Tag: book review

The Magic of Normal- Book Review

In this post I review Dr. Maky Zanganeh’s memoir, “The Magic of Normal,” which chronicles her journey from fleeing the Iranian Revolution to becoming a successful executive in robotics and cancer research. While the book highlights her professional achievements, it maintains an emotional distance, offering insights into corporate life more than personal struggles. Still, it is a compelling narrative.

The Magic of Normal

Hope, Love, and Beyond

by Maky Zanganeh

Published by Forbes Books January 2025

2025 Global Book Awards Gold Medalist in Biographies & Memoirs – Women

Thank you, NetGalley and publisher, for sending this book for review consideration.

A Driven Life Told at Arm’s Length: My Take on Dr. Zanganeh’s Memoir

A Story That Begins in Revolution

Dr. Zanganeh describes her book as a chronicle of her private and professional journey, though at times it feels more like a book‑length résumé than a personal memoir. She begins in Iran, which she fled after the Iranian Revolution. (Ironically, while I was reading this, the United States—my own country—was in a military conflict with Iran.)

Her family initially supported the revolution, but the country soon descended into war with Iraq. With the means to do so, her parents sent her and her sisters to France, where they lived with relatives, attended college, and where she eventually trained as a dentist.

From Dentistry to Robotics and Beyond

Then her life pivoted sharply. Instead of practicing dentistry, she entered the business world and rose quickly, becoming a high‑level executive at a budding robotics company. She led the team that created the first long‑distance robotic surgery, and later founded another company that developed a breakthrough cancer drug.

A Personal Life Mostly Offstage

Her personal life stays mostly in the background until, almost abruptly, she mentions becoming pregnant. Because of her demanding career, she sent her son to live with her parents, who raised him while she continued traveling the world for work—a lifestyle that sounded exhausting to me, though she seemed energized by it.

Illness, Resilience, and the Pandemic

Everything shifted when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, a disease she had previously encountered only from the vantage point of a medical business executive. The timing was terrible, arriving just as the COVID‑19 pandemic began. Still, she approached her illness with the same determination that fueled her career, and she survived.

Testimonials, Business Lessons, and a Sudden Genre Shift

Throughout the book, Dr. Zanganeh seems to have a knack for meeting the right people at the right time, many of whom offer glowing testimonials in the final chapter. That chapter also includes a lengthy, detailed guide to starting and running a successful company. It felt like it belonged in a separate book and landed a bit flat after the more personal sections.

Admiration, Achievement, and an Emotional Distance

She speaks with deep affection for her family and credits them with much of her success. She also praises her business partners and colleagues, describing their strengths in detail. As someone who has worked in the medical field, I found her accounts of robotic surgery and cancer‑drug development genuinely interesting.

Still, I finished the book feeling that I didn’t truly know her. She is clearly driven by success, validation, and recognition, without exploring the source of that drive.

Her Most Human Moments

One of the most compelling moments comes when she writes passionately about the assault on women’s rights—especially in Iran—and about the suffering in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Israel. She questions why the world continues to fight wars and what it will take for that cycle to end.

My Thoughts: A Memoir for a Specific Audience

While I found parts of her journey interesting, I wouldn’t call this a universal must‑read. It feels best suited for people who are curious about the corporate world or who want insight into how high‑powered executives build companies and careers. Since it’s a Forbes publication, that audience seems intentional. Readers looking for a more intimate memoir will come away wanting more. You may find such insights in the articles on her website.

A Deeper Look

Dr. Zanganeh addressed several personal, health, and professional issues in her book. Based on this review, what else do you want to know about her and her work?

She experienced

  • political unrest and war
  • separation from family
  • personal illness from COVID-19 and breast cancer
  • Her father’s terminal illness and death
  • high-pressure professional life

Which of these resonates with you? If you read her book, which might be of most help to you?

From the halls of MD Anderson Cancer Center as a patient & care giver to her father battling cancer,
to groundbreaking work in medical research,
she illustrates how science, innovation, and community can illuminate the path to recovery.

From Dr. Zanganeh’s website

Photos of Dr. Maky Zanganeh

The cover image of this post was created by JetPackAI available with WordPress.

Exploring the HEART of Health

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Dr. Aletha

Afraid of the Doctor-a book review

“Afraid of the Doctor” by Meghan L. Marsac and Melissa J. Hogan guides parents in preventing and managing medical trauma in children. It offers twelve strategies to support emotional well-being. The authors emphasize addressing both child and parent trauma during healthcare challenges.

