Gray Matters

‘A fascinating and wide-ranging account of what neurosurgery is really about – the past, present and future.’ —Henry Marsh, neurosurgeon and bestselling author of Do No Harm

‘Gray Matters – part memoir, part history, part scientific explanation – is an attempt to delve deep into this relatively new science, and the extraordinary things that Schwartz and his peers have found about the workings of the brain… Fascinating… Schwartz’s way with words is as skilful as his wielding of microscissors.‘ —Mail on Sunday

‘An engrossing new book… Dr Schwartz skilfully weaves explanations of procedures together with personal and historical anecdotes and real-life case studies… The result is a satisfying and varied insight into an intriguing profession. There are points when the book reads like a page-turner.’ —Economist

‘With equal doses compassion, humour, and narrative skill, Schwartz creates a spellbinding account of what goes through the brain of a top neurosurgeon staring into the deep mysteries of his patients’ brains. A must read for anyone who has ever had a brain.’ —Daniel J. Levitin, author of This is Your Brain on Music

‘Gray Matters is a riveting journey through the intricacies and complexities of the human brain, a compelling read for anyone considering a career in medicine, or anyone simply curious about the work life of a brain surgeon. The fascinating stories of people undergoing brain surgery highlight the mix of human ingenuity and daring that have propelled the field.’ —Anna Lembke, author of Dopamine Nation

‘If you are at all curious about the brain or the surgeons who operate on it, Gray Matters is a must read and Dr. Theodore Schwartz is the perfect guide, a master brain surgeon and superbly talented writer. I have not read a better biography of our shared profession, and in Schwartz’s talented hands, the most enigmatic 3 1⁄2 pounds of tissue in the known universe comes to light in remarkable and revelatory ways.’ —Dr. Sanjay Gupta, New York Times bestselling author of Keep Sharp

‘Blending personal experiences from the operating room with neuroscience’s historical roots and contemporary examples, Dr. Theodore H. Schwartz gives readers a captivating glimpse into the high-stakes, emotionally charged world of brain surgery. A riveting read that unveils the humanity, history, and science behind the scalpel.’ —Dana Suskind, paediatric surgeon and author of New York Times bestseller Parent Nation

‘A fascinating glimpse behind the curtain… Dr. Schwartz has spent his career using his hands to make brains healthier. Now, he uses the power of stories to shed light on the mysteries of the mind.’ —Wall Street Journal

‘An exciting and engaging romp around the history, innerworkings, and near limitless potential of the human brain. If you like Mary Roach’s genre of immersive storytelling then you will love this view from the inside of the world of brain surgery. An outstanding read, and I highly recommend to brain surgeons and non-brain surgeons alike!’ —Jay Wellons, author of All That Moves Us: A Pediatric Neurosurgeon, His Young Patients, and Their Stories of Grace and Resilience

‘An informative study of modern brain surgery… Mixing expertise with storytelling, Schwartz provides a remarkable account of a crucial but misunderstood field.’ —Kirkus, starred review

‘Neurosurgeon Schwartz’s excellent debut intersperses details about the history of brain surgery with background on what it’s like to perform the procedure… Sweeping and consistently captivating, this impresses.’ —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Dr. Theodore H. Schwartz is the David and Ursel Barnes Endowed Professor of Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center at New York Presbyterian Hospital, one of the busiest and highest-ranked neurosurgery centres in the world. He has published over five hundred scientific articles and chapters on neurosurgery and has lectured around the world.