"A giving, thought-provoking, and heart-tugging family saga." (Booklist)
A MEMOIR, AND MORE
More Than We Expected
Five Years With A Remarkable Child
by James G. Robinson
More Than We Expected is the story of our son Nadav, and the five remarkable years we spent together. Born with a complex heart condition, his life took us to places we never expected to go, where we faced decisions that no parent should ever have to make.
His short life taught me what it means to be human — to appreciate the world’s hidden wonders, to live with choices whose consequences are beyond our control, and to discover what it truly means to grow and heal.
Since it was published in 2023, the book has introduced me to parents and clinicians caring for children in similar circumstances, people wrestling with challenges of their own, and strangers who saw something of their lives in ours. I’m grateful that our son’s brief life continues to help others.
Speaking
Since the publication of More Than We Expected, James has spoken at dozens of children’s hospitals, medical conferences, rare disease gatherings, and — most recently — on the main stage at TED2026 in Vancouver.
His talks bring the book’s story into the room: how we find our humanity when we need it most, what it means to make irreversible decisions without perfect information, and how meaning can emerge from experiences beyond our control.
About the Author
James G. Robinson spent nearly two decades at The New York Times, where he helped the company use data to better understand its audience. He has also taught at NYU and Columbia Journalism School.
His essay “Road to Recovery,” published in the Times shortly after his son’s death, was selected as a notable essay in The Best American Travel Writing 2018. The strong response to the article inspired James to write More Than We Expected, detailing the many gifts of their son’s brief but remarkable life.
A native New Yorker, James currently lives in Brooklyn with his wife Tali and their two surviving sons.
