Science of Uncertainty: A Doctor's Experience

by Dr. Thanumalaya Arumugam

Motivational story of a doctor's professional journey, full of interesting anecdotes. Captivating and intimate view into the life of a doctor, there is a chapter dedicated to COVID-19 (Chapter 9) which is so powerful in communicating the sacrifices of doctors during the pandemic.

181 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2020

Reviews

[Alok Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr Arumugam's writing has a particular factor. Despite being a memoir and more of a doctor's experience, the book compels the readers to keep reading and get to the end. Right from the beginning, the author's interest in playing cricket, finally picking up medicine as an education and career choice, living in various countries... and getting featured in the top five per cent on the Press Ganey scoresheet... and the days of Covid-19. The memoir has many things to offer about an Indian doctor's experience in the US, UK, Saudi and Australia. It reads as a story told with a relaxed mind. You can pick it up for your leisure weekends.

[Ashish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always liked reading non-fiction books... however, this genre came to me as a surprise and I rather liked this surprise... Dr Arumugam has written about his experiences as a person, as a doctor, as someone who has experienced life from many different perspectives. I liked the vivid descriptions of the COVID time and I also feel empathy for the doctors who have to take risks, think a lot and even then, keep the welfare of the patients in mind. You will have vivid experiences reading the book by Dr Arumugam.

[Parakastha Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

How a person grows up having many dreams and then goes on chasing the one that he or she thinks fitting for the life ahead... this is the initial story that you will find in this book as a boy from the middle class family in India begins chasing his career... lives in many different countries before settling in the USA as a doctor and then the experiences and realisations during the time of the pandemic COVID19. The book is, though a little slow, very interesting to read and understand. Do try reading it if you are looking to read something different and interesting this week.

[Adarsh Jha · Rating 3 out of 5]

From a neutral perspective, there is a success story to read in the book. However, because of the first person narrative and a singular line of story, it might get over one's head after a while (in the age of shorter span of attention because of social media and lacking habit and ability to cope with books). Well, that said, if you are patient and eager to read, Dr Arumugam has many things to tell, offer good advice to young professionals and provide with some cool thoughts to extend further and ponder. I enjoyed the book in pieces.

[Sadasatya Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Believe me, I am the last person who will recommend a medical non-fiction book to my friends. However, this book has something different to offer. It extends beyond the expertise and domain of a doctor and becomes a story that anyone with an ambition in life can follow. It becomes the story of every aspiring youth in India who wants to achieve something big in life. Moreover, the recollection of the past of Dr. Thanumalaya Arumugam is more than interesting to follow. How he grew up, how he studied, pursued higher degrees and became a medical professional (a doctor, as we know)... and then, parts of his life that he spent in various countries like the USA, UK, Australia and the Arabic nation. Interesting and I would also say refreshing. It also brings the horrors and hopes of the COVID19 days to the readers in vivid details.

[Sarthak Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully written... I did not expect that someone with a medical background will write with this much dexterity in aesthetic and linguistic domain. I enjoyed reading the book as it tells the story of a boy with a passionate cricket fever... a person with the medical dreams and a dedicated professional (doctor) with many observations to make and note. You will learn many things from the book. Do read and enjoy it.

[Anand Shiv Jha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the beginning, the book might not draw your attention because of its genre, content and theme. However, once you keep patience and move ahead, cross a few chapters, you will find the book having the impact to cleanse your reading list, offer you something new and interesting and a space to ponder – like the corner in the Arab country where doctors used to sit and discuss (along with free booze occasionally).

[Abha Grover · Rating 5 out of 5]

On many pages out of 181 pages that this book contains, you will find many fresh perspectives to think about... it's a take on life from many different points of views – a person with no definite aim, a person with something to think about in terms of career and a person who has accomplished many things in life including a good name in his career as a doctor... I would recommend this book to young readers who want to make their lives useful, eventful, purposeful and successful, to name a few objectives. Dr. Thanumalaya Arumugam's success story tells many tales...

[Saket Niranjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the chapter on the pandemic that shrouded all the hopes, COVID19, my respect for doctors has increased. Also, written from various perspectives, I liked the premise of this book. Even after being a personal story of growth, success and life, I enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend it to those who want to achieve something in life, stay grounded and professional. Do read it. Dr Arumugam's writing style is impressive keeping in mind that he comes from a very distinct medical background and features among the top practitioners in the USA.

