Let me preface my review by acknowledging that the tips and tricks described in this book will probably be of great use in calming my baby when I have a newborn. And, if this book were, say, a seven-page article in a magazine, I would rip it out, keep it for reference, and recommend it to friends.
The problem is that this is not a seven-page article. It is a 260-page book. 260 pages of fluff, filler, and drawings. 260 pages to essentially inform the reader that calming a newborn takes "the 5 S's" (swaddling, side/stomach positioning, shhh'ing, swinging, and sucking).
How does one turn seven pages of material into a 260-page book? Oh, it's easy.
First, fill the book with nonsense. Here is an actual quote from the book: "I think a breast-feeding mom should be called Galactic Goddess!" No, really. Actual quote.
Second, use obviously-fictional "testimonials" from parents who have succeeded with your technique. My favorite is the one about the father who was so good at swaddling that, when he was at work as a lawyer, and his clients brought a screaming baby to the office, he was able to calm the baby in moments. Answer me this: Who the hell brings their screaming baby to their lawyer's office???
Oh, and let's not forget the "testimonial" from the Russian immigrant. She tells the author, "You don't have to show me dat. In my willage, we wrap dem and put BELT around. It holds dem wery good." In case you missed that she is a Russian immigrant, the author makes sure to underline "dat," "willage," "dem," and "wery" so that you, the reader, can't miss it. Oh, those crazy immigrants with their crazy accents!
So many times, I wanted to hurl this book across the room. I only finished it (a) because my husband insisted, and (b) to better be able to rant about it.
Apparently, there is a DVD. This is perhaps the only time I would recommend the movie over the book.