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The Language of Kindness
- A Nurse's Story
- Narrated by: Christie Watson
- Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Professionals & Academics
Non-member price: $39.50
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Publisher's Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
Christie Watson was a nurse for 20 years. Taking us from birth to death and from A&E to the mortuary, The Language of Kindness is an astonishing account of a profession defined by acts of care, compassion and kindness.
We watch Christie as she nurses a premature baby who has miraculously made it through the night, we stand by her side during her patient's agonising heart-lung transplant and we hold our breath as she washes the hair of a child fatally injured in a fire, attempting to remove the toxic smell of smoke before the grieving family arrive.
In our most extreme moments, when life is lived most intensely, Christie is with us. She is a guide, mentor and friend. And in these dark days of division and isolationism, she encourages us all to stretch out a hand.
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What listeners say about The Language of Kindness
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Emma T.
- 27-07-2020
A beautiful story
As an aspiring nurse this book was an eye opener. The stories were shared with so much empathy and compassion. Loved every second.
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- Theres
- 25-06-2020
Struggled to stay engaged with the story
Very well narrated and written with an immense amount of empathy and rawness. I got half way through personally and it was just constantly about babies/birth etc... which I just can not relate to. The voice droned a bit so the stories tended to blend together.
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- Anonymous User
- 09-05-2020
A book you can go back to over and over again
The Language of Kindness has made me laugh and made me cry. And it has given me all the feelings in between. It is absolutely beautifully written. Christie’s voice reading it drives home the love and authenticity that obviously fuels her passion as a nurse. And as a student nurse it has fuelled my passion too. Could not recommend highly enough. Now excuse me while I listen to it a fourth time. And fifth.
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- Pompi
- 15-03-2020
Language of kindness
Read like a textbook /documentary at times was very explanatory but probably needed that for those who didn’t know nursing! Feel good book.
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- Anonymous User
- 05-02-2020
This Book Took Over My Life 'Til Finished
As a freshly graduated nurse starting out in the field, this book spoke to me at a deep level. Christie narrated her story with such passion and brilliance I couldn't get enough. Even if one is not a health professional, they will still have a firm understanding and subsequent admiration of the role and life of nurse through the author's thorough explanation of medical terminology in layman's terms. 5 stars. Have recommended to everyone I know!
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- Mad cow
- 02-02-2020
Wow heart felt story
Uk government should pay more attention to nurses needs They are what we need more then the bullshit Money they spent at there lunches and visits alone ...... would pay nurses what they need want and work for caring for people
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- stansmum
- 23-05-2018
Honest and thought provoking
After 80+ audible listens, this is the first time I’ve felt compelled to leave a review. This book is such an honest reflection on life within the NHS, at a time of great change and uncertainty. It’s emotionally charged without being overly dramaticised because it doesn’t need to be. The calm delivery despite at times the deeply moving content in my experience sums nurses up to a tee. Unsung heroes. I wish I could thank the author for putting into words how I and many of my NHS colleagues feel at work each day and writing this very human reflection.
42 people found this helpful
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- Chris
- 12-07-2018
Emotional rollercoaster
Enlightening insight into the compassion and kindness of nurses. Left me in awe of the commitment nurses have for their profession and the emotional sacrifice they make everyday. Warning - this book may make you buy friends in nursing boxes of chocolates/bottles of wine.
23 people found this helpful
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- Suzanne Wilkins
- 29-05-2018
An emotional and uplifting read.....
Such a rollercoaster of a read, it made me smile, laugh, cry and feel so grateful for kind, caring, Nurses who every day make a difference to someone’s life 😊
11 people found this helpful
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- CS George
- 12-06-2018
Beautifully written & moving & account of life as an NHS nurse
After reading this book I first wanted to hug my children, then my parents, then a nurse. Christie Watson’s story of her 20+ years working as a nurse within the NHS is beautifully, almost poetically written, yet is easily accessible & engaging. Through stories of individual patients, and looking back on the history of nursing Christie encourages us to look more closely at a profession we will all encounter in our lives, either as a patient ourselves, or visiting a loved one in hospital. Nursing is undoubtably an incredible profession to work in, but we must also understand that at times it is a very difficult job, both physically and emotionally. This is an incredible book that everyone should read. Thank goodness for our NHS and thank goodness for nurses.
9 people found this helpful
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- Mrspatriciacherry
- 14-01-2019
It certainly helps the reader understand the language of kindness.
I couldn't put this book away. And listened to it every moment I had to spare. A sincere, honest, sometimes sad story, and gives us an insight into what life is like for nurses who are really called to their vocation. Every nursing student needs to read this book.
4 people found this helpful
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- AIDA
- 05-08-2018
Want a good read? Look no further
Super! Absolutely true to life. A compulsive listen! Unreservedly recommended! Just sorry it is ended.
9 people found this helpful
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- Iva
- 12-01-2019
Outstanding.
Christie I worry that public will expect all of us to be as amazing nurses as you. I will try. Iva - neonatal nurse.
3 people found this helpful
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- R K DYETT
- 01-07-2018
It’s true
This is what it’s like to nurse, sometimes the most important thing you can do for a patient is to be kind and show them love
3 people found this helpful
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- Ruben Jervell Pettersen
- 09-10-2018
Excellent book on nursing and life
As a third year nursing student, having almost ten years experience as a care assistant, this book spoke very deeply to me. So many experiences were recognizable, and Watson puts it all so beautifully into words. That's impressive because so often, the healthcare system face us with people and situations that are both so wonderful and horrible that we are often at a loss for words. It made me proud of the profession I'm entering, and humbled me with respect to the responsibilities I'm about to undertake when this year is over.
6 people found this helpful
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- davidjh
- 04-08-2018
Nurse reviews nurse
Christie’s tales remind me of the highly privileged position we are in as nurses. Nurses work with the extremes of profound tragedy and grief; soaring joy and the miraculous. All this, mingled with the piss, shit, pus, vomit, blood, wretchedness, compassion and love which is the daily grist of nursing. Christie has experienced and describes it all without ever losing humanity or balance, demonstrating deep insight into nursing and the real value of our most important nationalised industry - NHS. Inspiring!
13 people found this helpful
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