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Doctor Turner's Casebook
Call The Midwife is the BBC's most popular drama ever - that is what viewing figures tell us with over ten million viewers per episode. The Christmas edition is always reviewed as a 'must see' event, just as important to some families as the Queen's Speech.
All the principal actors are now household names and one in particular over the past two seasons has dramatically come to the front of the show - Doctor Turner, played by Stephen McGann. He is now seen as the lynchpin of the series, not only overseeing the many childbirths across episodes, but also dealing with a multitude of diseases that strike the young, as accurately portrayed by the show's writer Heidi Thomas. Polio, meningitis, measles, scarlet fever and thalidomide have all been meticulously depicted on the show. This new book, will now reveal how a local doctor - such as Dr Turner - not only dealt with such cases, but also how he worked within the newly created National Health Service, as well as lived alongside his East End community. It will be a facsimile as well as a fictionalised diary from the character, all conceived and written by the show's writer Heidi Thomas. Stephen McGann will also contribute his own narrative having studied for an MA in medical studies. Beautifully designed, it will make a lovely present for any fan of the series, as well as those wishing to find out more about the history of what life was really like in this period.
All the principal actors are now household names and one in particular over the past two seasons has dramatically come to the front of the show - Doctor Turner, played by Stephen McGann. He is now seen as the lynchpin of the series, not only overseeing the many childbirths across episodes, but also dealing with a multitude of diseases that strike the young, as accurately portrayed by the show's writer Heidi Thomas. Polio, meningitis, measles, scarlet fever and thalidomide have all been meticulously depicted on the show. This new book, will now reveal how a local doctor - such as Dr Turner - not only dealt with such cases, but also how he worked within the newly created National Health Service, as well as lived alongside his East End community. It will be a facsimile as well as a fictionalised diary from the character, all conceived and written by the show's writer Heidi Thomas. Stephen McGann will also contribute his own narrative having studied for an MA in medical studies. Beautifully designed, it will make a lovely present for any fan of the series, as well as those wishing to find out more about the history of what life was really like in this period.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2016
23 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Stephen McGann
8 books24 followersStephen McGann is an English actor best known for his work on Call the Midwife. His three elder brothers -Joe, Paul, and Mark- are also actors. Stephen is married to screenwriter Heidi Thomas.
McGann is also a public speaker and communicator of science, having graduated from Imperial College London with a masters degree in Science Communication.
Internet Movie Database page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0568914/
McGann is also a public speaker and communicator of science, having graduated from Imperial College London with a masters degree in Science Communication.
Internet Movie Database page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0568914/
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 28, 2018
I'm one of the myriad fans of the BBC show Call the Midwife, so this book caught my attention. It is a cathartic pleasure to me to cry (and smile) my way through a new season each year. What I enjoy most about the show is its emphasis on compassion and its reassurance that even in the face of the most unexpected personal trials, people manage ... and can even extract some peace and contentment one day at a time.
This companion book is written by the actor who plays Doctor Turner in the show (and who is married to the show creator). He is passionate about the show and what it teaches about social and medical history. The book is a combination of real history and fictional journal entries from "Dr. Turner." Plenty of photos of the cast on set are scattered throughout the text.
This companion book is written by the actor who plays Doctor Turner in the show (and who is married to the show creator). He is passionate about the show and what it teaches about social and medical history. The book is a combination of real history and fictional journal entries from "Dr. Turner." Plenty of photos of the cast on set are scattered throughout the text.
August 20, 2018
Wow! What an incredibly clever book. Stephen McGann has used the character of Dr Turner and cases from the continually popular BBC drama 'Call the Midwife' to introduce the reader to certain ailments, diseases, or aspects of living in 1960s East London. He then provides the researched medical context to give the background and information about that particularly story line. Interspersed with his text is a variety of pictures / posters from the period, photographs from the series and quotations from key people of the time. He has clearly spent time researching many different aspects of medical and social history.
So why 4 stars ...?
One - whilst I'm sure that the hardback coffee table book is amazing and great to flick through, the kindle edition was a little bit ... disappointing. Often the caption for the photograph or poster was on the next page. This was not, of course, McGann's fault.
However, from someone who has an MA in Science Communication I was rather surprised that at no point was there a literature / further reading list, let alone any footnotes or references. Several times I wanted to refer back to the original material, find out where certain facts had come from, and follow up on his research. But I have absolutely no ability to do so using this text. For instance, towards the end he quotes Sister Frances Domenica, 'who opened the world's first children's hospice' discussing how mothers' felt when they had taken drugs which had later proved to cause their children's disabilities. If this was from a memoir or similar, I would love to read more of this amazing woman's responses to the world.
It's not an academic text - I get that, I even respect that, as McGann is clearly capturing the imagination of readers who would not be interested and footnotes would put them off. But a discrete 'further reading' list at the end would do the opposite and expand this book to a wider audience. With references that could be followed up, I could happily, and would readily, recommend it to my university students as a great way into medical history. But as it stands, it's just a lovely book full of nice photographs to accompany a TV series, that has some facts and background that can't be followed up. :-( My heart has been a little bit broken by this very clever and engaging actor / academic.
So why 4 stars ...?
One - whilst I'm sure that the hardback coffee table book is amazing and great to flick through, the kindle edition was a little bit ... disappointing. Often the caption for the photograph or poster was on the next page. This was not, of course, McGann's fault.
However, from someone who has an MA in Science Communication I was rather surprised that at no point was there a literature / further reading list, let alone any footnotes or references. Several times I wanted to refer back to the original material, find out where certain facts had come from, and follow up on his research. But I have absolutely no ability to do so using this text. For instance, towards the end he quotes Sister Frances Domenica, 'who opened the world's first children's hospice' discussing how mothers' felt when they had taken drugs which had later proved to cause their children's disabilities. If this was from a memoir or similar, I would love to read more of this amazing woman's responses to the world.
It's not an academic text - I get that, I even respect that, as McGann is clearly capturing the imagination of readers who would not be interested and footnotes would put them off. But a discrete 'further reading' list at the end would do the opposite and expand this book to a wider audience. With references that could be followed up, I could happily, and would readily, recommend it to my university students as a great way into medical history. But as it stands, it's just a lovely book full of nice photographs to accompany a TV series, that has some facts and background that can't be followed up. :-( My heart has been a little bit broken by this very clever and engaging actor / academic.
February 20, 2016
This is a spin off book written by Stephen McGann, who plays Dr. Partrick Turner in the hugely popular television series ‘Call The Midwife’, which is currently being shown on BBC 1 on Sunday evening.
I have eagerly anticipated this book since I found out about its release, as I love the programme both from an entertainment point of view and from a historical point of view. I love social and political history.
What a fascinating but also at times traumatic read this proved to be. Both of my parents were nurses and both grew up in the 1950s & 1960s so I had grown up with tales of how things used to be, how illnesses were treated at the time and attitudes towards such illnesses. Reading this book brought the different subjects to life, particularly with the help of case studies from Dr. Turner’s career. Real life examples were also used.
This was a very informative, warts & all, no holds barred and non-judgemental read. I particularly loved looking at the old leaflets, articles from newspapers of the time and pictures from the show. One particularly disturbing article featured a man, who was up in court for trying to induce an abortion on his wife. The couple couldn’t afford to have a child and sadly saw an illegal abortion as the only way out of their particularly sad situation.
I really did enjoy reading this book and I hope that it is the start of a series. It was really well written. I would recommend this book to anyone.
I have eagerly anticipated this book since I found out about its release, as I love the programme both from an entertainment point of view and from a historical point of view. I love social and political history.
What a fascinating but also at times traumatic read this proved to be. Both of my parents were nurses and both grew up in the 1950s & 1960s so I had grown up with tales of how things used to be, how illnesses were treated at the time and attitudes towards such illnesses. Reading this book brought the different subjects to life, particularly with the help of case studies from Dr. Turner’s career. Real life examples were also used.
