Brain Surgeon: A Doctor's Inspiring Encounters with Mortality and Miracles

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. 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 show more 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 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 show more 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. 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" show more I've read. show less

Fascinating book. Dr. Black touches lightly here and there on a few instances of racism that he has found in his career, and I wish he had given us more on his thoughts about these experiences.

The book focuses mainly on Black's research work and the discoveries and projects taking place at the Center for Brain tumors which he directs. The most enthralling parts are the detailed explanations on how the brain works and how tumors develop, from a neurological and biological angle.

Dr. Black does a great job, as well, of humanizing his stories and helps the reader care for his patients and understand the importance of brain cancer research, as the most common type of brain cancer is also the deadliest kind. Moreover, due to environmental show more factors and life styles (such as, in all likelihood, the pervasive use of cellphones) there are more and more tumors diagnosed each year. That means that each and every one of us has a higher risk of falling victim to brain cancer at any point in time. Sobering thought.

The book is a learning experience and leaves one wanting more on the topic. It also leaves one with important information on who to improve one's health and lessen the risk for brain cancer.

Very much worth reading. show less

Like many autobiographies, that of Keith Black, MD is of someone who has done many fascinating things, but writing is not one of those things. Even with an experienced medical journalist by his side, Black has written an occasionally tedious history of his life and his illustrious career in medical research and surgery. This is not to say the book is without value. Some of the walkthroughs of the surgeries were fascinating, and I learned a lot about how that process works. Some (but not all) of the descriptions of the racial obstacles Dr. Black had to overcome are inspiring. But it's interesting that the only people who come across as being full-fledged humans are the patients. Not Dr. Black's father, who was apparently a perfect man, show more or his mentors, who are only opportunities for letters of recommendation, or his family, who get perhaps two sentences in the whole book. I also take issue with Dr. Black's not-very-thoughtful attempt at critiquing the American healthcare system. I'm very glad that Dr. Black is behind the knife, rather than behind the pen, or behind the legislation. show less

Dr. Keith Black is the chairman of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, who specializes in the surgical and medical treatment of brain tumors. He has gained widespread recognition for his clinical skill in treating brain cancers, and has been featured in Time Magazine, CBS News and PBS' The History Makers.

Brain Surgeon is an enjoyable and inspiring story about his career, obstacles he overcame along the way, battles and controversies he has encountered in providing the best care for his patients, and the advances of clinical brain tumor research that are allowing patients to live longer and, in some cases, making disease remission possible.

Although the story centers on Dr. Black's impressive accomplishments, equal show more billing is given to several patients, who he claims are the true heroes of this book. They are fully engaged in the treatment plan, and the trust and faith that they have in Dr. Black is matched by his respect and desire to help them as best he can.

The book is written for a lay audience, and would be appropriate for high school and college students interested in medicine and neurosurgery, or anyone else interested in stories of faith and inspiration. show less