If I wasn't afraid of my doctor before, I certainly am now
921150
This is my first Michael Palmer book, and on the whole I really liked it. I read a lot of thrillers, and I would say this one was definitely above average.

As a "medical shocker" - 5 stars. The best part of this book is that it is seriously creepy and disturbing. I don't know much about organ theft, but the organization described in this book seemed completely plausible. We've all had blood drawn at some time in our lives, and the thought of that innocent sample being used against me is horrific. This book raises all kinds of ethical questions, which I found really interesting, and the fact that it *could* happen was really disturbing. Solid 5 stars for being far more than mindless entertainment.

As a "thriller" - 3 stars. The biggest drawback is that the plot is extremely predictable. The twists and shockers were obvious from the start, making the big 'Scooby Doo' reveal at the end laughable. However, the plot was entertaining - even the bits that were clearly far-fetched. It managed to keep my attention throughout, and I was never bored.

As a "novel" - 3.5 stars. The book is well written, with a minimal amount of cheesy dialogue. The characters were fairly well-developed, and overall I found the book very readable. However - the personality change in one of the main characters ("Natalie") towards the end was a little annoying. For 450 pages she is tough and smart, but also very cold and standoffish. Then it's almost as if the author thought, "Whoops - forgot the token romance" - and crammed one in at the 11th hour. Natalie's character does an about-face and suddenly becomes warm, caring, and almost a flirt. It was just too abrupt of a change for me, and put a damper on the last 50 pages.

But as far as medical thrillers go, I'd put this well above almost all of Robin Cook's books (and I've read almost all of those too). This book earned a place in my little library, and I will definitely be reading Palmer's other books as well.
575448
I may not get back in the saddle, but Mrenda Bates has at least helped me to understand my fears.
4582021
It's nice to know that what I've been preaching all of these years has so much evidence to back it up by doctors.
1082018
I enjoyed reading Dr. Berkson's book and about all the challenges he faced as a new doctor. Soon to be a new doctor myself, I love his work and want to follow his protocol.
4294347
Doctor was not happy with my test results last time to doctor.  So I saw this book and thought I would try it.  Loving it!
4727636
The first thing you notice when you enter Dr Rahimi's office is how warm a friendly it feels,the girls at the front desk are responsible for this. Then you're greeted with "Hello Hello" when Dr. enters your room, now you are COMFORTABLE.
I have been a patient of Dr. Rahami's for over ten years and one of the things that impressed me most is what a good Dr.he is, always cuatious a caring, not letting me jump into procedures I did not need.
With his guidence we have chosen a series of laser and peels that haven taken years off my looks without long downtime.
I trust him implicitly, my face is his.
Sincerely,
Signe Johnson-West Hollywood Ca
2465166
Eye-opening and inspiring. Will make me a better physician
4442523
If what Dr. Murphy is sharing with me is true, I am in for some B-I-G changes in my life. Thanks!
1362422
I am thoroughly enjoying this so far and I find it easy to apply the principals to myself and my patients.
1995561
Good to know that young inexperienced doctors are trying their best to overcome their fears etc of treating patients and handling problems. They write honestly about the learning curve to being a capable and good doctor. I found this book to be uplifting about the medical profession
769787
I loved this book. It was interesting, revealing, and funny. ("I also appreciated the fact that she cleaned up the "street language" from her first interesting book.) I have a new appreciation and understanding of doctors. When patients goes to a doctor, their problem fills their thinking. Until now, I hadn't been thinking much what kind of  day the doctor might be having.  A REALLY GOOD BOOK.
787792
I am a personal friend of the author. I have known Dr. Gore since we were young adults in the early 1980s.  During that time, as he describes in the book, Dr. Gore experienced a crisis of confidence in the practice of medicine and psychiatry.  Unlike many  doctors, who I assume have similar internal conflicts with modern medicine, Dr. Gore had the courage to act, and not just go on as if nothing were wrong.  He stepped back from the practice of medicine and psychiatry, and took some time away to seek out other disciplines.  He apprenticed in Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine and homeopathic medicine, and studied nutrition, yoga, meditation and other paths.  He was able to find his way back to the practice of medicine with a much broader understanding of health and disease and the role of the doctor.  And as he describes, "Over time, I experienced a deep sense of fulfillment and completion as a doctor."  This is Dr. Gore's description of holistic medicine based on more than 30 years of practice.  It is clearly and simply written in a way that anyone can follow.  I hope many people will read this book and be enriched by it as I have been.
3884601
I'll be 56 on June 17th. Over 30 years ago, when I was on a locked ward in the Institute of Living in Hartford, CT, my Aunt Jane sent me a copy of this book by Dr. Pfeiffer and it saved my life. I'd been locked up for 3 years, and was losing hope of ever seeing the outside world. Mainstream psychiatry had failed me, and was killing me. When I realized from Pfeiffer's book that there were nutritional answers for my problems I dared to feel hope for the first time in years, but my Dr. refused to let me try this approach because it is horribly suppressed. I had to get kicked out of that hospital, and the next one also refused to let me try this approach, but it had helped my aunt, and cousins, so I was determined to try it. Unbeknownst to Fair Oaks Hospital in Summit, NJ, my mom took me to see Dr. Pfeiffer on a routine weekend visit home. He did a lot of labwork and for the first time I was properly diagnosed. I had to smuggle the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, trace minerals, digestive enzymes and probiotics back into the hospital and hide them in a cavity gouged out from the underside of my foam mattress. Three weeks later, after mouthing all of the toxic drugs they tried to force me to take, and only taking the vitamins, I was given a full medical discharge as my doctor shook his head, wondering which of the drugs had "finally started working" when it was NONE of them! I am writing my own book now, it will be a survival guide for schizophrenics and their families, but I wanted to write this review, because this book saved my life. Pfeiffer was a genius, a giant of a man. So were Hoffer and Osmond. More people need to pay attention to orthomolecular medicine which has been politically attacked by the APA for economic reasons: it threatens the billion dollar profits of Big Pharma.
3009734
From my first listen to 4 Hour Workweek, Tim began to change my life. Suddenly my dreams about lifestyle enjoyment, efficiancy and leverage became vivid and doable, and I've been accelerating ever since.

