Here is my first book review. It also is one of the first books I've read on the subject of diabetes. Its "Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars" by Dr. Richard K. Bernstein.
Dr. Bernstein is a bit of a jerk. He preaches an Aiken's style diet. Actually, its more like Aiken's diet times 10. 30 carbs per day. That's it. That's all you get. Here is a list of things you cannot eat: Sweets (including "sugar-free" ones that contain sugar alcohols), Sweet & Starchy Veggies (beans, beets, carrots, corn, onions, potatoes, tomatoes), ALL fruits, ALL fruit & veggie juices, milk, yogurt (except plain), anything with flour in it, rice, pasta, cereal and a ton of commerically prepared food. That's quite the list. When I first read it, I looked in my cupboard and saw virtually nothing that I could even eat according to his diet. What is left? Meat, cheese, some veggies here and there. Now that is SOME diet.
One thing I do like about this book is the information contained in it. There is so much information on various common ailments for diabetics that I haven't really seen in any other book. He devotes a full chapter to 'Delayed Stomach Emptying', chapters on different type of insulin regimens, and what to discuss with your diabetes specialist and family doctor, what tests need to be done to ensure you are healthy and why things are happening to you.
Overall, I liked this book for the information it contained about diabetes and its affects on the human body. (Given that it was one of the first books I've read about diabetes, most of my information came from the Interweb). However, I didn't like the tone of the book. It seems he feels he is better then you and everyone should be in this diet and if you cannot do it, you aren't as good as he is. Good for information about what diabetes is and what is does to you. Bad for advice on how to control your blood sugars.
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