Afraid of the Doctor: Every Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Managing Medical Trauma

by Meghan L. Marsac and Melissa J. Hogan

Written by two women who care about children, a lawyer and a psychologist, this book helps parents support their children through medical challenges and prevent or manage medical trauma.

Medical trauma can arise from a severe illness or injury, or from the treatment of a serious medical condition. Either way, this book addresses how these healthcare experiences lead to medical trauma in children, affecting their willingness to engage with medical care.

Afraid of the Doctor

Every Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Managing Medical Trauma

The authors’ goal is to give parents knowledge and skills to understand and address medical trauma, to better care for their child’s emotional and physical well-being during medical challenges.

The book offers twelve strategies parents can use to prevent and reduce medical trauma and support their child through medical interventions or chronic conditions.

Readers learn these strategies through character stories, anecdotes, step-by-step guides, examples, and research. These strategies can be adapted for specific groups, like very young children or those with cognitive or communication challenges.

Parents can experience trauma from managing their child’s medical challenges. The authors include tools for parents to recognize and address their response to medical trauma while caring for their child. 

Read Sample from Book

Meet The Authors

Meghan L. Marsac

Dr. Meghan Marsac is a pediatric psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky and Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

She is a leader in the field of pediatric medical trauma, having multiple publications. Her primary goal is to improve the experience of living with medical conditions for children and families.

Dr. Marsac serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology and Journal of Traumatic Stress. Dr. Marsac has spoken extensively on understanding and promoting adjustment to injury and illness in children and their families.

She is CEO of the Cellie Coping Company, which has distributed over 2000 coping kits to families of children with medical conditions.

Dr. Marsac trains medical teams in trauma-informed medical care. Clinically, Dr. Marsac promotes evidence-based practices to help families manage medical treatment and emotional adjustment to challenging diagnoses and medical procedures. 

​She is the mom of two energetic, loving boys. They enjoy playing outside, playing tag, reading, playing video games, and creating projects.

​

Melissa J. Hogan

Melissa J. Hogan, JD, has a child with a rare, genetic disease who has faced a countless number of surgeries, specialists, and as a result, medical trauma. In addition to advocating for her son’s needs, she consults on clinical trials in rare and neurodegenerative disorders. Her articles have been published in several medical journals.

She founded the leading research and advocacy foundation in Hunter syndrome, Project Alive, which has raised millions of dollars for research.

She has worked as a healthcare attorney and speaks on health care and educational advocacy, rare diseases, and clinical trials.

She lives with her three sons and a service dog outside Nashville, Tennessee.

Authors’ Recommended Resources

After the Injury

Health Care Toolbox

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Resource to Download: What is Child Trauma?
c09d8214-c91f-43a0-a19c-486e2eca3ee6Download

Why I recommend Afraid of the Doctor

I found this book browsing at my local library. I had never seen a book addressing this topic so I am glad to find this one.(I put affiliate links in this post.)

This book made me wonder how many children may have experienced trauma from encounters with me as a physician, not something I intentionally caused. I realized procedures that health professionals and even parents consider routine, like an X-ray or drawing blood, can be traumatic to children.

I recommend this book to every parent who wants to prepare their child for encounters with the healthcare system, especially for children with medical needs that require frequent and invasive contact.

The authors present the information in a straightforward, easy-to-understand format, utilizing twelve effective strategies. They explain what to do, how to do it, and offer examples of children and parents who used the strategy.

By the end of the book, we have followed each child’s story and see how they and their parent successfully managed medical trauma.

I recommend this book. If you don’t need it, you probably know someone who does. Do them a favor and forward this review to them.

This information is current as of the date of original publication or update but may have changed by the time you read this. Do not use this information for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Before making health decisions, discuss with a qualified healthcare professional.

Exploring the HEART of Health

I’d love for you to follow this blog and follow me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Use this search box for related posts on this blog or other topics of interest to you.

Dr. Aletha

Another review- a book that teaches kids about the human body

HUMAN BODY Learning Lab-book review

“Human Body Learning Lab” by Dr. Betty Choi offers an engaging exploration of the human body for curious kids. Dr. Choi, a pediatrician and mom, provides an easy-to-understand guide, complete with hands-on activities. The book also includes important disclaimers for parents. Written for kids aged 5 to 9, it’s a valuable resource for parents and…

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