At times amusing, at times heartbreaking, and at other times educational and instructive, Arthur van Langenburg describes real-life cases and the medical causes of illnesses, including many incredible stories of life-saving operations that will keep you riveted to your seat. Interspersing these chapters are tales from his fascinating personal life, and reflections on his journey to becoming an expert gardener. Throughout the book is woven the metaphor of the author's journey to Ithaka, as described in a moving poem of the same name that charts a path for how to live a life 'full of adventure, full of discovery'. Beautifully written in a lively, engaging style, this book is sure to win the hearts of many, as van Langenberg's sparkling personality and fascinating insight shines through on every page.
By:
Dr. Arthur van Langenberg
Imprint: Quarto Books
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 156mm,
Width: 234mm,
ISBN: 9780711282926
ISBN 10: 0711282927
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 10 January 2023
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
I THE WORLD OF MEDICINE 1. A Day in the Life of a Surgeon / 3 2. What is a Surgeon? A Bit of History / 7 3. Medical School / 9 4. The Clinical Years / 15 5. Call Me Doctor / 19 6. Training to be a Surgeon / 25 7. Swinging London / 31 8. Liverpool / 39 9. Murder Most Foul / 45 10. Return to Academe / 49 11. Emergencies / 55 12. Burnout / 65 13. Teacher and Students / 71 II HOME AND HERITAGE 14. Reading, Writing and Arithmetic / 83 15. The World of Books / 87 16. Heritage, Language and Identity / 91 17. Fusion Food: The Ties that Bind / 99 18. Our Furry Friends / 103 19. The Sea, the Sea / 107 20. A Tree Grows in Shouson Hill / 111 III DOCTORS AND PATIENTS 21. Private Practice / 121 22. Limitations in Private Practice / 125 23. The Canossian Sisters and Their Hospital / 131 24. The Reluctant Superintendent / 135 25. The Archbishop / 141 26. The Consul / 145 27. Ho Mui the Fisherwoman / 149 28. Russia: In Search of a New Stapler / 153 29. Sidewalk Consultations and Good Samaritans / 157 30. Doctors as Patients / 161 31. Relatives and Friends / 169 32. Life, Death and Everything Between / 173 33. The Unkindest Cut of All / 181 34. A Personal Crisis / 185 35. Everybody’s Little Problem / 189 36. Variations on a Theme of Identity / 195 IV TRANSITION 37. The Surgeon as Counsellor / 203 38. Diet and Wellness / 209 39. The Writing Bug Bites / 215 40. From Scalpel to Spade / 219 41. The Medical Museum Garden / 229 42. The Surgeon/Gardener Link / 233 43. Identity Revealed / 235 44. Nature’s Cycle / 239 45. Responsible Living / 243 46. A Day in the Life of a Gardener / 247 Appendix: Sartorial Considerations for the Gardener / 259
Arthur van Langenberg has lived in Hong Kong all his life except for four years in Macau during World War II and two years in Britain undergoing medical training. He has practised surgery for some fifty years, first at the Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, and then in private practice. His lifelong interest in reading and gardening has helped him morph from surgeon to gardener and writer, finding fulfilment and a simpler way of life over the years.
