The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman (1998, Paperback)

In our culture, when one is sick, one has to do everything in order to get better. This includes going to a doctor, taking the required medicines and even undergoing surgery to “fix” any physical abnormalities of the body. It is simply assumed that being sick is a bad thing and thus, undesirable (DeJong 1983). However, in certain cultures such as Hmong’s, a particular “sickness” is actually desirable. This particular sickness is epilepsy. In Hmong culture, epilepsy is more known as a state of qaug dab peg when it literally means “the spirit catches you and you fall down”. Although known as a serious condition, it is still desirable because a Hmong with epilepsy can often become shaman, a person with higher social status in Hmong’s community for his/her spiritual healing power (Fadiman 1997). This view clearly contradicts the view of modern Western medicines, and therefore often results in a clash between the two cultures: Hmong and American’s, as shown in “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two cultures” by Anne Fadiman. Through this book, we are forced to question the credibility of medical model and the possibility of embracing alternative models, such as the one employed by Hmong people and in the process of doing so, we may be able to learn respecting cultures and backgrounds that are different from ours.

book was shipped promptly and came in excellent condition. seller was a great communicator and friendly. book has been a great read. thank you!

was new book, and the book was as the seller decribed. pleasure doing business with you.Book was needed for my english class, seller was not living that far, so got the book in a day.

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the book was as promised and arrived in a timely manner, right on time for school to start. thank you and have a good day

Brand new book arrived without any defects; took a little long to get order and shipping confirmation.

Received the book in time frame ordered (expedited shipping). Book is in EXCELLENT condition.

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Not many books show and tell in such excellent detail a story about crosscultural interactions, especially within the realm of medicine. In reading the bok it helps bring out any ethnocentric opinions one might have when dealing with other cultures. It is quickly discovered how different two people can view the world as the author takes the reader into the world of the Hmong, a displaced, abused, proud people. She shows clearly the conflict of them as displaced people in a foreign land with a worldview, which is 180 degrees opposite theirs, as well as showing the frustration and difficulty experieced by the medical professionals in handling the Hmong.

There are always "must reads" out there. I acquired the book for a required reading for first year medical school, and I have to readily say that it is a must read for all, because in medicine in this day and age we must all work with cultures quite unlike our own. This book opens the eyes to the reality and validity of the views and beliefs of those around us, though worlds apart. Upon reading the book you will not be able to view any other culture, including your own, in the same light again. It has been truly humbling to me, someone that has worked on several different continents, among vastly different cultures.

Needed to buy the testbook for a class and really enjoyed it. It is an interesting, thought provoking book.

This book gives an insight into a culture different from our own. This happened in the town I live in and I'm familiar with the doctors and hospitals mentioned which added interest. In my job I deal with the Hmong and this very poignant story gave me exactly what I needed at the time I was dealing with a medical issue of one of my Hmong students. The chapters are paralleled with the Hmong history and what the family and little girl were experiencing in the western world and the clash of those cultures. Read this book when it came out and bought this book for my daughter who is joining the ranks of teaching. I would recommend this book to help develop cultural sensitivity.

In a cuturally diverse world, cultural competency is something we should all strive for. This book provides an excellent example of 2 cultures clashing in a critical time in a child's life. And this happens here everyday. I learned about the Hmong culture, as well as discovering myself and my beliefs and values. Very easy to read; I could not put it down!

This book was so fast arriving at my house and when it did, it was in fabulous condition, practically brand new! Thanks for the reliability!

The language used was easy to understand and relate to. Fadiman is able to portray levels of cultural clashes between the medical world and refugee families with language barriers and miscommunications. Her ability to find stories and views from both sides makes this book an excellent source of awareness when learning about cultural sensitivity.

EXCELLENT BOOK SO FAR!!EXCELLENT SHAPE!!!WILL BUY FROM AGAIN!!!!NEEDED IT FOR MY BSN PROGRAM. FAST SHIPPER!!!MORE THAN EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS AND WISHES.

I really liked that the item came really fast and in a good conditions. I hope other users will use this opportunity to purchase their items/books. Thank you very much

I had to read this book for school, granted I was not excited about it. But once I read the first page I was hooked! I honestly couldn't put the book down (but I had to so I wouldn't get too ahead of my classmates).
Great eye-opening book of the collision of two cultures!

I bought the book because it was recommended by my instructor. I am taking a cultural class in nursing and this book is great.

I work in healthcare but not direct care for patients. To understand two very different views on treating an individual based on cultural differences was an eye-opener. I would think that anyone who may be in line for "customer service" for healthcare with opportunity to encounter ethnic differences should be required to read this book.

i will never use ebay again! it was the first time i used it and i never even recieved the book i ordered!!!!!!!!!!!!

the book came within a week or so...perfect timing...this book is great..i got in really good condition and i cant stop reading it..the story is so wonderful..

I needed the book for class and it came way before I needed it...we actually don't start it until next week, but it was nice to know that I had it at home already when the professor reminded us about it this week. Book came very quickly and in good shape!

The condition was just like new. It was for a medical anthropology class. I had to do a paper on it, and it was incredible!!! The book was one of the best non-fiction books I've read in a long time.

I bought this book as required reading for a class. As it was winter break, I had time and decided to read it before the class. It was so engaging that I hardly put it down, and I kept wanting to read more even after I had finished it.

It follows the story of a young Hmong girl with epilepsy, Lia Lee, from both the point of view of her doctors and of her family. Her parents were refugees from Laos who immigrated to Merced, California in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. They speak no English and understand very little of US culture, as the Hmong have always lived in the mountains as farmers. They face tremendous difficulty in trying to communicate with the doctors; each side is trying to do what their culture says is best for Lia, but the two are often not compatible, not to mention that neither side can seem to make itself understood.

Anne Fadiman really did her research, seeming to have talked to anyone who had contact with Lia during these troubled years. She explains Hmong culture in a straight-forward, matter-of-fact manner, as she learned it from the Hmong people she came to know as friends. She also describes the troubles and even personal health issues of the American doctors who were trying so hard to help Lia.

I think Fadiman does justice to both sides, not laying blame on either, but showing how the vast differences in ways of thinking can lead to such large problems. She also tells how problems such as these have lead to the American medical industry becoming more open to other cultures' forms of medicine, and learning how to have a happy medium between the two.

A highly-engaging read for even someone who knows nothing about the Hmong, the medical industry, or problems with communication between two cultures.

This book was required reading for a medical school student I know. It is an enlightening book and an inspirational story. I'm so glad I had it recommended to me.

This book is amazing! It taught me everything i didnt know about hmong people. i totaly recommmend this book to anyone who love to know more about their culture or just loves reading interesting facts about cultures. I never even knew this book was out until last year! GREATT book!