This took me completely by surprise: it was not at all how I had imagined him. In his earlier books I always envisioned him as patient, kindly, avuncular. His case studies show great empathy and humor. What I hadn't expected was that he was a highly driven adrenaline junkie, living a fast intense life, the kind that exhausts me simply to read about. It has been both challenging and rewarding to alter my understanding of his life and work, to realize that there are many paths to compassion. I'm thankful to him for teaching me so much throughout my life.

Rounding down to three stars because the final third felt so disjointed; lacking cohesion or unity. It felt rushed. Understandable, of course.