Stories of life, death and brain surgery henry marsh what is it really like to be a brain surgeon, to hold someones life in your hands, to drill down into the stuff that creates thought, feeling and reason. Marshs brilliant memoir takes a scalpel to the nhss bumbling bureaucracy. How to save the nhs by five bestselling medical memoirists. After 35 years of working as a neurosurgeon marsh eloquently agrees. Its no surprise to discover in admissions that one of the first books marsh read as a child was. Marshs eloquent book is among many other things a testament to the tenacity of the human spirit. A surprising pageturner, do no harm is british neurosurgeon henry marshs. He spent a year in africa teaching as a volunteer, and then studied politics, economics, and philosophy at the university of. Life as a brain surgeon seems to reflect this interest whereas this first book do no harm focuses more on his learning and life experiences as a brain surgeon set against the frustrations of working within the ever under pressure national health service. Life as a brain surg eon, marsh recounts fascinating and often heartbreaking stories of the practice of medicine in his home country of england as well as around the world, and of the challenges facing medical care, patients and their physicians. Stories of life, death and brain surgery henry marsh.
But there are plenty of others for instance, the mechanical, material side of being, that we also are wire and strings that can be fixed. And you are moved to tears by reading this book, he said. Henry marsh is a remarkable character and his tales of life as a brain surgeon illistrate that the world would be a poorer place without his presence. I often cut into the brain and it is something i hate doing. The terrible beauty of brain surgery the new york times. Stories of life, death, and brain surgery by henry marsh. Looking at a famous kozak painting on his wall at home igor exclaims that kozaks are the heroes of ukraineand a brain surgeon is just like a kozak. It is not brilliantly written but it is a true account, of one mans life work. It provides the background to his views and is a starkly honest reflection of his time as a brain surgeon the successes and the failures. In his memoir do no harm, henry marsh confesses to the uncertainties hes dealt with as a surgeon, revisits his triumphs and failures and reflects on the enigmas of the brain and consciousness. While followups to exceptional first books have a spotty record, readers who open marshs sophomore effort will quickly realize that they are in the hands of a master.
Mar 22, 2014 in the first sentence of the first chapter of this book, henry marsh, a consultant brain surgeon, says, i often cut into the brain and it is something i hate doing. Perhaps appropriately for britains preeminent brain surgeon, we start the tour of henry marsh s south london house at the top. Brain surgeon henry marshs first book, do no harm, was one of my favorite reads of 2015. Surgeon backs good death plans and reveals his own henry marsh says he is a deep believer in euthanasia and urged the uk to follow the example of countries and legalise assisted dying. Do no harm is a brilliant read for anyone remotely interested in brain science. The book will force you to think of neurosurgeons as normal human beings, who despite their best intentions, can sometimes screw up.
Henry thomas marsh cbe frcs born 5 march 1950 is a leading english neurosurgeon, and. I would love to think that the political neglect of the nhs. The 65yearold is one of the top neurosurgeons in the uk and author of the bestselling book, do no harm. Much of the spiritual brain is an argument against materialist and evolutionary psychology, and the supposition that there is a gene or god spot in the brain responsible for mystical experiences. Henry marsh studied medicine at the royal free hospital in london, became a fellow of the royal college of surgeons in 1984 and was appointed consultant neurosurgeon at atkinson morleysst georges hospital in london in 1987. David camerons favourite surgeon henry marsh tells him. His work is fascinating, his take on the bureaucracy of the british medical system is also fascinating, and even when i dont like marsh very much mainly because i dont like doctors i find most of his honesty refreshing.
A neurosurgeon reflects on the awe and mystery of the brain. May 26, 2017 neurosurgeon henry marsh talks about life and its fragility. With compassion and candor, leading neurosurgeon henry marsh reveals the fierce joy of operating, the profoundly moving triumphs, the harrowing disasters, the haunting regrets and the moments of black humor that characterize a brain surgeons life. Neurosurgeon henry marsh deans lecture series 2019. The maverick is back, even more blunt and irascible, with tales of thrilling, highwire operations at medicines unconquered frontier, woven through with personal memoirmarsh in full spate is quite magnificenta master of tarblack, deadpan humor. His favourite selection was better not look down by b.
