Reviews of Square One
“A supernova in the field of neurosurgery, Dr. Maroon knew all there was to be known about the brain, but he’d never explored the mind until his own life came crashing down. His latest book is a tale of one man’s triumphant rise from the ravages of depression, but it tells a universal story about finding our way in a world that seems increasingly chaotic. Through his unflinching candor and relentless research, Joe offers readers a gift we all need and crave, even when we don’t quite know how to define it—a balanced life. This book has already changed me.”
“Dr. Maroon’s basis of well living is the integrative function of simple truths derived from his personal struggles and triumphs. His wisdom imparts instruction toward the fulfillment of these principles in order to build whole, productive, and healthy lives. I am indebted to Dr. Maroon for his remarkable personal testimony and insight, both as a learned advocate of square living and a dynamic celebrant. Thank you for being an inspirational example of right living and for sharing this knowledge with the world.”
“Life is complicated, and simplifying it is much easier said than done. But Dr. Maroon’s ability to turn a common sense message into action is brilliant. Square One creates an urgency to visualize and then balance your personal square and illustrates how rewarding transformation can be.”
“Dr. Joe’s explorations into the formula for a balanced life go a long way toward empowering readers to be the best versions of themselves. He proves that success in life can be achieved in spite of depression’s debilitating effects, and his book equips others to grow as individuals and to thrive in life. This well-researched, effectively written, and highly readable guide to permanently changing your life is essential for anyone at any stage.”
“Joe Maroon is a highly respected physician whose curiosity and talent has shaped his own extraordinary life experience. His insights about how to achieve a balanced life are invaluable.”
“This book is literally a life-changing read. I thought I knew Dr. Maroon as the amazing neurosurgeon who performed emergency back surgery (during his vacation days) on my father around Christmas 2017, but this book told me there’s so much more to this man. The lessons this book taught me, illustrated by amazing life experiences along with proven factual information, will be with me always. I have already taken positive action in my life based on what I read in this book that I just recently finished. I recommend this book for any person in any state of their lives as it is a truly compelling story of triumph.”
“After Dr. Maroon gifted me with his incredible book, Square One, not a day goes by where I haven’t thought about him and the tremendous impact that his book has had on me. As I read about his life, I was very often moved to the point of tears because it felt as if he were speaking directly into my life—I could see so many parallels between his life experiences and my own. Mere words cannot express the depth of my appreciation and gratitude for the honesty and transparency with which Dr. Maroon offers glimpses into the different vignettes of his life, from flipping burgers, to his experience in the operating room, to making the trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, all of which has touched me deeply. Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring life—one that is filled with heart-stirring and practical insights and wisdom that has served as a profound spark of change for not only me, but no doubt, countless many others. ”
“The way Joe Maroon takes care of himself and his patients is a testament to passion and great science. This new book is an important road map for anyone who wants to get and stay healthy.”
“In 1986, Joe Maroon was president of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. His pre- sidential message did not deal with the usual scientific or surgical topic; instead he discussed the four elements critical for a balanced life. Despite the passage of thirty years, his address remains the only presentation that is remembered by everyone in attendance. His research, wisdom, and lessons will also resonate with readers and give them the opportunity to balance their own lives. This is a book to read and reread.”
“I so appreciate the vulnerability with which Joe shares his personal story. Square One is straightforward without being simplistic and is a contribution to the health and well-being of people, young and old.”
“This book is especially relevant to medical students and residents because it allows us to look down a balanced path. I will strive to guide my life through body, brain, love, and spirit.”
“Joe’s message: By keeping our mind, body, heart, and spirit squarely in balance, we can all absorb the blows that life inevitably dishes out—or that we sometimes inflict on ourselves! Most importantly he provides a formula for us to find the peace, health, and happiness that often seem to reside just beyond our greatest ambitions.”
“I can heartily recommend Square One to any reader, young or old. While it’s the story of Dr. Joe’s journey to rebalance his life, it provides all of us with a way to visualize where we are…and if we find ourselves out of balance, it offers the necessary steps to get us back to square one.”
“Square One really connected the dots for me. Thanks for an awakening that will help me refocus, recommit, and rekindle.”
“Following William Danforth’s concept of ‘living tools,’ Dr. Maroon eloquently describes how squaring up his life helped him rise up from his lowest point and get back on a path to complete fulfillment of his body, mind, heart, and soul.”
“I wanted to be a brain surgeon, but I quickly felt unsure of my place in a profession where the doctors’ resolve to succeed was often as cold and sharp as the steel from which their scalpels were formed. Dr. Maroon took me aside and said, ‘You can spend your life trying to be the best, but you’ll never be your best unless you learn balance.’ In Square One, readers follow Dr. Maroon from the pit to the summit of a remarkable life and right back to square one. Thank you, Joe. We all need this book.”
“I cannot thank Dr. Maroon enough for writing this fascinating and inspiring life story. I honestly didn’t want Square One to end because each page resonated so deeply. Countless readers will benefit from its simple yet often-overlooked truths about what it takes to live a balanced, rich, and fulfilling life.”
“Square One is a memoir about a man who pulled himself out of an emotional tailspin in order to become a guy so many people know and love. His personal exploration of balanced living provides a wonderful lesson for us all, and the book is filled with Joe’s humor, creativity, and down-to-earth approach to how to tackle life’s adversities.”
“This is inspiring stuff, and there’s a massive need for it in today’s fractured society. Dr. Maroon has been down some amazing, treacherous paths and has come out the other end, and now he’s able to tell others what he learned. My own life has been out of balance for far too long, but I’m battling back and will use this book as my field manual for the fight.”
“Joe’s willingness to share his internal call to self-awareness is motivating to us all. His message is a ‘vitamin for the soul’ and will likely be his greatest contribution to our health.”