ROBIN COOK NOVELS. ( BIOGRAPHY AND CRITICAL REVIEWS)
PROFILE QUESTIONS ABOUT ROBIN COOK-1
1- Robin Cook has touched several issues such as:
1-organ donation, 2-genetic engineering, 3-fertility treatment, 4-in-vitro fertilization, 5-research funding, 6-managed care, 7-medical malpractice, 8-medical tourism, 9-drug research, 10-Deep Brain Stimulation, and 11-organ transplantation. Which of these corresponds to the book "Foreign Body"?
2- Where was Robin Cook born?3- What was his academic interest during his childhood?
4- Did he always live in the same place during his adolescence life?
5- What motivated him to study medicine?
6- Where did he do his undergraduate studies?
7- Contagion was written to address what medical issue?
8- Where did he do his medical studies?
9- What did he do after his residency in General Surgery?
10- Robin Cook's medical thrillers are written mostly to keep the public aware of both the technological possibilities of modern medicine and the implicit ethical problems. Do you agree?
11-The book Brain was written to address what medical issue?
12-Did he ever have a private practice? If yes, where?13-Did he ever lecture in a University?
14-Has he ever been married?
15-The book Death Benefit was written to address what medical issue? (Bioterrorism)
16-What are his hobbies?
17-What are his professional interests?
18-Does he like travelling? If so how do you know that?
19-When was he born?
20- The book Vector was written to address what medical issue?
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21- Who were his parents?22- Did he have any brothers?
23- What medical problem does the book Outbreak deal with?
24- Did Robin Cook have children with Jean?
(His current wife, 2007 A son)
25-COMA is probably the best novel of Robin Cook. It was written to address what medical issue?
26-Robin Cook grew up in a place called Woodside in Queens, N.Y (True or False)
27- When he was young his nickname was Aristotle. (True or false)
28- Robin Cook was an undergraduate at Wesleyan University in Middletown ,Conn.
29-The book critical Critical was written to address what medical issue?
30- When did he write his first novel?
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31-What was the name of his first novel?
32- Cure was written to address what medical issue?
33- Which novel made him famous?
34-What medical and social issue does the book Crisis address?
35-Where did he do his postgraduate medical training?
36- Robin Cook served in the Navy from 1969 to 1971, what rank did he reach?
37- Fatal Cure was written to address what medical issue?
38- Cook's novels have often anticipated national controversy, do you agree?
39- The book Shock was written to address the stem cell issue and its ethical implications, did he succeed?
40- Cook travelled to India
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41- Robin Cook went to Egypt
42- In Foreign Body Robin Cook had to travel to which country to research the book?
43-Robin Cook believes that it's the public that should decide which way we ought to go about stem cell research, is he right? What's your take on this?
44-When did Robin Cook ran the Cousteau Society's blood-gas lab in the south of France
45- Has Robin Cook ever been on a submarine?
46- Chromosome-6 was written to address what medical issue?
47- Has Robin Cook ever won any prestigious award?
48- Was Robin Cook’s first wife an American?
49- Who directed the film Coma based on Robin Cook's book by the same name?
50- Who was the male leading character in the film?
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51- What is the main theme in the film?
52- Marker was written to address what medical issue?
53- One of the income supplementing jobs Robin Cook had as a student was drawing blood and cleaning the cages of lab animals. True/False
54- When was he drafted into the Navy?
(he was drafted in 1969.)
55- Is it true that he wrote "Coma" in six weeks?
Yes
56- Roughly, how many books has he published or sold so far?57- Has his books been translated into foreign languages?
58- In the Jack & Laurie series does Jack take after Robin Cook? Give reasons for your answer.
59-Which is your favourite among his books?
60- In your opinion, which medical issue should he write about next?
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For answers to these questions and further questions about the characters, please go to the next blog.
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REFERENCES
Robin Cook's webpage
PART-1
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1-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
I recently interviewed Ms. Erekua Seashore at The African Scientists Knowledge Institute (TASK-Institute). Ms. Erekua Seashore is a resident scholar with the: TASK-Institute Healthcare Publishing House. The following reflects her views and research work about Doctor Robin Cook and his significant contribution to the shaping and development of the Medical Thriller as a subgenre.
