Keith Black (1) (1957–)

Brain Surgeon: a Doctor's Inspiring Encounters with Mortality and Miracles by Keith Black, MD with Arnold Mann

A very impressive book, almost autobiographical in nature, with real life cases and the inspiration arising from them. Dr. Black has let the reader in on how the patients respond to their struggles with optimism and faith, and how much this can affect the outcome of surgery and treatment. His examples and descriptions of the types of tumors, surgeries, and treatments are fascinating. show more He shows a profound connection with his patients which I found exceptional. The book also goes into how patient response and variations (“odd observations”) often help the surgeons to discover new possibilities in their research into brain tumors, malignant or benign. Perhaps one of the most intriguing parts of the book to me, is his outlook on the use of alternative medicine working alongside the synthetic drug therapies normally used (chemotherapy), citing Chinese medicine, homeopathy and Indian medicine among others.

Apart from the case stories, Dr. Black delves into his own background, and brings the reader in touch with the realities of trying to achieve his goals as a black man in a still mostly segregated era; the struggles, his extremely high rate of academic achievement notwithstanding, the faith that propels him, and the parents who raised him to believe in himself. Dr. Keith Black is, as of this writing, “...an internationally renowned neurosurgeon and scientist...”, “...chairman of the department of neurosurgery and director of the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.”*

The third main theme involves the research this prestigious surgeon takes a major role in, such as how research evolves, where ideas come from, and how the “odd observation” can contribute to the pursuit of better methods of treatment. Overall, I definitely recommend this book. I found it to be absorbing, upbeat, inspiring and educational.

*Quotes from the book. show less

There is no doubt that Dr. Black is brilliant. He dissected frogs at the age of 7. During his 10th grade summer job in a research lab he did heart transplants on dogs. As a medical student he made important medical discoveries.

He is now a world-reknowned brain surgeon, specializing in the removal of particularly difficult brain tumors. However, while this book is a compendium of his "encounters with mortality and miracles," I did not find it particularly inspiring. It reads like a Reader's show more Digest adaptation of My Most Memorable Character. There is no music in the prose.

And it may have just been me, but I found the tone of the book to be incredibly smug. This is not to say that Dr. Black is not justified in being proud of his accomplishments, and I certainly didn't wish any of his patients harm, but didn't he EVER make a wrong decision or mistake?

His patients are for the most part courageous, but Dr. Black even seems to claim some of the credit for their spirit and courage. For example, when the family and brother of a recuperating Irish patient who is despondent and despairing of life are unable to brighten his spirits, Dr. Black saves the day: He tells the patient that he'll go get some whiskey and that they'll have a drink together.. Then the light comes back into his patient's eyes. "Gerald Kelly was back. Behind me I could hear Thomas crying."

Although I can't recommend this book, I will say that if I ever have a brain tumor, I might want Dr. Black to be the one to operate on me, if he is as good as he describes himself to be. show less

'Brain Surgeon' is an engaging read. I couldn't help compare it to another book by a brain surgeon, 'Another Day in the Frontal Lobe: A Brain Surgeon Exposes Life on the Inside' by Katrina S. Firlik. Firlik was arrogant and very self-entitled. In contrast, Black seems very humble and aware of his limitations. He is someone I would love to meet.

I started reading this book expecting it to be Dr. Black's biography. I could not say that this was the case, although some biographical information did creep into the book, as context. This was more a scientific look at brain surgery, the challenges of being a surgeon, and, as Dr. Black so poetically describes it, "a thief in the night in Tiger Country".

The book was not badly written (it appeared to be decently ghostwritten), and the stories were quite simply fascinating. Occasionally Dr. show more Black's own voice could be heard. Undoubtedly brilliant, clearly driven, his sheer perfection would be perhaps a bit tedious at a cocktail party - but I would still invite him. One of the more interesting in the recent spate of "doctors' biographies" I've read. show less