Bringing the Message of Cardiovascular Health and Healthful Nutrition Habits to the Public: The Healthy Heart for Dummies, the Healthy Heart Cookbook for Dummies and Heart Disease for Dummies

CLIENT: IDG Books Worldwide

CATEGORY: Publishers

BACKGROUND

IDG Books Worldwide has established a phenomenally successful brand in its For Dummies books. Originally focused on computer reference books, the For Dummies books have appealed to a wide variety of readers seeking easy-to-understand information on how to master a subject or task.

In early 1999 IDG decided to establish a healthcare division. IDG approached Dr. Rippe and RLI to write the flagship book in this new healthcare division, the Healthy Heart for Dummies. Based on the very positive experience that IDG had with RLI on the development of the Healthy Heart for Dummies, the company approached RLI to develop a sequel, the Healthy Heart Cookbook for Dummies, as a companion book to the Healthy Heart for Dummies. This popular series led to the publishing of a third book, Heart Disease for Dummies in 2004.

RLI’s RESPONSE

Dr. Rippe, in conjunction with RLI nutritionists Amy Myrdal, MS, RD, and Angela Kirkpatrick, RD, wrote and edited these two books in a period of eight months. The Healthy Heart for Dummies was published in December 1999 and the Healthy Heart Cookbook for Dummies was published in April 2000. The Healthy Heart for Dummies contains advice on how individuals can lead healthier lifestyles as well as valuable information on how to treat virtually every cardiovascular condition. The Healthy Heart Cookbook for Dummies features recipes from 75 top chefs throughout the United States and provides cooking and nutrition tips for individuals wishing to improve their cardiovascular health. The third book, Heart Disease for Dummies is the latest revision in this series and was published in 2004.

RESULTS

RLI was able to deliver these two important books on time. IDG executives commented that RLI staff was the most effective author group they had ever dealt with. The Healthy Heart for Dummies has been enormously successful in the marketplace, leading to a revised edition entitled Heart Disease For Dummies. In addition, Healthy Heart Cookbook for Dummies also provides excellent culinary information and has been successful in the marketplace.