Friday Five: Dr. Ming Wang offers five book suggestions and invitation to the 2010 EyeBall

Dr. Ming Wang is best known for his pioneering laser eye surgery and the Wang Vision 3D Cataract and LASIK Center, which he founded in 2002 in Nashville.  You may not know that Dr. Wang is also a musician, composer, ballroom dancer, and this week's contributor to Friday Five.  Based on his diverse interests, life experiences, and education, he's well-qualified to recommend a few books for our consideration. 

Dr. Wang is a graduate of Harvard and M.I.T., where he earned his M.D. and graduated magna cum laude.  He has performed over 55,000 LASIK procedures and has pioneered many others, including implantable contact lens.  He holds dual certifications in LASIK and cataract surgery, and is currently participating in a presbyopia trial as one of only three centers selected to participate.  He is well-respected in his field, as well as for his philantropic organization, The Wang Foundation for Sight Restoration. 

The Wang Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that raises funds for people around the world who cannot afford  services for severe vision loss.  One of Dr. Wang's most successful fundraisers is the cleverly named EyeBall, held annually.  The EyeBall is scheduled this year for October 16th at the Renaissance Hotel.  More information about the black-tie event can be found at the foundation website. 

Dr. Ming's book recommendations are as follows:

1. The Edge of Evolution: The Search for the Limits of Darwinism, by Michael J. Behe.  "This is a great book," according to Dr. Wang.  "It makes a serious, quantitative argument about the limits of Darwinian evolution."

2. Think and Make It Happen: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Overcoming Negative Thoughts, and Discovering Your True Potential, by Augusto Cury. "My dear friend and my pastor Rice Brooks recommended this book to me. It is about conquering anxiety, overcoming negative thoughts and discovering your true potential."

3. The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand. "This is one of the most original, profound and powerful novels that I have ever read. It asks the probing question: 'What is actually the reason for doing what we do today?'"

4. The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman. "Often we only realize the significance of the time and era that we were in after that time has passed. Mr. Friedman is able to make me realize and appreciate the time and era that we are in right now, the flat world!"

5. Chinese in America: A Narrative History, by Iris Chang. "What intrigues me the most after reading this wonderful book," says Dr. Wang, "is this question: what does the future of our world hold, an Eastern approach to life, or a Western, or a combination and perhaps an entirely new approach?"  

More information about Dr. Wang can be found at the Wang Institute website, his personal website, or the website for the Wang Foundation.  If you're interested in making a donation to or attending the EyeBall, check out http://wangfoundation.org.

From examiner.com Nashville