America the Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great Paperback – Bargain Price, January 22, 2013

Although I downloaded this book some time ago after hearing about Dr. Ben Carson in the news, I didn't read it until I started following (and contributed to) the movement to recruit Dr. Carson to run for president.When I first heard about Dr. Carson, I realized he must be an exceptional person. He grew up in the ghettos of Detroit, raised by a single mother with a third-grade education. His father had left after Ben's mother discovered he had another wife and another family across town. Ben had every excuse to end up like so many other young black men raised in that environment by single mothers. Because his mother didn't want to be a welfare mother (although she did have to rely on food stamps to make ends meet), she worked two or three domestic jobs at a time. Often she left early in the morning and didn't get home until midnight, so Ben and his brother Curtis frequently didn't see her for days at a time. But they still followed the rules she laid down for them because they respected and loved her. She was a devout Christian and both of her sons grew up with a strong faith. Even in the height of the segregation of the Jim Crow, she always told the boys they could do anything they wanted.When the boys were not doing well in school, their mother allowed them to watch television only three hours a week. She also required that they read two books and turn book reports on them into her every week. Later on, they discovered that she couldn't read the reports they gave her, but she made sure they were done. One of the hours of television was Ben's favorite program, College Bowl. He decided he wanted to be on that show when he got to college. But as he watched it, he realized that the only subjects he knew anything about were science, which he always loved. So he started reading about classical music and history and literature and all the things he didn't know about. Although the show went off the air, and he never got to be on College Bowl, the study he did in preparation gave him a life-long love of learning, and he is knowledgeable about many subjects that you wouldn't expect of a physician.Ben wanted to be a doctor from a very young age, but the kind of doctor changed through the years. At one time, he wanted to be a missionary, but he later felt God was calling him to be an academic neurosurgeon. He has saved more lives as head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins and reached more people for Christ through his public speaking and his writing than he would have as a missionary. The book is titled "Gifted Hands" because he has done things in surgery that no one else has done. He recognizes that he has a unique collection of talents and skills that make him so good at brain surgery, and he believes that God gave him those talents and skills precisely so he could do what he does. He also believes we have God-given talents to perform whatever it is that God wants us to do.Considering all he has overcome and all he has accomplished, it wouldn't be surprising if Dr. Carson were egotistical and arrogant. However, that isn't the case. One of the things that struck me throughout the book was his recognition of people who had helped him achieve his dreams: teachers and school counselors, people who gave him summer jobs during school, friends and colleagues. He has often been called in as a last resort when other neurosurgeons have told parents nothing can be done and their children will die. Dr. Carson always make it clear to the family when he does this last resort surgery that their child might die--he will do all he can but there are no guarantees. Parents typically respond, "If you don't operate, he will die. If you do operate, at least he has a chance." He has been successful far more than not, but every time he loses a patient, he grieves with the family. Although medical professionals are often told not to get too involved with their patients, he can't practice medicine without getting personally involved with every case.Dr. Carson's story is compelling--and he believes everyone in this country has the same opportunity to achieve their dreams. He is certainly a role model for young people, especially minority children growing up in poverty. He demonstrates that they don't have to remain in the situation they're in now. They can take responsibility and achieve their own success. He also believes in helping others, and he and his wife run a nonprofit that gives scholarships to students who demonstrate both academic excellence and community service.I highly recommended this book. You will be inspired by this story of a young boy who went from being bullied and called "dummy" because he was failing fifth grade to the pinnacle of success as a world-renowned neurosurgeon, speaker, and author. Beyond his vocational and financial achievements, however, you will be inspired by a man who is a strong Christian who stands up for his values and who cares for his fellow man.

Good coverage of social dilemmas, with very credible proposed solutions, but I found the writing style less enjoyable than the information itself. A dry read, but good read.

America the Beautiful - Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great - Ben Carson, MDWhen you realize Ben Carson's unique background - that he grew up in poverty as an African American in the slums of Detroit and Boston; that his single Mom wisely motivated him to read as a pathway out of poverty; that reading gave him an insatiable appetite for learning; that he has been a union member; has managed a crew picking up trash on the highway and motivated them to the highest productivity; that he graduated from Yale in psychology and U of Michigan med school; that at age 33 he was named Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins; that he has experienced virtually every economic class in our society firsthand; that he is a prostate cancer survivor, that he has traveled the world over; that he is much in demand as a public speaker - you appreciate that this is an extremely intelligent and learned commentator who has lived life and has many insights to offer.Dr. Carson points out that many pinnacle nations including Egypt, Greece, Rome, Great Britain, France and Spain have declined. They all shared similarities; "an inordinate emphasis on sports and entertainment, a fixation with lifestyles of the rich and famous, political corruption, and the loss of a moral compass." "The question is, can we learn from the experience of those nations the preceded us and take corrective action, or must we inexorable follow the same self-destructive course?"Dr. Carson is clearly a student of history, and much of his book traces the history and development of our nation. His thoughts about the thinking of the founding fathers are well supported with quotations. He draws fascinating parallels between the forces that led to the Boston Tea Party and the Tea Party movement today. Descriptions of his encounters with racism throughout his life, from the playground to Johns Hopkins, are revealing, and it is a testament to his education and character that he is not resentful.He is a strong Christian, and it is revealing to read what happened when he was invited to give the keynote address at the Presidential Prayer Breakfast and was told that he should not mention the name of Jesus Christ. Early in life he dedicated himself to "achieve a first-class education in a second-class environment." He laments that "In the mid-twentieth century, however, a series of things began to happen that negatively impacted the quality of public education in the US." He devotes interesting chapters to capitalism, socialism and whether or not America is a moral nation.In discussing racist thinking he tells of a TV interview when a reporter was asking African-Americans what they thought of Senator Obama's choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate. He offers a fascinating approach to achieving a balanced budget and his "Saudi Arabian Solution" to the problem of doctors who bill fraudulently is profound. As a physician, his creative ideas about providing health insurance for everyone merit serious consideration. His description of his political thinking journey through 60 years of life is thought provoking.Dr. Carson believes that "the generous freedoms we enjoy as a nation enable anyone to achieve their dreams and that this perhaps the greatest thing about America." However, he warns his readers that political correctness threatens to deprive us of freedom of speech and thought. He challenges his reader to consider what we believe in and in whom do we trust before it is too late for America. A highly recommended read for all voters before the next elections.

Would recommend this book to everyone. Just received it and cannot put it down. Very readable and interesting. His writing has wet my appetite for more of his books. His common sense approach is so refreshing.

My mother is into American npolitics and things like that. This book shows a side to the USA that is rearly seen.

Very basic man probably that's what we need from today's politician

It was delivered quick,love the book

If Benjamin Carson is not nominated as the Republican candidate for President to face down the charlatan Hilary Clinton, the Republic is doomed. Carson represents everything Obama is not: Moral, competent, trustworthy, possessing the finest leadership qualities one could ever hope for.