Editorial Review

Cartoonist Marisa Acocella Marchetto's graphic memoir about her battle with breast cancer is as bold, vibrant, and brave as she is--pumped full of color, the story leaps off the page and into your heart. Poignant and funny, this inspiring story is made all the more powerful by Marchetto's cartoons. Lucky for us, Marchetto agreed to create a cartoon just for Amazon.com customers. Check out her strip below. Read more

Reviews (16)

Breast Cancer D Day September 6, 2006
Received book from long time twisted sister friend the day I was on my way to try and have this blasted arm pit drain removed. Age 53, tumor found on routine yearly mammogram (1 year 3 days since last) Tumor 1.1 centimeters, well differentiated, Positive Receptors both E & P, ask oncologist surgeon if he was piercing my nipple on the 4th plunged on the core biopsy. Afterwards, ask for a smilie face sticker, surgeon said he should have ones instead of saying "I gave Blood" say "I GAVE BOOB" I work for a printing company and designed a sticker, button & T-shirt.Something that existentially speaks more than a pink ribbon; I gave "flesh & blood."After initial surgery of tumor Segmental Mastectomy with Sentinel Node Biopsy, remove 4 lymph nodes, One was with cancer.Had to go back for the Wad of fat to be removed with additional 15 lymph nodes FULL AXILLARY DISSECTION... all of those were clear.YEA!As I await the next stages in this New World I found "Cancer Vixen" to be vastly informative and will require all of my supportive Nipple Pulling friends to read it.Thank you for sharing your emotional roller coaster ride through the horrid disease.

Grazie Marisa
As touching as true stories can be andas funny as goods novels (or comic books!) can be....the secret of Mrs. Marchetto is to mix REAL life and its tragic aspects with unforgettable and unique humour ... the best book and the best author ever!
Loved the Book
This is the first Beating Breast Cancer book I've read that accurately conveys all the flack / pressure one gets from other people in one's life.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Breast    7. Cancer    8. Cancer (Psychosocial Aspects)    9. Comic books, strips, etc    10. Diseases - Breast Cancer    11. Diseases - Cancer    12. General    13. Health    14. Marchetto, Marisa Acocella    15. Medical - General    16. New York    17. New York (State)    18. Patients    19. Women    20. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Cancer   

Reviews (19)

Everyone should read this book
Whether or not you have personally experienced mental illness in your family or have experience in the criminial justice system, this book will open your eyes. I want to thank the author for bringing this difficult and stigmatized subject the the attention of the average citizen. A very important book that will hopefully bring about change in both the mental health system and the criminal justice system.

In depth and accurate
I found myself fascinated from the point of view of nurse, police dispatcher, and victim of a brutal assault by a man who had gone off his meds.I like the way he writes and plan to read more of his books.

A Powerful Must-Read
This book is a must read for, well, everyone.It especially will be helpful to those whose lives are impacted by a friend or family member's illness or those who work with the mentally ill, but is a well-written and thought provoking read for anyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Case studies    6. Family relationships    7. General    8. Medical - General    9. Mental Disorders    10. Mental Health    11. Mental Health Services    12. Mental Illness    13. Mentally ill    14. Parental Memoirs    15. Psychology    16. Specific Groups - General    17. Psychology & Psychiatry / Mental Health   

Editorial Review

As teenagers from a rough part of Newark, New Jersey, Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt, and George Jenkins had nothing special going for them except loving mothers (one of whom was a drug user) and above-average intelligence. Their first stroke of luck was testing into University High, one of Newark's three magnet high schools, and their second was finding each other. They were busy staying out of trouble (most of the time), and discovering the usual ways to skip class and do as little schoolwork as possible, when a recruitment presentation on Seton Hall University reignited George's childhood dream of becoming a dentist. The college was offering a tempting assistance package for minorities in its Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Plus Program. George convinced his two friends to go to college with him. They would help each other through. None of them would be allowed to drop out and be reabsorbed by the Newark streets.Read more

Reviews (46)

