Black Flies

By: Shannon Burke

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Black Flies is the story of paramedic Ollie Cross and his first year on the job in mid-'90s New York. It is a ground's-eye view of life on the streets: the shoot-outs, the bad cops, the unhinged medics, the hopeless patients, the dark humor in bizarre circumstances, and one medic's struggle to balance his desire to help against his own growing callousness. This story features lives that hang in the balance, including a single job with a misdiagnosed newborn that sends Cross and his partner into a life-changing struggle between good and evil.

©2019 Dreamscape Media, LLC (P)2019 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Story well told

It felt like this book didn't hold anything back, a true account of life as a medic in a tough city. Highly recommend.

The dark side of EMS

As a 35 year paramedic in a big city this book hit home. I listened to this book after watching the movie Asphalt City, that is based on the book.
I've read a lot of negative reviews (about the movie). So many EMTs and paramedics were saying this story portrays the medics in a bad light and makes us look bad.
I personally have experienced most of the events that happen in the book. I've had guns and knifes pulled on me... I've had family members and patients fight me... I've had conflicts with cops... I've had complaints filed against me... I've even had someone (a police officer) walk up and shoot a dog that I was trying to take care of. And I've experienced coworkers committing suicide more times than I care to count.
Yes, this book is dark. There are many books and movies that show all the good. Which is great. But there is a dark side to the job. The suicides... the financial struggles... the lack of sleep... the PTSD... the ruined families. You do thus job long enough and these things, unfortunately, happen.
I asked my family to read the book to get a better idea of why I am the way I am. Why I have a dark sense of humor. Why my family life has t been perfect. But also why I love the job. My coworkers, who have been doing this job a long time, also agreed their families should read this book.
Enjoy.

Wow—Heart of Darkness

I did not expect to be won over by a book like this. It’s dark, raw, cynical, hopeful, and authentic. It should be on everyone’s list. Excellent writing, harrowing tale.

I think I was there…

The author shows impeccable detail in his description of the job, to the point I felt like I was there. No doubt, this job can f… you up and he does a great job describing that very thing.

A strong touch of what it’s like to be a medic in NYC

Gritty, with a finger on the pulse of what it’s like to be a medic in the city, whether it’s Harlem or working the south Bronx, the characters are a vivid amalgam of ghetto medic feelings, emotions and circumstances. Truth can be stranger than fiction and in this story the 2 combine to form a slice in the flesh of life of EMS…

Shockingly Realistic Look in Paramedicine

This book doesn’t BS or worry about your comfort while reading it. Great (although occasionally sensationalized) look into what it’s actually like working on an ambulance in an impoverished area.

Profound

For all who work in selfless careers: paramedics, social workers, educators, police, or firefighters; this is a story you can relate to and appreciate.

Gritty

From someone who has worked in urban EMS, this rough, gritty and most of all brutally real. Impressive.

Why do they do it?

An insight into what it must be like to be an EMS worker in a large city with a lot of poverty and drug use. If this is a true story, that is one tough job they have, and... I don't know how or why they do it. I certainly wouldn't.

It is very engaging. The events are... sad and shocking and... just... why would anyone do this for a career? I am not sure how much money would be enough money to pay someone to do this for a living, but I am positive they do not get that amount...

dark and raw

As far as the storyline is concerned, I'm glad that Cross found his path. I did not care for the fact that there was no transition between subject matter. His thought process jumped from one thing to the next without warning. This made it difficult to follow the story. In terms of recording, I did not like that they did not announce the beginning of a new chapter when one started.