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Take the Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose, and Live with Acceptable Risk
No risk, pay the cost.Know risk, reap the rewards.In our risk-avoidance culture, we place a high premium on safety. We insure our vacations. We check crash tests on cars. We extend the warranties on our appliances. But by insulating ourselves from the unknown---the risks of life---we miss the great adventure of living our lives to their full potential.Ben Carson spent his ...more
Hardcover, 237 pages
Published
January 1st 2008
by Zondervan Publishing Company
(first published January 1st 2007)
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Ben Carson discussions are about his neuroscientific experiences, and how he lost some of his clients in OR, but still relies on God to help him save lives. How we have to take risks?
1. Everything is Risky
2. More we know, more we worry
3. A lot of risks aren't worth the worry
4. we can't eliminate all risk
5. minimizing risk is oten the best we can do
6. acceptable risks
7. not all risks are bad
8. all going to die
Furthermore, he speaks abou...more
1. Everything is Risky
2. More we know, more we worry
3. A lot of risks aren't worth the worry
4. we can't eliminate all risk
5. minimizing risk is oten the best we can do
6. acceptable risks
7. not all risks are bad
8. all going to die
Furthermore, he speaks abou...more
Very well written perspective of the risks most of us face in our everyday lives. Dr. Carson offers a professional spin on risk taking. He is among the neurosurgeons on a team who in 2003 attempted to separate a pair of Iranian twins conjoined at the head. The twins were 29 years old and old enough to accept their choice to be separated as a calculated risk. Ultimately, the risk they took ended in hemorrhaging, organ failures, and death. However, it could've been easily seen as a risk worth...more
I learned of Ben Carson after my daughter was encouraged by her teacher to watch the made for TV movie about Dr Carson, with Cuba Gooding Jr in the starring role. Shortly thereafter I saw this book at Costco, and bought it.
The book is part motivation and part autobiography.
If there was ever an 'at risk' youth, it would be Carson. Growing up with his brother in a single parent home, with an illiterate mother, in a very poor and violent neighborhood in inner city Detroi...more
The book is part motivation and part autobiography.
If there was ever an 'at risk' youth, it would be Carson. Growing up with his brother in a single parent home, with an illiterate mother, in a very poor and violent neighborhood in inner city Detroi...more
I really enjoy the stories of this famous pediatric neurosurgeon. I've been inspired and given lots to think about from reading his work. He appears to be a very dedicated Seventh Day Adventist and have a brilliant mind. He actually uses his mind to try and figure out answers to some of the world problems like improving education, helping everyone be able to afford medical care, taxes, parenting, etc.
In this book he shares some of the same stories from his earlier book "Gifted H...more
In this book he shares some of the same stories from his earlier book "Gifted H...more
I like the author's simple best/worst approach to making important decisions. Dr. Carson shares how it's been very helpful to him throughout his medical career and personal life.
This approach involves four questions: What's the best thing that can happen if I do this? What's the worst thing that can happen if I do this? What's the best thing that can happen if I don't do it? What's the worst thing that can happen if I don't do it? After answering the questions, it's then up to you ...more
This approach involves four questions: What's the best thing that can happen if I do this? What's the worst thing that can happen if I do this? What's the best thing that can happen if I don't do it? What's the worst thing that can happen if I don't do it? After answering the questions, it's then up to you ...more
This is the best book for you to read if you have a hard time taking risks. This book is sort of a Bibliography and it also teaches the reader about life. This book is great for young people because they have not yet exspereanced the hardships of life. Take The Risk by Ben Carlson is the best bibliography I have ever read, even though this is he only bibliography I have read.
This book was written to show people how to take and handle risks. Mr. Carlson, the author of the bo...more
This book was written to show people how to take and handle risks. Mr. Carlson, the author of the bo...more
"odds that you will die at some point in your life: 1 in 1. thus, you might say the greatest, most significant, and universal risk factor in death is being born. this implies that it really isn't very helpful to approach the subject of risk by focusing on how we might die; rather, it's far wiser to consider how we should live and what risks we will live with."
"far better is it to dare mighty things than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer ...more
"far better is it to dare mighty things than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer ...more
This is a powerful book that really discusses risk thoroughly, both on personal and social levels. Dr. Carson's basic theme is the B/WA, or Best/Worst Analysis, which is a tool he uses to determine whether or not a risk is worth taking. The B/WA tool asks four questions:
-What is the BEST thing that can happen if I DO this?
-What is the WORST thing that can happen if I DO this?
-What is the BEST thing that can happen if I DON'T do this?
-What is the WORST thing that ca...more
-What is the BEST thing that can happen if I DO this?
-What is the WORST thing that can happen if I DO this?
-What is the BEST thing that can happen if I DON'T do this?
-What is the WORST thing that ca...more
This was a very interesting book on risk-assessment, presented as an autobiography. The first few chapters I found to be particularly engaging and compelling, as we see an at-risk child become an accomplished neurosurgeon. The rest of the book travels through Carson's life and professional career, helping to justify his assertion about the best way to determine what are acceptable types and levels of risk. The topics covered seemed at times to have a bit of an agenda, and were often hodge-pod...more
This is absolutely one the best books on risk you will ever read. Dr. Carson is a world famous brain surgeon that had very humble beginnings in the slums of Detroit. Raised by an illiterate mother, when his grades started to fall, she made Ben and his brother read two books a week and give her the report. This sparked his thirst for knowledge and made him cool in the classroom.
He shares his best/worst analysis to analyzing risk. What is the Best/Worst thing that can happen if I d...more
He shares his best/worst analysis to analyzing risk. What is the Best/Worst thing that can happen if I d...more
Dr. Ben Carson discusses some useful life lessons. A man who grew up in poverty and overcame many obstacles to graduate from college, become a physician, marry and raise a family, Dr. Carson has fascinating insights into dealing with stress, challenges, and adversity. His life inspires me.
I wish this book was about 1/4 as long. The valuable information I got from this:
As a hesitant risk-taker who usually thinks of most risk taking like blindly jumping off a cliff, I liked his analysis of risk taking: to consider the best/worst case scenarios of taking/not taking a risk and then determine from there if it makes sense to do. This is so simple, yet was really valuable for me to see. His other useful advice? Train yourself to take your ego out of the equation when doing this a...more
As a hesitant risk-taker who usually thinks of most risk taking like blindly jumping off a cliff, I liked his analysis of risk taking: to consider the best/worst case scenarios of taking/not taking a risk and then determine from there if it makes sense to do. This is so simple, yet was really valuable for me to see. His other useful advice? Train yourself to take your ego out of the equation when doing this a...more
Joeybjab05
added it
Ben Carson uses stories from his life as a surgeon to help people understand how to take risks in society. He shows you how he chooses a best/worst analysis to discover the key to successful risk taking.
It was interesting to read about Carson's life and the choices he made that brought him where he is today. His method of decision making was insightful. He is a gifted writer and his Christianity is inspiring.
Ben Carson is a devout and outspoken evangelical Christian believer, director of pediatric neurosurgery, and full professor of neurosurgery, plastic surgery, oncology, and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore, Maryland. He sits on the boards of directors of several major corporations and founded, along with his wife Candy, the "Carson Scholars Fund" to encourage bright students, and "Angels of the OR", which helps families that cannot afford medic...more
This is really an autobiography under a misleading title. Dr. Carson is a very accomplished surgeon who definitely had to overcome a lot. So if you want to learn about his life this book might be of interest. However, IMO, it does not help in "learning to identify, choose and live with risk" as its subtitle suggests. Granted, he mentions the standard "Best-Worst" approach, but you don't need to read a volume to get that concept. Carson also emphasizes the prayer as part of hi...more
Not a literary masterpiece, but offers sound advice and a formula for making decisions.
Dr. Carson books and life are truly inspiring. Take the risk is a great and fast read
Ben Carson seems to be a neat man with an amazing story and a thought provoking message.
Carson is a feel good story of a bright kid from a poor background who overcome the odds to become a world renowned, Christian neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins. His assessment of risk is interesting and his examples of our poor risk assessment processes is entertaining. It is a worthwhile read that is motivational and inspirational.
The books of Ben Carson are mainly interesting to me because of their power of motivation. I particularly liked this one because of its subject: taking risks and living your life at the maximum potential. I guess I need to be reminded of that every now and then. What positively surprised me here was the frankness and the simplicity of the exposition.
One minus point I would give to the fact that the author sometimes repeats himself and has a didactic tendency.
One minus point I would give to the fact that the author sometimes repeats himself and has a didactic tendency.
This book is written to encourage people to stick their neck out and not be so much pack animals.
I enjoyed most the points that were made about how society seems to distort risk evaluation and how the legal system has corrupted the risk of the free market.
There is a little too much of Ben patting himself ont the back and a little too much repetitiveness.
I think it's a good message but could have been done in half the pages.
I enjoyed most the points that were made about how society seems to distort risk evaluation and how the legal system has corrupted the risk of the free market.
There is a little too much of Ben patting himself ont the back and a little too much repetitiveness.
I think it's a good message but could have been done in half the pages.
I was at first disappointed with the book because much of the beginning is similar to "Gifted Hands" and I had just read it. As one gets through the first half though, there is additional great material. I admire his courage to speak out for his beliefs and unpopular political views which may very well be initially painful but practical solutions to many of our biggest problems. I tended to totally agree with him.
Amazingly simple and yet comprehensive and pragmatic. It presents the sort of angles you wonder how you have not thought about. Knowing the life story of the author, I am even more convinced that each chapter talks about true and possible things. By covering the key issues that really matters in life, and giving excellent tips on how to make important decisions, this book remains one of my favourites.
Samantha
marked it as to-read
I had the fortunate opportunity to meet Dr. Carson Monday night at a VIP fundraising event. He then gave a very motivational speech Tuesday morning at Nationals Stadium. He was kind enough to give me a copy of his book and if it's written half as well as he speaks, I'm sure it will make for a good read.
Joanna
is currently reading it
I started this book and now it's sitting next to my bed, lonely and ignored. This is a poor reflection of the content in this book. Is it a thriller? Not quite. But it leads me to think more deeply about what it means to take risks and why we're all so afraid to do this.
His approach to making important and everyday choices has influenced me. I've used his decision making (Best if do and worst if do, best if don't, worst if don't) plan with my kids and it works to get the melodrama put in it's place so a decision can be made.
My dad bought me this book-which is funny because my dad never buys books. I liked the medical stories he told in the beginning and hit and miss throughout the book, but it was a little too much self-help for me.
This is a great book. I'm a huge fan of Dr. Carson and I have his 3 other books. Although there are several stories that are repeated in this book, his perspective as it relates to risk.
Makes you think some... and some of the stuff is just things that it's like "finally, someone says that!". The last 2 chapters are a little off tho', in my opinion.
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