07/29/2024

Former National Institute of Health director Collins (The Language of Life) interweaves sociopolitical commentary, popular science, and theology in this smart study. Citing how distrust of Covid vaccines cost an estimated 230,000 American lives even as the scientific community celebrated “one of the greatest medical achievements in human history,” Collins describes an America so deeply fractured by hyperpartisan politics that it can be repaired only by returning to the “solid ground” of truth, science, faith, and trust. Unpacking each value, he writes that faith is vital to bridging “division and animosity” and offers truths beyond science’s reach, while the scientific community must learn from its stumbles in communicating with the public during the pandemic to address such pressing social issues as climate change. Suggestions include repairing seemingly “irreconcilable” differences through a focus on shared values—family, freedom, love—rather than statistics. Despite some wearying truisms (people should respect each other, because there is “nothing more un-American than hating fellow Americans”), the author’s expertise and lucid writing impress. This has plenty to offer. (Sept.)

Through his leadership of the Human Genome Project, Dr. Francis Collins revealed the simple truth that we are all far more alike than we are different. Now, in his thoughtful book The Road to Wisdom, he urges us to have the courage and humility to bridge our divides, embrace what we have in common, and rebuild a fractured society.  When Dr. Collins speaks, I listen—and his message is more important now than ever.”
 —President Bill Clinton

“In The Road to Wisdom, Francis Collins—a distinguished scientist as well as a former atheist who found meaning in the Christian faith—draws on his own deep, diverse experiences as he leads us through a maze of conflicting beliefs and opinions in search of wisdom: the sort that can save us before it is too late. This book should be read by anyone, Christian and non-Christian alike, who is seeking meaning or trying to make sense of our troubled times.”—Jane Goodall

"Francis Collins offers us a path back to wisdom with this inspirational and unflinching look at his life as a research scientist, a man of faith, and a servant-leader who oversaw the work of our nation’s medical research agency through turbulent times. In the final pages of The Road to Wisdom, he urges us to sign a pledge, committing to seek truth, build trust, and practice generosity. I hope that many, many readers will join me in doing so.”—Yo-Yo Ma

"Dr. Francis Collins is a national treasure, acclaimed not only for his scientific achievements but for his example as a bridge person in a polarized time.  He has served under every U.S. president of this century, in the process winning the respect of some of his fiercest critics. Amid the shrillness of our era, Dr. Collins offers a calming voice of hope, as well as practical suggestions on how to heal the nation’s wounds."—Philip Yancey, author of What’s So Amazing About Grace

“Working with Francis Collins as he led the National Institutes of Health under three very different presidents, I saw firsthand his ability to find common ground and common goals. As timely as it is compelling, The Road to Wisdom is an encapsulation of those gifts, based on the reinforcing values of truth, science, faith, and trust.”—Senator Roy Blunt

"Drawing on decades of public service, Francis Collins blends science, faith, and philosophy in The Road to Wisdom. Full of insights to help readers navigate today's complex world and grapple with critical issues including public health, partisanship, and climate change, this book is essential reading for anyone seeking clarity and direction."—Jennifer Doudna, Nobel Laureate, and co-author of A Crack in Creation

“In this important and timely book, Francis Collins takes on fundamental questions of faith and science and suggests ways to bridge the gaps that divide us by more actively engaging with those with whom we disagree. Listening, understanding, and tolerance are the essential threads that weave their way throughout The Road to Wisdom—a book to learn from.”
 —Kay Redfield Jamison, author of Fires in the Dark and An Unquiet Mind

“Smart… lucid… [The Road to Wisdom] has plenty to offer.”—Publishers Weekly

“Collins, a physician, evangelical Christian, and former director of the National Institutes of Health, seeks a remedy for the divisiveness and anger that besets our nation… Drawing on examples from his personal and professional experiences, he reveals times when his trust has been honored, and times when it has been broken. As a scientist who finds belief in a Christian God “entirely consistent” with his faith in evidence-based truths and scientific methods, he recounts his journey from atheism to Christianity. Overall, Collins urges each reader to create a renewed sense of community through “reanchoring your worldview”; engaging with family, friends, and community; and carefully distinguishing facts from fakes. Thoughtful guidance in tumultuous times.”—Kirkus Reviews

“An important book…thought-provoking…[Collins] proves to be a reliable, insightful, and agreeable guide to the road to wisdom.”—Booklist

“The Road to Wisdom is enlightening both in its illumination of Collins’s personal journey to wisdom and for the insights it offers into his views on sources of wisdom.”—Science Magazine

“One sees why, as a scientist, doctor and Christian, [Collins] felt he had to write his new book, The Road to Wisdom. Collins hopes to help rebuild wisdom, which could be broadly defined as the good judgment that might have kept us out of this mess. Collins urges us to trust those with competence, integrity and an appropriate humility.”

2024-08-02
Prescriptions for change.

Collins, a physician, evangelical Christian, and former director of the National Institutes of Health, seeks a remedy for the divisiveness and anger that beset our nation. Healing, he asserts, depends on four sources of clarity and wisdom: truth, science, faith, and trust. The Covid-19 crisis, especially, darkened his “usual optimistic view of society,” making him realize “how much we have lost track of the sources of wisdom—how we have let politics on both the right and the left become our touchstone.” He examines controversies that emerged about protocols for managing the virus (masking, business and school closures, social distancing), the cause of the pandemic, and the effectiveness of vaccines; he also discusses other incendiary topics, including climate change and the results of the 2020 presidential election. People’s opinions on these issues have been swayed, Collins asserts, by six kinds of untruth: ignorance, falsehood, lies or “intentional distortion of the truth,” delusion, bullshit, and propaganda. Those who use social media as their main source of information about the world can be “unwittingly manipulated” by these forms of untruth. Collins asserts that identifying falsehoods boils down to trust in the integrity and competence of the person or institution conveying information, and he cautions against believing only those whose values align with one’s own. Drawing on examples from his personal and professional experiences, he reveals times when his trust has been honored and times when it has been broken. As a scientist who finds belief in a Christian God “entirely consistent” with his faith in evidence-based truths and scientific methods, he recounts his journey from atheism to Christianity. Overall, Collins urges each reader to create a renewed sense of community through “reanchoring your worldview”; engaging with family, friends, and community; and carefully distinguishing facts from fakes.

Thoughtful guidance in tumultuous times.