Following find an interview with authors V. Thomas George.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Health in Flames: A Doctor’s Prescription for Living BEYOND Diet and Exercise; published 08/19/2021.
What’s the book’s first line?
Americans have been hearing the same old advice from doctors like myself who preach the virtues of exercise and following a healthy diet for ages now. Let’s acknowledge the obvious: that advice is not working.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
The prescription for living given by our politicians, i.e. focusing on GDP growth, is adversely affecting our health in ways most people do not realize (long sedentary hours, poor sleep, stress, minimal attention to diet). The result is a growing burden of chronic disease, increasing obesity rates, and healthcare expenses topping $3.8 trillion. According to the World Happiness Report, despite the increase in GDP, happiness levels are decreasing in the last few decades in the U.S. I argue that the solution we need to address our health woes is not sophisticated technological breakthroughs but offering a new and better way of living by rethinking consumerism and our societal goal of increasing GDP growth.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I work as a family doctor and eventually worked up to the position of chief of quality. I recognized that the traditional approach was not working. I realized this is tied to our system of economics and how we manage our finances. The solution to this predicament will help us all to become happier, healthier, wealthier, more engaged and simply better.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
The main character in the book is Sam. He is a relatable figure. He is a person that the reader can empathize with as a fellow victim of mindless consumerism.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
This book will undoubtedly change your life! Studies show that only 2.3% of us manage to live a healthy life. And even if you do, there are only a few percent of the remaining people who are also financially healthy.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
I am not motivated by fame or by fortune. I am motivated by the message in this book. It is an urgent message. I believe anyone who reads this book will find their future to be better. That’s the easy part. I hope that some of those who read the book will be motivated enough to want to join me to help bring about societal transformation so that we can all become happier, healthier, and wealthier.