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Dissident Doctor: My Life Catching Babies and Challenging the Medical Status Quo
How often do you hear a doctor saying doctors need to be more accountable, Medicare needs more support and family medicine deserves more respect? Dissident Doctor bristles with refreshingly frank criticisms from inside the health sector, and its author is not just any doctor but a distinguished scientific researcher, veteran medical administrator, Professor Emeritus, recipient of the Order of Canada and lifelong gadfly. In Dissident Doctor , Michael C. Klein intersperses fascinating tales of individual cases with formative elements of his personal life. As the son of American left-wing activists, he grew up singing folk songs about justice and racial equality; as a young doctor his refusal to serve as a military physician during the Vietnam War prompted his immigration to Canada. His early experience working with midwives in Ethiopia―delivering babies using techniques for natural pain relief and without routine episiotomy―were formative, leading him to question many standard but unjustified procedures in Western maternity care. He made many unconventional decisions as a result of his focus on humane medicine, transitioning from a specialization in pediatrics and newborn care to become a family physician, and embracing midwifery before it was approved in Canada. Klein’s determination in the face of great opposition, the strength of his convictions, and his humility and sense of humour drive this powerful story of a life and career dedicated to his patients and his principles.
- GenresAutobiographyNonfiction
304 pages, Hardcover
Published March 2, 2019
3 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 13, 2019
I started reading this while pregnant and then decided to pause as it felt a bit close to home, but in hindsight having read it in advance of labour may have helped me better advocate for myself and my baby.
Reading this feels less like reading and more like sitting down and listening to Michael (Dr Klein) tell amazing stories from his career. Part memoir, part history of maternal & infant care in North America, and powerful case for single payer public Medicare, the narrative is also dotted with anecdotes (both personal and political).
Whether you’re interested in the peace movement (draft dodgers, war resisters & the horrors of the Vietnam war era), public health advocate, interested in maternal and infant health or simply interested in the fascinating life of Canada’s most accomplished family physicians (and husband to filmmaker Bonnie Sherr Klein, Dad to Naomi and Seth) - you should add this to your collection.
Reading this feels less like reading and more like sitting down and listening to Michael (Dr Klein) tell amazing stories from his career. Part memoir, part history of maternal & infant care in North America, and powerful case for single payer public Medicare, the narrative is also dotted with anecdotes (both personal and political).
Whether you’re interested in the peace movement (draft dodgers, war resisters & the horrors of the Vietnam war era), public health advocate, interested in maternal and infant health or simply interested in the fascinating life of Canada’s most accomplished family physicians (and husband to filmmaker Bonnie Sherr Klein, Dad to Naomi and Seth) - you should add this to your collection.
October 7, 2025
A courageous and deeply human memoir from inside the medical system.
Dr. Michael C. Klein’s Dissident Doctor is one of those rare memoirs that manages to be both personal and political without ever losing its warmth. What struck me most was Klein’s honesty, his willingness to question not only the system he worked in, but also his own assumptions as a physician.
From his early days working alongside midwives in Ethiopia to his battles with institutional resistance in North America, Klein’s story is a reminder that medicine is not just about science, it’s about empathy, courage, and the willingness to listen. His defense of midwifery, humane maternity care, and patient-centered practice feels as urgent now as it did decades ago.
The book also offers fascinating historical context: the Vietnam War era, the rise of Canadian Medicare, and the evolution of childbirth practices across continents. But beyond all that, it’s a portrait of a man who refused to stay silent in a system that too often prioritizes routine over reason.
Whether you’re in healthcare, interested in social justice, or just drawn to stories of people who stand up for what they believe in, Dissident Doctor will leave you inspired, and maybe a little more hopeful about what medicine can be.
Dr. Michael C. Klein’s Dissident Doctor is one of those rare memoirs that manages to be both personal and political without ever losing its warmth. What struck me most was Klein’s honesty, his willingness to question not only the system he worked in, but also his own assumptions as a physician.
From his early days working alongside midwives in Ethiopia to his battles with institutional resistance in North America, Klein’s story is a reminder that medicine is not just about science, it’s about empathy, courage, and the willingness to listen. His defense of midwifery, humane maternity care, and patient-centered practice feels as urgent now as it did decades ago.
The book also offers fascinating historical context: the Vietnam War era, the rise of Canadian Medicare, and the evolution of childbirth practices across continents. But beyond all that, it’s a portrait of a man who refused to stay silent in a system that too often prioritizes routine over reason.
Whether you’re in healthcare, interested in social justice, or just drawn to stories of people who stand up for what they believe in, Dissident Doctor will leave you inspired, and maybe a little more hopeful about what medicine can be.
October 7, 2025
A powerful reminder that medicine is about people, not just procedures.
