I thoroughly enjoyed reading the chapters about Sonya Carson, who is Ben Carson's mother.

Her story was truly impressive and inspiring. It is evident that Ben's remarkable success is largely attributed to his mother's unwavering devotion and profound wisdom.

I also derived great pleasure from the chapters on Knowledge, Books, and God. These sections provided valuable insights and food for thought.

However, I must admit that the rest of the book was a bit lacking in excitement and at times seemed rather boring and redundant.

Nevertheless, those other specific chapters that I mentioned earlier had many redeeming points of truth that made the overall reading experience worthwhile.

Despite the few drawbacks, the book as a whole offered a unique perspective on various aspects of life and the importance of certain values.

It served as a reminder of the power of a mother's love and guidance, as well as the significance of knowledge, books, and faith in one's journey.

Overall, it was an interesting read that had its highs and lows but left me with some valuable lessons to ponder.

Let me just say that I read this book long before Dr Carson entered politics.

As far as "self help" books go, it's okay. The chief selling point is not the tips and nostrums for life success that are offered. Instead, it is the personal story of the author and his (at that time) interesting journey from poverty to becoming a world famous neurosurgeon.

This aspect of the book truly stands out. It provides readers with an inspiring account of how Dr Carson overcame numerous obstacles and challenges in his life. His determination, hard work, and unwavering belief in himself are qualities that can serve as an example to many.

While the book may not offer revolutionary or ground-breaking advice on achieving success, it does offer a unique perspective through the author's own experiences. It shows that with perseverance and a positive attitude, it is possible to rise above difficult circumstances and achieve great things.

Overall, the book is an interesting read that can potentially motivate and encourage readers to pursue their own dreams and goals.

Dr. Ben Carson is truly an admirable man.

I wholeheartedly accept and believe in the principles he not only teaches but also lives by. This remarkable book is filled with excellent standards that can serve as a guiding light throughout our lives.

I have a particular affinity for his acrostic for the title of his book "Think Big":
T - Talent
H - Honest
I - Insight
N - Nice
K - Knowledge
B - Books
I - In-Depth
G - God

The most wonderful aspect of this acrostic is the knowledge that Dr. Carson adheres to these very things in his own life. I thoroughly enjoyed all of his personal stories that vividly illustrate each principle. His modesty and humility, despite his great accomplishments, are a great testament to his character.

I wholeheartedly agree with his philosophy of life and have learned and benefited from every one of his books that I have read. I eagerly look forward to reading all that he has written.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough to everyone. It has the potential to inspire and transform lives.

“Telling the story of my life, about a boy from a broken home, from a very poor environment, with bad grades and a bad attitude and emphasizing the fact that God gave me the possibility to do the things I wanted to achieve, I also had the opportunity to show people that God is still active today.” This sentence from the last pages summarizes the entire book.

Reaching the end of the book, I was glad that I didn't abandon it even though the first part wasn't very promising. However, God reminded me of the fact that each person has a certain level of influence on those around him.

The second part of the book presents some principles of the author regarding success, work, knowledge through a very interesting and practical acrostic. For example:

“We should not compare our achievements with those of others. We should only ask ourselves one question: Did we do everything we could as well as possible?”

“Associate with the people you want to resemble. As long as we are still alive, we are still able to grow.”

“When people find excuses, it is because they do not realize that God has given each of us more than fourteen billion cells and nerve connections in our brains. Why would God give us such a complex organic system if He didn't expect us to use it?”

The way in which the book is composed truly captivates the reader.

Dr. Carson employs real-life stories as a means to elucidate the key points he desires to convey.

This approach not only makes the content more relatable but also enhances the reader's understanding.

The book is indeed an excellent one, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to be read by anyone and everyone.

Whether you are interested in personal growth, inspiration, or simply a good read, this book has something to offer.

It is a testament to Dr. Carson's ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple and engaging manner.

So, don't miss out on the opportunity to read this remarkable book.

This autobiography, understandably, contains some of the same material as You Have a Brain, which is his autobiography aimed at teens. However, it also encompasses considerably more description of Carson's mother, colleagues, and surgeries.

This additional content is not always beneficial. At times, it can even detract from his message. Copyrighted in 1992, it lacks any information regarding his political experiences. Nevertheless, he does offer praise to Bill Cosby, which, in hindsight, is rather regrettable.

Overall, while this autobiography provides more details in certain aspects, it also has its drawbacks. The excessive description in some areas may overshadow the main message he is trying to convey. Additionally, the omission of political experiences and the praise of Bill Cosby, which may seem inappropriate now, are elements that could have been handled differently.

Brilliant!

The story of Ben Carlson is truly inspiring. It shows us that we don't have to submit to our environment. Instead, we have the power to decide our own destiny.

The book follows Carlson's journey from growing up in a low social economic environment to becoming one of the most renowned neurosurgeons in the world.

Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles along the way, Carlson never gave up on his dreams. He worked hard, studied diligently, and persevered through all the difficulties.

His story serves as a reminder that no matter where we come from or what our circumstances are, we can achieve great things if we have the determination and the will to succeed.

It also shows us the importance of education and hard work in achieving our goals.

Overall, the story of Ben Carlson is a powerful and inspiring one that encourages us all to believe in ourselves and to pursue our dreams with passion and dedication.

This book offered a combination of inspirational anecdotes and practical advice.

However, it suffered from its overreliance on the generality of regurgitated self-help rhetoric.

Carson's journey from a poverty-stricken student to a world-renowned neurosurgeon is indeed impressive on its own.

But the book's platitudes often bordered on triteness, suggesting that respectability politics and sheer determination are the winning formula to cure all ills.

