My Own Country: A Doctor's Story

Have read Abraham Verghese's novel Cutting for Stone and so enjoyed the read. the store suggested My Own Country by the same author. What was interesting was that Dr. Verghese moved to the smoky mountains of Tennessewe in the 80's to work at a local hospital. His specialty is infectious disease. The doctor loves the area and its people, feeling that it is a good place to raise a family. Also one of the first Aids case appears. Wonderful follow up to his first book.

Having read the current best seller, I really wanted to read the author's non-fiction account of his experiences in the early years of HIV discovery. I preferred this book to fiction, and would recommend it highly.

Verghese is an extremely talented writer. This true portrait of a Doctor reads like a novel. The subject covers the time when AIDS was first appearing in rural Tennessee. People, including the hospital staff were fearful and judgmental with a few heroic exceptions. There is sadness and heroism. Dr Verghese has chosen infectious diseases as his specialty and with it comes, in his mind, an obligation to treat AIDS patients with dignity and respect.

This biography intrigued me on several levels, the immigrant story, the relationship of two men, the details about tennis, the inside look at doctor training. Verghese's wring style makes for perfect shots in this viewer's court.

This book was well-written from a compassionate doctor's viewpoint. The subject matter, although very sad, was (and still is) largely overlooked by a majority of urbanites who may have dealt with the same circumstances.
Tragic but uplifting.

The story, told by an infectuous diseases physician, of how the AIDS virus came to a small town in eastern Tennessee. Most of the cases come to him. The reader experiences one case after another. It broke my heart, both the devastating path of the virus, and the detailed story of each patient. Well-written, well-organized, as testified by my suffering through the careful reading of it, is telling us how this story ends. They are heading for another, similar job at Univ of Iowa. I know that the Iowa Writer's Workshop is, also, there.

I enjoy books about medicine. I'm always curious about medical conditions and treatments. This author's sensetivity is a beautiful thing and he tells is like it is; he doesn't hold back. His acceptance of everyone as they are is amazing as is his ability to look deeply into his own feelings and conscience is equally remarkable. It was a bookclub book and we all liked it.

Verghese is a descriptive storyteller, and he has a fascinating story to tell. He effortlessly mixes profiles of people in with medical information; though we're not in the medical field we're caught up in the book. You wont be disappointed!

The author relates his work and insights into the aids community in his autobiographical work. It challenges all of us to care for these people with unselfish dedication. I would like to have an update to the present included at the end of the book.

Dr. Verghese is a compassionate, sensitive person who writes well. He is intensely curious about people, their motives, and life choices; as he probes, he helps one see people in a new light and with greater understanding. I have enjoyed all of his books, but this is my favorite.

Certainly the author's own story laid the basis for "Cutting for Stone" his fine recent novel. Because I had read the latter first and truly enjoyed it, I gained a greater understanding of Verghese's own life, struggles, and influences.

Enjoyed reading this book more than any book I have read in the last few years. Dr. Verghese is a talented writer. I would encourage anyone with interest in his fellow man to read My Own Country: A Doctors Story by Abraham Verghese.

The story of the discrimination experienced by AIDS patients was very clearly defined and sadly portrayed. Clearly ignorance was to blame for much that happened to these unfortunate individuals and their families, but many of the incidents also showed a stark lack of human compassion. I am reminded that the same ignorance and lack of compassion is being displayed today with regard to the ebola virus-- the action of uninformed Governor Christie in New Jersey and other incidents publicized recently. It makes you question how far we have come in the years since this book was published..

This is a memoir of a dedicated, humble doctor who started his medical career in a small town in Tennessee during the AIDS epidemic in the 1980's, treating and befriending the gay patients. He tells their stories along with his experience.

Another good book by Dr. Verghese. It explores the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the beginning with all of it's terrible misunderstandings and painful times for all infected as well as affected by this awful disease. What I really liked was the way Verghese wrote about what his involvement as a doctor did to his marriage and family. The toll it took on him and them.

Abraham Verghese writes beautifully and is easy to read. Regarding this book, I just did not find the subject too interesting. I read another book by this author that I did enjoy and purchased this one.

I LOVED "Cutting for Stone"and really liked "The Tennis Partner" but "My Own Country" isn't as compelling. It was still very good - I especially enjoyed the insight into a physician's impression of the American medical system. The other two books I mentioned I flew through - had a hard time putting them down, and was drawn into them - this one reads a bit slower.

The book, "My Own Country," lost its fascination for me when it became more of the author/doctor's personal ego building saga than an impassioned connection to patients struggling with poverty, ignorance, and the AIDS virus.