Seductive Delusions: How Everyday People Catch STDs

Dr. Grimes provides a fantastic way of detailing the signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted infections in a very easy to read book. The most compelling aspect of Seductive Delusions is the writing style; it is written as dialogue between college students and healthcare providers or other students. As a former university health educator, I think this type of writing is very useful when providing information on sexual health to students. Students will be able to relate to the characters in the book. Seductive Delusions is written in a way that will hold attention and stays away from purely biological and scientific discussions. Another very exciting aspect abou this book is that it does not rely on fear tactics. There is no over-dramatization of the STI's nor does Dr. Grimes to a purely abstinence based approach. The symptoms are detailed, but hope is provided throughout the written conversations. Dr. Grimes provides HOPE to students who have been diagnosed with incurable STI's and recommendations for healthy relationships while contending with the STI's. But hands down, my most appreciated aspect of this book is that Dr. Grimes provides stories about sexually transmitted infections from the perspectives of BOTH sexes. This book is not written solely from a woman's or a man's perspective. In this way, Dr. Grimes is able to provide details about the STI's, the transmission, and recommendations from perspectives that every reader will be able to relate to. I think every health education program should have a copy of this book. In fact, as a former peer educator and health educator, I think this would be an excellent resource when training student peer educators. It provides excellent details, explanations, and methods of discussing sexual health to college students. A tremendous benefit for our field!

I teach Health to high school students and use Dr. Grimes' book when we study STDs. Reading this book is a unique and exceptionally effective way for students to learn that STDs are surprisingly common and can affect sexually active people of all walks of life. Students respond positively to the story format of the text and openly express that learning about STDs with Dr. Grimes' book is more engaging than traditional approaches. I recommend this resource to other high school health educators as a new and exceptionally effective way to teach students how to avoid contracting an STD, how to identify the symptoms of the most common STDs and what kinds of treatments to expect in the event of getting one.

Sexually transmitted diseases (or STDs for short) are a nearly taboo subject in modern American culture, which is very strange considering how sexually-liberated it is. Many Americans, especially younger Americans, have gone through some sort of sex education, and they know more than pervious generations about human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases. In spite of all that, many people have a lot of misconceptions about STDs. In this very educational book, Dr. Jill Grimes, experienced family physician, uses the medium of story telling to drive home the risks and realities of unprotected sexual activity. She covers seven STDs in this book: herpes, human papilloma virus, cervical cancer, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, pubic lice, HIV, hepatitis C, and Syphilis. Each of the STDs is covered in two stories (one in the case of cervical cancer), explaining about the disease through a conversation between a man and a woman and their doctors. After that is a fact sheet and FAQ on the disease. This is a very sobering book, one that addresses a subject that we would rather not talk about, but really must. I think that it is extremely informative, and really should be read by just about everyone. Don't wait to get the sad news from your doctor, be proactive and read this book! (Review of Seductive Delusions: How Everyday People Catch STDs)

First, since my wife won't sleep in the same bed after catching me reading a book on STDs, I would suggest men cover "Seductive Delusions" with a copy of "Sports Illustrated" or "Field and Stream". Dr Jill Grimes does an excellent job conveying the deadly serious nature of today's STDs. The characters in her book, like those in a Stephen King horror novel, are all blissfully unaware of the impending tragedy resulting from casual sex. This is a must read for all kids in high school, college, and adults who enjoy "Sex and the City" reruns. If you can't see yourself, your friends, or your children in the attitudes of the people depicted in "Sexual Delusions", then it's time to get out of the convent. Be afraid...Be very afraid!

As a parent of a college student, I think ALL parents should get this book for their guys and girls. It's a MUST read for them now, and would've been great to have in those earlier H.S. years as well. This book makes it clear exactly when, how, and why people who are not promiscuous are catching STDs. This is NOT a boring textbook lecture on STDs, it reads like a story, featuring smart, educated young people who look, act and talk like your teen (or 20 or 30-something). What our kids consider "low risk" activities (you may or may not know what those are) actually still transmit diseases - with or without sex (who knew?) and with or without condoms! Whether you think your son/daughter is sexually active now or will be anytime soon, even and perhaps especially if it's with their future spouse, Seductive Delusions is a MUST HAVE so that you and they know what his/her real risks are! YIKES! P.S> I'm now buying copies for my single, adult friends too (it's a jungle out there)