The Way It Was: Sex, Surgery, Treasure, and Travel, 1907-1987

In this lively memoir, Crile, a surgeon, a fine storyteller and a poet of sorts born into the close, affluent family of the founder of the Cleveland Clinic, recalls with zest and humor a rich professional career and personal life. With time out for war service in New Zealand and San Diego naval hospitals, he graduated from Yale and Harvard Medical School and trained at the Mayo and Cleveland Clinics, the latter of which he later inherited. Crile, who passed away this month, was noted for innovative thyroid cancer research and controversial conservative, breast-saving operations, the subject of several of his books (among them Cancer and Common Sense ). Both his first and his second wives--one, Helga, the daughter of Carl Sandburg--shared his wide-ranging interests in exploring, treasure hunting and extensive global travel. Photos not seen by PW. (Oct.)