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HECTOR LAWRANCE KUOFIE WITH ONE OF ROBIN COOK'S NOVELS: CURE
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INTERVIEW: MS. EREKUA SEASHORE TALKS ABOUT ROBIN COOK AND HIS ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEDICAL NOVEL AS A SUBGENRE
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BIOGRAPHY INTERVIEWS
WRITER: ROBIN COOK
PART-1
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1-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
I recently interviewed Ms. Erekua Seashore at The African Scientists Knowledge Institute (TASK-Institute). Ms. Erekua Seashore is a resident scholar with the: TASK-Institute Healthcare Publishing House. The following reflects her views and research work about Doctor Robin Cook and his significant contribution to the shaping and development of the Medical Thriller as a subgenre.
2-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Good morning Ms. Erekua Seashore and welcome to the programme. The members of the TASK-Institute have invited you to share with us your knowledge about Robin Cook and the vital role he is still playing in increasing our awareness about the Healthcare System.
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
Well, good morning and thank you for inviting me. It’s always a pleasure to join you here for these fascinating interviews.
3-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
My pleasure to have you here; to start with, can you tell us about erm Robin Cook's first novel?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
His first novel was a semi-autobiographical account of medical school. Although it wasn’t successful, it was quite an unforgettable experience for him.
4-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
How did this affect him?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
After his unsuccessful first attempt, he decided to teach himself to write a best seller novel from a very personal point of view.
5-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
So what motivated him to write medical thrillers?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
Initially, he wanted to write scientific articles to inform the public about the hazards of the healthcare system. However, he realized that he could achieve the same goal better still through writing novels.
6-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
You just mentioned his using a very personal approach; what did he actually do?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
Robin Cook actually began by analysing the Best-seller books on the Times list and then figured out that there wasn’t a real sub-genre as medical thrillers. He then decided to blend his passion for medicine, for politics and for the patient care and create storylines which could inform and entertain the public as well.
Robin Cook actually began by analysing the Best-seller books on the Times list and then figured out that there wasn’t a real sub-genre as medical thrillers. He then decided to blend his passion for medicine, for politics and for the patient care and create storylines which could inform and entertain the public as well.
7-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
I understand he learn to write scripts before writing novels, is that right?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
After his unsuccessful first attempt, he understood that to succeed as a writer he needed to practice writing screenplays. That was what helped him to improve his dialogue-writing skills. Besides, he thought if he used the screenplay as a first draft of the book, then he could even used the screenplay version to attract film producers.
8-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
How long has he been writing novels?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
I believe Robin Cook has been writing for over 30 years now. As I said before, his writing career began with his first novel in 1972, The Year of the Intern, which he wrote while working for the Navy. It was followed 5 years later in 1977 with Coma, which was written while he was a senior ophthalmology resident.
9-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Roughly how many books has he sold?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
To date he has sold over one hundred million books worldwide most of which have been translated into several other languages.
10-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Does he have any siblings?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
As I mentioned at the beginning of this interview, Robin Cook was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Audrey and Edgar Lee Cook. He is the middle child of three children. In his youth, they lived in New York and later moved to New Jersey.
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PART-2: DRILLS
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BIOGRAPHY INTERVIEWS
WRITER: ROBIN COOK
PART-1
INSTRUCTIONS: Fill the blank spaces with prepositions or particles. You need only one word.
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1-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
I recently interviewed Ms. Erekua Seashore at The African Scientists Knowledge Institute (TASK-Institute). Ms. Erekua Seashore is a resident scholar with the: TASK-Institute Healthcare Publishing House. The following reflects her views and research work about Doctor Robin Cook and his significant contribution to the shaping and development of the Medical Thriller as a subgenre.
2-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Good morning Ms. Erekua Seashore and welcome 1........ the programme. The members of the TASK-Institute have invited you to share 2.........us your knowledge 3........... Robin Cook and the vital role he is still playing 4............... increasing our awareness about the Healthcare System.
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
Well, good morning and thank you 5........inviting me. It’s always a pleasure to join you here 6.......these fascinating interviews.