This was a very informative, warts & all, no holds barred and non-judgemental read. I particularly loved looking at the old leaflets, articles from newspapers of the time and pictures from the show. One particularly disturbing article featured a man, who was up in court for trying to induce an abortion on his wife. The couple couldn’t afford to have a child and sadly saw an illegal abortion as the only way out of their particularly sad situation.
I really did enjoy reading this book and I hope that it is the start of a series. It was really well written. I would recommend this book to anyone.
April 23, 2022
Yes - I am stuck down the rabbit hole of Call the Midwife related books. This one is wrote by McGann, as his character Dr Patrick Turner, and talking about the diseases and diagnosis he sees, before and during the span of the Call the Midwife series. With behind the scenes photos from the set, and background stories to some of the characters - including Shelagh Turner. Overall a lovely little addition to the Call the Midwife world.
March 12, 2020
I have been a devoted viewer of CALL THE MIDWIFE since it first appeared on our local PBS station, WITF, Hershey, PA about ten years ago. Indeed, my wife and I, via Netflix, are watching the first programs again while eagerly awaiting the start of a new season in about two weeks. My favorite character has been Dr. Turner. How thrilled I was to learn of this book. And I truly learned from it.
This book, in a sense, has two authors. Stephen McGann gives the reader valuable information on the diseases featured on the program; his alter ego recounts some of the cases he and the nurses (midwives) have tackled.
And one cannot forget the pictures, most of them including Dr. Turner. I cannot imagine a man better suited for the role of Dr. Turner than Stephen McGann.
How blessed we are to watch him develop this character, and, writing as Dr. Turner, to read his exquisite prose.
Perhaps the most beautifully written chapter I’ve ever read begins on page 98: Stillbirth.
Page 129:
A life isn't measured by the limits of time, the perceptions of another's pain, or by any presumption of a heart's potential. The chance to live, and to love, is a gift that can't be idly traded. Such a life doesn't define itself in isolation, but is forged in the reflected light of the love that surrounds it.
Page 130
The facts of a life are not the ultimate qualities of it; things assigned to us by nature are just the opening statements, and not the argument's end. After all, even something written in stone can be eroded away to nothing given time and a fair wind.
Sometimes truth can arrive by a circuitous path.
Page 131
To live in hope is not a deluded thing. Hope is the sword love wields in the face of uncertainty. It reflects the quality of a life complete, and not the mere facts that constitute a body’s physiology.
Hope is the fair wind that can blow all writing from the stone.
Can one read these words and not be moved?
Five stars
This book, in a sense, has two authors. Stephen McGann gives the reader valuable information on the diseases featured on the program; his alter ego recounts some of the cases he and the nurses (midwives) have tackled.
And one cannot forget the pictures, most of them including Dr. Turner. I cannot imagine a man better suited for the role of Dr. Turner than Stephen McGann.
How blessed we are to watch him develop this character, and, writing as Dr. Turner, to read his exquisite prose.
Perhaps the most beautifully written chapter I’ve ever read begins on page 98: Stillbirth.
Page 129:
A life isn't measured by the limits of time, the perceptions of another's pain, or by any presumption of a heart's potential. The chance to live, and to love, is a gift that can't be idly traded. Such a life doesn't define itself in isolation, but is forged in the reflected light of the love that surrounds it.
Page 130
The facts of a life are not the ultimate qualities of it; things assigned to us by nature are just the opening statements, and not the argument's end. After all, even something written in stone can be eroded away to nothing given time and a fair wind.
Sometimes truth can arrive by a circuitous path.
Page 131
To live in hope is not a deluded thing. Hope is the sword love wields in the face of uncertainty. It reflects the quality of a life complete, and not the mere facts that constitute a body’s physiology.
Hope is the fair wind that can blow all writing from the stone.
Can one read these words and not be moved?
Five stars
March 2, 2016
All fans of the BBC's 'Call The Midwife' should read this book! As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it for my shelves. I have all Jennifer Worth's novels, which led to the tv series and this one is a wonderful addition to my collection.
Written by Stephen McGann, who plays Dr. Turner, the book is informative, detailing many of the cases shown on the show. There are many descriptions of the times in Poplar in the fifties and sixties when the show takes place, giving the reader and even better glimpse into the lives of the residents.
We also get history lessons regarding medicines, treatments, etc. I am absolutely delighted to have this wonderful book for my collection. I highly recommend it to all Call The Midwife fans.
Written by Stephen McGann, who plays Dr. Turner, the book is informative, detailing many of the cases shown on the show. There are many descriptions of the times in Poplar in the fifties and sixties when the show takes place, giving the reader and even better glimpse into the lives of the residents.
We also get history lessons regarding medicines, treatments, etc. I am absolutely delighted to have this wonderful book for my collection. I highly recommend it to all Call The Midwife fans.
December 15, 2017
Beautiful and really interesting book about healthcare and social issues portrayed in the series call the midwife. This book is written simply so that you don't need a medical degree to understand but written in a way that does not detract from the pain and suffering suffered during the preceding centuries and how that suffering has shaped medical advancements up to the present day. The photos contained in this book are stunning.
November 17, 2017
Die BBC-Serie "Call the Midwife" über ein Hebammenteam im Londoner East End der 50er Jahre ist einer der großen Überraschungserfolge der letzten Jahre. Der besondere Reiz der Serie liegt nicht nur in den Storylines, den Charakteren und dem auf den Punkt gebrachten Zeitkolorit, sondern auch in der Darstellung vieler gesellschaftlicher und medizinischer Schwerpunktthemen jener Zeit.
Von Anfang an dabei ist Stephen McGann bzw. sein Alter Ego, der unermüdliche Allgemeinarzt Dr. Patrick Turner, der sich nach Kräften bemüht, seiner riesigen Patientenschar, die oft genug aus ärmlichen Verhältnissen kommt, gerecht zu werden.
McGann hat auch im wirklichen Leben ein Faible für Medizin und Geschichte und leiht in diesem sehr schön aufgemachten Buch erneut Dr. Turner seine Stimme, diesmal in Form von Aufzeichnungen über Patientenfälle, die in der Serie vorkamen und die stellvertretend für eine bestimmte Krankheit, Komplikation oder soziale Problematik stehen. Das ist auch optisch sehr hübsch gemacht, in altmodischer Schreibmaschinenschrift auf liniertem Papier mit Kaffeeflecken. Gerade so, als hätte ein hundemüder Arzt nach einem langen Tag mit Hilfe von viel Koffein noch seine Notizen ins reine getippt.
Diese fiktiven Fallbeispiele ergänzt McGann um medizinische Fakten und historische Hintergründe, so dass sich ein umfangreiches Bild über die medizinische Versorgungslage, die drängendsten Themen und auch die enormen Umbrüche in Medizin und Gesellschaft in der Nachkriegszeit ergibt. Vieles verblüfft uns moderne Leser, einiges erschreckt auch - man weiß nach der Lektüre den heutigen Stand der Dinge von neuem zu würdigen.
Abgerundet wird das Ganze durch zahlreiche Bilder. Es gibt viele Szenenfotos aus der Serie, aber auch Originalaufnahmen, Zeitungsausschnitte, Abbildungen von medizinischem Equipment von damals und generell viel Nostalgieflair.
Nicht nur für Fans empfehlenswert.
Von Anfang an dabei ist Stephen McGann bzw. sein Alter Ego, der unermüdliche Allgemeinarzt Dr. Patrick Turner, der sich nach Kräften bemüht, seiner riesigen Patientenschar, die oft genug aus ärmlichen Verhältnissen kommt, gerecht zu werden.
McGann hat auch im wirklichen Leben ein Faible für Medizin und Geschichte und leiht in diesem sehr schön aufgemachten Buch erneut Dr. Turner seine Stimme, diesmal in Form von Aufzeichnungen über Patientenfälle, die in der Serie vorkamen und die stellvertretend für eine bestimmte Krankheit, Komplikation oder soziale Problematik stehen. Das ist auch optisch sehr hübsch gemacht, in altmodischer Schreibmaschinenschrift auf liniertem Papier mit Kaffeeflecken. Gerade so, als hätte ein hundemüder Arzt nach einem langen Tag mit Hilfe von viel Koffein noch seine Notizen ins reine getippt.
