Sometimes Brilliant: The Impossible Adventure of a Spiritual Seeker and Visionary Physician Who Helped Conquer the Worst Disease in History

Smallpox goes back thousands of years. 300-500 million people died of it in the 20th century alone. Among other things, this is the story of how the scourge ended, the only time humans have ever eradicated a disease with vaccines. But it's also a story about a good guy who met a saint and then got pushed by that saint into playing a role in the fight against the disease.I once asked a friend who was a rabbi if he believed in miracles. He said that if you're closed off, no one can ever convince you that they exist, but that if you have an open mind, you see them everywhere. I suspect that's how this book will work. I don't know if it's reasonable to read the book as a miracle story. But if it is such a story, it's a pretty big miracle.Brilliant talks about doing the work without making it about him, and about the need not to get a big head. The book is human scaled, it's the story about a single guy and the work he did, alongside many other people. So you have to step back and remind yourself of the scope of what has happened, of those 300 million people who died, the constant stream of people who were being infected, who would have died, the people who would be sick or dead today, but aren't.It's a very important story.

Wow! This was an amazing trip. After he barely received his medical degree, the author became an activist, a hippie, and the devotee of a noted Indian guru who told "Doctor America" to leave the ashram and help eradicate smallpox (a disease which, the author points out, killed far more humans in the 20th Century than armies and revolutions combined). In an incredibly serendipitous series of events, the author -- a young and then-unqualified physician -- somehow became a rising star in the smallpox eradication program."Brilliant" is well-written, fascinating, and inspiring. Along the way, the author shows how the eradication succeeded (including close brushes with failure). The team he worked with was persistent, cooperative, and innovative. Dr. Brilliant also describes meeting some interesting characters, from Ken Kesey of the psychedelic era to Mikhail Gorbachev (who nearly killed millions by approving weaponized smallpox). Perhaps he omits too much about how the smallpox program dovetailed with, and evolved from, other public health programs. Almost as an aside, he also related how he helped begin the Seva Foundation, another public health initiative to restore sight for millions.This was one inspiring book, even if it seems more like an imaginative fairy tale that couldn't possibly have happened (but the documentation supports the narrative)! I hope you will enjoy it.

Larry's book is not only a very well written & engaging story about his central role in the eradication of small pox in India but more so is a truly amazing & inspiring tale of this very remarkable man & his enormous contributions to humanity. I was reminded of Gurdjeff's book "Meetings with Remarkable Men' and kept thinking not only has Larry Brilliant encountered & engaged with some very remarkable human beings, the Dalai Lama being just one of them (must read the circumstances of their first meeting to fully appreciate) but Larry is truly one very remarkable man himself. I highly recommend reading this book, giving it as a gift & drawing on it for inspiration & hopefulness in these very challenging times.

I found this book a fascinating account of Larry Brilliant's journey for spiritual growth and for his contributions to humanity.

this book is as touching as it is inspiring and entertaining. i love reading good stories that are actually true, and it's safe to say that mister larry brilliant has (and still is) living up to his name (and beyond). this man makes me want to get up from bed and save the world (which can only be said to be god damn valuable and important these days). i'm sure this will be one of my most gifted items this year and onward. thank you for sharing your wonderful story with the world, larry.warning: might make you believe in human super powers.ps. i was lucky enough to be reading it in india and can definitely say to anyone who has a trip planned to india that they should bring this book with them. i find it somewhat magical to be reading a book in the scenery the book itself takes place in.

Larry Brilliant, a young hippie doctor decides to go to India with his wife to India to find the essence of his life and to accompany her. There, he discovered the spiritual life of a commune and lived in an ashram. He became fascinated with the new teachings of spiritual guides, like the Dalai Lama. When his enthusiasm reached normal levels again and he assimilated everything he had learned, he realized that measles was killing too many people there. Although a vaccine had almost eradicated the disease in almost the entire world, India was still suffering the consequences of this terrible disease. He dedicated the rest of his life to promoting the vaccine and educating the people. In this book, we feel amazed to find out that he never lost hope despite the thousands of political, religious, and social problems he had to deal with. A great man and the world needs many more like him.

This is now one of all-time favorite books. What an amazing, incredible adventure, and so inspiring! His life story has so many remarkable twists and turns and coincidences. You wouldn't believe the cast of characters he meets or works with along the way. And all while doing an incredible job ridding earth of one of our most wretched diseases--smallpox!

I love that this book may reach people who are skeptical and spirituality. The fact that his heart was opened by his guru, Neem Karoli Baba and he went on to do the historic world with WHO in eradicating Small pox speaks volumes for those that seek beyond the material world for answers. In every photo you can see the passion in his eyes and it seems that no matter what, he moved forward with that passion. It truly is a brilliant story.

Unbelievable Story of eradication of small pox from the world through divine will and intervention written by one of its chief actors led by an incarnate saint. Essential reading for those in search of Indian spirituality and its recent true saints. GET IT, READ IT

I read every word including publisher info because I didn't want this book to be over. Never have happened to me before

Very inspiring story from a humble hippie!

If you love Ram Dass, you will love this amazing account of how smallpox was eradicated in India. So fascinating to read this book during the current covid-19 pandemic too.

This book is wonderful.