3-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
My pleasure to have you here; to start 7........., can you tell us about erm Robin Cook's first novel?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
His first novel was a semi-autobiographical account 8........medical school. Although it wasn’t successful, it was quite an unforgettable experience 9........him.
4-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
How did this affect him?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
After his unsuccessful first attempt, he decided 10........... teach himself : how to write a best seller 11..........a very personal point of view.
5-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
So what motivated him 12.............write medical thrillers?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
Initially, he wanted 13........write scientific articles to inform the public 14...........the hazards of the healthcare system. However, he realized that he could achieve the same goal better still 15...............writing novels.
6-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
You just mentioned his using a very personal approach; what did he actually do?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
Robin Cook actually began by analysing the Best-seller books 16.........the Times list and then figured 17.......that there wasn’t a real sub-genre as medical thrillers. He then decided 18.........blend his passion for medicine, for politics and for the patient care and create storylines which could inform and entertain the public as well
7-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
I understand he learn to write scripts 19........writing novels, is that right?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
After his unsuccessful first attempt, he understood that to succeed as a writer he needed 20.........practice writing screenplays. That was what helped him 21...........improve his dialogue-writing skills. Besides, he thought if he used the screenplay as a first draft of the book, then he could even used the screenplay version 22.........attract film producers.
8-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
How long has he been writing novels?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
I believe Robin Cook has been writing 23..........over 30 years now. As I said before, his writing career began 31........his first novel in 1972, The Year of the Intern, which he wrote while working for the Navy. It was followed 5 years later in 1977 with Coma, which was written while he was a senior ophthalmology resident.
9-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Roughly how many books has he sold?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
To date he has sold 32........one hundred million books worldwide most of which have been translated 33.......... several other languages.
10-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Does he have any siblings?
Ms. Erekua Seashore:
As I mentioned 34.............the beginning of this interview, Robin Cook was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Audrey and Edgar Lee Cook. He is the middle child of his parents three children. In his youth, they lived in New York and later moved 35..........New Jersey.
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INTERVIEW: MS. EREKUA SEASHORE TALKS ABOUT ROBIN COOK AND HIS ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEDICAL NOVEL AS A SUBGENRE
PHOTOGRAPH OF ROBIN COOK AND SOME OF HIS NOVELS
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TALKING ABOUT ROBIN COOK:
PART-2
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TALKING ABOUT ROBIN COOK'S BOOKS
HECTOR LAWRANCE KUOFIE WITH SOME OF ROBIN COOK'S NOVELS
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INTERVIEW: PART-2
1-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
When and where was Doctor Cook born?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Robin Cook was born in 1940, in Brooklyn, (New York City, USA) precisely on May 4th. By the way, he turned 72 years just a couple of days ago. (May 2012,)
2-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Well, “Happy Birthday Mr. Cook!” Now, let's move on to another point. Most of our readers would like to know if he was interested in medicine at school.
Ms. Erekua Seashore
As far as I know he was much more interested in archaeology but later his interest switched from archaeology to medicine because he realized that all the major buried cities had been discovered.
3-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Where did he do his college studies?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
He graduated from Wesleyan University and later attended Columbia University Medical School
4-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Did he go in for his residency right after medical school?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Yes, he did. As a matter of fact, as soon as he completed his residency training in general surgery, Dr. Cook was drafted into the Navy and he spent sometime in the South Pacific on the submarine the USS Kamehameha before he was transferred to the Deep Submarine Systems Project. That was where he stayed until his discharge.
5-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What was he military rank when he was discharged?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
After the completion of his military service, he was discharged from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander.
6-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
So job-wise, what did he do after his military service?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
After his discharge from the Navy, he took up second residency in ophthalmology at Harvard. When he completed his second residency, he opened a small private practice of medicine. He also accepted a teaching position at Harvard Medical School to teach residents and to see patients at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
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PART-2: WORKSHP ACITIVITIES
INSTRUCTIONS:
TO CONSOLIDATE THE FACTS IN THIS PART; PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BLANK SPACES WITH THE RIGHT CHOICE OF WORD ACCORDING TO THE TEXT
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1-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
When and where was he born?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Robin Cook was born in 1940, in 1..............., (New York City, USA) precisely on 2.....................4th. By the way, he turned 3..................years just a couple of days ago. (May 2012,)
2-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Well, “Happy Birthday Mr. Cook!” Now, let's move on to another point. Most of our readers would like to know if he was interested in 4.................at school.
