Overall, I think this book would be an excellent gift for any med school graduate. The book is relatively short and quickly readable (maybe even during a long inpatient shift!) yet also packed with countless anecdotes and possibility models. The writing is straightforward and easy to follow, which may even appeal to non-medical folks. In particular, I really enjoyed the last two chapters on self-care and finding joy in the profession, as we know that burnout is at epidemic levels among physicians.

There were a few reasons why I was not able to rate this higher. While the anecdotes and vignettes were great, I was disappointed that instead of exploring countless other examples, the authors chose to circle back to a few examples multiple times in the chapters (and not in an iterative way). For example, Dr. Paul Farmer is in almost every chapter as an example, and while I agree that he is an inspirational figure, I know there are countless others that could have been profiled. Along those same lines, it almost felt like this was an ode to Harvard: while again there are currently and historically brilliant minds at the institution, the word “Harvard” appears ~40 times in this ~130-page book, generally when referring to accolades or legitimizing academic prowess. The examples certainly deserve recognition of their academic achievements, but I wish the authors had expanded their horizons. (I found myself asking if this book was meant for me if I wasn’t a graduate of Harvard Medical School?) Along the same lines, I’m not sure why figures like J.K. Rowling (with her controversial transphobic rhetoric; the authors do not acknowledge this) and Werner Forssmann (a literal Nazi; the authors do acknowledge this but still gave him space just to acknowledge that he was innovative in heart catheterization?) were included in such a small book when so many other examples could have been used. Not to belabor the point, but I was also disappointed in the DO-erasure (“both MDs and PhDs”) and lack of historical depth/discussion on the post-2010 earthquake cholera outbreak in Haiti (the authors include just a single line about a devastating cholera outbreak in Haiti without acknowledgement that it was contamination from aid workers).

It is meant as a light read, and the authors do accomplish their goal to reflect on their journeys in medicine. I respect the authors’ illustrious careers and how their own lived experiences are examples of pathways to success. I appreciated (most of) the historic examples used to provide inspiration to early career folks. I think many med students will appreciate a quick and easy read.

Reviewed as part of #ARC from #NetGalley. Many thanks to Trident Media Group for the opportunity to read and review.