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)
" I had the chance of listening to the book by fits & starts till the end. The beauty of this audiobook was that at any of the stage I picked up listening it again, I would never like to pause ! It's message of Hope & Struggle was ever-shining till the end. The oration was very clear, as if reading the book myself. The live events' experiences were also very encouraging for the people in despair. I am very thankful to Dr Groopman for this masterpiece, that keeps on sustaining the broken hearts. "
— Shoaib, 7/26/2016" Nonfiction/Medical Anthropology: an exploration about how hope can effect or not effect the outcome of illnesses, written by an oncologist/hemotologist. Important for anyone who has or gone through a significal medical complication "
— Annie, 2/6/2014" How people prevail in te face of illness is the topic of this book. The author, Jerome Groopman is a doctor whose research specializes in blood disease, cancer and AIDS. Groopman lays out what hope is through stories, mostly about cancer patients, but one, surprisingly is his own story. Each story is about how hope changes lives, and whether you have it or not determines your survival. Hope here is more like "will to live." Goopman's writing and the stoires are compelling, even the last chapter about the biology of hope. "
— Debra, 2/5/2014" just read it, it's real good "
— Erlandsen_nd, 2/5/2014" I love this book! What a good reminder of the importance true hope plays in how we live. While this book tells the stories of several patients and how hope or lack of it impacts their lives, on a broader scale it's telling for the role of hope even when we're healthy. "
— Elizabeth, 1/24/2014" This was an impressive and inspiring book written by an Oncology MD who watched over the years the way in which hope made a dramatic difference in the survival rate of his cancer patients. He also shared his personal experience with severe chronic back pain for 19 years and the role that hope played in his own recovery. "
— Ronda, 1/21/2014" 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, 1/18/2014" It took me a while to get through this puppy just because of school. I really did enjoy it until the very last chapter. The last chapter (Deconstructing Hope) can be thrown out. It did help me become a better caregiver though and that's one of the reasons I enjoyed it. "
— Thais, 1/18/2014" I am only on chapter 3 but so far I love this book! Will keep you posted! "
— Jaci, 1/9/2014" Great insite into what patients are going through. I think a good read for caregivers. "
— Ami, 12/31/2013" 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, 12/22/2013" 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, 12/1/2013" 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. "
— Charles, 11/28/2013" Excellent and readable discourse on the challenge and nature of hope in the face of terrific challenges. "
— MaryBliss, 11/21/2013" 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, 11/20/2013" I found this book to be particularly interesting as a student of Physical Therapy. It was touching and inspirational. "
— Laura, 8/18/2013" Was assigned this for school and thought it was great. Really helped me better understand diagnosis of cancer and how people respond. "
— Dana, 1/4/2013" Good information for anyone dealing with chronic illness personally or professionally. "
— Thom, 3/20/2012" We're all different when faced with illness - this helps understand the different ways different people deal with it. "
— Alison, 11/4/2011" 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, 5/19/2011" 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, 3/3/2011" 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, 2/27/2011" 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, 1/5/2011" anyone who is going to practice medicine needs to read this book! This book came to be at just the right time. "
— Loren, 12/21/2010" 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.