Ms. Erekua Seashore
As far as I know he was much more interested in 5.......................but later his interest switched from 6.......................to medicine because he realized that all the major buried 7.....................had been discovered.
3-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Where did he do his college studies?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
He graduated from 8......................University and later attended 9.......................University Medical School
4-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Did he go in for his residency right after medical school?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Yes, he did. As a matter of fact, as soon as he completed his residency training in general surgery, Dr. Cook was drafted into the 10................and he spent sometime in the South Pacific on the 11...............the USS Kamehameha before he was transferred to the Deep 12...........................Systems Project. That was where he stayed until his discharge.
5-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What was he military rank when he was discharged?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
After the completion of his military service, he was discharged from the Navy as a Lieutenant 13.....................
6-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
So job-wise, what did he do after his military service?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
After his discharge from the Navy, he took up second residency in 14.................. at Harvard. After completion of his second residency, he opened a small private 15................................of medicine. He also accepted a teaching position at 16............................Medical School to teach residents and to see patients at the 17.......................................Eye and Ear Infirmary.
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INSPIRING COGNITIVE GROWTH
USING KA-TOOLS
BY HECTOR LAWRANCE KUOFIE
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REFERENCES
Robin Cook's webpage
Wikipedia
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Robin Cook's webpage
Wikipedia
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TALKING ABOUT ROBIN COOK:
PART-2
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HECTOR LAWRANCE KUOFIE WITH SOME OF ROBIN COOK'S NOVELS
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TALKING ABOUT ROBIN COOK: PART-3
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Where does Robin Cook live at the moment?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
According to the press, Robin Cook currently works and lives in Florida. But he also spends sometime in Massachusetts along the year.
2-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Has he won any prestigious awards so far?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
In 2002, he was awarded with “Author of Vision" and in 2004 the Ex-President George W. Bush appointed him to the Woodrow Wilson Board of Trustees.
3-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Has he got any interest in business?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
I read sometime ago that he is a co-founder of an Internet software company but I am not sure if he still involved in that company. Besides this, he also has some properties in the real estate business. He might be involved in other businesses but I am not aware of that.
4-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What are his personal interests?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
As I said above, he is interested in real estate properties and is also involved in interior and architectural design. Sports-wise, he loves athletics especially basketball which features in all his Jack & Laurie series. He is also keen on tennis, skiing, and surfing.
5-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Do you have any photos for our audience to see on the internet?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
He is not much of a public figure. So obviously, there are few photos about him. However, he has a couple of photos posted on his webpage so our listeners can have a look at them whenever they want. You said you were also going to put up some pictures on the Academy's blog so that could also help.
6-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Sure anybody who is really interested in having more information could read the entire interview which will be published on the Koffi-Academy blogsite along with some photos. By the way, how can our listeners contact him?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
For media inquiries our listeners can reach him via his publisher's email address: putnampublicity@us.penguingroup.com
If anyone is interested in interviewing him personally, this could be the first step. There might be other channels to reach him but I am not aware of this.
7-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What is the secret of his success?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Experts believe that his success is largely due to his ability to combine medical facts with fantasy to produce intriguing stories. Because his novels has been so successful, they have been translated into more than forty languages.
8-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Can you briefly outline the list of his novels to us so that we shall know the order and the time frame in which it appeared?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Sure, apart from the first two: “Year of the Intern” and “Coma” he has also published the following novels:
1-Outbreak (1987), 2-Mindbend (1988), 3-Mutation (1989), 4-Harmful Intent (1990), 5-Vital Signs (1991), 6-Blindsight (1992), 7-Terminal (1993), 8-Fatal Cure (1994), 9-Acceptable Risk (1995), 10-Contagion (1996), 11-Chromosome 6 (1997), 12-Toxin (1998), 13-Vector (1999), 14-Shock (2001), 15-Seizure (2003), 16-Marker (2005), 17-Crisis (2006), 18-Critical (2007), 19-Foreign Body (2008), 20-Intervention (2009), 21-Cure 2010 and the most recent 22-Death Benefit, 2011. Personally, these are the best of his works so far.
