Fragile Lives
Books | Biography & Autobiography / Medical (incl. Patients)
4.5
Stephen Westaby
SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA BIOGRAPHY PRIZE THE SUNDAY TIMES NO.2 BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE BMA PRESIDENT'S AWARD 2017 An incredible memoir from one of the world's most eminent heart surgeons, recalling some of the most remarkable and poignant cases he's worked on. Grim Reaper sits on the heart surgeon's shoulder. A slip of the hand and life ebbs away. The balance between life and death is so delicate, and the heart surgeon walks that rope between the two. In the operating room there is no time for doubt. It is flesh, blood, rib-retractors and pumping the vital organ with your bare hand to squeeze the life back into it. An off-day can have dire consequences - this job has a steep learning curve, and the cost is measured in human life. Cardiac surgery is not for the faint of heart. Professor Stephen Westaby took chances and pushed the boundaries of heart surgery. He saved hundreds of lives over the course of a thirty-five year career and now, in his astounding memoir, Westaby details some of his most remarkable and poignant cases - such as the baby who had suffered multiple heart attacks by six months old, a woman who lived the nightmare of locked-in syndrome, and a man whose life was powered by a battery for eight years. A powerful, important and incredibly moving book, Fragile Lives offers an exceptional insight into the exhilarating and sometimes tragic world of heart surgery, and how it feels to hold someone's life in your hands.
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Author
Stephen Westaby
Pages
320
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Published Date
2018-01-11
ISBN
0008196788 9780008196783
Community ReviewsSee all
"Fragile Lives is a raw emotional read that makes your heart bleed and feel all emotions. The author put her heart and soul into this book. Here is how. I know; I cried one too many times, leaving me with a major book hangover. <br/><br/>This review may be all over the place since I’m still emotional. <br/><br/>Since Haunted Hearts and reading part of Archie’s story, I have always wondered more about him. Besides the mask, he puts on. When the author announced his book, I Was giddy as a schoolgirl. I knew he was going to be my kind dirty. To say I’m obsessed with all things Archie is an understatement. <br/><br/>Leila is intuitive and wise beyond her years. She finds herself helping a stranger in one of his dark moments. she later finds out he is her brother’s best friend, Archie. The chemistry between the two is instant and intense. <br/><br/>Their journey is beautifully broken, spicy, and a tear jerkier. While writing this review, I’m choking up and trying not to cry. It’s a nice pleasant surprise how the author wrote Leila. Without spoilers, Archie is the one to worry about in more ways than one. A bonus is she is a take-charge kind of woman. Loved it! <br/><br/>Words alone can’t express how happy I am that I found this author. I have never been so invested in a series before."
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Crystal Bell