Miracles & Mayhem in the ER: Unbelievable True Stories from an Emergency Room Doctor

This book is filled with engaging, calamitous, amusing and sometimes unbelievable stories of the author's experience as an emergency room doctor. And while the stories keep you fascinated, the author also does a beautiful job of interweaving his life and his role as husband and friend throughout. I thought a lot about how the book was written once I finished it and was impressed at how he came to write the book in the way that he did. It's a smooth-flowing account and feels seamless in its progression. But the author had to have done quite a bit of work in making it seem that way. It's beautifully constructed and that makes it a true pleasure to read.I also felt that I got to know the author as a person, and a doctor, and he comes across as the sort of person you hope would be able to treat you if you ever needed to go to the ER. He's kind, compassionate, light-hearted and good at his job. He's also authentic in his depiction of himself and his profession. I'm grateful he took the time to write the book and hope he continues to write more.

If you want a good read on what really happens in the E.R.- and the residents in training, then I would recommend this book highly..Yes, as others have pointed out, there are times when he could have shortened a story, but all in all, I really enjoyed this book.O.K. spoiler alert (of sorts). He discusses why doctors have to balance between ordering unnecessary tests vs. covering your A$$.He brings up a very interesting TRUE scenario where a fellow E.R. physician, who went thru training and residency with another E.R. doctor and then maliciously testifies against him, in 6 million dollar lawsuit. You'll have to read to find out what the jury decided.You might think some of these stories are embellished , for the "OH my gosh!" factor. But having worked 12 years in 56 bed E.R. in Florida, I can tell you, you can't make this stuff up. Suppose I should write my own book.I think Brent must have written this book awhile ago, because in one scenario, and EMT asks if he can bring an inmate in who had committed suicide by "Toothbrush". Of course Brent, curious to see how this could happen, says "Sure, bring 'em in." I have worked in several state prisons and many county facilities, and they don't give out full size toothbrushes anymore for the very reason of this story.Brent if you're reading this. Thanks for the ride!P.S. And yes, the Full Moon theory is really alive . . . tormenting E.R. staff today.

Miracles and Mayhem had my attention from the very beginning and kept me hooked; it took a very short amount of time to tear through this book. It is written in a very engaging and accessible style, giving insight into the craziness physicians have to contend with.I was sad to read how many people in the medical profession have distain for those of a religious bent, but it was good to read there are at least *some* out there who are nonjudgmental.The story of Noah being sued was instructional. I felt so bad for him. I wonder what happened to Franklin in the end? Did he learn from what happened? I hope so. I felt a great deal of respect for Noah and the way he handled the outcome.I learned a great deal about emergency physicians and the things they have to endure. I would like to find one about nurses...I bet they have even more crazy stories to tell.

I have been reading this book on and off. Some of the parts are very interesting and show the difficult cases a young doctor has to go through before becoming an expert. Some of the cases are also scary from a patient point of view. In a way the residents practice on the patients. And luck plays a big role in staying alive or going. I will keep reading and adding comments.

This book appeared on one of the many lists I receive touting discounted Kindle e-books. I immediately went over to Amazon.com and noticed it had pretty decent reviews. Besides, if I didn’t like it, I was only out $3.00.I think this is the first time I’ve ever reviewed a book immediately after finishing it, but then, Miracles and Mayhem in the ER is that kind of book.It’s partly because I live in the Portland Oregon area where most of the book takes place (and became totally confused when he talked about working at “Brookwood” hospital, trying desperately to remember where this was; it wasn’t until I read the afterwards that I realized he’d made it up), I think it was more to the point that this was a really good read.I found myself not only reading it during lunch but also, before I went to bed. I really enjoyed his stories, whether it was that one night he became a believer in the fact that the crazies do come out during the Full Moon (I noticed that too working inbound customer service for AT&T Mobility – nothing like working the late shift and having drunks try to pay their phone bills) or discussing the Portland area and its great outdoors.What I really appreciate about Dr. Russell’s style of writing is that he managed to weave his background growing up in Mississippi in with his stories of his training and the ER. I’ve read other books (most notably Thomas Starzl’s The Puzzle People: Memoirs of a Transplant Surgeon where he continually apologizes for being a racist in his earlier days) where the doctor’s background story takes away from the main narrative. Not in this book. He expertly wove his personal story into the over-all medical narrative.As you can guess, I highly recommend this book and I’m looking forward to reading it a second time because I know it will be as a fun a read as the first time.Highly recommended and I give it a solid 5/5.

Excellent read. Not a dull moment. Fast paced. Well written. Couldn't put it down. Very informative and educational. Would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in what life in an ER setting is like. Very real!

This is one book I really enjoyed. Some of the tales were funny and some pull the heart strings. It also shows the rather nasty side of the Americans with there sue, sue, sue attitude. I really cant understand why someone devoted to their occupation would want to carry on with this sort of attitude so obvious.

Really good book well written

I was pleasantly surprised by this book - funny and informativeWould recommend this to anyone who is curious about doctors dutiesPretty scary too knowing that one wrong decision and you are ruined for the rest of your life!!Physicians are only human but for some reason we treat them like they have a direct line to God - this book reminds us that they are trying to do the best job they can even with all odds against them

I never get tired of reading these kind of recollections about the unpredictability and diversity of events that happen every day in the clinical environment. This did not disappoint and was entertaining with the right amount of humour in appropriate measure and place. I can recognise patients and scenarios and empathise with the author when he and his colleagues are faced with moral and ethical dilemmas. It is definitely worth reading as a slice of real life told respectfully and tastefully. Highly recommended.