A Life in Medicine: A Literary Anthology

Whenever I see a book with Robert Coles name on it I know it will be worthwhile to read. Coles served as one of several editors of A Life in Medicine: A Literary Anthology and the selections within are outstanding. They include poems, essays, short stories, and excerpts from longer works. The authors range from those working in the field (nurses, medical students, midwives, and physicians) to those not commonly associated with the field (e.g., Raymond Carver).The book is thought provoking and emphasizes how we are all connected to the process of life and death. As a physician (with writing as an avocation) I thought it offered a wonderful look at the many facets of medical care and those that deliver it.This book would be a wonderful gift for anyone in the profession but can be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the human condition.

Great book. Made up of poignant short stories each within separate themes. Bought one for myself (I am an Internist and have been a patient with a "rare disease" - not fun) and one for my son who will begin medical school this coming summer. Spot on. I recommend it for all who are in or are contemplating going into Medicine.

I liked that it had a lot of short stories and poems in that related to nurses and their work and some were even written by nursing or someone from the medical profession.

needed the book for school really enjoyed it.

For a very cheap price, the appearance/quality of the book is more than what we expected since its already used......😊

order for college courses, served its purpose, quick received and in stated shape, easy way to get required textbooks at lower cost

My rather on-and-off-again interest in medical and health issues prompted me to pick this up when I saw it in the library. It's a wonderful collection of essays, poetry and stories by professionals and "laymen" alike, on the mysteries and challenges of medicine. I especially enjoyed the fiction selections, from the story of a woman who hypnotizes the doctor after a dehumanizing and personal exam, from the terror of the doctor who gets stuck with an AIDS patient's needle, to the perversion of all medical ideals in the euthanasia programs of WWII, I found the stories and essays fascinating and almost disturbingly real. You can pick and choose what you like--I'm not much for poetry, but lingered over "The Good Doctor," about the seamier side of the long-standing hierarchical structure in medicine. I highly recommend this anthology.

A fine anthology with a good range of pieces. The introduction is rather clunky, but the arrangement of excerpts is sound. This book would be useful for medics interested in literature or students of literature interested in exploring sickness and wellness, doctors and patients.