Michael Klein’s Dissident Doctor is one of the most compelling memoirs I’ve read in a long time. His honesty and humility make every page feel personal, while his courage to challenge the medical status quo is deeply inspiring. I was struck by how seamlessly he connects his personal journey, from his activist roots to his fight for humane maternity care, with the broader issues facing healthcare today.
What stands out most is his compassion. Klein doesn’t just talk about reform, he lives it. His belief that patients deserve respect, choice, and empathy feels both revolutionary and overdue. This book is not only about medicine; it’s about integrity, resilience, and the power of doing what’s right even when it’s unpopular.
A must-read for healthcare professionals, students, and anyone who believes change starts with courage.
Michael Klein’s Dissident Doctor is one of the most compelling memoirs I’ve read in a long time. His honesty and humility make every page feel personal, while his courage to challenge the medical status quo is deeply inspiring. I was struck by how seamlessly he connects his personal journey, from his activist roots to his fight for humane maternity care, with the broader issues facing healthcare today.
What stands out most is his compassion. Klein doesn’t just talk about reform, he lives it. His belief that patients deserve respect, choice, and empathy feels both revolutionary and overdue. This book is not only about medicine; it’s about integrity, resilience, and the power of doing what’s right even when it’s unpopular.
A must-read for healthcare professionals, students, and anyone who believes change starts with courage.
October 7, 2025
An honest, eye-opening, and inspiring read!
Dr. Michael Klein’s story is both powerful and refreshing. He writes with deep compassion and courage as he exposes the flaws in modern maternity care while showing what true patient-centered medicine should look like. I loved how he combines personal memories, medical experiences, and social history to paint a complete picture of a doctor who never stopped questioning the system.
His dedication to humane childbirth and his belief in listening to mothers and families really stood out to me. This book reminded me that good healthcare isn’t just about technology, it’s about empathy, respect, and the courage to do what’s right. Truly an inspiring and educational read for anyone who cares about the future of medicine.
Dr. Michael Klein’s story is both powerful and refreshing. He writes with deep compassion and courage as he exposes the flaws in modern maternity care while showing what true patient-centered medicine should look like. I loved how he combines personal memories, medical experiences, and social history to paint a complete picture of a doctor who never stopped questioning the system.
His dedication to humane childbirth and his belief in listening to mothers and families really stood out to me. This book reminded me that good healthcare isn’t just about technology, it’s about empathy, respect, and the courage to do what’s right. Truly an inspiring and educational read for anyone who cares about the future of medicine.
October 7, 2025
A bold, relevant, and genuinely human read.
Dissident Doctor isn’t your typical medical memoir, it’s raw, reflective, and surprisingly relatable. Dr. Michael Klein doesn’t sugarcoat the system; he calls out outdated practices and shows what real, compassionate healthcare should look like. I loved how he mixes stories from his career with bigger conversations about ethics, birth, and what it means to truly care for people.
It’s rare to see a doctor speak this honestly about accountability and change. Even years after its release, the message still feels urgent: medicine needs more humanity. This book should be required reading for anyone who works in healthcare, or just wants to understand how much courage it takes to stand up for what’s right.
Dissident Doctor isn’t your typical medical memoir, it’s raw, reflective, and surprisingly relatable. Dr. Michael Klein doesn’t sugarcoat the system; he calls out outdated practices and shows what real, compassionate healthcare should look like. I loved how he mixes stories from his career with bigger conversations about ethics, birth, and what it means to truly care for people.
It’s rare to see a doctor speak this honestly about accountability and change. Even years after its release, the message still feels urgent: medicine needs more humanity. This book should be required reading for anyone who works in healthcare, or just wants to understand how much courage it takes to stand up for what’s right.
October 7, 2025
A deeply thoughtful and inspiring memoir that challenges the way we see modern medicine.
Dr. Michael Klein’s Dissident Doctor offers an unfiltered look at what it means to stand up for patients in a system that doesn’t always prioritize them. His reflections on childbirth, family medicine, and ethical care reveal just how much courage it takes to question long-accepted practices.
What I loved most is how personal this book feels, Klein shares his values, his struggles, and the human side of medicine with honesty and grace. It’s not just about healthcare; it’s about empathy, justice, and the importance of listening to people’s stories.
A compelling, eye-opening read that reminds us why compassion will always be medicine’s most powerful tool.
Dr. Michael Klein’s Dissident Doctor offers an unfiltered look at what it means to stand up for patients in a system that doesn’t always prioritize them. His reflections on childbirth, family medicine, and ethical care reveal just how much courage it takes to question long-accepted practices.
What I loved most is how personal this book feels, Klein shares his values, his struggles, and the human side of medicine with honesty and grace. It’s not just about healthcare; it’s about empathy, justice, and the importance of listening to people’s stories.
