When the air hits your brain
by Frank T. Vertosick · first published 1996
4mentions
2recommended by
2HN commenters
2014–2017first – last mentioned
100% recommend
Neurosurgery is an arrogant and yet intensely humbling occupation. Physicists might distill Creation into a few differential equations and biologists see life's wonders in a DNA helix. Only the neurosurgeon actually touches the fleshy incarnation of Nature's greatest mystery - the human brain - and runs the risks that come with it. The true mystery of neurosurgery lies in the lifelines of surgeon and patient. In this fragile bond, the real drama of ordinary patients and ordinary doctors rising to meet extraordinary situations is played out. For the patient, an operation is a single defining mo
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I just started When the Air Hits Your Brain: Tales from Neurosurgery[1]. The author is a neurosurgeon and an excellent writer. The last book I read was Abdel Haleem's translation of the Qur'an[2]. For an ancient religious text, it's rather short.…
on “Ask HN: What Books Are You Reading?” ↗If you've read Marsh's Do No Harm and you're interested in more stories like it, I strongly recommend When the Air Hits Your Brain: Tales from Neurosurgery[1]. Its author-surgeon (Frank Vertosick) lacks much of the compassion shown by Marsh, but the stories cover his failures more than successes. I find failures and mistakes more…
on “Aneurysm” ↗If you're interested reading more personal encounters like this, I highly recommend "When the Air Hits Your Brain". It follows the author's journey from resident to experienced neursurgeon with a wisecrack sense of humor and greusome detail. I finished it in premed days when I was looking for an candid story of…
on “Aneurysm” ↗This isn't the first time I've heard of such a thing. From When the Air Hits Your Brain: Tales from Neurosurgery by Frank Vertosick Jr: > “He’s a big fan of yours, too, pal, ever since the bone flap thing.” The bone flap incident had occurred early in Gary’s chief year. Fred and Gary were…
on “Surgeon admits to branding initials on patients' livers” ↗