Steep Turn

A Physician's Journey from Clinic to Cockpit

By: David B. Crawley

Narrated by: Patrick Miller

Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

Be prepared for laughter and tears in this behind-the-scenes peek into this doctor’s life, with a twist that takes his career from the clinic to the cockpit as he embarks on a second profession as a commercial airline pilot. 

This fascinating memoir offers a glimpse into the extraordinary life of a young physician. Walk through the halls of the hospital with the author as a medical intern. Dash along on his calls as he rushes to attend dramatic scenes involving life and death. Listen as he saves a life by applying a theory he learned in medical school and performing a procedure he has studied from a book - if he’s lucky, he has actually seen one done once. “See one, do one, teach one” is the refrain among all of his equally-inexperienced young colleagues. If he is nervous or unsure, he is nevertheless intrepid. He does what he believes must be done. 

This true-life narrative takes you through a 13-year segment of the author’s life. It begins with a detailed description of life as a medical intern followed by a brief stint practicing rural medicine in the tiny town of Grand Coulee, Washington, as a fresh new physician. The story continues with an account of his duties as a naval flight surgeon during the Vietnam War years and, finally, his experience in private practice in a small resort town in North Idaho. Throughout the period, he questions his choice of a career in medicine and struggles with the decision to leave it all behind to pursue a lifetime dream. 

You’ll enjoy it all in this well-written memoir that is factual, informative, honest, and, at times, cleverly humorous.

©2015 David B. Crawley (P)2018 David B. Crawley

Great story, needs a better narrator

This is an excellent story about how a young medical student learned the ins and outs of being a medical doctor, became a Naval flight surgeon during the Vietnam war, and eventually took up a new path to become a commercial airline pilot. The story is well written and you feel like you are tagging along with the author all the way. The only downside for me was the narration. It started as extremely slow until I figured out how to play it a little faster. And the narrator obviously has no knowledge of medical terms. Over and over it seems like a different voice breaks in to pronounce technical words. This was apparently done in editing to correct errors, but I found it very distracting. Otherwise, an excellent book.

Interesting and human memoir

I like stories about pilots and I worked with doctors as a nurse. I also switched careers in my late 30" s. I really liked that he showed his human side, with doubts, false starts and al. But he was fortunate to realize his dream. That is what kept me listening. What would be decide next? How did this affect his fsmily? His concern for his family and his very supportive wife topped it off with a cherry for me. Modest, uncertain, searching, considerate and obviously intelligent, he shows us how a real person can find true happiness in his or her career.