The Pact... Packs some good information for young people and their parents
The Pact was a book that I was interested in reading for some time. My son (9 yrs old), and I decided that the best time to read the book would be before his bedtime. We would alternate reading different chapters. The Pact was an inspiring story that I believe anyone could relate too. It's about community support, friendship and perserverance. This generation needs to hear stories about what is possible, and this book delivers on that message. I strongly recommend it for youth groups everywhere. We need to teach our kids how to choose friends, and that friends can support and nurture each others dreams. Dream BIG!
I will put this on my recommended list for students
One of my biggest challenges as an educator is building literacy. I know that the most successful students read outside of class, but I have a hard time finding books that manageable and interesting enough to grab the interest of the students that I work with in DC. I will recommend this book to my students because it helps make the choices of black students real in clear language. How do you successfully defer gratification for years and years to build a career? This book doesn't have definite answers but it does give an example that students can look up to. More programs like the Seton Hall program that helped bridge the transition to college are necessary for first-generation high school students. I also dug the fact that these three black men did not seem to be supermen in the way that Cedric Jennings was portrayed in "The Hope In the Unseen". Books like "The Pact" show that the best dreams are birthed by students in the presence of consistent mentoring. I hope that all urban mentors and educators will consider this book for motivational fuel.
Great read...
I read about these three in some magazine (Essence?) while I was in a bookstore cafe. I went upstairs to browse the book and ended up buying it. I'm so glad that I went to that bookstore just to browse around or I would have never known anything about it.I'd heard of these three from another magazine I subscribe to but never really knew what their deal was.It was very interesting to read about three young men who grew up in the inner city projects of Newark, two of them exposed themselves to crime, all of their manhood was tested, and two went to jail/juvenile hall. But with all those pitfalls, each one of them had a personality that would not let each other fall down.One was an activist, the next was a serious hard worker, and the third an optimistic motivator who stayed out of trouble.These guys were so good for each other. It was interesting to read about their sides of the story in a conversational tone that showcases their down-to-Earth personalities, their mild secrets that the other two will enjoy reading, and even a couple love interests would probably be flattered too.
Read more

Subjects:  1. African American physicians    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    7. Medical - General    8. Medical - Physicians    9. People of Color    10. Practice Of Medicine    11. Sociology Of Medicine    12. Biography: general    13. Family & Relationships / Child Care    14. Medicine    15. Reading Group Guide   

Editorial Review

"I fell for the great American dream, female version, hook, line, and sinker," Marya Hornbacher writes. "I, as many young women do, honest-to-God believed that once I Just Lost a Few Pounds, suddenly I would be a New You, I would have Ken-doll men chasing my thin legs down with bouquets of flowers on the street, I would become rich and famous and glamorous and lose my freckles and become blond and five foot ten." Hornbacher describes in shocking detail her lifelong quest to starve herself to death, to force her short, athletic body to fade away. She remembers telling a friend, at age 4, that she was on a diet. Her bizarre tale includes not only the usual puking andstarving, but also being confined to mental hospitals and growing fur (a phenomenon called lanugo, which nature imposes to keep a body from freezing to death during periods of famine). ... Read more

Reviews (366)

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
I never truly left this book until it was done. I stopped at points and it took perhaps a week to finish, but it was always on my mind. I rolled over her story in my head as I went about my days (or daze).
Excellent, witty and very honest book
I've read a few lame teenage oriented, moralistic, politically correct books about eating disorders, but THIS is something completely different! Not only because Marya is a real, tallented writer, but even more because her writing is so honest, detailed and yet humorous in some strange way. She doesn't whin about her situation, she doesn't blame all the world and society, but she neither powders herself with ashes. She just tells her story, a story of a very seriuos, determined, tallented and unique girl who decided to become really thin and pushed her dieting obsession to its very limits, to the very edge of death. Details of her starving and purging practices, and of her inventive, deceiving methods to convince her family, friends and medical personel that she's fine, are scary, but this brutal realism makes you really think about eating disorders. Her eating disorder is not just a disorder, it's a real full-time job, a lifestyle, a dedication, and it's extremly frightening. I found her comments about her recent life very good and revealing too.
Fantastic Book
Marya Hornbacher paints a real and vivid image of her experience with anorexia. This is the best book on anorexia and bulimia I have ever read. I keep coming back to this book- I could read it again and again just because of Hornbachers talent for writing. She truely has a gift!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Anorexia nervosa    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Bulimia    7. Eating Disorders - General    8. Patients    9. Psychopathology - Eating Disorders    10. Specific Groups - Special Needs    11. United States    12. Women    13. Biography & Autobiography / Medical    14. Biography: general    15. Coping with eating disorders   

Reviews (50)

Inspirational and instructive
Mountains Beyond Mountains really helped me to understand the immense poverty faced by the people of Haiti. Paul Farmer's quest to provide these people the healthcare they deserve is an inspiration that should be required reading for young people or anybody leading a self centered and materialistic life. Americans need to be reminded of how fortunate they truly are and how we all take things like healthcare, housing, clean water and job availability for granted. My son "read" the audio book for his summer reading assignment and finished it in about one week. Highly recommended!

