Cover Image: I've Seen the End of You

I've Seen the End of You

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For author Dr. W. Lee Warren, death is a constant companion: He stares it down daily, previously on the front lines as a combat surgeon during the Iraq War and currently as a neurosurgeon specializing in GBM, glioblastoma multiforme, a lethal brain tumor.

In his latest book, I’ve Seen the End of You, A Neurosurgeon’s Look at Faith, Doubt, and the Things We Think We Know, Dr. Warren grapples with questions of religious faith as a practicing Christian and medical doctor. The novel chronicles his conundrum—equal parts an existential crisis and an ethical dilemma: How can he give hope to his patients who are destined to die from GBM? How does he believe in a God, when his faith is constantly tested as he witnesses the cruel, unfair, indiscriminate and senseless way death comes for people in their prime—children, young parents, professional luminaries. The essence of the author’s crisis of faith is the question we all ask ourselves at some point: “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

Faced with so much tragedy on a regular basis, the author feels at once relieved and a bit guilty at his good fortune. He is happily married to the love of his life, Lisa. They share a blended family of five children and they work together in his private practice. She manages the office and is his emotional confidant and rock. It all seems so perfect until it isn’t.

The novel progresses as a series of patient stories that Dr. Warren shares with the reader. He examines their brain scans, performs biopsies and frequently sees the end of their lives in the form of a glioblastoma tumor. He struggles with how to give his patients hope when he isn’t convinced God is listening to all of those prayers. He begins to find praying futile; no matter how much he believes in God, no matter how much he prays, he feels powerless to stop death’s forward march on his patients.

Dr. Warren’s skill at writing with empathy, raw honesty and introspection captures the humanity, dignity and despair of each of his patients. I found myself becoming emotionally attached to each dying patient, experiencing some of the same emotions as Dr. Warren—outrage, frustration, sadness and loss. As the reader, we witness how people can go through their darkest hours and still hold on to their faith. Their deeply touching experiences remain with me even as I write this book review.

Just as Dr. Warren believes his battered and bruised faith can’t possibly stand anymore, he suffers a very personal tragedy that brings him to his knees. “I realized that I was standing on the deathbed of my shattered faith.”

As the novel progresses, Dr. Warren confides in Pastor Jon, a hospital chaplain who encourages him “not to see prayer as an act of bending God’s will but rather an act of bending us to God’s will.” This only serves to confound him more as he tries to explain to Pastor Jon: “That’s awfully convenient, isn’t it? To fall back on the ‘God has a plan’ platitude when things are hard? That’s exactly what is bothering me right now, Pastor. I see somebody who’s going to die: I know they’re dead when I look at the initial MRI. But I’m supposed to pray for them, encourage them to have faith, believe they can make it, when I already know.”

Dr. Warren’s faith has been tested before, on the battlefields of Iraq where death, war and catastrophic injuries overwhelmed his makeshift hospital. It was 2005 and Dr. Warren was working a surgeon at the Balad Air Base in Iraq, often praying that God would deliver him through yet another attack.He struggles to defend his beliefs to his atheist friend and surgeon, Aaron. Back then, he admits “Something was nagging at my soul in the darker places I didn’t let myself look into often. Did I really believe, or did I believe I was supposed to believe?” He struggles to reconcile his duality as a man of faith and a man of science.

After returning to his practice in Alabama, the answer to his struggles slowly crystalizes: “My work had to be about learning how to live—in a painful world but still somehow be able to have faith.”

Through his spiritual and emotional journey, Dr. Warren discovers a profound truth. It’s only then that he can begin to reconcile his faith with the reality of tragedy and death. “My happiness cannot depend on my life being pain-free.”

At its essence, the novel is about accepting life as both a painful and poignant journey and being at peace with what we can not know for certain but believe with conviction. Dr. Warren sums up his writing as “a book about faith, doubt, and the things we think we know.” To doubt and to question the things we think we know doesn’t make us non-believers, it makes us better humans. We will never understand why “Bad things happen to good people,” but we can be at peace with the randomness of life and learn to cherish the beautiful moments.

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Very inspiration and a great view from an actual doctor who has been through this.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC.

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This book is definitely one for people with faith. It’s all about how important faith is in the healthcare field. It’s about learning how to balance faith and the reality of a fatal disease. The doctor writes about his growth as a Christian and how his relationship with God changes as he learns through his patients.

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To be honest, I was dismayed when I discovered that this book is all about people who had an incurable brain tumor called glioblastoma. How depressing, I thought.

Then to my surprise, I found myself reading the book from cover to cover. It is so well written and the stories are all so compelling. Dr Lee Warren is an excellent writer! He is also a compassionate and caring surgeon, making reading about his work with his patients something that is pleasant, rare and very touching.

