

[LavenderBlue]

I have talked to the parents of our son's class (when we celebrate one of their birthdays), and every single one of us are ardent defenders of busting the vaccination-autism connection; each one of us has had the opportunity of setting an anti-vaxxer straight to a point where they don't even get a chance to be cruel.

That's fantastic.

Booklist gave the book a very nice review.

http://www.booklistonline.com/Your-Baby-s-Best-Shot-Why-Vaccines-Are-Safe-and-Save-Lives-Stacy-Mintzer-Herlihy/pid=5613134

This thoroughly researched book should convince even ardent vaccine skeptics that the benefits of giving kids shots to prevent illnesses far outweigh any negatives.

The only odd thing about the review is she asserts we didn't provide an index. I assure anyone who wants to read it, the book does indeed have an index!

[Yeticus Rex]

That's fantastic.

Booklist gave the book a very nice review.
Damn, that is one of the best summations from a reviewer I've ever seen:
It is a book written not to persuade but to demonstrate that vaccinating a child who can be vaccinated is a loving act of a responsible parent.

[Kolga]

Again, thank you all for your support! And Exapno Mapcase, your suggestions are very very helpful. We do have a Facebook page (under "Your Baby's Best Shot") and a Twitter account for the book (@BabysBestShot), but building a webpage is something neither of us have had time for yet.

Since the Booklist magazine is often used by librarians to determine what books to buy for public and school libraries, it would be a helpful thing for Dopers to mention if you want to encourage your local libraries to buy copies :D

[gardentraveler]

Ooooooh, I was going to say that I only know of Booklist because of my friends who are librarians. Glad that they gave it such a good review. I wonder if you can contact them about the index. Maybe the advance copy didn't have one for some reason.

The sentence Yeticus Rex quoted is a marvelous summary.

Gotta go follow you on Twitter.

[Docta G]

Two fed-up dopers share with you all we've learned about vaccines. We have no ties to the pharmaceutical companies. We're simply two ordinary people sick and tired of arguing with the wrong people about this subject over and over again.

We'll show you: Why Andrew Wakefield was in the wrong from the very start -- What life was like before vaccines -- What's in a vaccine (and what isn't) -- What's behind the so-called epidemic of autism -- Exactly what's wrong with the really bad anti-vax websites -- Where to find the good sources to use in an argument -- How they test vaccines for safety -- What you can do to help reduce true vaccine reactions.

Two hundred and twenty pages of footnoted, double-checked, multi-sourced, Paul Offit/Respectful Insolence-endorsed honest and accurate information about one of the vitally important subjects of our time. A must for any parent and anyone else interested in vaccines.

Available on Kindle starting tomorrow, and available for pre-order in hardcover:

http://www.amazon.com/Your-Babys-Best-Shot-Vaccines/dp/144221578X

My son is autistic, and I am well familiar with autism-spectrum disorders and ABA therapy, etc.

I won't be buying your hack book.

[IvoryTowerDenizen]

In response to that, I just did. Wakefield was a immoral criminal and your book is scientifically accurate and a true public service.

[DrDeth]

My son is autistic, and I am well familiar with autism-spectrum disorders and ABA therapy, etc.

.

I am deeply sorry for your sons condition.

[Inner Stickler]

My son is autistic, and I am well familiar with autism-spectrum disorders and ABA therapy, etc.

I won't be buying your hack book.This really isn't the appropriate venue for arguments but if you would like to start a thread in IMHO or GD about what you think is the cause of autism, I'd be more than happy to participate.

[LavenderBlue]

In response to that, I just did. Wakefield was a immoral criminal and your book is scientifically accurate and a true public service.

Thank you. I just want to remind anyone reading this that my share of any profits will go towards a campaign to help provide measles vaccines for all the world's poor children. If you like it or hell even if you didn't :D could you please provide a brief review of the book on Amazon?

We would like to get it ranked in the Amazon search listings. As Exapno Mapcase points out, part of the ranking process is based on reviews. Right now when you search under books for vaccines the first twelve books that show up are nearly all bad. You'll see books like the Dr. Sears book complete with stupid alternative delayed vaccine schedule, Louise Kuo Habakus's collection of stupid anti-vax screeds and Neil "I Speak With Space Aliens" Z. Miller's false info. Only a single of one of Dr. Offit's books shows up.

We'd like to help change that.

[Kolga]

In response to that, I just did. Wakefield was a immoral criminal and your book is scientifically accurate and a true public service.

