Gifted Hands - The Ben Carson Story

Gifted Hands by Ben Carson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really like the book and the man. Great and inspiring story. He had many challenges, but he also had some real advantages. His mother was poor, but she worked hard and passed on a love of learning and knowledge, and instilled in her sons the idea that they could accomplish anything they chose to do.

Carson also started out in a decent school that was not predominantly welfare recipients (there's nothing wrong with being poor, but spending a lifetime on welfare creates a different mindset in most people). He ended up in an inner-city school at one point, but I think he had a real advantage over kids who don't know anything different. He talks about the respect students had for one another in his original school setting, compared to the inner-city school where the focus was on clothing, image, etc. There was no status in being smart and doing well academically.

Carson's mother was determined not to be dependent on the government, and passed on that sense of self-reliance to her children. I love the fact that he openly acknowledges his faith in God and the role He has played in his life. The book is filled with inspiring experiences from Carson's childhood through his impressive career as a gifted and groundbreaking neurosurgeon. Great book!!


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