The Big Picture [Paperback]

Ben Carson (Author), Gregg Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

Dr. Ben Carson is known as the originator of ground-breaking surgical procedures, a doctor who turn impossible hopes into joyous realities. He is known as well as a compassionate humanitarian who reaches beyond corporate boardrooms to touch the lives of inner-city kids. What drives him? The Big Picture. A vision of something truly worth living for, something that calls forth the best of his amazing talents, energy, and focus. In The Big Picture, Dr. Carson shares with you the overarching philosophy that has shaped his life, causing him to rise from failure to far-reaching influence. This book is not about HOW to succeed---it's about WHY to succeed. It's about broadening your perspectives. It's about finding a vision for your own life that can reframe your priorities, energize your efforts, and inspire you to change the world around you.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1987, pediatric neurosurgeon Carson performed a successful operation that separated two twins born joined at their heads. He has been recognized worldwide for his extraordinary ability to perform intricate medical procedures like intrauterine brain surgery in his dedication to saving lives. But, as he says in this spiritual memoir, he wasn't always so successful. Carson recounts his young life growing up fatherless and with limited opportunities in Detroit. The change in Carson's life came very early, when his mother decided that her children could succeed in spite of their circumstances. Carson began reading two books a week in the third grade and was soon so hungry for knowledge that he read anything he could get his hands on. He performed so well in high school that he was accepted at Yale, and he is now the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins. Success, he says, is a matter of focusing on the big picture and not the details. So often when we concentrate on the tiny details of life, we forget that God has a larger purpose for us. Using anecdotes from his medical career and scattering biblical illustrations throughout, Carson asserts that we can get a glimpse of the big picture by viewing hardship as an advantage, overcoming a victim mentality and determining priorities. He proposes that if we stop periodically and ask ourselves three questions?When my life is over, what do I want to be remembered for? What do I want to be doing five, 10, and 20 years from now? What do I want to be sure I am not doing five, 10, and 20 years from now??we will have an idea about the ways that the Big Picture can direct our lives. Carson's lively storytelling will capture the hearts of his readers.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Dr. Ben Carson is known as the originator of groundbreaking surgical procedures, a doctor who turns impossible hopes into joyous realities. He is known as well as a compassionate humanitarian who reaches beyond corporate boardrooms to touch the lives of inner-city kids.

What drives him? The Big Picture. A vision of something truly worth living for, something that calls forth the best of his amazing talents, energy, and focus.

In The Big Picture, Dr. Carson shares with you the overarching philosophy that has shaped his life, causing him to rise from failure to far-reaching influence. This tape is not about how to succeed—it’s about why to succeed. It’s about broadening your perspectives. It’s about finding a vision for your own life that can reframe your priorities, energize your efforts, and inspire you to make the world a better place.

Drawing on a vast array of experiences in roles ranging from trailblazing surgeon, to public speaker, to husband and family man, Ben Carson shows how you can change your life, your community, your country, even your world, by living in the light of the Big Picture -- Publisher --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031023834X
• ISBN-13: 978-0310238348
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,922 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning From the Simple Things of Life, March 8, 2000

By 

Penelope Card - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Picture: Getting Perspective on What's Really Important in Life (Hardcover)

The Big Picture gives one the message, do not overlook the simple things of life, the example of the railway track and the stone, shows that, any action done well, and well explored, can lead to greater things and opportunities of life. Dr. Carson does go into great details of his life's experiences. By the details, I can see similarities between his and mine. In fact, by practicing those household principles his mother taught him, I have been successful in raising two boys to be responsible men. He shows that anyone can live life to its fullest. As Jesus said "He came to give the abundant life." When one lives by Godly principles,success is available to all. Dr Carson gives honor and glory to the best in his life, i.e. honor to his mother, and he gives glory to God. The Big Picture demonstrates that if one man could touch the world with his God given talents, we could all strive to empower others with the same enthusiasm. Everyone can be the victor, and not a victim regardless of one's beginnings. Ben. Carson demonstrates that though we have no choice in our birth condition,and challenges, whether a challenge is of physical, economic, educational or racial origin, we can all contribute to improving our lot in life, and the lot of others globally, by using our brain to educate ourselves, and others, such as our children. The choices we make will in some way impact the world. As consumers of health care, we as individuals have the last say as to whom we wish to provide care,we need to walk the extra mile , and be proactive in achieving compassionate action, for our families and for our community.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, thought-provoking book full of character and insight, October 26, 1999

By 

Connie Buchanan ([e-mail]) (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Picture, The (Audio Cassette)

This book goes deep inside the heart and soul of the common person. Ben Carson proves that we can rise above our worst infirmity and become whatever we want to be through sheer tenacity and perseverance of will to be more than a mediocre human being. His mother was a lot like my mother. Our mothers taught us to think for ourselves and not to follow the crowd. They also encouraged us to be whatever we wanted to be in life. I found the book clearly illuminating, that is why I want to buy the audiocassett.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for parents, April 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Picture: Getting Perspective on What's Really Important in Life (Hardcover)

Regardless of the age of your children, all parents should read this book. Dr. Carson is a Christian man who believes in excellence. This book is good for teachers, ministers, laity, and anyone else who is interested in bringing out the best in children of all ages.