9-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Well, we are anxiously awaiting the next novel for 2012. The question everyone is asking is – what medical issue is he going to write about this time? Can you guess.
Ms. Erekua Seashore
I honstly don't know. My guess is as good as that of any of your listeners. So I invite our listeners to guess as well.
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PART-2: WORKSHP ACITIVITIES
INSTRUCTIONS:
TO CONSOLIDATE THE FACTS IN THIS PART; PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BLANK SPACES WITH THE RIGHT CHOICE OF WORD ACCORDING TO THE TEXT. YOU NEED ONLY ONE WORD.
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1-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Where does Robin Cook live at the moment?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
According to the press, Robin Cook currently works and lives in 1.................. But he also spends sometime in 2........................along the year.
2-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Has he won any prestigious awards so far?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
In 2002, he was awarded with “Author of 3..............." and in 2004 the Ex-President George W. Bush appointed him to the Woodrow 4.....................Board of Trustees.
3-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Has he got any interest in business?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
I read sometime ago that he is a co-founder of an Internet 5........................company but I am not sure if he still involved in that company. Besides this, he also has some properties in the real 6..................business. He might be involved in other businesses but I am not aware of that.
4-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What are his personal interests?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
As I said above, he is interested in real estate properties and is also involved in interior and 7...............................design. Sports-wise, he loves athletics especially 8.................................which features in all his Jack & Laurie series. He is also keen on tennis, skiing, and surfing.
5-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Do you have any photos for our audience to see on the internet?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
He is not much of a public figure. So obviously, there are 9......................photos about him. However, he has a couple of photos posted on his webpage so our listeners can have a look at them whenever they want. You said you were also going to put up some pictures on the 10...........................blog so that could also help.
6-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Sure anybody who is really interested in having more information could read the entire interview which will be published on the Koffi-11....................blogsite along with some photos. By the way, how can our listeners contact him?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
For media inquiries our listeners can reach him via his 12......................email address: putnampublicity@us.penguingroup.com
If anyone is interested in interviewing him personally, this could be the first step. There might be other 13................................to reach him but I am not aware of this.
7-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What is the secret of his success?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Experts believe that his 13..........................is largely due to his ability to combine medical facts with 14...............................to produce intriguing stories. Because his novels has been so successful, they have been translated into more than 15...................... languages.
8-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Can you briefly outline the list of his novels to us so that we shall know the order and the 16.................... frame in which it appeared?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Sure, apart from the first two: “Year of the Intern” and “Coma” he has also published the following novels:
1-Outbreak (1987), 2-Mindbend (1988), 3-Mutation (1989), 4-Harmful Intent (1990), 5-Vital Signs (1991), 6-Blindsight (1992), 7-Terminal (1993), 8-Fatal Cure (1994), 9-Acceptable Risk (1995), 10-Contagion (1996), 11-Chromosome 6 (1997), 12-Toxin (1998), 13-Vector (1999), 14-Shock (2001), 15-Seizure (2003), 16-Marker (2005), 17-Crisis (2006), 18-Critical (2007), 19-Foreign Body (2008), 20-Intervention (2009), 21-Cure 2010 and the most recent 22-Death Benefit, 2011. Personally, these are the best of his works so far.
9-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Well, we are anxiously awaiting the next novel for 2012. The question everyone is asking is – what medical issue is he going to write about this time? Can you guess.
Ms. Erekua Seashore
I honstly don't know. My guess is as good as that of any of your listeners. So I invite our listeners to guess as well.
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INSPIRING COGNITIVE GROWTH
USING KA-TOOLS
BY HECTOR LAWRANCE KUOFIE
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PART-4: TALKING BAOUT ROBIN COOK
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1-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
How popular is Robin Cook outside the US? Is he popular in Europe?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
He is definitely popular in Europe and elsewhere. Don't forget his novels have been translated into well over forty languages. Besides English, I've read a few of them in Spanish and French and they come across perfectly in these languages as well. His publishers believe he has sold over a hundred million copies of his books. So he is well known outside the US.
