Take the Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose, and Live with Acceptable Risk Hardcover – December 19, 2007

In many ways I am sorry I didn't have the opportunity to read this book many years ago, his manner for making decisions as outlinedin this work would have served me well - rather than the seat of my pants. Truly as his life progressed, his decisions became con-sequentially more significant than mine (life/death, more/less permanent disability), however, mine remained as important to my significance. I think his examples can be applied by anyone and could become a pattern to assist any young person to help themin direction for a meaningful life compass. This with the philosophy expressed in the book, Think Big, would help anyone well onthe way to a successful life. I also agree that his message of reading importance holds more power than nearly any of can understand or comprehend. Not all of us learn at the same speed or time of development of our lives - nor for the same reasons.Yet, I know a mechanic who wanted to be the best repair man in the business who hated to read, however, he knew to become the best he needed to read manuels, so in school he developed at least this skill, sent himself to all the auto repair schoolshe could attend, and proceeded to work at auto repair, eventually opening his own garage, and becoming someone everyoneelse went to for help. Much as Dr. Carson did as a doctor. Not the same background, employment, or reading emphases - butthe same end result: all from development of basic reading skill. I myself went thru high school, attained basic academic skills - including reading - graduated early to enter the service, (no ACT OR SAT scores). Long story short, while in the service I learnedI liked to read, eventually entered college on the veterans assistance and finally achieved a Masters Degree - basically becauseI liked to read. Negative about the book - I have no doubt that Dr. Carson once attacked his brother in a manner which might have caused serious if not fatal injury, though at the time I doubt it was with mortal intent. I also believe he was an impressionableyoung man and as such this whole portion of the book seems to me to be overstated somewhat. However, given what happenswhen he prays regularly prior to surgery or other major events in his life I certainly give him the benefit of the doubt is hisassessment and what has resulted in his life. He truly is a man to be admired. I think the was the best of the three works I have read.I believe it was spur of the moment, rather than

I almost passed this one by, as risk is not an especially interesting topic to me. Still, I had read Dr. Carson's book, "Gifted Hands," and watched him in his 2016 candidacy for President, which both predicted this would be a worthwhile book to read. And I was not mistaken. Dr. Carson's simple formula for analyzing risk makes the book worth the time spent reading it. His many anecdotes and human interest stories add greatly to understanding his points and add interest and meaning to what could have been a boring treatise. Further, Dr. Carson shows how much risk analysis is of value in every area of our lives, from personal relationships, to career decisions, parenthood, and day-to-day life. For me, Dr. Carson's Christian faith, and his use of that in all areas of his life and career were refreshing and key elements in this book, and added greatly to everything else said. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

I love reading books by Ben Carson. He is so down-to-earth with lots of common sense. And he demands your respect after all he went through during his childhood. And so does his dear sweet mother. She definitely got him going down the right path and his faith in the Lord has brought him through many significant challenges. I just wish more people with influence thought the way he did and had the desire and/or willingness to get into politics. We definitely need a major overhaul to our government/political system if America is going to continue to be the nation it was intended to be by the founders. And that starts with us - the people!! More people need to 'take the risk' to do more for the greater good of America and think more about the needs of their state, community, and neighborhood instead of just themselves!!!

In a culture that wants to bubble-wrap our kids, eat gluten & MSG free, as well as hand-sanitize everything, and yet doesn’t see the problem of the bigger risks facing us (i.e. $17 trillion debt, failing education, and horrendous health care system), the calm and collected voice of Dr. Ben Carson is rather refreshing. He also has a great first name! Dr. Carson gained notoriety for being the first neurosurgeon to successfully separate twins conjoined at the head. I, however, first heard of him after he spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 15, 2013. His comments on the problems in our country, with President Obama sitting only a few feet away, garnered more than a little attention. The buzz began that he could be a possible presidential candidate.Being the political nerd that I am, I wanted to dig into more about who the man is, what his worldview is, and what bearing that might have if he were to run. I found he had written a handful of books, and has a truly compelling “rags-to-riches” sort of story. I chose to read his book “Take the Risk” because it is a theme that I teach and preach on regularly. We all too often run from imagined fears into the arms of real nightmares. With his easy-going tone, Carson encourages his readers to weigh all their decisions with what he calls a “best/worst analysis.” In essence, what’s the best that can happen if I do XYZ, what’s the worst that can happen if I do XYZ, what’s the best that can happen if I don’t do XYZ, what’s the worst that can happen if I don’t do XYZ.It is a simple “formula”, in a simple book. Carson endears himself to readers not with high-brow sophistication or with highfalutin technical terminology, but with a gentle candor that reminds one of, well, a doctor. He’s got the bedside manners that, at least in my perspective, brings the sort of trustworthiness, reliability, and honesty that one would want in a doctor (or anyone else placed in a position of trust and responsibility).Read the rest of the review <a href="http://www.benzornes.com/ben-carsons-take-the-risk" target="_blank">here</a>