This Ain't E.R.: A Heart Surgeon's Struggle to Keep the Faith

Rating:
Summary: This is toilet paper
Review: I found myself laughing at what amounts to a surgical resident with a godzilla ego. I can't believe that someone who is entrusted with protecting and saving lives can make such fun of the very people he is charged with helping. If I were one of these patients and read this scrambled mess, I would hire an attorney for slander and malpractice. I only hope that he never passed his boards and if he did, practices in a state far from mine....you're the type of ass that gives doctors a bad name.

Rating:
Summary: Some clarification continues
Review: I thought the writting was accurate, but, could have used some better editing. As a close to finishing Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellow myself, I enjoyed the premise, theme, and characterizations. But, as others have stated, UAB is not among the best General Surgery Residencies, and Emory is not among the best or busiest Cardiothoracic Surgery Residencies. Perhaps each is among the most "malignant."
This is not a good book for those considering a career in medicine...This IS a good book for those considering a career in surgery. CT surgeons are a very minute population, and it wouldn't be wise to take Murrah's experiences as generalities when a far greater majority of medical society has a different mindset, and different training philosophy.

Rating:
Summary: Some clarification continues
Review: If you work went to school or work at Bayview General (as I do) then it is a definite buy and read. His description of the characters is amusing. After you read it you will certainly have a new perception of arrogance at its highest level. There are a lot of people in a lot of specialties who work hard and try to put the patient first. Tell us once and get on with the story. If you are not familiar with Bayview I don't think you would enjoy it nearly as much, and remember, this is one person's (very biased) view.

Rating:
Summary: this ain't good writing
Review: If you work went to school or work at Bayview General (as I do) then it is a definite buy and read. His description of the characters is amusing. After you read it you will certainly have a new perception of arrogance at its highest level. There are a lot of people in a lot of specialties who work hard and try to put the patient first. Tell us once and get on with the story. If you are not familiar with Bayview I don't think you would enjoy it nearly as much, and remember, this is one person's (very biased) view.

Rating:
Summary: A thoughtful, honest depiction of the trials of medicine
Review: In my opinion, this is the reason that I read books. In this book, the author has not only given us a glimse at the emotional and mentally draining ride that he indured to fullfill his dream of becoming a heart surgeon, but by writing his thoughts as they happened, you feel and see exactly what he wants you to see, and that is my definition of a good book and the highest praise I can think of for a book. As opposed to some books in this field, the author has used this book as a mental release just as much as a depiction of what he went through, and in doing so the reader gets as raw and honest an image of his experience as possible. One of the many things that I enjoyed was that you get to see what type of person the author was before,during,and after this transformation. For me personally, as a person contemplating a career in medicine, it not only gave me feedback as to what it takes academically, and the physical work riggors that are involved, but it also showed me what it takes mentally to become one of select few to do this job and do it well. I also found it quite inspirational to see someone with the ethics and morals that he posseses, and the drive to see his career through, all the while holding onto these beliefs, as well as a family. In short, this book is perfect for anyone thinking of a career in medicine, or for someone already in the field who needs a reminder of why they are doing this noble profession.

Rating:
Summary: There is no need to read this book
Review: This book has multiple problems. First and foremost, the writing is poor. Second, Murrah beats the reader over the head with his premise that this story is more "true" and "real" than other books on the same topic, because he supposedly wrote it as he went along in training. Unfortunately, those episodes are presented in brief passages he drew from his notes. The majority of the book is retrospective commentary on what he was thinking at the time- something for which he criticizes other authors. Further, his arrogance grows tiresome early- just because you're a liberal doesn't make you better than everyone else, Murrah. Also, UAB is not a good surgery program, Emory is not the best CV program around, and your wife is not "hot" as you mention several times. I get the feeling throughout that Murrah has to keep telling himself these things to justify his choices in life. In the end, Murrah is just another one of the 140 + residents who complete cardiothoracic training in this country each year. There is nothing of value in the pages he has put forth here.

Rating:
Summary: There is no need to read this book
Review: This book has multiple problems. First and foremost, the writing is poor. Second, Murrah beats the reader over the head with his premise that this story is more "true" and "real" than other books on the same topic, because he supposedly wrote it as he went along in training. Unfortunately, those episodes are presented in brief passages he drew from his notes. The majority of the book is retrospective commentary on what he was thinking at the time- something for which he criticizes other authors. Further, his arrogance grows tiresome early- just because you're a liberal doesn't make you better than everyone else, Murrah. Also, UAB is not a good surgery program, Emory is not the best CV program around, and your wife is not "hot" as you mention several times. I get the feeling throughout that Murrah has to keep telling himself these things to justify his choices in life. In the end, Murrah is just another one of the 140 + residents who complete cardiothoracic training in this country each year. There is nothing of value in the pages he has put forth here.