An inspiring and profoundly enlightening exploration of one doctor’s discovery of how hope can change the course of illness Since the time of the ancient Greeks, human beings have believed that hope is essential to life. Now, in this groundbreaking book, Harvard Medical School professor and New Yorker staff writer Jerome Groopman shows us why. The search for hope is most urgent at the patient’s bedside. The Anatomy of Hope takes us there, bringing us into the lives of people at pivotal moments when they reach for and find hope--or when it eludes their grasp. Through these intimate portraits, we learn how to distinguish true hope from false, why some people feel they are undeserving of it, and whether we should ever abandon our search. Can hope contribute to recovery by changing physical well-being? To answer this hotly debated question, Groopman embarked on an investigative journey to cutting-edge laboratories where researchers are unraveling an authentic biology of hope. There he finds a scientific basis for understanding the role of this vital emotion in the outcome of illness. Here is a book that offers a new way of thinking about hope, with a message for all readers, not only patients and their families. "We are just beginning to appreciate hope’s reach," Groopman writes, "and have not defined its limits. I see hope as the very heart of healing."
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"Groopman tells some amazing stories in this book--about people surviving against tremendous odds--and then considers the physical changes that are possible when people are hopeful. Hope, it seems, both improves the overall, physical outcome (in difficult to quantify ways) and, when the physical outcome isn't improved, improves the overall quality of life. Using his 19 years of back pain as an example of hopelessness, Groopman explores how you can learn to hope, and explains how, over the years, he has learned when and how to encourage his patients to hope (within realistic limits). For example, he has found that some of the extreme fatigue associated with heavy doses of chemo makes people hopeless, so he now tries to mitigate some of this fatigue with other drugs as less fatigue equals more hope equals better outcomes. Groopman uses case studies as examples of hope/hopelessness and the book is captivating because of their stories (and because of his willingness to share his). It's scientific in nature, but written for a general audience and is very readable."
— Ann (4 out of 5 stars)
" anyone who is going to practice medicine needs to read this book! This book came to be at just the right time. "
— Loren, 2/20/2014" Much of this is Groopman's memoir of his work with patients, and a careful consideration of how doctors approach their patients with serious illness. The truth, delivered in different ways, can affect people very differently. "
— David, 2/10/2014" I found this book to be particularly interesting as a student of Physical Therapy. It was touching and inspirational. "
— Laura, 1/22/2014" Because I cannot easily "buy" the feel good, think and be well philosophies which seem so prevalent today, I wanted to see what a doctor had to say. (As a doctor-wannabe, I was also interested.) The author is an oncologist/hematologist who started out, like me, being skeptical of such exhortations and follows his career and understanding through years and fascinating patient stories. I have a much better understanding of the real value of placebos, how morphine works as well as the actual value of believing in the possibilities for recovery. This book is NOT "The Power of Positive Thinking." It IS a scientific explanation by an M.D. who also writes for the NYT and shares what he has done wrong, how he has hurt chances for his patients' recovery and how he uses what he knows now. "
— Barbara, 1/9/2014" i read this book during the last month my brother was alive. life-changing. everyone who is in the medical profession should be required to read this book. "
— Heather, 12/3/2013" This book is the product of the author's emotional journey through understanding how differently patients react to their own diagnoses and circumstances, and why physicians have to treat patients individually, and not as cases of this type or another type of cancer. "
— Mireya, 11/18/2013" I am only on chapter 3 but so far I love this book! Will keep you posted! "
— Jaci, 11/7/2013" This is a great book, especially for anyone suffering from disease. Essentially, a collection of patient stories and medical research that help one understand the role that realistic hope can play. It's not the most amazing prose, but the topic is so compelling that I had to give it 5 stars. "
— Michelle, 11/5/2013" Groopman is always interesting because his accounts of patient cases are so compelling. I'm not sure he tied together his whole theme of the anatomy of hope, but it was very interesting nonetheless. If I ever get a terminal disease I'm sure I'll reread it :-) "