That you for your support!

My son is autistic, and I am well familiar with autism-spectrum disorders and ABA therapy, etc.

I won't be buying your hack book.

I am sorry you feel that way. As Inner Stickler pointed out, I'm not sure this is the appropriate forum for debate, but if you'd like to start a thread in an appropriate forum, we can discuss the scientific evidence that vaccines are not linked to autism.

[Yeticus Rex]

My son is autistic, and I am well familiar with autism-spectrum disorders and ABA therapy, etc.
Same here.

I won't be buying your hack book.
I did buy it, and I will explain why if you open up a separate thread.

[The Great Sun Jester]

My son is autistic, and I am well familiar with autism-spectrum disorders and ABA therapy, etc.

I won't be buying your hack book.How do you know it's a hack book if you won't buy it? I'm assuming you also haven't read it.

Nevertheless I think your post is a useful example of why the OP book is unlikely to fix the antivax problem in short order. People have always "just known" stuff, and enduring the illuminating machinery of logic is often more painful to endure than clinging to being wrong.

[Kolga]

Nevertheless I think your post is a useful example of why the OP book is unlikely to fix the antivax problem in short order. People have always "just known" stuff, and enduring the illuminating machinery of logic is often more painful to endure than clinging to being wrong.

You are right, which is why we didn't write the book for the anti-vaccine movement. They won't be convinced, they won't be moved, and they won't read it anyway. We wrote it for parents who've "heard things" about vaccines, and just aren't sure what the deal is about them. We addressed the major anti-vaccine myths and talked about where they came from, why they're being perpetuated, and what the science says about them. That way, we're hopeful that those parents who aren't anti-vax but are confused can get the scientifically valid information.

[Docta G]

How do you know it's a hack book if you won't buy it? I'm assuming you also haven't read it.

Nevertheless I think your post is a useful example of why the OP book is unlikely to fix the antivax problem in short order. People have always "just known" stuff, and enduring the illuminating machinery of logic is often more painful to endure than clinging to being wrong.

Nice straw man. You're grossly underestimating what a lot of other people know about autism.

I never said I wouldn't read it, just that I won't be buying it.

[Inner Stickler]

So educate us, but in another thread. This is a thread of celebration, not discord.

[LavenderBlue]

Nice straw man. You're grossly underestimating what a lot of other people know about autism.

I never said I wouldn't read it, just that I won't be buying it.

You criticized the book without having read it. Why?

[Yllaria]

I'm kind of curious why you mentioned being familiar with applied behavior analysis (ABA), since it has nothing to do with vaccines. Just a general sign of being well-informed?

[The Great Sun Jester]

Nice straw man. You're grossly underestimating what a lot of other people know about autism.Bring it.

[LavenderBlue]

You are right, which is why we didn't write the book for the anti-vaccine movement. They won't be convinced, they won't be moved, and they won't read it anyway. We wrote it for parents who've "heard things" about vaccines, and just aren't sure what the deal is about them. We addressed the major anti-vaccine myths and talked about where they came from, why they're being perpetuated, and what the science says about them. That way, we're hopeful that those parents who aren't anti-vax but are confused can get the scientifically valid information.

We were also aiming to to help provide resources for the pro-vaccine parent or interested observer to gently correct their anti-vax friends, co-workers and relatives. Or at least reassure themselves they are right on this issue.

[The Great Sun Jester]

Bought it today, BTW. Didn't come in here just to threadshit. Sorry for not being cooler.

[Kolga]

We were also aiming to to help provide resources for the pro-vaccine parent or interested observer to gently correct their anti-vax friends, co-workers and relatives. Or at least reassure themselves they are right on this issue.

We really need a "like" button on this board :D

[RyJae]

To continue the thread shit in a minor way, now that I see why you wrote the book it can be forgiven. I thought you where trying to give ammunition to fight against the anti-vaxxers. If that was the case, using Dr. Offit would have just made the antivaxxers say "see". Not that the man isn't doing everything right of course.

[Andy L]

Bought it today, BTW.

I got my copy today. Looking forward to reading it.

[DrDeth]

I have read the book and gave it a rave review on Amazon.

:cool:

[LavenderBlue]

We're doing a podcast about the book this weekend with the radio program Skeptically Speaking. You'll be able to hear us next Friday.

http://skepticallyspeaking.ca/

We record live with Allison Hagood and Stacy Herlihy on Sunday, October 7 at 6 pm MT. The podcast will be available to download at 9 pm MT on Friday, October 12.

