January Classic of the Month: Eat and Grow Thin by Vance Thompson

In the spirt of the new year, we at Cosimo are spending the month of January highlighting books that will help our readers become the best version of themselves. We are happy to present Cosimo's Classic of the Month for January: Eat and Grow Thin by Vance Thompson.

Known as one of America's first low-carb diet books, author Vance Thompson offers his strategy for "escaping the tragedy of growing fat." What's more. "The Mahdah menus tell you exactly what to eat just what food values should be banked every day. The menus are composed. Each luncheon is complete in itself. Each dinner provides exactly the nutriment needed and in exactly the right proportions. And breakfast? Oh, we of the slim-waisted gracilities breakfast on a cup of yellow tea or a cup of black coffee or a dish of fresh, ripe fruit."

Originally published in 1914 and long out-of-print, Eat and Grow Thin proves just how long low-carbohydrate eating plans have been around. Of course, contemporary dieters familiar with the current low-carb craze will find memorable advice here as well as a wealth of "slimming recipes" from the turn of the century.

About the Author

Vance Thompson (1863-1925) was an American author and literary "Renaissance Man" of the early 20th century. His work covers a wide-range of genres including poetry, stage plays, miscellaneous manuscripts as well as sheet music. Capitalizing on popular tastes of the era, his earlier works include Take It From Me: A Look in on the Other Fellow (1916), Drink and Be Sober (1916), and Live and Be Young (1920). An extensive collection of his literary works and personal papers are stored in the Library for Rare Books and Special Collections at Princeton University.

Eat and Grow Thin is available on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at your favorite bookstores. From everyone here at Cosimo, we wish you a very Happy New Year!

August Classic of the Month: The Master Key System

Our August Classic of the Month is a highly popular turn of the (20th) century work on personal achievement and success, i.e., one of the original self-help books. The Master Key System, by Charles F. Haanel, is a work that  has inspired and motivated scores of "employees" to make their careers and lives a booming success.

The idea that the key to professional and personal fulfillment is in our hands is a very provocative idea, and self-made millionaire businessman Charles F. Haanel not only believed this, he lived it. Even better, he wrote the instruction manual for how to use the tools that we all have available, our minds and spirits, to open the door to happier, healthier, smarter, more successful selves. By outlining the laws and principles that dictate achievement and personal development, Haanel makes creative power, motivation, and action accessible. This book is part philosophy, part positive psychology, and part business doctrine, and is sure to continue inspiring individuals to be the best they can be for centuries to come.

American author and entrepreneur Charles F. Haanel (1866-1949) was member of the American Scientific League and the American Society of Psychical Research, and author of several books including Mental Chemistry and The New Psychology.

August Book of the Month: Everything You Want to Know about TM

Cosimo's Book of the Month for August is our extremely popular Everything You Want to Know about TM--Including How to Do It, by John White. Wildly popular in the 1970s and '80s, Transcendental Meditation (TM) continues to be one of the most accessible forms of Eastern spiritual practice in the West. But does it live up to its hype? In this objective exploration of TM, consciousness researcher John White looks at what's billed as "a simple, natural, and effortless mental technique, practiced twenty minutes a day" and takes on its critics as well as its cheerleaders.

The book has received popular acclaim as well as criticism for its controversial subject matter. Comments from readers include:

"I applaud John White for writing this book and I enjoyed reading it very much. His critical writings about spirituality and the science of TM were very insightful and thought-provoking."

"This little book is the best book on Transcendental Meditation I have ever read... Read this book and you will have a balanced view of TM."

 "This book is unique in that unlike most books telling readers how great TM is, White gives the pros and cons of TM from every point of view... To me, everyone who wants to learn TM should read this book carefully."

Everything You Want to Know About TM is available as a paperback book and an ebook from Kindle and Nook.

John White is an internationally-known author in the fields of consciousness research and higher human development. He has published 15 books and his writing has appeared in publications in the United States and abroad. He has published three books with Cosimo, including A Practical Guide to Death and Dying and his children's story, The Christmas Mice. 

Please be advised that the author, John White, has not been licensed or certified by the Maharishi Vedic Education Development Corporation to teach the “Transcendental Meditation ®” or “TM ®” programs.  Nor has this book been endorsed or authorized in any way by the Maharishi Vedic Education Development Corporation.