— Yak, 10/11/2013" Good information for anyone dealing with chronic illness personally or professionally. "
— Thom, 7/30/2013" Excellent book for anyone who works in healthcare or who is living with chronic illness. Lots of concrete information presented in a very readable format from a well respected authority. "
— Deb, 7/30/2013" Dr Groopman writes of his journey to understanding the impact of hope on the outcomes in cancer patients. He certainly writes in an honest and heartful manner. "
— Vickie, 7/26/2013" The basis of the book is good, but towards the end of the book it seems the author was writing about nothing. "
— Alyssa, 7/7/2013" Very interesting, although not terribly concrete in it's information. The book discusses the idea of "Hope" and the role it plays in a patient's recovery. "
— Ryan, 5/19/2013" Really lovely/provocative first 1/3-2/3. Wasn't as interested in the neuroscience of the later chapters--most of it I already knew and it wasn't particularly well linked to the earlier clinical stories. "
— Celeste, 10/2/2012" Not a profound book, but gives an interesting perspective on the role of hope in recovery. "
— Sally, 5/30/2012" A book about the mind-body connection. It is written by a doctor looking back on his and his patient's experiences with hope. What is the difference with true hope and false hope? "
— Eddie, 2/27/2012" A must-read for anyone gong through or taking care of someone with a major (and/or terminal) illness. Groopman discusses his shifting POV from the perspectives of a doctor and a patient. "
— Christine, 8/11/2011" I really liked this book. As a doc, I have struggled with the same dilemmas and have come to some of the same conclusions. It was a cathartic read. "
— Holly, 6/15/2011" This is a really good book about how someones frame of mind can affect their chances of recovering from a life-threatening illness. The doctor recounts the stories of a number of his patients who had cancer. It is well written enough that you come to care about these people. "
— Richard, 2/9/2011" Excellent piece especially for anyone suffering from chronic or terminal illness. Fascinating. Makes me want to research updated data and studies. Inspiring and motivating! "
— Sharon, 1/5/2011" Exactly what i was looking for. "
— Jim, 11/9/2010" I really liked this book. As a doc, I have struggled with the same dilemmas and have come to some of the same conclusions. It was a cathartic read. "
— Holly, 11/7/2010" Excellent piece especially for anyone suffering from chronic or terminal illness. Fascinating. Makes me want to research updated data and studies. Inspiring and motivating! "
— Sharon, 11/1/2010" Was assigned this for school and thought it was great. Really helped me better understand diagnosis of cancer and how people respond. "
— Dana, 9/26/2010" This was an interesting book to read. The author shared his journey as he experienced different cancer patients that had different levels of hope and how he dealt with hope in the face of a serious health challenge.<br/> "
— Charles, 8/5/2010" This book was written by an oncologist who told a number of stories of how patients dealt with their cancer and what he thought brought them hope. An interesting book. "
— Connie, 12/18/2009" I liked this book but felt a deep sense of anger because it seemed to me that the anatomy of hope really was wrapped in wealth and access to excellent health care. "
— Amanda, 12/11/2009" Excellent and readable discourse on the challenge and nature of hope in the face of terrific challenges. "
— MaryBliss, 12/7/2009" I like Dr. Groopman's approach to patients and to writing. Gripping stories and a lot of thoughtful reflection, backed up by years of real-world experience in hematology-oncology research and treatment. "
— Kate, 11/24/2009" I found this book to be a fascinating look at the psychology and physiology of hope when one is faced with illness, especially because it waw written by an MD. It really struck home because I have osteoporosis, my brother has MS and one of my sisters had cancer. "
— Marti, 9/22/2009Jerome Groopman, MD, holds the Dina and Raphael Recanti Chair of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and is chief of experimental medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. His previous books include the New York Times bestseller The Anatomy of Hope, Second Opinions, and The Measure of Our Days. He is a staff writer at The New Yorker.
Paul Michael, winner of several Earphones Awards, has also won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He has acted on stage, radio, television, and in feature films in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. He has had leading roles in series and made-for-television movies and has guest starred in such series as VIP and Alias. He has been nominated for a Canadian Emmy and has recorded over 150 audiobooks, including the international bestseller The Da Vinci Code.