[Sierra Indigo]

I'll try and give it a listen :)

[pbbth]

I posted your amazon link on my facebook page. May you sell a bazillion copies and become super wealthy while saving lives of children across the globe!

[LavenderBlue]

I posted your amazon link on my facebook page. May you sell a bazillion copies and become super wealthy while saving lives of children across the globe!

Thank you.

You can hear our podcast now:

http://skepticallyspeaking.ca/episodes/184-your-babys-best-shot

[Junkman209]

You can hear our podcast now:

http://skepticallyspeaking.ca/episodes/184-your-babys-best-shot

Wonderful! I'm listening to the podcast now.

[LavenderBlue]

Wonderful! I'm listening to the podcast now.

Thank you. I'll be speaking about the book at the [words] bookstore in Maplewood, NJ this Sunday.

http://wordsbookstore.com/category/events/

[Kolga]

Denver-area Dopers: I'll be doing a public event at the Student Union on the Auraria campus, downtown Denver, on Tuesday, November 13, from 4:30 - 6:30.

[LavenderBlue]

Interview with me about the book in our local paper. I made the front page.

:D

http://newjerseyhills.com/the_progress/news/roseland-resident-writes-book-about-childhood-vaccinations/article_170da6ee-187c-11e2-8186-001a4bcf887a.html

[Mama Zappa]

Neat!

So how much hatemail have you gotten from people who Know The Truth and want to expose the Fact that you're Just A Tool Of Big Pharma And Maybe The Illuminati And Probably That Other Political Party?

[LavenderBlue]

Neat!

So how much hatemail have you gotten from people who Know The Truth and want to expose the Fact that you're Just A Tool Of Big Pharma And Maybe The Illuminati And Probably That Other Political Party?

Nothing personally. At least not yet. We did get a stupid review on Amazon from an idiot.

Maybe my area has a tinfoil shortage?

:D

[Kolga]

Someone created a hate page against me on Facebook. It's been removed since then. I've gotten a few private messages on FB of people threatening to find me or show up at one of my events and punch me in the face. A few public posts on FB have threatened harm to me through forcing multiple vaccinations on me (of course, *I* don't consider those threats of harm, but since they consider vaccines poisons, they clearly *mean* for them to be threats of harm).

All in all, a pretty normal thing. :D

[DrDeth]

Nothing personally. At least not yet. We did get a stupid review on Amazon from an idiot.



Yeah, but you got six very Good reviews, including one from me, and dudes are panning the hell out of that stupid review*.

* which is the right thing to do, as it is- stupid. But my SDMB friends- please do not mark as unhelpful a review you just disagree with, if it is well written. In other words, in you love Avatar but someone gives it ** but gives a well written explanation why- then that should NOT be marked "NO" Under "Was this review helpful to you?". OTOH, if you find a review helpful- please mark it "Yes". This gives us more rational reviewers, who give good reviews to great books (like the OP's) some some feeling our work is appreciated. Thank you.

[LavenderBlue]

My facebook page with video of my and my youngest child at the book event. (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=315804235193156) If you live in the northern area of NJ or are just stopping through on your way to somewhere else, I highly recommend a stop at the [words] bookstore in the center of lovely Maplewood. The Zimiles family runs it. They have a son who is severely autistic. Their bookstore is devoted to helping support and employ people who have the condition. I spoke to Jonah Zimiles. He is a kind and thoughtful man who is doing a truly good thing in this world.

[Kolga]

I'll be doing a presentation at Children's Hospital in Denver tomorrow. It's for providers and members of the Colorado Children's Immunization Coalition only, but it's my first big event, so I'm still gonna brag about it :D

[IvoryTowerDenizen]

That's fantastic! Brag away!

[Kevbo]

I am buying a Kindle edition mostly to support fellow dopers. I am childless by choice, so have no dog in this fight. (well, actually I do own a dog, but I digress..) Anti-vaxer parents make me crazy already, and I fear reading this book will not be good for my nerves. It is not as if they will be convinced by mere facts, but what the hell, maybe I'll learn one thing that will make one idiot parent stop and think.

I also posted a link to your Amazon listing on FB. With any luck the woman who keeps posting anti-vaxer propaganda will un-friend me over that.

[Kolga]

I've got two publicity events coming up next week, for any Denver-area Dopers (or anyone else interested).

