Book excerpt: No Ordinary Doctor; No Ordinary Time describes, almost exploits, a mid to late 20th century medical career that chronicles in story format the dramatic changes in medical science and health care. Dr. Greenberg took advantage of many opportunities newly opened to physicians, both in New York City and around the world. This transition from a system that offered both little more than empathy and the 19th century advancements in surgery to the highly specialized, often impersonal, invasive wizardry of today had a long overture. It began with the post-World War II recognition that the tripartite alliance of government funding, academic research, and corporate development was both a powerful driver of innovation as well as the most potent economic stimulus of the era. As Dr. Greenberg points out, the costs of this new clinical capacity put enormous strains on global economic stability. Today’s clinical successes pose unique fiscal threats that will again lead to a new round of profound transformations. The excitement in medicine continues for the next generation.