Hot Lights, Cold Steel

Life, Death and Sleepless Nights in a Surgeon's First Years

By: Michael J. Collins MD

Narrated by: John Pruden

When Michael Collins decided to become a surgeon, he was totally unprepared for the chaotic life of a resident at a major hospital. A natural overachiever, Collins' success in college and medical school led to a surgical residency at one of the most respected medical centers in the world, the famed Mayo Clinic. But compared to his fellow residents, Collins felt inadequate and unprepared. All too soon the euphoria of beginning his career as an orthopedic resident gave way to the feeling he was a counterfeit, an imposter who had infiltrated a society of brilliant surgeons.

This story of Collins' four-year surgical residency traces his rise from an eager but clueless first-year resident to accomplished chief resident in his final year. With unparalleled humor he recounts the disparity between people's perceptions of a doctor's glamorous life and the real thing: a succession of run-down cars that are towed to the junkyard, long weekends moonlighting at rural hospitals, a family that grows larger every year, and a laughable income.

©2005 Michael J. Collins, MD (P)2017 Tantor

Excellent medical story!

Excellent story! The reader has a good voice. I took a point off for mispronounced medical words.
I hope Dr. Collins writes more books.

Fantastic author

Mike has the gift of gabby + has a fantastic story. His first book "Blue Collar to Blue Scrubs" is equally as entertaining.

Fun, Inspirational, touching.

This was a great listen. The narrator did a fantastic job! I've listened to a lot of these doctor memoirs and this one stands out. My first time reviewing I messed up the stars so I wanted to write it again to make sure I got the 5 stars in there.

So entertaining!

I definitely could not stop listening! The story is so compelling. This physician is such an awesome storyteller.
This was an eye-opener. I feel less resentful now of the big bucks I have spent on my orthopedist. The years of training to get that expertise. Great story!

Amazing!

This is the 3rd time finishing this book since I got it a few years back, it never gets old. Very well written and read perfectly!