• All That Moves Us

  • A Pediatric Neurosurgeon, His Young Patients, and Their Stories of Grace and Resilience
  • By: Jay Wellons
  • Narrated by: Jay Wellons
  • Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (262 ratings)

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All That Moves Us  By  cover art

All That Moves Us

By: Jay Wellons
Narrated by: Jay Wellons
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Publisher's summary

“The surgical interventions in these pages are dizzying, but the fact that Jay Wellons can write as well as he can operate provides a whole other level of amazement.”—Ann Patchett, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Commonwealth

“A powerful and moving account of the intense joys and sorrows of being a pediatric neurosurgeon.”—Henry Marsh, New York Times bestselling author of Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death, and Brain Surgery

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New Yorker, Publishers Weekly

Tumors, injuries, ruptured vascular malformations—there is almost no such thing as a non-urgent brain surgery when it comes to kids. For a pediatric neurosurgeon working in the medical minefield of the brain—in which a single millimeter in every direction governs something that makes us essentially human—every day presents the challenge, and the opportunity, to give a new lease on life to a child for whom nothing is yet fully determined and all possibilities still exist.

In All That Moves Us, Dr. Jay Wellons pulls back the curtain to reveal the profoundly moving triumphs, haunting complications, and harrowing close calls that characterize the life of a pediatric neurosurgeon, bringing the high-stakes drama of the operating room to life with astonishing candor and honest compassion. Reflecting on lessons learned over twenty-five years and thousands of operations completed on some of the most vulnerable and precious among us, Wellons recounts in gripping detail the moments that have shaped him as a doctor, as a parent, and as the only hope for countless patients whose young lives are in his hands.

Wellons shares scenes of his early days as the son of a military pilot, the years of grueling surgical training, and true stories of what it’s like to treat the brave children he meets on the threshold between life and death. From the little boy who arrived at the hospital near death from a gunshot wound to the head, to the eight-year-old whose shredded nerves were repaired using suture as fine as human hair, to the brave mother-to-be undergoing fetal spinal cord surgery, All That Moves Us is an unforgettable portrait of the countless human dramas that take place in a busy modern children’s hospital—and a meditation on the marvel of life as seen from under the white-hot lights of the operating room.

©2022 Jay Wellons (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

All That Moves Us tells the story of lives that have been shattered and reassembled. The surgical interventions in these pages are dizzying, but the fact that Jay Wellons can write as well as he can operate provides a whole other level of amazement. This is a wondrous and deeply moving book.”—Ann Patchett, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Commonwealth

“As a surgeon, Jay Wellons has long healed with his hands. What this engaging and illuminating book shows us is how important the heart is in the life and work of a doctor charged with the sacred—even staggering—task of operating on the brains of children. At once reflective and searching, Wellons’s stories from the journey give us hope that light can emerge from even the darkest of hours.”—Jon Meacham, #1 New York Times bestselling author of His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope

“Reading All That Moves Us feels like watching a full season of your favorite medical drama, complete with harrowing surgical scenes and meaningful reflections within each episode. In bearing witness to some of life’s most profound moments, Jay Wellons has written an extraordinarily memorable book.”—Mary Laura Philpott, author of Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives

What listeners say about All That Moves Us

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The best narration I've heard in a long time.

Audible narration has been quite disappointing lately, but not this book. This book is so, so good. I really like Jay Wellons! What an amazing guy, what a great story, and a great story teller. I could listen all day everyday.

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Beautiful, informative and just what I needed

Dr. Wellons has written and performed an incredible journey of some of his life, everything perfect for this telling. I personally enjoy neurology, that is to say, what is in the brain, and how it works. Very intriguing. His closeness of family, especially his father is something I wish I could have enjoyed more of with my Dad who passed way too young. All of this with a bit of humor, because we all need some of that, and this is one of the very best books I have listened to since signing up with Audible.
Thank you for writing this story and sharing it with us. God Bless

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Ped Neurosurg world

Excellent summary of the pediatric neurosurgery world! Especially love the raw truth of the personal struggles of surviving and thriving in this unique world! Highly recommend the book.

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Lovely and thoughtful

A fascinating blend of medical drama and human emotion. Wonderful narration by the author-so glad he did the reading.

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Humanity

A sincere thank you to Dr. Wellons for sharing his medical experiences and personal life connections. This book is transformative.

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Jay’s total humanity and amazing perspective and skill.

Loved hearing his voice on the Audible edition. I knew he was so special when he lived in Birmingham and am not surprised he wrote such a moving account of his life as a neurosurgeon. An extraordinary individual and child of God. Well done!!

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A Peek Behind the Curtain

I am so glad that I listened to this book. If you have a child going for neurological surgery, this book will help to prepare you for the good and bad. The author is an excellent reader as well as a story teller.

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The real life stories.

Interesting and inspiring. And in a world where healthcare seems only to be about money, it’s nice to be reminded that there are caring and dedicated souls too.

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Beautiful

As a physician myself I could relate to so much of this and I thought the author broke the stereotypes of “angry surgeon” quite well. I have a sense of what they are don’t brought and I appreciated the stories he shared. I thought the writing was elegant, poignant, and descriptive. I enjoyed the cadence of Wellons’ voice and thought he spoke with the same compassion that I am sure he shows his patients.

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Powerful

A stunning read… medicine, relationships, mentors, teaching, learning, caring, growing… stories of life and death, hope and healing… it’s all here.

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