Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story

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Summary: If you can believe, you can achieve--is Ben Carson
Review: Anyone having trials in their life, will find this book a positive uplift. I found myself identifing with Ben, when he was faced with the first chemistry final at Yale. The sense of divine intervention on his behalf in regards to the test and his acknowledgement of God as the source was/is a pivot point. Without a high grade at that key point, Ben Carson, probably would not have become the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins at age 33. The power of God awaits anyone needing the service of the brillant mind and "Gifted Hands" of Dr. Ben Carson. The thrill of his success comes through when reading the book. You too can join his journey and visualize and vocalize what you too may be. Guidance for becoming a better person is being lived out in the life of one, Ben Carson, M.D. Thank you, GOD for such a man, a living example.

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Summary: Contagious inspiration and motivational drive
Review: GIFTED HANDS, an autobiographical look into the life of one of the best neurosurgeons in the U. S. of A, is so unbelievably inspirational and poignant. If 100 people simultaneously read this book, I assure you at least one of them would walk away a changed person! I know Ben Carson has changed me. From now on, I'm vowing to do my absolute best. This year of homeschooling has given me many opportunities to "slack off" as one might say - I've taken a few of those opportunities. Even though I ended up with mostly As, I'm vowing to give my all into my academic performance next year. Ben Carson's motivational drive is absolutely contagious!

Benjamin Carson, M.D started out on the mean Detroit streets. His father had to leave the family after it was found he was practically living a double life: he had a girlfriend and another family while married to Ben's mother. While his mother assured him the family would be fine, they had to struggle to make ends meet. Yet all the while, she kept pushing and pushing Ben to be the best he could possibly be. All the while, she knew he had it in him to get out of the Detroit ghetto in which they lived. All the while, she knew he'd make something of himself. And he did.

We see an amazing transformation from a skeptical kid, unsure of life, to an intelligent neurosurgeon with a heart of gold - so much so that he can't help but break down and cry when surgery results in the death of a patient. He is a person who made the best of his education, as well as his college years. He went from being the best to simply doing his best and can be regarded as an inspiration to all because his standard of life he began with wasn't as favorable as many rich families who have attended Ivy League colleges for generations. In his case, he along with his older brother, Curtis, were the first in the family to attend colleges. Curtis ended up at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and Ben enrolled at Yale University, where he met his wife, Candy.

Ben's beginnings were certainly not easy. Signs of determination showed as young as the age of 10. He started out as the "class dummy" in school, frequently getting every single question on his math tests wrong. But then, through hard work and a lot of reading at the local library, plus a new presciption for glasses, he expanded his knowledge in every subject. Soon, "good" wasn't good enough. Ben was driven to be the best. In fact, he was so driven that he won a full scholarship to the renowned Yale University.

God has clearly played a pivotal role in Ben's life. Before operating, he always prays to the Lord. But one life experience in particular especially is one I won't soon forget. Ben feared flunking a Yale exam and knew last-minute cramming would do him no good. As he slept, he dreamt of the mathematical facts and figures and equations. The next day, he nervously proceeded to take the exam and realized many of the questions had been in his prior dream! After a lot of worrying, Ben scored a 97 on the exam. He knew it was God's way of helping him.

What I most enjoy about this autobiography is the way in which Ben addresses the readers. Whether his audience ranges from the age of 13 to the age of 99, either age should enjoy it. Clearly, Ben is a brilliant genius. He speaks eloquently, yet he doesn't throw in the "big words" he could probably use if he chose to. Instead, his story is told through simple language that anyone can understand.

Ben Carson ought to be regarded as a role model for today's youth. Those not on the right path to a successful future could especially benefit, as a book like this could assist in a serious straightening out of priorities. As I mentioned before, Ben's motivational drive is contagious and inspiring! This down-to-earth doctor's story is really meant for everyone, teens and adults alike.

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Summary: I highly recommend this book
Review: I bought this book on sale as something to read while staying in a hotel on a weekend business trip. This book was soo inspirational that it encouraged me to continue my education. Then a couple of years later I gave the book to my 13 year old son and he actually stayed in his room all weekend reading the book. He also enjoyed the book. The story is uplifting and I would highly recommend that parents give this book to thier children to read. The book should actually be required reading for early teenagers.

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Summary: Good.
Review: It's a very good book to read, particularly for the younger generation who are still on their way to realizing their goals in life, in terms of profession. My only problem with it was that ever since Ben got his reading glasses, every single little thing went well for him. The path was butter-smooth for him ever since, except for one or two incidents or issues. Maybe that's the way it really was for him, but it made it difficult for me to be able to relate to it. It's probably because our lives are so contrasting...luck does not come easy for me, although I do work hard. Other than that, I found it a quick enjoyable read. I wish Carson the best of luck too. He's a good guy!

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Summary: Absolutely Awful
Review: This book is a really big pick-me-upper. It shows that even if you come from the nastiest slum, you can still succeed in anything that you put your mind to. Thank you Dr Carson for the inspiration!

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Summary: A Story of Inspiration
Review: This is a must read for anyone interested in stories of people overcoming adversity, and making something of their lives. This is the Ben Carson story plain and simple. Dr. Carson gained world wide fame when he and his staff separated the occipital twins from Germany, but the real story of Ben Carson begins much earlier in his native Detroit. Ben came from circumstances that most people do not overcome, but he found a way out through his love of learning. However, he faced numerous challenges before he would reach his desire to become a medical doctor. Early on in his life he was hit with a real whammy when his father left the family under the strangest circumstances when Ben was eight years old. He also shares the fascinating experience of how anger nearly doomed his medical career before he ever graduated from high school. In addition, he discusses his early academic struggles at Yale, and how faith, prayer and hard work got him through. The final chapter of the book provides the doc's prescription for success using the acronym Think Big. This book is a great read, and provides many wonderful ideas on how to make a life.

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Summary: A must read for all ages
Review: This is truly a life-changing book. Read about Ben Carson's life and the amazing things that God does through him. A quick and easy read that I would recommend to everyone, particularly youngsters looking for direction in their lives. You will cry, laugh and praise God for the power of prayer.

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Summary: Inspirational & Educational
Review: This novel was a great instrument inspiration that provides uplift and surgical education. Carson provides a set of directions as well as a list of ingredients to produce the dish of success. He gives advice to youths about how to deal with stress and how to maintain emotional wellness while living in the high school and college atmospheres. Dr. Carson bestows this advice through the telling of his personal story; he told his mistakes so that others will not make the same bad decisions. Likewise, Carson gives a detail description of surgical procedures as well as an in-depth insight into the surgical world. Rearmost, from reading these text one will gain an immense amount of inspiration and a small amount of education as well.