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A review by matthewcpeck
The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer by Harvey Karp
3.0
I'll give 3 1/2 stars to Dr. Karp's 'cuddle cure'. Although thus far untested by yours truly, it's logical, seemingly natural, and the culmination of years of hard work and scrupulous research. I was also intrigued by the asides detailing the child-rearing practices of 'primitive' cultures around the world.
I'll give 2 1/2 stars, however, to the book itself. As my wife and many other reviewers here have observed, it's a padded, highly repetitive, and needlessly drawn-out treatment for a concept that could have been perfectly communicated in a longform magazine article. I mean, an entire chapter about the 'shush' sound? Really? And Dr. Karp's writing style doesn't help matters. I realize that this sort of book should be designed for a wide audience, but the incessant exclamation points and appalling puns had me weary within the first 5 pages. It made 'The Birth Partner' seem like Dostoevsky in comparison.
In conclusion: 'The Happiest Baby On The Block' certainly contains useful, sane advice, and it is worth borrowing from a library or a friend. But I wouldn't recommend that you purchase it with actual money.
I'll give 2 1/2 stars, however, to the book itself. As my wife and many other reviewers here have observed, it's a padded, highly repetitive, and needlessly drawn-out treatment for a concept that could have been perfectly communicated in a longform magazine article. I mean, an entire chapter about the 'shush' sound? Really? And Dr. Karp's writing style doesn't help matters. I realize that this sort of book should be designed for a wide audience, but the incessant exclamation points and appalling puns had me weary within the first 5 pages. It made 'The Birth Partner' seem like Dostoevsky in comparison.
In conclusion: 'The Happiest Baby On The Block' certainly contains useful, sane advice, and it is worth borrowing from a library or a friend. But I wouldn't recommend that you purchase it with actual money.