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Hard Roll: A Paramedic’s Perspective of Life and Death in New Orleans
Known as one of America’s most dangerous cities, New Orleans plays host to incidents ranging from the tragic and disturbing to the completely bizarre—and during his career as an emergency medic, Jon McCarthy saw it all. He chronicles some of the most formative calls of his career in this autobiography that reads like crime fiction. McCarthy demonstrates with detail and clarity that the difficult choice is often the right choice. While not for the faint of heart, each entry in this collection provides poignant insight into the bonds between medics and the people and city they serve.
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Published April 30, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 16, 2017
Great!!
Great book! As a new paramedic I loved this book loved the detail and the just hard core truth! Thank you for this!
Great book! As a new paramedic I loved this book loved the detail and the just hard core truth! Thank you for this!
January 23, 2019
My son became an EMT this summer and received this book at Christmas. He thought I would like it, and I did. There are real stories of life and death in New Orleans told by a paramedic. The language is straightforward and Jon does a good job of describing any pertinent background information that a layperson wouldn't know. 3.5 stars.
August 29, 2022
I watch Nightwatch. Live Rescue. Cops. All of the game warden shows . . . Northwestern Law, Louisianna Law. Shows like that. (I also watch ER and Greys, but that is beside the point).
Working at 911 for the last 13 years as a FIRE/EMS Dispatcher, I never get to see the end of the story. I take the calls. Hear screams. Send the fire department or the ambulance. And usually, move on to the next call. Books like McCarthy's (and Sean), fill that constant void.
The stories in Hard Roll are brutal, raw, and honest. They are full of violence (that already happened), whether self-inflicted, or victims getting hit full-force. McCarthy's writing is crisp and smooth. With no medical background at all, I was able to follow along with the stories because of the way the tech was explained.
This is the kind of book someone should read if they are involved with a first responder, or family, or friend of a first responder because it provides insight into the day/night operations. I am glad I read it. I feel as if I got to know McCarthy and Sean, as if I were in the "third seat" of their rig for everything that unfolded.
Phillip Tomasso
Working at 911 for the last 13 years as a FIRE/EMS Dispatcher, I never get to see the end of the story. I take the calls. Hear screams. Send the fire department or the ambulance. And usually, move on to the next call. Books like McCarthy's (and Sean), fill that constant void.
The stories in Hard Roll are brutal, raw, and honest. They are full of violence (that already happened), whether self-inflicted, or victims getting hit full-force. McCarthy's writing is crisp and smooth. With no medical background at all, I was able to follow along with the stories because of the way the tech was explained.
This is the kind of book someone should read if they are involved with a first responder, or family, or friend of a first responder because it provides insight into the day/night operations. I am glad I read it. I feel as if I got to know McCarthy and Sean, as if I were in the "third seat" of their rig for everything that unfolded.
Phillip Tomasso
September 14, 2019
could have gone either way. i was prepared to find this unreadable, but i was pretty engrossed start to finish. the opening chapter about the author’s showdown with a city official during a disciplinary meeting persuaded me to buy a copy for my dad. there were a few surprises here. i generally HATE the “new orleans is a woman, a woman not unlike asia argento” metaphors, but i liked the new orleans as a vengeful god analogy enough to write it down. i had no idea you could get stuck in the mississippi river and the story of rescuing a thwarted suicide from its toxic bank, grossed me out more than all the stories of splattered brain matter. his bromance with his work-husband had me rolling my eyes after awhile, but i get it. i’ve worked on bourbon street. you see some shit, you form bonds with your battle buddies, but dude carries on about his partner like he’s had more than a few and is getting all teary-eyed. stop. that shit makes everyone uncomfortable.
December 28, 2019
A funny, sometimes poignant perspective of a paramedic’s career in New Orleans EMS. As a paramedic myself, I often found myself nodding along with the absurd and often frustrating circumstances the author and his partner found themselves in. I also share similar beliefs that EMS employers should do more for the mental well being and morale of their medics. This is a good read for anyone interested in EMS and/or first responder roles in general.
December 25, 2020
A fun and truthful read
This medic wrote his stories truthfully. Blood, guts, and glory along with a few laughs that make you wish you were out there on the calls with him. Thank you for this book!
