A gifted hands by Dr. Benjamin Carson is an intelligent book for everyone. This book motivate teens to believe in themselves, deal with peer pressure and find their role in life. Carson is one of the two children of Sonya Carson and Mr. Carson. Carson Struggled from child hood to fit in, he was not the brightest kid in class but through perseverance, and studying, he found his way from Detroit to Harvard, and John Hopkins Teaching hospital as a neurosurgeon . Neurosurgery did not come easy for Carson but he overcame the trials and tribulation by praying and finding his role in life.

I had high hopes for this book. An excerpt was read to me at a teacher training and I thought it would be a great book to inspire my students to care about their education. I rushed out and bought it that same day. However, I found the book badly written. It jumps back and forth and has a few grammatical errors in it. Also, the quotes in there seem very fabricated and idealized. It doesn't read as a real story, even though I know it is.

More importantly, I didn't find it inspiring at all. I found the author's tone to be a bit cocky and arrogant, and the book (at least to me) reads as if he's bragging. I read the book a second time - this time from the point of view of most of my students (lower socio-economic status, lower testing levels, little if any motivation), and again, I did not find it at all inspiring. It was almost annoying how perfect his life turned out. For example, the part where he talks about how he was failing a pre-med course and by divine intervention he dreamed all the answers to the final exam and ended up with a 97% on the final just annoyed me. How many people have truly prayed for this to happen, studied hard and still didn't do well? Instances like these happen all throughout the book and left me feeling that even though someone might work hard, unless God throws them a bone here and there, life isn't going to turn out that great.

I'm not trying to take anything away from Mr. Carson's accomplishments. What he has achieved in his life is truly amazing, and I hope more people who lead a life like his continue to write about it to show the world that it can be done and that hard work can pay off. It's just that the way this book is written does not fit my purpose.

One more thing...The book has a strong theme of religion in it. It doesn't bother me personally, but many schools and/or parents may have an issue with that.

Ben Carson had a hard life. He grew up in lower class neighborhoods, didn't have the best grades, had a father who left, and other problems. But Ben's mom was always there for him, encouraging him to try harder. At one point she made Ben and his brother read two books a week from the library and report back to her about them. I think reading is a major part of learning, and I make a habit to put this two books per week thing a rule in my life.

Ben was able to overcome all of that, and become a pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins. This is an amazing feat. There are so few neurosurgeons even, and then when you become further specialized into pediatric neurosurgery, you know you're working with something special.

Dr. Carson has successfully performed surgeries that other doctors won't even attempt, and has saved many little lives. This book is inspirational, would make a great graduation gift, and I recommend it to anyone who's looking for that little extra motivation to accomplish something, whatever it is.

All I have to say is that, I have ultimate respect for this great man. He is definitely a true superior being in every sense of the WORD!!!! We need more true role models, like Mr. Carson to be more displayed, showcase in the media more often.

This younger black generation today, (white, latino, asian as well), needs to see more of this. I mean, a real talented, intelligent, well educated, articulate, and caring black men, like Mr. Carson who has contribute so much, into making peoples lives and society better.

I'm a very strong advocate, of showing more postive images of us in the media as African American people. That's why the "Bling! Bling!" B.S. that some of these pathitic, worthless, mindless black (brotha's and sista's) rappers and athletes, like to negatively displayed ad nauseam, needs to STOP! And Mr. Carson's story needs to be read, seen and told 24/7.

Also, I'm tired of hearing unimportant recycle stories, about none interesting, not even talented or cute (both male and female) over hype, overrated caucasian movie stars, people not worthy of my valuble time, coming from dumbing the masses, superficial Tinsale Town (Hollywood).

I will point this out again for the last time: BEN CARSON IS MORE IMPORTANT AND RELEVANT TO OUR LIVES!!!

This is a wonderful book that is truly inspiring, especially for young people. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would highly recommend it as a gift to young people who deserve to learn of the drive and dedication of Dr. Carson, and the heights of success he has been able to achieve. It's a story of hope, family support, discipline and success. The plot is easy to follow, and makes reading a pleasure - worth it. This is one of my favorites, and would highly recommend it.