{"product_id":"the-politics-of-healing-of-alternative-medicine-history","title":"The Politics of Healing - of Alternative Medicine History","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Politics of Healing the reviewer finds a thoughtful, scholarly collection aimed at readers who want historical context for modern alternative medicine trends. The book brings together essays from historians and social scientists to show that therapies from homeopathy to Navajo healing did not simply vanish as professional medicine consolidated power. For anyone researching the social and political forces shaping North American healing practices, this volume provides balanced perspectives and archival insight that make it worth reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary essays:\u003c\/strong\u003e The collection assembles work by historians, anthropologists and sociologists to trace how different healing traditions interacted with political forces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chapters place alternative therapies in a multi-decade context, showing continuities and shifts in public popularity and professional responses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGeographic breadth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coverage ranges across North America and includes case studies such as Navajo healing alongside urban and commercial practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical counterarguments:\u003c\/strong\u003e Contributors challenge simple narratives that alternative medicine fell into disrepute after the Progressive Era, offering more nuanced explanations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSource-based analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Essays draw on archival and historical sources to support claims about institutions, practitioners and patient communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for students, researchers, and informed general readers interested in the history of medicine, health policy and cultural responses to healing. Those seeking a single-author introduction will find the edited-collection format valuable for exposing multiple methodologies and perspectives.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaders expecting a how-to guide, practical health advice, or an advocacy handbook for alternative therapies should look elsewhere; the volume is an academic treatment of social and political history rather than a consumer health manual.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffers a well-rounded, interdisciplinary view that highlights the political dimensions of healing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes both regional and national examples, broadening understanding of how therapies circulated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUses archival evidence and scholarly debate to challenge simple historical myths.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe edited-collection format means depth varies between chapters, so readers may find some essays stronger than others.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Politics of Healing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEditor\/Author\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRobert D. Johnston\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject area\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistory of medicine, Alternative medicine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGeographic focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorth America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInterdisciplinary essays from history, anthropology and sociology\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents, scholars, informed general readers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Politics of Healing is a worthwhile, evidence-driven collection for anyone studying the social and political history of alternative medicine. Its interdisciplinary essays provide valuable context that corrects simplified narratives about professionalization and public practice, making it good value for researchers and students who want documented history rather than popular health guidance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book cover specific healing traditions?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the volume includes discussions ranging from homeopathy to Navajo healing and other North American practices.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a practical guide to alternative therapies?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, this is a scholarly collection focused on historical and political analysis, not a how-to manual.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho edited the collection?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRobert D. Johnston is credited as the editor responsible for assembling the essays in this volume.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Robert D. Johnston","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48777380724955,"sku":"0415933382","price":173.35,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/31FfXprFzEL._SL1360.jpg?v=1778867494","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-politics-of-healing-of-alternative-medicine-history","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}