The Chase for Beauty

by Robert Mendelson

Book Overview

Dr. Dennis Hurwitz's chase for beauty hasn't merely been in the operating room. It has been in the plastic surgeon's own backyard. As a father, he was confronted with unimaginable ugliness when, on October 27, 1989, he stepped out his backdoor and into what is every loving parent's most horrific nightmare. Heroically, he somehow found beauty again. But a decade later, after he tried to achieve one of his miraculous surgical outcomes for a young deformed...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1600372783
• ISBN13: 9781600372780
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Fabulous Book!

Great read. I would absolutely recommend this book. Can't wait to see more things by this author. He really made the story personal and exciting. Couldn't put it down.

One-Day Read

I read this book in one day. Every time I got to the end of a chapter, I found myself unconsciously rolling into the next. At first, I thought that I was interested in this book because of the setting. Being from Pittsburgh, it was exciting to notice familiar landmarks in the the story. But, upon reflection, I realize that it was the story, itself, and the messages attached to it, that really kept me engaged. Of course, the writing style also helped. Reading this book was effortless, but the reward and experience was incredible. This book is a must-read for anyone who: doesn't like to read, loves to read, has lost a loved one, has a personal struggle of their own, is looking for motivation, needs help rebuilding, has an interest in religion, likes crime or drama, is interested in the medical community, or wants to be moved. In truth, this page-turner is a perfect fit for anyone who wants a good read. It explores a range of emotions, from shock and fury, to empowerment and peace. Not only does the book capture the emotional roller coaster of sorrow and joy, it also looks at everyday situations and challenges in a honest, simple way. This true story is a personal, fresh read with a momentum of its own. Once you pick it up, it's impossible not to get swept away.

Shocking.

What can a parent do to prevent something like this from happening to their child? The boy that killed her was obviously sick in the head, bringing up the fact that the book/movie "Clockwork Orange" made him commit the brutal murder using a Samurai Sword as a weapon. To be honest, I am a heavy believer in the law of attraction, or what many people would call "the secret." I think the law of attraction comes into play here in 3 instances. 1. There were many instances where the author stated that Karen, the daughter, envisioned her death at a young age. Those thoughts need to be eliminated from one's mind. 2. The fact that a gypsy told Karen's mother that she would experience a tragic event and end up conceiving twins, is also very shocking to me. It sent shivers down my spine to be honest. 3. And finally, the thesis that Mrs. Hurwitz worked on in college, that was brought on by her revulsion to Clockwork Orange foreshadowed what was to come as well. Linda, the mother, devoted her time on a thesis that tackled "violence as a source of self-identity for the black male." The boy (Mick) that killed Karen was black. To me this was all living proof that the law of attraction is real. Besides these points, the book was very well written, a very easy read, but very emotional knowing that it was a true story.

This book sent shivers down my spine

This book is a true story. I read it because it was recommended to me by a good friend who knows Dr. Hurwitz, the plastic surgeon. I'm not much of a reader, but I was told to read the book because it is a true story about a man who's daughter was brutally murdered in his own backyard. Nearly 20 years later, he and his family have the courage to speak about it. At first, I found myself reading the book to actually get to the murder scene chapter. I was anxious to read about the actual incident, the reaction, and how on earth the family dealt with such a tragedy. But upon really getting into the book, it made me realize that there was so much more to the story and life of Dr. Hurwitz than just the murder of his daughter. All of his hardships brought me even closer to his pain and chase for Beauty. The falling out with his brother, the struggles with his wife, the multi- million dollar law suit against him, the mystique of the actual predictions of future tragic events, centered around the brutal murder of his daughter. How could a man overcome all of this? Dr. Hurwitz shows us how. I read the book in 2 nights. I've never done that before with any book. The Chase for Beauty made me realize that even though life can bring you extreme hardships, there still is a way to cope, be succesful, and move on with dignity and respect. This book makes the perfect gift for a loved one whose goal in life is to advance, no matter the obstacle. Joey Rahimi

Compassion

I have had 20 years of contact with Dr. Hurwitz, as a grandparent of a child with a cleft lip and palate and also as a patient who had a tumor removed from my nasal cavity. Dennis has always given his all to treating my granddaughter. She had many surgeries in her 18 years as his patient and his innovative work made her look wonderful. The book reflects all of the long hours he put in caring for these children as well as his dedication to his family. He has been knocked down many, many times and gets back up and that to me is amazing. I would have had a hard time dealing with the murder of my child, and he and Linda did, but to go each day and take care of others children so they can live a normal life is truly giving. God, did give this man a special gift, he has always and I mean always, used that to benefit others. He would never knowingly hurt a child, and that is why the portion of the book that deals with his malpractice suit is so upsetting to read. He never experiemented, he did what he felt would be the best for the child, period.