Revolutionary innovations and improved quality of survival after brain and spinal surgery are the hallmarks in this autobiography of a neurosurgeon. Forced by illness to prematurely step away from surgery, the author became a rancher, thus realizing a second childhood dream. Just as in the operating room, his hands were used outside of it in also becoming an artisan of fine furniture. Finally, comments are made comparing the practice of medicine today with that of the late 20th century.