Concussions and Our Kids - by Mark Hyman & Robert Cantu (Paperback)

About the Book

The brain trauma crisis in sports and what must be done to protect young athletes.

Book Synopsis

See the movie "Concussion." But first read the classic book from the acclaimed concussion doctor who's changing how America thinks about safety in youth sports.

"This is an important, cutting-edge work by the premier specialist in his field. If you watch sports, or if you have a young athlete in your family, you need to read this book." --Dan Shaughnessy, author of The Curse of the Bambino

From Washington to Quebec, from offices at the NFL to the New York Times, from the NHL players' union to the soccer fields of Anytown, U.S.A., people are talking about concussions. At the center of this crisis--and one of the key reasons for this increased awareness--is Dr. Robert Cantu, the country's leading expert on athletic brain trauma and a pioneer in the study of the link between concussions and progressive brain disease in athletes.

Concussions and Our Kids is the first prescriptive book of its kind to address the issue of head trauma in sports and to offer guidelines for playing sports safely. Described as "the single most important issue in sports today," concussions are widespread and devastating. Dr. Cantu has treated thousands of patients, from pro athletes to peewee players, and his groundbreaking research is changing how sports are played. Parents, coaches, and players can learn from this combination manifesto/manual, helping to reduce concussions now and prevent more brain trauma down the road.

"A well-researched, riveting story that every coach and parent of a young athlete should read." --Christine Brennan, USA Today sports columnist and author of Best Seat in the House

From the Back Cover

This is an important, cutting-edge work by the premier specialist in his field. If you watch sports, or if you have a young athlete in your family, you need to read this book. Dan Shaughnessy, author of The Curse of the Bambino
From Washington to Quebec, from offices at the NFL to the New York Times, from the NHL players union to the soccer fields of Anytown, U.S.A., people are talking about concussions. At the center of this crisis and one of the key reasons for this increased awareness is Dr. Robert Cantu, the country s leading expert on athletic brain trauma and a pioneer in the study of the link between concussions and progressive brain disease in athletes.
Concussions and Our Kids is the first prescriptive book of its kind to address the issue of head trauma in sports and to offer guidelines for playing sports safely. Described as the single most important issue in sports today, concussions are widespread and devastating. Dr. Cantu has treated thousands of patients, from pro athletes to peewee players, and his groundbreaking research is changing how sports are played. Parents, coaches, and players can learn from this combination manifesto/manual, helping to reduce concussions now and prevent more brain trauma down the road.
A well-researched, riveting story that every coach and parent of a young athlete should read. Christine Brennan, USA Today sports columnist and author of Best Seat in the House
[AU PHOTO] ROBERT CANTU, M.D., is the chief of neurosurgery and chairman of the Department of Surgery at Emerson Hospital, and codirector of Boston University s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy. At his practice at Emerson Hospital, he treats hundreds of patients a year for concussions suffered while playing sports.
MARK HYMAN is a sports journalist whose previous books on youth sports are Until It Hurts and The Most Expensive Game in Town.

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Review Quotes

"Throughout this reasoned yet cautionary text, the authors arm readers with critical information... Each sport receives the author's scrutiny as he calls for awareness, honest dialog, and meaningful change...his life-saving message should be mandatory reading for all those involved in kids' sports."--Publishers Weekly "Neurosurgeon Cantu offers parents, coaches and athletes an authoritative look at concussions...Cantu offers comprehensive research on post-concussion syndrome, second impact syndrome and chronic traumatic encephalopathy....a sober look at a substantial health risk for young and mature athletes."
- Kirkus Reviews "Concussions have become the most important sports story of the decade, and there is no better person to read on the subject than Dr. Robert Cantu. This book comes along at a crucial time in our national conversation on the dangers of head injuries throughout American sports. It's a well-researched, riveting story that every coach and parent of a young athlete should read."
- Christine Brennan, USA Today sports columnist, ABC News commentator, author of Best Seat in the House "This is an important, cutting edge work, by the premier specialist in his field. If you watch sports, or if you have a young athlete in your family, you need to read this book. It gives the expression, 'seeing stars' a whole new meaning."
- Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe columnist and author of The Curse of the Bambino and Senior Year "Much of the sports establishment wants players, and their parents, in the dark about concussions. This book shines the light."
- Gregg Easterbrook, football columnist, ESPN
"Bob Cantu and Mark Hyman have been long-time leaders in America, widely disseminating common sense information on concussions in younger athletes; an issue so serious and newsworthy, that it's warranted front page headlines in major media outlets. With this book, Bob and Mark will not sugarcoat anything; it's a truly sobering reminder that even our children's "playtime" can have serious medical and life consequences. If your children--or grandchildren--participate in sports, please read this book; you'll agree with me afterwards that properly reflecting and acting upon its conclusions will give all these young athletes a better chance to become healthy and active adults."
- Bob Bigelow, Co-author, Just Let the Kids Play and former NBA First Round Draft Choice and Player --

About the Author

ROBERT CANTU, M.D., is the chief of neurosurgery and chairman of the Department of Surgery at Emerson Hospital, and codirector of Boston University's Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy.
MARK HYMAN is a sports journalist and the author of Until It Hurts.