Inspiring and interesting
Reads like a gripping novel.It is reassuring to know that someone like Paul Farmer exists in this cynical world.

Inspiring!
A well written book about a 'saintly' person.It's nice to know there are people like Paul Farmer in this world.We need people like this to get things done.The author did a wonderful job telling Pauls story and about the realities of life in Haiti. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1959-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Farmer, Paul,    7. Health Care    8. Humanitarians    9. Medical - General    10. Medical - Physicians    11. Medical care    12. Missionaries, Medical    13. Physicians    14. Poor    15. Practice Of Medicine    16. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (104)

A Teacher's View
I had high hopes for this book.An excerpt was read to me at a teacher training and I thought it would be a great book to inspire my students to care about their education.I rushed out and bought it that same day.However, I found the book badly written.It jumps back and forth and has a few grammatical errors in it.Also, the quotes in there seem very fabricated and idealized.It doesn't read as a real story, even though I know it is.
You Raise Me Up
Ben Carson had a hard life.He grew up in lower class neighborhoods, didn't have the best grades, had a father who left, and other problems.But Ben's mom was always there for him, encouraging him to try harder.At one point she made Ben and his brother read two books a week from the library and report back to her about them.I think reading is a major part of learning, and I make a habit to put this two books per week thing a rule in my life.
AN UNSUNG HERO OF THE WORLD, THAT NEEDS TO BE MORE RECOGNIZE!!!!
All I have to say is that, I have ultimate respect for this great man.He is definitely a true superior being in every sense of the WORD!!!!We need more true role models, like Mr. Carson to be more displayed, showcase in the media more often.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Medical - General    5. Medical - Physicians    6. People of Color    7. Christian Interest    8. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    9. Religion / Christian Life   

Editorial Review

"Sitting around the table telling stories is not just a way of passing time," writes Rachel Naomi Remen in her introduction to Read more

Reviews (40)

An easy-to-read prescription..
...from a very wise doctor.Gathering readers around her kitchen table, Dr. Remen takes an indirect but inspiring approach to those of us who sometimes prefer to avoid the doctor's office.
Very Inspirational
I read this book shortly after my daughter was born 14 weeks (approx. 100 days) premature last April. The stories Dr. Remen recounts in her books were very inspirational and helped my husband and me to be there for our daughter during her 3 month stay in the NICU. I found it hard, on some days, to cope with my daughter's condition as it rollercoastered from not so bad to absolutely horrifying and reading the stories really helped put perspective in what we were going through. I honestly don't think I would've survived being a NICU mom without having read this book.

Great Book For Those Searching for Something
I really enjoyed this book and first read it in 1999 when I was having my "quarter life" crisis. After having two babies back to back and mourning my loss of identity, I found myself re-reading the book.The stories still comforted me and were still relevant 6 years later. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Healing    6. Inspirational    7. Inspirational - General    8. Medical - General    9. Meditations    10. Physicians    11. United States    12. Fiction / Anthologies (multiple authors)   

Reviews (24)

Fantastic Reading!
As one fascinated by the medical field, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I have much admiration for Katrina Firlik for her hard work and endurance expended to make it as a successful Neurosurgeon. I had no idea that there were so few Neurosurgeons in the U.S. as well as that it was such a predominantly male dominated field. I loved reading of her patient encounters as well as her feelings in dealing with some of the more difficult situations. She has a wonderful writing style. I hope she has more to come in the future!

