Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital
In the spirit of Oliver Sacks Awakenings and the TV series House, Dr. Eric Manheimer's TWELVE PATIENTS is a memoir from the Medical Director of Bellevue Hospital that uses the plights of twelve very different patients-from dignitaries at the nearby UN, to supermax prisoners from Riker's Island, to illegal immigrants, and Wall Street tycoons-to illustrate larger societal is...more
Hardcover, 355 pages
Published
July 10th 2012
by Grand Central Publishing
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
626)
I couldn't wait to read Twelve Patients. The jacket summary depicted a well rounded read with the luxury of a glimpse behind the scenes through Dr. Manheimer's experience during his tenure as director.
The patients profiled came from various walks of life and varying background and circumstances. The book also touched upon issues plaguing the medical community as well as social questions on these issues. Addressing the hot topics from the eyes of a professional medical practicer is enlightening e...more
The patients profiled came from various walks of life and varying background and circumstances. The book also touched upon issues plaguing the medical community as well as social questions on these issues. Addressing the hot topics from the eyes of a professional medical practicer is enlightening e...more
Only a few chapters in and still interested, but the author could really have used an editor interested in cutting out the countless unnecessary details.
Finally finished and I'm not sure why I stuck with it. The patients' stories were interesting but the writing was not very good. The author wandered frequently, and while I love a good tangent, these did little to add to the story or my interest. He includes so many tiny details that do not need to be there. I think this book would have been gr...more
Finally finished and I'm not sure why I stuck with it. The patients' stories were interesting but the writing was not very good. The author wandered frequently, and while I love a good tangent, these did little to add to the story or my interest. He includes so many tiny details that do not need to be there. I think this book would have been gr...more
Interesting stories about the patients who come in to Bellevue Hospital, which is not just a mental hospital anymore. Somewhat depressing at times. There is often not a happy ending.
Got a little tired of the author's constant harping on how America (specifically, the war on drugs) has screwed up Mexico, Central and South America. Uh, I think those in charge of those countries themselves share some responsibility. America can't control everything.
His case study of an obese woman in a family full...more
Got a little tired of the author's constant harping on how America (specifically, the war on drugs) has screwed up Mexico, Central and South America. Uh, I think those in charge of those countries themselves share some responsibility. America can't control everything.
His case study of an obese woman in a family full...more
When embarking upon this book, I had seen a BBC2 programme about nursing in Mexico 'The Toughest Place to be a ... Nurse'
Although the Author is based in Bellevue in New York City, like that BBC2 programme this book was a real eye opener. In the space of one book he takes us beyond the walls of a busy hospital and shows us modern day America in terms of what you sow, so shall you reap!
The Author's detail in writing suggests a screenplay writer could take the characters off the page and transfer t...more
Although the Author is based in Bellevue in New York City, like that BBC2 programme this book was a real eye opener. In the space of one book he takes us beyond the walls of a busy hospital and shows us modern day America in terms of what you sow, so shall you reap!
The Author's detail in writing suggests a screenplay writer could take the characters off the page and transfer t...more
This book was definitely worth picking up, but isn't going to stick in my mind as much as I thought it was. While the stories of the twelve patients were interesting, the writing bothered me. Manheimer is extremely verbose, and some of the tales come off as pretty convoluted, with an almost romantic, wispy writing style at times. It's as if he's writing in a style that he thinks is how writer's SHOULD sound, as opposed to his real voice. It especially irritated me when he used the same speaking...more
5 likes · like · see review
view 1 comment
I was so looking forward to reading this book but the execution did not live up to my expectations. I thought that twelve really fascinating House style cases would be laid out. The reality was more convoluted. The stories meandered and often included a lot of personal information about the author's own life, like his fight against cancer. He also likes to detail his food choices. It seems like every other page has a description of some food he's eaten or brought to a patient. A more competent e...more
Really 3.5 stars.
Dr. Manheimer chose 12 stories from the potentially hundreds, maybe even thousands, of patient stories he could have told from his time as the medical director of Bellevue Hospital in NYC. In his own words: "... I chose the patients that illustrated different aspects of what are arguably among the critical contemporary issues in are society — those with global implications."
And so he did. Each of the tales he tells are infused not only with the medical details you'd expect, but...more
Dr. Manheimer chose 12 stories from the potentially hundreds, maybe even thousands, of patient stories he could have told from his time as the medical director of Bellevue Hospital in NYC. In his own words: "... I chose the patients that illustrated different aspects of what are arguably among the critical contemporary issues in are society — those with global implications."
And so he did. Each of the tales he tells are infused not only with the medical details you'd expect, but...more
A 'life & death' memoir that contains both therapeutic and political statements by the author.
This was not exactly, or probably even vaguely what I expected when I started reading. A balanced slice of life work that perhaps leans a bit more towards the sadder and tragic part of life. Of course this is from Bellevue Hospital in New York. Along with Bellevue's great successes and happy moments there is indeed much from the other end of the spectrum.