This medic wrote his stories truthfully. Blood, guts, and glory along with a few laughs that make you wish you were out there on the calls with him. Thank you for this book!
February 1, 2025
Honest, funny, and very, very real. I enjoyed this novel by Jon McCarthy.
I work in a public safety career and based on my similar experiences, felt like McCarthy did the job a lot of justice. His writing style is relatable and brutally honest while also respectful and reverent of the job/duty he was charged with each day as a public servant.
If I could add anything to this book, I would have loved to have learned a little bit more about the EMS system he worked in. The brief snippets he gave into EMS in NOLA were fascinating to me, I really would have enjoyed learning more about the history, development of their agency and methods, their staffing, etc. He did a great job with the information he did include, just found myself wanting to gain a deeper understanding and look into the system- it's clearly one of the busiest and highest in demand throughout the country.
Will be recommending this to my coworkers and any public safety friends.
I work in a public safety career and based on my similar experiences, felt like McCarthy did the job a lot of justice. His writing style is relatable and brutally honest while also respectful and reverent of the job/duty he was charged with each day as a public servant.
If I could add anything to this book, I would have loved to have learned a little bit more about the EMS system he worked in. The brief snippets he gave into EMS in NOLA were fascinating to me, I really would have enjoyed learning more about the history, development of their agency and methods, their staffing, etc. He did a great job with the information he did include, just found myself wanting to gain a deeper understanding and look into the system- it's clearly one of the busiest and highest in demand throughout the country.
Will be recommending this to my coworkers and any public safety friends.
December 16, 2023
I think the author wrote the exact same words to indicate the beginning of an emergency call more than a dozen times. He also seemed to enjoy making his friend and EMT partner suffer bodily injury and indignity. The sadism was more than off-putting.
I still can't understand why a guy just had to take a picture of a woman whose head had been blown off in a love triangle, and then politicians got to grand stand over it. Everyone involved looked bad, especially the guys willing to ruin their lives over a fickle super heavyweight.
Bottom line, the stories were not all that interesting and the writing was too repetitive. My second book in this space, and I would recommend A Thousand Naked Strangers but not this one.
I still can't understand why a guy just had to take a picture of a woman whose head had been blown off in a love triangle, and then politicians got to grand stand over it. Everyone involved looked bad, especially the guys willing to ruin their lives over a fickle super heavyweight.
Bottom line, the stories were not all that interesting and the writing was too repetitive. My second book in this space, and I would recommend A Thousand Naked Strangers but not this one.
July 26, 2017
Interesting book
A very interesting book . First responders are a special breed of people who definitely don't get enough praise or understanding.
My only complaint with the book was that I would have blank pages every now and then, in the middle of the chapters. I feel like I may have missed something critical in these pages. I think it was on pages that had a picture on it. Don't know if this was a problem with the book or my Kindle
A very interesting book . First responders are a special breed of people who definitely don't get enough praise or understanding.
My only complaint with the book was that I would have blank pages every now and then, in the middle of the chapters. I feel like I may have missed something critical in these pages. I think it was on pages that had a picture on it. Don't know if this was a problem with the book or my Kindle
June 15, 2019
Not bad...not great
This book was not bad, but not great. The stories of the calls were interesting. I couldn’t help but feel that the author tried too hard when writing this book. The writing seemed “thin” to me. I give one million thanks to him and his partner and countless others for doing a job that a select few are able to do. That is where his strength lies.
This book was not bad, but not great. The stories of the calls were interesting. I couldn’t help but feel that the author tried too hard when writing this book. The writing seemed “thin” to me. I give one million thanks to him and his partner and countless others for doing a job that a select few are able to do. That is where his strength lies.
November 3, 2022
This book is interesting but has a lot of unnecessary content. He takes a bunch of time in the beginning defending and explaining his writing and at the end he goes on and on about his opinions of why ems working conditions need to be reformed.
July 8, 2025
You can tell McCarthy is passionate about advocating for EMS personnel and his genuine love for the profession really shines through. He mixes funny stories with real deep ones to show the dichotomy of calls. Good look into one of the best EMS systems in the nation!
