When Daniel Fulkerson entered medical school, he pictured neurosurgery as a serious business that demanded precision, a harsh attitude, and a complete absence of fun. But after falling backwards into the specialty, Dr. Fulkerson found neurosurgery to be a field filled with joy, sadness, a little humor, and courageous and inspiring patients.

In an honest and compelling retelling of his long and winding road to train and then practice as a pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Fulkerson guides others through his journey from medical school to service on a small military base, through residency...