Early in the book the comparisons between U.S...more
This was not exactly, or probably even vaguely what I expected when I started reading. A balanced slice of life work that perhaps leans a bit more towards the sadder and tragic part of life. Of course this is from Bellevue Hospital in New York. Along with Bellevue's great successes and happy moments there is indeed much from the other end of the spectrum.
Early in the book the comparisons between U.S...more
Dr. Manheimer has his heart in the right place in writing this book, but overall, I was disappointed with it for several reasons.
First, I had the Audiobook version, and that led to a great degree of my disappointment. Dr. M reads his own book which is a disaster if you do not have the right voice to keep readers engaged. He doesn't. I found myself drifting away from it while I was listening because of his monotone voice and lack of expression. He sounded as if he was reading a bedtime story to h...more
First, I had the Audiobook version, and that led to a great degree of my disappointment. Dr. M reads his own book which is a disaster if you do not have the right voice to keep readers engaged. He doesn't. I found myself drifting away from it while I was listening because of his monotone voice and lack of expression. He sounded as if he was reading a bedtime story to h...more
This was a very disappointing read. It was not what I expected; it is not a tale of 12 medical mysteries (and certainly not in the spirit of House or Oliver Sacks.) The author was the Medical Director and was not the primary doctor in any of these cases. He tells the emotional story of these patients, but the medical diagnosis is unimportant and is simply introduced at the start of each story. He focuses on the larger social issues related to immigrants, poor, and prisoners. He also goes off on...more
2 likes · like · see review
Well, we can't all be Sherwin Nuland, Jerome Groopman or Atul Gawande. First, the writing was inelegant, but I can forgive that because I'm willing to read fairly poor writing on science, medicine, hospitals, health care, etc. An editor could have helped because the purpose of the book was unclear. Was it to show the injustices in the health care system, particularly to immigrants and the underclass? It could not have been written to explain 12 diseases and treatments and the impacts they had on...more
Only kept reading because the patients were so interesting, both as illustrations of the kinds of cases that come to Bellevue, and as a lens through which to examine current topics in medicine today. I even liked the author's personal cancer story.
But the author is a horrible writer and could have been so easily helped by a good editor. First, time and sequence are hard to follow. The author was allowed to tell too much of his own personal (non-medical) story so that he comes across as super-hu...more
But the author is a horrible writer and could have been so easily helped by a good editor. First, time and sequence are hard to follow. The author was allowed to tell too much of his own personal (non-medical) story so that he comes across as super-hu...more
This is a great book, for medical people and anthropologically or sociologically interested folk as well.
Dr. Manheimer talks in great detail about a variety of patients and their deeper lives which do in fact represent a microcosm of the greater US medical population.
There IS a story behind every patient. Everyone you see in a hospital is in the throws of some life altering event and this warrants consideration.
This sums up my review...
"The past day was reverberating in my head and my body as I...more
Dr. Manheimer talks in great detail about a variety of patients and their deeper lives which do in fact represent a microcosm of the greater US medical population.
There IS a story behind every patient. Everyone you see in a hospital is in the throws of some life altering event and this warrants consideration.
This sums up my review...
"The past day was reverberating in my head and my body as I...more
This is a good book, especially if you have any medical background and/or have any interest in how hospitals are run. The thing about Bellevue is that it is not just a hospital; it is more of a mini-city.
The book is set up in twelve standalone chapters, each one looking at the life and prognosis of a single patient and, oftentimes, their families and the system they are affected by (immigration, corrections, etc).
The one thing that might hold someone back from enjoying the book as much are the a...more
The book is set up in twelve standalone chapters, each one looking at the life and prognosis of a single patient and, oftentimes, their families and the system they are affected by (immigration, corrections, etc).
The one thing that might hold someone back from enjoying the book as much are the a...more
The author brings the reader to the other side of the spectrum - being the healthcare provider. It tells of the passion of the author as a doctor and how he tries to help each and everyone of his patients and the obstacles he has to go through. He overcomes red tape, digs into his own pockets and shares stories with his patients. He humanizes them and looks at them not as a number or a billing code but for what they truly are- humans with stories. And as heartbreaking as their stories are, most...more
Written by the former medical director of Bellevue, Twelve Patients gives the reader an intimate look into the inner workings of one of American's most (in)famous hospitals. This book, however, is more than that, or at least it attempts to be. Intertwined with his patients' stories, Dr. Manheimer endeavors to illuminate Bellevue as a microcosm of New York City itself. This goal is more successful at some times than others. The pictures he gives are memorable, but they are limited by Manheimer's...more
This book was chosen by my book club. Each chapter stands alone with some of Manheimer’s short stories being more interesting than others. While the writing is not bad, I had a tough time getting through his stream of conscious style. The chapters did not flow well and felt too disjointed.
