The Man With the Iron Tattoo and Other True Tales of Uncommon Wisdom: What Our Patients Have Taught Us About Love, Faith and Healing

by Lawrence P. Levitt, Lawrence P. Levitt

Rare book

Genres: Nonfiction

259 pages, Paperback

First published March 30, 2006

Reviews

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could be-chicken soup for the medical professional

[Lmcelebre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and thought all of the stories were told in such a way that they were easy to connect to.

This book honestly had me yearning for a medical community that could actually be guided by their own knowledge, intuition and experience as opposed to managed care, fiscal considerations and time constraints imposed by same. If only the healers were given the latitude to actually heal.

So many good take-aways from this book. The authors clearly understand the importance of first-person language, likely before it ever became a buzzword. They know just how important human connectedness is for medical providers and their patients.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had recently put down no less than 3 books after the first chapter because the prose was academic and tedious even though the subject didn’t call for it. So next on my pile was this book. “Great, a book by doctors. I bet this will be the same.” Wow was I wrong! I was hooked from the first chapter. Each chapter is an engaging and well written story of a lesson in humanity. It doesn’t get preachy, it just tells you lessons these guys learned for themselves. I couldn’t put this book down. Very enjoyable read.

[Devesh Dahale · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stories int the book are remarkable and memorable. But the story of the man with the iron tattoo is simply fantastic. Each story leaves you with a lesson learned and provides a window into the patients' lives. Both doctors have done a great job with the description of the stories and about their learning from each of them.

[Betsy Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book from our local docs . Some was lol funny other stories a little tear jerking .

[Adonis Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historias de casos clínicos contadas por sus médicos, una vision humana de la medicina

[Zeina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that puts into perspective the thoughts of physicians on cases that have touched their hearts. I was given this book for my white coat ceremony and wished I read this sooner.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy the television series House or are just intrigued by medical anecdotes, The Man with the Iron Tattoo provides stories to enlighten and entertain, as well as to show how the cases impacted these doctors’ lives. Dr. John Castaldo and Dr. Lawrence Levitt have been practicing neurologists for over twenty years. This book takes us back through their training, early years of practice, and up to present day with interesting cases and learning opportunities they have experienced. These aren’t just intriguing and cut-and-dried case studies; each story has a message that the doctor learned and has carried through into his life and work.

Among the numerous stories are ones about:

Levitt’s experiences with discouragement in his internship and the doctor who inspired and pushed him to continue
Castaldo’s learning about the power of animals and their impact on health care - and even diagnosis - in a special case involving a Blue Heeler and his owner
Different anecdotes about how medicine has touched each man’s family—whether through an auto accident involving one’s son, or a medical mystery involving one’s wife’s grandmother
Castaldo treats a high school athlete who is suffering from multiple concussions and may be using steroids
These doctors handle their cases with heart and a determination to get to the bottom of any problem, large or small. They also show how they stick with a situation to its conclusion, no matter how hopeless it may seem. These are compassionate men I would be glad to call my own doctor.
My one complaint about the book is that it’s difficult to tell two things in each story without being a bit of a detective. One, it takes awhile to know which physician is narrating. It takes some deciphering of clues (wife’s name, another person calling them by name in the story) to figure out who is telling the story. Two, the stories aren’t told in any chronological order, so trying to determine what year the story is occurring in is again left to drawing clues from a story (the medical tests and such available). Neither of these things is terribly distracting, but it would help for clarity to know the answers.

Otherwise, this collection of stories is fascinating and those who enjoy medical stories and mysteries will really enjoy The Man with the Iron Tattoo. The authors communicate clearly and with heart. The reader will come away from this experience with a sense of contentment knowing that these men, and many other physicians like them, exist in the world.

[Grazie Mille · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really neat book; it made me see doctors (and patients!) in a new light.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand what others are saying about this book being schmaltzy, but I still really enjoyed it. I think I was more tolerant of this because I came to know the book through my dad, who got it from one of the author's sons. I really responded to a few of the stories, but none of them felt out of place. My favorite was the story of Dr. Levitt awakening to the threat of depression and suicide in his colleagues lives. This would be a good book for someone who enjoyed "Tuesdays with Morrie" or "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat".

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quick read and really warming. While it obviously appeals to those of us in the medical profession, I believe people who find themselves in the system will find reassurance in the words of these two physicians.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Downloaded on my ebook. I found this book a bit syrupy and, finally, contrived.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truth is still stranger than fiction.

[Johnna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ho hum...I read it but I can't say I liked the doctors much.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

good