“Nobility in Small Things” is the memoir of a heart surgeon throughout his time as a premed, surgical career, and during COVID-19. At times gorgeously written, at times laboriously slow, the prose was very meandering and seemed to endless circle around the point before making it. I’ve read many medical memoirs and ultimately I don’t feel that this book really had much that was new to offer to the discussions of medical practice or the COVID pandemic.

I've read many books of this nature and I may just be burnt out with them or this was just lower quality than the others. The writing wasn't great and the story was nothing new.

I found this book to be very interesting. The author provides a memoir of his professional life, but he also sprinkled details from his personal life that both humanize him and put the professional season in time. This book covers the author’s beginning as a doctor, his treatment of Bill Clinton, and the Covid pandemic. He includes successes and failures and is candid about them both. I enjoyed the book.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.

I asked to read this book because I loved the title and the description. Dr. Smith's experience with the loss of a child sounded like the type of formative event that can lead to deep empathy. I expected this book to exhibit that. But it didn't.

Dr. Smith had interesting growing up years. I enjoyed his stories about his youthful jobs. He described some things through the modern lens of privilege - acknowledging that he was a privileged man. But he also worked hard.

The writing style is clear and mostly flows well, except when he forgets his audience may not consist of scientists and mathematicians. That seemed to happen more toward the end of the book. The timeline jumps around for no apparent reason, so it's sometimes difficult to follow.

The account of his child's death was deeply personal and heartfelt. Dr. Smith vulnerably shares an issue with anxiety. His stories about caring for President Clinton were interesting. And one thought-provoking discussion about nobility centered on the changing values in our society from putting others first to self-focus first.

But the overall tone is pompous and lacking in true sensitivity. There are several unflattering stories about coworkers with their identities thinly veiled. I felt a lot of his writing was vengeful. He would often make a statement that seemed broad-minded (usually acknowledging privilege regarding racial/economic disparities), but in the end he seemed to simply be trying to look good, rather than be good.

This didn't make my recommended reading list. I was given advance access to an electronic copy to review.
#NetGalley #NobilityInSmallThings

Beautifully written memoir. I found it difficult to put down. What a varied life Dr. Smith has led. It was a joy to peek behind the scenes into a memorable life.

What could have been a fascinating memoir by the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital is marred by a need for judicious editing. Many medical non-fiction fans, however, will likely appreciate it.

“Nobility in Small Things” is a non-fiction book by Dr. Craig Smith. I must admit, I’d never heard about Dr. Smith before opening this book - I actually did an Internet search while reading the book to learn a bit more about him. I’m not sure how to rate this book. I thought it would be more like an auto-biography (which it is) but focusing more on why/how he chose his medical career. A lot of time is spent discussing other jobs (relevant to his travels to becoming a doctor) but sometimes I felt like those jobs had no relation to his becoming a surgeon. I think this book needs an editor to take a stronger look at the overall story thread; it can be tighter. However, that being said, I think that Dr. Smith has an interesting way with words (the section about former President Bill Clinton’s surgery were interesting) and I found some of his observations interesting. I have always been grateful to anyone associated with the actual hands-on medical profession - from surgeons to nurses and all those in-between - and that gratitude was strengthened by this book. This book was interesting - and if the medical profession interests you I'd recommend it.

Nobility in Small Things was an enjoyable autobiographical read that wasn't quite what I expected going in.
The book gives a lot of insight into Dr. Smith's path to eventually becoming a surgeon and provides ample illumination on their thought process when working but did not really focus on the area that initially drew me in, the section on his work and life during the height of the pandemic takes a surprisingly small percentage of the pages here and there is a certain lack of cohesion to the writer's narrative style.

The greatest strength of this nonfiction piece lies in the voice and wide experience of its writer.

Nobility in Small Things: A Surgeon’s Path” by Craig R. Smith, M.D., is an extraordinary memoir that offers readers a captivating glimpse into the mind and soul of a highly respected surgeon. Through heartfelt storytelling and introspection, Dr. Smith takes us on an emotional journey, from the routine of his daily life as a surgeon to the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The book begins by immersing us in the meticulous routine of Dr. Smith’s life—waking up early, preparing his turkey-on-rye sandwich, and embarking on his drive to the hospital. The author’s dedication to his craft is evident as he performs life-saving surgeries, including the quadruple bypass that saved Bill Clinton’s life. However, everything changes when the pandemic hits, forcing the suspension of hospital surgeries worldwide.

Dr. Smith’s transition from the bustling operating room to the solitude of his office provides the catalyst for his writing. His emails, initially intended to uplift and console his colleagues, eventually gain recognition for their empathetic insights into the challenges faced by hospitals everywhere. In “Nobility in Small Things,” Dr. Smith shares these poignant messages, allowing readers to witness the care and thought he invests in assessing the work of his own and any hospital.

While the book delves into the world of medicine, it transcends mere professional accounts. Through intimate narratives, the author introduces us to his patients and colleagues, delving into the joys and heartbreaks of their lives. Dr. Smith explores not only the triumphs and tragedies within the hospital walls but also the profound impact these experiences have on his personal life. He fearlessly addresses the devastating loss of two fellow M.D.s to suicide and opens up about his own battle with social anxiety and the transformative journey towards overcoming it.

What truly sets “Nobility in Small Things” apart is its exploration of the deeply human elements behind the medical profession. Dr. Smith artfully reflects on the moral philosophy and profound emotions that underpin the daily miracles performed by surgeons. The book invites us to contemplate not only the development of a skilled physician but also the continual cultivation of compassion, empathy, and integrity that define this noble profession.