The first is Tuesday, November 13, from 4:30 - 6:30 in the Tivoli Student Union on the Auraria Campus: http://www.childrensimmunization.org/YourBabysBestShot

The second is Thursday, November 15, from 3 - 5:30 at Children's Hospital. It's for CCIC members and healthcare providers: http://www.childrensimmunization.org/allisonhagood

I'm excited! And very nervous :)

[LavenderBlue]

I've got two publicity events coming up next week, for any Denver-area Dopers (or anyone else interested).

The first is Tuesday, November 13, from 4:30 - 6:30 in the Tivoli Student Union on the Auraria Campus: http://www.childrensimmunization.org/YourBabysBestShot

The second is Thursday, November 15, from 3 - 5:30 at Children's Hospital. It's for CCIC members and healthcare providers: http://www.childrensimmunization.org/allisonhagood

I'm excited! And very nervous :)

Good luck!

I'll be at the Roseland, NJ public library on the 19th to talk about the book.

[SkeptiJess]

Wow. I listened to the Skeptically Speaking interview on the day it came out, enjoyed it thoroughly, and added the book to my Nook wishlist, all without knowing it was authored by Dopers!

I haven't been around much lately, but just happened to pop in today and notice this good news and I felt I needed to come in and give you both big congratulations. Once I read the book, I'll be sure to post reviews on both Amazon & B&N. Good for you both fighting the good fight!

[DrDeth]

Along the lines here is this:

http://theworstthingsforsale.com/page/2

For the very bad book “Vaccine Epidemic”. What’s sad is that there are nearly 70 rave ***** reviews for this lying dogshit book. It’s also outselling our OP’s fine book by quite a bit.

[Jackmannii]

Along the lines here is this:

http://theworstthingsforsale.com/page/2

For the very bad book “Vaccine Epidemic”. What’s sad is that there are nearly 70 rave ***** reviews for this lying dogshit book. It’s also outselling our OP’s fine book by quite a bit.While "Vaccine Epidemic"'s subtitles denounce "corporate greed" and "biased science" the book includes a chapter defending Andrew Wakefield. Apparently the authors have been successfully vaccinated against irony.

[DrDeth]

Nope. Immune to start with. As Boris said about Bullwinkle T Moose “No brain, no effect!”

[Washoe]

If I buy a copy, do I still owe you the chocolate?

[Kolga]

Good luck!

I'll be at the Roseland, NJ public library on the 19th to talk about the book.

I'm just quoting this to remind New Jersey fans of this upcoming event.

Also, I have a presentation to healthcare providers and CCIC members today at Children's Hospital of Colorado.

Monday, I have a presentation to the Immunization Delivery Research Group at the Anschutz Center at CHC.

We've been invited to do a series of op-eds and contributions to various publications and will post those links when they are available.

Wow. I listened to the Skeptically Speaking interview on the day it came out, enjoyed it thoroughly, and added the book to my Nook wishlist, all without knowing it was authored by Dopers!

I haven't been around much lately, but just happened to pop in today and notice this good news and I felt I needed to come in and give you both big congratulations. Once I read the book, I'll be sure to post reviews on both Amazon & B&N. Good for you both fighting the good fight!

Thank you for your kind words on the podcast! We enjoyed speaking to Desiree very much.

And thank you for the good reviews on Amazon. My understanding is that rankings in keyword searches use an algorithm that incorporates numbers of reviews, and we want to get our book higher up in the search results to counter the anti-vax/anti-science results.

Along the lines here is this:

http://theworstthingsforsale.com/page/2

For the very bad book “Vaccine Epidemic”. What’s sad is that there are nearly 70 rave ***** reviews for this lying dogshit book. It’s also outselling our OP’s fine book by quite a bit.

That book enrages us.

If I buy a copy, do I still owe you the chocolate?

You owe us chocolate? :)

[Washoe]

You owe us chocolate? :)


Oh crap—you had completely forgotten about my debt. :smack: It was dark chocolate, specifically. You demanded payment for reviewing my class assignment a little over a year ago, and I pointed out that chocolate was (and to the best of my knowledge still is) the standard unit of currency on the SDMB, per TubaDiva’s dictum.

If you’d like, I will personally go over to Facebook and beat up some people for you instead.

[DrDeth]

One other thing that will help this fine book move up slightly in the rankings is for us SDMBers to all put it on our "wish list", even if we already have a copy or can't afford to buy one.

