The Making of a Surgeon

Rating:
Summary: A great medical book
Review: A bit dated, but a truly gripping picture of a surgery residency in Bellevue. It captures much of the frustration and much of the idealism inherent in medicine, and it is a fascinating read. I'm very glad to see it is still in print. I have a tattered paperback that must be over 20 years old, and it's good to know that people are still buying and reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: A Classic!
Review: As a soon-to-be medical school graduate, I was guided to this book by one of my professors. And, when I started reading it, I just couldn't put the book down! What I loved about it was how straightforward, clear, and unpretentious William Nolen is about his experiences all throughout his training, which began as a medical student and ended as a surgeon. Moreover, the book is a time capsule of sorts. It contains a clear description of the tasks (e.g. suction pipetting by mouth) and diseases (e.g. tetanus) that residents performed and diagnosed in the 1950s, many of which are no longer commonly done or seen. Also, Nolen's classic description of New York City in the 1950s is genuine and rich in history (if you're willing to look up the history behind some of the places -- such as Luchow's Restaurant -- that he alludes to in his book). Overall, I think it is superbly written, and a must-read for anyone interested in surgery, great writing, or both.

Rating:
Summary: Overrated and quietly arrogant
Review: I know that many find this book to be very special and I freely admit the writing style is engaging. That being said, the reader is left with the distinct impression that there is more work to becoming a surgeon than any other profession in the world, especially medical profession. I'm not an M.D. myself, but this book is a slap in the face to any family physician, pediatrician, or cardiologist, who have their own unique sets of pressures that a surgeon couldn't possibly understand. The Making of a Surgeon contributes to the public perception that a surgeon is a higher ranking physician than a primary care doctor. I commend the surgeon that treated a problem I had, and certainly appreciate it. But when it comes to followup, listening to me, and on a scientific level, balancing out all of my medical problems and history, there is nobody that works harder and puts in more time than my family doctor.

Rating:
Summary: Overrated and quietly arrogant
Review: I know that many find this book to be very special and I freely admit the writing style is engaging. That being said, the reader is left with the distinct impression that there is more work to becoming a surgeon than any other profession in the world, especially medical profession. I'm not an M.D. myself, but this book is a slap in the face to any family physician, pediatrician, or cardiologist, who have their own unique sets of pressures that a surgeon couldn't possibly understand. The Making of a Surgeon contributes to the public perception that a surgeon is a higher ranking physician than a primary care doctor. I commend the surgeon that treated a problem I had, and certainly appreciate it. But when it comes to followup, listening to me, and on a scientific level, balancing out all of my medical problems and history, there is nobody that works harder and puts in more time than my family doctor.

Rating:
Summary: Great book throughout the years!
Review: I read this book many years ago and still recall many things from it today. The book is well written and documents first-hand experience beginning as an intern in Bellvue Hospital. One can picture oneself accompanying William Nolen on his rounds and facing many dilemas both medically, politically and physically. I understand that today we face a declining number of medical students who choose to go into surgery whether due to demographics, creature comforts or whatever. This book "tells it like it is" from the point of view of an individual thinker who doesn't mind "rocking the boat", a la the current book "Heart Frauds" by Dr. Charles McGee.

In summary, a very enjoyable read that brings us "behind the scenes".

Rating:
Summary: The book that made me what I am
Review: I wanted to be a doctor; more I wanted to be a surgeon. In 1960's Houston, however, boys from public schools and working class families did not get ANY encouragement. One day, purely by accident (literally a draw from a hat) I was assigned to read The Making of a Surgeon. When I closed the book, I knew that I would someday make it. Why?

The central lesson of the book was that the best surgery residents were those that got up at night and actually saw patients. Dr. Nolen made it clear that surgery residency was primarily a matter of attention, compassion, and work. Not brilliance, not political connections, not a long family history in medicine. A real revelation for a small town Texas boy. I mean, I could work!

Some of the procedures are technically dated, and some diseases are hardly seen now, but the face of surgery residency in New Orleans in 1988 was remarkably similar to that in the New York of Dr. Nolen's book. The style is conversational and engaging. The only real regret is that Dr. Nolen will not be writing any more.

Should be required for every child that thinks they can't possibly be a surgeon.