It could have been more uplifting if there had been a deeper exploration of the systemic and systematic challenges.

Such an exploration would have aided readers in shaping success beyond the limited understanding of "personal grit" and stick-to-it-iveness.

Nevertheless, I digress.

Ben Carson's life is truly inspiring. However, this book didn't quite reach me.

The first three chapters really motivated me. They were filled with interesting anecdotes and valuable lessons that made me eager to read more.

But from that point on, it became very tedious for me. I felt that the author was not getting directly to the point. There was a lot of unnecessary detail and digression that made it difficult for me to stay engaged.

I understand that the author may have wanted to provide a comprehensive picture of Ben Carson's life, but in doing so, they sacrificed the pacing and readability of the book.

Overall, I was disappointed with this book. While it had some good moments, it ultimately failed to hold my interest and deliver the kind of impact that I was hoping for.

This book, "Think Big" by Ben Carson, is the 6th book I’ve read this year (2024).

At the beginning, the first few chapters of this book seemed more like an overly expanded Acknowledgment section that is typically found at the end of other books. I get that Carson is extremely grateful to many people in his life, but it became a bit too repetitive. He spent about half of the book expressing his thanks to different individuals, which I didn't particularly enjoy.

However, the second half of this book truly redeemed the entire reading experience. I was captivated by some of his accounts as a neurosurgeon and the stories of the people he helped. As someone with an interest in medicine, these parts were truly fascinating.

Not only did Carson share a variety of different stories, but he also detailed an acrostic he created for the title of his book, “THINK BIG.” I have a penchant for acrostics, and I not only understood but also agreed with each component he developed.

In conclusion, I did enjoy this book, but it wasn't my absolute favorite. Therefore, I am awarding it 4 out of 5 stars.

THINK BIG is an acronym that represents several important qualities and concepts. It stands for Talent, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing and developing one's own abilities. Honesty is also a crucial aspect, as it builds trust and integrity. Insight refers to the ability to see things clearly and understand their deeper meaning. Niceness promotes kindness and respect in our interactions with others. Knowledge Books encourage continuous learning and the acquisition of new information. In-depth implies a thorough and comprehensive approach to understanding. And finally, God represents a higher power or source of inspiration.

This book is very inspirational as it encourages readers to think beyond their limitations and strive for greater things. It provides valuable insights and practical advice on how to develop these qualities and achieve success in various aspects of life. Whether you are looking to enhance your career, improve your relationships, or simply gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you, THINK BIG has something to offer.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to make a positive change in their life and reach their full potential. It will inspire you to think big, dream big, and take the necessary steps to turn those dreams into reality.

THINK BIG: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence
Ben Carson, M.D. & Cecil Murphy

Everyone has diverse conceptions of success. Some believe that success means being wealthy or attaining fame, but is that truly the case? Benjamin Carson, an American neurosurgeon, author, and politician (under the Trump Administration), has overcome all odds to achieve success in life. He hails from a lower-class income, African American, Christian family that had to navigate through an unfortunate situation.

THINK BIG by Ben Carson, M.D. is an autobiography that details how people can unleash their potential for excellence by adhering to their highest standards through a simple lifestyle. During his grade school years, young Benjamin was ridiculed as the “stupidest kid in the entire grade.” Ashamed of himself, knowing that no one thought highly of him, his life took a turn when his mother, Sonya Carson, saw his report card. She sought God's guidance and took action for him and his older brother, Curtis. Sonya Carson limited television usage and required her boys to read two books a week and write book reports on what they had learned. Gradually, his grades improved, and he rose to the top of his class. Ben Carson learned many valuable lessons that led him to become what he is today, and many of these lessons are relatable to our everyday lives.

Ben Carson wrote this autobiography based on a simple acronym that he lives by in his own life: T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. Here is a simplified overview of what he has to say about this acronym:

T: Talent - “If you recognize your talents, use them appropriately, and choose a field that utilizes those talents, you will ascend to the top of your field.”

H: Honesty - “If we abide by the rule of honesty and accept our problems, we can progress far along the path of achievement.”

I: Insight - “If we observe, reflect, and commit ourselves to giving our best, we will emerge victorious.”

N: Nice - “If we are kind to others, they will respond to us in the same way, and we can give our best for each other.”

K: Knowledge - “If we make every effort to increase our knowledge to use it for the betterment of humanity, it will have a profound impact on us and our world.”

B: Books - “If we commit ourselves to reading and thereby increase our knowledge, only God limits how far we can go in this world.”

I: In-depth Learning - “If we develop in-depth knowledge, it will enable us to offer our best to others and contribute to making a better world.”

G: God - “If we acknowledge our need for God, He will assist us.”

“It does not matter where we come from or what we look like. If we recognize our abilities, are willing to learn and apply what we know to help others, we will always have a place in the world.” This quote, one of Ben's most famous, is a prime example of how he wants everyone to lead a balanced, fulfilling, and successful life. Despite the many disadvantages that many of us have faced in our own lives, he encourages everyone to go the extra mile to discover their talents and use them effectively to become the best version of themselves.

I gave this book a five out of five stars for several reasons. Firstly, it was incredibly inspiring to learn in detail about Ben Carson's early life and how his single mother, Sonya Carson, overcame numerous struggles to raise Curtis and Ben with purpose and help them achieve success in life. Another reason is that Ben Carson delves deep into all the mentors and role models he has had throughout his life, from grade school all the way to his permanent position at John Hopkins Medical Center. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading and learning about people, seeking inspiration, or desiring to improve themselves in any aspect of their life.