A review by ecooper99
Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance by Atul Gawande

informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

How can you not marvel at the human body? It's mysterious yet incredibly efficient, vulnerable but surprisingly resilient, rugged and delicate... it's a marvel and a mystery wrapped in an enigma. And yet Gawande and millions of others world-wide are tasked with keeping us all going for as long as possible, while (hopefully) allowing us to maintain a high quality of life.

In Better, Gawande takes us on a journey through the daily grind of medical professionals in situations as varied as dealing with blown-off limbs on the battlefield and delivering a baby in a parking lot. I've always admired those in the medical field, but after reading Better, I'm even more awed by what medical professionals do, often in adverse situations and with limited resources at hand.

I'm a big fan of Dr. Gawande. This is the second book I've read by him, and it won't be the last. I particularly appreciate his candidness in admitting his own shortcomings and reflecting on them. After holding a mirror up to himself, Gawande turns it on the medical world--and isn't afraid to reveal both its imperfections and its relentless pursuit of excellence.

What also struck me about this book is how universally applicable it is. Yes, it's about medicine, but the lessons delved into here are applicable to any profession. The themes of continuous improvement, ethical quandaries, and personal introspection are as relevant to an accountant or a lawyer as they are to a surgeon. "Better" is a perspective-changer. Whether you're in medicine, the arts, technology, or any other field, there's something in it for you. This is a book not just about being a better doctor, but about being a better human.