Gone is a book by a life long friend of mine, Linda Olson. We were close as kids, calling each other cousins, a tenuous connection by marriage. She had an infectious giggle and a great sense of humor. She was a talented pianist, was very bright and so much fun. I stayed with Linda who was a few years ahead of me in medical school, in Los Angeles where I did a Radiology elective, while she was a resident in training. I watched her with her cute petite figure, as she cheerfully and energetically walked around the department at work in her tall boots, a fashion trend I could never quite pull off. Her Mom picked us up and we all rode together for her wedding shower. Although we ended up at opposite sides of the country, we continue to make occasional contact throughout our lives. I’ve enjoyed seeing her kids grow up and become adults on the Christmas photo cards she sends out each year. Linda told me she has the gift of the “happiness gene” and I truly believe this to be true. Her subtitle of the book addresses “taking back her life.” It is a powerful image.Reading the book was an intense, moving and riveting experience for me: I thought I knew that Linda was a strong person, but I really had no idea how strong. I found out about her accident by accident at work, as a colleague talked about it in reference to her husband, Dave. I immediately asked, “Who are you talking about, Linda Olson?” and the answer sent shock waves through me. I ran to a phone, with weak knees, called my Mom and asked her to call “Grandma Dupree” or “Aunt Lenna” to find out if it was really true. They confirmed that it was true, and that the entire family was en route to Linda’s bedside in Europe, where they joined her support team. I never knew until reading the book what actually caused this horrible accident; she never disclosed it to anyone, because she wanted to have a happy family and a happy life. This kind of selflessness is rare, as is Linda’s amazing strength of character and her determination.The book follows the difficult scenes of Linda’s initial recovery, her rehabilitation, their return to San Diego, where Dave was a Medical Naval Officer, and Linda’s ongoing rehabilitation there. The difficulties of going about doing what we all think of as daily activities that we take for granted were tremendous hurdles for Linda. It was not easy, but she worked through these activities of with the help of her husband and an awesome team of people they found to help make her life more livable. Amazingly, Linda finished her radiology residency while pregnant and living alone in Los Angeles, learned to drive, and and went on with living her life, having and raising two children and overall, accomplishing more than most people do who don’t have such a crushing injury. She and Dave were a devoted couple. She was never bitter or blaming, and her life long optimism and reliance enabled her to overcome and triumph after an accident most would have considered life and career ending. Instead, she is an inspiration to all who know her, and to many others who have learned about her through her memoir. The family traveled and went on outings like a normal family. She worked in a challenging career that required tenacity and expertise, winning teaching awards. Her children and Dave describe their lives in chapters leading and scattered though the book.So much of this story seems normal, but Linda has lived a heroic life, in that she has overcome incredible adversity, not just surviving, but excelling with a positive attitude as well as bravery, humor (I can hear Linda’s giggling in some of the scenes) and the power of love. It’s an exhilarating read and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great story.