I try to finish every book, and I did manage to finish this with little skimming and didn’t skip any chapters, but not without great fortitude. It took me three long weeks.
I will say, however, that my fellow bo...more
I try to finish every book, and I did manage to finish this with little skimming and didn’t skip any chapters, but not without great fortitude. It took me three long weeks.
I will say, however, that my fellow bo...more
This book was written by the doctor who served as the head of Bellevue Hospital for about 15 years. I was really looking forward to reading it. Though I did enjoy it, I was a bit disappointed. It wasn't as good as I was expecting.
Each chapter addresses different social ills that society is facing, filtered through the patients and situations encountered at Bellevue which arguably sees most of these issues first hand because of its status as a public hospital in the biggest city in the country. I...more
Each chapter addresses different social ills that society is facing, filtered through the patients and situations encountered at Bellevue which arguably sees most of these issues first hand because of its status as a public hospital in the biggest city in the country. I...more
This book is very intense. The patients are all described in terms of their specific problems and also in the context of the larger society. I was surprised by how political the book is. The author describes his own bout with throat cancer and the treatment for the cancer. That chapter was so raw that I had to put it down a couple of times and take a breath. The author comes back to his disease and its treatment throughout the book; it is as one would suspect, extremely emotional.
Twelve Patients is a extraordinary look behind the doors of Bellevue Hospital.
Eric Manheimer tells Bellevue's story through his interactions with twelve patients, one of them being himself.
Most of us look at doctors as being indifferent to their patients, but this book shows the humanity that lies within the walls of this infamous hospital. A hospital that isn't just a psych ward, but a facility with staff that struggle each day with life and death decisions.
Eric Manheimer tells Bellevue's story through his interactions with twelve patients, one of them being himself.
Most of us look at doctors as being indifferent to their patients, but this book shows the humanity that lies within the walls of this infamous hospital. A hospital that isn't just a psych ward, but a facility with staff that struggle each day with life and death decisions.
Some of the patient stories were very interesting and compelling. He brings to light many of the social and social justice issues, particularly for illegal immigrants. Most of it was fairly interesting. I found it hard to imagine that his help for some of the patients extended outside of the hospital, to the patient's country. Seems unrealistic. The book certainly served to remind me how different my world is from many of those patients at Bellevue.
I've been working in healthcare for six years now and within the world of a large urban hospital for about a year. Twelve Patients is a wonderfully written memoir of just what it's like to be in the belly of the beast - the homeless, the chronically ill, the mentally ill, criminals, ordinary people, and the army of staff that keep hospitals running 24/7, 365 days a year. Mr. Manheimer tells wonderful stories, truly connecting the reader to what is happening. He has opinions and uses many of the...more
Powerful account of the life and issues of 12 different patients at NY's Bellevue Hospital, told by former medical director. Each story illustrates different aspects of contemporary issues in our society...all with global implications. Made me realize that what I know as reality is only a small slice of what makes up reality for the world. Truly an enlightening book that left me with many things to consider.
this turned out to be more of a memoir that lacked a clear focus rather than case studies. it's about a giant public hospital, but also about (among other things): illegal immigration, why we should speak spanish, the health care debate, the prison system, education, confronting your own mortality, etc. but only in small snippets. I would have much preferred something more developed on one or two topics.
This was a good book, well written and diverse.
It tells the stories of 12 'Bellevue' patients from the perspective of an ex practicing doc now administrator.
He goes into the health care system shortfalls, gang violence, culture differences, families, drugs, and the myriad reasons people end up at 'Bellevue'.
I heard him on Doc radio, gave it a try, and it was good. The author has written from his heart.
Jul 17, 2012
Marian
is currently reading it
Still reading, though Dr. Manheimer is most likely a better doctor than he is a writer. I'm going to skip the rest of the self-absorbed chapter on his own experience as a patient in the hospital and move on to one more story before I abandon it. Too bad he didn't hire a ghost writer - his stories seem great.
I thoroughly enjoyed this life by the former Medical director of Bellevue Hospital, NYC. That said, I am a nurse, and I found the lives, problems and treatments of the patients he describes completely fascinating. I believe it is written enough with the layperson in mind that anyone could enjoy it.
Apr 13, 2013
Sherry
added it
This book came up as a recommended read. I'm finding it to be depressing, which I can deal with because the subject matter is hardly jolly. The killer though is the author's insistence on political commentary about every facet of the medical culture. Probably all true but not at all interesting nor germane to his topic of patient stories.
Such a disappointment. The subject matter fascinates but the book goes off the rails almost immediately and stays there. The physician who wrote it has limited writing skills. the prose is dry and clinical. But more than that, every case chronicle comes back to the doctor himself and his own life, habits, loves, etc. Just way too self-absorbed.
Interesting glimpse into the workings of a hospital like Bellevue. I would have preferred if it could have been edited to have a more consistent flow. As interesting as it was to read, the stories at times felt like they were buried in too many words and a lot of tangential thinking.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
