What I Was Thinking

📘 About This Book

Simon Gelman started to think about writing a book seventeen years ago, at the end of his chairmanship. Initially, he saw quite a few obstacles. His hesitations were related to his lack of knowledge of the English language, lack of knowledge of American culture, and lack (rather a complete absence) of experience in writing nonmedical text. Over the years, the conceived idea was maturing, and the question of whether writing the book or not gradually converted into how to write it. Gelman managed to overcome the uncertainties and decided just to tell the story. The first chapter of the book is a memoir. However, it is written as a retrospective analysis of the thoughts Gelman had and actions he chose at different periods of his life. The following chapters address certain subjects like how to be a chairman of an academic medical department, relationships between doctors and patients, socialism and capitalism, and anti-Semitism. These chapters describe Gelman's views and how they changed over time, affected by his maturing and life in three different countries (Soviet Union, Israel, and United States) with very different social structures and cultures. A few of Gelman's friends who read the first drafts of this book were saying that these chapters that describe his changing views on the subjects can be helpful to understand many different, often not-well-justified actions in human lives. The book does not suggest what should be done in one or another circumstance. It rather tells the story of how and why the decisions (right or wrong) were made depending on the background and acquired knowledge.

📖 Summary

What I Was Thinking by Simon Gelman is a deeply reflective autobiography published in 2020 that spans 198 pages, chronicling the author's journey from his days as a chairman through the long maturation of a book concept. The narrative originates from seeds planted seventeen years prior to its completion, at the very close of Gelman's chairmanship. Initially, bringing this project to life presented a daunting array of obstacles for the author. Gelman faced significant hesitations rooted in his lack of familiarity with the English language, an unfamiliarity with broader American culture, and a complete absence of previous experience writing nonmedical texts. Despite these formidable barriers, the idea quietly matured over the years, transforming the fundamental question from whether he should write the book at all into the practical challenge of how to actually write it. Overcoming these deep-seated uncertainties, Gelman ultimately chose a straightforward approach: to simply tell his story on his own terms. The structure of the book begins with an opening chapter formatted as a traditional memoir, yet it quickly evolves into a retrospective analysis of the internal thoughts Gelman experienced and the specific actions he consciously chose during various pivotal periods of his life. Following this initial retrospective, the subsequent chapters dive deeply into specific subjects, offering readers a unique window into the mind of a professional navigating complex personal and professional landscapes. Through this transition from memoir to thematic exploration, Gelman provides a candid look at decision-making, adaptation, and personal growth. The book stands as a testament to the power of persistence, proving that a lack of traditional literary background need not prevent someone from sharing a meaningful life story and valuable retrospective insights with the world.

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