This book of memoirs is the only one left behind by the talented American neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi. He studied English literature and biology at Stanford University, the history and philosophy of science and medicine at Cambridge, graduated with honors from the Yale School of Medicine and dreamed of becoming a doctor, and once retired - to start writing. In May 2013, one step away from his dream career in medicine and science, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and started his book. His death in the spring of 2015 put an end to it. And within ten months, the candid and courageous story of struggle, love, and self-sacrificing medical work became a #1 New York Times bestseller and an Amazon.com bestseller. "Why me?" Dying of cancer at a young age and knowing that your case is one in ten thousand. Countless times to inform patients about a terrible diagnosis, decide whose life can be saved and whose cannot be saved - and suddenly find yourself in a hospital bed and wait for the verdict as long as you have left. Say goodbye forever to dreams of complex operations and scientific work... And then understand: there will be no other and the right question: "Why not me?" And, forgetting about the pain, come to the operating room, live, love - and hold a newborn daughter...