Good first book
I did enjoy reading Dr. Firlik's book though at times it tended to skip around from one subject to another. This is not another "House of God" and I am sure was never intended to be. This is not another Oliver Sachs type of book. It is a solid work and she does write well.It is the story of her 7 year neurosurgery training and that was interesting to me. I have known a number of neurosurgeons and they have some things in common - competence and intensity. She seems to fit that mold. Her last chapter speculating about advances in neurosurgery was most intertesting to me.
Fairly good
Well written, intelligent. A good look into what it is that those brain surgeons actually do. I for one never knew that neurosurgeons and neurologists are a different breed altogether. And yes, the one neurologist I know does have a goatee and wears a bow tie..
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Brain    7. Medical - General    8. Nervous system    9. Neurology - General    10. Neurosurgeons    11. Neurosurgery    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Surgery    14. United States    15. Medical / Neurology   

Editorial Review

At age nine, Lucy Grealy was diagnosed with a potentially terminalcancer.When she returned to school with a third of her jaw removed, shefaced the cruel taunts of classmates.In this strikingly candid memoir, Grealy tells her story of great suffering and remarkable strength without sentimentality and with considerable wit.Vividly portraying the pain of peer rejection and the guilty pleasure of wanting to be special, Grealycaptures with unique insight what it is like as a child and young adult to be torn between two warring impulses: to feel that more than anything else we want to be loved for who we are, while wishing desperately and secretly tobe perfect ... Read more

Reviews (74)

It had Potential...
Avoid this book like the plague.
Achingly honest and touching memoir from a real human being
Many reviewers have beautifully reviewed this haunting memoir. I just wanted to add how touched I was by Lucy's struggle, not to be special, but to be normal. Her memoir describes acutely the psychic distress of finding oneself outside the norm in society. Despite Lucy's struggle for acceptance and normalcy, she still displays true wisdom and strength from her "outsider" perspective. Some think her stance toward others is unsympathetic, I found her to be as unflinching in revealing her thoughts and found her level of awareness of herself refreshing, if self-oriented, at times. There is something about standing out in an unwanted way that can create a barrier between us and the rest of the world and perhaps Lucy had a protective barrier that closedher off from others. Who am I to judge, I just stand in awe of the courage she displays time and again.Other reviewersalso criticize Lucy for not overcoming her need for acceptance, or normalcy. I can only thank Lucy for incarnating and being who she was, so honestly, so vulnerably, and for offering us an uncensored, heart-breaking, and ultimately revealing view of her experience of the world. I am sure many will resonate with the experience of being "outcast" and feel we have a friend and supporter in Lucy. Thanks Lucy, for not putting any masks on in your writing but allowing us to see youin your true complexity. I salute you wherever you may be.
The Spiral Staircase Revisited
This book was much better written than Karen Armstrong's The Spiral Staircase but it was the same whining and self-pitying all over again. The author had no real feelings about her father's death yet she can't understand how people lack compassion for her deformity. When a woman who had had a mastectomy spoke to her about her own deep feelings of ugliness and loss, she dismisses the other woman's feelings because no one else's suffering can be as great as her own. It seems like she could only think of herself, her own feelings and her complete misery at being "ugly" without the slightest inkling that other people might have feelings and tragedies in their own lives.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cancer (Psychosocial Aspects)    6. Diseases - Cancer    7. Disfigured persons    8. Ewing's sarcoma    9. Medical - General    10. Patients    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Specific Groups - General    13. United States    14. Women    15. Biography & Autobiography / General    16. Reading Group Guide   

Features

• Unabridged

Reviews (96)

Lovely
I love these type of memoirs. A person who is not boasting about their skill or having an attitude. Simply shares the love of his work and love of his county. All of James Herriot's books are wonderfull. I was introduced to the children's books a few years ago and just recently started reading his memoirs. Love it, some parts were a bit dry but the books still flowed well and drew you back. Love the depth of scenery and anicdotes about the area. Recommend any book of his.

Great Book
This was a great book. I decided to read it because I like animals, and I'm so glad I did. I loved this book; it was really funny and exciting. I am definitaly going to read more of his books and watch the tv show if it's ever on anymore. I think triston is hilarious. I would reccomend reading this; it was great.