What is it about those patients that even while they are dying, they come alive. What is the secret? That is what this book is ultimately about.

Thank you Netgalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for the ARC. This is my honest review.

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This is Lee Warren's memoir about keeping the faith in God when we are surrounded by death and decay in our lives. It's easy to believe in a God when nothing life-threatening is happening but when you receive news of fatal brain cancer, can you still hang on to that faith?

It's a very pertinent question. Not all adversities are created equal and the small bad things happening to you, like falling down and just getting a bruise or not getting that big promotion, do not usually shake your faith. But when something difficult comes along, not only is your faith tested but sometimes it just vanishes.

What you do when you are faced with life's difficulties is what determines the level of peace you will have during those circumstances. Your belief in God will not change one fact of your life - life will be full of adversities. It will be a few happy moments mixed with a few sad moments. Your faith will help you be strong enough to live this life but it will not change that life. Would you still pray if you know God won't listen to it?

Very beautifully written. This book talks about a lot of patients that the doctor treated and their accounts were such well written that I wanted to pray for them, years after their death. I am sorry for Warren's loss and hope his faith carries him over. I also hope that Eli lives a long and happy life.

I wasn't ready to say bye to this book. The way the author writes, it's like a suspense novel, you just can't let it go. And to think that he was advised that he should have gone with a ghostwriter *shudders* We need his voice and his work.

A beautifully written book. A must read.

I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley.

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I’ve seen the end of you, by W. Lee Warren, M.D. is a stirring narrative, somewhat morbid yet very engaging. In this memoir book, Dr Warren tells us of some of his glioblastoma patients, which is in and of itself quite an emotionally demanding read. Alongside (or, rather, underneath) these stories, is the narrative of how he managed to re-engage with his faith despite all the pain he encounters.
Dr Warren has to face an intrinsic dilemma: how can he believe in the power of prayer, how can he have faith, when he has to face the irreversible death sentence of a brain tumour diagnosis? As he introduces each case, creating a window into the lives of these people on the brink of destruction, he presents repeated instances of spiritual struggle. How can God be merciful, how can he claim to be listening, if all those good people have no hope of survival?
Eventually, as he has to deal with personal loss, will he remain strong in his faith, or will he succumb to the anguish?
The author is unapologetic in his agenda, clearly stating what this tome is about from the onset, and dedicating a whole section at the end to expound on it: what Christian faith is, how the power of prayer works, and why they are valuable to our lives.

Who would enjoy this
This is a book for many types of readers.
If you are a reader who is struggling with the role of faith in your life, this might be useful to you. This is also a work for those who are interested in the more humane aspects of medical care. Above all, this is a book for mature readers, who will be able to understand and identify the different life struggles and stages the stories bring forth.

Who should give this a pass
If you are a reader who gets very emotionally invested in the story, this memoir might be a bit too demanding for you. Similarly, if you have recently suffered a bereavement, I would let a while pass before taking up this book. Most of all, if you don’t like being preached to, give this work a wide berth. As I explained above, the author makes a concerted effort to openly explore his Christian agenda.

Conclusions and suggestions
I found Dr Warren’s tales engaging and easy to read, as far as the narrative goes. On the other hand, the whole process was also quite hard, as it brought back all sorts of hidden personal demons. I must admit, it also made me feel slightly conflicted, as I stood morbidly observing the pain in others’ lives, like some sort of literary vulture. Still, it was engaging and I would have enjoyed reading about more cases, all of which were caringly presented.
It consequently left me uncertain how to approach the critique of this book, as well as somewhat guilty for not caring half as much for the religious aspect of the whole endeavour as I did for the stories of the patients. It became somewhat of a ‘broken record’ when the soul searching popped up, case after case. In fact, it left me quite jaded for the final section of the book, when Dr Warren explores in a more pseudo-theological fashion the presence of faith in life. Somehow, despite the whole build up to his epiphany, it felt rushed, as though an appendix to the book.
I applaud the work for its conviction, as it’s never easy to really explore one’s beliefs when one fears to find them lacking. I also admire the author’s self-awareness of his skill and need for a goal beyond prurient storytelling. Sadly, I could not find a strong sense of enlightenment in Dr Warren’s work.

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This book is about a neurosurgeon's struggle with faith while dealing with brain cancer patients who have a short life expectancy. While learning more about aggressive forms of brain cancer, you get a look at how medical staff try to reconcile their science/ just the facts side with a belief in things they cannot explain and acceptance of limited control on life.

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If you want pat answers, smug affirmations, and “oh, it’s just God’s plan”, don’t read this book. But, if you want to be challenged to dig deeper and think about your life, purpose, and faith then this book by W. Lee Warren, M.D. is the BEST. Plus, it’s an all-around great read with plenty of medical mysteries, ER nightmares, and the patients and families who see their lives upended.

