Review of The Tenth Nerve
Posted: 03 Jul 2023, 13:12
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Tenth Nerve" by Chris Honey.]
The brain is an intricate and vital organ that controls all bodily functions, making it imperative to handle it with great care. While some aspects of brain function are well understood, many mysteries remain. In the medical field, professionals are trained to focus on the illness rather than the individual to maintain objectivity. Dr. Chris Honey, a neurosurgeon, could not help himself when some of his patients and their conditions forced him to derive life lessons from the enigmatic aspects of the brain, which he shares in his first book, The Tenth Nerve: A Brain Surgeon's Stories of the Patients Who Changed Him.
Surprisingly, The Tenth Nerve is not exclusively intended for medical practitioners. Dr. Honey impressively presents complex concepts in simple language, making them accessible to anyone old enough to understand. For instance, the description of the brain's cranial nerves was so simple that even children could understand it. This approach proved useful when the book discussed topics such as Microvascular Decompression, which involves decompressing blood vessels to facilitate the proper functioning of cranial nerves.
The book contains an enormous amount of research, which is evident in its contents. Despite this, it is still considerate of readers whenever it discusses medical terms and provides subsequent explanations. That was convenient because it did not get me distracted by checking a word and allowed the book to properly build on the aspect it had introduced. It also introduced the reader to the father of neurosurgery, Harvey Cushing, as well as other well-known names in the field, such as William Dandy. While such frequent deviations may bother some people, I found them to be both enlightening and necessary. It provided a more comprehensive perspective and enhanced understanding.
The book's vivid descriptions and buttery-smooth transitions between stories create an immersive reading experience. Although the stories are not presented chronologically, they gradually convey valuable lessons based on the author's personal experiences. This non-linear narrative keeps readers engaged and facilitates the emphasis on each story's morals. Through encounters with individuals like Saika, Alan, Emily, Leo, Nadia, and Armando, the author recognizes the limitations of modern neurosurgery and the significance of looking beyond ailments. The book successfully conveys how these experiences shaped the author's approach to life.
In my opinion, the main goal of attempting to help the reader understand how these experiences influenced the author's approach to life was achieved and executed flawlessly. With this in mind, I believe The Tenth Nerve deserves a perfect rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The book is impeccably edited and devoid of errors. There was nothing I disliked about it, and even the frequent deviations did not bother me. This book may appear appealing to those who simply want to learn more about how the brain works in unexpected ways. Also, if you are just curious about how this doctor was transformed, you will not be sorry if you read this.
******
The Tenth Nerve
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The brain is an intricate and vital organ that controls all bodily functions, making it imperative to handle it with great care. While some aspects of brain function are well understood, many mysteries remain. In the medical field, professionals are trained to focus on the illness rather than the individual to maintain objectivity. Dr. Chris Honey, a neurosurgeon, could not help himself when some of his patients and their conditions forced him to derive life lessons from the enigmatic aspects of the brain, which he shares in his first book, The Tenth Nerve: A Brain Surgeon's Stories of the Patients Who Changed Him.
Surprisingly, The Tenth Nerve is not exclusively intended for medical practitioners. Dr. Honey impressively presents complex concepts in simple language, making them accessible to anyone old enough to understand. For instance, the description of the brain's cranial nerves was so simple that even children could understand it. This approach proved useful when the book discussed topics such as Microvascular Decompression, which involves decompressing blood vessels to facilitate the proper functioning of cranial nerves.
The book contains an enormous amount of research, which is evident in its contents. Despite this, it is still considerate of readers whenever it discusses medical terms and provides subsequent explanations. That was convenient because it did not get me distracted by checking a word and allowed the book to properly build on the aspect it had introduced. It also introduced the reader to the father of neurosurgery, Harvey Cushing, as well as other well-known names in the field, such as William Dandy. While such frequent deviations may bother some people, I found them to be both enlightening and necessary. It provided a more comprehensive perspective and enhanced understanding.
The book's vivid descriptions and buttery-smooth transitions between stories create an immersive reading experience. Although the stories are not presented chronologically, they gradually convey valuable lessons based on the author's personal experiences. This non-linear narrative keeps readers engaged and facilitates the emphasis on each story's morals. Through encounters with individuals like Saika, Alan, Emily, Leo, Nadia, and Armando, the author recognizes the limitations of modern neurosurgery and the significance of looking beyond ailments. The book successfully conveys how these experiences shaped the author's approach to life.
In my opinion, the main goal of attempting to help the reader understand how these experiences influenced the author's approach to life was achieved and executed flawlessly. With this in mind, I believe The Tenth Nerve deserves a perfect rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The book is impeccably edited and devoid of errors. There was nothing I disliked about it, and even the frequent deviations did not bother me. This book may appear appealing to those who simply want to learn more about how the brain works in unexpected ways. Also, if you are just curious about how this doctor was transformed, you will not be sorry if you read this.
******
The Tenth Nerve
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
