The Citadel Paperback – November 30, 1983

I found out about the book while working as a physician in Paraguay. My girlfriend at the time gave me a copy as a gift. Several other physicians in the Hospital that I worked in recommended the book. Although it is set long ago, the story reads true today. It portrays a physician beginning his road after medical school. Konrad is very good in his emotional details and this book is no exception.The book is one of redemption, but at a high sacrifice. It is also a good book to understand the difference between the British Medical System and our own. If one is a student of Bioethics, it can serve to help with understanding of how the British Medical System advanced in their views in regards to Physician Duties including those to the patient.In my opinion, The Citadel should be required reading in Medical Schools and Bioethics courses. Using Konrad's writing school some difficult ideas our much easier to understand. It truth it is the story of every Physician who practices medicine to help his patients, and is not deterred by inconvenience. Finally, anyone who is marrying a physician can learn how it used to be. Unfortunately, most physicians are technicians who treat the patient in only a semi-personal matter, so most of the marital conflict may not occur today.During my 26 years of medical practice I turned to the book every few years to once again step in another time where a physician experiences the same problems as I did every day. I can longer read the book as it is too much for me to read the best book concerning my profession when I cannot, secondary to health reasons, practice medicine.One of the top 3 books I have ever read.

I picked up this book because it was mentioned in my great-grandmother's diary from 1941. Written in the 30s, it tells the tale of a young Scottish doctor in the 20s, as he goes from a small-town doctor in a rough situation to a well-paid London doctor with a fancy office.The story's written with intelligence, as the doctor ponders various ways to deal with the bureaucracy he faces. He deals with incompetent doctors, old doctors that have no desire to learn new treatments, young doctors more concerned with money and prestige than patient care.And, as he gets absorbed into the system, the doctor begins to be lured in by the money. He starts to prescribe the 'easy' solution to patients, even if it's not the right answer, so that they're happy and he gets more cash. He does finally realize, in the end, that working for the patients is more important than gaining lots of cash, but only after some hard lessons.I have a few small complaints with the story. One is that the wife could have been a really interesting character, but she's a little flat. She is sad when he becomes money-hungry, and draws back, but that's it. She was a schoolteacher when he met her, and it's made clear that she's very intelligent. But still she just sort of goes along with him, making his meals, wishing things could be better, but far be it for her to actually help out. She tries to get his friends to see him one night to bring back his old ways, but when that fails, "ah well".My other complaint is that he slides far too easy from a passionate patient-first attitude into a "cash is nice" mentality. But that was necessary for the plot to progress.Definitely a great book to read to learn about life in the 20s to 40s, from the small towns of Wales to the busy streets of London. Interesting details about the damage that mines caused to the lungs of the mineworkers, and the ways that doctors worked with each other and treated their patients. A great read!

This is a story that should probably be recommended reading in college, especially for pre-med students. The book tells the story of a young doctor that starts his career with such idealism and noble intent. As life moves forward, he finds himself pursuing money and success instead. His scruples are comprised. Interestingly, the first step on that road of comprises is made in pride. Dr. Manson haughtily departs a town in an offense to his character and intent. Ultimately, he finds himself doing the very things that caused him such anger in his early practice days.Dr. Manson is not a character that is likeable, even in his noble days. However, as his goals, insecurities, etc. so closely mirror that of humanity, he is a worthy character to know. How many of us have been shifted from our original intent? What relationships have we bruised in the process? What are the consequences that we will regret in the days to come? It is nice to have answers to these questions for a fictional character. One can follow his trajectory and take stock of one's own choices and drive.This book was first published in 1937, and I can say that the vocabulary used in those days was more robust than today. I have many new starred words in my bedside dictionary. Don't let that be a deterrent, new words can be such fun.For those that enjoy old movies, I am told this was made as a movie with Robert Donat as its lead. I have not seen it, but I will be watching for it on TCM. I hope that the movie shows his moral decay, followed by his redemption. The movie would be a bit dark and disheartening without the return of his nobility at its end.