Lewis Thomas spent his life revolving around various aspects of medicine – apprenticeship, patients, research, administration, being a patient, and writing. In this memoir, he shares tales and insights from all of these experiences in an easy-to-digest and relatable format.

I especially enjoyed his notes from his time as Dean of Yale’s medical school. Perhaps it’s because I work for an associate dean of medicine now. I appreciate his admonishments not to intervene too much in faculty affairs. If a culture is healthy, trying to change small aspects can only foul the waters.

This book often makes the list of recent physician-writers worth reading. It is well-written and even dives into scientific detail about cellular biology. Thomas even submits some thoughts on political theory: Women should not only run the earth, but in compensation for centuries of disenfranchisement, only women should be allowed to vote (not men)!

Overall, this is a light and witty read with loads of wisdom.

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A fascinating account of how medicine has changed since the early 20th century and what it has become. Dr. Thomas lived, worked, and researched through some of the most interesting medical times, and he writes clearly and vividly about them. I am a better doctor-to-be, researcher, and indeed person for having read this book. A must-read. ( )

A not overly technical book, this still held my interest and gave a nice overview of one man's experience with Medicine, from the founding of the M.D/Ph.D. program to advances in immunology, as well as some general musings about the future of medicine.
Very broad strokes. But accessible for the layperson. 5/5 for sure. ( )

Thomas makes us realize how much the "practice" of medicine has changed over the years. In recounting many of the amazing breakthroughs, it also becomes apparent how much we take for granted. I imagine that if this book is not already dated, that it will be very soon because medicine is changing so dramatically. ( )

I expected this to be a collection of essays, like his other books. Instead, it morphed from history of 20th century medicine, to autobiography, to review of his research. Parts of it were very interesting, parts I didn't understand at all. Since it was first published in 1983, the science is dated, and Dr. Thomas' prediction of the end of cancer before the turn of the century has proven to be unduly optimistic. I liked it well enough, but I prefer his essays. ( )