The Healing Blade: A Tale of Neurosurgery

by Edward J. Sylvester

The Healing Blade is a true story. The narrative spans a period of years as the author spends hundreds of days and nights following the neurosurgeons and residents at one of the world's leading neurological institutes as they struggle to save lives, to compete in an ever more difficult medical world, and to learn the innermost secrets of the brain.

Genres: Science

254 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1981

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a way to know better who would be operating on my son and later, on myself. What I wasn't prepared for was the fascinating, dramatic side of neurosurgery--the standstill procedure--where the patient has no heartbeat, no breathe, no blood flow, no viable temperature, no brainwaves or brain activity. Patients are taken to death and brought back to life. Healing Blade is a fitting title. When a neuro patient is in the hands of a skilled and experienced doctor, one such as Spetzler, miracles are a frequent occurrence. The chapters on Barrow's history can be slow reading--just pass over it. Otherwise, a must read for anyone with a brain ;)

[Sa'Adatu Yakubu]

Good book