The Other Dr. Gilmer

Two Men, a Murder, and an Unlikely Fight for Justice

De: Benjamin Gilmer

Narrado por: Benjamin Gilmer

NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE • A “mesmerizing” (The New York Times Book Review) true story about a shocking crime and a mysterious illness that will forever change your notions of how we punish and how we heal—an expansion on one of the most popular This American Life episodes of all time

“A remarkable medical detective story–cum–memoir, grippingly told . . . I was drawn in by every part of it.”—Atul Gawande, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Being Mortal

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Public Library

Fresh out of medical residency, Dr. Benjamin Gilmer joined a rural North Carolina clinic only to find that its previous doctor shared his last name. Dr. Vince Gilmer was loved and respected by the community—right up until he strangled his ailing father and then returned to the clinic for a regular week of work. Vince’s eventual arrest for murder shocked his patients. How could their beloved doctor be capable of such violence? The deeper Benjamin looked into Vince’s case, the more he became obsessed with discovering what pushed a good man toward darkness.

When Benjamin visited Vince in prison, he met a man who appeared to be fighting his own mind, constantly twitching and veering into nonsensical tangents. Sentenced to life in prison, Vince had been branded a cold-blooded killer and a “malingerer”—a person who fakes an illness. But it was obvious to Benjamin that Vince needed help. Alongside This American Life journalist Sarah Koenig, Benjamin resolved to understand what had happened to his predecessor. Time and again, the pair came up against a prison system that cared little about the mental health of its inmates—despite more than a third of them suffering from mental illness.

The Other Dr. Gilmer takes readers on a riveting and heart-wrenching journey through our shared human fallibility, made worse by a prison system that is failing our most vulnerable citizens. With deep compassion and an even deeper sense of justice, Dr. Benjamin Gilmer delves into the mystery of what could make a caring doctor commit a brutal murder. And in the process, his powerful story asks us to answer a profound question: In a country with the highest incarceration rates in the world, what would it look like if we prioritized healing rather than punishment?

Incredible story, punctuated with beautiful storytelling

Everything about this book was superb in my eyes. Not only is the story incredibly compelling, but the empathy and curiosity of the narrator is tangibly felt when it told in his own voice. I’ve recommended this book to many already and will continue to, I was absolutely hooked from start to finish.

Captivating story, well worth the time and credit

I don't usually read true-crime mysteries, but I was captivated from the very first page of "The Other Dr. Gilmer." This book is a must-read for anyone involved in medicine, law, the prison system, mental health advocacy, or simply those who enjoy compelling real-life stories. Dr. Gilmer, who narrates his own work, writes with the skill of a seasoned author, and his narration adds a personal touch that makes the story even more engaging.

The book strikes the perfect balance of description, action, and reflection. Describing mental and physical illness can be challenging, but Gilmer does it with remarkable clarity and insight. While some readers found the details of his personal life distracting, I felt they added depth and context to the narrative. This is the story of BOTH Dr. Gilmers.

Hold on til the last page – there is a zinger twist!

Amazing true story of perseverance

A truly compelling story. As suspenseful as any fiction mystery. It will not disappoint you.

Loved it!

What an incredible story! As an Asheville native, I found this book beyond inspiring and intriguing!

Captivating story

I knew the story from This American Life but there was so much more here. An inspirational and painful book. A must read if you are in medicine.