A must read for all
I'm mostly a fantasy scifi guy but I'm also an animal lover and I picked up this book on a whim. I wound up reading all the books in the series and ended up loving them all and wishing there were more. This guy can really write and tell a story. What a gifted man. Great Vet and Writer. I must read for all. You will laugh out loud and at times shed a tear. This is great stuff. You cant go wrong. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Audiobooks    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. England    6. Literary    7. Medical - General    8. Unabridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    9. Veterinarians    10. Yorkshire   

Reviews (6)

Very Good Treatment of a Little Known Subject
I generally agree with the other reviewers that this is an outstanding work, made all the more remarkable by the recognition that Hunter has remained so obscure to the general reader over the 200+ years since he lived and worked.Author Moore's writing style is engaging and straightforward, and the book is an easy and enlightening read.But I do have a couple of cavils.First, and even considering our two centuries' remove, there is a discernible remoteness or lack of intimacy in the description of Hunter and his activities, e.g., "he must have thought", "he probably knew", and so forth that is a bit off-putting until the reader is informed near the end of the book that Hunter's spiteful brother-in-law burned most of his papers, including correspondence with prized pupils like Jenner, after Hunter's death, inevitably depriving biographers of enriching details.I believe it would have been helpful if she explained this fact earlier in the work.Second, the book just cries out for illustrations.The sole "portrait" of Hunter is a small, almost cartoonish depiction, and Moore constantly--if inadvertently--teases the reader with references to the superb illustrators who worked for Hunter over the years, but does not include even one of their drawings; very frustrating.With these exceptions, readers who enjoy the work of physician-cum-historian Roy Porter will certainly feel right at home with this very entertaining book.

"He made surgery a science."
Wendy Moore's magnificent book, "The Knife Man," is a thoroughly researched account of the life and times of John Hunter, one of the most controversial and fascinating figures of the eighteenth century.Born in 1728 in Scotland, Hunter was the tenth child of humble farming parents.He was an indifferent student who preferred learning through observation and experimentation rather than by reading dusty texts.During his teenage years, John's father and six of his siblings died.This was not surprising during an era when "burials far exceeded baptisms."Matters were not helped by the use of such toxic "remedies" as bloodletting, purging, and blistering to cure the sick.Doctors never washed their hands or sterilized their instruments; if the disease didn't kill the patient, the physician's intervention would probably do the trick.
Very Good
This is a well written and enlightening biography of the great 18th century British physician-scientist John Hunter.Moore has done a real service by bringing Hunter before the reading public.Known largely to historians of medicine as an important figure in the history of surgery, Moore shows Hunter to be definitely that and much more.Hunter is also a remarkable personal story.An expatriate Scot and son of impoverished parents, largely uninterested in formal education as a youth, Hunter became the outstanding anatomist of his time under the tutelage of his older brother William and by virtue of his great natural talents.Similarly, he had relatively little in the way of formal medical education, though given the primitive state of medical theory and practice in his time, this was arguably an advantage.By the end of his life, he was perhaps the preeminent surgeon in Britain, enjoyed an international reputation as a scientist, and inspired a large number of students to pursue his brand of empirical, more scientifically oriented practice and research.Though Hunter's story is in some respects a lurid one, with the reliance on grave robbers for cadavers and the vicious professional rivalries characterizing some of his career, Moore does very well to show the essential nature of these events without letting them overpower the narrative.The most interesting aspect of the book is actually not Hunter's medical accomplishments, though these were very important, but Moore's description of his other achievements.Moore shows Hunter to be a profoundly important teacher who influenced a whole generation of British and American surgeons and physicians including important individuals like Jenner.Hunter's achievements as a biologist, particularly his work in anatomy, comparative anatomy, and what would become physiology, were substantial.Moore makes the good point that Hunter's achievements may have been unappreciated in part because credit for some of his achievements were attributed to his older brother and after John Hunter's death, appear to have been appropriated by his shameless brother-in-law.Hunter appears also to have been at the center of the British Enlightenment.His friendships included a number of notable British intellectuals like the great naturalist Joseph Banks and he was on good terms with individuals like Gibbon and Adam Smith.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1728-1793    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Great Britain    5. Historical - General    6. History    7. History Of Medicine    8. Hunter, John,    9. Medical - General    10. Science    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Surgeons    13. Science / General   

Reviews (3)