Now, with 4 Hour Chef, I'm diving into the scary, dark, dangerous room called cooking that I used to fumble around (with frequent mild injuries and much anxiety). While I've always been told when I try to cook, that I have some natural inclination to it, without knowing what I was really doing, I felt apprehensive.

Now, my confidence is improving. I recently cooked my first Chili, threw out the microwave, and whip up eggs, French Toast and Pancakes for my kids with confidence and enjoyment. Next up: Osso "Buko" a la TF.

From another proud Long Islander, I lift my glass to you Tim. Well done (haha, an unitentended pun, the best kind!).
364155
While I read this book, I felt like Suzanne was referring to me and my symptoms.  I can't wait to run some blood tests and contact a doctor. I'm extremely excited that there is hope out there.  And, it's nice to know I'm not the only woman going through this.
200105
I have a whole new respect for myself and what has prompted some of my crazy eating habits. Great teacher.
4274924
i shudder to think of being attenddd to by such a Dr especially first thing on a unit! julie is much more interested in how  work affects her, than how she can ease her patients terror; guilt; rage; etc. Though she has taken on a tough job, I'm thankful she has minimal contact with them. having been on such a unit myself, I find her assessments cookie-cutter-like. i am also quite educated on these issues, having taken my life well beyond those long ago forays into "the unit" , desiring to understand what lead me there and how i could majorly change me and my life. I do appreciate her candor, even glad she did not try to make it politically correct, because this is who she is and how she saw things/people, and that made the book authentic. i don't need to respect or agree with julie to get alot out of her book. But. I still shudder to think of her as the dr dealing with these vulnerable people who's chart will forever reflect this Doctor's words no matter how true, inaccurate, or colored by Julies own (unresolved) personal issues .