Towing the line between life and death. Dr. Stephen Westaby weaves a tale of his most riveting encounters in the operating room in Open Heart. Not only is Westaby a brilliant heart surgeon, but he is also a talented writer. Coming from a humble background, Westaby rose up the ranks through his innovative approaches to heart surgery and his pioneering work with the artificial heart.
What struck me the most about this memoir was the way Westaby made heart surgery as riveting as a BMX race. Even with all of the complicated vocabulary and approaches mentioned, Westaby manages to make his most complicated surgeries understandable by the average lay person.
The stories within Open Heart are filled with moments of heartbreak and joy. Open Heart was the first ever medical memoir I read, and let me tell you – it was amazing. This book has made a surge to the top of my favorite summer books list this year. I am so sure that all of you will think the same, especially if you’re considering a career in medicine!
