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Good, motivational story

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As a pre-medical student, I found that I could really identify with Dr. Carson in this autobiographical sketch. His personality really shines in his writing and his enthusiasm for learning, medicine, and achieving his *personal best* in everything is quite infectious.

Since hundreds have reviewed this and other books written by Dr. Carson, I'll refrain from repeating the synopsis. But, I'd like to add that for me, this was not a 5 star book for one reason in particular: too much emphasis on spirituality and miracles.

I have been a life-long Christian and I consider myself pretty spiritual (though not overtly). I don't mind religious motivational books but in this particular book, Dr. Carson repeatedly cited these incredible miracles which were happening to him day in and day out. First, he was being visited by a mysterious teacher who taught him how to solve every problem in his sleep the night before his chemistry final. Then there were countless surgical procedures that had a one in a million chance of complete success that he performed one after another flawlessly. By the end of the book the intrigue had worn off and skepticism set in. I have faith, but I'm also practical-- and honestly, some of the stuff in this book just seems too good to be true.

Overall however, I enjoyed the story. I would recommend it to those who enjoy religious, motivation and self-help books as well as those who like to read about success stories and medical fiction. B++

An inspiration.

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I read this book quickly and then I reread it. It inspired me at a time when I was finding it difficult to settle into a new life in the US having emigrated here. The way the author describes how he overcame his many seemingly overwhelming obstacles in order to achieve his dreams is quite phenomenal. I turn to this easy to read and interesting autobiobraphy often. It never fails to encourage me whether I am dealing with everyday life or the problems that inevitably crop up from time to time but always I find inspiration within its pages.

Gifted Hands

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Gifted hands is a beautiful and educational book. I gave it to my son many year's ago. Not only did I get the first "edition" of this book for my son, but Dr. Carson took the time to autograph it for my son. It's also autographed by his children and his wife. My son didn't know who Dr. Carson was and didn't appreciate it then, but now it's a book to be passed on to his children as well,

What Happens When an Unstoppable Force Meets an Immovable Object?

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Dr Carson didn't invent siamese-twin separation, but nobody had his success rate until he started. He's accomplished what was once thought to be a foolish endeavor, due to the extreme dangers involved. But through Dr Carson's hands, science has triumphed over one of life's accidents.
In some ways, Carson's life has been about how science takes humans over insurmountable obstacles. His father left the family after his "double life" was revealed (I thought he was gay, but it turns out he had another woman AND children by her). But Carson's mother is smart; she never badmouths their father, and that alone keeps them on a straight path, because children mimic their parents behavior. Then their mother, who never finished elementary school, demands they read a book a week. She may not have an education, but she's smart enough to know that reading builds the mind, just like weight lifting builds the muscles.

Coming from a Jewish background, I tend to take doctors for granted (especially after dealing with a lot of third-rate health insurance physicians). What I can't take for granted is a doctor who is also a scientist and explorer of the human body, always looking for ways to cheat death or repair deficits left by nature.

A Surgeon's Rise in the Medical Profession

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The book documents the early life and rise to medical stardom
of Dr. Benjamin Carson- a now famous neurosurgeon. The volume
begins with the childhood experiences and upbringing of Ben
and his brother Curtis. Ben tended to cram his studying at
the last minute. Nevertheless, he did well in grammar school.
Later, he would struggle in a marathon study session to
achieve a 97 in chemistry.

Ben attended Yale University and proceeded to the
University of Michigan to study medicine. He skipped a
General Surgery rotation to go straight to a Neuroscience
residency at Johns Hopkins University.
The volume contains a series of memorable pictures depicting
Dr. Carson MD as a neurosurgeon.

The presentation describes some very complicated surgical
procedures; such as, the hemispherectomy on the
patient Miranda. The procedure was lengthy and complicated
in this particular case because a part of the brain matter
had to be extracted. Ultimately, the procedure was successful
due to the skillful surgical manipulations of Dr. Carson
and a concept known as plasticity. The concept deals with
the ability of the brain to attain a similar mathematical
dilation or shape despite pressure deformation during surgery.
The patient was speaking shortly thereafter.

Brain diagnostics and surgery can be a complicated
undertaking due to a number of factors including the lengthy
time in surgery and extensive bleeding. Diseases of the brain
can have very technical distinctions; such as, cerebellar atrophy
and Marchiafava's disease. The presentation documents just how
far brain surgery has come through advances in the
art of surgery. The book makes a very interesting read for a
wide constituency of the general public and especially
medical practitioners.