Dr. Kilburn's book, Endangered Brains, presents an informed and provocative view of chemical injury which I believe most Pariah Reader's will truly appreciate. I am especially impressed with the elegance of his presentation about this complex and often misunderstood topic. Because of this ease, Dr. Kilburn's book is a great choice for either the patient, family member, friend or physician; anyone who desires to understand how common exposures to molds and chemicals are endangering our brains.

Throughout the book Dr. Kilburn's sets a refreshing and honest tone in spite of the serious consequences of chemical brain injury and the grim outcome for many of his patients. A fact he deals with quite candidly in the prologue to Endangered Brains; "Debra died first; then Barry, Kevin, Karla, Ann and Lisa died. Now there are a dozen deaths, deaths in patients, I had measured brain damage from chemicals. Deaths from problems many physicians had dismissed as "it's all in your head."" 

To be frank, I am not an unbiased reviewer of this book. My family is included in chapter three, "No Place to Hide, (chlorine)." We were patients of Dr. Kilburn's and after reading the prologue I wasn't sure if I was ready to continue on and learn more about the potentially dismal prognosis of chemical brain injury. Thankfully, I did read on and quickly learned Dr. Kilburn wields the formidable topic of chemical injury with dedication and skill. His calm, unwavering delivery is reassuring and will give readers the ability to grasp the nature of the problem, the solutions, as well as, have hope for the future.

I especially found this to be true of chapter fourteen, "Fighting Back - Coping and Rehabilitation." For me, this is the most important chapter in the book. This chapter concisely explores coping with the cognitive impairments expected in a chemical brain injury. In this section Dr. Kilburn deftly compares chemical brain injury with other forms of brain injury. I found these distinctions, which are also made throughout the book, to be very insightful, since few of us have a true picture of what a chemical brain injury is, how it impairs us, or how it differs from traumatic or cerebral brain injuries. After all, if we can't define it, we can't treat it.

More than likely, the entire concept of everyday chemicals injuring our brains to the degree described by Dr. Kilburn in this book will be new -even shocking- to many readers. It's a topic there is almost no comparative literature on. Most of us living with toxic encephalopathy, or some other manifestation of chemical injury, simply suffer in ignorance and isolation never knowing the true cause and debilitating nature of our illness. As Dr. Kilburn writes, "Chemical injury has been overlooked mainly because it is misinterpreted as depression, fatigue or aging." Considering the grave consequences improper diagnosis and inadequate treatment will have on potentially millions of Americans, I would rate this as a breakthrough book; for forthrightly describing and interpreting the affects of chemicals on the human brain, and for illustrating to us that those functional effects can be defined, measured and quantified.

I also enjoyed the organization of the material in this book. In chapters one through twelve Dr. Kilburn begins with a personal story, highlighting the experiences of a particular patient's exposure and subsequent injury from either mold or chemicals. Then he succinctly lays out facts and effects from common ubiquitous toxins. In each chapter, within a few pages, he is able to offer the depth of his own personal perspective. I suspect his brevity and straight forward presentation is a commodity every reader will value.

There is no doubt after reading Endangered Brains that Dr. Kilburn retains a unique mastery of his subject and a deep regard for his patients. His lifetime of academic research, combined with hands-on field experience, and tough toxic tort battles, provide rich and textured depth to his scientific exploration of the human brain. This well rounded foundation significantly enhances what otherwise could be dull and difficult material. Like an episode of Law and Order, Dr. Kilburn carries the reader through each crucial stage of injury as he astutely observes his patients experiences, then aptly recognizes the destruction toxins are wreaking on our endangered brains and what each of us can do about it.

Dr. Kaye Kilburn, M.D.   Dr. Kaye H. Kilburn was the Ralph Edgington Professor of Medicine at the University of Southern California, School of Medicine. His career spans problem-solving in respiratory failure, emphysema, asbestosis and byssinosis at Duke University and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. More recently neurobehavioral and pulmonary impairment as a result of exposure to common chemicals: mold, hydrogen sulfide, diesel, pesticides, and insecticides, have been a primary focus for study.  Since 1982 he has investigated chemicals and the brain. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Archives of Environmental Health and has published over 250 scientific papers and 3 books.