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Solving for Why: A Surgeon's Journey to Discover the Transformative Power of Purpose
From Mercy Ships surgeon Dr. Mark G. Shrime comes an inspiring memoir about finding the answer to life's biggest question�"Why?"—andaboutfollowing that answer through remarkable, unlikely places on the road to fulfillment, purpose, and joy.
SOLVING FOR WHY chronicles one man's journey to find the answer to the biggest of all life's questions: "Why?" Following a traumatic car accident, Dr. Shrime—thechild of Lebanese immigrants fleeing a civil war, who later became a successful practicing surgeon in Boston—found himself compelled to change the course of his life, determined to find meaning and satisfaction even if it meant diverting from America’s idea of “success.”Featuring stories, insights, and research from his own exceptional life and work, SOLVING FOR WHY is the story of Dr. Shrime's search for—and discovery of—lifelong fulfillment.
Now a global surgeon operating on a hospital ship docked off the coast of West Africa and one of the few global experts on surgery in low- and middle-income countries, Dr. Shrime seeks to impart the wisdom of the lessons he’s learned over the course of his search for a life of true contentment. In the tradition of Dr. Paul Farmer's To Repair the World, Dr. Atul Gawande's Better, and Dr. Michele Harper's The Beauty in Breaking,SOLVING FOR WHY combines personal stories with deep, thoughtful research into the challenges of working in modern medicine in the 21st century and the commodification of work in America.
A story of discovery and transformation, SOLVING FOR WHY seeks to help readers answer the “why� of their own lives and ultimately find joy outside the status quo.
SOLVING FOR WHY chronicles one man's journey to find the answer to the biggest of all life's questions: "Why?" Following a traumatic car accident, Dr. Shrime—thechild of Lebanese immigrants fleeing a civil war, who later became a successful practicing surgeon in Boston—found himself compelled to change the course of his life, determined to find meaning and satisfaction even if it meant diverting from America’s idea of “success.”Featuring stories, insights, and research from his own exceptional life and work, SOLVING FOR WHY is the story of Dr. Shrime's search for—and discovery of—lifelong fulfillment.
Now a global surgeon operating on a hospital ship docked off the coast of West Africa and one of the few global experts on surgery in low- and middle-income countries, Dr. Shrime seeks to impart the wisdom of the lessons he’s learned over the course of his search for a life of true contentment. In the tradition of Dr. Paul Farmer's To Repair the World, Dr. Atul Gawande's Better, and Dr. Michele Harper's The Beauty in Breaking,SOLVING FOR WHY combines personal stories with deep, thoughtful research into the challenges of working in modern medicine in the 21st century and the commodification of work in America.
A story of discovery and transformation, SOLVING FOR WHY seeks to help readers answer the “why� of their own lives and ultimately find joy outside the status quo.
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Published January 25, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 11, 2022
This was an incredible book. I really wanted to read this since it came from a Mercy Ships surgeon and I have enjoyed all of the articles he has written. However, I wasn’t expecting much since this sounds like a self help book, and I usually don’t think much of those. This is more of a memoir with sprinkles of advice Mark has learned along the way, with all kinds of random other things. He talks about religion, anxiety, problems with the American medical system, and a whole host of topics because these are things he has experienced in his life, but they are all things that are great for anyone to think about. I recommend this book to anyone who wants more out of life, anyone who wants to care about the “other� and see an example of what that can look like, or just anyone.
June 25, 2022
“Don’t get a kidney stone in Kyrgyzstan. At least, not on a Saturday.�
Dr. ’s entire book is tongue-in-cheek, wise, and honest.
Memoirs these days have a penchant for self-aggrandizement, but follows the author’s journey from frustration and futility to hope and clarity with the humility and candor necessary to bring the reader to their own conclusions.
Perhaps this book’s structure is it where its strength rests. The clever turns of phrases kept me laughing, and the descriptions are detailed enough to paint helpful pictures for us who have not yet ridden the Trans-Siberian Railroad to understand what it feels like to be there, but the author does so without bragging.
