January 2003

Bryson City Tales by Walt Larimore is good medicine for everyone. As a reader of many books, I heartly recommend this for good reading, male, female, young or old. It has colorful characters, beautiful and interesting setting, and well told tales.

Prepare to laugh, cry, get mad, and learn about a lot of important health facts. This is an over the shoulder peak at real medical drama in a small superstitious community. Most of these stories are true with a change of name in some cases.

The book is written in first person by Walt, a young Christian doctor in his first year of practice. He chose Bryson City as a good place to work because he and his wife fell in love with the Smokey Mountain area. He felt that it would be a good idea to put into practice the latest medical techniques that he learned at Duke Medical School.

He quickly learned that he had much to learn. He and his pregnent wife, Barb, felt that this was a good place to bring their three year old handicapped daughter, Kate.

All was not rosy for Walt in his medical practice. He had to prove himself as a good doctor to his patients, but mostly he had to gain their trust as a person. Read how he became involved with the community. He fished, played basketball, joined the Rescue Team and became the high school football team physician.

He made Bryson City home for himself and his family. His experiences as a member of the community are unique and forever shape Dr. Larimore's practice of faith and life. They are wonderful and fun to read.

Walt Larimore, M.D., is vice president of the medical outreach for Focus on the Family. He hosts the program "Ask The Family Doctor".on Fox's Health.