Book log.

I just finished reading 'Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science' by Atul Gawande. Really amazing book. Takes a peep into the minds of the doctors and what really happnes behind the scenes of the cool and impervious face of the doctor.

I honestly think that the author (he is incidentally an American, born to parents of Indian origin) has escaped from coming under serious attack from other doctors because of his strong academic background - a graduate degree from the Harvard medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health.

Here is one paragraph that makes you re-read it many times.

"Surgeons as a group, adhere to a curious egalitarianism. They believe in practice, not talent. People often assume t hat you have to have great hands to become a surgeon, but it's not true.When I interviewed to get into surgery programs, no one made me sew or take a dexterity test or checked if my hands were steady. You do not even need all ten fingers to be accepted. ....... what's most important to them is finding people who are conscientious, industrious and boneheaded enough to stick at practising this one difficult thing day and night for years on end. ........ Skill, surgeons believe, can be taught; tenacity cannot. "

This is not just about surgeons... Makes me think that pretty much everything is achievable with perseverance, hardwork and dedication.

Current Mood: Inspired