In the Preface of On Call, Fauci reflects on a key moment during the COVID-19 pandemic, which happened on November 8, 2020. While dining outdoors with his wife and friends, he received a call from Pfizer’s CEO, Albert Bourla, sharing that their COVID vaccine had shown over 90% efficacy during the trials. Fauci, initially bracing for bad news, felt great relief. This announcement signaled a major turning point for the ongoing pandemic. After the call, Fauci began to reflect on his upcoming 80th birthday and the career he has had.

In the first chapter of Part 1, Anthony Fauci recounts his early life, starting with his birth on December 24, 1940, in a neighborhood called Bensonhurst, located in Brooklyn, New York. Born to Stephen and Eugenia Fauci, he grew up in a close-knit Italian American neighborhood. His parents, both first-generation Italian Americans, had met during elementary school and had developed a loving relationship, emphasizing the importance of education and community for young Anthony. Fauci’s father owned a local pharmacy, and the family lived above the store. His mother managed the household, fostering a strong sense of compassion and service.

Fauci recalls a childhood filled with neighborhood camaraderie and strict but supportive education from the nuns at Our Lady of Guadalupe School.