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aprivateislander's review
5.0
As much about the changing of New York over the centuries as it is about the progression of American medicine and it's most famous hospital. Could have easily been a very dull topic, but Mr. Oshinsky has the kinda narrator voice where it feels more like someone is telling you a story full of characters and action instead of a textbook. Would definitely recommend!
aneides's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting, if a bit scattershot. This is largely a book about the history of disease and healthcare--especially in New York City... but I suppose one cannot tell the story of Bellevue without painting the larger picture. An awful lot of the book seemed to be about how the medical profession has historically been disdainful of practitioners that are not male WASPs. Infuriating but a bit reassuring: one must be periodically reminded that as shitty as the world is today, a lot of prejudices and limitations have eased.
Oshinsky does make a few mistakes that I caught so I wonder how many I did not catch.
Oshinsky does make a few mistakes that I caught so I wonder how many I did not catch.
val_halla's review
3.0
I checked this book out because I was hoping to learn more about how Bellevue became a notorious psychiatric institution, but instead got a pedantic, if thorough, history of the hospital. I can't imagine this book would be interesting to anyone who doesn't literally work at Bellevue.
murkymaster's review
5.0
DNF, but only because it was so good, so descriptive, so emotionally touching, that the aids chapter made me nearly faint. While listening to the book in the car. On the highway at 75 mph. I'll finish it later, probably in bed.
cmdaniels7's review
5.0
Interesting facts , regarding AIDS and lack of security that leads todays security in hospitals
jfresne's review
5.0
This is a great history of medicine in New York. It's nonfiction but reads like historical fiction. It's a fascinating story that takes the reader from when Bellevue was a house for the alms all the way through hurricane Sandy.
bjackrian's review
5.0
An excellent and thorough history of the hospital, placing it in context with New York City and the history of medicine. Should be required reading for anyone interested in American medical history.