Publisher Description

At times amusing, at times heartbreaking, and at other times educational and instructive, Arthur van Langenburg describes real-life cases and the medical causes of illnesses, including many incredible stories of life-saving operations that will keep you riveted to your seat. Interspersing these chapters are tales from his fascinating personal life, and reflections on his journey to becoming an expert gardener. Throughout the book is woven the metaphor of the author's journey to Ithaka, as described in a moving poem of the same name that charts a path for how to live a life 'full of adventure, full of discovery'. Beautifully written in a lively, engaging style, this book is sure to win the hearts of many, as van Langenberg's sparkling personality and fascinating insight shines through on every page.

Author Biography

Arthur van Langenberg has lived in Hong Kong all his life except for four years in Macau during World War II and two years in Britain undergoing medical training. He has practised surgery for some fifty years, first at the Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, and then in private practice. His lifelong interest in reading and gardening has helped him morph from surgeon to gardener and writer, finding fulfilment and a simpler way of life over the years.

Table of Contents

I THE WORLD OF MEDICINE
1. A Day in the Life of a Surgeon / 3
2. What is a Surgeon? A Bit of History / 7
3. Medical School / 9
4. The Clinical Years / 15
5. Call Me Doctor / 19
6. Training to be a Surgeon / 25
7. Swinging London / 31
8. Liverpool / 39
9. Murder Most Foul / 45
10. Return to Academe / 49
11. Emergencies / 55
12. Burnout / 65
13. Teacher and Students / 71
 
II HOME AND HERITAGE
14. Reading, Writing and Arithmetic / 83
15. The World of Books / 87
16. Heritage, Language and Identity / 91
17. Fusion Food: The Ties that Bind / 99
18. Our Furry Friends / 103
19. The Sea, the Sea / 107
20. A Tree Grows in Shouson Hill / 111
 
III DOCTORS AND PATIENTS
21. Private Practice / 121
22. Limitations in Private Practice / 125
23. The Canossian Sisters and Their Hospital / 131
24. The Reluctant Superintendent / 135
25. The Archbishop / 141
26. The Consul / 145
27. Ho Mui the Fisherwoman / 149
28. Russia: In Search of a New Stapler / 153
29. Sidewalk Consultations and Good Samaritans / 157
30. Doctors as Patients / 161
31. Relatives and Friends / 169
32. Life, Death and Everything Between / 173
33. The Unkindest Cut of All / 181
34. A Personal Crisis / 185
35. Everybody's Little Problem / 189
36. Variations on a Theme of Identity / 195
 
IV TRANSITION
37. The Surgeon as Counsellor / 203
38. Diet and Wellness / 209
39. The Writing Bug Bites / 215
40. From Scalpel to Spade / 219
41. The Medical Museum Garden / 229
42. The Surgeon/Gardener Link / 233
43. Identity Revealed / 235
44. Nature's Cycle / 239
45. Responsible Living / 243
46. A Day in the Life of a Gardener / 247
 
Appendix: Sartorial Considerations for the Gardener / 259
 

Long Description

This delightful memoir is the story of a life well lived - a Hong Kong doctor who worked as a surgeon for over fifty years and who later turned his hand to his other great passion, gardening. At times amusing, at times heartbreaking, and at other times educational and instructive, Arthur van Langenburg describes real-life cases and the medical causes of illnesses, including many incredible stories of life-saving operations that will keep you riveted to your seat. Interspersing these chapters are tales from his fascinating personal life, and reflections on his journey to becoming an expert gardener. Throughout the book is woven the metaphor of the author's journey to Ithaka, as described in a moving poem of the same name that charts a path for how to live a life 'full of adventure, full of discovery'. Beautifully written in a lively, engaging style, this book is sure to win the hearts of many, as van Langenberg's sparkling personality and fascinating insight shines through on every page.

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