Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story

I probably like a lot of people had not heard of Ben Carson, M.D. before he showed up on the Republican presidential campaign. So I decided to find out more about him and this book was a good start. Free from political slant his autobiography gave me a good insight to his character and achievements in life and it is most impressive. If ever there was a role model for making something of oneself he is the guy. Thanks it large part to the guidance of his mother he went on to become a world renowned neurosurgeon impacting the lives of children, and how much better does it get then that? There is no doubt Carson is an exceptional man in a lot of ways. He has quite religious and often invokes God as coming through for him in many of the show more medical challenges he faced in the operating room. I am not a religious person yet I did have to wonder about some of these incidents. On the flip side a few of the failures were also related and the emotional wrenching these families faced as well as Dr. Carson were moving. Now that he is retired he takes on the political arena and will face a new world of challenges. Though his chances seem slim, I wish him the best and if anyone was up to that challenge it certainly would be Ben Carson, M.D.. show less

Gifted Hands by Ben Carson is going to appeal to a wide range of people. If you love inspirational books, this one is definitely inspirational. If you are in high school and unsure about a career, Ben's strategies and tips, compliments largely to his amazing MOM with a third grade education, but a work ethic and drive like no other, could foresee what needed to be done to be successful in life and passed that on to both Ben and his older brother. If you like books with a Christian theme, once again this book does not disappoint. I was interested from the first until the last page. Be warned you will not want to stop reading it. I am looking forward to reading his other books as well. Enjoy!

I'd seen the movie based on this book, but wanted to read it for myself. In a nutshell, Dr. Ben Carson was put on this earth by God to save people. This man came from humble beginnings, was loved and supported by an amazing mother, and achieved the highest pinnacles of the medical profession possible. He was very close to falling prey to his volatile temper, but through strong faith, became a calm, articulate, and thoughtful man. When told something can't be done, Ben seems to be one of those folks who, with the help of others, finds a way.

"Gifted Hands" tells the story of a young boy from Detroit whose father left him, his brother, and his illiterate mother when he was very young. He overcame poor grades and the aforementioned temper show more to become a Yale graduate, and the preeminent pediatric neurosurgeon in the world. Carson credits his mother for her faith and her determination not to become a victim. He has carried these things with him as he navigates bigotry, false assumptions, and outright racism.

It's also important to understand that this book was written in 1990, so clearly it was long before he was encouraged to run for President.

Regardless of what you've read about him recently, this book proves many of the attacks on him are false. He clearly never says he applied to West Point. He does say he was offered a "scholarship" and has since proven that West Point was in fact offering "scholarships" specifically to young black kids who showed an aptitude for academics. And keep in mind, this isn't a book written to get him elected. Again, it was published in 1990.

To be fair, I must admit I support Ben Carson for president. Like Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher before him, I truly believe God is working through Dr. Carson at a time when the country and the world needs him. He's spent his life saving children. Now it's time for him to help save our country. show less

In the 2015 election cycle I became interested in reading this autobiography, but I lost interest due to the controversy around facts asserted in the memoir. However, I have read it anyway. The points of contention could be, IMHO, left out of the book and do no real damage to the bones of the story. The early success with conjoined twins after a laudatory success in medical education at Yale and University of Michigan through the 60s and 70s making him one of the most accomplished Black Americans is a worthy story in itself. The medical angle continues to prove interesting due to the advanced and prolific successes with the hemispherectomy technique to combay seizures in children.

This compelling memoir traces Ben Carson’s transformation from a struggling student in Detroit to a renowned pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins. With candid reflections on family, faith, and fierce determination, Carson shows how perseverance and education can overcome any obstacle.

My take on this was - part inspirational - part inappropriately mystic. Actions with deadly potential results, not based on science. By the end, I only felt concern.

Inspiring story, but Ben Carson comes across as arrogant. Guess I can understand given what he overcame not only to become a surgeon, but a gifted one. That his ego came across is unfortunate as this could have been a truly great story. My feeling is it would have been better had he had someone else write his story.