Publishers: National Geographic

ISBN: 978-1-4262-2245-0

Perhaps not a day passes by that we don't read or hear about one of the world's most brilliant infectious disease specialists, Dr. Anthony Fauci.

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Most of us know he was appointed by Trump the face of the White House Coronavirus Task Force set up in early 2020. We may indeed be aware that he had been chosen head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 1984. That he has been the recipient of many awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom? He has advised six presidents on HIV/AIDS and many other international and national health issues, often testifying before Congress?

Yet, with these achievements, do we honestly know Fauci? His outlook on life? What makes him tick? His upbringing? His education? His commitment to his community? His earnest reflections?

All of this and more are covered in National Geographic's recent ninety-three-page tome Fauci: Expect the Unexpected: Ten Lessons on Truth, Service, and the Way Forward.

The editors have gathered an illuminating collection of brief quotes and anecdotes gleaned from dozens of Fauci's speeches and interviews. Each of the ten powerful chapters incorporates lessons Fauci has gained throughout his life that he hopes to pass on to others. These include understanding and sharing the feelings of others, honoring your community, pursuing your passions, expect the unexpected, always persist, persevere, and prevail, live your life to serve the greater good, lead by example, don't stop learning, forge partnerships, and revere the truth.

An example of one of Fauci's beliefs is that one should regularly seek to search for the positive in individuals. He stresses that we should recognize other people's sentiments and imagine what someone else might think or feel. As he affirms: "When you're a physician, it's just as important to know human nature as it is to know human physiology. The most important thing in the care of a patient is 'caring' for the patient." You've really to go care about them as a person, not as a statistic, or somebody you're going to bill or somebody who's just one of many people.

In reflecting on Public Service, Fauci reminds us that the essence of Public Service is "doing something that is beyond your own self, beyond your own potentially selfish motivations."
During the pandemic, Fauci often was the spokesperson for the White House. Sometimes he contradicted Trump and its administration. His unwavering belief is that one should always revere the truth.
To be competent, it is his view that you always know that you will express the truth, even though it may be something someone does not want to hear.

Expect the Unexpected: Ten Lessons on Truth, Service, and the Way Forward serves as an excellent reminder that it is not enough just to do things, but rather doing the right things and having the right attitude. The lessons here are genuinely timeless, presented in succinct morsels that are sure to resonate long after you put the book down.

It should be mentioned that the book is a companion to the feature documentary FAUCI, from Emmy-winning directors John Hoffman and Janet Tobias, now playing in select theaters and streaming later this fall. Dr. Fauci had no control over the film or the book. He has no financial interest in the film or the book release.