Book Review: My Brain is Out of Control by Dr. Patrick Mbaya

Publication Date: September 2016
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Formats: Ebook
Pages: 76
Genre: Biography/Autobiography
Tour Dates: October 23-December 15

     

Although Dr. Patrick Mbaya’s illness caused a lot distress and nearly took his life, the emotional symptoms of the depression he developed helped him understand and empathize with patients and how they feel when they become ill. In My Brain is Out of Control, Mbaya, fifty-five and at the peak of his career, shares a personal story of how he suffered from a brain infection in 2010 that caused loss of speech, right-sided weakness, and subsequent depression. He tells how he also dealt with the antibiotics complications of low white cell count and hepatitis. He narrates his experiences as a patient, the neurological and psychiatric complications he encountered, how he coped, and his journey to recovery. Presenting a personal perspective of Mbaya’s illness from the other side of the bed, My Brain is Out of Control, offers profound insight into battling a serious illness.

MY REVIEW:

I agreed to review this book because I thought it would be interesting to read a book written from a doctor's point of view. We've all been there - hoping that someone might be able to help us when we feel ill, whether physically or mentally. Dr. Mbaya suffered from a brain infection that caused him not only physical symptoms but mental ones as well.

This book is a detailed account of what he when through and how he worked through his illness to come out on the other side a better man and doctor. A truly fascinating read and one that will make you think about how quickly things can change in your life, and how with hard work and perseverance you can overcome and become a better person, able to help others. 

Dr. Patrick Mbaya is a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry. He is a consultant psychiatrist and honorary clinical lecturer in psychiatry at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. He has a special interest in mood and addiction disorders.

Guest blog from Alastair Fraser, author of Forestry Flavours of the Month: The Changing Face of World Forestry

Publication Date: May 20, 2016
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Formats: Ebook
Pages: 228
Genre: Biography
Tour Dates: September 4 - 15

     

Forestry touches on all aspects of human welfare in one way or another, which is why foresters need to play an active role in determining our collective agenda. Alastair Fraser, a lifelong forester and the co-founder of LTS International, a forestry consulting company, explains how forestry changes with political cycles and how foresters can promote healthy forests at all times.

He explores critical issues such as:
• forests and their connection to coal;
• forest's role in combatting floods and climate change;
• illegal logging in Indonesia, Laos, and elsewhere;
• tactics to promote sustainable forestry management;
• plantations as a solution to tropical deforestation.

From pulping in Sweden and Brazil, paper mills in Greece and India, agroforestry in the Philippines, "pink" disease in India and oil bearing trees of Vietnam, no topic is off limits. Based on the author's life as a forester in dozens of countries, this account shows the breadth of forestry and makes a convincing case that forestry management needs to focus on managing change and achieving sustainability. Whether you're preparing to become a forester, already in the field, or involved with conservation, the environment or government, you'll be driven to action with Forestry Flavours of the Month.

Forestry Flavours of the Month; the Changing Face of World Forestry 

Forests still cover almost a third of the world’s land area, but few people other than professional foresters and conservationist have much idea about what forests are and how they benefit mankind. The word “forest” conjures up many differing images for people depending on where they live and what kind of life they lead. 

The book highlights the author’s 55-year career as an international forestry consultant, and shows how the issues facing forestry and foresters around the world have changed over time. Major issues such as tropical deforestation and sustainability have come and gone in response to economic and political cycles. Covering rural poverty and development, climate change, energy, airships, floating pulp mills, radio communication, tobacco curing and more, the book also highlights some of the difficulties foresters face, such as illegal logging.

“Climate change, tropical deforestation and environmental degradation are major issues for today’s society, and while it is easy to suggest things that should be done, the reality of trying to change things on the ground is very challenging,”. 

The combination of an autobiography and a travel book related to global forestry, the book shares the author’s experiences in over 20 countries, including the United States, Russia, China and Brazil. The final chapter also highlights the worrying trend around the world for governments to split responsibility for the production side of forests from the conservation and environmental aspects between departments, thus weakening the ability of the professionals to take a holistic approach to the management of forests. 

“For older people who are concerned about the environment and related issues, I hope the book will provide them with a better understanding of what is actually happening around the world and what foresters are trying to do about it,” “For young readers in high school or university, I hope that the book will inspire some of them to take up the challenge of becoming foresters and following up on some of the issues raised in the book.”

Alastair Fraser is a founder member of the archaeology group No Man s Land. He has worked as researcher and participant in a number of Great War documentaries. Steve Roberts is a retired police officer and an ex-regular soldier. He specialises in researching individuals who served during the war and is also a founder member of No Man s Land. Andrew Robertshaw frequently appears on television as a commentator on battlefield archaeology and the soldier in history, and he has coordinated the work of No Man s Land. His publications include Somme 1 July 1916: Tragedy and Triumph, Digging the Trenches (with David Kenyon) and The Platoon.

Book feature: The Special and the Ordinary by David Clapham

Title: The Special and the Ordinary
Author: David Clapham
Publisher: iUniverse
Genre: Coming of Age
Format: Ebook

John Haworth, despite innate shyness, has floated upward in a comfortable English home environment under the influence of much older sisters and their friends. After he begins a new school in the early fifties, the seven-year-old is looking lost when a classmate, Martin Holford, decides to take him under his wing. And so begins a long friendship.