Shrime’s ability to prove his theories with concrete images as in, “Redemption often comes in the dark. For me, it also came in the form of a spreadsheet� wove the memoir with questions and examples of how he answered them.
The rubbery buffalo-milk omelet in Cambodia showed how searching for why will inevitably lead to thwarted plans, yet it’s the frustration that opens a space for wonder.
One of the most delicate points of the book, which does not shy away from calling out hypocrisy in Christianity, American medicine, and himself, is where he pulled back the veil on that which is beyond the human experience. The discussion of “thin spaces� is where we perhaps get a touch of the divine or the deep knowing, and connection to worlds beyond.
This is a memoir that will stay with me for a while. Memoir is tough, but THIS is how it's done.
Dr. ’s entire book is tongue-in-cheek, wise, and honest.
Memoirs these days have a penchant for self-aggrandizement, but follows the author’s journey from frustration and futility to hope and clarity with the humility and candor necessary to bring the reader to their own conclusions.
Perhaps this book’s structure is it where its strength rests. The clever turns of phrases kept me laughing, and the descriptions are detailed enough to paint helpful pictures for us who have not yet ridden the Trans-Siberian Railroad to understand what it feels like to be there, but the author does so without bragging.
Shrime’s ability to prove his theories with concrete images as in, “Redemption often comes in the dark. For me, it also came in the form of a spreadsheet� wove the memoir with questions and examples of how he answered them.
The rubbery buffalo-milk omelet in Cambodia showed how searching for why will inevitably lead to thwarted plans, yet it’s the frustration that opens a space for wonder.
One of the most delicate points of the book, which does not shy away from calling out hypocrisy in Christianity, American medicine, and himself, is where he pulled back the veil on that which is beyond the human experience. The discussion of “thin spaces� is where we perhaps get a touch of the divine or the deep knowing, and connection to worlds beyond.
This is a memoir that will stay with me for a while. Memoir is tough, but THIS is how it's done.
February 26, 2022
A lot of this book’s initial appeal to me was because a middle school field trip to a Mercy Ship was the “a-ha� moment for me when I realized that what I wanted to do with my life was to be a pediatrician. Now that I have been doing just that for 20 years, all of that time working mostly with children with Medicaid who are considered “Other� by much of the medical community, it was a much-needed reminder of why I do this.
January 10, 2023
This book was part memoir and part self-help. The "solving for why" theme is a cute play on words, and tries to be the central theme (find a life with intrinsic meaning). This works best in Shrime's memoir and the meaning that worked with his life as a doctor, That theme is stretched with the self-help parts of the book, with no connection at all when the author talks about growth mindset. This kept my interest mostly, and provided good food for thought.
February 22, 2022
Dr. Shrime has lived an adventurous and interesting life, so his memoirs - including his travelogue and work as a surgeon in the developing world - is very interesting to read about.
Mark's work on the significance of life purpose is interesting and valuable as well. This book offers some excellent life coaching
Mark's work on the significance of life purpose is interesting and valuable as well. This book offers some excellent life coaching
February 26, 2025
Interesting perspective and a vulnerable sharing of the author’s journey, but not fully Biblical in worldview. The author finds his “why� in serving the Other, the poor, the outcast, which is honorable but a very Postmodern worldview. This leads him to affirm lifestyles that Scripture doesn’t affirm, and not view Scripture as an absolute truth.
Better stated elsewhere, “A biblically faithful perspective would affirm love and dignity for all people while also recognizing God’s call to holiness and transformation in Christ.�
Love for the “least of these� is evidence of love for God but should not precede, replace, or define love for God. Jesus prioritizes love for God before love for others, both are vitally important in that order.
Our true “why� is first found in loving God and glorifying Him. From that foundation, we will naturally love and care for the Other, the poor, the marginalized as a reflection of serving God.
“If we make serving people our highest goal rather than loving God, we risk replacing worship with humanism—where love for others becomes detached from God’s truth.�
“Loving God is the highest good, and from that, true love for others flows.�
May we display God’s love to this world by growing deeper in our love for our Creator.
