The Voyage of a Shepherd Boy

About the Book

Over the years during discussions with my family, I mentioned various events of my life to emphasize some facts of life in a historical perspective. Although my sons, during their tender ages, disregarded my comments, later on each one of them on many occasions suggested, and sometimes insisted that I should record my past. However, each time they asked I ignored their comments in order either to write another scientific paper or book, or to devote my available free time to review medical literature, or to spend some time with my family. Now that my remaining years are becoming shorter and shorter, I thought it might be the time to write my story. I will do it first, for the benefit of my children and, grandchildren, and second, for my own benefit, since reminiscing over even the most difficult events of my life is as invigorating now as it was then when I overcame so many obstacles. Also, there are many beautiful and happy memories that I want my wife and my sons to understand, as well as how the struggles of life made me the man that I am. Unfortunately, I have not kept a diary and as a result whatever I write is only from my own recollections. Thus, my biography is subject to the limitations of my memory. However, since my memory on medical subjects and my surgical dexterity as yet have not failed me, as is evident by the fact that Emory School of Medicine is still allowing me to teach and practice, I am confident that the events that I am about to describe are fairly accurate. This text encompasses some of the events, which had a great impact in my life. My wish is that it might convince my children, grandchildren and anyone else who might read it that their dreams, with hard work and determination, are realizable no matter how unrealistic they might seem. So, as Benjamin Franklin wrote, “I shall indulge the inclination so natural in old men, to be talking of themselves and their own past actions, and I shall indulge it without being troublesome to others who thro’ respect to age might think themselves oblig’d to give me a hearing, since this may be read or not as anyone pleases.”

About the Author

Born in the northwestern corner of Greece Dr. Panagiotis N. Symbas, endured during the occupation of Greece by the AXIS Forces and the civil war. Thereafter, he realized his dream of becoming a physician, a cardiovascular surgeon and a professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Emory University School of Medicine for 43 years.