In this searing and provocative memoir following his retirement from the nhs, he reflects on the experiences that have shaped his career and life, gaining a deeper understanding of what matters to us all in the end. The acclaimed neurosurgeon exudes humility in this fine second memoir, which sees his retirement after 40 years in medicine. A new york times bestseller shortlisted for both the guardian first book prize and the costa book award longlisted for the samuel johnson prize for nonfiction a finalist for the pol roger duff cooper prize a finalist for the wellcome book prize a financial times best book of. Admissions is a humbling read, in which neurosurgeon henry marsh shares. A life in brain surgery and over 8 million other books are available for. Shots health news in his memoir do no harm, henry marsh confesses to the uncertainties hes dealt with as a surgeon.
Neurosurgeon henry marsh talks about life and its fragility. With each chapter named after a different and terrible thing that can go wrong with these miracle devices we call our brains and our bodies, he delivers anecdote after anecdote of actual cases if youre a hypochondriac, steer clear. Marsh has a beautiful narration style which makes this difficult subject very accessible. The crux of the english surgeon is the story of tanya, a young ukrainian girl whose tumour was the largest marsh had ever seen. I cant say i liked the author, because he seems like the sort of doctor surgeon person i wouldnt much like if i met him although if i needed him to fix a brain tumor, aneurysm, or other brain or spine problem i would be glad to see him. But its also one of the best books ive ever read about how obsession works. Marsh would become one of britains foremost neurosurgeons, and in this unflinching book, do no harm, he gives us an extraordinarily intimate, compassionate and sometimes frightening. Another wonderful book by elly on 100817 sample admissions. Marsh writes well, with great candor, and i won an arc of this book in a goodreads giveaway.
This was a prominent theme in marshs last book, and readers may have a sense. Delve deeper into the english surgeon a film by geoffrey smith this multimedia resource list, compiled by shaun briley of the san diego public library, includes books, films and other materials related to the issues presented in the film the english surgeon. Admissions is an honest memoir that gracefully weaves through henry marshs myriad experiences as a neurosurgeon, son and inhabitant of this planet the book begins with marsh who is on the cusp of retirement inspecting an isolated cabin in oxford, england, where he plans on setting up a woodworking shop to distract his soontobe idle hands. Stories of life, death and brain surgery by henry marsh reveals all of this, in the midst of lifethreatening situations, and thats one reason to read it. While his triumphs are uplifting, equally revealing are the errors of judgment, one of which left a young cyclist paralyzed.
He operated on her once for 10 hours, then again for 12 hours, paid. A retired british neurosurgeon delivers the followup to his wellreceived debut memoir, do no harm. Jun 02, 2017 admissions by henry marsh a surgeons story. Henry marsh, an acclaimed and outspoken british neurosurgeon who has authored books including admissions. Admissions serves as a sort of sequel, recording marshs last few weeks at his london hospital and the projects that have driven him during his first years of retirement. Stories of life, death and brain surgery book online at best prices in india on. Every day, henry marsh must make agonising decisions, often in the face of great urgency and uncertainty. When his son, william, was three months old, he underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour. From the bbc documentary, the english surgeon, featuring dr. In this compelling personal perspective, dr henry marsh, nhs uk neurosurgeon and best selling book author do no harm reflects on his career and perceptua. Henry marsh is a british brain surgeon and a writer with a clear, straightforward style not only his diction, but his personality. Aneurysms are fragile blowouts only a few millimeters wide, growing off the major cerebral arteries. If you believe that brain surgery is a precise and exquisite craft, practised by calm and detached surgeons, this gripping, brutally honest account will make you think again. Browse henry marsh s bestselling audiobooks and newest titles.
What is it like to have power over life and death, and yet to struggle. They can rupture without warning, causing death or a major stroke. After 40 years exploring brains, britains top neurosurgeon. And then i thought of something marsh put in his book, a quote from the french physician rene leriche that begins. Stories of life, death and brain surgery published in 2014.
A middleaged man has a tumour of the pineal gland, which means a very tricky operation. He looks back upon his 40 year career as a brain surgeon and ruminates on modern medicine and the nature of life with brutal frankness and profound insight. The writing style is as though you are shaddowing him throught his hospital tasks, his lifes own traumas and untimately his own concience and humane view of his patients frailties. He caught his first glimpse of a brain surgeon in action through the porthole door of. Henry marsh is a british brain surgeon whose humanity and talent with power. Browse audiobooks written by henry marsh sorted by best. His reflections and recollections make admissions an even more introspective memoir than his first, if such a thing is possible. Marshs first book, a bestseller, was widely acclaimed. Dox 2008, directors guild of america 2009 and nominated and won an emmy award for news and documentaries in 2010. Stories of life, death, and brain surgery, by henry marsh, i thought, yeah, im going to read that. Leading brain surgeon henry marsh pictured has accused the prime minister of fomenting a permanent revolution in the nhs which is. Henry marsh is disgusted and fascinated by the brain. I would love to think that the political neglect of the nhs will become a thing of the past, albeit at the price of. Henry marsh is an english author of memoir and nonfiction books and a leading neurosurgeon and also spearheaded ukraines neurosurgical advances.
