| Summary: |
"Anthony Fauci's calming, credible presence earned him the trust of millions during the COVID pandemic, one of the most terrifying periods in modern history, but this was only the most recent of the global epidemics in which Dr. Fauci played a key role. Here is his candid, personal account of fighting to keep us safe for almost six decades, facing public health crises head-on, navigating the life-and-death consequences of hard decisions, and advising seven presidents. On Call reaches back to Dr. Fauci's boyhood in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1940s and '50s and then into the 1980s, as AIDS ravaged our communities. He describes the battle to find hope in those seemingly hopeless days as he led the search for treatments and cures, bringing doctors, researchers, activists, and politicians together in a unique alliance. He takes us inside the Oval Office during global crises, bedside in hospital wards with people suffering from Ebola and HIV, and deep into laboratories where he and his staff worked to unlock the mysteries of frightening diseases like influenza and SARS. Not all the drama is in the hospital; he recalls tense private meetings and negotiations with the White House and Congress on key issues from global AIDS relief to infectious disease preparedness at home, and the personal sacrifices sometimes required. To a doctor, being "on call" does not just mean long, sleepless nights; it means being ever prepared, anticipating the next bad turn, always remembering the human lives at stake, and facing the worst situations with optimism. On Call documents a life of unflinching honesty and dedication. It will inspire readers who are grateful to Dr. Fauci and those who want to emulate him in public service. He is a true American Hero, the embodiment of speaking truth to power with dignity and results."-- |