2-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Is Robin Cook related to the former British Foreign Minister also known as Robin Cook?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
They only share the same name. Doctor Cook has no relation to the former British politician Robin Cook, who died in 2005
3-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What were Doctor Cook's parents name? This might help to identify him from Robin Cook the politician.
Ms. Erekua Seashore
His parents were Edgar Lee Cook and Audrey Cook.
4-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What motivated him to write his first novel? There is always a reason, you know that, don't you?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Apparently what drove him to write his first novel was the urge to expose the deficiencies in the training of a medical student. This was based on his own experience so he was quite sure to succeed in publishing his book. But he was totally unfamiliar with the whole publishing business. He even told his colleagues that his first novel “The Year Of The Intern” would be a success. The book didn't do so well in the market which hurt his feelings. Obviously this setback drove him to take a more innovative approach for his second novel. Even then, his colleagues told him he couldn't make it. They teased him about it, so he was determined to make it happen. Did he make it? The rest is history.
5-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What core issues does he write about?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Doctor Cook is mostly concern with medical issues which have also relevant social dimensions such as: medical or biotech ethical issues related to organs for transplantation as we read in Coma.
6-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What tipped him off to write about Coma? Did it have anything to do with his personal experience?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
According to his biography, he was doing cornea transplant surgery at the time he wrote the book; then he realized there was not enough donation. Despite this, the surgical procedure was more and more successful and more donation was coming in but nobody paid attention to the supply side of the operation. That was when he became aware of the ghastly secret behind the surgery. Since no one had thought of that or written about it he decided to bring it out as narrative novel for the general public to read it in “Coma”.
7-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
The theme of some of his books are about biological agents and how they spread. Could this possibly tempt some readers to copy it? Has any of these books ever got him into trouble with the authorities or been banned?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
The novel that created the most concern was Vector which deals with the outbreak of anthrax and the consequences. Somehow the publication of the book coincided with the outbreak shortly after that. So the FBI was a bit suspicious about a possible connection.
8-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
I understand he writes and practises medicine as well. Has his writing career affected his medical practice?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Certainly, but it's the other way round. Doctors usually listen to patients telling their story and then examine the rational of the story and the symptoms. Next they reach a diagnosis and treats the patient and his symptoms according to the medical history. So doctors are good listeners to story tellers. Although not all patients are good story tellers. According to his biography, medical practice has enormously helped him to become a writer because it gave him the experience from people in crisis. Let's not forget that all good writing is character driven. So a writer needs to understand all sorts of personalities that he might have to deal with in his plot.
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PART-2: WORKSHP ACITIVITIES
INSTRUCTIONS:
TO CONSOLIDATE THE FACTS IN THIS PART; PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BLANK SPACES WITH THE RIGHT CHOICE OF WORD ACCORDING TO THE TEXT. YOU NEED ONLY ONE WORD.
------------------------------------------------------------
1-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
How popular is Robin Cook outside the US? Is he popular in Europe?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
He is definitely popular in Europe and 1............... Don't forget his novels have been translated into well over 2..........languages. Besides English, I've read a few of them in Spanish and French and they come 3............ perfectly in these languages as well. His publishers believe he has sold over a 4.............million copies of his books. So he is well known outside the US.
2-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Is Robin Cook related to the former British Foreign Minister also known as Robin Cook?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
They only 5..............the same name. Doctor Cook has no relation to the former British 6..............Robin Cook, who died in 2005
3-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What were Doctor Cook's parents name? This might help to identify him from Robin Cook the politician.
Ms. Erekua Seashore
His parents were Edgar Lee Cook and Audrey Cook.
4-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What motivated him to write his first novel? There is always a reason, you know that, don't you?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Apparently what 7................him to write his first novel was the urge to expose the 8.................in the training of a medical student. This was based on his own 9.............. so he was quite sure to succeed in publishing his book. But he was totally unfamiliar with the whole 10.................. business. He even told his colleagues that his first novel “The Year Of The Intern” would be a 11.............. The book didn't do so well in the market and his 12...............were really hurt. Obviously this 13.......................drove him to take a more 14.........................approach for his second novel. Even then, his colleagues told him he couldn't make it. They 15.........................him about it, so he was determined to make it happen. Did he make it? The rest is 16........................