"Helpful" votes to the good reviews will also help a little- assuming that you, indeed, do find the review helpful, of course.

Wealthier SDMBers might ask local libraries if they'd accept copies for circulation, and buy some.

[LavenderBlue]

I will be at the Roseland NJ public library tomorrow night at 7 p.m. to speak about the book.

http://www.rfplnj.org/?q=content%2Fvaccine-author-speak-library-monday-1119

Please come and meet me if you can.

:)

[EmilyG]

I'm still thinking of requesting this book for my local library. I'll try to do it when I get the chance.

[Kolga]

Oh crap—you had completely forgotten about my debt. :smack: It was dark chocolate, specifically. You demanded payment for reviewing my class assignment a little over a year ago, and I pointed out that chocolate was (and to the best of my knowledge still is) the standard unit of currency on the SDMB, per TubaDiva’s dictum.

If you’d like, I will personally go over to Facebook and beat up some people for you instead.

I HAD completely forgotten about the debt! You're so honest to remind me.

Beating people upon Facebook...hmm... ;)

One other thing that will help this fine book move up slightly in the rankings is for us SDMBers to all put it on our "wish list", even if we already have a copy or can't afford to buy one.

"Helpful" votes to the good reviews will also help a little- assuming that you, indeed, do find the review helpful, of course.

Wealthier SDMBers might ask local libraries if they'd accept copies for circulation, and buy some.

Thank you for these suggestions.

I will be at the Roseland NJ public library tomorrow night at 7 p.m. to speak about the book.

http://www.rfplnj.org/?q=content%2Fvaccine-author-speak-library-monday-1119

Please come and meet me if you can.

:)

You'll be amazing.

I'm still thinking of requesting this book for my local library. I'll try to do it when I get the chance.

Thanks for your support!

[Jackmannii]

I'm still thinking of requesting this book for my local library. I'll try to do it when I get the chance.Our library system has 3 copies. I've requested a reserved copy for local pickup.

[Bookkeeper]

That's fantastic.

Booklist gave the book a very nice review.



The only odd thing about the review is she asserts we didn't provide an index. I assure anyone who wants to read it, the book does indeed have an index!

The reviewer likely received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC), which is essentially a proof copy sent out to reviewers, purchasing agents, etc. well in advance of actual printing, and which may be missing final changes such as an index.

[LavenderBlue]

I'll be on this radio program tonight at 9 pm EST:

http://webtalkradio.net/internet-talk-radio/parenting-with-playdate-planet/

The host has engaged an anti-vaccine idiot as well alas.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Markus-Heinze/398860120171153?fref=ts

Heinze self published some dreck on Amazon. He has a poor little daughter who has been diagnosed with type I diabetes. It's unfortunate that he's under the delusion her dreadful illness was caused by the hep b vaccine rather than a combination of genetics and other factors.

[EmilyG]

LavenderBlue, I hope they at least have the idiot on before you.

[LavenderBlue]

LavenderBlue, I hope they at least have the idiot on before you.

It was an interactive format where we talked to each other. I mostly feel sorry for him. He's clearly dealing with a terrible disease in a beloved child and trying to make sense of it. His response over and over and again was essentially look at the research. I hope he moves past the anti-vax websites and into some real research and some really true passionate help for his daughter grounded in authentic research rather than quackery. His poor little girl certainly deserves that.

[lorene]

Whoa. Now there's an anti-vax kids' book (http://www.salon.com/2013/01/07/anti_vaccine_book_tells_kids_to_embrace_measles/). :(

[IvoryTowerDenizen]

That's revolting.

[LavenderBlue]

Whoa. Now there's an anti-vax kids' book (http://www.salon.com/2013/01/07/anti_vaccine_book_tells_kids_to_embrace_measles/). :(

Efforts are being made to chase after her. I'm against censorship. I'm not in favor of giving every nut a platform.

Here's (http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/pearson-australia-group-angus-and-robertson-and-bookworld-end-sales-of-melanie-s-marvellous-measles-in-any-forum-2) a petition urging publishers not to go near it. It's self published so that should be a nearly automatic indication that the book does not deserve access to readers.

[LavenderBlue]

A very large vendor has removed the book for sale in Australia:

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health-fitness/controversial-anti-vaccination-book-removed-from-sale/story-fneuzlbd-1226551911539

AUSTRALIA'S largest online bookstore will no longer sell a book that promotes the "marvellous" benefits of measles.