Throughout the memoir, Dr. Smith’s writing is sincere, vulnerable, and deeply introspective. He masterfully intertwines personal stories, medical expertise, and insightful observations, resulting in a narrative that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. The author’s ability to convey his experiences with such authenticity and depth is a testament to his exceptional storytelling skills.

“Nobility in Small Things: A Surgeon’s Path” is a remarkable testament to the resilience and dedication of medical professionals. Dr. Craig R. Smith’s memoir not only sheds light on the extraordinary work of surgeons but also provides a profound meditation on life, empathy, and the pursuit of excellence. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the humanity behind the white coats, and it will leave a lasting impact on readers long after they turn the final page.

While not a book you can read quickly, there was a lot in this book. My expectations going into this were it would be a lot more centered around Covid, but was surprised at the journey of getting to even becoming a surgeon. The stories from the coal mine were crazy. I was looking forward to more of stories and reflections of his treatments of patients and even more about some of the stuff with Covid and his reflections?

As someone who is not in the medical profession but still loves reading about it - this book was still a good read. Also, fascinating to read about handling surgery of Bill Clinton!

would have liked to see this book separated into different topics like Covid and physician wellness, personnel management. felt the parts on his employment as a pole climber and the story of sudden death of his infant daughter deserved their own short book. so sorry when I read about the infant's death. must be doubly hard for someone in the medical field to process this.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book as an eGalley ahead of its publication in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Unfortunately, this novel was not for me. Something about the writing didn't click for me at the time I picked it up. I found myself getting distracted while reading and my mind was wandering.

Dr. Craig Smith's story truthfully sounded very intriguing to me and I was looking forward to reading this, but I just don't think it's meant to be.

Hoping other reviews will prove me wrong, it's clear Dr. Smith put a lot of time and effort into this book and recognition is most definitely deserved for that alone.

This book is so much more than a memoir from a brilliant physician who has seen and experienced more in his lifetime than most of us ever will. Dr. Craig Smith, is the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Columbia Pres. Hospital. I’ve read some reviews criticizing his writing for going into his childhood and young adult years, including many pages devoted to his jobs as a lineman and work at a steel plant before that. I did in no way find that to be superfluous or insignificant to the story. He was a daredevil from early on and developed grit and great tenacity the older he got. His strength of character and work ethic has gotten him to where he is today. He was among the pioneer of heart transplants, and then on to heart and lung transplants. He’s held countless hearts of men in his hands and kept them beating. He’s done bypass surgery on a President, and more recently endured the Covid pandemic, deep in the trenches of a New York ER, when shortages of ventilators and PPE’s were reality. The story delves deeper into philosophical issues of the more recent concern of the Physicians wholeness placed above the patient’s best interest as outlined in the Hippocratic oath . I found that quite profound , and indicative of later generations. I think that the book was very well done, and a most enlightening read!

As a physician, I normally love reading books written by more experienced physicians because I value experience and learn from it. This book however is unreadable- it starts off with a description of the author's covid infection and then tangentially name drops location of his wife's rowing competition, the name of a famous ct surgeon, the fact that he could have been the index case of covid if he had been tested but that notoriety went to someone else - and then the fact that their ORs were closed at columbia for two months. As an intensivist who had to deal with hundreds of sick people dying during COVID my question was what is the point.
The answer is the point in this book is very hard to find

This is the autobiography of a young man who, eventually (but not for a long time into the story), became a surgeon, saving lives of ordinary and famous folks. The beginning is focused largely on his experience working in a coal processing plant and the hazards of that. The author recognizes the limitations of a life spent in unrewarding labor and the reality that many people are unavoidably on that path. From there, he experiences the hardship of training to be a surgeon and the sometimes heart-breaking life in the medical field as both patients and co-workers struggle with life and death matters. Then there was Covid. Not a quick read, this look into the highly personal life of one man reveals the struggles most people face, but on a grander scale.

This book was a wonderful read, enjoyed from the very beginning. I was totally fascinated with Dr. Smith's story going from his days of youth all the way through the Covid pandemic. I found it hard to put down, loved it, and thank you NetGalley for the ebook copy.

Having a medical background, I like to read medical autobiographies. This one, however was a disappointment. The writing seemed to have no cohesion. However, his dedication to his career, his staff and his patients must be applauded.

was hoping this book addressed more of Dr. Smith’s medical career. His initial jobs were interesting but took up far too much of his story. His focus on privilege was frustrating because while he knew he was privileged,
He gave little thought about how to improve the lives of others. The most interesting parts were his memories about his heart surgery on President Clinton and his response to the COVID pandemic. He expressed many thoughts about the deficits in our health care system and the future of physician training but didn’t provide much in the way of positive change. This book seemed to be more of a justification for his actions and perhaps a soul release for some of his decisions.
I can’t really recommend this book. I didn’t see the connection of the material to the title.

“Nobility in Small Things, A Surgeon's Path” is a memoir by Craig R. Smith, M.D. I’m not sure how the author settled on his book title (perhaps he mentioned it and I missed it) but it’s an interesting way to think of one’s life. Dr. Smith is one-of a-kind and it was interesting to get to know him through his writing.

The first part of the book engaged me the most. His growing up years, the decisions he made once he hit college, his job as a line man (for the county?) were presented in a friendly and optimistic way. He became less relatable as he began his medical career as a surgeon. I was surprised that while he briefly mentioned his patients, the science and techniques of operating are truly his passion.

The last part of the book focuses on the recent pandemic and this part gets to be more like a research article, not as personal or emotional. If you like to read medical memoirs, this is a good book, but it’s not a warm and folksy rendition. Thanks to the author for his dedication to medicine.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review.

3.5 stars

I very much appreciated the writer's sincerity and honesty in his accounting of both his life and his experiences. Readers who have enjoyed other "medical memoirs" will find a lot to like in this.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc to review.