5-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What core issues does he write about?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Doctor Cook is mostly concern with medical issues which have also relevant 17................dimensions such as: medical or biotech 18..................issues related to organs for transplantation as we read in “Coma”.
6-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What tipped him off to write about “Coma”? Did it have anything to do with his personal experience?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
According to his biography, he was doing 19.................. transplant surgery at the time he wrote the book; then he realized there was not enough 20................... Despite this, the surgical 21..................was more and more successful and more donation was coming in but nobody paid attention to the 22.....................side of the operation. That was when he became aware of the ghastly 23..................behind the surgery. Since no one had thought of that or written about it he decided to bring it out as a narrative novel for the general public to read it in “Coma”.
7-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
The theme of some of his books are about biological 24..................and how they spread. Could this possibly tempt some readers to copy it? Has any of these books ever got him into trouble with the authorities or been 25.....................?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
The novel that created the most concern was 26................which deals with the outbreak of anthrax and the consequences. Somehow the publication of the book coincided with the anthrax outbreak shortly after that. So the 27.........................was a bit suspicious about a possible connection.
8-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
I understand he writes and practises medicine as well. Has his writing career affected his medical practice?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Certainly, but it's the other way round. Doctors usually listen to 28.........................telling their story and then examine the 29......................of the story and the symptoms. Next they reach a diagnosis and treats the patient and his symptoms according to the medical 30.................. So doctors are good 31..............to story tellers. Although not all patients are good story tellers. According to his biography, medical practice has enormously helped him to become a writer because it gave him the experience from people in 32................... Let's not forget that all good writing is character 33................ So a writer needs to understand all sorts of 34.....................that he might have to deal with in his plot.
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PART-5 TALKING ABOUT ROBIN COOK
Robin Cook seems and looks like a cool guy but most of the core issues he exposes are controversial ones, why is that?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Well, apparently he decided to expose any business intrusion into the medical field because of the injustice he suffered from the business giants earlier on in his career. Medicine is now seen by many as a business opportunity, a way for business people to get rich quick. He believes the prestige of the medical profession is on decline because of the money motive.
2-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Well, he's got a point there, however, some healthcare managers strongly advocate running the healthcare system like a brisk business enterprise like Google or Apple. Because most public health doctors (they argue) work for peanuts and there are no fringe benefits. Don't you agree?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Yes, I do. Everybody knows that primary care physicians are forced to overwork. They have to see more patients in one morning, spend time on the administrative stuff and possibly teach as well. Most public health doctors have private practice too. So all in all, they are really over-streached. I would say the system is inefficient and needs overhauling but not necessarily transforming it into a giant business.
3-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
The drawback with this excessive business intrusion is that who ultimately decides which patient gets treatment or not?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
That's precisely my point. Quite often it is the insurance companies who decide whether or not a patient should receive a heart surgery. Sometimes it is really frustrating when doctors need the permission to go ahead with a brain MRI scan for a tumour or a minor invasive biopsy.
4-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
One of his latest novels –Foreign Body 2010 deals with some of these Healthcare issues; why is the Healthcare system still in crisis today despite the implementation of the Obama-healthcare plan?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Actually, it is this ever soaring prices for medical procedures which is driving patients into medical tourism. In “Foreign Body” Doctor Cook exposes the causes and possible consequences of really expensive healthcare system in the US which is inaccessible to most of the population.
5-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
How can The US get out of this mess if the Obama care doesn’t work? Does he have any prescription for this?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
The US can only get out of this mess if the government maintains an efficient mixed system in which primary care physicians are well-paid and well-looked after, and not over-worked. One might ask: why is Speciality-care hospital becoming more and more popular now? Because doctors are being lured into corporate businesses. It's as simple as that. The system needs to be changed.
6-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Are primary care physicians really badly paid?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
According to healthcare experts, the system need to pay primary care physicians more than they pay specialists. And physicians need to defend and protect the system to avoid any abuse of the system. It's a question of mutual dependence.
