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The Knife’s Edge
- The Heart and Mind of a Cardiac Surgeon
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
- Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
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Publisher's Summary
A TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2019
An intimate and compelling exploration into the unique psyche of the heart surgeon, by one of the profession’s most eminent figures.
Although Professor Stephen Westaby was born with the necessary coordination and manual dexterity, it was a head trauma sustained during university that gifted him the qualities of an exceptional heart surgeon: qualities that are frequently associated with psychopathy. His thirty-five-year career has been characterised by fearlessness and ruthless ambition; leaving empathy at the hospital door as thousands of patients put their lives in his hands.
For heart surgeons, the inevitable cost of failure is death and in The Knife’s Edge, Westaby reflects on the unique mindset of those who are drawn to this exhilarating and often tragic profession. We discover the pioneers who grasped opportunities and took chances to drive innovation and save lives. Often difficult, uninhibited and fearless, theirs is a field constantly threatened by the risk of public failure.
Like those before him, Westaby refuses to draw the line in his search of a lifetime solution to problems of the heart. His determination is unerring – a steadfastness underpinned by his unusual mind. But as we glimpse into the future of cardiac surgery, for all its remarkable scientific advancement, one question remains: within the confines of socialised medical healthcare systems, how can heart surgeons – individuals often hardwired with avoidance of self-doubt, a penchant for glory and a flagrant disregard for authority – truly flourish?
Critic Reviews
‘Wholly believable… The book [has] an unmistakable feeling of authenticity.’ Daily Telegraph
‘What makes this memoir so readable is Westaby’s unexpected admissions of vulnerability.’ The Times, Book of the Week
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What listeners say about The Knife’s Edge
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Scott
- 24-10-2023
Excellent insight into the life of a cardio thoracic surgeon
Well written, as a trainee perfusionist I really enjoyed hearing about Dr Westaby’s experiences working in the NHS and the history of cardiac surgery.
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
- Amazon Customer
- 15-08-2021
Good book
I struggled to warm to the author throughout most of the book, but eventually came around to him slightly. Clearly he is motivated by good intentions, but I do still struggle to believe his approach is the best way. Begrudging respect for the man is probably the best way to describe it. And because of that, I actually really liked the book. Interesting stories combined with challenging opinions made for a great listen.
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