Although I downloaded this book some time ago after hearing about Dr. Ben Carson in the news, I didn't read it until I started following (and contributed to) the movement to recruit Dr. Carson to run for president.
When I first heard about Dr. Carson, I realized he must be an exceptional person. He grew up in the ghettos of Detroit, raised by a single mother with a third-grade education. His father had left after Ben's mother discovered he had another wife and another family across town. Ben had every excuse to end up like so many other young black men raised in that environment by single mothers. Because his mother didn't want to be a welfare mother (although she did have to rely on food stamps to make ends meet), she worked two or three domestic jobs at a time. Often she left early in the morning and didn't get home until midnight, so Ben and his brother Curtis frequently didn't see her for days at a time. But they still followed the rules she laid down for them because they respected and loved her. She was a devout Christian and both of her sons grew up with a strong faith. Even in the height of the segregation of the Jim Crow, she always told the boys they could do anything they wanted.
When the boys were not doing well in school, their mother allowed them to watch television only three hours a week. She also required that they read two books and turn book reports on them into her every week. Later on, they discovered that she couldn't read the reports they gave her, but she made sure they were done. One of the hours of television was Ben's favorite program, College Bowl. He decided he wanted to be on that show when he got to college. But as he watched it, he realized that the only subjects he knew anything about were science, which he always loved. So he started reading about classical music and history and literature and all the things he didn't know about. Although the show went off the air, and he never got to be on College Bowl, the study he did in preparation gave him a life-long love of learning, and he is knowledgeable about many subjects that you wouldn't expect of a physician.
Ben wanted to be a doctor from a very young age, but the kind of doctor changed through the years. At one time, he wanted to be a missionary, but he later felt God was calling him to be an academic neurosurgeon. He has saved more lives as head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins and reached more people for Christ through his public speaking and his writing than he would have as a missionary. The book is titled "Gifted Hands" because he has done things in surgery that no one else has done. He recognizes that he has a unique collection of talents and skills that make him so good at brain surgery, and he believes that God gave him those talents and skills precisely so he could do what he does. He also believes we have God-given talents to perform whatever it is that God wants us to do.
Considering all he has overcome and all he has accomplished, it wouldn't be surprising if Dr. Carson were egotistical and arrogant. However, that isn't the case. One of the things that struck me throughout the book was his recognition of people who had helped him achieve his dreams: teachers and school counselors, people who gave him summer jobs during school, friends and colleagues. He has often been called in as a last resort when other neurosurgeons have told parents nothing can be done and their children will die. Dr. Carson always make it clear to the family when he does this last resort surgery that their child might die--he will do all he can but there are no guarantees. Parents typically respond, "If you don't operate, he will die. If you do operate, at least he has a chance." He has been successful far more than not, but every time he loses a patient, he grieves with the family. Although medical professionals are often told not to get too involved with their patients, he can't practice medicine without getting personally involved with every case.
Dr. Carson's story is compelling--and he believes everyone in this country has the same opportunity to achieve their dreams. He is certainly a role model for young people, especially minority children growing up in poverty. He demonstrates that they don't have to remain in the situation they're in now. They can take responsibility and achieve their own success. He also believes in helping others, and he and his wife run a nonprofit that gives scholarships to students who demonstrate both academic excellence and community service.
I highly recommended this book. You will be inspired by this story of a young boy who went from being bullied and called "dummy" because he was failing fifth grade to the pinnacle of success as a world-renowned neurosurgeon, speaker, and author. Beyond his vocational and financial achievements, however, you will be inspired by a man who is a strong Christian who stands up for his values and who cares for his fellow man.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Popular titles by this author
Page 1 of 1 Start over
More Stabby Than West Side Story!
Grifter Hands: The Ben Carson West Point Story is unbelievable! Amazing! Incredible! A faith-based miracle of wonderment! Dr. Carson stabbed the Pharaohs!
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2013
- Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2025
- Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2025
- Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2015
Top reviews from other countries
- Absolutely amazing !!!Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2024
A true legend.
-
-
