Duty Calls: Lessons Learned From an Unexpected Life of Service

by Antonia Novello, Antonia Novello MD

For over four decades, Dr. Antonia Novello has served the nation in various capacities, including serving as Deputy Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, being named the first woman and the first Hispanic Surgeon General of the United States, and serving as the Commissioner of Health for the State of New York. Her life has been one of perseverance, battling childhood illness to become an advocate of health for young people, and dedication to public service. This book examines her inspirational and pioneering life through a series of lessons she has learned along the way, sharing these lessons with future generations.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

272 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2024

Reviews

[Nani]

TLDR: Highly recommend.

Dr. Novello's life and career is incredible, and the good she has done for the world far, far outweighs any controversy--justified or not--she ran into throughout her career. Thus, I will keep my review of the book strictly on the content included and execution.

The writing style is sometimes clunky and occasionally repetitive, and throughout there are paragraphs and sections that feel out of place or sometimes a little pointless. I think the first third of the book is what suffers the most from this, but it does improve as the book goes on. The explicit lessons sometimes feel a little expected, but perhaps that is because I specifically am already familiar with many of them. That said, there is a lot to learn reading between the lines of these explicitly stated lessons, especially about the inner workings of government and policies.

I hesitate to call this book inspiring, not because there aren't many, many moments that certainly are, but because I think this book has many moments that are very raw and realistic that to me feels more like tough love and a reality check than an aspirational or inspirational story of overcoming hardship. I think one of the most effective ways the book does this is by speaking about an outstanding moment in her career, and then abruptly cutting to the reality of her failing marriage. For me, this caused a lot of introspection and made me think about the sacrifices we must make in our lives to achieve great things. Overall, the book is interesting, heartbreaking, and humorous, and feels grounded in reality.

I won't give this book a star rating, as it feels too much like I'm giving Dr. Novello's life a star rating. However, I do highly recommend this book. It is an easy, worthwhile read that humanizes and puts into perspective what exactly it takes to live a life like hers.

[Michele Odems · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Novello at the 2024 Harvard Women in Power Conference and received an autographed copy of her book. I promised her I would read the book and then buy additional copies to share with others. Dr Novello asked me not to make promises that I wouldn't keep. Her direct and impactful statement exemplifies how she lived her life. Her accomplishments and significant impact on several major health crises are phenomenal, especially given her physical, personal, and political challenges. I highly recommend Dr Novello's book to anyone entering the medical profession or a service career.

[meliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to enjoy this book. I saw her speak at a conference and i experienced so much joy and admiration for her. She conveyed intelligence and humor and poise.
Unfortunately her book is not well written- it reminded me of my grandmother’s memoir stories. I appreciate having those as a family record but they are not well written.
Dr Novello’s life accomplishments are far more impressive from a historical record perspective but I only have the patience to read that kind of writing if it’s my own grandmother (who I miss dearly).

[Rohit Veligeti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Novello's memoir, which I received during her University of South Florida visit, stands out for its refreshing honesty. Her philosophy that “preparation meets opportunity” provides practical guidance for ambitious readers. Her candid discussion of personal challenges, including her battle with a megacolon, transforms what could be a standard autobiography into an inspiring testament to resilience. The book effectively translates personal struggles into universal lessons about determination and recognizing life's pivotal moments.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need another half star… I debated a lot about how to rank this book. Dr Novello’s life and story are really interesting and I’m so glad I read this to learn about her. Unfortunately, I felt like the book needed better editing. That doesn’t take away from the trailblazer that she is… just can’t get myself to give it more stars.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compelling narrative of resilience and triumph, showcasing Dr. Novello's journey from overcoming personal struggles to becoming the first woman and first Hispanic Surgeon General. Her story serves as an inspiring beacon for those seeking motivation in the face of challenges.

[Brigette Lepe · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very interesting path