Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder - Essay Example

24 October 2009 Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder - A Review Introduction Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder is a soul stirring true story about a doctor by name, Paul Farmer. It is a story about a man's love for the world and how he sets on a trip to heal the world with all possible things that he could do. Before dwelling into the review of the book, a word about the author would keep the review in good stead. Tracy Kidder, known best for his Pulitzer Prize winning book, "The Soul of a New Machine", is a former servant of the US Army and holds a degree in MFA from University of Iowa. He has been a noted writer among the critics right from his first book, "The Road to Yuba City". He has been credited by a popular newspaper as the master of nonfiction writing. He wrote this book in 2004 and soon the book had some rave reviews from all quarters of the country. The following review provides an insight of the book on why it is considered to be one of the author's best works and a must-have for every medical student. Summary - Author's Viewpoint Tracy Kidder writes, ''The world is full of miserable places. One way of living comfortably is not to think about them or, when you do, to send money.'' (Kidder 4). The book is written from author's point of view with all the writings done with the author as the first person. With the above lines, the theme gets clear that the author wants to write about the journey of a physician who tries his best to cure the sick people in the world. The author himself lends into the story, playing a secondary role to the protagonist and thereby, enabling himself to be able to show his emotions, his admirations and his passion towards the physician's service to the world. To summarize about the book, the story begins in 1994 when the first meeting between Kidder and Farmer happens in a small, not so familiar place called Haiti. We get a feel about who Farmer is when the author aptly describes him as, "A challenging person, the kind of person whose example can irritate you by making you feel you've never done anything as important, and yet, in his presence, those kinds of feelings tended to vanish." (Kidder) The author starts to reveal on how he met Farmer at a time when he was researching about how the government was being set up democratically in Haiti under the US army. He then explains about how he met him again on his way back to Florida, where he had the opportunity to spend some time to know about Farmer. The story then goes on to reveal the early history of Farmer, his family background, his educational career and his current life. The author clearly writes about how Farmer came out with flying colors from a point of nowhere to getting a Ph. D. in Duke and Harvard. This is followed with a series of achievements done by Farmer, put down interestingly by the author. The inspiring tale of this person is showcased with all his accomplishments and endeavors, especially through the works he had done for "Partners in Health", a social organization in Haiti. Finally, the author concludes the journey by saying that Farmer's work for the society and the world is a work that never leads to success but always continues as a noble battle. Main Theory - Supporting Arguments The main theory that is suggested by the book, starting from the first page till the final page is reached is that, humanitarianism is the only nation in this whole world. The theme depicts what medicine profession was portrayed to be in theory and what actually is portrayed in real life, in this modern age. When the author mentions that at the age of 27, Farmer has cured more number of patients than one doctor could cure in his entire professional life, the reader is thrown into a thought provoking world where too many ethical questions raise in our mind. The concrete evidence that can be given to support this theory is the life of Farmer itself. The author with his notion walks us through the life of Farmer, explaining about his work, his dedication to the work and his care for the patients of Haiti. The author depicts the entire 20 years of life of Farmer which he devoted for the well being of human race, continually improving the services provided in hospitals. The strenuous effort put in by Farmer to cure Tuberculosis is revealed when he tries out the multi drug tuberculosis treatment for the patients of Haiti, followed by Peru and Russia, and curing people at a rate equal to what is achieved in USA. In addition, as a support to his theory, the author reveals on how farmer developed an organizations for the well being of people and how he struggled against pharmaceutical organizations to buy drugs at cheap rates for curing tuberculosis. Farmer achieved an important amendment to be made in the recommendations for treatment in Tuberculosis given by WHO. Exemplifying use of evidence supporting the theory As the author proceeds with the story, it leaves us in a sense of disbelief on how one person could achieve so much. But at the same time, it makes us feel ashamed of ourselves for contributing nothing towards the well being of the society. It makes any man to stand down with his knees bent and only thing that one can be proud of at that time is the fact that we are born at the same era as Farmer his. The arguments that counter this notion is the fact that Kidder has kept Farmer on such a high position with his explanations that it sometimes leads a common man unable to relate to the protagonist. The writing sometimes tend to make Farmer a larger than life character which makes one feel as if it is like yet another fiction based story wrapped inside a nonfiction book. But then, Kidder really holds on to himself in revealing his praise towards the doctor and dwells more into the circumspect of reality rather than emotion outcomes. There are similar arguments that relate to same issue of whether Farmer was the only person in this world who has done such kind acts or are there any other organizations that have done the same. The author counteracts all these questions by explaining the true nature of Farmer's work and how he has inspired so many others to show unanimous love to others in this world, to show courtesy and to preach humanitarianism as the biggest achievement that has to be done. Convincing argument by Kidder Kidder was very convincing in explaining arguments supporting his theory. It can be said that a person who ends up reading this book will certainly be left with unanswered questions, about himself, his activities and his contributions to human welfare. Kidder succeeds in instilling a sense of deep feeling inside the reader, a feel of guilt, an amicable thought about how people are suffering in places, unknown to many. Overall, Kidder convinces us of the fact that there is something unknown, unexplored in the life of Farmer, that needs our help to fulfill it. Other books that are on the similar lines as this one are, "The Sociology of Health and Illness" by Peter Conrad, "Medical Sociology" by William Cockerham. Though the books deal with same kind of subject, they do not provoke inspirations and thoughts like Kidder's work. In fact these books are too factual that the reader might tend to sleep while reading. Since this book is based on a true life experience it gives the reader awe inspiring, jaw dropping experience that one had never experienced reading such topics. Conclusions "Mountains beyond Mountains" is an apt title to the book as the protagonist is faced with struggles one after the other and yet, he faces each one with same kind of attitude and enthusiasm like the author has depicted. Though the process of Farmer is a never ending one, the author, through this book, has given the life of Farmer as role model to many, giving a lease of life to the struggle of saving human life. Simply put, it would be life changing experience for the reader, if read with soul and heart. It is sure to instill inside everyone, the desire to serve people. It is a book recommended for everyone who is practicing medicine and for everyone in clinical profession who wants to hone their skills. It is also for people who are unaware of the motivation levels that a person could attain and to make them believe that everything is achievable if one desires to take effort. There is a third world, unknown to many. Explore the book to get enlightened. Works Cited Kidder, Tracy. Mountains Beyond Mountains. New York: Random house publications, 2004. Print Kidder, Tracy. Behind the book. Mountains Beyond Mountains.2009. Web. 24 Oct 2009. http://www.tracykidder.com/books/mountains/behind.php Read More