Hot Lights, Cold Steel

Life, Death and Sleepless Nights in a Surgeon's First Years

By: Michael J. Collins MD

Narrated by: John Pruden

When Michael Collins decided to become a surgeon, he was totally unprepared for the chaotic life of a resident at a major hospital. A natural overachiever, Collins' success in college and medical school led to a surgical residency at one of the most respected medical centers in the world, the famed Mayo Clinic. But compared to his fellow residents, Collins felt inadequate and unprepared. All too soon the euphoria of beginning his career as an orthopedic resident gave way to the feeling he was a counterfeit, an imposter who had infiltrated a society of brilliant surgeons.

This story of Collins' four-year surgical residency traces his rise from an eager but clueless first-year resident to accomplished chief resident in his final year. With unparalleled humor he recounts the disparity between people's perceptions of a doctor's glamorous life and the real thing: a succession of run-down cars that are towed to the junkyard, long weekends moonlighting at rural hospitals, a family that grows larger every year, and a laughable income.

©2005 Michael J. Collins, MD (P)2017 Tantor

Excellent medical story!

Excellent story! The reader has a good voice. I took a point off for mispronounced medical words.
I hope Dr. Collins writes more books.

Amazing!

This is the 3rd time finishing this book since I got it a few years back, it never gets old. Very well written and read perfectly!

The drs perspective

It was a bit slow at times, but he gave me an insight to how doctors can do everything by the book and things still don’t turn out. As a chronically ill person with many medical issues it’s often hard to understand why they just can’t get it right this book help me realize why.

great for a medical mind

It is a great book for a medical mind. There were many large medical words that intrigued me and the story is very personal to anyone worried about medical school, in their training, or reflecting on the past.

Fantastic

Loved the book! Just the right balance of humor and seriousness to drive home the underlying themes. Mikes daydreams have a 'style' similar to the ones Ralphie has in "A Christmas Story" which were hilarious! The narrator helps make the most of the book as well!