Better stated elsewhere, “A biblically faithful perspective would affirm love and dignity for all people while also recognizing God’s call to holiness and transformation in Christ.�
Love for the “least of these� is evidence of love for God but should not precede, replace, or define love for God. Jesus prioritizes love for God before love for others, both are vitally important in that order.
Our true “why� is first found in loving God and glorifying Him. From that foundation, we will naturally love and care for the Other, the poor, the marginalized as a reflection of serving God.
“If we make serving people our highest goal rather than loving God, we risk replacing worship with humanism—where love for others becomes detached from God’s truth.�
“Loving God is the highest good, and from that, true love for others flows.�
May we display God’s love to this world by growing deeper in our love for our Creator.
December 25, 2022
I enjoyed this remarkable doctor's spiritual and philosophical journey. Born in Lebanon and educated in Texs, he took seriously his father's deep desire that he should pursue medicine for the stable income and social status associated with becoming a physician. Dr. Shrime admits he did not become a doctor for the right reasons, that he did not enjoy many aspects of his career, although he enjoyed incredible success. He is now in his late 40s and head the international organization Mercy Ships. What spoiled the book for me was the last few pages. If he wants to reject Catholic or Evangelical teachers, so be it. I don't follow either of those faith systems, either. But his mischaracterization of both groups is disappointing. Like a number of doctors I've known, Dr. Shrime understands sciences very well, but in the humanities, he is lacking.
January 30, 2023
I loved the tone of the book and the content. However, the title is a little misleading. This is not about a book that aims to help you solve your why. This is a book about the journey of a surgeon who found his why. With that, the second title of the book is a better description of what one should expect reading the book. If the story fits yours or resonates, then beautiful, but it might not, and the book is not necessarily trying to help you but simply sharing a story. Close to the end of the book, you can see the author struggling through jumps of various topics that look unrelated to the story but simply trying to help you, as the author notices that there was not any practical advice shared in the book other than the story that far. The switch feels weird, but overall, this is a good and enjoyable read.
March 29, 2023
Ugh. Ten chapters of complaints about the many specialties of medicine he didn't like, interspersed with travel stories. The paragraphs about the trans-Siberian railroad were interesting even if they seemed to have no connection to the text before or after but did he visit Singapore once or twice? The car accident in Liberia was mentioned several times but the reason for its importance hadn't been made clear by the time I bailed. The book includes statistics about the broken medical system in the US, the history of Liberia and I suspect some discussion of his American Ninja efforts. I hung in until he *found his why*, thinking "Now there will be heartwarming stories about the efforts of the Mercy
ship." Nope. I gave up. For someone whose "why" involves helping others, he comes across as incredibly self-adsorbed. To be fair, I gave up after 2/3; maybe it gets better.
ship." Nope. I gave up. For someone whose "why" involves helping others, he comes across as incredibly self-adsorbed. To be fair, I gave up after 2/3; maybe it gets better.
February 23, 2023
Not gonna lie - I nearly gave up on this one, which doesn’t happen often for me. But once I made it to the main premise of the book, when Dr. Shrime reveals his Why. He took a very windy and long road to get there but once he did, I was hooked. I don’t want to give it all away but the way he arrived at his Why, and doing so a lot further along in life that I think he ever thought, we’re all very intentional. He really found and stayed with his authentic self, being true to his values, it felt as if a new person was writing. I really enjoyed the chapter on faith—it was really relatable. All in all, well done!
April 13, 2023
A memoir of startling honesty, vulnerability, and humility. A man who, by any external measure, has been wildly successful, yet struggles to find a sense of purpose in his life until he discovers he can use his training and talent as a surgeon to make a difference in the lives of the poorest of the poor.
Shrime shares his deep conviction that only by standing with the poor can we make any meaning out of our first-world wealth and entitlement.
A gripping and inspiring read.
Shrime shares his deep conviction that only by standing with the poor can we make any meaning out of our first-world wealth and entitlement.
A gripping and inspiring read.
February 21, 2024
I loved this book; and I didn’t expect to love it.