Wonderful; couldn't put it down
This book does a wonderful job of bringing the story of the world's first HUMAN heart-transplant to life--and for those of us who might be in the medical field--some insight, down the road, of what must have driven other heart surgeons.Remember, the University of Mississippi's James Hardy?Did you know that he used a Baboon's heart--and implanted it into a human?Later, in the 1980's, did you know Dr. Bailey (Loma Linda) used a baby baboon's heart and put it into "Baby Fae"?Remember this?Heart surgeons have been plagued by the Prima Donna syndrome for years--and justifiably; however, this book UNDOES history's fame on Christan Barnard and makes him out to be a fame-driven, and ultimately, sorrowful individual stripped of his fellowship in the American College of Surgeons--while making the American surgeons (Drs. Shumway, Lower, Stinson, Kantrowitz) the real heroes of the heart transplant.I couldn't put this book down. . .and you won't be able to either.Christian Barnard's greatest achievment to science was NOT the heart transplant:it was his discovery of the cause of intestinal atresia, and the help his work in transplantation led the American's to re-define the definition of death from "heart" death to "brain-dead."The hero of the heart transplant is Richard Lower and Norman Shumway.Simply outstanding reading.

The Great Race
For those who lived through the sixties, the space race was a thrilling and defining endeavor.Few who remember it, however, will have forgotten another race that captured people's imaginations at the same time, the race to get a human heart transplanted.Maybe, like the space race, it was overhyped and exaggerated, but like the space race, the competition was a sensation that had serious aspects and effects on the future.In _Every Second Counts: The Race to Transplant the First Human Heart_ (Putnam), Donald McRae has told an important story, the exciting tale of pioneers competing on the frontiers of medicine, with the losers making lasting contributions and the winner descending into a tragic chaos fueled by fame.
A Medical Page Turner
Many of us remember the news of the first heart transplant, done, of all places, in South Africa.But only those on the inside knew that several physicians were on the brink of reaching this medical mile stone.Donald McRae describes four physicians working diligently toward the first human heart transplant. The efforts, creativity, egos and motivations of these doctors lay the background to this fascinating medical story.It reads like a medical research timeline, interwoven with facts and factoids about the major players involved.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diseases - Heart    5. Heart    6. Heart surgeons    7. History    8. History Of Medicine    9. Medical    10. Medical - General    11. Organ Transplantation    12. Surgery - Thoracic    13. Transplant surgeons    14. Transplantation    15. Biography & Autobiography / Medical   

Reviews (12)

I hope every nurse reads this
I was inspired to become a nurse by stories of the "lady with the lamp" but it took more than 30 years before I found this book and learned just why Florence Nightingale deserved to be my inspiration.The pictures alone are worth the price of this book, and the story too is well told.

Profound and inspiring
Dr. Barbara Dossey, founder of the American Holistic Nursing Association, has written an inspiring and insightful biography of Florence Nightingale that has much to teach us about being bold, tough minded, task oriented, creative, passionate andcompassionate.Nightingale conscientiously developed the strongly focused conceptual, organizational and networking skills that contributed to her formidable accomplishments in the fields of nursing, housing, sanitation and statistics and did it all despite chronic illness, criticism, sexism and other major life challenges.Most of all, we learn that Nightingale was a visionary and mystic, whose life story challenges all of us to know, accept and realize our God-given purpose in this world.

A Most Inspiring Book
I knew of Florence Nightingale's nursing activities before reading this book but had no idea of the extent of her self-discipline, dedication and accomplishments.She was a systems analyst, administrator, networker and mystic who devoted her life to doing God's work.She was also a prolific writer of books, lay reports, pamphlets and thousands of letters.The author provides a wealth of background material describing the historic times and placesassociated with Florence Nightingale. One of the things I appreciated about this book were the many maps and photographs appropriately placed near the text about the person or places. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1820-1910    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. England    7. Medical - General    8. Medical - Nurses    9. Nightingale, Florence,    10. Nurses    11. Nursing (General)    12. Nursing - Management & Leadership    13. Women    14. Biography: political    15. Medical / Nursing / Issues    16. Nursing    17. Social forecasting, futurology    18. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Medical - General    6. Motor Sports    7. Sports - General    8. Transportation    9. Biography: sport    10. Car racing    11. Sports & Recreation / Motor Sports   

