From the exhilaration of saving a life to the guilt of losing another, experience the emotional impact of managing real life emergencies from the paramedic who experienced it.
‘Hands of an Angel, Mind of a Demon, Heart of a Saint’ takes the reader through a journey few have experienced. The author does not hold back. The stories he shares provide a stunning look into the reality of paramedicine and the struggles first responders face on a daily basis.
I am a husband and father of four young children. I had been involved in emergency services since I was eighteen. I ended my service as a Paramedic to spend more time with my family and live a more meaningful life. I am not an author. I initially wrote about my calls as a coping mechanism to deal with the stress I was facing. Although I did not like the path emergency services had taken my life, what I learned throughout my career ultimately changed me into who I am today. I wrote this book to share my experience in hopes it could help others in ways I may not yet understand.
1.5 stars. I enjoyed the book; however, there were multiple grammatical and spelling errors, as well as about 20 pages coming loose and ripping out of the book when I turned the page. Being a student of this field, it is always interesting to read memoirs by others in EMS. However, I would not recommend this to anyone who isn't going into the field. On the other hand, I would HIGHLY recommend Kevin Hazzard's "1000 Naked Strangers" to anybody, even those without even the slightest interest in the field. Kevin's book was traditionally published, while this book; while entertaining, was clearly self-published. As stated before, the pages rip out of the binding upon turning them and the paragraphs are over-ripened with bad grammar and poor word choice. I didn't hate it (because this is my major) but most people reading this review who aren't EMTs probably wouldn't find the book very readable.
The wonderful journey that you as a reader gets to take with the author is mind blowing. It presents the human side of learning and working as a paramedic, that we as either patients or society in general just don't think about as we should. It's true that we often want to hear the gory stories, without thinking about the people who went through it. We need to thank and honor these heroic people, that are taken for granted .
Enjoyed reading this. I felt that he overthought every situation until the very end when he FINALLY got comfortable. Mistakes we all make will teach us for the next situation but nothing is ever written in blood in medicine! I say this as an old E.R. nurse. Wonder what he is doing now and have a healthy respect for the courtesy he extended every patient he encountered. It aint easy that's for sure.
Great stories. It's not often you hear of the burnout. Stone covers his topic well! I thoroughly enjoy that he mentioned that he never got asked what his best call was. Working in vet med, I never get asked what my best case was, only the sad and worst things I've seen. Read this, you won't be sorry.
Not sure what I felt about this book. Seemed to be very mixed up and not well written. It was a disappointment. It left me feeling like I was suspended with no ending.
This book was like a real life ride along with him. It was interesting, sad and heartbreaking. To see how the years of fighting trama beat him down both mentally and physically, was eye opening.
I really have a better appreciation for you Medicis. I known couldn't do it! Thank you for this story and I also believe in demons and angels. I hope your life is somewhat balanced after leaving the field.
I work st UCH in Denver and I know all the places you have been it was like riding with you. I have a lot of respect for what they do my brother was a Emt and paramedic ,LPN .So thank you for helping the people of Colorado.
Absolutely a cannot put down book. I have seen these people in action. I watched them save my aunt. There were angels helping them. Amazing I will never forget.