String Bean, Buster, the Grumpy Gourmet and Other Personas: A Memoir

In this humorous, entertaining, and poignant memoir Philip M. Coons, M.D., writes about his life from the time of his conception to his recent retirement. His memories, written as ninety brief vignettes, include episodes from kindergarten through twelfth grade, Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, Indiana University School of Medicine, rotating internship at Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital, and general psychiatry residency at Indiana University Hospitals. In this volume he humorously describes his family, dating and marriage, hobbies, cooking, dancing lessons, and nicknames. Although he has lived in Indianapolis, Indiana most of his life, he attended high school in Puerto Rico and New Albany, Indiana. Dr. Coons shares serious reflections on depression, spirituality, dissociation, desegregation, homosexuality, death and dying, divorce, and life changing experiences including cancer.

Philip M. Coons, M.D., is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is past president of the Indiana Psychiatric Society and distinguished life fellow in the American Psychiatric Association. His hobbies include genealogy, photography and travel.