Money Talks Money Talks, from director Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, takes an inside look at the tactics pharmaceutical companies employ to sell more drugs—from tempting physicians with expensive gifts to funding their own drug-efficacy studies. The documentary includes interviews with Jerome Hoffman, MD, director of the UCLA Doctoring Program; Jon Abramson, author of Overdo$ed; and former drug salespeople. Slattery-Moschkau's own experiences working for the pharmaceutical industry motivated her to make this documentary, as well as the fictional film Side Effects (starring Grey's Anatomy's Katherine Heigl), which explores the same topic, Hollywood style. (Money Talks and Side Effects: Hummingbird Pictures, 2006). Reviewed by Melissa Chianta Buy It Now!
The New Rules of Marriage: What You Need to Know to Make Love Work
This is the outstanding new book from renowned couples therapist Terrence Real. If you were to happen by the Mothering office, chances are you'd see any one of our editors glued to her copy, an "Ah-ha!" look in her eyes. A feminist, Real is all about women's empowerment—and helping men become capable of the deeper intimacy women are demanding. After 20 years of watching couples hash it out, his insights are right on target. He outlines five common destructive patterns of communication and behavior, then offers strategies for helping men and women ask for and give each other what they want and need. If you have relationship woes, put this on your gotta-get-it-now list. (Ballantine Books, 2007) Reviewed by Melissa Chianta Buy It Now!
The A.W.E. Project: Reinventing Education, Reinventing the Human is the latest work from noted theologian and educator Matthew Fox. The A.W.E Project is Fox's remedy for the current crisis in education: Honor the teachings of the Ancestors, value Wisdom as well as knowledge, and Educate children in what Fox calls the ten Cs: psycho-spiritual concepts and practices such as compassion, contemplation, creativity, courage, and community. Fox is a master at synthesizing ideas from diverse wisdom traditions to create wholly unique and inspiring ideologies. The book comes with a CD of rapper Professor Pitt's songs about the ten Cs. (If you're curious, go to YouTube.com and search on "Professor Pitt.") I highly recommend The A.W.E. Project, especially for homeschoolers and unschoolers looking for a vital new vision of education. (CopperHouse, 2006) Reviewed by Melissa Chianta