Publishers:National Geographic

ISBN:978-1-4262-2245-0

Perhaps not a day passesby that we don't read or hear about one of the world's most brilliantinfectious disease specialists, Dr. Anthony Fauci.

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Most of usknow he was appointed by Trump the face of the White HouseCoronavirus Task Force set up in early 2020. We may indeed be awarethat he had been chosen head of the National Institute of Allergy andInfectious Diseases in 1984. That he has been the recipient of manyawards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom? He has advisedsix presidents on HIV/AIDS and many other international and nationalhealth issues, often testifying before Congress?

Yet, withthese achievements, do we honestly know Fauci? His outlook on life?What makes him tick? His upbringing? His education? His commitment tohis community? His earnest reflections?

All of this and moreare covered in National Geographic's recent ninety-three-page tomeFauci: Expect the Unexpected: Ten Lessons on Truth, Service, andthe Way Forward.

The editors have gathered an illuminatingcollection of brief quotes and anecdotes gleaned from dozens ofFauci's speeches and interviews. Each of the ten powerful chaptersincorporates lessons Fauci has gained throughout his life that hehopes to pass on to others. These include understanding and sharingthe feelings of others, honoring your community, pursuing yourpassions, expect the unexpected, always persist, persevere, andprevail, live your life to serve the greater good, lead by example,don't stop learning, forge partnerships, and revere the truth.

Anexample of one of Fauci's beliefs is that one should regularly seekto search for the positive in individuals. He stresses that we shouldrecognize other people's sentiments and imagine what someone elsemight think or feel. As he affirms: "When you're a physician,it's just as important to know human nature as it is to know humanphysiology. The most important thing in the care of a patient is'caring' for the patient." You've really to go care about themas a person, not as a statistic, or somebody you're going to bill orsomebody who's just one of many people.

In reflecting onPublic Service, Fauci reminds us that the essence of Public Serviceis "doing something that is beyond your own self, beyond yourown potentially selfish motivations."
During the pandemic,Fauci often was the spokesperson for the White House. Sometimes hecontradicted Trump and its administration. His unwavering belief isthat one should always revere the truth.
To be competent, it ishis view that you always know that you will express the truth, eventhough it may be something someone does not want to hear.

Expectthe Unexpected: Ten Lessons on Truth, Service, and the Way Forwardserves as an excellent reminder that it is not enough just to dothings, but rather doing the right things and having the rightattitude. The lessons here are genuinely timeless, presented insuccinct morsels that are sure to resonate long after you put thebook down.

It should be mentionedthat the book is a companion to the feature documentary FAUCI, fromEmmy-winning directors John Hoffman and Janet Tobias, now playing inselect theaters and streaming later this fall. Dr. Fauci had nocontrol over the film or the book. He has no financial interest inthe film or the book release.