This is second of Belva's books. I wanted to read them in order to not only start at the beginning of the story, but to watch her writing progress.This is the life story of Martin. He becomes a neurosurgeon probably sometime in the early 1930's. he dreams of becoming a Dr at a very early age. His father is a small town doctor. Instead of telling his father he doesn't want to take over his practice, he takes it over suddenly when his father dies unexpectedly. Martin, until much later in his life, lives for everyone else and does what is expected of him. In the end, he learns what is most important in life...family. Career wise, his whole life he works toward opening a science lab to learn about brain function in order to save lives. FINALLY it is in the works to open and a committee gives it to someone else to run. He had made a decision to do the right thing. instead of what everyone expected him to do. He had to turn in another Dr for malpractice. Not the popular choice, but the right one. Great story.Favorite moments and quotes:So tender, a human body, a human life. Nothing more to it than a few pounds of fragile bone and soft tissue. Yes, and years of nurturing and thousands of hours of loving care. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.
