Medicine: Preserving the Passion

There is some obfuscation associated with the title of this monograph, and the authors use a somewhat compromising approach to data procurement. The title suggests that here is an evangelistic presentation intended to get the juices flowing and rekindle our excitement for our chosen profession. There is also the anticipation that Dr Manning will teach us how to continue learning and Dr DeBakey will focus on how to improve our writing skills.

The book is a well-constructed collection of anecdotal observations obtained by interviews from recognized leaders in medicine. These are supplemented by quotations from notables such as Samuel Johnson ("Curiosity is, in great and generous minds, the first passion and the last") and Seneca ("Men learn while they teach").

There is a collection of "personal essays" produced by 11 accomplished physicians and educators directed at describing the various techniques of continued learning these individuals have developed over the years