HEALTH & MEDICINE

Seven Signs of Life: Unforgettable Stories from an Intensive Care Doctor

by Aoife Abbey
Arcade: Skyhorse. Oct. 2019. 288p. notes. ISBN 9781948924825. $24.99; ebk. ISBN 9781948924832. MED
COPY ISBN
Abbey (Royal Coll. of Physicians) chronicles her early years training to become an intensive care physician in the UK. This book is organized thematically around the “Seven Signs of Life”—fear, grief, joy, distraction, anger, disgust, and hope—perhaps playing on the concept of the seven deadly sins. Each chapter is based on a story of a patient, or something Abbey learned in the midst of her medical practice. The choice to organize the work around themes of human emotions allows readers to consider a particular aspect of medicine in relation to larger questions about how our emotions and dispositions shape our lives as well as decision-making in the medical field. As Abbey is based in the UK, some terms related to the National Health Service might be unfamiliar to U.S. readers.
VERDICT While the prose is somewhat uneven
Reviewed by Aaron Klink, Duke Univ., Durham, NC , Oct 01, 2019
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

NONFICTION

A Guide to Medical Cannabis: Your Roadmap to Understanding and Using Cannabis and CBD for Health
by Hasse, Javier & Nicolás Jose Rodriguez
NONFICTION

Herding Immunity: The Startling History of Life Before and After Vaccines
by Herlihy, Stacy Mintzer
NONFICTION

Good Nature: Why Seeing, Smelling, Hearing, and Touching Plants Is Good for Our Health
by Willis, Kathy
NONFICTION

The Cure for Women: Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi and the Challenge to Victorian Medicine That Changed Women’s Lives Forever
by Reeder, Lydia
NONFICTION

Walking Well: A New Approach for Comfort, Vitality, and Inspiration in Every Step
by Gelb, Michael J. & Bruce Fertman
NONFICTION

A Kind Life: Eat Plants, Buy Less, Slow Down—and Save the Planet
by Wohlleben, Carina
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?