Gray Matters

A Biography of Brain Surgery

By: Theodore H. Schwartz

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

“If you are at all curious about the brain or the surgeons who operate on it, Gray Matters is a must read and Dr. Theodore Schwartz is the perfect guide, a master brain surgeon and superbly talented writer. I have not read a better biography of our shared profession, and in Schwartz's talented hands, the most enigmatic 3 1/2 pounds of tissue in the known universe comes to light in remarkable and revelatory ways.”—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, and New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age

A popular biography of brain surgery, by one of its preeminent practitioners

We’ve all heard the phrase “it’s not brain surgery.” But what exactly is brain surgery? It’s a profession that is barely a hundred years old and profoundly connects two human beings, but few know how it works, or its history. How did early neurosurgeons come to understand the human brain—an extraordinarily complex organ that controls everything we do, and yet at only three pounds is so fragile? And how did this incredibly challenging and lifesaving specialty emerge?

In this warm, rigorous, and deeply insightful book, Dr. Theodore H. Schwartz explores what it’s like to hold the scalpel, wield the drill, extract a tumor, fix a bullet hole, and remove a blood clot—when every second can mean life or death. Drawing from the author’s own cases, plus media, sports, and government archives, this seminal work delves into all the brain-related topics that have long-consumed public curiosity, like what really happened to JFK, President Biden’s brain surgery, and the NFL’s management of CTE. Dr. Schwartz also surveys the field’s latest incredible advances and discusses the philosophical questions of the unity of the self and the existence of free will.

A neurosurgeon as well as a professor of neurosurgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, one of the busiest and most highly ranked neurosurgery centers in the world, Dr. Schwartz tells this story like no one else could. Told through anecdote and clear explanation, this is the ultimate cultural and scientific history of a literally mind-blowing human endeavor, one that cuts to the core of who we are.

©2024 Theodore H. Schwartz (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A fascinating glimpse behind the curtain…. Dr. Schwartz has spent his career using his hands to make brains healthier. Now, he uses the power of stories to shed light on the mysteries of the mind.”—The Wall Street Journal

“Neurosurgeon Schwartz’s excellent debut intersperses details about the history of brain surgery with background on what it’s like to perform the procedure…Sweeping and consistently captivating, this impresses.”—Publishers Weekly (starred)

"An informative study of modern brain surgery. . . . Mixing expertise with storytelling, Schwartz provides a remarkable account of a crucial but misunderstood field.”—Kirkus (starred)

Lessons of the heart from a brain surgeon

Why don’t we say what we mean to say to those we love while they can appreciate what is in our hearts? The author masterfully shares his own journey with this question while caring for his loved one.

The reading and the product

Was one of the best books I have recently read, and the reader made it sound like a personal story he is telling. And being 94 and retired it was.
Ralph J Argen MD FACP FACR

Fascinating

My brain surgery was for a non cancerous Meningioma on my optic chiasm. Lost 75 % of my vision. This “listen” was simply amazing. From the wonder of our brains, neuroplasticy, research advancements, mixed with the resilience of this patient there is hope for so many! A must read for my journey. Thank you Dr Schwartz!

Amazing

Learned so much. I had no idea how far brain surgery had come. So interesting. The performance was very good. Every category rates five stars.

Warpspeed historybof Neurosurgery, from stone age to Computer Brain Interfaces, brilliant and engrossing

so much more than an historical survey, Schwartz interfaces personal biographies of the fields luminaries and their patients along with the technical breakthroughs and his own sometimes heartwrenching experiences in a well balanced story form. I was continually amazed at the breakthroughs that Neurosurgery has evolved, particularly as we enter a new age of neuroprosthetics, AI, and machine learning combined into computer brain interfaces, which will challenge our ethical and moral boundaries and our imagination about what makes us human. Engagingly written and performed, this is afantastic listen, I highly recomend.

What stood out the most was the story was relatable.

I loved everything about it. It was concise to the point and it gave me so much food for thought.