Journal Three - Andrew Joseph

I’m actually really liking this book, usually when I’m required to read something for a class I just… don’t. But, I kind of look forward to reading this. I think maybe it’s because these are real people that you kind of want to know more about. The strengths and weaknesses in Holding On are kind of one in the same for me. I find that I enjoy a profile more when there are those blurbs in Italics to tell you why the decided to interview this person or what they were doing before during and after the interview. I find that exactly he opposite happens when I read ones without the input of the interviewer, they seem to drag on to me to a certain point. Only some of them though.

            The person that struck me or kind of caught my eye was the folk doctor, Tommie Bass. I loved passion for what he did. He seemed to be taken well by a lot of the people that he helped which kind of brings me to the research question topic. While reading his profile I noticed that he kept saying “cure” as someone who is surrounded by the overexposure of people saying there is no cure, I couldn’t help but wonder. The stuff he conjures up, does it last a life time (Drink once and rejoice)? Or does it just last until its out of the body’s system (temporary remedy)? I would love to know these patients’ lives after the doctor, kind of like one of “Oprah Winfrey’s Where Are They Now” specials. Another thing that struck me was that he never did it for the money or anything like that, I mean when I heard the word “CURE” my mind went to the word “GOLDMINE”. He was so humble and just so willing to help, it was incredible. I think everyone, myself included, could relate to this profile. How many times have you wondered if there was a way you could cure your mom’s diabetes or your father’s shingles when it flares up, maybe you haven’t thought about those specific diseases’ but I’m sure you can relate one way or another. I think the portrait explains a lot about him as person. There are books upon books stacked up on top of each other, there are papers covering his desk chaotically, the picture above his desk is crooked, it’s like he is being pulled in many different directions trying to get to one answer. Another thing that I noticed was that throughout the profile Bass talks a lot without it being written by Isay in a dialogue format Like Mahan or Richards.  This man was intriguing to read about, made me want to know more.