“The Pritikin Weight Loss Breakthrough” By Robert Pritikin, Soundelux Audio. Two cassettes. Length: 3 hours, $17.95, Read by Russ Wheeler. Available in bookstores or call (800) 227-2020

Written by Nathan Pritikin’s son, this extremely accessible audio outlines the basics of the Pritikin Weight Loss plan. This two-week, five-step program is one of the smartest on the market--anyone can do it and no one is expected to be perfect.

Robert Pritikin presents the plan with finesse. It consists mainly of limited animal foods, lots of veggies and carbs, and a daily walk. He reels us in with his personal story.

His writing style is easy on our brain cells and more than a little compassionate. He deals with our human foibles and presents sound anthropological reasons why we crave fat. Russ Wheeler, with his generic narrator style, is occasionally a bit bland, but generally does a decent job. The written version of this book contains about 70 recipes, but little else is missing.