Ordinary rules of life apparently do not apply to the confident Martin except, perhaps, when he allows his mischievous humor excessive free rein against the self-important. While on separate coming-of-age journeys, Martin and John get on fine, despite John's occasional resentment about Martin's ability to bounce back after perpetrating 'wrong notes' against the wealthy while John slaves away attempting to make new music sound modern. John, who has no desire to be to be an apathetic musician like his viola teacher, unfortunately lacks the talent, personality, and love of limelight to match his glamorous piano teacher or Katherine, the singer he accompanies on the piano. Now all he has to do is somehow find his place amid an uncertain career as a ghost composer where chances come as infrequent as success.

The Special and the Ordinary shares the unique story of two young people as they come of age and step into the future, each with a different idea on what it means to be true to themselves.

iUniverse awarded The Special and the Ordinary the 'Editor's Choice' designation. Here are excerpts from the enthusiastic editorial reviews:

"Definitely a worthwhile read, I recommend The Special and the Ordinary to lovers of literary fiction." - Pacific Book Review

"...heartwarming and uplifting." - Kirkus Reviews

"The writing is clear and refreshing, with clean sentences that move the story along at a brisk pace." - Clarion Review

David Clapham grew up in in Sheffield, England and studied botany at Oxford. After working at the Welsh Plant Breeding Station in Aberystwyth, Wales, he moved to Uppsala, Sweden, where he still lives today. David and his Swedish wife Lena have two children. He has also published Odd Socks with iUniverse in 2013. 

Interview with Dr. Patrick Mbaya, author of My Brain is Out of Control

Publication Date: September 2016
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Formats: Ebook
Pages: 76
Genre: Biography/Autobiography
Tour Dates: September 25-October 20

     

Although Dr. Patrick Mbaya’s illness caused a lot distress and nearly took his life, the emotional symptoms of the depression he developed helped him understand and empathize with patients and how they feel when they become ill. In My Brain is Out of Control, Mbaya, fifty-five and at the peak of his career, shares a personal story of how he suffered from a brain infection in 2010 that caused loss of speech, right-sided weakness, and subsequent depression. He tells how he also dealt with the antibiotics complications of low white cell count and hepatitis. He narrates his experiences as a patient, the neurological and psychiatric complications he encountered, how he coped, and his journey to recovery. Presenting a personal perspective of Mbaya’s illness from the other side of the bed, My Brain is Out of Control, offers profound insight into battling a serious illness.

Is there one thing you would give up if it meant you would be a better writer? 

Majority of my time is spent on my job as a psychiatric medical doctor. My job gives me a lot of satisfaction, getting people better (99.9%, nearly!), and it will be difficult to give it up at the moment. However, when I do retire, I will have plenty of time.

Do you believe in writer’s block? 

No, I don’t.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about mental health? 

As one cannot see what is wrong, as it is the case with physical illnesses, some people find it difficult to accept or believe someone is unwell. It is also difficult as mental health illnesses, may present like abnormal or even normal behaviours (like sadness), to believe that indeed the individual is ill. These illnesses are due to a chemical in balance in the emotional (limbic) brain. Treatment work by balancing  back these changes. Hopefully in the near future we will have tests to confirm the clinical diagnosis of these illnesses!

What makes your book stand out from the crowd? 

It is unique, as I am a medical doctor specialising in psychiatry, who suffered from a mystery brain infection, discussed from both a patient’s and doctor’s perspective. I discuss the clinical conditions I suffered from, in clear and simple terms to enable people (even those without any medical background), to understand.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to listen to music or watch my son make music in the studio (he is a producer, writer, and a multi-instrumentalist).

Dr. Patrick Mbaya is a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry. He is a consultant psychiatrist and honorary clinical lecturer in psychiatry at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. He has a special interest in mood and addiction disorders.

Monday, September 25

Interviewed at Niume

Tuesday, September 26

Guest blogging at Lover of Literature

Wednesday, September 27

Guest blogging at Harmonious Publicity

Thursday, September 28

Interviewed at The Book Refuge

Monday, October 2

Guest blogging at Fiction to Fruition

Tuesday, October 3

Interviewed at A Book Lover

Wednesday, October 4

Guest blogging at The Revolving Bookshelf

Friday, October 6

Interviewed at From Paperback to Leatherbound

Tuesday, October 10

Guest blogging at Book Cover Junkie

Wednesday, October 11

Interviewed at The Hype and the Hoopla

Friday, October 13

Guest blogging at My Bookish Pleasures

Tuesday, October 17

Interviewed at Voodoo Princess

Wednesday, October 18

Guest blogging at The Literary Nook

Thursday, October 19

Interviewed at Write and Take Flight

Friday, October 20

Guest blogging at Confessions of an Eccentric Bookaholic

Book Feature: The Light Theatre Opened to Universe (II) by Kazuo Ueno

Title: The Light Theater Opened to Universe (II)

Author: Kazuo Ueno

Publisher: Xlibris

Genre: Philosophy

Format: Ebook

How 17th Century Dutch Painter Johannes Vermeer's idea was ifluenced from Christian Huygens? Perhaps in the sense of subconsciousness and eventually how it was realized by the method so called "Mitate" (look alike) in his painting as Heaven & Earth correspondence. His painting represents "Universe" itself.