When Breath Becomes Air
When Breath Becomes Air
Paul Kalanithi
Tim Cook
Best book on re-examining life and values. - Tim Cook
Shauna Niequist
Shauna Niequist recommended this book on Twitter.
Anthony Pompliano
[One of the] best books I read in 2017. - Anthony Pompliano
Patrick O'Shaughnessy
The memoir of a successful neurosurgeon who is diagnosed with lung cancer. - Patrick O'Shaughnessy
Melinda Gates
Melinda Gates recommended this book on Likewise.com.
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When Breath Becomes Air

When Breath Becomes Air

Paul Kalanithi
By
Paul Kalanithi
4.4
52898
ratings on Goodreads

In the heart-wrenching yet profoundly inspiring memoir "When Breath Becomes Air," Paul Kalanithi shares his journey from a promising young neurosurgeon to a patient grappling with terminal lung cancer. At thirty-six, on the cusp of finishing a decade of rigorous medical training, Kalanithi's future, brimming with potential and promise, is abruptly overshadowed by his diagnosis. This poignant narrative delves deep into the essence of what it means to live, as Kalanithi is thrust from the position of healer to that of the one seeking answers in the face of his mortality. Through his quest for understanding, Kalanithi explores the intricacies of human identity and the indomitable spirit of the human condition, all while navigating the emotional landscape of becoming a new father, knowing his time with his child will be short. "When Breath Becomes Air" is not merely a memoir about death but a testament to the transformative power of facing the inevitable end. Kalanithi wrestles with profound questions about virtue, meaning, and the value of life, inviting readers into his intimate contemplations. His eloquent prose bridges the gap between doctor and patient, life and death, capturing the beauty and tragedy of the human experience. Completed posthumously, Kalanithi's words endure as a legacy of courage, compassion, and an unyielding quest for meaning, offering solace and inspiration to all who seek to understand the delicate balance between life's fleeting moments and the eternal echo of our existence.

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Released
2016
12 Jan
Length
208
Pages

8

recommendations

recommendation

One of the best books I've read in years. - Peter King
Shauna Niequist recommended this book on Twitter.
[One of] the 10 best nonfiction books of all-time. - James Clear
Best book on re-examining life and values. - Tim Cook
[One of the] best books I read in 2017. - Anthony Pompliano
Melinda Gates recommended this book on Likewise.com.
The memoir of a successful neurosurgeon who is diagnosed with lung cancer. - Patrick O'Shaughnessy
This book left me in tears. - Bill Gates
You can’t ever reach perfection, but you can believe in an asymptote toward which you are ceaselessly striving.
— Paul Kalanithi, When Breath Becomes Air

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