7-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Is it true that Robin Cook wrote "Coma" in six weeks? Is he really a workaholic?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
He should be. He seems extremely motivated and driven by this inner force to succeed. He probably thinks he is still in medical school and needs to convince his colleagues. “Coma” was indeed written in six weeks. Mostly at night because he was a resident at that time and could only take time off at nights.
7-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What are his fears and insecurities?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Robin Cook is a very self-confident doctor but according to his biography every time he starts a new book, he develops a crisis of confidence such as: would he be able to come up with a good story to please his readers? Would he be able to create an interesting and convincing characters? In short, would he be able produce another bestseller?
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PART-2: WORKSHP ACITIVITIES
INSTRUCTIONS:
TO CONSOLIDATE THE FACTS IN THIS PART; PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BLANK SPACES WITH THE RIGHT CHOICE OF WORD ACCORDING TO THE TEXT. YOU NEED ONLY ONE WORD.
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1-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Robin Cook seems and looks like a cool guy but most of the core 1................he exposes are controversial ones, why is that?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Well, apparently he decided to expose any business 2.......................into the medical field because of the injustice he suffered from the business giants earlier on in his career. Medicine is now seen by many as a 3................opportunity, a way for business people to get rich quick. He believes the prestige of the medical profession is on 4.................because of the money motive.
2-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Well, he's got a point there, however, some healthcare managers strongly 5.....................running the healthcare system like a brisk business enterprise like Google or Apple. Because most public health doctors (they argue) work for 6.....................and there are no fringe benefits. Don't you agree?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Yes, I do. Everybody knows that primary care physicians are forced to 7...................... They have to see more patients in one morning, spend time on the administrative stuff and possibly 8..........................as well. Most public health doctors have private 9.....................too. So all in all, they are really over-streached. I would say the system is 10.........................and needs overhauling but not necessarily transforming it into a giant business.
3-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
The drawback with this excessive business intrusion is that who ultimately 11.......................which patient gets treatment or not?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
That's precisely my point. Quite often it is the 12..................companies who decide whether or not a patient should receive a 13.....................surgery. Sometimes it is really 14.......................when doctors need the permission to go ahead with a brain MRI scan for a tumour or a minor 15.......................biopsy.
4-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
One of his latest novels –Foreign Body 2010 deals with some of these Healthcare issues; why is the Healthcare system still in 16..................today despite the implementation of the Obama-healthcare 17.....................?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Actually, it is this ever soaring prices for medical 18................which is driving patients into medical tourism. In “Foreign Body” Doctor Cook exposes the causes and possible consequences of really expensive healthcare system in the US which is 19.............................to most of the population.
5-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
How can The US get out of this mess if the Obama care doesn’t work? Does he have any prescription for this?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
The US can only get out of this mess if the government maintains an efficient 20......................system in which primary care physicians are well-paid and well-looked after, and not over-worked. One might ask: why is Speciality-care 21.................becoming more and more popular now? Because doctors are being 22......................into corporate businesses. It's as simple as that. The system needs to be 23.........................
6-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Are primary care physicians really badly paid?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
According to healthcare experts, the system need to pay primary care physicians 24................than they pay specialists. And physicians need to defend and protect the system to 25...................any abuse of the system. It's a question of mutual dependence.
7-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
Is it true that Robin Cook wrote "Coma" in six weeks? Is he really a 26..................?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
He should be. He seems extremely 27......................... and driven by this inner force to succeed. He probably thinks he is still in medical school and needs to convince his 28........................ “Coma” was indeed written in six weeks. Mostly at night because he was a 29................at that time and could only take time off at nights.
7-Hector Lawrance Kuofie:
What are his fears and insecurities?
Ms. Erekua Seashore
Robin Cook is a very 30.......................doctor but according to his biography every time he starts a new book, he develops a crisis of 31.......................such as: would he be able to come up with a good story to please his readers? Would he be able to create an interesting and convincing characters? In short, would he be able produce another 32..........................?
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INSPIRING COGNITIVE GROWTH
BY HECTOR LAWRANCE KUOFIE
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REFERENCES
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Robin Cook's webpage
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