A worthwhile book that combines true patient stories with medical facts and data. More in depth and educational than some of the other doctor books doing the rounds.
It is fascinating to hear about the background to current ICU practices and to marvel how far we have progressed in this area.
Not always an easy read as the stories don’t all have a happy ending but a must for those with an interest in medical matters

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I really enjoy medical books like this, and this was no exception. The author gives a moving and interesting account of being an ICU doctor, sharing medical explanations in an easy to understand way.

This is a great addition to the current trend of biographies/ narrative non fiction from medics. ICU is a scary place but in this book it is split down by organ saved is very clever as it shows just what a complex machine the human body is.
Not for the squeamish but very readable

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it an insightful read into the human body, its complexities and the wonderful work our NHS staff do. I enjoyed being enlightened into the various illnesses the human body can get and found a new found appreciation for anyone helping in this fight. Would definitely recommend to family and friends.

A great book if you love Hospital, 24 hours in A&E etc and if you enjoyed Adam Kays This Is Going To Hurt. A great glimpse into the world of intensive care- the highs, the lows- all of life and death, but most of all love. Making me cry and making me laugh, all in one book.

Dr Morgan says all right things about more diversity, compassion and personalisation in medicine, and I applaud his attempts to tell both fellow medics and potential patients what it should be like. I’ve visited ITU both professionally to see patients, and personally when my stepfather died of respiratory failure, and I’m glad doctors like Matt are trying to take the time to be better, be more human and humane. He mentions the “Hello my name is” campaign, and many others, past and present, that have sought to improve medicine, whether through the equipment, method or delivery of care. He bigs up the need for research to run in tandem with awareness campaigns, and he’s clearly managed to keep hold of his passion for intensive care medicine, which I understand is an incredibly draining specialty. He has lots of stories of patients he’s seen, which gives the book some fascinating insights into various diseases and how the body reacts, though the tales are sometimes a little meandery. All in all, it’s my kind of book. I read out the bit about smoking not really being a stress reliever to both husband and teenage daughter, and almost the story about the girl with Crohns, but I get that they’re not as keen as I am on these sorts of details. If you liked Atul Gawande, Paul Kalanithi, Henry Marsh, Stephen Westaby, then you’ll undoubtedly like this too.

Thank you for the ARC. I have reviewed on Goodreads and will up.oad to Amazon after publication.

An instructive insight not only into intensive care, but the workings of the human body too. Told through case studies, the book is very readable, though the biological detail can be rather chewy.

“You are my past patient, my future patient, the son, daughter, father, mother of my patient”

Dr Matt Morgan takes us into his world , life on an intensive care unit, giving us unrivalled access to what goes on behind those double doors and we get a powerful insight into the mind making life and death decisions. We look at the machines that keep people alive working tirelessly when there own bodies can’t and we learn about the main organs in the human body, there functions and limitations and what happens when they stop working. Each chapter tells us the story of real patients treated in intensive care and the struggle to keep them alive, the anguish when lives can’t be saved or when it’s not in the patients best interest to keep them alive, we see the affects of these everyday decisions have on the patients, their families and the doctor.
Superbly written and the author has tried his best to provide the simplest explanation often drawing examples from everyday life to explain and visualise what happens to the body “the jostling of ice cubes in a glass of whiskey akin to a brain floating in spinal fluid”, following blows to the head it makes for a truly fascinating gripping read . He wants you to experience the sounds, smells and sights of an icu and he does just that !
Dr Morgan shows compassion understanding and respect to his patients and there families both in life and death
He tells us a intensive care doctor is an “intensivist , critical care doctor , resuscitationist to name a few but he forgot to add unsung hero!

This is an insightful read into the human body, its complexities and the wonderful work our medical staff do. I enjoyed reading about the various illnesses and the human element of the staff. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers Simon & Schuster UK for the ARC.
This book gives us a layperson's guide to the Intensive Care Unit, the roles of the members of the medical team and the machines and processes used in order to mitigate the trauma of critical illness being endured by the patient. It also highlights the insightful person/patient-centred approach taken by Dr Matt Morgan and his team through descriptions of people who came under their care, their lives before, during and after ICU interventions, as well as the wider impact on their families.
Dr Matt is passionate about continued research, giving us a history of how ICU interventions came about, where we are at this present point, and where it could possibly take us in the future. From humble beginnings to present-day machinery, techniques and processes, all aiming to protect the human body from the worst trauma and assist recovery..
This is absolutely fascinating and insightful. It is written in a clear and unambiguous style; where medical terminology is used it is preceded by clear explanation of the process that that particular part of the body is going through, with the medical description being merely shorthand for the Profession to summarise that condition..
Not least of all, the text conveys the sensitivity and understanding Dr Matt has of the people he cares for. Of course there are also difficult end-of-life decisions to be taken and I certainly have better understood reasons behind these and how they are approached by the ICU team.
Such a worthwhile and informative read.

A fascinating insight into the people and environment that together make up intensive care.

Dr Matt Morgan explains clearly the processes and procedures that can be involved in a stay in ICU – all illustrated by snippets of real-life patient stories.

Dr Morgan writes very much for the everyday person – no medical knowledge is needed – and his narrative engenders great respect for the work of all those in and supporting an ICU. A highly recommended read.

Matt Morgan combines his experience as an intensive care doctor and the human medical challenges and stories he encounters, with the history of treatments and medicine.
For example, Lucy is admitted to intensive care, heavily pregnant and in heart failure. Morgan explains how the heart works and how we can bypass its functions to allow the patient to live. He intersperses this with Lucy’s very human story.
The author also discusses the difficult issues: one in five intensive care patients dies, and the doctor needs to find ways of dealing with this, and knowing when to stop treatment.
I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the world of the ICU, but in the medicine and insight into the way our bodies work as well as the human stories.

This book is absolutely fascinating!! It covers everything from the conception of the intensive care unit, to future developments, and the way it assists in patient.
Cleverly told using case study examples intertwined with Dr Matts medical expertise. Some stories are heartwarming, juxtaposed with those that will break your heart, such is the life of a critical care Dr. He has also injected humour throughout the book, which I really enjoyed, making me literally laugh out loud in parts.
We learn not only about a critical dependency unit and it’s working, but also about the body and the mind blowing ways in which it has adapted to our environments! We also consider the ethics around treatments, which is thought provoking, and insightful.
Dr Matt has used easy to grasp language that draws you into the book, rather than alienating you through overly technical language.
I know my dad in particular will absolutely love this book, and will be purchasing him a copy to read! Thank you to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster UK fiction for an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This is an excellent book by Dr Matt Morgan looking at the work of Intensive Care doctors but much more.
He does this through patient stories and treatments and also details of how treatment originated and improved over the years.
His language should appeal to medical and non medical staff alike and his work is fully referenced which allows the reader access to more medical innovations and treatment information.
He describes conversations with patients and their families and what happened after the patients leave hospital.
He is sympathetic, realistic and hopeful in equal measures.
I read this book in one sitting as I found his writing style addictive.
The book is also current on new/ relatively new treatments for medical conditions.
His explanation of the work of an intensivist should be interesting for anyone who wants to learn about medicine, it's history and it's future.
The discussion of end of life care and resuscitation or DNAR is difficult to read but worthwhile, including his reference to Dr Mark Taubert, a palliative care doctor.
I would highly recommend this book to members of the medical profession and anyone who is interested in an insight into medical treatments and decision making.
Truly a worthwhile read.