Maybe it’s because I also like to travel on overcrowded trains through Asia, or because of my connection to Christians in Lebanon, or mission work in Africa. Most likely I think I loved this book because it felt like it was my story with a different main character and different life circumstances. It resonated with me even though my why is different than Dr. Shrime’s why.
Maybe it’s because I also like to travel on overcrowded trains through Asia, or because of my connection to Christians in Lebanon, or mission work in Africa. Most likely I think I loved this book because it felt like it was my story with a different main character and different life circumstances. It resonated with me even though my why is different than Dr. Shrime’s why.
December 22, 2022
What I got from it:
1. Important to find ways off the set path you are on.
2. People often find purpose when caring for others (Ie the impoverished, those who are seen as ‘other�)
3. One persons why, won’t be the same for someone else.
4. If you have multiple options, we are often very risk averse and will choose the safer option (with less potential upside) rather than the riskier option with high possible gains.
1. Important to find ways off the set path you are on.
2. People often find purpose when caring for others (Ie the impoverished, those who are seen as ‘other�)
3. One persons why, won’t be the same for someone else.
4. If you have multiple options, we are often very risk averse and will choose the safer option (with less potential upside) rather than the riskier option with high possible gains.
December 22, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)
This book really made me ponder my life and value my faith. While I did not agree with the author on an important topic, I find it beneficial to read books that make me think and evaluate my beliefs. I appreciate so much of what this book gave me, and that it was delivered humbly. Well worth the read, even if you close the book not embracing all of its content.
This book really made me ponder my life and value my faith. While I did not agree with the author on an important topic, I find it beneficial to read books that make me think and evaluate my beliefs. I appreciate so much of what this book gave me, and that it was delivered humbly. Well worth the read, even if you close the book not embracing all of its content.
December 30, 2022
The first half of this book is about Dr. Shrime's journey in finding his purpose. The second half, he offers a lot of insight on how others can find theirs. I don't know that I would call it self help, per se, but I think any one that reads this book will find it helping them. I certainly did. I appreciated his insight and perspective. I highly recommend.
January 1, 2023
The author takes the reader on a journey through his external and internal life. It is fascinating, compelling, and thought-provoking. He shares remarkable stories of working on Mercy Ships. I very much appreciate the second to last chapter where he discusses his spiritual and religious journey. He’s an excellent storyteller, and the book is very engaging.
February 8, 2022
A purpose driven life of gratitude
I found this to be a wonderful read. Mark‘s finding himself was inspirational and the truth that sometimes is elusive to me. It left me with many things to think about.
I found this to be a wonderful read. Mark‘s finding himself was inspirational and the truth that sometimes is elusive to me. It left me with many things to think about.
March 14, 2022
Quite a book to read and absorb. I am left with a feeling of inadequacy as the strength needed to follow a path of solving for why is great... And I don't know that I have that sort of strength. This book brings great opportunity for self reflection. I think I will have to return to it in time.
March 23, 2022
Many profound thoughts. Live a life wholly in service to others in order to live a fulfilling life. Disappointing that in his re-embracing of Christianity he doesn't believe in Jesus as the Only Way and Truth.
December 6, 2022
Interesting and thoughtful book that gives you much to reflect on. It was organized a bit randomly and I wasn’t always sure where the author was going with his stories, but it is ultimately a good memoir that will hopefully inspire you to follow your dreams and do good in the world.
February 21, 2022
Very thoughtful book, and I appreciated his stories about the Mercy Ships
March 11, 2022
Unbelievably meaningful to me
March 19, 2022
Great read, honest and goes to show that we’re all just figuring out our along the way
June 6, 2022
Amazing book; really moving delivery of central message 'to find your why'.
July 31, 2022
Didn’t always agree with the author’s conclusions but well written and very thought provoking.
January 6, 2023
I had to bail. It was taking him forever to get to the point.
August 28, 2023
If this had been written as an autobiography and less like a self-help book, I would have enjoyed it more. And if I hear 'moving sidewalk' one more time, I'll scream.
January 23, 2025
This was good, but I wish the author had talked even more about what it's like to work on Mercy Ships. A couple of unexpected topics included what it's like competing in the Ninja Warrior games and his fear of flying.
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