We cant all be neurosurgeons like henry marsh, but its. Henry marsh is indeed a brain surgeon presumably retired by now, and this is actually his second volume of memoirs do no harm was the first. His mother came to england as a political refugee from nazi. Brain surgeon henry marshs first book, do no harm, was one of my favorite reads. Anyone who enjoyed the 2014 bestseller do no harm by the brain surgeon henry marsh, a friend of westabys, will relish fragile lives, too. The thrill of cutting into a human brain the spectator. Feb 09, 2017 the book is a cracking example of a thriving subgenre of autobiography, the medical memoir. Doctor and acclaimed author henry marsh had worked in kiev for more than 20 years then found himself in the middle of a revolution. Marsh, who had only been qualified as a doctor for four months, could only watch as a surgeon at great. The 2017 national book critics circle nbcc finalist, international bestseller, and a kirkus best nonfiction book of 2017.
The brain surgeon henry marsh s second memoir, admissions, is a wandering and ruminative trek through the doctors anxieties and private shames. A life in brain surgery, followed in 2017 and a third memoir less medical, more philosophical is under way. Life as a brain surgeon ebook ebook description henry marsh has spent a lifetime operating on the surgical front line. A surgeon not afraid to face his mistakes, in and out of. Mar 08, 2014 brain surgery was an arcane and secretive specialism when henry marsh was a medical student in the seventies. Actually, this happens quite frequently in politics too. While followups to exceptional first books have a spotty record, readers who open marsh s sophomore effort will quickly realize.
Admissions is a humbling read, in which neurosurgeon henry marsh shares fascinating facts learnt during his 40year career as a brain surgeon. Devoted to his patients, he has to work within the logistical and political constraints such a maverick career choice presents him with. Brain surgeon henry marsh tells of triumphs, failures in. Nov 18, 2014 the 2014 costa book awards shortlist includes henry marsh s account of life as a brain surgeon henry marsh, an outspoken neurosurgeon, is a contender for the costa book award photo. Sep 28, 2018 henry marsh is a neurosurgeon, who pioneered a technique of operating on the brain while the patient is under local anaesthetic. On the road with brain surgeon henry marsh ukraine style. What is it really like to be a brain surgeon, to hold someones life in your hands, to drill down into the stuff that creates thought, feeling and reason. Books about brain surgery are not usually bestsellers. Marsh was the castaway on bbc radio 4s longrunning desert island discs in september 2018. The book details the authors career as a neurosurgeon.
Marsh candidly runs through a list of his disasters in this book headstones in that cemetery which the french surgeon leriche once said all surgeons carry within themselves. Sep 11, 2017 this informative book describes the working life of a talented brain surgeon. Books about brain surgery what should i read next register for free to build your own book lists. Marsh, who lives between london and oxford with his. Marsh has retired, which means hes taking a thorough inventory of his life. Later he read politics, philosophy and economics at university college, oxford university, achieving first class honours, before. Marsh read politics, philosophy and economics at oxford university before.
A leading neurosurgeon reveals the fierce joy of operating, the profoundly moving triumphs, the harrowing disasters, the haunting regrets, and the moments of black humor that characterize a brain surgeon s life. Up to 20 books are listed, in descending order of popularity at this site. He has been the subject of two documentary films, your life in their hands. Life as a brain surgeon by henry marsh henry marsh is a superb surgeon and writer, but what drove me to instantly reading his second book, following the stellar do. Surgeon backs good death plans and reveals his own the.
The brain surgeon henry marshs second memoir, admissions, is a wandering and. Jan 04, 2015 voices comment we cant all be neurosurgeons like henry marsh, but its worth listening to someone who is. Life as a brain surgeon ebook written by henry marsh. So i bought henry marsh s do no harm, devoured it in two days and now understand all those eulogies for the veteran neurosurgeon. Mar 27, 2020 ft business book of the year a lockdown reading list.
795 1273 897 459 621 910 26 146 535 171 1300 1225 613 808 392 788 1123 493 1273 478 841 511 1333 1069 944 1532 810 983 951 1234 830 998 1405 1320