I think we can call this a victory for sanity and common sense.

[EmilyG]

One of my facebook friends keeps posting anti-vax garbage. Arrgh.

I've been busy, but I still intend to request that book for the local library. (LavenderBlue's book!)

[Mr. Miskatonic]

Efforts are being made to chase after her. I'm against censorship. I'm not in favor of giving every nut a platform.

Here's (http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/pearson-australia-group-angus-and-robertson-and-bookworld-end-sales-of-melanie-s-marvellous-measles-in-any-forum-2) a petition urging publishers not to go near it. It's self published so that should be a nearly automatic indication that the book does not deserve access to readers.

The reviews on amazon.uk are a riot (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melanies-Marvelous-Measles-Stephanie-Messenger/dp/1466938897/) - even the 5 star ones. There's only one supporting one that I can see and that's an appeal to pity for the author whose kid died and she blames MMR vaccine

[Jackmannii]

The reviews on amazon.uk are a riot (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melanies-Marvelous-Measles-Stephanie-Messenger/dp/1466938897/) - even the 5 star ones. There's only one supporting one that I can see and that's an appeal to pity for the author whose kid died and she blames MMR vaccineAt least Messenger is getting publicity. A previous antivax book (http://www.amazon.com/Vaccination-Roulette-Experiences-risks-alternatives/dp/B000L9YNGM) she co-authored with Meryl Dorey has a grand total of one (one-star) review (act now, only two copies left on Amazon at $192 apiece).

[LavenderBlue]

Wherein I recently pwned an anti-vax idiot (http://webtalkradio.net/internet-talk-radio/2013/01/14/parenting-with-playdate-planet-the-vaccination-debate/) on a podcast.

:D

[Mr. Miskatonic]

I'm a little late with this, but apparently there was a small error in LB's book, and the anti-vax crowd went utterly apeshit (http://thepoxesblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/one-error-that-every-anti-vaccine.html)

[lorene]

I'm a little late with this, but apparently there was a small error in LB's book, and the anti-vax crowd went utterly apeshit (http://thepoxesblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/one-error-that-every-anti-vaccine.html)

Wow. Some people have way, way, WAY too much time on their hands.

What a wackjob that lady is with the two Facebook pages about this book.

[LavenderBlue]

I swear my next writing project is going to the most frivolous historical fiction imaginable. It gets a litle tiring constantly being called a baby-killing-Nazi-pharmashill. Bring on the parasols and the princesses! The tiaras and the teacups.

[lorene]

I swear my next writing project is going to the most frivolous historical fiction imaginable. It gets a litle tiring constantly being called a baby-killing-Nazi-pharmashill. Bring on the parasols and the princesses! The tiaras and the teacups.

Oh, go ahead and set feminism back all those years, why don't you...:p

[LavenderBlue]

Oh, go ahead and set feminism back all those years, why don't you...:p

But they'll be princesses who vaccinate so it will be okay.

:D

Thomas Jefferson was so delighted with the smallpox vaccine he actually learned how to administer it.

[Mr. Miskatonic]

Yeah, sorry LavenderBlue, but I really hope you knew that the anti-vax crowd were some of the most viscous, nasty, and near-psychotic woo crowd out there. Otherwise this kind of reaction would have been quite a shocker.

Seriously: (http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/12/01/the-anti-vaccine-movement-shows-just-how/) what is wrong with these people?

[LavenderBlue]

Yeah, sorry LavenderBlue, but I really hope you knew that the anti-vax crowd were some of the most viscous, nasty, and near-psychotic woo crowd out there. Otherwise this kind of reaction would have been quite a shocker.

Seriously: (http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/12/01/the-anti-vaccine-movement-shows-just-how/) what is wrong with these people?

Oh we knew they were crazy going in. We even goaded them by asking for a foreword by Dr. Offit and a review by Orac himself. But this was an itch I had to scratch. I almost had no choice about it. I'm just about done scratching at this point, though.

[Jackmannii]

some of the most viscous, nasty, and near-psychotic woo crowd out there.True, they can be quite snotty...

[LavenderBlue]

I will be making a keynote address to the Essex Metro Immunization Coalition in East Orange, New Jersey, on March 20! The presentation will be at New Hope Baptist Church of East Orange, 144 Norman Street, East Orange, from 1 - 3 p.m.

Please feel free to join me.

:)