Hot Lights, Cold Steel: Life, Death and Sleepless Nights in a Surgeon's First Years

Michael J. Collins

Apr 2007 · Macmillan + ORM

About this ebook

“An orthopedic surgeon’s down-to-earth, fast-paced, and frequently funny memoir of his residency [told] with a born storyteller’s skill.” —Kirkus Reviews

Michael Collins’ account of his four-year surgical residency at the famed Mayo Clinic traces his rise from an eager but clueless first-year resident navigating chaos and feelings of inadequacy 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 rundown cars towed to the junk yard, long weekends moonlighting at rural hospitals, a family that grows larger every year, and a laughable income. Collins’ good nature helps him over some of the rough spots—but cannot spare him the harsh realities and heart-wrenching decisions of a doctor’s life. A teenager’s leg is mangled by a tractor: risk the boy’s life to save his leg, or amputate immediately? A woman diagnosed with bone cancer injures her hip: should he recommend a painful operation even though she has only months to live? Unflinching and deeply engaging, Hot Lights, Cold Steel captures the author’s struggles to reconcile his idealism and desire to heal with the recognition of his own limitations and imperfections.

“Collins’ life as a surgical resident is heartbreaking one minute and triumphant the next. You’ll laugh and cry and cheer.” —Augusten Burroughs, New York Times–bestselling author of Dry

“At once darkly humorous and truly compassionate. Not since House of God has there been such a ferociously funny look at the world of hospital medicine.” —Michael Palmer, New York Times–bestselling author of The Last Surgeon

“I adore this book.” —Tess Gerritsen, New York Times–bestselling author of the Rizzoli & Isles novels

Ratings and reviews

This book offers an eagle-eye glance into the beloved Mayo Clinic and all of the hard work that goes into making it one of the best medical and education facilities in the world. Dr. Collins delivers us the heart-wrenching stories of death, injury, and disease from a resident's perspective. All the while, he consoles the reader with light-hearted wit and humor. I would recommend this book to anybody and everybody! Note: A decent understanding of medical knowledge will enhance the enjoyment of this memoir.

Not only is it well written and actually funny at times, for a book about a surgical internship, but it is very insightful. It makes me want to finish schooling right now to become a surgeon.

Whether you are still planning on going to medical school or already practicing medicine, this book is a great read.

About the author

Michael Collins served as Chief Resident in Orthopedic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Currently he is an active partner in a busy surgical practice in Chicago where he lives with his wife Patti and their twelve children. Hot Lights, Cold Steel is his first book.