In this medical memoir, Dr. Friedman recounts the humorous, tragic, and always intense relationships of neurosurgeons to their colleagues and patients. He details what it takes to become a leading neurosurgeon and deal with deadly brain diseases and their devastating complications. He weighs in on universal health care in the United States. He also answers such questions as how does the mind work, why is trigeminal neuralgia called the "suicide disease," and how will we ultimately cure cancer of the brain? Through his exhilarating and challenging experiences, Dr. Friedman shares his lifelong journey, one that has truly been "something awesome."