The book is subtitled “A Neurosurgeon’s Look at Faith, Doubt, and the Things We Think We Know”. And that sums it up for all of, doesn’t it? Why do bad things happen to us- we’re good! Why pray if your disease is close to 100% terminal? Why would God let a child suffer and die?

Part of the book focuses on Dr. Warren’s neurosurgical practice, and in particular his patients with brain cancer. That’s where the title of his book comes in. We meet a variety of patients- among them, several young Christian men with families, a young man who most would consider a failure, a young woman who must make an impossible decision, and an older woman who has known much pain and suffering. The medical part of the book is clear, exciting and compelling.

According to his Amazon bio, the author loves to make connections between faith, science, and the realities of life. Dr. Warren likes to dig deep and he had to reconsider everything after a personal tragedy in his own family. This book will encourage you to examine your own purpose and plan. What resonated with me were his discussions about God’s promises- either all His promises are true, or none of them are. I also liked his thinking about life being a Hobson’s choice- either you accept life with all its beauty and pain, or you don’t accept life at all. I’m sure as you read this book, you will be doing a lot of thinking yourself! And you will want to discuss it with others!

I’ve been recommending this book to all my friends. Thanks to NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for a digital advanced review copy. This is my honest review.

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A fascinatingly sad yet thought provoking book. The book jumped between the medical cases of the author, a brilliant neurosurgeon who specializes in glioblastoma tumors, and his personal relationship with his family and god. The author is amazingly humble and reflective given his expertise. Often I found the writing of non literary professionals, who write on the side, to be lacking, but I found this author’s writing style strong and he has the special knack to be able to make complex medical terminology understandable for non-medical readers. It’s a sad book and it would be very difficult to read if you have lost a love one to this horrible disease. This book is a combination of medical and Christian literature; as much about faith as medicine.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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A fascinating book written by a neurosurgeon. How to survive the unthinkable, how to make sense of tragedy when science and faith may pull us in opposite directions. Thoroughly enjoyable read, highly recommend.

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Although I am not a religious person this memoir gave me lots to think about which I think would please Dr Warren. The stories demonstrate that how we deal with the worst possible news can enhance or destroy not only the rest of our lives but also that of our family and friends and that we have the ability to choose our reactions wisely.

A very thought provoking book and one I would recommend to all - tragedy can and does strike everyone at some time and while we may not all have faith in God, we all can have faith in ourselves to deal with what can seem insurmountable.

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Dr Lee Warren's book "I"ve Seen the End of You" is an honest, thought-provoking, and at times gut-wrenching. He tells you about his journey through the doubt and pain he endured, and how it impacted his Christian faith. Dr. Warren Is at the front row line and has to face many challenges - such as his patients who are facing terminal illness, and etc. Additionally he talks about his suffering and deep loss as well. Dr Lee was very heartfelt and raw about his faith at time and he questions and clings to it at many times. Overall it is a deeply honest and gut wrenching read.

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"I've Seen the End of You" is a story of a neurosurgeon (who is also a former combat surgeon) and his doubts, and faith. He is not just a surgeon that deals with minor issues, he has to face one of the worst types of cancer - glioblastoma multiforme. This beast has no cure, today doctors do not know what causes it, there is no trend or path, or pattern of causes, it just happens. Doctors see only an extremely small percent of people surviving it long term, and even then they do not have any influence over it. No wonder that Dr.Warren had such strong doubts and questions about his faith. He shares some of his patients' stories with us, and only one of them survived. I am glad that at least one patient made it, and this book has at least a ray of hope.

This book is very refreshingly raw, it gives a glimpse of what goes through a doctor's mind when he speaks with patients, what he feels when things do not go as expected, and when something really bad happens in their own life. There is no sugar coating, rehearsed phrases, plastic smiles for a change, there is the life the way it is. It would be helpful not only to those who go through hard times, but also for everyone to be aware, educated, and sensitive to others.

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This is a book about a Christian neurosurgeon and his battle with his faith. I am not at all a religious person, but in spite of that this book was very impactful. I will not forget it for a long time.

Why do bad things happen to good people? That is one of the main themes of this book. With many stories of his patients (made-up names, of course) and the horrible things they and their families have to go through, I finished this book feeling very grateful for my own and my family's health, but also a little bit terrified of glioblastoma. I had to make myself better by researching glioblastoma rates and finding that they are indeed very low (3 in 100,000).

Then the author has his own terrible personal tragedy, one of the many, many times I cried while reading this book.

* Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Amazing read, written by someone in the medical field and a must read for medical professionals. Really enjoyed this book!

