37 pages 1 hour read

Lori Arviso Alvord, Elizabeth Cohen Van Pelt

The Scalpel and the Silver Bear: The First Navajo Woman Surgeon Combines Western Medicine and Traditional Healing

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1999

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Scalpel and the Silver Bear by Lori Arviso Alvord and Elizabeth Cohen Van Pelt masterfully intertwines Navajo traditions with Western medicine through Alvord’s journey as the first Navajo female surgeon. While some readers found the pacing slow and desired deeper medical insights, the blending of cultural narratives and personal resilience captivates and informs.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Scalpel and the Silver Bear?

Readers who enjoy memoirs blending medical journey and Native American heritage, like The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman, will find The Scalpel and the Silver Bear compelling. The book offers unique insights into merging Western medicine with Navajo healing practices.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Themes
Values/Ideas: Beauty
Genre
Education
Biography
Topics
Education
Health / Medicine