[Ambika Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked it up after reading the title of this book – Science of Uncertainty... and then, the subtitle tells many stories – A Doctor's Experience... In the beginning, though the book read a little slow and was singular, it got pace and colours by the time I reached the middle of its length and then I started to enjoy what I read. You will know about a doctor's experience in the first person and also many other things that this particular doctor has to say. Dr Arumugam's successful and decorated career offers many things for young readers... and also, from a literary point of view, this book adds a refreshing experience to the reading schedule of a regular reader.

[Chitranjan Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something more than 150 pages and having a very focused theme, that is medical profession, could not be any better than this. The author has made sure that readers don't lose their interest in the book and keep reading to the very last page. Dr. Thanumalaya Arumugam became a successful doctor in the USA and before that, he has been in different countries among different people, leaving the bitter sweet memories behind. Also, he began his journey from India and that background story of success will be very interesting to read for many readers.

[Kritika Jha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a refreshing break from reading usual genres and exploring something new in-between! I am sure that readers will enjoy many chapters in this non-fiction work by Dr Thanumalaya Arumugam because of many reasons. The first and the most important being that the author has recorded first-hand experiences of dealing with the days of the COVID pandemic... and then, this book records the story of the author from his childhood to the present days as he is enjoying a successful career as a reputed doctor in the USA. A unique experience to rate it with a phrase.

[Shivangi Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A doctor calling the medical profession a science of uncertainty attracted me and I was compelled to venture into reading this one... it turned out to be an inspiring, light, fun and informative story of a person from the southern part of India who succeeded in getting educated abroad and then went on moving to new countries while scaling new heights as a doctor and finally settling in the USA with a reputation under his name. Also, the book shares many informative insights about the practice of a doctor and how the practice varies from person to person.

[Devendra Babu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by one of my friends, Abha. I enjoyed reading it and I also believe that many readers who are in their teens or early youth will benefit a lot by reading it. The author, who is a successful doctor in the US as well, has written about his education, struggles, early years of practice as a doctor and the problems and adjustment issues he had to face in different nations. Above all, the book sends out a message that with hard work, plan and vision, anything is achievable. I am sure younger audience will make the most of this book. Medical students can also read this book to understand many things about the doctor-patient interaction and relationship of trust.

[Avdhesh Anand · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is more than merely a doctor's experience! Something that I can assure you. Yes, those who are already practising or those who are aspiring to become doctors will certainly enjoy the book with technical and emotional details about the life and job of a doctor, others will enjoy vivid shades of life of a person who has been to different countries and yet managed to keep his vision intact, and life in the direction he wanted to. Dr Thanumalaya Arumugam's life is also an inspiration for those who want to succeed but are scared of situations because of many things...

[Ashish Pandey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book... it is a testimony to all those who work hard... who keep their dreams alive and work hard to make them true. Dr. Thanumalaya Arumugam's work will inspire the present generation to achieve big milestones in life despite limited resources. His life-journey is something to appreciate and get inspired by. Do read it if you want to understand what it means to succeed and yet remain focused.

[Rt_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about Dr. Arumugam Thanumalaya Perumal is truly captivating! The way his journey as a doctor is portrayed is nothing short of inspiring. The tales of his adventures and challenges, from crossing oceans to facing Australian bushfires, kept me on the edge of my seat. The author beautifully captures Dr. Arumugam's unwavering dedication to healing and helping others, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic. His story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and compassion that define a true healthcare hero. I found myself drawn into the narrative, feeling a mix of emotions as I followed Dr. Arumugam's experiences. This book not only showcases the challenges faced by healthcare professionals but also highlights the incredible impact one individual can have in the medical world. Dr. Arumugam's journey has left a lasting impression on me, inspiring me to appreciate the courage and compassion of those in the healthcare field.

[Shivani Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an inspiring read for me! I was amazed on the achievements of the author (who is a successful doctor in the US now)... Dr Arumugam has worked in many countries and achieved success before settling in the US. His writing is not compelling as a fiction book. However, there are many things in this book that will keep the readers interested and also curious to know what is happening next. The author has included episodes from his life, personal and public, childhood, education, career struggles and many other things. The chapter on COVID and how it changed many things in the world of doctors is also amazing.

[Ravi Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read from the first page to the last... I enjoyed learning about the early years of a successful doctor in the USA and how he coped with difficult situations, personally and professionally in different countries throughout his career. Dr. Thanumalaya Arumugam's life can be an inspiration for anyone who wants to get success in life. His success also testifies that anyone with passion and hard work can achieve anything in life. The book is as much for others as it is for aspiring and practising doctors. You should have many things for you in this book irrespective of your interest and preferences in literature.