Editorial Review

Forensic pathologist Michael Baden was a medicalexaminer in New YorkCity for more than 25 years.Now he works forthe New York State Police and teachesforensic medicine. This engrossing book covers: (1) several famous cases, including Baden's personal re-examination of the autopsy findings forMartin Luther King andJohn F. Kennedy; (2) unusual cases Badenhad as medical examiner for NYC, such as anautopsy on a dining room table at the Plaza Hotel; (3) how medical examiners decide onmeans of death, with a section on poisons; (4) the history of coroners and medicalexaminers since 12th century England;(5) disturbing politics involved in the office ofthe Chief MedicalExaminer of NYC; (6) identification of the dead; (7) time of death; (8)multiple-murder cases; (9) an almost perfect murder; (10) close calls, including neardeaths during sex; (11) cases of mistaken diagnosis; and (12) autopsy findings that shedlight on what happened in the Attica uprising. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

America should always listen to Baden.
This thoughtful and interesting book showed that this medical examiner stands above the others.More people should have listened to his evidence in the O. J. Simpson case. In case after case, his careful examinations brought justice where others had failed. Baden is a giant in hsi profession.

Forensics at its Best
As a loyal CIS fan, Confessions of a Medical Examiner takes the reader into the fascinating and real world of forensic science.What takes 40 minutes to solve on television in reality can take days, weeks, months and sometimes never.
Very good
This book is very good read. It has many Interesting forensic stories. I also recomend Disecting Death.It was recomended by this author and as good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Death & Dying    4. Forensic Medicine    5. Medical - General    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Social Science / Death & Dying    8. True crime   

Reviews (6)

promising book needs some surgery
all of the true stories in this book have promise - they are interesting and thought provoking but unfortunately, the writers never follow through with the outcomes.You meet a patient, find out their problem - usually involving some sort of dillema for the dr. - they make their point but the outcome is left out.Did the patient die?They never say. (even a brief update after the essay would make a difference).
A gift
Getting to understand someone else's point of view is always wonderful. This book helped me imagine what it is like to be given a gift to heal and then have to learn what that means in real life. This book is not just for medical minded people but for everyone as the lessons these students learn can be applied to all of our lives/works. If nothing else, I am thankful for my health and all the doctors/nurses in my life.
A unique and intimate look into the experiences of physicians-in-training
If you ever wondered what it feels like to become a physician, I would highly recommend reading this book. Not designed to be entertaining but is instead an intimate look into the real life experiences of young and idealistic medical students as they move from the classroom to encounter the realities of patient care and the limitations of the health care system. These are very powerful and human stories, sometimes disturbing andheartwrenching and other times more positive. It's hard to imagine anyone reading this book and not be profoundly moved. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Boston    7. Massachusetts    8. Medical - General    9. Medical students    10. Medicine    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Study and teaching    13. BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Personal Memoirs    14. Biography & Autobiography / Medical   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cataract    6. Great Britain    7. History    8. Intraocular lenses    9. Medical - General    10. Ophthalmologists    11. Surgery    12. Biography & Autobiography / Medical    13. Biography: general    14. History of medicine    15. Ophthalmology   

Reviews (47)

An interesting peek into small-town life, but don't read it while you're eating
You know that small, faded town you pass through on your way to Somewhere Else? These are the folks who live there. Having grown up in New Auburn, Wisconsin, but moving away to make his way in the world, writer Michael Perry returns home some years later and joins the local fire department as a way of reconnecting with his community. In the book he alternates between relating his experiences as a small-town volunteer firefighter and first-responder and giving fleeting glimpses into the lives and personalities of some of his teammates and fellow residents. The detailed emergency calls were fun to read about, but more than once I made the mistake of reading while having lunch! I generally don't pick up many non-fiction books, but I read this as part of the "Eden Prairie Reads" community program (www.epreads.org).

fabulous book I have given to friends
I have passed this book along to many and recommended it to even more- it is well written, interesting and touching.The author is an EMT in his small town of New Auburn WI- pop 485 and the town's folk - his neighbors and friends -are portrayed with true warmth and humor. There are passages in this book that are so evocative of the human experience I cried - and so did my husband who read it upon my recommendation.It was passed to me a friend and I have given a number of copies and have to keep buying one "for myself."Well worth the time and money- a little gem of a book.

Perry = an approachable volunteer and wordsmith
This was an excellent read, by all accounts.The author's ability to articulately convey time, imagery, flavor, and life was superb.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century American Prose    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Medical - General    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Special Interest - Adventure    7. Travel    8. Travel / Adventure