Big Picture, The

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Summary: Superb, thought-provoking work
Review: Dr. Ben Carson is not just a gifted surgeon. He is a healer who thinks about the spiritual dimensions of human life as well as the physical ones. In this book, he distills his experiences into a compendium of anecdotes, thoughts, and guidelines which spell out "The Big Picture" of human existence. Carson is not afraid to take controversial positions based on his deep Christian beliefs. Even readers who disagree with him, though, will come away profoundly moved by Carson's thoughts. Simply put, this is a book everyone should read. No one who reads it will come away unmoved.

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Summary: This book was terrific, a page turner
Review: Dr. Carson is a living example that one can beat the odds regardless of one's socioeconomic status or ethnicity. The adversitities he experienced clearly paved the way for his success as a Neurosurgeon. Furthermore, he would not allow his background to become a hinderance in achieving his goals. Dr. Carson's hard work, experiences and philosophy he relates to in the book are guidelines and incentives for young people especially African American youth who believe that their goals are not attainable. Moreover, students need mentors, and road maps to follow in order to reach their goals.I watch "Good Morning America" daily and saw his interview with Charlie Gibson I immediately began looking for the book, and was able to order it.The Carson Foundation is an excellent tool in which all students receive help. After reading "The Big Picture" I would recommend it to everyone I know. God Bless and keep you always. Your Sister in Christ. Marietta

Rating:
Summary: Started out great but fizzled out
Review: I ordered this book after hearing Dr. Carson interviewed on NPR and wanting to learn more about him. Dr. Carson's accomplishments are inspirational, especially considering his background. The book had me riveted for the first few chapters, during which he describes two separations of conjoined twins. The discussion of the medical and technological advances involved in those surgeries was truly fascinating. Those stories also helped illustrate how individual events become part of the big picture. Unfortunately, I felt that the rest of the book became Dr. Carson's forum for discussing his views on everything from pre-marital sex to health care reform, without having the same relevance to the big picture that those first few chapters had. Maybe he should have written two books - The Big Picture, describing how individual events in any person's life have a greater meaning when taken in context with other events, and My Big Picture, describing the perfect world for Dr. Carson. I felt as though he lost interest after the first few chapters and then just lapsed into a lecture without tying things together. What could have been a great book was, for me, only okay.

Rating:
Summary: This is a book that every person should read
Review: I read Dr. Carson's first two books and thought they were really good. But then I read The Big Picture and it was really great. I am a firm believer in the Bible but have a hard time seeing that BIG PICTURE. Ben Carson did a wonderful job in conveying what the Big Picture is suppose to look like for those of us who have a hard time seeing it. Reading the book is one thing - doing what is says in there is another. After reading this book, my thinking has changed and my life with it. If anybody is questioning their life in any way, this book is a must.

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Summary: Excellent perspective on responsibility and potential
Review: The author is a bit impressed with himself but if you get past that, he makes a number of excellent points on personal responsibility, individual potential, and seeing the "Big Picture". A very inspirational book.

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Summary: Learning From the Simple Things of Life
Review: The Big Picture gives one the message, do not overlook the simple things of life, the example of the railway track and the stone, shows that, any action done well, and well explored, can lead to greater things and opportunities of life. Dr. Carson does go into great details of his life's experiences. By the details, I can see similarities between his and mine. In fact, by practicing those household principles his mother taught him, I have been successful in raising two boys to be responsible men. He shows that anyone can live life to its fullest. As Jesus said "He came to give the abundant life." When one lives by Godly principles,success is available to all. Dr Carson gives honor and glory to the best in his life, i.e. honor to his mother, and he gives glory to God. The Big Picture demonstrates that if one man could touch the world with his God given talents, we could all strive to empower others with the same enthusiasm. Everyone can be the victor, and not a victim regardless of one's beginnings. Ben. Carson demonstrates that though we have no choice in our birth condition,and challenges, whether a challenge is of physical, economic, educational or racial origin, we can all contribute to improving our lot in life, and the lot of others globally, by using our brain to educate ourselves, and others, such as our children. The choices we make will in some way impact the world. As consumers of health care, we as individuals have the last say as to whom we wish to provide care,we need to walk the extra mile , and be proactive in achieving compassionate action, for our families and for our community.

Rating:
Summary: Compelling read
Review: The first two parts of this book were inspiring. Dr. Carson started out by illustrating the "Big Picture" with stories from his work. In the second part he went on to talk about the importance of things like parenting, setting goals, etc. I found the last part not at all interesting. In it Dr. Carson talked about his ideas on how to overcome different social issues. This portion was atypical of his normal writing style and I found it neither captivating nor especially thought provoking.

Rating:
Summary: Started out great but fizzled out
Review: This book goes deep inside the heart and soul of the common person. Ben Carson proves that we can rise above our worst infirmity and become whatever we want to be through sheer tenacity and perseverance of will to be more than a mediocre human being. His mother was a lot like my mother. Our mothers taught us to think for ourselves and not to follow the crowd. They also encouraged us to be whatever we wanted to be in life. I found the book clearly illuminating, that is why I want to buy the audiocassett.

Rating:
Summary: Compelling read
Review: This book should be a MUST READ for every parent and teacher as Dr Carson shares from his own experiences how he was motivated as a poor student to become a well known and respected pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital. With fascinating stories from his personal and professional life, Dr Carson weaves his wisdom with great suggestions for the racial, education and health care ills that plague our society today. It is a book you can't put down once you start reading it.

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Summary: A truly educational piece of literature!
Review: This is my first Ben Carson book, and I can hardly finish without constantly stopping to tell someone about this amazing book! I had the brief opportunity to meet this author in February of this year, and I was amamzed then, but after starting the book I hardly know what to say. Dr. Carson has angel's wings! He is a special anointed vessel sent by God! He demonstrates through The Big Picture the ability to relate to all levels of society. He understands the pangs of the least and the priviledge of the greatest. He graciously becomes transparent and reveals of himself for the benefit of the reader. His pearls of wisdom and sound advise yield a real education when reading his book. Everyone needs to read The Big Picture and to apply its principles. I appreciate him sharing in such a meaningful way!