The following review was contributed by: NORM GOLDMAN, EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES

Many of us men who have reached our fifties or about to attain the big “five O” have been told that it is all- downhill from here on end!

How often do we begin reading our morning newspaper by first turning to the obituaries? As heart disease and cancer are the principal killers of the male species when they attain their fifties, we cringe at the thought of perhaps spotting the name of one of our buddies, who may have met his maker. How about those aching joints, bladder problems, hair loss, sleeplessness, upset stomachs, sexual dysfunctions, knee pains, lower back pains, shoulder pains and a number of other aches and pains in places we never knew existed.

Family and sports medicine physician Gordon Ehlers has teamed up with magazine editor, writer and author, Jeff Miller, to provide men reaching their fifties with a good overview guide as to what to expect when reaching this milestone and how to cope with many of the health - problems.

Though Facing Your Fifties: A Man’s Reference Guide to Mid-Life Health is probably the first medical reference book to address the health concerns of this particular age group, it could have easily been called A Man’s Reference Guide to Health. No matter what your age may be, the advice, recommendations and explanations will prove to be invaluable.

Focusing on three principal watch- words, “awareness, early-warning testing and preventive actions,” readers are counseled that they must take a pro-active attitude when it comes to their health. The authors make it very clear that the book is neither an encyclopedia nor a replacement for health service providers, but rather a first-consult book providing a general understanding and awareness of health matters as it affects males.

Divided into eight distinct sections, the authors explore such topics as blood sugar level, prostate examinations, exercise, diet, weight problems, musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular and respiratory networks, digestive and urinary tracts, sexual issues, mental state and changing patterns, cancer, becoming proactive, diet and smoking. In addition, the mixture of true life stories and sidebars replying to common queries such as can an aspirin a day really help, how a treadmill test really works, understanding inflammation, makes for a very compelling read.

The book’s strongest points are the authors’ determination to present information in a readable, down to earth and authoritative format. Readers with a low tolerance for medical jargon will find this book a pleasant change from many of the primers dealing with male health issues. However, as the epilogue states: “don’t obsess about your health. Simply live your life to the fullest.”