Why I Wrote “The Mandolin Case”

        One time someone asked what my specialty was. (I’m a Board Certified F.P.)  I said, “staying out of trouble.” I’ve done so for almost three decades and I’m too old to wade into any problems now. When you read “The Mandolin Case” you will understand what I mean. You’ll have a ringside seat to a heavy-weight medical/legal fight, so bring newspaper. When the blood begins to splatter hold it up so you can be protected. You can be sure I kept a safe distance. I was close enough to show you the story, but far enough removed to not get hit when the punches were thrown. For most readers it will be an insider’s view of a world the public is seldom privy to.

        I had to write it. I wanted to show from the inside what it’s like to be a country doctor. I wanted to show how I believe people ought to evaluate situations when things go wrong for patients. I wanted to show why loyalty counts.

       My music has always been important to me. I believe bluegrass music is the last relatively undiscovered great American art form. I wanted to show people of its beauty, and our sense of community. I took a broad swipe at stereotypes that linger about our music, and have to admit I enjoyed that. I wanted to show how art, and in my case, bluegrass music, can bring peace and clarity to complicated human confrontations. As my new New England friends so astutely observed, “music has the power to heal.” 

        I wanted to leave behind a road map for my people. I am not perfect, but along the way I learned some ways to deal with bad situations and I wanted to pass those lessons on. I suppose the number one reason that drove me was the image of my children someday being elderly and in the nursing home. They’ll read a passage to a grandchild on their knee, and the child will say, “Was great-granddaddy really like that?”

        And my child would say, “Oh, I’m not sure. I think he mighta made that part up. But now this passage over here, I know that’s real, ’cause I was there that night.”

        I don’t care if it sells three thousand or three million, (okay I admit I hope to make 3,001) but if that scene happens after I’m long gone, that would be more than enough reward.

        I hope it will be a both a tribute to the music I love and a springboard for much discussion on issues I find important. 

        The website went semi-live this morning. (They have to activate it with google, but it’s almost ready.) You can get a preview at the link below. They started printing the book today. It might take a few days on the publisher’s and Amazon’s end before the order link is operational, but y’all stick with me. The link is www.themandolincase.com.  

        All the best,

 Dr. B

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