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“I’ve Seen the End of You: A Neurosurgeon’s Look at Faith, Doubt, and the Things We Think We Know,” by W. Lee Warren M.D. is a heart-rending book. Part, memoir, part odyssey, “I’ve Seen the End of You,” follows the lives and deaths of Dr. Warren’s patients. Dr. Warren shares the deep struggle he has faced countless times as a man of science and a man of deep faith. Why do we pray for people who, medically speaking, don’t have a chance? How do we continue to worship God, when our lives are falling apart and we are in the depths of grief?

For me, reading “I’ve Seen the End of You,” was difficult, yet essential. Many times, I set it down to cry and ponder the honesty of Dr. Warren’s questions. The answers to his questions came to him over time; hard-earned wisdom accrued by great personal loss. He doesn’t give platitudes that are of no use to anyone. He gives the raw truth and with it he gives hope. One question that was posed to Dr. Warren stopped me cold. “You think your prayers are only valid if the outcome is what you want?” Wow! That’s a perspective changer!

Although this book is non-fiction, it has been written with the skill of a fiction writer, pulling you through the tapestry on the thread of Dr. Warren’s life and work. It is amazing how the lives of his patients affected him, personally, and how he changed their lives.

I also found the behind the scenes peek into a doctor’s life in, “I’ve Seen the End of You,” fascinating. My husband had stage IV lung cancer for 6 ½ years before he died and we often wondered how doctors do it. How do they shut it all off when they go home at night? Do they think about the patient they have just diagnosed with a terminal illness? I often wonder about the first doctor who looked at me and said, “I can’t tell you exactly what it is, but I can tell you that it’s serious.”

I recommend “I’ve Seen the End of You” to anyone. It will especially appeal to people living with cancer, people in grief, and those who grapple with issues of faith. Right now it’s available for preorder. Grab your copy now! It will be released on January 7, 2020.

I give “I’ve Seen the End of You” 5 big Stars!

Thank you to WaterBrook & Multnomah and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this “I’ve Seen the End of You” in exchange for an honest review.”

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A book by a brain surgeon which I found interesting but also sometimes longwinded. When my ‘editor’ hat interfered with my reading of it, I felt less engaged and started to skim.

Although I would have enjoyed it had it been more condensed, I still appreciated this doctor’s look at faith and questions and doubt amid the amazing work he does as a brain surgeon. Has he really ‘seen the end of’ the patients whom he has to diagnose with a glioblastoma?

Worth reading with my proviso above.

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An outstanding and unforgettable book. A book on hope, loss of hope, faith, life and death. It is such an honest and raw memoir of Doctor W. Lee Warren, a neurosurgeon, that will take your breath away . I highly suggest it for people in grief especially if they are in the stage where they question their faith in God. Although the whole book is very powerful, the last chapters are remarkable.

A personal note to the author's wife, Lisa: Thank you for insisting that he should write this book. Your journey as individuals and as couple through the darkness of grief towards the light has given me the courage to face my crisis in my faith as no other book has done until now.

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I had the privilege of reviewing this as an Advanced Review Copy.

I've Seen the End of You is a memoir-esque book by Dr. W. Lee Warren. Warren is an accomplished neurosurgeon who also spent time in Iraq as a combat surgeon. Through the stories of patients like Samuel and Joey, Warren tells the story of his struggle with faith as he fights to help patients battle one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer.

Since Warren's characters are likely both stories of individuals and composites of a variety of patients, I was truly impressed by his character development. I'm sure that some of the stories are truly just snippets of their actual lives and some is a composite of the lives of a few people from similar instances. Warren developed stories of a rich set of individuals who helped you see this disease from a variety of different angles. He does a great job of describing the individuals in his world in a way that makes it possible to picture and visualize them.

The book is not a light read in a few ways - and please know that I characterize books I both love and hate as heavy reads and I'd say I'm much more in the like this book camp. First, because the individuals do develop a depth and reality to them and you know that they represent the lives of real people there is heartbreak throughout the book. Second, the book does not have a clear throughline. This is probably my strongest critique of the writing. The book does have a throughline but it is a bit rambling and lacks a tightness to the writing that I prefer.

This book is a good book for people in grief who are sick of hearing the pat answers and responses that many Christians give in grief. I also truly appreciate how this book characterizes grief as something we, as a society, do not give people time for. I grew a great deal in my own thought process about grief and grieving as a result of reading this book.

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Thank you for writing this book. A must read for all healthcare providers! Your personal faith journey and the impact you have on patients is truly remarkable. I’ve often wondered why my injury happened. What I have found is simply this- God is faithful. He has a plan that is for not only our greater good, but one which will have Kingdom impact. Romans 8:28 is my life verse. But, yes, it is often misquoted.

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