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

~ (Author), (Collaborator) "ONE DAY IN JANUARY 1994 I received a long-distance call at work..." (more)
Key Phrases: pediatric neurosurgery, Big Picture, Johns Hopkins, South Africa (more...)

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.

Review

In his grade school days, Ben Carson would hardly have been voted “most likely to become a famous surgeon.” His classmates had already given him another label: class dummy. Then a light clicked on for Ben—and a consuming passion for learning that catapulted him from “zero” test grades to a Yale scholarship, a pioneering role in modern medicine, and an influence that has extended from inner-city schools to corporate boardrooms and Washington corridors of power.

What made the difference? Belief in his own potential, a commitment to education and making the most of his opportunities to learn, determination to make the world a better place, and faith in a God who knows no limits. Seeing the Big Picture.

In The Big Picture, Ben Carson reveals the spiritual and philosophical foundations that undergird not just his dramatic career, but his approach to all of life. As in his best-selling Gifted Hands, Dr. Carson shares colorful, behind-the-scenes anecdotes. As in Think Big, he describes his practical principles for success. But The Big Picture is neither an autobiography nor a personal-effectiveness manual. Rather, it’s a multifaceted look at the faith and vision that can see us all through hardship and failure, and stir us to bold exploits on behalf of something greater than ourselves.

Dr. Carson begins by describing how he cultivated a Big-Picture perspective in his own life. Then he discusses ways in which all of us can approach parenting, family, business, and friendships with the Big Picture in mind. Finally, he looks at some pressing social issues—in particular, racial diversity, health care, and education—and considers how we ought to view them and what we should do about them in the light of the Big Picture.

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 we can turn the course of our lives, our communities, our country, and our world by keeping the Big Picture always in mind -- Publisher

In his grade school days, Ben Carson would hardly have been voted “most likely to become a famous surgeon.” His classmates had already given him another label: class dummy. Then a light clicked on for Ben—and a consuming passion for learning that catapulted him from “zero” test grades to a Yale scholarship, a pioneering role in modern medicine, and an influence that has extended from inner-city schools to corporate boardrooms and Washington corridors of power.

What made the difference? Belief in his own potential, a commitment to education and making the most of his opportunities to learn, determination to make the world a better place, and faith in a God who knows no limits. Seeing the Big Picture.

In The Big Picture, Ben Carson reveals the spiritual and philosophical foundations that undergird not just his dramatic career, but his approach to all of life. As in his best-selling Gifted Hands, Dr. Carson shares colorful, behind-the-scenes anecdotes. As in Think Big, he describes his practical principles for success. But The Big Picture is neither an autobiography nor a personal-effectiveness manual. Rather, it’s a multifaceted look at the faith and vision that can see us all through hardship and failure, and stir us to bold exploits on behalf of something greater than ourselves.

Dr. Carson begins by describing how he cultivated a Big-Picture perspective in his own life. Then he discusses ways in which all of us can approach parenting, family, business, and friendships with the Big Picture in mind. Finally, he looks at some pressing social issues—in particular, racial diversity, health care, and education—and considers how we ought to view them and what we should do about them in the light of the Big Picture.

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 we can turn the course of our lives, our communities, our country, and our world by keeping the Big Picture always in mind -- REVIEW

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan Pub. House; 1 edition (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310225833
• ISBN-13: 978-0310225836
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #521,478 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 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 (Miami, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

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.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, thought-provoking book full of character and insight, October 27, 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.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.