February 7, 2018
Good fast read
Excellent book - gripping and very funny at the same time. The author has a very readable style to boot.
Excellent book - gripping and very funny at the same time. The author has a very readable style to boot.
June 18, 2018
Amazing!!!!
This is a very true insite into the EMS life and the line we must dance as the first line of defense against the angel of death. Loved it great job Jon McCarthy!
This is a very true insite into the EMS life and the line we must dance as the first line of defense against the angel of death. Loved it great job Jon McCarthy!
July 22, 2022
The author got his point across with humor and heart, and made me think about issues that I had never considered before. Well done sir.
September 23, 2022
Great read!
I love reading documentaries/ memoirs and this one is stellar. He evened the bad with the hilarious and did great keeping my attention!
I love reading documentaries/ memoirs and this one is stellar. He evened the bad with the hilarious and did great keeping my attention!
October 18, 2022
This book gives a visceral look into the world of EMS. The good, the bad, the disgusting, the tragic and everything in between.
February 20, 2023
God bless our EMTs
Great writing. Great true stories not always sad. A fond picture of a deep friendship and working relationship. And NOLA.
Great writing. Great true stories not always sad. A fond picture of a deep friendship and working relationship. And NOLA.
November 25, 2024
By far the most insightful and interesting account of EMT life I've read
September 10, 2025
One of the most fascinating, thought-provoking and entertaining reads in a long while: and completely unexpected. Recommended to anyone looking for a light but rewarding read!
December 21, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️ IT WAS GOOD BUT NOT GREAT -- This book was enjoyable, but I didn't LOVE it. I may have had some small issues with things like the plot or characterisation, or it may have just been a bit slow occasionally which led to my attention wandering. I'll also probably not remember this book distinctly in a few months time. Still, I would recommend this book to people who like other similar works.
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My ranking criteria (✅= Yes, ❌= No, ➖= Kind of/a little bit):
*Bonus points if I can't put the book down, it makes me feel strong emotion, or genuinely surprises me in some way.
*Penalty points for editing errors (spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.), for children who act too mature or too young for their age (this is a bugbear of mine), or if there is something in the book that just really pisses me off for any reason.
1. I was sucked into the story from the beginning ➖
2. The story had a proper beginning, middle, and end ✅
3. The writing evoked a feeling of suspense ➖
4. I was engaged the whole way through/didn't get bored ➖
5. The characters were interesting ✅
6. There was some form of character development ➖
7. The book wasn't predictable in terms of relying on tired tropes, clichés, themes, stereotypes, etc. ➖
8. I cared about the outcome of the story ✅
9. I didn't work out the ending/the ending surprised me ➖
10. The ending was satisfying ➖
🌟 Bonus points: None.
☠️ Penalty points: None.
🏅 OVERALL RANKING: 6.5/10 (3.25/5 stars)
----------
My ranking criteria (✅= Yes, ❌= No, ➖= Kind of/a little bit):
*Bonus points if I can't put the book down, it makes me feel strong emotion, or genuinely surprises me in some way.
*Penalty points for editing errors (spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.), for children who act too mature or too young for their age (this is a bugbear of mine), or if there is something in the book that just really pisses me off for any reason.
1. I was sucked into the story from the beginning ➖
2. The story had a proper beginning, middle, and end ✅
3. The writing evoked a feeling of suspense ➖
4. I was engaged the whole way through/didn't get bored ➖
5. The characters were interesting ✅
6. There was some form of character development ➖
7. The book wasn't predictable in terms of relying on tired tropes, clichés, themes, stereotypes, etc. ➖
8. I cared about the outcome of the story ✅
9. I didn't work out the ending/the ending surprised me ➖
10. The ending was satisfying ➖
🌟 Bonus points: None.
☠️ Penalty points: None.
🏅 OVERALL RANKING: 6.5/10 (3.25/5 stars)
May 24, 2017
McCarthy's first book is full of firsthand medical experiences that few outside the world of Emergency Medical Services ever get to see. It is alternately hilarious and horrifying, but always looks with an unflinching eye at the grittiest parts of the human experience.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews