Super Short Summary

Into the Magic Shop by Dr. James R. Doty is a memoir detailing his journey from a troubled childhood marked by his father's alcoholism and his mother's depression to becoming a successful neurosurgeon. At 12, he learns meditative practices from a woman named Ruth at a magic shop, which help him navigate his tumultuous life and achieve professional success. Later, Doty's life changes after losing his wealth, leading him to focus on compassion and altruism, eventually founding the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) to study and teach these principles. Sensitive topics include child neglect, substance use, mental illness, and near-death experiences.