A Promise of Rest: Stories from the Commonplace, by Ron Lands

A Promise of Rest invites readers into the intimate world of a physician who has spent a lifetime caring for patients with cancer and other chronic illnesses. From his beginnings in a small-town hospital to a career in hematology, oncology, geriatrics, and palliative care, he reflects on the “cauldron of emotion and experience” that defined his work.

These stories—drawn from daily reflections and reimagined memories—reveal both the science of medicine and the humanity at its heart. Patients’ last words, last breaths, and moments of humor or resilience sit alongside advances in treatment and the timeless importance of listening with empathy. Whether navigating advanced directives, the will to live, or the acceptance of death, each encounter uncovers the courage and complexity of the human spirit.

At once personal and universal, A Promise of Rest is a testament to healing, memory, and what Dr. William Osler called “the true poetry of life—the poetry of the commonplace.”