Joseph F. Clark, PhD, is a scientist, researcher and faculty member in the University of Cincinnati's Department of Neurology, specializing in the causes and treatments of stroke. The author or coauthor of numerous articles in scientific journals and three scientific textbooks, he lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
A "distillation of eight years in three ambulances and two
emergency rooms," this energized, gruesome collection of true tales
comes from a University of Cincinnati neurologist who cut his teeth
as an emergency medical technician (EMT). This faithful memoir of
life in the ambulance lane and the characters who populate it --
"unbridled heroes... losers with whom no one wanted to work" --
contains its share of poignant moments, but is far from
sentimental; at 18, Clark had to grow, quickly. a strong sense of
gallows humor to deal with the gore and mortality. The author's
remarks that "you can't have a conversation with [an EMT]...without
hearing about blood, guts, vomit or death;" accordingly, the holy
trinity of blood, vomit and feces is invoked on nearly every page.
Stories about suicide attempts, strokes and gang violence abound,
and unsurprisingly, it eventually becomes too much for Clark, who
burns out (like so many of his colleagues) trying to do the right
thing. Occasionally clunk writing and a listless romantic subplot
distract, but readers with the stomach for it will be drawn in by
this high-speed, adrenaline-powered ride-along.-- "Publishers
Weekly" (4/1/2009 12:00:00 AM)
Clark carries the reader along his emergency ride of screaming
sirens, gunshots and bloody messes... The stories are not a list of
Clark's experiences but a continuous, flowing story. This is what
makes the book so good... [It] gives us an appreciation for the
efforts of the emergency medical services and is an eye-opener to
the everyday things we don't think about that help or hamper
[them]... A very good read in itself and a must-read for anyone
with at least a small interest in the medical profession.--Garrett
Bishoff "Lethbridge Herald" (5/18/2009 12:00:00 AM)
My Ambulance Education is a lot like that accident on the highway:
you want to look, but you don't want to see. That's because this is
a darn good memoir, but the graphically gruesome, stomach-clenching
tales might mean trouble for delicate readers. Clark doesn't
candy-coat anything and his stories are often blunt, yet
respectful. He's particularly gracious to colleagues in the fire
and police departments and the Emergency Departments to which he
transports patients.... In the end, Clark is honest about why he
got out of the biz, but he clearly doesn't regret his time spent in
the back of a rig. Despite the blood-and-guts -- can I warn you
enough? -- I liked this book a whole lot and I think you will,
too.--Terri Schlichenmeyer "The Spectrum (St. George UT)"
(6/21/2009 12:00:00 AM)
This one gets nine stars. It was a nice read--fascinating, fast
moving, and very well written. It had the feel of House's Wilson in
an ambulance. The book was immediately engrossing and tastefully
dealt with potentially icky experiences while still being
refreshingly honest. The author is also the Dean Koontz of memoir
writers - successfully blending the horror of the job with humor.
This is definitely recommended for medical drama fans.--
"BethsBookReviewblog.blogspot.com" (9/10/2009 12:00:00 AM)
![]() |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
![]() |