A compelling, eye-opening read that reminds us why compassion will always be medicine’s most powerful tool.
October 7, 2025
A heartfelt story about courage, compassion, and real change in medicine.
Reading Dissident Doctor felt like listening to a wise mentor who’s seen it all and still believes in the power of kindness. Dr. Klein doesn’t just tell his life story, he invites you into the moments that shaped him, from standing up against the Vietnam War to challenging outdated medical practices.
What really struck me was how relevant his message still is today. In a world where healthcare often feels rushed and impersonal, Klein reminds us that the best care starts with empathy and listening. His passion for midwifery and humane childbirth care shines through every chapter.
This book isn’t just for doctors—it’s for anyone who believes that doing good sometimes means going against the grain.
Reading Dissident Doctor felt like listening to a wise mentor who’s seen it all and still believes in the power of kindness. Dr. Klein doesn’t just tell his life story, he invites you into the moments that shaped him, from standing up against the Vietnam War to challenging outdated medical practices.
What really struck me was how relevant his message still is today. In a world where healthcare often feels rushed and impersonal, Klein reminds us that the best care starts with empathy and listening. His passion for midwifery and humane childbirth care shines through every chapter.
This book isn’t just for doctors—it’s for anyone who believes that doing good sometimes means going against the grain.
October 7, 2025
An honest, eye-opening look at what it really means to care.
Dissident Doctor isn’t just a memoir, it’s a movement in book form. Dr. Michael Klein pulls back the curtain on decades of medical culture, showing how one person’s integrity and compassion can make a lasting difference. His voice is calm but fearless, and his stories, from Ethiopia to Canada, show how listening to patients can completely transform healthcare.
I loved how this book blends medical insight with social consciousness. It’s written with warmth, intelligence, and a quiet kind of rebellion that feels rare in nonfiction. By the end, I wasn’t just inspired—I was reminded that every system, no matter how rigid, can change if someone is brave enough to question it.
Dissident Doctor isn’t just a memoir, it’s a movement in book form. Dr. Michael Klein pulls back the curtain on decades of medical culture, showing how one person’s integrity and compassion can make a lasting difference. His voice is calm but fearless, and his stories, from Ethiopia to Canada, show how listening to patients can completely transform healthcare.
I loved how this book blends medical insight with social consciousness. It’s written with warmth, intelligence, and a quiet kind of rebellion that feels rare in nonfiction. By the end, I wasn’t just inspired—I was reminded that every system, no matter how rigid, can change if someone is brave enough to question it.
October 7, 2025
A fascinating and courageous journey through the heart of modern medicine.
Michael Klein’s Dissident Doctor is one of those rare books that manages to educate, inspire, and move you all at once. His story shows what happens when a doctor chooses principle over comfort, fighting for midwifery, patient choice, and compassion in a system that often resists change.
I was especially drawn to his humility and storytelling style. Instead of lecturing, he shares his experiences with warmth and honesty, letting readers see the human side of medicine. You don’t need a medical background to connect with this book, it’s really about courage, empathy, and the lifelong pursuit of doing what’s right.
A powerful reminder that one person’s voice can truly make a difference.
Michael Klein’s Dissident Doctor is one of those rare books that manages to educate, inspire, and move you all at once. His story shows what happens when a doctor chooses principle over comfort, fighting for midwifery, patient choice, and compassion in a system that often resists change.
I was especially drawn to his humility and storytelling style. Instead of lecturing, he shares his experiences with warmth and honesty, letting readers see the human side of medicine. You don’t need a medical background to connect with this book, it’s really about courage, empathy, and the lifelong pursuit of doing what’s right.
A powerful reminder that one person’s voice can truly make a difference.
October 7, 2025
Inspiring, brave, and deeply human.
Dissident Doctor is more than a memoir, it’s the story of a man who never stopped believing that compassion should come before convention. Dr. Michael Klein writes with honesty and warmth as he takes readers through his remarkable journey, from challenging the medical establishment to defending humane childbirth and patient rights.
What I loved most is how grounded and sincere his voice feels. You can tell he truly cared about his patients and wasn’t afraid to question what others accepted as “normal.” It’s rare to find a book that balances science, empathy, and moral courage so beautifully.
A must-read for anyone who believes healthcare should be as human as it is scientific.
Dissident Doctor is more than a memoir, it’s the story of a man who never stopped believing that compassion should come before convention. Dr. Michael Klein writes with honesty and warmth as he takes readers through his remarkable journey, from challenging the medical establishment to defending humane childbirth and patient rights.
What I loved most is how grounded and sincere his voice feels. You can tell he truly cared about his patients and wasn’t afraid to question what others accepted as “normal.” It’s rare to find a book that balances science, empathy, and moral courage so beautifully.
A must-read for anyone who believes healthcare should be as human as it is scientific.