Diese fiktiven Fallbeispiele ergänzt McGann um medizinische Fakten und historische Hintergründe, so dass sich ein umfangreiches Bild über die medizinische Versorgungslage, die drängendsten Themen und auch die enormen Umbrüche in Medizin und Gesellschaft in der Nachkriegszeit ergibt. Vieles verblüfft uns moderne Leser, einiges erschreckt auch - man weiß nach der Lektüre den heutigen Stand der Dinge von neuem zu würdigen.
Abgerundet wird das Ganze durch zahlreiche Bilder. Es gibt viele Szenenfotos aus der Serie, aber auch Originalaufnahmen, Zeitungsausschnitte, Abbildungen von medizinischem Equipment von damals und generell viel Nostalgieflair.
Nicht nur für Fans empfehlenswert.
September 16, 2022
The best part of this book was the interesting illustrations - photographs of medical items, articles, etc., from the late '50s. The book was a medical discussion of several of the situations dramatized in the first five seasons of Call the Midwife. "Dr. Turner" wrote personal essays for each topic (thalidomide, diphtheria, etc.) and the rest was more objective medical information. This was not a sit-down-engrossed sort of book, but it was good reading.
May 7, 2023
This was super hard to find!
I enjoyed the medical history behind the stories.
It was published in 2016, it included the importance of vaccines
" In order to protect everyone we have to think beyond our own immediate self-interest. If we become a population incapable of basic altruism, then we will become a population once more plagued with deadly infections."
It's too bad it only includes the first 5 seasons.
I did not need the tea cup ring on every page of his journal.
I enjoyed the medical history behind the stories.
It was published in 2016, it included the importance of vaccines
" In order to protect everyone we have to think beyond our own immediate self-interest. If we become a population incapable of basic altruism, then we will become a population once more plagued with deadly infections."
It's too bad it only includes the first 5 seasons.
I did not need the tea cup ring on every page of his journal.
November 26, 2023
Set in London. 256 pp. Interesting combination of medical history and historical fiction. The photos from and setting of Call the Midwife are what drew me to the book.
Doctor Turner's Casebook by Stephen McGann
Doctor Turner's Casebook by Stephen McGann
June 4, 2017
This hardcover book is a wonderful return to the world of Poplar and Call the Midwife, especially between seasons. The best part is that it is actually written by Stephen McGann the actor who portrays Doctor Turner.
I loved reading about characters and their cases more in-depth and loved that the pictures. This book is a must have for fans of the show, as well as the books series.
I loved reading about characters and their cases more in-depth and loved that the pictures. This book is a must have for fans of the show, as well as the books series.
June 11, 2017
Not just a companion book to the show, McGann also covers a lot of history and medical concepts. I was most impressed with the chapter discussing vaccination. McGann was able to illustrate herd immunity and it's importance in a way that is easy to understand. If you enjoy medical history (and Call The Midwife), you'll enjoy this book.
February 27, 2019
This is a MUST read! Nowadays people don't want to even get vaccinate, this would open your eyes about how much our ancestors suffered for diseases that now can be easily prevented. And it remind us the blessings of modern medicine.
January 4, 2024
I think I prefer this to the original Call the Midwife books, it’s a great outline of priorities of healthcare in that time, and thoughts on developments and areas to improve. Learned a lot about TB, polio and the actual process of birth through history, e.g. c-sections etc.
August 16, 2017
A lucid and imaginative medical history book, and a must for Call the Midwife fans!
January 1, 2019
I enjoyed reading the book as it explored some of the stories further from the TV series.
The book appears to be both pro-choice and pro-vaccine if that matters to you.
The book appears to be both pro-choice and pro-vaccine if that matters to you.
January 23, 2021
Very good indeed. My only complaint would be that it’s not bigger. Lots of medical detail and background to stories covered on the show.
