Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The book that made me what I am, September 21, 2003
This review is from: The Making of a Surgeon (Paperback)
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.
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic!, August 2, 2003
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.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great medical book, February 3, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: The Making of a Surgeon (Paperback)
I thought this was one of the best medical books I've read. The book was somewhat outdated though in its reference to surgical procedures and residency, but that also makes you appreciate the advancement of surgery over the last 30 years. I didn't really pay attention to how old the book was though, as the main point was Dr. Nolen's maturation from a clueless intern into a competent surgeon. He describes many different facets of surgical training from the first appendectomy to life outside of the hospital. I believe Dr. Nolen wrote an excellent book and meticulously gives a full perspective into the life a surgical resident. I enjoyed his writing style, which was very clear and straight forward. I think this book is a must read for anyone considering a surgical career.
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