Twelve Patients

Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital (The Inspiration for the NBC Drama New Amsterdam)

By: Eric Manheimer MD MD

Narrated by: Eric Manheimer MD MD

In the spirit of Oliver Sacks and the inspiration for the NBC drama New Amsterdam, this intensely involving memoir from a Medical Director of Bellevue Hospital looks poignantly at patients' lives and highlights the complex mind-body connection.

Using the plights of twelve very different patients--from dignitaries at the nearby UN, to supermax prisoners at Riker's Island, to illegal immigrants, and Wall Street tycoons--Dr. Eric Manheimer "offers far more than remarkable medical dramas: he blends each patient's personal experiences with their social implications" (Publishers Weekly).
Manheimer is not only the medical director of the country's oldest public hospital, but he is also a patient. As the book unfolds, the narrator is diagnosed with cancer, and he is forced to wrestle with the end of his own life even as he struggles to save the lives of others.

Narrated in near monotone.

Potentially interesting material delivered in near monotone and reported without the insight or reflective thinking that engages a reader in a meaningful way.

Outstanding

So much more than what I expected. The insights into how the patients in the hospital are affected by the social and political issues are so thought provoking. I love the way he ties together what is happening in the world to what the patients are going through. The stories are so personal and relatable. I found it fascinating and hope it can be used to illustrate the issues and focus on changes that should be made to our current health care system.

Fascinating stories but a little disjointed

The stories are told well and deeply. The authors understanding and knowledge of the human side of medicine is refreshing. At times I felt that the story jumped back and forward in time too much but overall a compelling read.

Not what I was expecting

A little off of the expected topic and a little hard to follow at times.

The WORST Narration Possible

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It needs a professional reader.

What was most disappointing about Eric Manheimer’s story?

That what could have been interesting stories were made dull and almost incomprehensible by the author's narration.

Would you be willing to try another one of Eric Manheimer’s performances?

No, never!

Did Twelve Patients inspire you to do anything?

Not listen to it again.

Any additional comments?

Please, Audible (and other audiobook producers), convince authors they are not usually the best person to read their own work.