March 2, 2016
If you are a fan of the BBC's Call the Midwife (shown in the US on PBS), you'll find that this is a great companion book. If you ever had questions about medical care, scientific advances made in the 20th century, the NHS, after watching an episode of the show, this is for you. Each chapter starts as a page of Dr. Turner's "diary," complete with coffee (tea? probably) stains, as he pours out his soul regarding various cases, and his own personal life. There are the demons he carries around from WWII, the death of his first wife, Sheilagh, Timothy's polio, etc. Dr. Turner is quite the poet, surprisingly so. The following pages are more of a medical history, mostly British-based, relating to the story, the illness-du-jour, as it were. The writing here, is quite different: more scientific and historic, though there is some clunky phrasing. For me, the whole book was a great way to review some of the episodes while impatiently waiting for the next season to air in the US (it's already on in Britain).
Also check out The Life and Times of Call the Midwife, a fun book about making the first two seasons of the series.
If you aren't familiar with Call the Midwife, what are you waiting for? Excellent series.
Also check out The Life and Times of Call the Midwife, a fun book about making the first two seasons of the series.
If you aren't familiar with Call the Midwife, what are you waiting for? Excellent series.
May 14, 2016
A great book for any Call the Midwife fan. It offers tons of information about medicine and social problems of the era, as well as keen insights into Dr. Turner's character. There's an amazing amount of backstory and well-written personal history that you never see on screen. It's put together well too, with lots of photos from the show. Don't read it until you've reached at least the beginning of Season 5, because there are spoilers. This book is definitely a keeper.
June 17, 2021
5*
Vídeo de Opinião em: https://youtu.be/bBKiszec1oQ
Um livro extremamente bem conseguido e bem trabalhado. A informação está muito bem organizada e dispõe de uma excelente alternância entre as reflexões da personagem ficcionada e da descrição dos factos históricos. Todos sabemos que Call The Midwife é uma série muito fiel, este livro mostra-nos o quão atenta aos detalhes é.
Vídeo de Opinião em: https://youtu.be/bBKiszec1oQ
Um livro extremamente bem conseguido e bem trabalhado. A informação está muito bem organizada e dispõe de uma excelente alternância entre as reflexões da personagem ficcionada e da descrição dos factos históricos. Todos sabemos que Call The Midwife é uma série muito fiel, este livro mostra-nos o quão atenta aos detalhes é.
February 13, 2016
A great companion to the TV series Call The Midwife. I found it a fantastic insight to what life was like in the 50's and 60's. It was sad in parts especially when talking about the drug Thalidomide and its devastating effects. Contains some great photos from the era.
July 12, 2023
This book was really interesting, very informative and a real eye opener on how much has changed is so little time.
I haven't watched the series yet, but it's definitely readable and understandble without having seen the series.
I haven't watched the series yet, but it's definitely readable and understandble without having seen the series.
February 1, 2016
Excellent
If you love call the midwife, then you Will love Doctor Turner's Casebook. Good to learn about the good doctor.
If you love call the midwife, then you Will love Doctor Turner's Casebook. Good to learn about the good doctor.
February 3, 2016
This book is both a great insight into the world of Call the Midwife, but also into medicine and the NHS in the late 50s and early 60 , while entertaining you all the way. Brilliant!
September 5, 2016
Excellent addition to my Call The Midwife books! Very informative and just a wonderful book.
August 28, 2017
A nice look into medical insights of the time period of the show. A cute little addition
April 14, 2017
Written by the actor who plays Dr. Turner on BBC's hit drama Call the Midwife (aired on PBS in the U.S.), this is a great book! I loved how McGann writes part of it in character as journal entries, detailing cases and events portrayed in the show from his character's point of view, and the other part as background and history of the societal and medical issues addressed in the show. From antibiotics to childbirth to disability issues, it is a well-written historical exposition of medical history and advancements made over the past decades and centuries. The book also offers more personal insight into McGann's character's history that we are not privy to on-screen.
I do not recommend this book if you haven't watched the show as there are major show plot spoilers through the beginning of the show's fifth season.
Note: This book is not sold in the U.S., but I was able to order it from a third-party vendor via Amazon.
I do not recommend this book if you haven't watched the show as there are major show plot spoilers through the beginning of the show's fifth season.
Note: This book is not sold in the U.S., but I was able to order it from a third-party vendor via Amazon.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews