The Anatomy of Hope

Focusing on hope, and how it might be a contributing factor in the healing process, Dr. Groopman writes from some thirty years of clinical practice. Paul Michael has a calm, reassuring voice befitting a doctor. As Michael chronicles Dr. Groopman's development from medical student to doctor, working in a field of chronic illness, one is invited to witness the physician's growing understanding of the phenomenon of hope. Michael's use of inflection and tone for each character allows us to fully experience Dr. Groopman's personal epiphany about the vital part hope plays. A reminder about the importance of optimism in our daily lives. R.S.E. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine


Jerome Groopman's voice is rich with intensity and conviction as he describes the transformational experiences he has lived through. Groopman has spent years working with the critically ill; he also spent years in chronic pain himself after back surgery. This combination gives him perspective; both sympathy and empathy fill his voice as he describes his interactions with patients, so much so that at times it's hard to listen without wincing. His pace is measured as he strives to balance these personal touches with his scientific training. His serious but accessible tone is itself a sign of how well he has succeeded in balancing his personal connection to his patients with his professional responsibilities. G.T.B. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine