This book came with raving reviews, and although it was a good story, it was not what I thought it would be. It's premise was that if a person is faced with a terminal illness, what "living" things should he do before he dies. It is NOT written in the way of completing a "bucket list" of activities. More in the manner of asking questions of one's self such as: Should I continue to work? Should I travel? Should I spend all my time with family and friends? Should we have a baby, since I won't be here to raise the child? The choices Dr Paul Kalanithi make are the foundation of his story. As I read the story of him dealing with stage IV lung cancer, I wanted to hear more about his thoughts on death. Perhaps I was wanting more emotion or to read of his true thoughts on an after life. Paul possessed a brilliant mind, he must have seen death many times in his practice, yet he did not delve deeply into the final act of death in his book. He did do a good job of writing about his final months of life. His wife did an excellent job of completing the story of his life. It is tragic that the world had to lose a skilled brain surgeon, of the caliber of Paul Kalanithi. He left the world a better place, by writing When Breath Becomes Air.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
From the reviews, I expected a introspective in depth compelling story. It seemed to be nothing but a diary of the mans pampered high level doctors existence. I truly was looking for revelations and open honesty. His family probably liked the book.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The author is incredibly bright. Articulate. Talented. Able to change from graduate studies in liberal arts to medicine and then to specialization in neurosurgery. Yet he still gets lost in the chase. The mess. The pressure of life, school, books, patients. His personal relationships are failing. He is hitting his goals, but not his aspirations. Then, brain cancer strikes. What was important becomes unimportant. His aspirations come back into focus and remarkable insights tumble in as swiftly as he can write. And the thing is... we KNOW what he is writing is true. We know it makes sense. But we still get lost in the day to day press of... life. This book is a periscope up over the waves into a world we often close our eyes to... a world of love, care, achievement and balance. This stunning work should be required reading for ANYONE dealing with patients in medicine. It should be given to anyone facing life a terminal disease. It should be read by anyone who wonders why we humankind is neither... and suffers. It plumbs the depths and manages to make life make sense when finally... "breath becomes air." Read this one. It is worth every minute spent in its pages.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
“When Breath Becomes Air” is a gloomy, but consequential in the sentimental aspect of the characters portrayed. Each character plays a unique part of Paul’s life (the main character), who is severely suffering from lung cancer. He has dreamed and has been well informed of the characteristics of the medical field, but has he formulated a strong connection of what it might be like to overcome obstacles that doctors interfere with? In the book “When Breath Becomes Air,” is an American novel about a well educated student, formulating to become a great doctor, but has obstruct an indication of lung cancer. He does not want to disclose his health with friends and family, because he believes this might affect his relationship with the public. This book is complex, physiological, and an emotional book for one to read. This book contains glutted complex vocabulary and statistics that can intrigue others to read this novel. This book contains much information about the human brain, including it’s vocabulary, which can increase knowledge to the understanding of the medical field. Education is one of the most important keys for success and happiness. Education is an open door with many paths that can lead to your dreams and hopes for your family or yourself. This book is source on a true story that does contain factual evidence from a college graduate, which in this case Paul Kalanithi. He studies at the University of Stanford ready to redeem his degree as a doctor. This book contains an engrossing plot of physiological absorption. This book contains many emotional breakdowns with Paul’s life. He suffers from lung cancer, and that does have many aspects of physiological difficulties. Lung cancer has different symptoms. For Paul, he suffered from back spasms, emotional breakdowns, and many more health concerns. Lung cancer can also increase weight loss, stress, fatigue, and intense rib/ chest pains, which affects Paul’s daily life, including his marriage, friendships, and family. This book contains an engrossing plot of physiological absorption. This book contains many emotional breakdowns with Paul’s life. He suffers from lung cancer, and that does have many aspects of physiological difficulties. Lung cancer has different symptoms. For Paul, he suffered from back spasms, emotional breakdowns, and many more health concerns. Lung cancer can also increase weight loss, stress, fatigue, and intense rib/ chest pains, which affects Paul’s daily life, including his marriage, friendships, and family. This novel has an emotional and spiritual plot. Paul interferes with his family and friends as he suffers lung cancer. His marriage is pondered for reasons because of his health, and family had been far when he needs them. Paul’s wife, Victoria, has been pondering about her marriage, because Paul has not been confessing about his condition. He does not want to upset others. He continuously thinks he can hide his health problem, but lung cancer is a threat to life. Paul has been suffering by himself. His marriage is ruined even though he does not want it to tumbledown. He makes a mistake as he anticipates to tell his loved ones. This book demonstrates a powerful concept that may inspire and intrigue all people. It contains a great amount of surgical vocabulary that can increase your knowledge in the medical field. Paul does not explain thoroughly the medical terms, yet he uses context clues to teach. Paul uses his deep thoughts to write his feelings, and give us a relatable feeling that makes us feel accepted.Read full review
Verified purchase: No
When Breath Becomes Air is a must read, I never read a book twice except this one. Almost every family has a loved one with cancer. This author not only writes well, is very educated and tells a compelling story about his journey.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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