Letters from the Pit: Stories of a Physician's Odyssey in Emergency Medicine (1)

As a retired ED nurse, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The physician and nurse point of view is not so different. I also appreciate that you treated your nurses as the valuable asset that they are. That is not always the case. Nurses will go the extra mile when they feel valued. Thank you for this book. I purchased a print edition of it to lend to family and friends (and maybe some ED friends too, lol).

I just finished this book and enjoyed it immensely. I actually read it in one day on a long flight from overseas to back home in the USA. It kept me thoroughly entertained for the entire trip. As a matter of fact, when the pilot announced our descent and approach into Wash DC Dulles, I wanted to shout "wait! I'm on the last chapter and I need to finish it before we land!" Having worked as a Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry at a very large cancer hospital for many years (I'm now retired), I could visualize his patients so clearly and understood so well his heart-felt efforts to help them. Hospital work is not for the faint-hearted and I would imagine that to be doubly true in the ER. I appreciated his tenderness and protectiveness toward his life-work as I also felt that way about mine. The first year of my hospital career was scary and overwhelming with the vast hordes of patients walking and waiting everywhere. The human suffering component cannot be understated. With all of that, I began to grow and see my role as a spiritual calling with being in the right place at the right time for the right reason. Perhaps the author also felt that about his position. I also know from experience how important it is, as the author mentions, to develop other interests and interactions outside of the grueling work environment to charge one's batteries for the next day. Reading this book highlighted for me the toll that his work took though on his level of "normalcy", for lack of a better word. Seeing so much death, pain and human misery shoves harsh realities into one's face every day in a unique way that a tire salesperson, for example, never has. It does rob one of a rose-colored glasses innocence and a naive way of looking at the world as many people have. I would love to see this author write another book. He writes beautifully, clearly and oh so sincerely. I wish him well during his retirement and hope he gets many sunrises.

As an ex nurse but not in emergency medicine I always enjoy non-fiction hospital stories. Patrick Crocker writes well and displays empathy for his patients. I didn’t care for the ‘letter’ format, irritating and unnecessary. The vignettes sit well on their own and I found the Dear Jack at the start of each chapter distracting. One thing that made me gasp, and it has nothing to do with the author or the writing is in a chapter Dr Crocker writes about the large, locked drug dispensing machine that can only be accessed by inputting the patient’s insurance details. For a person from a country (New Zealand) with a social welfare system where access to healthcare is available AND THE SAME for all residents of the country be they poor or wealthy, I find the US healthcare system bewildering and inhumane. Sure, our system is a long way from perfect and being able to afford private health insurance speeds things up, but in acute cases everyone is equal.

I give it 5 stars and read it thru at one sitting, that's how good it was. Some of the stories were quite moving and brought a tear to the eye of even a hard-hearted b*stard like this guy! Just a few comments: The title is... odd. I would have called it just "Letters from The E.R." Is "The Pit" an inside term for an E.R.? If so, I don't know it. Especially where this book is self-published and lacks the promo backing of a big publisher, I'd recommend making the title work for you. One or two others have commented that the letters aspect of this writing was kind of an unnecessary drag. I'm inclined to agree. It might have been useful and even interesting if "Jack" had responded on occasion. I'd drop all the text relating to letters and rename the book "REAL STORIES FROM THE E.R." I think that title would sell itself. Should have been longer. Especially if self-published. It doesn't cost much more to print a 300-page book than a 200-page book. The good doc says he treated 150,000 patients over his career. I'm sure he could easily have added 20 chapters. The chapter at the end DREAMS really hit home! He mentions this is a common dream and I agree. I can't count how many times I've had a dream where I forgot about a test, or even an entire course (like he dreamed) and woke up in a cold sweat agonizing over getting an F and maybe even flunking out of school due to a stupid unforgiveable oversight! I think it's a common dream of driven over-achievers. I like to think that of myself and I'm sure Doc Crocker qualifies! None of these comments are meant as criticisms. Buy this book and read it! You'll enjoy it immeasurably if you like "doctor stories"!

I enjoyed the stories. Most were informative and well written. The stories made you think about what goes on in medical decision making when lives are at stake. I will now read its sequel.

This book is a tribute to all who work the ER. I spent 15 years in one. If I could do it all over again I’d jump at the chance. Feels honest and sincere. Honestly the way medicine has progressed it would be difficult and challenging. If you feel it in your heart it’s a good job. It’s more than just a just a job.

I wish I could have worked beside you! I have had 25 plus years spanning from labor and delivery to long term care. A few years in ER a lot of years in ICU. When you speak of listening to the patient, touching their hand my heart soared! My GP is in his seventies and you and he would be great friends. He always pays my hand, puts down the chart and listens to me. I can't say the same about my cardiologist. He is a very good doctor but he doesn't listen to me and has never shook my hand. Oh the things he could learn from you. This book should be mandatory reading for all medical students. Your wisdom on each page should be read and practiced. I was sad to finish this book. Please please write another book with more stories! You left me yearning for more. I also loved that you respected your whole team. I'm sure your lack of ego was surprising to most nurses. I just can't say enough about this book. I will be telling all my nursing friends to read this bookl

Great book! 2 stars off for "Primum no nocere" 2 or 3 times every bloody chapter! We get it, first do no harm. An editor should have said, "First, stop repeating this phrase!"

I find most medical stories interesting, maybe being a retired nurse has something to do with it. His compassion and intuition brought back memories as to how patients respond to certain traits in any medical personnel! Would love to meet this outstanding physician.

I was hesitant to start this book, having been disappointed in the ‘letter’ style of memoir previously. I am very happy to say that it was definitely not the case with this excellent memoir. The stories are well written and presented, and highly engaging. I didn’t want to put the book down, and was sad when I finished it. If you enjoy medical memoirs, I can highly recommend this book. I hope the author, Dr Crocker, writes a sequel. I have recommended it to all my fellow members of a memoir reading group on FB.

This offers abdeep insight into a person I’d never think of as a medic… but as a Healer. Highly recommended.

Fabulous book! I am a wannabe medical person and was totally engrossed in this 'true stories from the ER' book. Definitely worth reading!! Highlights the ups and downs of working life in the ER. Loved it!

I've read many books written by docs at the bedside and this one is by far the best of them all.