Brain and Heart: The Triumphs and Struggles of a Pediatric Neurosurgeon

by David I. Sandberg M.D., Arianna Huffington (foreword)

A brilliant and warm memoir that captures the intense emotional and medical world of pediatric neurosurgery.

In this moving, unflinching, and inspiring book, Dr. David Sandberg, an internationally reknown pediatric neurosurgeon, brilliantly combines his deep scientific and medical knowledge with raw emotion and unforgettably powerful stories of courage and love. The brain is the most complicated and perplexing of our organs, and it is also the one that makes us human. When it comes to a child's brain, the hearts of those who love them become inextricably linked to that story.

In Brain and Heart, Dr. Sandberg describes the joy, heartbreak, uncertainty, and physical and emotional challenges that come with performing brain surgery on children. What makes this book different from previously published medical memoirs is Dr. Sandberg’s unique honesty about what goes through his mind when he makes the most complex choices with life-changing consequences. While most medical memoirs focus largely on the patient perspective, Dr. Sandberg allows readers access to his private thoughts when making agonizing decisions—from giving the worst news imaginable to facing very scary surgical complications.

A father himself, Dr. Sandberg understands deeply how every one of his patients is an entire world, and his devotion to his patients and his work shines through on every page. We follow him as he finds his way to neurosurgery as a young doctor through to his most heartbreaking cases and greatest triumphs. We also travel with him to underserved countries, where lifesaving surgeries that are common here are almost nonexistent, and Dr. Sandberg shares the stories of the dedicated doctors and surgeons trying to enact change. Brain and Heart is an unforgettable book that will strenghten our sense of compassion and hope.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Medicine

208 pages, Hardcover

Published May 6, 2025

Reviews

[Scott Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Sandberg is an incredible man. Our family has experienced first-hand his surgical skills on our daughter Alyssa, and had the highest of high celebratory conversations and the lowest of low conversations and just as the book states, each was done with honesty and compassion. We love this man.

His book takes the reader on a journey through med school and fellowships, into the operating room and on to the bedside, to celebrating patients who fully recover as well as to mourning with those who were lost, and literally around the world helping children and physicians with less resources. He openly shares his thought processes, triumphs, fears, failures, and dreams. Read this book. You will have gratitude that physicians like David Sandberg and those he teaches are out there fighting for our kids.

[Melodiehebnesgmail.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Sandberg is my daughter’s neurosurgeon at MD Anderson. I loved reading this book as it felt like I was sitting down and having a cup of coffee with him and he had all the time in the world to tell me about his amazing career, schooling, and his beautiful family. While we have had a lot of time with Dr Sandberg and he has always made us feel like his only patient we have rarely had the opportunity to get to know him. What an amazing human being with the sweetest soul. I am truly honored to read this book and learn how you want to help children. What a blessing! I thank you for how you helped my daughter, you saved her life! And we will always remember you in our prayers, and anyone who needs a second opinion - please seek it out. It was the best decision we ever made going to MD Anderson and meeting Dr Sandberg.

[Stephanie Hitchcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly beautiful book outlining the triumphs and struggles of a brilliant pediatric neurosurgeon. Dr. Sandberg is a rare gem of a human with equal parts of intelligence, and heart. He goes above and beyond and cares about his patients and their families. He feels for the inequities in the world and has sacrificed so much to help those who do not have the same access to healthcare as we have here in the US. He mourns when he loses a patient…. It’s so more than just a job. His story is such a beautiful testimony to a life that has served using his unique skillset and made the world a better place. I’m so thankful for him, and so grateful that we found ourselves in Houston in office when my daughter was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation. The memories I have going through that walk with him (and 4 surgeries) are ever seared into my memory. He never once gave up on her and we always felt that we were in the most capable hands. Today she is thriving and we could not be more thankful for Dr. Sandberg for helping her get there. Outstanding Book- Highly recommended. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a candid and emotional memoir by a pediatric neurosurgeon. Across its pages, we enter the high-pressure world of surgery—especially pediatric neurosurgery—and are invited behind the scenes in hospital hallways, operating rooms, and waiting rooms. With rare honesty, he shares the triumphs and tragedies of everyday life. Dr. Sandberg also reflects on his journey into neurosurgery, his life as a physician and parent, and his work in under-resourced countries.

This memoir explores the convergence of medicine and humanity and how he balances surgical knowledge and precision with empathy. We don't just get to learn about procedures; we also get insight into his moments of doubt before delivering devastating news to a parent, the relief when surgery succeeds, and the heartbreak when it doesn’t. Through stories from his practice, we see the importance of compassion, honesty, and listening—qualities that define good medicine and good human connection. The book is as much a portrait of one surgeon’s life as a meditation on courage, love, resilience, and the call to meaningful work.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...

[Smitha Parameswaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful glimpse into the demanding life of a pediatric neurosurgeon. They hours they put in to get qualified and later on the ungodly hours they put in to treat the ailments that affect the brain.

As I was reading this I was imagining myself in this position, how terrifying it must be to enter the operating room each time knowing that you are going to alter someones life for ever. How even more scary it becomes when the surgery is done under extreme emergencies where seconds matter and decisions are to be made in a split second and there is absolutely no margin for error.

How they beat themselves for any error they make and still find strength and gumption to go on next day to do all these things again. The important takeaway from this book is as simple as wearing a helmet while biking or doing tackle sport among the many others.

My respect for this tribe has only grown exponentially. Salutations!!

[Sage Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!!! I finished this book in two days. And I’m not that much of a reader!

Dr Sandburg writes an amazing story about his journey to becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon and everything he has witnessed in practice, from his middle of the night ER visits to his trips abroad to developing countries.

He truly puts his heart on a sleeve describing each patient’s story and as a reader I find myself feeling and relating everything he writes about. This book is amazing for anyone, especially those going into healthcare.

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandberg's stories of working in global communities, as well as in the US, are fascinating. Although there is much tragedy, there is also triumph, as Sandberg is an accomplished surgeon. He also explains about the work it takes to become a neurosurgeon and how cases are handled before and after surgery. Working with children, too, is a delicate process, and he discusses the most difficult conversations and how to handle them with grace.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book. I'm not sure I had thought enough about the ongoing sacrifice physicians like this make. As Dr Sandberg explains, there is no work/life balance for pediatric neurosurgeons. The sections on practicing medicine abroad have to make readers grateful for the doctors we have access to, even though our own system has major flaws. The most touching parts of the book were the children's stories. I almost wish more of those were told.

[Maureen Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A compelling, personal, and deeply moving look behind-the-curtain of the rarified field of pediatric neurosurgery, and one compassionate doctor’s lifelong mission to save childrens’ lives.”

Read my full review at New York Journal of Books: https://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book...

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book written by a true servant and caregiver. It was enlightening to see the heart of a physician and to better appreciate all that they do in caring for patients and their families. A great read! Well done.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brain and Heart is such a refreshing and inspiring read. Dr Sandberg does a wonderful job of balancing humor, wisdom, and real-life cases and feelings that can make you smile, shed a few tears, reflect, and even rethink how you approach daily life. I highly recommend it!

[Julie Simons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This man is so gifted & blessed in so many ways as to be almost superhuman. The world is definitely a better place with him in it! As much as I enjoyed the book, I liked similar books by Henry Marsh and David Nott quite a bit more - they added a warmth & humanity that this book seemed to lack.

[Tricia M · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s amazing to hear about Dr. Sandberg’s work. I was a bit lost in the medical descriptions from time to time but that’s more of a reflection on me.

[Rita Bookreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful memoir filled with heartfelt episodes from a full life of a neurosurgeon. Inspiring

[Vjera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wear your bike helmet! Brain injuries are scary.

[Blakelee Eggleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

MUST READ!!

[OLIVIA · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating and touching account of a fascinating field