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Bits and Pieces: Moments From The Ambulance
From touching moments that make your day, to gut-wrenching feelings of hopelessness, the very worst that humanity has to offer, things that make you smile and things that make you vomit.
The working life of a paramedic sees it all.
Seldom do they experience the glitzy, life-saving flashes that the general public get fed on news bulletins or TV shows, although they do happen as well.
Rarely will they complete a shift without one moment of despair, revulsion or loathing for another human being’s behavior. And hardly ever will a day pass without some incident that makes them question their own sanity for doing their job.
All too often they are overlooked.
In her book, Bits and Moments From The Ambulance, Emily James looks back on her career and the moments that made up a sizeable chunk of it. The moments that the rest of us often don’t see or get to hear about, but which form the core of a job that is unlike any other.
They are short, simple instants in time that nonetheless leave their indelible mark on those who encounter them.
The working life of a paramedic sees it all.
Seldom do they experience the glitzy, life-saving flashes that the general public get fed on news bulletins or TV shows, although they do happen as well.
Rarely will they complete a shift without one moment of despair, revulsion or loathing for another human being’s behavior. And hardly ever will a day pass without some incident that makes them question their own sanity for doing their job.
All too often they are overlooked.
In her book, Bits and Moments From The Ambulance, Emily James looks back on her career and the moments that made up a sizeable chunk of it. The moments that the rest of us often don’t see or get to hear about, but which form the core of a job that is unlike any other.
They are short, simple instants in time that nonetheless leave their indelible mark on those who encounter them.
- GenresNonfiction
113 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2022
98 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Emily James
191 books29 followersLibrarian note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.
See also:
Emily James - Cozy mysteries
Emily James - Romance
See also:
Emily James - Cozy mysteries
Emily James - Romance
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 13, 2025
Read for free with Kindle Unlimited
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Fair warning: some of the stories mention Covid if you’re like me and can't read about it (I skipped the ones that mentioned it).
Would have loved more detail in some but these were good tiny glimpses into what paramedics deal with.
It takes a different kind of strength 💪 to do this job, my hats off to them all, they deserve all the respect.
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Fair warning: some of the stories mention Covid if you’re like me and can't read about it (I skipped the ones that mentioned it).
Would have loved more detail in some but these were good tiny glimpses into what paramedics deal with.
It takes a different kind of strength 💪 to do this job, my hats off to them all, they deserve all the respect.
February 3, 2025
Not Enough
I purchased this book without reading reviews so that is my own fault! But I guess despite that, I expected an actual story -- or several stories as well as some personal information about the author. I would have liked to know, for instance, what made her choose to go into the medical field and a little about her as a person.
As far as the patients, although I realized once I began reading that these were MEANT to provide just "glimpses" into the variety of cases encountered on a shift or a compilation of multiple shifts; I am a reader who happens to prefer more detail over less and to read more complete stories. Which essentially is why I titled my review as I did and rated it accordingly. It wasn't horrible but for me these things would have made it much better!
I purchased this book without reading reviews so that is my own fault! But I guess despite that, I expected an actual story -- or several stories as well as some personal information about the author. I would have liked to know, for instance, what made her choose to go into the medical field and a little about her as a person.
As far as the patients, although I realized once I began reading that these were MEANT to provide just "glimpses" into the variety of cases encountered on a shift or a compilation of multiple shifts; I am a reader who happens to prefer more detail over less and to read more complete stories. Which essentially is why I titled my review as I did and rated it accordingly. It wasn't horrible but for me these things would have made it much better!
January 5, 2023
Excellent
Very insightful and intense observations of an experienced female EMT. Snapshots of life and death situations are very relatable and disturbing.
Very insightful and intense observations of an experienced female EMT. Snapshots of life and death situations are very relatable and disturbing.
June 20, 2023
It was a quick and easy read. There were few stories that were very upsetting. Ambos do a wonderful job, that they do. They witnessed alot of horrible things at work and it's incredible.
June 20, 2024
Fast read, compilation of short paragraphs detailing events that the author responded to. I would have liked to see the outcome of these events!
February 24, 2024
Amazing
This books was amazing to read. I expect the worst from people and I usually don't get surprised, but some of the stories in this books left me speechless.
A great book to read and understand, even just a bit, the life of a paramedic, but also some of the patients too.
I recommend it to anyone interested in this line of job.
This books was amazing to read. I expect the worst from people and I usually don't get surprised, but some of the stories in this books left me speechless.
A great book to read and understand, even just a bit, the life of a paramedic, but also some of the patients too.
I recommend it to anyone interested in this line of job.
May 21, 2023
A view of what first responders endure
This is a literal description of what first responders endured during the pandemic. Everyone stayed in this position is a candidate for Sainthood.
This is a literal description of what first responders endured during the pandemic. Everyone stayed in this position is a candidate for Sainthood.
August 28, 2025
W. O. W.
This is very well written. It’s short and to the point. Just having a glimpse at extraordinary moments in a person’s life is moving and touching. Emergency personnel are our heroes and I’m in awe of them. Thank you for sharing Emily James.
This is very well written. It’s short and to the point. Just having a glimpse at extraordinary moments in a person’s life is moving and touching. Emergency personnel are our heroes and I’m in awe of them. Thank you for sharing Emily James.
July 21, 2023
well written
See her photo. It makes it more interesting seeing that she is a young attractive woman
The realty first responders face everyday is shocking
See her photo. It makes it more interesting seeing that she is a young attractive woman
The realty first responders face everyday is shocking
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews