No Crying Allowed: The Journey from Farm Boy to Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon: a Collection of Essays and Memoirs

by Christopher Knott-Craig

From the Author of Lend Me a Kiss,The Weird Animal Club, and Bedtime Dinosaur Stories for Kids

 

From the time author Christopher J. Knott-Craig was fourteen years old, he wanted to be a heart surgeon. He had followed Professor Christiaan Barnard’s career and first heart transplant in December 1967, and he wanted to be like him and work for him. Knott-Craig started his cardiac surgery training in 1980, and about six months later, his professor suggested he try a different specialty. Undaunted, he begged for a second chance, which the professor reluctantly granted.

Through perseverance, hard work, and determination, Knott-Craig became an internationally recognized pediatric cardiac surgeon. In No Crying Allowed, with self-deprecating humor, he shares a collection of essays chronicling the trials and tribulations he experienced on his journey to following his dream to succeed.

 

Chris Knott-Craig has assembled an anthology of essays describing some of the challenges and triumphs he has experienced during his remarkable career as a pediatric heart surgeon.  Above all, the takeaway message is the importance of persistence in the face of what often appear to be insurmountable obstacles to a successful career in this daunting field of endeavor.

—Richard Jonas MD, President of the

American Association of Thoracic Surgeons

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2018

Reviews

[Mary Rosacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest snapshots over a portion of this man's remarkable life. Having known the author I was not surprised at many of his stories and often found myself nodding at the familiarity. I kept looking for the reason for the title & I didn't find it. Probably intentional. I believe the book would be enjoyable even if you don't know him or haven't been his patient. His care for his patients is remarkable. I hope his push for doctors to treat the whole patient & to really think of the little details (which during recovery aren't little) catches on. He saved our son's life & he treated him (& us) as precious. I plan to read it again.

[shivaprakash · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was enjoyable read. I was curious to read this book as I, myself am a pediatric heart surgeon and have used Dr Knott Craig's surgical techniques in one of of my surgeries. He is fairly well known in professional circles
The narration of his childhood and growing years made a joyful ride and reminded me, of my own childhood. The narration was easy, the incidents are typical of small but impactful events and how they shape our thinking.
He has been candid, forthright and quite modest in his presentation of himself. Pediatric heart surgery represents perhaps one of the toughest vocation in the modern civilisation. With innumerable variables from multiple personnel putting the precious life of little child at stake, the doctor in this speciality has to be tough-nut to persever, persist to succeed in professional life. Dr Knott Craig illustrates that perfectly with his "marathon" effort.
Once again I am happy I read his book... Dr Shiva