The Cancer Survivors Club: A Collection of Inspirational and Uplifting Survival Stories

English journalist and cancer survivor Geiger anthologizes his columns, which ran in the U.K.'s Independent newspaper, about battling the disease, presented alongside others' accounts of cancer diagnoses and treatments. When this collection first appeared, in self-published form, it became popular among cancer survivors, and this edition (which has not been altered) will likewise be a source of solace for cancer patients and their families. The appeal of the book, which begins with Geiger's own story of undergoing two years of treatment, lies in the numerous examples of people who fought cancer and won. It also provides a cautionary note, with two typical entries involving young, seemingly healthy people who were diagnosed while visiting the doctor for, respectively, flu-like symptoms and a bout of indigestion caused by spicy noodles. Nearly every selection is written in a plain, confessional manner appropriate for a support group meeting, which should make the book feel even more relevant and inspiring both for survivors and those currently contending with cancer. The intercalary chapters in which Geiger reprints his columns provide injections of heartwarming, humorous insight into an otherwise somber volume. Each story and column is brief, to the point, and free of difficult medical terminology, ensuring an accessible read for those who will most benefit from it. (Aug.)