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.

Fantastic author

Mike has the gift of gabby + has a fantastic story. His first book "Blue Collar to Blue Scrubs" is equally as entertaining.

Fun, Inspirational, touching.

This was a great listen. The narrator did a fantastic job! I've listened to a lot of these doctor memoirs and this one stands out. My first time reviewing I messed up the stars so I wanted to write it again to make sure I got the 5 stars in there.

So entertaining!

I definitely could not stop listening! The story is so compelling. This physician is such an awesome storyteller.
This was an eye-opener. I feel less resentful now of the big bucks I have spent on my orthopedist. The years of training to get that expertise. Great story!

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!

Great Book

I loved how the book was written from his point of view. I laughed out loud at some points.

Humor with surgical excellence at Mayo!

Starts with a 14-year-old boy in the OR and Dr. Collins must make the decision of saving or amputating his leg. This also occurs post residency at “The Mayo Clinic” and his appointment to chief resident of orthopedic surgery. Feelings are laid bare when he says I felt like the “dullest scalpel in the drawer.”

"Dr. Harding was sleeping and rounds needed to be made...and me the greenest rookie imaginable, in charge. We had fifteen patients in our service...hip or knee replacements. I just wanted to get through...without making a terrible mistake.”

---Michael J. Collins, MD

Having a baby, yearly saint Patti (wife) and the many sacrifices termed “moonlighting” to support his family of twelve children are surgical scalpel honey. Sacrifices made by Dr. Michael J. Collins do rouse emotion in the reader and we realize great suffering produces humility, empathy and bonding---and in this case a truly stellar surgeon.

Hot Lights, Cold Steel: Life, Death and Sleepless Nights in a Surgeon’s First Years is pretention free, and overflowing with humor akin to “House of God.” This is a fetching recount of the life of an orthopedic surgeon. Mangled legs, bone cancer and death are daily realities. Orthopedic surgery must read and my highest rating this month. Buy!