January 16, 2023
I was intrigued to read this book by my former boss. Michael describes his life as a doctor through the many changes he has seen in his career. The book is a good record of change in the medical profession since the 1960´s and what one person can do to change the system. Clearly he went out a limb many times, challenging existing practices. I would have liked more depth on what strategies worked well and what didn’t. I think one of the strategies that worked well was collaborating with other disciplines and providing education about maternity care to many diverse groups of learners.
May 30, 2023
Dr. Klein was one of the first family doctors in the U S. & Canada (he's a prof at UBC!).
The coolest thing about this book is that Dr. Klein talks about medical care during the 1960s, 70s, 80s, 90s... but when he suddenly drops something recent...like Obama care... you remember the book was published in 2018, making him 80-something-years-old as he writes, continues to mentor future doctors & change healthcare today.
His stories are really interesting and you can see how similar/different healthcare has been through the years
The coolest thing about this book is that Dr. Klein talks about medical care during the 1960s, 70s, 80s, 90s... but when he suddenly drops something recent...like Obama care... you remember the book was published in 2018, making him 80-something-years-old as he writes, continues to mentor future doctors & change healthcare today.
His stories are really interesting and you can see how similar/different healthcare has been through the years
October 7, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A powerful memoir that redefines what it means to care
Reading Dissident Doctor felt like sitting in on decades of medical history told through the eyes of someone who never stopped questioning the system. Dr. Klein’s honesty about the challenges of standing up for humane, evidence-based care is inspiring. I especially loved how he connects his early activism to his later advocacy for midwifery and patient rights. This isn’t just a memoir, it’s a reminder that medicine should always serve people, not policies.
A powerful memoir that redefines what it means to care
Reading Dissident Doctor felt like sitting in on decades of medical history told through the eyes of someone who never stopped questioning the system. Dr. Klein’s honesty about the challenges of standing up for humane, evidence-based care is inspiring. I especially loved how he connects his early activism to his later advocacy for midwifery and patient rights. This isn’t just a memoir, it’s a reminder that medicine should always serve people, not policies.
March 16, 2019
The book is autobiographical. It deals with such things as avoiding Vietnam without ever being labelled a draft dodger, his family life ( they are a talented bunch ) but mainly about his medical career. He was a great advocate for family practice, for midwifery, and for best practices in childbirth. Born in the U.S., he chose Canada as his home largely because he approves of our universal medical system.
August 11, 2019
Klein's narrative put a lot of things in context for me, from my time as a university student learning about the role of personal empowerment in health and specifically in the birth experience, to my own two birth experiences in recent years. It's so inspiring to know that there are doctors like him out there who take the extra time to look at the big picture of an individual's health. I hope the changes he envisions do take place.
February 10, 2024
I enjoyed this book and can agree with many things in here about our health care system. I was a Registered nurse and worked on a High Risk unit in a maternity hospital for 5 years so I do have experience within the system and the changes I saw in the final years of my career working as a surgical care nurse were very alarming and nurses has less power to advocate for their patients than at any point in my career. I believe that is why so many are leaving the profession of nursing.
October 7, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thought-provoking and deeply human
Our book club chose this because several of us work in healthcare, and it sparked one of our most passionate discussions yet. Klein’s experiences reveal how much courage it takes to push back against accepted medical norms. The sections about childbirth practices and midwifery were eye-opening. I only wish there were more detail on how his ideas influenced policy change, but overall, a fascinating and important read.
Thought-provoking and deeply human
Our book club chose this because several of us work in healthcare, and it sparked one of our most passionate discussions yet. Klein’s experiences reveal how much courage it takes to push back against accepted medical norms. The sections about childbirth practices and midwifery were eye-opening. I only wish there were more detail on how his ideas influenced policy change, but overall, a fascinating and important read.
October 7, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For anyone who believes compassion belongs in medicine
What stood out to me was how seamlessly Dr. Klein weaves personal stories with systemic critique. His empathy for patients shines through every chapter. From Ethiopia to Canada, his career shows that real reform starts with one person’s refusal to compromise their values. This book made me rethink the way I view healthcare, and gave me hope that change is still possible.
For anyone who believes compassion belongs in medicine
What stood out to me was how seamlessly Dr. Klein weaves personal stories with systemic critique. His empathy for patients shines through every chapter. From Ethiopia to Canada, his career shows that real reform starts with one person’s refusal to compromise their values. This book made me rethink the way I view healthcare, and gave me hope that change is still possible.
January 21, 2019
Dr. Klein provides us with insight into the development of the field of obstetrics and midwifery. Explaining why birth is often treated as a medical procedure instead of a natural phenomenon.
May 28, 2020
A must read for all birth workers in Canada to understand how maternity care evolved. A very inspiring read with a critical view.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews