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When Breath Becomes Air

When Breath Becomes Air

By Paul Kalanithi

When Breath Becomes Air. Random House, 2016.

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14 mins read

13 Key insights

A brief summary of When Breath Becomes Air

The touching memoir of a neurosurgeon’s quest to find the meaning of life as he comes to meet his mortality in the face of a stage IV lung cancer diagnosis. Paul Kalanithi left behind a message of hope, love, and motivation to inspire us all to live and die with dignity.

Key insights in When Breath Becomes Air

1
What do you get from this book? An exceptional doctor’s experience finding beauty in life in the face of death
2
Kalanithi’s life was regularly marked by a sense of duality, including two paths of study
3
The connected concepts of life and death became a common theme as Kalanithi entered the medical field
4
Kalanithi’s residency was challenging and stressful, but he felt neurosurgery was the right route for him
5
Being compassionate and understanding with patients allowed Kalanithi to forge connections for a more fulfilling life
6
Recognizing the individual first, Kalanithi resolved to practice patient and thorough communication as a doctor
7
Neuroscience research provided Kalanithi with more knowledge about the brain, but some tragic events are still difficult to understand
8
Kalanithi’s world was turned upside-down when he received shocking news about his health
9
Faced with several tough decisions about his family and work, Kalanithi took up writing to help him endure treatments
10
The messages Kalanithi left the world after his passing offer us all a great gift
11
Summary of the key insights
12
Selected critiques in brief
13
Final word

Who should read When Breath Becomes Air

Doctors • medical students • the terminally ill • anyone facing the death of a loved one • anyone wanting to be inspired to live a full life

About the author of When Breath Becomes Air

Paul Kalanithi was a brilliant scientist and neurosurgeon, as well as writer. He earned degrees from Stanford and Cambridge before graduating with honors from Yale School of Medicine and presented with the highest award for research by the American Academy of Neurological Surgery. His memoir was a Pulitzer Prize finalist.

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Paul Kalanithi

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