bluewind

I'm a little bored this summer, so I want to know if anyone would recommend any books for students who are interested in medicine. Does anyone know about such books?

bluedevilmike

Anything by Gawande.

GoldShadow

^what he said.

I also enjoyed reading The Soul of Medicine by Sherwin B. Nuland, Another Day in the Frontal Lobe by Katrina Firlik and Intern by Sandeep Jauhar.

Bigredmed

Stiff - The secret lives of cadavers by Mary Roach
The Knife Man: Blood, Body Snatching, and the Birth of Modern Surgery by Wendy Moore
Rapid interpretation of EKG's - by dale Dubin

I was kidding about that last one.

GoldShadow

Too late, the damage is done.

shades_children

There are no jokes in pre-med, BRM. You should know better.

Dagol12

The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Shoe - Oliver Sacks

Son of Opie

I liked Lewis Thomas as an author- "The lives of a cell" and "The Youngest Science". Probably more philosophical than practical, but interesting thinking nonetheless and certainly not going to hurt you at this point.

anonymous550

Better and Complications, both by Atul Gawande are great books. He is a great writer, and looks at healthcare and the medical system from an interesting perspective, commenting on what can be done to improve upon it.
I'd also highly recommend The Spirit Catches You And You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman. One of the best books I've ever read. It is about a young Hmong girl who has epilepsy and the conflicts with Hmong vs. Western culture that result during her medical care.
Also, the book Final Exam: A surgeon's reflections on mortality, by pauline chen is interesting as well.

pumpkins

Complications by Atul Gawande is a great fast read, especially if your interested in becoming a surgeon. Both ways it's still an interesting book. You can never put it down

big dreamer

I enjoyed reading Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story a few years back. I mean, it's an easy read, but I found it enjoyable. It's an autobiograpy by the famous neurosurgeon Ben Carson. I recommend it as a fun, quick read.

bluewind

Just finished Complications. Great book. Moving on to Better!

achillestand

complications is good, like everyone else said
also, if you like more psychology ish stuff, check out anything by oliver sacks

bluewind

How about Malcolm Gladwell? Are his books good reads?

mmmcdowe

I believe it is actually "The man who mistook his wife for a hat", not shoe. Early addition maybe?

I recommend On Doctoring. It's a great compilation of material from many physicians.
I also recommend The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. I recommend that you ask yourself what you think good medicine is before and after you read it.