[Nishant Anirudh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book... I would love to introduce this book to all the readers who are looking for something different and something useful that could inspire them. Dr. Thanumalaya's experiences, hard work, adjustments and vision could inspire anyone with confidence that anything is possible! An Indian boy with dreams goes to several countries and becomes a successful doctor! There are episodes of humour and laughter as well. Overall, it's a book that anyone can read. Doctors will enjoy because a fellow doctor's experiences with different kinds of patients are there. COVID chapter was emotional as well as enlightening about a doctor's duty.

[Nakshatra Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reveals many secrets to the readers... be it a special room in the bar in the UAE or those chats between the patients and their doctors, a cricketer in every teenage Indian or a potential engineer and doctor in every Indian who begins studying. The book has been written from a personal perspective and Dr. Arumugam has tried his best to bring out as much as possible so that readers can understand the job of a doctor and risks he takes as well as the person behind a successful career and what he did, how he managed life and family and what does he want from life... an interesting book, overall!

[Guddu Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good change of genre for anyone who has been reading fiction... The author has detailed the journey of his life so far, on personal and professional levels. You will like many things about the book. The way Dr. Arumugam has opened up about little details of his life in person and also the technical and professional aspects of his interaction with patients is amazing. This book can help any new doctor understand the nuances of dealing with patients, comforting them emotionally and cure then with medicine... There is also a chapter on COVID months and when it was at peak in the world. The book, overall, is interesting and also motivational to an extent.

[VishnuGupta Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked the way this autobiography has been written... given the form of a first-person narration of the events... not exactly as they happened but in an anecdotal way that includes the opinions, ideas in the retrospect and with minimum fabrication with literary icing on the top. You will feel entertained in the end... a little if not too much. However, you are surely to be informed about many important things that a doctor has to go through in his or her profession... coming directly from a successful doctor who has practised in many different countries.

[Chandan Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, who is a successful doctor, has shared many things about his personal, professional and creative life with the readers through this book. You will find many interesting episodes about his early life, career choices he made, study opportunities he got and various countries he lived in as a doctor. The chapter that describes the COVID19 and his duties as a doctor is very interesting and informative, scary as well. It may not be an exciting book as others you may have read, it certainly is an interesting work by a doctor!

[Sima Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is non-fiction, autobiographical, realistic and true... and most importantly, inspiring! A doctor's story of childhood, education, divided aims, struggles and selection of medicine as a career. The book might not be as exciting as a novel, it is certainly one of those books you go on reading in search of spark or connect... there is both! The writing is simple as if someone is telling stories about his life (and that's true to a large extent). The chapter detailing doctor's hectic schedule and busy days during the peak of COVID-19 was an eye opener.

[Samarthya Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book influenced by positive reviews here and also recommended by a friend. The book is indeed interesting and informative. Though the doctors and aspiring ones will certainly like the book more, us commoners do have many things in this book to enjoy. Simple episodes of life to complex medical decisions, everything has been explained by the author in a very lucid but artistic way. He does know a few skills of an author by heart. It is a simple narrative explaining the author's journey from the beginning of his academic life till now, a successful doctor in the US.

[Rishabh Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the COVID19 chapter alone, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand how important role the doctors have played in keeping hopes of humanity afloat in the times when we did not have anything to do so. Dr. Arumugam's journey is every doctor's journey during the pandemic. Other than that, there are many other things in the book that a reader may like. It's a doctor's selective autobiography and it is worth reading.

[Abhishek Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an inspiring read... more than anything else. I could feel an urge in the author all the time – to get his messages across and meet the readers with his words. Once you begin reading this novel, you will realise what I am trying to tell. DO get a copy soon and read it out. All the best!

PS: It is not boring at all... despite being a book by a doctor and about medicine practice in general. That was surprising to me (in a pleasant way).

[Nilesh Ranjan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept... I also liked the way the author has described many things about his life, personal and professional, at different stages. However, the book becomes too technical at times and I guess medical field will be the ideal target audience for this. However, at times, the author becomes someone who can inspire anyone to do something better in life. His achievements may become inspirations for others who want to do better. Students, for example. A book worth reading!

[Mugdha Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book! I read this title in a very short time and enjoyed my experience. Dr. Thanumalaya Arumugam has written very enthusiastically about his life. Right from his childhood in southern India to his medical career in various countries before finally settling in the US... the book will be an interesting read for readers who look for reading different and unique literature. Though the book is personal and autobiographical, it will be an interesting read for sure.